155 A War Without Mercy (1/2)
Akysyos Fortress, was dubbed by the Elves as ”Shinkerin Shinker”, which means ”The Sinland” in their language.
Being the Humans' Fortress closest to the Northern Elven Kingdom, it served as the major pathway to all the Elven countries. It was also the main source of supplies for the Slave Hunters. Naturally, it turned out to be the best trading market for Elven slaves in the northern region.
Amongst the Elves of all regions, the northern Elves were considered the weakest. Unfortunately, their neighbouring kingdom, the Sleuweir could do nothing to hinder the slave trade for big merchants from all countries. Hence, this ”trade route” became a ”disastrous” location to perform Elven slave trading.
The wired second-hand dealers were helping the peerages and the agencies of special goods to get the latest stocks. Meanwhile, the ruthless mercenaries who were awaiting orders, as well as the city guard officers and troops stood aside like nothing had happened. It was not surprising that the Elves would call that place ”The Sinland”.
The merchants would risk for a hundred percent profit. For a profit over three thousand percent, they would trample all the world's law without a hesitation. Regardless of whether they were ordinary, superior or even the half-Elves, the Elven children, men, and young women had all brought them an extraordinary income. Hence, the Akysyos had become their first choice for a tourism spot.
Of course, he would never answer you, as he, together with his kingdom had been sealed within the ice receptacle. Their bodies would remain fresh in the Ice Age for hundreds of years, probably until even the day they melts.
And that day, was the doomsday for the bloody Akysyos, along with all its slave dealers.
Just as the Beastmen armies invaded the castle from the rear, the Moonglaive army of the Tassel Elven Kingdom ambushed an interim camp of the merchants. They were coming to the rescue of their princess.
The imprisoned Princess of the Moon Elves, was found in the merchants' basement, with her body pathetically mangled. This had infuriated the surrounding Elves, the little ambush thus grew into a mad rampage.
Influenced by some malicious people, the Elven slaves eventually engaged in the rampage too. After wiping out the prison guards and mercenaries, they had snatched their weapons and opened the gate.
The time had finally come for an ethnic cleansing. At this moment, the arrogant Elves would gladly accept any help from the Beastmen. Resorting to violence like the Beastmen, they had developed an inclination for a sadistic pleasures besides assuaging their resentment. They even praised the Beastmen for their inhumane massacres.
A strongly worded declaration of war was very soon delivered to Antuen which was under the Beastmen's attack. Tassel Elven Kingdom and the other Elven Allies were declaring war against the Sleuweir.
The third party's interference in the war had brought astonishment to the whole world. Myriads of letters were drifting to the north like the snowflakes, and the cathedral envoys were running back and forth. Unfortunately, the communication canal had been sealed.
Meanwhile, at the protection area of Moon Glaive Army, the face of Commander Alven Newleaf was filled with grief and sympathy, as he stared at the severely injured Moon Elven girl who was deeply asleep.
”Your Majesty, are you cold-blooded? Princess Suana was still a young girl, and she was your one and only daughter.”
Being an aristocrat of the Moon Elves, Alven shared a blood kinship with Atrion, the king of Tassel Kingdom, therefore the injured Elven princess was considered his niece.
As the executor of ”Key of the Moon Plan”, Alven was the one who actually knew the whole story, when the other Elves were seized by anger, lynching the slave merchants.
”Those damned old creatures were trying to kill her!”
Suana Newleaf, the Princess of Tassel Kingdom, was the only descendant of the King of Elves. Nevertheless, to get the approval of war declaration and to gain support from the elders, she was sacrificed for the political exchange. The next King of Elves would have to be the nephew of the chief of the council.
Aside from political interest, Suana was chosen as the sacrifice due to her role as the leader of the Peace-pursuing faction of the Elves, despite her young age. The solidarity amongst her followers were as firm as rock. Beloved and respected by all her people, in any way if she was hurt, the Elves would certainly be filled with hatred and animosity. Wrath of the people would be incessant, and the war would be unstoppable.
To fully utilize Suana, the ruthless schemer had made use of the most malevolent slave merchants, the most deplorable buyers, a well-planned engagement, and a brutal slave hunter, which finally led the honourable princess down this path.
”...Water...water.”
A feeble voice pulled the surrounding female officers closer. Alven could not withstand watching the misery of princess anymore.
”Your highness, please just say the words, Alven would do anything for you”
It was obvious to all that Suana, who had suffered such tremendous physical and mental damage, would not survive. This terrible scene was more than what Alven could bear. Finally, he made a promise to himself, that this was the end of his tolerance, and he would then accomplish any wishes of the princess at any costs.
”...Re...venge…”
Hearing this, Alven was puzzled. To fall into such inexplicable misfortune, it was only natural that the little anti-war princess would harbour such resentment. It was pathetic that she had not realised the real culprit behind all of these.
With her withered lips moving slightly, it looked like Suana was trying to speak something but she was powerless to do so.
Only by moving closer, Alven was able to hear her small groan.
”Do...n't...Don't….avenge me, I….want peace, I don't want..don't want war.”
Her alabaster face was filled with scars. After much struggling to deliver her last wish and making sure it was heard clearly, the most beautiful rose in Tassel lost her final colour, she had given up her life, withered and perished.
Upon learning the death of their dearest Suana, the fellow Elves had gone insane.
”Her highness is dead! Her highness is dead!”
”It was all because of the damned Humans!”
”Revenge! A blood for a blood, a tooth for a tooth, that is not even enough or these scoundrels! We need the fresh blood of their wives and daughters to pay respect to her spirit of Princess Suana in heaven!”
”Not yet, the Elves do their vengeance in ten fold! We need ten times the amount of blood as offerings!”
An uproar reverberated through the skies, as even the female officers in the palace had vowed to avenge their princess at any cost. Being the only one amongst the crowd who actually heard her last wish, Alven was sinking into silence.
He opened his mouth as his head was spinning. Trying to speak something but his thoughts were all in a muddle, he ended up saying nothing at all.
”...Forgive me, your highness. I am afraid I have to go back on my words, everyone has gone out of control. As I'm about to fight with the destroyer of our kingdom, I will probably apologize to you face to face very soon.
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Upon hearing the news of Suana's death and declaration of war by the Elves, I was not even surprised. I had to say if my speculation was right, for the Elves to deviate from the Order, Suana must not only die, but die horribly.
Reason? There was no actual reason. Every war needed one reason to start. Not to mention the Elves who had always flattered themselves as a race of upright justice and peace, they would certainly call for a strong reason.
Suana herself was a perfect sacrifice. Aside from her high reputation, she had always opposed the war, proposing harmonious coexistence with the Humans, and seeked to resolve all conflicts by communications. This had rendered her a thorn in the flesh of the War-pursuing faction and the fellows Elven gods.
How did I know about her? Were we close? I was imprisoned in the Sulphur Mountain City when she was born. We never spoke nor got to know each other, but I did know about her.
”Sure enough, the real world is not dramatic, in the end, the lucky Suana failed to ascend to the Queen of Elves...”
In the dramatic ”history”, as the leader of the Peace-pursuing faction she had issued a mythical mission of incredible rank. With the help of both Elf players and Human players, she had finally annihilated the War-pursuing faction which included her dad and the council. She ascended the throne and even fought to be the Queen of Elves later. In the end, she successfully persuaded all the Elves to remain in the Order faction.
Ever since the Four Elemental Gods turned out not to be sealed by the ”players” according to the ”history plot”, I had discerned a number of idiotic flaws in the strategy guide. In that ”history” at least, the few significant events would be completely different from what the gamers abroad had in mind.