The death of Muar, "Black Steel," a Zoastia and one of the Ten Heroes, has ignited an unavoidable war!
The continuous drought has forced the Zoastia and half-human beastkin tribes to seek new water sources in the Northern Mountains and Southern Mountains. "Black Steel" Muar, known for his stealth and guerrilla tactics, was dispatched as an advance scout. However, his entire team perished, and Muar himself is missing, presumed dead.
This loss has enraged "Demon Claw" Vijar, the patriarch of the Zoastia tribe, leading him to launch a full-scale assault with his tribe and the half-human beastkin tribe.
Inside Strange Castle, a tense atmosphere filled the hall. The leaders of five subhuman tribes were present: Zern King, Pandex Queen Mother, Go Gin, Armat Priest, and Magelos Nasrene. Minori and the Alliance Master were also present, with the Mist Witch and Kajiit standing behind them respectively.
Magelos Nasreen revealed the dire situation: "The Zoastia tribe has already invaded the hinterland, and they have now seized a water source as their base camp. The Magelos tribe of cannot resist."
When Minori inquired about the Armat tribe's troop numbers, the Armat Priest respectfully replied: "During this period, with sufficient food and water, more than 3,000 of the previously fleeing tribesmen have been recalled. The number of tribesmen has recovered to 8,000."
The Alliance Master and Kajiit were surprised by this recovery. The Alliance Master silently observed the subhuman leaders, noting the absence of faith-based magic chanters among them.
Minori then ordered a combined force: "Send out 3,000 Armat, 2,000 Trolls, and the Zern and Pandex groups each send 1,000 troops to support the Magelos." He then laid out the stakes: "I know that you don't want to fight. Now that the enemy has invaded our hinterland, if you want the water source and food to fall into the hands of others, then please do as you please."
This motivated the hesitant subhumans, as Minori's control over food supplies was a significant factor. The Armat Priest was the first to pledge support: "Our Armat tribe will definitely fully assist the Magelos." Other races followed suit.
At this point, Go Jin announced a grim discovery: "The corpse of 'Black Steel' Muar has been found. He did die in our territory. What is going on?"
All eyes turned to Minori. Given Muar'sprowess as a top guerrilla, only a select few present could have defeated him, and even fewer could have prevented his escape. The subhumans suspected Minori.
However, Minori shifted the inquiry to the Alliance Master: "Your Excellency, leader of the alliance, what is going on?"
The Alliance Master nonchalantly responded: "Oh. So that subhuman is called 'Black Steel' Muar? Seeing him sneaking around, I just took care of him. Since it has caused you a lot of trouble, I will help you a little."
Minori acknowledged this: "I see. Then thank you for your hard work, Your Excellency, leader of the alliance."
This brief exchange stunned the subhumans, revealing that the Alliance Master was not Minori's subordinate as they had assumed, and perhaps even possessed greater power. Go Gin, in particular, was shocked, realizing that the Alliance Master might be the formidable figure rumored among human nations.
Under a mix of emotions from the subhumans, an allied force of approximately 7,000 subhumans marched towards the water source occupied by the Zoastia tribe.
The battle was brutal and direct. The charging Zoastia and half-human beastkin, like a torrent, immediately overwhelmed the allied trolls and Armat, known for their strength and defense.
"There are more water sources and food here, kill them!"
"Avenge Lord Muar!"
"Kill!"
Shouts of battle filled the air.
Go Gin, wielding his wolf-toothed club, witnessed the carnage. He questioned his presence amidst the bloodshed: "What am I doing here!" He desired power but found himself entangled in a senseless conflict, observing his kind slaughter each other. He felt a profound helplessness, knowing his opinions would be disregarded by the subhumans, and humans wouldn't trust him to intervene in demi-human territory.
A Zoastia, resembling a black panther, charged Go Jin after easily dispatching an troll. Go Gin countered with his wolf-fang club. The impact was immense, but the beastkin was unable to move him, feeling like it had hit an immovable wall without any recoil. The beastkin realized Go Gin used a "Martial Skill" akin to its own king.
"Divine Skill - Flash!" Go Gin exploded forward, striking the beastkin and severely injuring it. The beastkin, in its dying throes, threw its spear, which Go Gin easily dodged.
Looking at the collapsed lower body of the Zoastia on the ground, as well as its constantly twitching, blood-flowing body.
"What a bastard!"
Go Gin cursed loudly, not knowing whether he was cursing the opponent or himself. He once again swung the wolf-fang club in his hand, wanting to give the opponent the final blow.
"Duel Declaration!" A roaring shout came.
Go Gin paused the enchanted wolf-fang club he was preparing to swing, his body uncontrollably rushing towards the direction the voice came from.
"What's going on!" Go Gin's eyes were shocked as he tried to regain control of his body, while looking at the figure rushing towards him from a distance.
That was an even stronger Zoastia, holding a long-handled double-edged enchanted battle axe in both hands, wearing a layer of thin leather armor that emitted a magical glow.
Boom!
The enchanted wolf-fang club and the double-edged battle axe intersected and collided in mid-air, the powerful force erupting into a terrifying roar. An air wave swept out from the center of the two, overturning many unsuspecting demi-humans in the surroundings.
