The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

"Yes!"

“Let’s go, Constantine, let’s go out and take a look.”

Heavy footsteps sounded as the officer picked up his shield and gun and headed out of the camp.

He was also very curious, since all his friends must have died in the northern wilderness.

Who could this person be?

As the morning mist gradually dissipated, the man could see the leader's figure outside the camp; the leader seemed to be sitting there waiting for him.

Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Wrapped in a thick blanket, Qiao Yelan, with a warm and welcoming smile, reached out to invite him to sit down.

"Captain? Captain? -- Father!"

The title of adjutant jolted Bozokastie back to reality.

"Take my shield and gun, and with them, return to the camp and wait for me. No one is to leave the camp, no matter what happens, unless I return. Understand?"

"Father, what's wrong?"

He stiffly handed the shield and spear to his adjutant and waved his hand dismissively.

Although Constantine was puzzled, in the army, orders were absolute, so he obeyed and led everyone back to the camp.

Bo Zhuokasti sat down in the chair opposite Qiao Yelan with his bare hands, behaving as properly as a new recruit meeting his instructor.

“Mr. Bozokastie—or should I address you as Mr. Patriot?”

You may call me whatever you like.

"Then let's use 'Patriot' then. Isn't that the title Vladimir gave you?"

Qiao Yelan coughed lightly twice; the cold wind in the north was still quite biting.

“I came here this time because I heard that a pure-blooded Wendigo wants to get involved in the political struggles of the Ursus Empire, which makes me very curious—”

"I wonder who it is that has the audacity to break their contract with me."

"I had no such intention. The reason for my transfer back to Saint Eagle Fortress is that I received a secret order issued by the military and stamped with the emperor's seal, ordering me to lead the troops back to Saint Eagle Fortress to report on my duties."

Qiao Yelan nodded. This made it clear why the other party chose to return—after all, she had agreed at the time that if the emperor issued an edict, the other party could comply.

Although the emperor has changed, it's only because I didn't make things clear back then.

"Well, I guess so. After all, I would be surprised if you were really willing to carry out such an order—you have changed so much."

Qiao Yelan waved his hand, signaling the person next to him to hand the sealed brown paper bag to Patriot.

"Look at what Ursus, whom you once thought was worthy of your loyalty, has become now."

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P.S.: Sorry, I accidentally labeled Rembiton as Argoll when introducing Terra's geography before. It has now been corrected. Thanks to [youki886] for pointing it out.

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Preliminary Preparations

Qiao Yelan sat in her wheelchair, quietly warming herself by the fire.

The patriot sat in the chair, sweating profusely.

He fought against demons in the freezing winds of minus forty degrees Celsius, moved freely amidst an enemy force several times his size, and persevered to victory despite being severely wounded.

But no matter the situation, his hands are always incredibly firm and steady, which is his greatest source of confidence.

Now, however, they are trembling.

He did not doubt that this was Qiao Yelan's lie, because the other party had no reason to deceive him. Moreover, Nikolai Romanov's order and seal were clearly recorded there, leaving no room for argument.

"Why are we being summoned back to Saint-Eagle Castle?!"

Even through the thick armor, one could hear the overwhelming rage within.

"I have no way of knowing the details anymore—since the late Emperor Vladimir fell into the shadows, my power within the Empire has been reduced to less than one-tenth. Obtaining this document has exhausted all my previous legacy in Ursus."

Qiao Yelan sighed.

"The only thing that is certain is that since this plan was finalized, the only force heading to Saint Eagle Fortress is you and your Shield Guards—you must have played an important role in this plan."

Important parts?

Is the plan to form human walls in the streets to suppress unarmed protesters?

Or should they raise their shields and push the infected who are trying to escape back into the pit?

Patriots still remember who they are.

He is Bozokasti, he is a Sarkaz, he is a pure-blooded Wendigo who is infamous among the Sarkaz.

If he does such a thing, then Ursus, and even the whole world, will once again regard the Sarkaz as a disgusting executioner. And as the race most vulnerable to Originium infection, once the infected begin to hate the Sarkaz, then his compatriots who have already lost their country will all die without a burial place!

