Chapter 261 Shadows In The Heartlands

• The alliance with the Frostbound Highlands was a major victory, but the road ahead was fraught with uncertainty. As the group ventured southward toward the Heartlands, they entered a region known for its fertile plains and sprawling forests, but also for its political intrigue and hidden dangers.
• The Heartlands were governed by a council of merchant lords, each vying for control of the region’s wealth. Unlike the unified tribes of the Highlands or the militaristic hierarchy of the southern kingdoms, the Heartlands were a web of shifting alliances and fragile truces. If they were to secure the council's support, they would need to tread carefully.
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