"I advise you to surrender!" Rhett said in a cold voice. "If you behave, you might still find yourself a position as a laborer. Otherwise, it's the guillotine for you!"
"Ignorant fool!"
"Hmph." Rhett didn't bother wasting words. Seeing the Night Cat once again darting forward with agile steps, he calmly cast another Rockfall Spell.
A massive rock fell from the sky, radiating a yellowish glow, blocking the Night Cat's retreat.
Yes, blocking the retreat, not the path of its attack.
Even the Night Cat itself was momentarily stunned by this, a thought flashing through its mind: "Did this human get so scared that he cast the spell wrong?"
But as this thought crossed its mind, excitement surged within it—torturing a human captive and listening to their pitiful cries of pain was even more satisfying!
Rhett's lips curled into a cold smile, his gaze growing even more chilling.
He gently extended his staff, pointing it forward as if pronouncing a death sentence.
"Shing!"
As the Night Cat laughed wildly and weaved through the gaps between the boulders, charging toward Rhett, a yellow earthen spike suddenly shot out from the surface of a nearby boulder!
The Night Cat's fur bristled as it instinctively twisted its body, barely dodging the earthen spike at the last moment.
But Rhett had already laid his trap. The spikes erupting from the ground were his lethal fangs, and he wasn't about to let his prey escape so easily this time.
He had anticipated the Night Cat's dodging direction and immediately cast another Earth Spike, blocking its path!
Now, the area was filled with boulders, with no open space left.
To escape, the Night Cat had no choice but to navigate through the narrow gaps between the rocks.
In other words, spikes could erupt from any angle, striking at the Night Cat at any moment!
Even the cave entrance was now sealed off by the massive rocks...
The Night Cat, realizing this too late, finally understood just how cunning and ruthless this human was. To ensure it couldn't escape, Rhett had meticulously planned every detail!
Reflecting on how it had mocked him earlier, the Night Cat felt a surge of anger. It looked at Rhett, who now regarded it as nothing more than a clown.
"Meow~"
It let out a sharp cry, leaping off a newly emerged earthen spike, determined to take Rhett down.
But surrounded by boulders, it could only pass through star-shaped gaps.
"Shing!"
"Shing!"
"Shing!"
Spikes frequently shot out from the boulders, forcing the Night Cat into a desperate defensive stance. It couldn't break through.
Rhett sighed inwardly—it wasn't easy. Among all the orcs, aside from the royal bloodline, the Night Cat was the most troublesome opponent for an earth-element mage like himself.
Its agile speed made it much more difficult to hit with spells compared to minotaurs and boarmen, which could respond and dodge more easily.
If any element had an advantage against Night Cats, it was wind. Wind-element spells had faster trajectories, and since Night Cats were relatively fragile, they posed a greater threat.
Of course, that didn't mean other elements were helpless against Night Cats. Experience, strategy, and spellcasting proficiency were still key factors in battle.
As it was now.
In the environment Rhett had carefully crafted, the Night Cat constantly dodged spikes from every direction, its movements becoming increasingly frantic, resembling a black cat with its tail on fire.
Rhett watched the chaotic "dance" before him like an audience member enjoying a performance.
But after a few minutes, he found the show less entertaining than expected.
So, he hit the "end" button!
At that moment, the Night Cat, focused on dodging, failed to realize that spikes could not only emerge from the ground—they could also descend from above!
From a boulder directly overhead, a yellow earthen spike suddenly shot down, aiming for the center of the Night Cat's body. It might not deliver a fatal blow, but it could certainly inflict serious damage!
The Night Cat's black fur bristled like a porcupine's quills as it let out a low growl. In a desperate move, it seemed to tap into some hidden potential, shifting its body half a meter to the left, narrowly avoiding the spike.
This near-death experience even brought a sense of breakthrough, as if the barrier preventing it from advancing to the fifth rank had loosened!
But in the next instant, the Night Cat failed to notice another subtle ripple beneath it. A second Earth Spike burst from the ground, piercing the heart of the Night Cat, now paralyzed and exhausted!
"Splurt, splurt, splurt!"
Blood sprayed out like a fountain!
The spike pinned the Night Cat to the boulder above.
One moment it was in heaven, the next it was in hell.
The very boulders it had once dismissed as slow and cumbersome now became its tombstone, marking its death.
"Humans, spare me! I can reveal an important secret!" the Night Cat croaked, its voice hoarse. As it spoke, it coughed up a mouthful of blood.
It didn't want to die now, not after finally glimpsing the doorway to the fifth rank, with new heights just within reach...
It refused to die like this!
