Chapter 321: Chapter 288: The Prince’s Predicament_1
The retreating Elf Vanguard, like startled birds, quickly assumed a battle stance, and the forces of Eternal Domain responded with equal alacrity.
Trucks drove from the rear to the front, positioning them to form a steel defensive line.
Werewolf Warriors disembarked from the trucks, forming another defensive line with shields at the forefront. Werewolf marksmen within the vehicles half-knelt, aiming their muskets at the Elf formation.
Human Cavalry was stationed on both flanks of the formation.
Werewolf Raiders assembled at a distance from the formation’s side, forming an assault group, ready for a flanking maneuver.
The Poison Flies accompanying the army hid in the tall grass.
A few Griffons circled in the sky.
Werewolf howls echoed through the ranks as the Werewolf Hero used his battle cry to bolster the warriors with combat buffs.
The atmosphere was extremely tense; battle seemed imminent.
Fortunately, Lady Karol stepped forward in time. She emerged from a vehicle and, using amplification magic, called out to the on-edge Elves, "Friends from the Elf race, we are the contingent from Thunderous Swamp, here to welcome you into the swamp. Is Prince Elrado present? Tell him... Karol and the representatives of Eternal Domain are here."
Karol’s words slightly eased the tense situation, but the Elves remained vigilant.
The armies of both sides continued their standoff.
After a short while, a Silver Pegasus in gleaming armor landed on the open ground between them.
Prince Elrado, clad in a green military greatcoat, leaped from the Silver Pegasus’s back and, leading his personal guard, walked towards the Eternal Domain forces.
Seeing Lady Karol standing before the military formation, he called out from a distance, "Let Thunderous Swamp provide me with a vassal army, and I can retake Frostleaf City."
Lady Karol stood there without answering.
Arlanda stood beside Lady Karol. Looking at the supremely noble Elf Prince, her sense of inferiority made her want to prostrate herself.But she knew her current status. She represented Eternal Domain, and Lord Yan Xing.
Arlanda straightened her attire, awaiting Prince Elrado’s approach.
Receiving no response from Karol, the approaching Erelado said angrily, "Nuta City is under lockdown, and I am being hunted! At this very moment, the Orcs launched a sneak attack on our Frostleaf City. You leaked the intelligence that caused all this; you must take full responsibility! Now that the Orcs have just captured Frostleaf City, I still have a chance... Let Thunderous Swamp give me a vassal army twenty thousand strong!"
Arlanda stepped forward and said to Erelado, "Your Highness... Thunderous Swamp adheres to the principle of neutrality on the Wildwind Highlands. We do not wish to make enemies of anyone..."
Before Arlanda could finish, Erelado rebuked her, "Low-ranking Elf, you have no right to speak here! Step down!"
Arlanda’s face flushed red, and she struggled for words; the rigid hierarchy of the Elves left her unsure how to respond to a Royal Elf.
At that moment, Lady Karol smiled and said to Prince Elrado, "You can’t send Lady Arlanda away. Allow me to introduce her. This is Arlanda Jade, Director of the Immigration Department of Eternal Domain and a Cabinet Minister under Lord Yan Xing. Lady Arlanda is here on behalf of Lord Yan Xing to oversee the welcoming of our friends from Snowland to Thunderous Swamp."
Erelado’s expression froze. The need for the swamp’s protection was already a blow to his dignity as an Elf Prince. Now, to be received by a low-ranking Elf—for a great Elf Prince to have to bow his head to an inferior race, a mere low-ranking Elf! It was a double insult.
Erelado said to Arlanda, "Elf, you should understand that you hail from Snowland. Now, the despicable Orcs have treacherously attacked our Frostleaf City. The noble Elves must reclaim Frostleaf City. Since you are a Cabinet Minister of Eternal Domain, organize a vassal army from the swamp and follow me to counterattack Frostleaf City."
The loss of Frostleaf City was an intense blow to Prince Elrado. The Elf King of the Snowland Royal Court was aging, and the struggle for succession to the throne was rapidly intensifying. This context made Prince Elrado’s failure all the more severe. The battle-skilled Prince Elrado had been a powerful contender for the throne. Previously, by allying with the Silvermane Principality and then capturing Highland City from the Orcs, not only would he have gained a strategic advantage over the Orcs, but he would also have secured a hefty annual winter provision fee from his allies. Such achievements would surely have brought him to the cusp of the throne.
However, he himself had lost Frostleaf City. The Orcs had gained a strategic advantage over Snowland. Moreover, the elite Elves he led had become an isolated force, vulnerable to annihilation at any moment, causing a great loss to the Snow Elves’ national strength. If he fled back to Snowland like this, imprisonment awaited him. Once the new king ascended the throne, the best he could hope for was exile to the far north. Prince Elrado was unreconciled. Throughout his journey, he had thought of nothing else but how to retake Frostleaf City. But the chances were slim. However, with twenty or thirty thousand cannon fodder, perhaps it was worth a try. That was why Prince Elrado repeatedly demanded a vassal army from Thunderous Swamp. Even when facing Arlanda, he still projected the authority of an Elven prince.
Arlanda replied, "I apologize, Your Highness... As I just said, Thunderous Swamp is unwilling to make an enemy of anyone. Eternal Domain has welcomed the Elves with goodwill, and we hope Your Highness will respect us. The swamp today is not the swamp you imagine. The clothes you are wearing are products of our Eternal Domain..."
Prince Elrado was stunned. He looked towards Karol.
Lady Karol shrugged. "Lady Arlanda is correct. Thunderous Swamp is no longer the swamp we once knew. The clothes you are wearing were provided by Eternal Domain. Set aside your arrogance and enter the swamp with composure and an open mind, so you won’t suffer too great a shock. Everyone, lower your weapons. Let us enter the swamp together. And let me say something only a friend would: Your Highness, what you need to consider now is not retaking Frostleaf City, but how to preserve this army. With this army, you still have a future."
Lady Karol’s words finally calmed Prince Elrado’s agitated heart.
What was done, was done. Complaining and blaming allies would be of no benefit. The most important thing now was to preserve this army. Taking advantage of the broken communication with Snowland, he had to firmly secure the loyalty of these elite Elven soldiers. Then, in the competition for the throne, he would still have a chance. If he were to forcibly attack Frostleaf City now, even if he succeeded, his situation wouldn’t improve much. Forbearance was also an essential virtue for a sovereign.
"Lady Arlanda, I was offensive just now. Please lead us into the swamp. I will restrain my subordinates and ensure they cause you no trouble..."
With the military order given, the warriors on both sides stood down from their combat stances. The Elven Great Army followed Eternal Domain’s convoy towards the main road to Thunderous Swamp.
「In the real world.」
Tong Yitong had been moved to an iron-barred prison cell. Guards stood around, monitoring her from all sides. There was nothing inside the cell. Tong Yitong sat cross-legged on the floor, covered in bloodstains.
In her hand, she held a blood-smeared ring. Since it was a man’s ring, the inner diameter was slightly too large. She tried it on each finger before managing to fit it onto her thumb. Then, as if completely unconcerned about her predicament, Tong Yitong began to admire the ring.