"...I absolutely disagree. This is something a country should allow to do!"

Patriot closed the document and stated his decision decisively.

"I will not execute this command."

"But you said that the order that brought you back was stamped with the emperor's seal."

"Even if I am seen as a traitor, I will never be an accomplice to those who slaughter civilians."

The man turned his gaze toward Qiao Yelan.

"Sir, you must have thought about my current situation since you took the initiative to come to me this time. If you can help me get out of such a dangerous situation, I will be extremely grateful."

"Yes, the reason I came to see you this time is to prevent the Sarkaz from getting involved. Once you arrive at the Holy Eagle Fortress, there will be no way I can undo it no matter what I do."

Qiao Yelan nodded.

Although the plan had ended, the emperor still didn't mind using the Patriots as a target to set an example for the nobles and the military—after all, he was enthusiastically rebuilding the First Army.

So he did not deceive the other party. If Patriots led his troops into Fort Saint-Eagle, he would be like the Internal Security, unable to escape the vortex of politics.

He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Patriot.

It was a check.

Even Patriot was taken aback when he saw the amount on the check. It was enough to sustain an entire army group for six months in a non-combat state—and if you consider the number of Shield Guards he currently had and the barren commerce of the Northern Wasteland, it would last for almost twenty years.

The signature on the check gave him pause for thought—Islam Witte.

This name once belonged to Vladimir's finance minister.

“The military is no longer trustworthy, Bozokastie, but thankfully, many people from Vladimir’s era still remember His Majesty’s vision and are willing to continue working towards it—though I don’t know how long they can hold on.”

The man said softly.

“Now Witt is the Speaker of the Imperial Council. He is one of the few people who still stands by His Majesty the Emperor. He also believes that some of the actions of the military and nobles have gone too far—even infringing on His Majesty’s power.”

"I understand—what should I do?"

Patriot accepted the check and exchanged glances with Qiao Yelan.

“Return to the northern wastelands, raise the banner of rebellion there, strike at those greedy tax collectors, rescue the common people and the infected, raise your banner, attract the attention of the nobles and the military, and buy time for His Majesty.”

"The mining sites under Babel Tower will continue to provide you with assistance. We will provide you with the greatest possible support in terms of material requisition and wounded relief. If you need anything, please let us know, and I will find a way to help you."

Patriot nodded. The rules were the same as when he hunted demons before, except this time he added those scum he also disliked.

"I think you should have noticed that some of the infected are treated as consumable slaves and sent to dangerous mines. So you could try attacking a mine every now and then and rescuing the infected there."

"Does this include the mines within the territory of the Grand Duchy of Cosice?"

"Of course it includes—otherwise it would easily arouse suspicion from others, who would think that you are supported by Grand Duke Kosiché, and then it would turn back into a political conspiracy, and those people would turn their attention back to St. Eagle Castle."

Qiao Yelan gave her instructions.

"Apart from the Babel Mine that is marked as being able to provide assistance, all other mines are within attack range."

"Ok."

The captain hesitated for a moment, but finally asked.

"Your Excellency, perhaps some of my subordinates are unwilling to do this with me, and I do not wish to use His Majesty the Emperor's name to pressure them—may I allow them to freely choose their future?"

“You are the military commander, this is your own business. For a team, the purer the better. The presence of traitors is the most unacceptable thing.”

Qiao Yelan didn't care what the other party did, as long as he didn't go to the Holy Eagle Fortress to punish the traitors, he wouldn't mind.

After discussing these matters, the atmosphere noticeably eased, and Patriot was no longer tense. He put the documents back in the paper bag and handed them back to Ace.

"I heard you got married and had a son—does he still have the Wendigo's 'thirst'?"

Qiao Yelan looked quite interested.

"No, he's a very healthy young man—he's currently my adjutant."

"It seems that the problem has been completely resolved—you should be the last purebred Wendigo. If your child is also free from the Wendigo curse, then it seems that no new Wendigos will be born."

"I'm afraid... a new Wendigo will still be born on this land."