The chimera ant's eyes gleamed with a somber wisdom. "Lord Fein, my presence alone could have jeopardized the delicate balance of the situation. Any sudden movement, any interference from me, and the snake would have sensed it. It was a risk I could not afford to take. Since we don't know the locations of the hand behind the scenes, I decided not to move."

The tone of chimera ant was rational and reasonable. "I don't want to fail you. Although I can easily wipe out all the demons their, it would alert the ones pulling the strings."

"Well, you did the best move, but its not the right thing..." Fein's grip tightened on the armrest of the sofa, his frustration evident. "So, we still don't know where those demon controllers are hiding? We still have no leads?"

The chimera ant's voice held a hint of regret. "I have scoured the shadows, my lord, but the true orchestrators of this massacre remain elusive. They operate from the depths of darkness, cunning and shrouded in their own deceptions. It will take time to unearth their secrets."

Fein's gaze turned inward, his thoughts consumed by the fate of General Qin Mo. "And General Qin Mo? How is he? Is he aware of the magnitude of this tragedy?"

The chimera ant's form rippled, conveying a sense of uncertainty. "General Qin Mo is a resilient and resourceful leader. But the weight of this loss will undoubtedly bear heavily upon him. He fights not only for victory but for the survival of his kingdom and the lives of those he commands."

Fein sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with a mix of sorrow and determination. "We must stand by General Qin Mo, support him in any way we can. We cannot let despair engulf him. Though the most priority is find the orchestrators so I can get the location of the Abyss."

The cold gleam of weapons on the nearby table caught Fein's eye, reminding him of the hard work he have for past months. His expression hardened, a fire igniting in his eyes. This cold weapons, if place in other countries can be considered top-notch and legendary. It was his first four S-rank artifact peak creations as a blacksmith!

...historical

Alone in his room, General Qin Mo sat on the edge of his bed, his mind swirling with a torrent of doubts and questions. The weight of the recent massacre hung heavy upon him, casting a shadow over his once steadfast confidence. The room was dimly lit, the only source of illumination coming from the soft glow of a nearby lamp.

General Qin Mo's brow furrowed as he wrestled with his inner turmoil. "Is it my fault?" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "Could I have done something to prevent the soldiers from being wiped out that night?"

His gaze dropped to the floor, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and self-doubt. He had led his troops with unwavering determination, believing in their ability to defend the wall against the relentless onslaught of demons. But now, in the wake of the devastating loss, he couldn't help but question his own decisions and actions.

The general's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white as conflicting emotions surged through him. "If I had stayed with them," he muttered, his voice laced with regret, "would the soldiers have survived? Or would I have merely followed them to the same tragic fate?"

He closed his eyes, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. The weight of responsibility bore down upon his shoulders, threatening to crush his spirit. But deep within, a flicker of determination sparked. He couldn't afford to succumb to self-doubt now. The kingdom depended on him, and he had to find a way forward.

Leaning forward, General Qin Mo rested his elbows on his knees, his head sinking into his hands. "What should I do now?" he pondered aloud, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and desperation. "How can I face the demons with fewer soldiers, with the odds stacked against us?"

His mind raced, contemplating strategies and possibilities. He knew that he couldn't dwell on the past, on the mistakes or the what-ifs. He had to focus on the present, on finding a way to overcome the obstacles that lay before him.

General Qin Mo stood up abruptly, a surge of determination coursing through his veins. His eyes blazed with a renewed fire as he straightened his uniform and walked towards the table where cold weapons lay in readiness. He reached out and grasped the hilt of a sword, feeling its weight in his hand.

"We will adapt," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "We will find new tactics, exploit their weaknesses, and stand strong in the face of adversity."

His steps were resolute as he left the room, his mind now clear and focused. The shadows of doubt were pushed aside, replaced by a steely resolve to protect his kingdom and avenge the fallen. He knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but he would face it head-on, with unwavering determination.

The room fell silent once more, the echoes of General Qin Mo's words lingering in the air. Outside, the night carried the weight of uncertainty.

...

Gathered in a makeshift command center, General Qin Mo stood at the forefront, his gaze steady and determined. The room was abuzz with activity as soldiers rushed to and fro, preparing for the looming threat that hung over them. Maps were spread across tables, marked with strategic points and plans of action.

General Qin Mo's eyes scanned the room, taking in the diligent soldiers setting up wires along the perimeter of their defenses. The wires, carefully placed to be virtually invisible to the naked eye, would serve as a crucial line of defense, alerting them to any trespassers that dared to breach their territory.

One soldier, sweat glistening on his brow, paused in his task and turned to face General Qin Mo. "General," he called out, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of exhaustion, "what's the purpose of these wires? How will they aid us in our defense?"

General Qin Mo's gaze settled on the soldier, his expression calm but resolute. "These wires," he began, his voice firm and commanding, "will act as our early warning system. If anyone steps on them, it will trigger an alarm, alerting us to potential intruders. We cannot afford to be caught off guard again."

The soldier nodded, a sense of understanding washing over him. "So, it's to prevent another surprise attack, to give us a chance to respond," he remarked, his voice filled with determination.