Chapter 319: Chapter 286: Envoy Arlanda_1
In the Magic World, a convoy from the Eternal Domain arrived at Blood Crown City.
Arlanda stepped out of the carriage alone.
While on the road, the convoy had received an order from Yan Xing: Arlanda was entrusted with full responsibility for the meeting with Elf Prince Erelado.
Being appointed as a temporary diplomat to carry out a diplomatic mission—especially to meet with the Snow Elves—made Arlanda very nervous.
She wondered if she was capable of completing such an important task.
Moreover, Lord Yan Xing hadn’t even told her what the mission was.
What... should she do?
Arlanda had no choice but to enter Blood Crown City first and wait for Lady Karol’s arrival. Lady Karol should be able to provide answers.
Blood Crown City was built on the side of Mount Blood Crown. Its construction was permitted by the Werewolves and Lizardmen after their ceasefire agreement, establishing the Eternal Domain as a third-party force in Thunderous Swamp. The Thunderous Swamp main road cut straight through the center of Blood Crown City, dividing it into the West City District and the East City District. Representatives of the Werewolf Tribe were stationed in the West City District, while representatives of the Lizardmen Clans were stationed in the East City District. Any disputes between Werewolves and Lizardmen could be referred to representatives of the Eternal Domain, who would arbitrate and negotiate a resolution.
However, with the Eternal Domain’s support, both Werewolves and Lizardmen were ramping up production and construction. Neither had the energy to bother the other. The construction of the Thunderous Swamp main road had brought large quantities of materials to the participating Werewolves and Lizardmen. The tribe members could not only eat their fill but also received many daily necessities, greatly improving their living conditions. These Werewolves and Lizardmen, having tasted the benefits, were wholeheartedly supportive of the Eternal Domain’s construction efforts. If Lord Yan Xing told them to build roads, they built roads; if he told them to dig pits, they dug pits. They cultivated rice paddies and bred fish and shrimp. They gathered herbs to exchange for goods in Blood Crown City.
Now, Blood Crown City was the largest market within Thunderous Swamp, a place where both Werewolves and Lizardmen aspired to live.
Many things needed to be done if tens of thousands of Elves were to move in. This was why Yan Xing had sent Gao Sipa, his most important Cabinet Minister, there. Supplies were being transported from the Eternal Domain to Blood Crown City. Some housing for the Elves would need to be vacated by the Werewolves and Lizardmen through coordination, while many more houses needed immediate construction. But Yan Xing hadn’t told Gao Sipa for whom these preparations were being made, and Arlanda, naturally, didn’t know either.
She wandered around Blood Crown City all day, marveling to herself, In such a savage swamp, there’s actually such a thriving city!
It seemed that wherever Lord Yan Xing went, prosperity followed.
The rapidly developing situation in the Wildwind Highlands didn’t allow Arlanda much leisure time.
The next day, Lady Karol, escorted by a squadron of Griffons, landed in Blood Crown City.
Lady Karol wasn’t particularly surprised by Blood Crown City. She had seen many wonders from Thunderous Swamp in Nuta City. She knew Yan Xing had built a road spanning the swamp from south to north in only a few months. So, what’s so surprising about a bustling city here? The only thing that did surprise her was seeing Arlanda here.
The Emerald Sisters were Elf assassins sent by the Snow Elves to serve Rose Court. In an assassination attempt against Yan Xing, the elder sister had died at his hands. The younger sister, Arlanda, had fled Rose Court’s pursuit. Karol hadn’t expected to see Arlanda here. Moreover, Arlanda had become the Director of the Eternal Domain’s Immigration Bureau, one of Yan Xing’s Cabinet Ministers. What was going on?
Lady Karol pretended it was her first time seeing Arlanda. In the reception room of Blood Crown City’s government hall, she asked Arlanda, who wore a rather unusual outfit, "Where is Sir Yan Xing now?"
Although the Emerald Sisters had been lurking in Nuta City for a long time, they had never known whom they were working for.
Arlanda was very unfamiliar with Lady Karol. She only knew that Lady Karol represented the Silvermane Principality and was a partner whom Yan Xing greatly valued.
"Lady Karol, good day." Arlanda greeted her with great propriety and said truthfully, "Lord Yan Xing had some very important, unforeseen matters to attend to, so he appointed me as the plenipotentiary representative for this meeting with Prince Erelado."
Upon hearing that Yan Xing was not going to accompany her to meet Erelado, Lady Karol frowned and asked, "What important matter would cause Sir Yan Xing to leave at such a critical time? He should know how crucial this meeting with Erelado is. Where is he?"
"I’m sorry, I don’t know where Lord Yan Xing is," Arlanda replied. "But since his lordship believes the matter he is attending to is important, then it must indeed be very important."
Lady Karol was speechless.
Since Yan Xing wasn’t present, she had no choice but to take Arlanda to receive the Elf Great Army.
"Did Sir Yan Xing say why we are meeting Prince Erelado?"
Arlanda answered, "Lord Yan Xing didn’t tell me. He said that once you arrived, Lady Karol, you would tell me everything."
Alas, Yan Xing truly does as he pleases!
Such a significant matter...
Lady Karol reconsidered. To her, harboring the Elf Great Army was a monumental task, but for Yan Xing, it was merely a matter of course.He could send anyone to complete it.If he went, it was to give Erelado face.If he didn’t go, Erelado wouldn’t refuse to enter Thunderous Swamp just because he felt slighted.
"Alright, I’ll tell you what has happened."
Lady Karol then shared the intelligence she had gathered over the past two days with Arlanda.
"Marquis Anderson is indeed in Storm City and has the Wildwind Highlands Legion firmly under his control. The Principality’s reinforcements are blocked outside the city. If the Silver Mane Duke doesn’t want a complete fallout with Anderson, he can only withdraw his troops and, holding his nose, accept Count Fio’s alleged crime of colluding with the Orcs.
"Also, just as Yan Xing predicted, yesterday afternoon, the Orc Great Army, which should have been at Anjik Fort south of the highlands, suddenly appeared at Frostleaf City on the northern end. Frostleaf City’s defenses were weak, and it was ambushed and captured by the Orc Great Army. The nearly fifty thousand Elf troops in the Wildwind Highlands are now an isolated force, lacking logistics and support. It’s highly probable that the Orcs and Marquis Anderson will now tacitly join forces to annihilate the Elf army caught between them. This elite Elf force is in imminent peril. I came to Blood Crown City this time to meet Yan Xing and go together to see Prince Erelado, to bring this dispirited, isolated Elf army to seek refuge in Thunderous Swamp."
Arlanda was stunned. In the Eternal Domain, she had received some news about the war in the Wildwind Highlands.
Weren’t the Orcs supposed to be on the verge of conquering Anjik Fort and then attacking Storm City?
Weren’t the Orcs and Elves supposed to be allies this time?
The Eternal Domain’s Great Army is still stationed at the border, preparing to march on Nuta City after the Orcs capture Storm City!
How could... how could the Orcs have backstabbed the Elves and captured Frostleaf City?
The noble Elves are actually seeking refuge in a swamp?
What about the Elves’ honor?
"Lady Karol, you’re not joking with me, are you?"