The scorching sun baked the desert.
Under the evaporation of the high heat, the air appeared slightly distorted from a distance.
3000 members of the Human species marched on the sand dunes, treading heavily on the desert floor, their speed not particularly fast.
Lyle and Yaral walked at the very front, stopping every so often to observe the surrounding environment.
"Let your clansmen rest for now," Lyle said to Yaral beside him, standing atop a sand dune and gazing at the boundless yellow desert in the distance.
"This is already the third time we've rested. We can continue moving forward. We have always lived in the desert and are long accustomed to this environment; we don't need to rest for this long." Yaral gripped the silver-white spear in her hand as she spoke upon hearing this.
"There is still more than two days of travel left. No need to rush; conserving stamina is the most important thing." Lyle shook his head with an expressionless face, glanced at the 3000 members of the Human species behind them, and spoke indifferently.
The three major oases.
The Oasis where the Orcs resided was closest to the Shadow Valley, the Dwarf Oasis was second, and the Human species Oasis was the furthest.
And the Oasis where the Gray Dwarf race resided was about three days' journey from the Human species Oasis.
Of course!
This was under normal circumstances. The troop composed of 3000 members of the Human species looked large in number, but in reality, most were just ordinary people.
Long treks were a significant drain on stamina, especially in this hot desert environment during the day.
The water everyone carried was also a major issue regarding consumption.
"This rest will last until nightfall. From now on, we will rest during the day and travel at night," Lyle said to Yaral again.
Lyle had never led an army before, which caused him to overlook many issues during the entire process. Fortunately, Yaral was there, so things did not go awry.
During this process, Lyle actually learned quite a few things.
"Travel at night?"
Yaral was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up, and she immediately realized this was a good idea: "I understand, Hero."
After issuing the order, Yaral quickly returned to Lyle's side, her face filled with anticipation as she asked for advice on Martial Skill training techniques.
Time passed bit by bit, and night began to fall.
The 3000 members of the Human species, having finished their rest and feeling energetic, began to set off again.
Without the influence of the scorching sun during the day, their movement speed was clearly much faster.
The next two days of travel did not encounter any unexpected situations.
Although there were some powerful monsters in the Valley of Despair, they were scattered across the vast desert, and it was not an easy task to encounter such monsters.
Cold white moonlight sprinkled onto the desert.
A ten-member Gray Dwarf squad, pulling a heavy wooden cart, was parked in a flat area of the desert.
Five of the Gray Dwarves were sound asleep around the wooden cart, while the other five were yawning, occasionally looking up to scan the surroundings in vigilance.
They were the Gray Dwarf squad sent by the Minister of Forging to the Human species side.
The legion had been defeated!
The fact that they were even transporting weapons to the inferior Human species they usually looked down upon as an apology made these usually arrogant Gray Dwarves look like wilted persimmons.
No one was in the mood to joke.
Just as a few Gray Dwarves were nodding off, a sharp shout suddenly rang out.
"Earth Charge!"
The next moment!
A bright yellow figure had already appeared in front of the vigilant Gray Dwarves, and a spear swept horizontally, knocking one Gray Dwarf flying.
"Ene..." One Gray Dwarf let out a terrified scream, but before the words were finished, the silver-white spear had already swung, killing them in one strike.
In the span of a single breath.
Yaral had already dealt with two of the vigilant Gray Dwarves, and just as she was preparing to behead the third Gray Dwarf.
Streaks of cold light flashed through mid-air.
Whether it was the vigilant Gray Dwarves or the sleeping ones who had been startled awake, all were killed by these cold lights.
Lyle stood beside the wooden cart loaded with weapons, glanced at the items on the cart, flicked the blood droplets off his greatsword with his right hand, and picked up the one survivor he had intentionally left alive.
"So amazing, as expected of Hero."
Yaral stopped her silver-white spear that she was preparing to swing and looked at Lyle with admiration.
She had only dealt with two Gray Dwarves, while all the remaining Gray Dwarves had already been taken care of by Hero.
"Human... human, don't kill me!"
"We are here to sue for peace." The only survivor among the Gray Dwarves screamed in terror.
"Sue for peace?" Upon hearing this, Yaral's wheat-colored cheeks tightened, and a look of anger appeared in her silver eyes: "We have so many clansmen who died at the hands of you Gray Dwarves, and you still talk about suing for peace now!"
"If it weren't for the appearance of Hero, all of us would have already died at your hands!"
Facing Yaral's angry questioning.
The Gray Dwarf's gray-white beard trembled incessantly as he looked in terror at Lyle, who was holding him up.
This was the mysterious person who had routed their legion; the other party was actually of the Human species!
It's over!
The clan is in danger!
The Gray Dwarf's terrified expression intensified. They had been sent to the Oasis where the Human species resided not only to deliver weapons and sue for peace but, more importantly, to probe whether the mysterious powerhouse belonged to the Human species and to gauge the opponent's attitude.
