In the vast, desolate depths of the Sel Wilderness, about thirty kilometers south of the Scale Earth Rift.

It was late at night, and both the real and fake moons were completely swallowed by thick, dense clouds. The dim glow could hardly penetrate the cloud layers, causing the vast land below to be shrouded in a nearly tangible, suffocatingly thick darkness.

However, amidst this unfathomable blackness, there was a serpentine fire dragon silently advancing.

This was a torrent formed by elite cavalry and warriors clad in fine heavy armor, wielding long spears and battle spears, armed to the teeth, accompanied by numerous alchemy golems! The faint magical glow emitted from the seams of their armor and the halo of the alchemy runes combined together, forcefully dispelling large areas of the night, becoming the only vibrant light band in the darkness.

This troop was precisely the elite private army of the Albert Family, a direct force that Count Mills had expended countless effort and resources to cultivate.

In the general perception of the world, noble private armies, though well-equipped and generously treated, often lacked the brutal combat effectiveness compared to the regular border troops who were ever ready for battle and fought across all fronts.

This view is largely accurate, but it absolutely does not apply to the Albert Family.

The Albert Family rose to prominence through renowned military achievements, has intricate and close ties with the military system of the Raymond Duchy, and the backbone of their private army were carefully selected from the army’s elite.

While providing the richest resources for training, they also consistently subjected them to a nearly ruthless militarized regimen, often deploying them to the fringes of war zones with real conflicts and tensions, honing these warriors into true sharp blades through the most authentic blood and fire!

When fighting for the Albert Family, they are private soldiers.

But if they were thrown into any war-torn battlefield, they would immediately transform into a formidable seasoned and fearsome brigade!

At this moment, at the forefront of this silent and dangerous troop, was a burly knight almost entirely cloaked in heavy, ominous armor marked with battle scars, with only a pair of eyes shining with a cold, sharp light under the shadow of his helmet.

He carried a heavy tower shield on his back and had a unsheathed two-handed giant sword, its edge gleaming with rune light, slung at his waist.

Unlike the standard alchemy armament commonly equipped by other soldiers.

If one took a closer look, they would find that every piece of his equipment, from helmet to boots, was engraved with complex and meticulously crafted rune traces, emitting a deeply profound and restrained wave of power far beyond ordinary alchemy enhancement.

Anyone acquainted with the warrior’s path could easily recognize the extraordinary profession of this leader at a glance.

Rune Knight—a powerful and rare advanced branch among the warrior paths. They do not rely on external objects, but instead master supernatural runes, fusing their power into martial skills and equipment, exploding with destruction and defense far beyond common logic.

This Rune Knight leader is named Rod Albert.

He shares the prestigious family name with Count Mills, yet he possesses no noble lineage.

He has no father or mother, is a thorough orphan, and no one knows the origins of his bloodline or the land of his birth.

Since he could remember, his life has been tightly linked to the cold stone walls and bland porridge of the orphanage supported by the Albert Family.

The turning point of fate occurred during his childhood.

In a fierce conflict within the orphanage, he displayed ruthlessness and resilience far beyond his peers, thus chosen and taken away from the orphanage.

Afterward.

He endured the harshest training, grew up in the most perilous jungle of swords, and every piece of his honor was deeply entwined with waging war for the Albert Family.

When he turned thirty, his body was covered with indelible marks of merit, and the decision makers of the Albert Family finally cast him a truly approving gaze.

He was formally accepted into the family’s genealogy and granted the name that symbolizes the honor of Albert.

Even, he married a woman born from the family, possessing true noble lineage, formally becoming a member of the Albert Family.

From then on, he lived for the family, fought for the family, and was willing to die for the family.

Because his actions were known for being cold, ruthless, and decisive.

Rod in the army also earned a feared title—Albert’s Wolf, Evil Wolf General.

At this moment, the face of "Albert’s Wolf" hidden under the cold helmet slightly tensed, his brow subtly furrowed.

He suddenly raised his iron-clad arm, making a clean and sharp halt gesture, his voice rolling like thunder across the silent wilderness.

"Stop!"

Orders were given, and actions followed the words.

Almost instantly as the Evil Wolf General spoke, the entire troop which had been advancing with mechanical precision came to an abrupt halt, all soldiers stood still, neatly coordinated, the entire troop enveloped in an air of stern silence.

Rod slightly lifted his head, his icy gaze sweeping forward like a hawk, observing gravely.

Standing directly in front of the troop was a hill that appeared particularly rugged and ominous under the heavy night, its silhouette resembling a primal giant beast crouching, poised to strike. The surrounding terrain was intricately complex, simply an ideal spot for an ambush.

Countless times of crawling out from mountains of corpses and blood allowed Rod’s battle instincts to keenly sense the air thick with danger.