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Chapter 160 Left for Tail
🕑 Added 2023-06-03 08:01:00 +0000 UTCChapter 160 Left for Tail
"Why are we cowering when victory is within reach? Lord Lily, Lord Alistar, Lord Ghander, Lord Edelweiss, you have successfully sealed two leylines, right? Only a couple more and the undead will be gone for good! We should attack!"
"No," Alistar and Ghander sighed, giving a clear answer. "We will not attack them until the fort has been repaired."
"Why?" Alistar said frustratedly. His spirit was commendable, but the reality was harsh.
"Lhorne, sealing the leylines' leakage will not immediately eradicate the undead. It only cuts off their primary energy source," Edelweiss nodded sadly. "Moreover, if we march on, leaving these soldiers, the undead will march unopposed."
"Sorry for speaking out of turn," Lhorne apologized while gripping his fist. The realization came to him that this was not a fictional story where defeating the main boss or completing the objective would solve everything. Even when we sealed all the leaks, the undead could seek out other energy sources. They were monsters; their energy source could come from leylines or living beings like us. We would achieve nothing if we allowed them to reach the city unopposed.
"Lord Edelweiss, pardon me for asking, but did we make a mistake somehow? Why did the undead suddenly become stronger like this? Weren't they supposed to weaken when we sealed the leylines' breaches?" Lily asked, seemingly frustrated.
"We know nothing about the undead. No spy has ever managed to go to Northlangard and come back alive," Ghander said.
"Maybe spying on Northlangard would be a good idea," Alistar muttered. "But nevertheless, fortress repair takes precedence over everything. We cannot allow the undead to storm our cities."
"And that will be our meeting for today. Lily, you may rest. Prepare for tomorrow. Lhorne, I need you to organize Lily's tailfolk army with Nora, Rhegar, Rick, and Jona. We will retreat to Reminiscence until the materials for fort repairs arrive."
"Lhorne, while you're at it, please send a messenger bearing my letter to the dwarves. Inform them that I, Lord Lily, am willing to rent a field to them in exchange for war support," Lily whispered, but it was loud enough for everyone in the HQ to hear.
"Lily, selling or renting land to foreigners is forbidden," Lhorne said, but Alistar motioned for him to be silent.
"I will add my piece too. The dwarves can choose any land they desire, be it Reminiscence or your Edenthal. You don't have to bear it alone. We need all the help we can get," Alistar added.
"And include Regoia as well," Edelweiss chimed in.
Lily looked at everyone present in the headquarters. "Thank you, everyone."
"If we have their support, how many dwarves could they provide? I recall their settlement wasn't particularly large," Ghander asked.
"Maybe less than a hundred?" Lily said. "But if we can secure Niece, the king's niece, we could expedite things significantly. Moreover, those dwarves have that black slime that burns for a long time."
"Our intel on the dwarves is also scarce. Let the messenger inform them about our war situation and ask for any assistance in exchange for an agreeable plot of land," Alistar replied. We have visited the dwarven community, but we are unaware of the size of their country or the quality of their weapons. We have dived together, but we are not even sure about their military tactics.
"I will go to Hoeth and ask for support from the king. He might even agree to make this a national decision instead of a lord's independent choice," Ghander replied. I was glad that everyone's heart was set on this endeavor.
I was appalled at our lack of intelligence. However, it seemed to be normal in this world. We knew the dwarves wanted a steady food supply, and that's about it.
"Alright. The meeting is dismissed. Get to work, everyone. Lily, here is my sword. It is better for you to use. It is sharper and more durable than the soldiers'," Alistar concluded the meeting, and we all got to work, except for Lily and me. Alistar specifically told us to rest.
The fort was bustling as Lily took a chair and sat atop the wall. Her gaze wandered across the clear sky above the field. When she looked back, she could see the soldiers busy carrying boxes and their injured comrades on stretchers. The elves' craftsmanship was good enough to make stretchers, but apparently, it was not sufficient, as the latter soldiers used biers instead. The last ones even used wheelbarrows or carts.
As the sun set, a long line formed from the fort into Reminiscence. Lily, together with forty tailfolk, Nora, and ten elves, remained behind. Lily asked Nora to leave, but she was adamant about staying. Alistar, Edelweiss, and Ghander were the last to leave.
"Alistar, can't I stay here with Lily?" Edelweiss cried as she hugged Lily.
"No, this tactic will allow the undead to surge through the fort. You cannot wield a sword, and your running is also slow. If I have to leave anyone behind, except for Lily, it would be better for Ghander or me. But we also have work in Reminiscence. We need to coordinate the workers and the transportation of materials for the reconstruction. With us there, the preparations will progress faster, and that means less time Lily will spend here alone."
"Please don't pity me, Lord Edelweiss. I promise I will survive," Lily smiled.
"Stay safe, Lord Lily. And you too, Nora." Edelweiss switched from hugging Lily to Nora. Alistar and Edelweiss then extended their farewells to the remaining fifty soldiers who were given the suicide mission. I was surprised when I realized that Edelweiss and Alistar had memorized everyone's name from our suicide group.
"Please hold out in this fort until we return," Alistar said, and they left. Their horses raced past the retreating soldiers and headed toward Hoeth.
When night fell, the fortress was eerily empty, with even the sounds of bugs becoming noisy in our ears. We were not alone. There were over fifty soldiers here, but nobody spoke a word, and everyone simply went to the barracks.
