When Early Hour arrived, the Settlement was already whipped into motion.
The Settlement Lord dedicated a great amount of resources towards the recovery of their injured.
Losing First State Cultivator Silver Extreme and a significant number of their Cultivators, the Settlement was left in a vulnerable state. The settlement needed to recover its battle strength.
Looking at their current forces of four Third Foundation Cultivators, a handful of Cultivators, and several mortal warriors, they would not survive the third tide.
That is not considering outside interference.
With the potential of a Demonic Faction lingering nearby, their situation could worsen.
'We lack backing. Union Settlement was our foundational backing. We also have connections to other Settlements due to our quarries, but who can we depend on for reinforcements?'
During such dire times, when all Mortal Settlements are facing similar threats, who could spare their resources?
Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, one of the Western region's greatest suppliers of metal, namely iron.
The mountain itself predates the Settlement, but has shown to grow over the years.
Each pillar rises several meters each Epoch. Where this material comes from has not yet been confirmed, but the iron digs several hundred meters into the ground.
What is revealed above the surface is only a hint at the sheer amount of iron underneath.
It was gazed upon by greedy eyes until Union Settlement claimed the Settlement.
Since then, it has become a source of iron to the majority of Settlements of the Western region.
Having existed for over fifty periods, one sole family had reigned over the mountain. The current Settlement Lord was the sixth-generation Settlement Lord.
Naturally, with all this wealth and history, there were plenty of connections and trade routes formed with other Settlements. Yet, now, how could he receive aid from the Settlements, who are also in dire straits?
Unless he paid a heavy price, he would not be able to call upon anyone.
Yet, it was not his safety that he worried over.
This Iron Mountain was not only a wealth he did not want to give up; it could be considered similar to a family heirloom.
If the Settlement Lord was forced to choose between giving up his Settlement or dying while trying to protect it, he would choose the latter.
Of course, he would not want to die, for that would mean losing his Settlement.
'Is our only choice to request aid from an Immortal Settlement?'
'That trade caravan originated from Great River Bank Settlement, I believe. Should we try and get in contact with them? They should not have travelled too far.'
'On the other hand, I still have the Jade Slip from one of Great River Bank Settlement's Lords. Immortal Adamant... Should I try and send a message requesting aid?'
"Lord!"
There was a knock on the door, abruptly breaking through the silence.
"Lord Silver requests an audience."
"Oh? Let him in."
Entering the Settlement Lord's study room was a bandaged man.
With Silver hair tied high and comfortable blue robes that hid the true extent of his injuries.
"Forgive my appearance, Lord."
"It is fine, Friend Silver. Tell me, what did you wish to speak with me?"
"It is about our situation... The Settlement's vulnerable state is too difficult to defend. As we are now, regarding both the third tide and the potential of Demonic Cultivators, we would likely fall in the next few nights."
"I... already know. I am planning to request aid from a nearby Settlement. However, how the situation looks, we are only able to request aid from an Immortal Settlement."
"That..."
Pausing for a few awkward seconds, Silver Extreme breaths out turbid air, and he proposes his own idea.
"The likelihood of this succeeding is not low, but... with the presence of Demonic Cultivators, and even Demonic Immortals being a potential threat, it is unlikely that we can request sufficient aid."
"I did not forget that. I intend to pay a heavy price regarding the trade of iron."
"That is not what I mean."
"...?"
"Union Settlement has fallen due to unknown forces, so the Immortals are more likely to retain their Cultivators to defend their Immortal Settlement. But, they likely do not know that we, as well, are facing Demonic Cultivators. Although it will not be long until they figure out that even subsidiary Mortal Settlements are being targeted. When this comes to mind, they would have to prioritise their own subsidiary Mortal Settlements. With all their manpower being spread thinly, what could they spare us?"
"This is..."
This fact had flown over his head.
The Settlement Lord grabbed his chin as he lost himself in this revelation.
It was then that Silver Extreme offered his proposal.
"We can not guarantee reinforcements. We also can not guarantee this Settlement's survival. Trying to defend this Settlement will only incur more losses than necessary."
"What are you trying to get at, Silver?"
"..."
"..."
"We can only leave this Settlement behind. Retreating to a nearby Settlement is our only option. We have suffered too many losses and have too little to survive with."
"..."
"Lord?"
Speaking through gritted teeth, the Settlement Lord met Silver Extreme's gaze with a cold glare. He abruptly voiced his disapproval.
"You want me to abandon my home? Do you know of my family's long history at this Settlement? What my ancestors went through to earn and maintain this Settlement, this Iron Mountain?"
"You want me to leave my family's history behind? You want to give up and retreat because you see no possible way to win? That is where you fall short, Silver Extreme."
"You see failure and wish to retreat! We lost people and warriors, we suffered losses and failures, so what? Should we not fight till the bitter end!? Tell me, do you not understand the pride a man has in standing for what he believes? Even against the tides of a myriad terrible beasts, misfortunes, and failure, you give up now!?"
"Lord, I don't think you understand what you're saying yourself!"
Silver Extreme's rebuttal was equally as wrathful as the Settlement Lord.
"You...! Are you so willing to die for this Iron Mountain, to sacrifice your people against impossible odds? Are you truly willing to throw away countless lives just to defend your heritage?!"
"I am willing to stake my own life for my own cause! I will gather the people to fight for their home. I refuse to lose my Iron Mountain to neither the beasts, the Spirits, or those Demonic Scum!"
"You!"
...