CHAPTER 118
Just as Shanks desperately fled toward the northern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain, the Ironborn pursuing him had already returned to Euron's side.
"Lord Euron, one escaped."
"That bastard ran faster than a rabbit. We simply couldn't catch him!"
The leader of the five-man pursuit party explained nervously.
"We were worried about running into danger if we chased any farther, so we returned."
Euron's mood immediately darkened.
His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as his eye fixed coldly upon the five men. A trace of murderous intent surfaced openly on his face.
The five Ironborn noticed the change in his expression and instinctively shuddered.
Only then did they realize they had greatly underestimated Euron's cruelty.
"Lord Euron, I..."
The leader tried to explain himself.
A flash of cold steel interrupted him.
Before he could finish speaking, Euron's sword sliced across his throat.
Thud.
The corpse collapsed onto the ground.
The remaining four men trembled violently.
Their first instinct was to flee.
However, Euron's icy voice stopped them.
"If there is a next time, all of you will die."
"Now get out of my sight."
The four immediately felt as though they had been granted a pardon. They hurriedly grabbed their horses and retreated as far away as possible.
Euron remained standing over the corpse.
His mood had become terrible.
With a hateful snort, he kicked the body aside.
"Hmph."
"One escaped."
"A bunch of useless fools. You couldn't even catch a single man."
His voice was filled with dissatisfaction.
The torchlight reflected within his dark eye, giving it a chilling gleam.
"We cannot continue."
"If Glover's scouts have reached this place, it means he has already occupied the northern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain."
"And now that a scout escaped, he will undoubtedly strengthen his defenses."
A low laugh escaped Euron's throat.
"As expected of my destined opponent."
"So quick."
The laughter drifted through the night wind.
Yet his gaze remained fixed toward the north.
A trace of regret surfaced in his heart.
The essence of a night raid lay in secrecy and surprise.
Now their movements had been completely exposed.
The escaping scout would undoubtedly carry the warning back to his camp.
Euron knew that the Northern army would already be on alert.
Attempting a night attack now would be no different from walking straight into a prepared trap.
"What a shame."
"What a wonderful performance wasted."
He shook his head lightly.
Soon, that familiar unsettling smile returned to his face.
"But that's fine."
"Allowing prey to suffer another night of fear may make the final feast even sweeter."
He no longer hesitated.
"Clean everything up."
"We're returning."
As he prepared to leave, Euron cast one final glance toward the northern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain.
An inexplicable desire burned within him.
A fierce urge.
A hunger.
"Just a little longer."
"Just a little longer."
"Sooner or later, I will take everything from you."
"I want you to witness your complete defeat with your own eyes."
"I want you to lose everything."
"Garon Glover."
Suppressing the emotions within him, Euron finally turned away and led his men back toward the Ironborn camp at the southern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain.
There was no longer any need to conceal their tracks.
The group moved quickly.
After only a few hours, they returned to Victarion's main camp.
The southern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain, located near East Horn Mountain, had already been transformed into a sprawling Ironborn encampment.
Captured Northern smallfolk moved about numbly, constructing fortifications and preparing food.
Several pale-faced women carried wine and food into the largest tent in the center of the camp.
Rough laughter, drunken shouting, and the clatter of cups echoed from within.
Euron frowned.
Ignoring the captives entirely, he strode directly through the camp and entered the command tent.
The noisy atmosphere immediately quieted.
As soon as he stepped inside, his cold eye swept across the assembled captains.
The drinking and laughter gradually disappeared.
Euron raised his gaze toward Victarion and spoke in a deep voice.
"The plan has changed, Victarion."
The captains were caught off guard.
Euron had been expected to spend the night scouting and preparing a raid.
His sudden return surprised everyone.
Victarion lowered his drinking bowl and frowned.
"What happened?"
"Why are you back so soon?"
Then realization struck him.
"The wolf pups have arrived?"
Euron nodded.
Walking to the table, he picked up a jug of wine and drank deeply.
"Ha..."
A cold breath escaped his lips.
"We encountered several sharp-nosed hounds."
"We killed most of them."
"But one escaped."
"By now he has undoubtedly reached the northern entrance and warned Glover."
The tent fell silent.
Victarion immediately stood and spread a map across the table.
His eyes fixed upon the northern entrance of Ox Horn Mountain.
Calculating distances in his mind, he remained silent for a long moment.
Then his expression darkened.
"They arrived at exactly the wrong time."
He slammed his fist onto the table.
"My axe is already thirsty."
"Tomorrow we march."
"I will crush these wolf pups in a single battle."
"We'll take their castles."
"We'll take their women."
The moment he finished speaking, the captains erupted with excitement.
"Take their castles!"
"Take their women!"
"Take their castles!"
"Take their women!"
Euron watched them coldly.
A trace of disdain appeared on his face.
Once the shouting died down, he slowly pointed at the map.
"So this is your battle plan?"
Without waiting for Victarion's response, he chuckled softly.
"Our opponent, Garon Glover, is not an ordinary man."
His gaze swept across the room.
Every word was deliberate.
"Asha's army was defeated by him."
"And his losses were negligible."
"Afterward, he raced across the North and broke my siege of Winterfell."
"If you underestimate him, you will pay dearly."
His words were like cold seawater poured over burning coals.
The excitement within the tent immediately faded.
All eyes turned toward Victarion.
Victarion stared at Euron.
"Are you saying I cannot defeat this Giant Bear Slayer?"
Euron shook his head.
"I am reminding you that Glover is not some fool who relies only on courage."
"He is dangerous."
"And he must be treated carefully."
Victarion gradually calmed down.
Among Balon's brothers, Euron's cunning was second to none.
Finally, he asked.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Euron had already prepared his answer.
His finger slowly traced across West Horn Mountain.
His voice was low and cold.
"Tomorrow, you will lead the main army, along with part of my crew, openly along the Kingsroad toward the northern entrance."
"You will draw all of the North's attention."
His finger then shifted toward the western flank of the mountain.
"And I will take a separate force."
"We will ride Northern horses and move through the forests here along the southern slopes of West Horn Mountain."
His finger stopped.
A sinister smile appeared on his face.
"When the armies are fully engaged."
"When every eye is focused on the Kingsroad."
"I will emerge from the flank."
"Like a dagger."
"And I will stab directly into their heart."
He looked directly at Victarion.
His eye shone with confidence and madness.
"A frontal assault to hold them."
"A flanking attack to destroy them."
"What do you think, brother?"
Victarion considered the proposal carefully.
Although it seemed somewhat risky, it sounded far more effective than a simple frontal assault.
Finally, he nodded.
"Good."
"We'll do it your way."
"I'll crush them from the front."
"And you'll finish them from the flank."
With Victarion's agreement, the atmosphere inside the tent became lively once again.
At the same time, far to the north at the entrance of Ox Horn Mountain, Garon had already received Shanks' report and begun preparing his own response.
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