But Rhett merely shook his head in disdain. Another "important secret"? This tactic had been overused on the battlefield—countless prisoners had tried to buy time by offering supposed secrets in desperate situations.
He wasn't a rookie. Why would he fall for that?
Ignoring the Night Cat, Rhett moved through another crevice in the cave, intending to notify Tack and claim the destiny points from this creature.
Seeing Rhett's firm stance and complete disregard, the Night Cat panicked. Coughing up blood, it cried out:
"In ten days, the orcs will launch an attack on your forces!
I know some details. I was ordered to scout the surrounding terrain in preparation for the assault.
I also know that in ten days, a Night Cat unit will pass through this area!
I know their numbers and strength. If you spare me, I'll tell you everything!"
"Hmm?" Rhett paused mid-step.
He narrowed his eyes, contemplating the information. The first part aligned with the future vision he had seen through the simulation.
But the part about the Night Cat unit passing through here was new and unexpected.
"If I can verify the information and set up an ambush in advance, it could lead to a significant victory..." Rhett's thoughts raced.
But then he remembered that this particular fourth-rank Night Cat hadn't appeared in the last simulation. And considering that nearly six months had passed since the previous simulation, the trajectory of reality had shifted significantly.
Battles were like chess—each move changed countless others.
To be cautious, Rhett decided to conduct another simulation, both to verify the information and to glimpse the latest future.
With a thought, he opened the system.
[Would you like to start a text simulation? Each year of simulation costs 5 destiny points.]
"Yes, simulate one year!"
[Year 475 of the Golden Wheel Calendar, August 5th: While leading a patrol, you encounter a fourth-rank Night Cat and defeat it. You learn that a Night Cat unit will pass through the 24th sector in ten days.]
[August 6th: You return to the camp with the captured Night Cat and relay the information to Commander Ambiru.]
[August 7th: During a patrol at the Bloody River, you encounter an orc unit, resulting in a small skirmish. Thanks to prior preparations, you send a team to ambush them. Through your 'strategy,' you achieve a decisive victory, eliminating four Blood Moon Werewolves and thirty orcs.]
[August 15th: Late at night, you receive information that the frontline is being attacked by a large orc force. You lead a hundred men with Commander Ambiru to ambush the Night Cat unit, only to encounter a sixth-rank Blood Moon Werewolf among over a thousand Night Cats. Ambiru is severely hindered by a surprise attack, and the battle ends in a stalemate. Taro perishes on the battlefield.]
[August 19th: Laurine is pregnant.]
[August 24th: Mina successfully gives birth to a baby boy, bringing joy to the family!]
[August 27th: Late at night, you follow the main forces in an attack on the orc positions.]
[August 30th: The war rages on for three days and nights, with fire and bloodshed. Thanks to the stockpile of antidotes you prepared, you and your men survive with multiple wounds.]
[September 5th: You hear that Commander Ambiru plans to attack the orc patrol units, and you volunteer to join. During the operation, Ambiru's old injury flares up, forcing him to withdraw early.]
[October 17th: During a patrol, you are ambushed by orc forces. Due to prior precautions, you call in nearby captains to ambush the orcs, ultimately wiping them out. Unfortunately, no royal-blooded orcs are encountered.]
[October 23rd: While patrolling, you come across a heavily injured scout fleeing from three third-rank Poison Serpents. You lead your team to aid them, killing all the orcs.]
[October 26th: Unica breaks through to Apprentice Mage.]
[November 11th: The orcs launch another major offensive. Driven by revenge, you follow Commander Ambiru into battle, executing a rear-flanking strategy. The fighting lasts a day and night. Thanks to the antidotes, you and your men survive with multiple wounds.]
[November 17th: Lien breaks through to Apprentice Knight.]
[November 23rd: The royal-blooded orcs at the canyon front seem to recede like a tide, and the pressure of the war eases suddenly. You realize the battle may be reaching its conclusion.]
[November 26th: Commander Avalen announces that the royal-blooded orcs have been repelled, and the war has achieved a significant victory. That night, a celebration banquet is held. You learn from Avalen that your merits may be just enough to earn you the title of Earl.]
[December 11th: Fireclaw breaks through to mid-level magic beast!]
[December 18th: Upon returning to your territory and checking in as usual, you receive shocking news: a special poison developed at the Coldstream Front can render Draconians infertile. As a result, a large-scale war erupted there in October, even forcing a Saint-ranked Draconian to join the battle!]