And now, since the opponent appeared here, the answer was self-evident.
"We Gray Dwarves are willing to cooperate with you humans; we can help you forge weapons exclusively for humans to use..." The Gray Dwarf shouted in terror while struggling.
"Yaral, arrange for people to check if there are any other Gray Dwarves around." Lyle turned his head to look at Yaral beside him and instructed.
"Yes, Hero."
Yaral cast a resentful glance at the Gray Dwarf in Lyle's hand, nodded quickly, and hurried away.
Seeing that Yaral had left.
"All-Race Charm."
The light of magic flashed in Lyle's eyes, and invisible mental fluctuations instantly poured into the mind of the Gray Dwarf before him.
"Tell me all the information about your Gray Dwarf side." Lyle asked with an indifferent gaze.
Under the influence of the charm.
This Gray Dwarf poured out everything he knew.
Lyle intentionally asked for some information regarding Rune Technology. According to the other party's account, Rune Technology seemed to have reached the point of near extinction along with the destruction of the Gray Dwarf Kingdom 50 years ago.
A new generation of Gray Dwarf craftsmen no longer had anyone capable of mastering Rune Technology, although the Minister of Forging, as a minister of the kingdom, still possessed knowledge of Rune Technology.
After understanding this information,
Lyle exerted a slight force in his palm and crushed the Gray Dwarf's neck.
After completely resolving this Gray Dwarf squad, the Human species side began to march again, finally arriving at a location about one kilometer away from the Gray Dwarf Oasis late on the third night.
"Whoosh!"
The Ghost Hound, transformed into a goshawk, soared into the sky and circled above the Gray Dwarf Oasis.
After observing carefully.
The Ghost Hound flew back from the sky and landed on Lyle's shoulder.
One by one, the humans lying on the sand watched Lyle at the very front, their bodies tense, waiting for orders at any moment.
They would charge toward the Gray Dwarf Oasis at the first opportunity.
"Everyone, get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow is the true decisive battle with the Gray Dwarf race!" Lyle turned around, facing the gazes, his tone serious.
Everyone had traveled for a night and their stamina was severely depleted; it was obviously not suitable to start a war with the Gray Dwarves at this time, especially since the Gray Dwarf race naturally liked to operate at night.
Lyle brought 3000 humans here, and the most important purpose was to prevent the Gray Dwarf race from escaping.
With a population of over 15,000, if they really scattered and fled on a large scale, Lyle would not be able to manage it.
"Everyone, do as he says!" Yaral followed up, her bright silver pupils flashing with excitement.
It wasn't just Yaral who was excited at this moment; all members of the Human species were equally filled with tension and excitement.
Under this silent, oppressive, and exhilarating atmosphere, it wasn't until dawn that most people began to fall asleep.
On a small sand slope.
Lyle looked toward the Oasis in the distance, the overall area appearing a circle larger than the Oasis where the humans lived.
At this moment!
Around this Oasis, a considerable number of Gray Dwarves could be clearly observed.
"Hero, should we wake them up now?" Yaral walked over with light steps, also looking nervously in the direction of the Gray Dwarf race, and whispered.
"No rush, let them sleep all they want."
Lyle looked up at the sky and said indifferently.
"Hero wants to make a move at noon." Upon hearing this, Yaral quickly understood Lyle's intention.
Gazing at the Gray Dwarf Oasis ahead.
Lyle suddenly asked: "The Gray Dwarf race lives underground, right?"
"That's right."
Yaral looked serious and said quickly: "Most Gray Dwarves do not like to move during the day and even hate sunlight. Even with the shade of trees in the Oasis, they have built their living caves underground."
This was also the most troublesome part.
Yaral's brows knitted together, seemingly feeling it was very tricky.
The underground environment was intricate and complex; even the Gray Dwarves themselves could not fully know it, let alone outsiders. And once they entered underground, there was a high possibility that the entire army would be wiped out.
Facing this troublesome situation.
A smile appeared on Lyle's face instead: "In that case, it's actually much simpler."
"Huh?" Yaral looked up, looking at Lyle, full of confusion.
Time quickly reached noon.
The numerous Gray Dwarves originally on the outskirts of the Oasis had disappeared, leaving only Gray Dwarf soldiers in squads of twenty patrolling around the Oasis.
"It's time to make a move."
Lyle reached out and patted the Ghost Hound on his shoulder.
Whoosh!
The Ghost Hound's wings shook, and it immediately took off into the air, flying toward the sky above the Oasis to act as eyes for surveillance.
"Third Tier Magic · Composite Element Summoning!"
The magic power in Lyle's body surged, he raised his arm toward the front, and activated the passive ability Element Conversion of the Mad Mage:
"Sandstorm Elemental Spirit!"