"Night Raven City is out of money?"
Sauron looked bewildered, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
The last visit from the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce did cost him quite a few gold coins, but it shouldn't have led Night Raven City into a financial crisis.
"What about our caravans?"
Sauron asked.
The Swain family has always had its own caravans. Night Raven City, known for its abundant ores, could trade them in the north for considerable wealth. This was the most important source of income for Night Raven City, apart from taxes.
"The three caravans sent out by Night Raven City this month were all attacked by bandits!"
"The goods bound for the north were all looted!"
Frost's face turned serious, saying solemnly, "According to my guess, those bandits are probably disguised people from White Valley City."
"White Valley City again?"
Sauron's face darkened.
It turned out that after the failed assassination attempt by Snake Shadow, they had set their sights on Night Raven City's caravans.
But, effective as it was, the Swain family's caravans were intercepted on the way, meaning Night Raven City's most important source of income had been severed.
In this situation, Night Raven City would naturally fall into a financial crisis.
"It seems like the people of White Valley City have mastered the caravan routes, and no matter when we set out, we'll be attacked on the way!"
At this moment, Frost spoke again, a trace of seriousness on his face.
"Are you suggesting there's a spy in Night Raven City?" Sauron looked thoughtful.
"Perhaps."
Frost nodded, sighing, "Otherwise, there's no reason why all three caravans would be attacked by bandits!"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Sauron's face.
"It looks like we need to teach White Valley City a lesson!"
After a while, he looked up and said solemnly, "Frost scholar, considering Night Raven City's current situation, how many men can we gather?"
"Probably... around two thousand?"
Frost pondered for a moment and said, "The war with White Valley City last time cost us a lot of soldiers. For now, we can gather a maximum of two thousand soldiers in a short time."
"Of course, these two thousand soldiers do not include the Red Feather Guard."
Sauron stroked his chin, thoughts flashing in his mind.
Night Raven City could muster about two thousand fighting men now, but if they wanted to launch a war, they had to leave five hundred soldiers to guard Night Raven City. Otherwise, if White Valley City sent a sneak attack, Night Raven City would inevitably fall.
"One thousand five hundred men? That should be enough!"
Sauron narrowed his eyes. In this world, the course of war often depended on the strength of the high-level battle.
Now, Night Raven City had two high-level Knights. Even if only one thousand five hundred soldiers were deployed, they could definitely break through White Valley City.
According to Sauron's knowledge, the defenses of White Valley City were not particularly strong. Besides Lord Dov, there were no other high-level Knights. If war broke out, as long as Sauron could restrain Lord Dov, the Red Feather Guard led by the steel-hearted Knight Conrad would be enough to sweep everything in their path.
Even a more aggressive approach.
Sauron and Conrad teamed up, killing Lord Dov with the force of thunder, and then jointly attacking White Valley City would be a breeze.
"Lord Sauron wants to attack White Valley City?"
At this moment, Frost understood Sauron's thoughts and hesitated.
"Is there a problem?"
Sauron raised an eyebrow.
Frost slightly nodded and said solemnly, "I understand your meaning, but in my opinion, things are not that simple."
"White Valley City is hateful indeed, but since Dov dared to make a move against Night Raven City, he must have some reliance!"
Sauron's heart skipped a beat, looking thoughtful. "Are you saying... Duke of the Western border?"
"Exactly!"
Frost nodded and pondered before saying, "For many years, Duke Phil of the Western border has always wanted to unify the thirteen cities of the Western border."
"Back when White Valley City attacked Night Raven City, even if it wasn't Duke Phil's direct support, he must have tacitly approved of it!"
"Now, it's easy for us to counterattack White Valley City."
"But doing so will inevitably attract Duke Phil's intervention. He might even use it as a reason to attempt to annex Night Raven City!"
Hearing Frost's words, Sauron calmed down.
After being promoted to a high-level Knight, he had the ability to seek revenge on White Valley City, but he still lacked the qualifications to face Duke Phil of the Western border.
In the Western border's thirteen cities, Phil ruled nine. He was the king of the entire Western border, and Duke Phil's name carried more weight in this land than even the King of Taal.
For years, Phil had wanted to unify the Western border. However, not all lords were willing to submit. For example, Lord Oren of Night Raven City, many years ago in the Western border martial arts competition, openly challenged Great Knight Phil in his capacity as a high-level Knight and persisted for eighty rounds.
Since then, Night Raven Knight Oren's name resounded throughout the Western border's thirteen cities!
That battle also made Duke Phil restrain his ambitions, refraining from forcibly subduing the various cities in the Western border.
But now, from an outsider's perspective, Night Raven Knight Oren seemed to have disappeared.
The actions of White Valley City attacking Night Raven City might be a probing move for Duke Phil of the Western border.
Even if Night Raven City was breached, Oren had not appeared.
This meant that Night Raven Knight had truly disappeared, and now was the best time for Duke Phil of the Western border to try to take Night Raven City.
"If I may offer my advice."
Frost spoke again, saying softly, "Perhaps we can teach White Valley City a lesson without truly provoking a war!"
"Alright."
Sauron pondered for a moment and then nodded.
For someone with a system of proficiency like him, low-key development was the best choice. If it weren't for the promotion to a high-level Knight, Sauron wouldn't even consider retaliating against White Valley City.
Now, after Frost's analysis, Sauron also calmed down.
He still didn't have the ability to resist Duke Phil of the Western border, so waging war on White Valley City was not a wise choice.
But faced with White Valley City's provocation, Night Raven City must respond in some way.
Otherwise, the other party would only become more aggressive, not only plundering Night Raven City's caravans but also engaging in further infringement.
Seeing Sauron following his advice, Frost slightly nodded.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Suddenly, Frost seemed to remember something and spoke again, "Recently, the situation in the Mist Forest seems to have become more serious."
Frost's face showed a hint of seriousness, saying solemnly, "According to residents near the Horn Village, the mist in the forest seems to be spreading outward every night!"