[December 15th: A bard who visited your territory in April returns with friends from the eastern coastal region. You jokingly express interest in becoming a pirate king and inquire about the overseas forces in the East Blue Sea. After learning some details, you pay them 200 gold coins and send them on their way.]
[December 19th: Pief breaks through to Apprentice Knight.]
[December 25th: Tack's Shadow Falcon breaks through to mid-level magic beast.]
[Year 476 of the Golden Wheel Calendar, January 3rd: An important guest arrives at your territory—the Grand Duke of Blue Diamond, who performs your ennoblement ceremony. You become an Earl of the Golden Wheel Kingdom. Your proposal to adjust your territory to the area near the Shadow Falcon's branch is approved. Considering your outstanding contributions and the desolate southwest border with its undeveloped lands, your request to divide your territory is also granted—you retain your original Hawk's Nest town while setting up new lands near the Shadow Falcon's branch. Before leaving, the Grand Duke offers to arrange a marriage between you and one of his granddaughters, which you politely decline.]
[January 8th: A person in your territory is discovered to have a moderate talent for Battle Qi.]
[January 29th: The news of your ennoblement spreads throughout the southwest border. Bozak visits to apologize, and under your gaze, Reilus trembles as he apologizes to Teles.]
[February 3rd: You hear of a battle at the Coldstream Front. In January, two Saint-ranked fighters clashed, ending in a draw. But the number of Draconians at the Coldstream Front has tripled since the special poison was discovered!]
[February 4th: Two first-rank mages come to seek your protection.]
[February 12th: Commander Ambiru visits your territory with his troops, informing you that he will be reassigned to the Coldstream Front and offering you the position of chief captain under his command. After careful consideration, you politely decline.]
[March 2nd: A second-rank knight comes to seek your protection.]
[March 8th: Laurence breaks through to first-rank knight. His exceptional talent surprises you once again, and you all agree that he possesses a high-level Battle Qi talent.]
[March 10th: You finalize your plan to relocate your territory and begin moving people to the Shadow Falcon branch.]
[March 11th: You encounter a second-rank Wind Wolf and easily slay it.]
[March 17th: You encounter two first-rank Bloodhoof Boars and easily slay them.]
[March 25th: You and your people arrive at the outskirts of the Shadow Falcon branch.]
[March 28th: After three days of surveying, you decide to establish your new territory on a plain three kilometers from Ice Crystal Lake.]
[April 2nd: A second-rank Frost Tiger descends from the mountains and attacks the loggers building cabins. It is killed by McCoff.]
[April 19th: A first-rank Earthshaker Bear harasses the relocated citizens but is slain by Shirin.]
[April 26th: Vanessa is pregnant.]
[May 3rd: Tack breaks through to second-rank knight.]
[May 20th: Earl Nilo visits and proposes a marriage alliance with Joria, who is twenty years younger than you, which you politely decline. He then suggests Callen, which you also decline.]
[June 11th: The construction of your new territory nears completion, and most of your people have relocated from Hawk's Nest.]
[June 20th: Flano finds you in a hurry, reporting that while training his ranger team in the mountains, he discovered an Earthshaker Bear's den. After clearing it, they accidentally found the remains of two fifth-rank Earth Knights and a treasure. You are astonished and rush to the cave, where, besides finding potions and equipment, you discover a letter dated December 30th, Year 729 of the Remorian Calendar, detailing the pursuit of a traitor from the Tower of Rings who stole a bloodline potion. The letter urges the finder to return it to the Tower of Rings for a substantial reward.]
[July 25th: Late at night, an unexpected visitor arrives at your territory—Wodelger, accompanied by an alchemy master. You warmly invite them to your castle, but they express a desire to explore the Shadow Falcon's old nest in the mountains. You gladly accompany them.]
[July 26th: At dawn, you reach the Shadow Falcon's former nest—a solitary peak—where you discover six or seven Shadow Falcons still circling the mountain. This discovery excites the alchemy master, who shares his plan with you.]
[He intends to establish a Shadow Falcon breeding facility here. After discussing the key point—Tack's Shadow Falcon—you agree to his request. In exchange, you ask that he mentor your alchemists, which he accepts.]
[July 27th: While chatting with Wodelger, you invite him to join your territory. He hesitates before ultimately declining but assures you that he will stay in the mountains long-term to protect the Shadow Falcon's nest and promises to support you whenever needed.]
[August 3rd: The alchemy master spends a week at your castle, teaching Henk, Reile, and Teles, who gain valuable knowledge. That night, the alchemy master departs.]
[August 4th: Teles breaks through to first-rank mage.]
[August 5th: Teles successfully brews a basic poison and becomes a full-fledged alchemist!]