After the intense collision.
This Zoastia took a step back, regained its footing, and looked at Go Gin in surprise: "Who are you?"
"I actually lost in strength, I don't remember there being an troll among the 'Ten Heroes'."
Vijar tightened his grip on the double-edged battle axe in his hand, his scarlet eyes staring at Go Gin opposite him, his face full of excitement.
Go Gin's eyes also had a hint of solemnity: "Before questioning the other party, shouldn't you give your name first?"
"I am the king of the Zoastia race, 'Demon Claw' Vijiar!"
Vijar spoke loudly.
Demi-human Ten Heroes?
No wonder.
Go Gin thought to himself. He had been in the hills for several months and had not encountered a single strong person among the "Demi-human Ten Heroes".
Now, he had seen several in a short period of time. How ridiculous!
"Go Gin, currently considered the king of the troll race."
Go Gin said in a deep voice, slightly retracting the enchanted wolf-fang club in his hand, and said seriously: "Too many demi-humans have died in this war. How about we end it here?"
"Ceasefire?"
Vijar seemed to have heard a joke: "Even if you allied demi-humans are preparing to surrender, it's already too late!"
"I will not spare you. The death of Muar will be buried with you guys!"
"You races actually united silently. If we destroy and conquer you, then Vijar Rajandala's reputation will definitely resound throughout the hills!"
Vijar became excited when he said this. His scarlet beast pupils were fiery. He raised the double-edged battle axe in his hand and launched another charge:
"Use your death to please me!"
"As expected, you can't listen to anything. A bunch of self-righteous fools." Go Gin opened his mouth, revealing sharp teeth.
At this moment, located on the outermost edge of the battlefield.
Looking down at the entire battlefield, Minori could clearly see that the demi-humans on their side were retreating steadily.
There was a team led by a small group of beastmen, constantly interspersed on the battlefield, condensing the power of the entire Zoastia race and the beastmen race into one force.
"'Beast General' Hector Weiss."
The name flashed through Minori's mind. This was the first time he had seen a demi-human who could truly be called a commander in this group of demi-humans.
"Heh, heh, if this continues, the demi-humans under your command will lose." The Alliance Master standing aside said lightly.
Minori nodded and said calmly: "Indeed, therefore, it's time for Your Excellency the Alliance Master to take action."
"Fifth-Order Undead Summoning · Skeletal Gryphon!" The Alliance Master grabbed the withered palm of the strange magic staff and stretched it out from the negative energy black mist.
With a strong wave of negative energy, the skeletal gryphon appeared beside the Alliance Master.
"Go."
The skeletal gryphon flapped its wings, turned into a pale black shadow, and rushed into the battlefield.
Immediately afterwards!
"Teleportation"
The Alliance Master waved the staff again, and his figure also disappeared in place, directly entering the battlefield below, appearing beside a troll.
The troll grabbed his head in confusion when he saw the Alliance Master who suddenly appeared beside him.
With his wisdom, he couldn't tell whether the Alliance Master was an enemy or not. Looking at this strange guy covered in negative energy black mist, he hesitated for a moment before raising the wooden stick in his hand and smashing it over.
"Humph!"
The Alliance Master snorted coldly and waved the staff in his hand again: "Fifth-Order Magic · Undead Creation!"
A strong aura of death instantly enveloped the troll, and the corrosion of negative energy caused the troll to let out a painful wail.
In the blink of an eye.
As the strong negative energy dissipated, this troll turned into a skeletal undead about one person tall, holding a shield and a long sword, and covered in heavy armor.
"Heavy Armor Skeleton Warrior"!
After creating the second fifth-order undead, the Alliance Master took the heavy armor skeleton warrior and walked unhurriedly towards the depths of the battlefield.
Outside the battlefield.
Minori frowned subconsciously. The Alliance Master's series of actions made him feel very strange.
As a disguise, the strength Minori showed was the power of a fifth-order caster, but the Alliance Master was not.
If the sixth-order magic "Pale Fire" was released, it would be enough to easily change the situation in front of him, but the Alliance Master did not do so.
Deliberately killing Muar, triggering the current war, and entering the chaotic battlefield as a magic chanter at the risk of his own life!
These strange actions.
Made Minori deny his previous guess that the Alliance Master wanted to show his power and obtain control of the demi-humans.
"Alliance Master, Alliance Master, wants to..."
Kajiit, whose sense of existence had become extremely low, thought of something at this time and took a step back subconsciously: "Complete the unfinished ritual from 20 years ago!"
"What are you talking about?" Minori suddenly turned his head and looked at Kajiit.
"It's..." Kajiit opened his mouth, but the words did not come out.
"Fourth-Order Magic · Yin · Five Elements · Thunder Marquis Summon!"
"Fourth-Order Magic · Yang · Five Elements · Thunder Marquis Summon!"
Suddenly!
Two thunderbolts emerged from behind, and the flashing and exciting electric light bombarded Minori.
The sneak attack of dual fourth-order magic made Kajiit and the Mist Witch, who were also within the attack range, unable to react at all, and the hairs on their bodies stood on end.