Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Their destination was none other than the Emerald Sea Palace, which had been requisitioned by Tariendan. Darkus and Finnubal had come here for a simple purpose—to hold a meeting, a pre-battle conference.

Six raiding ships were moored in the courtyard.

Five ships stood neatly arranged in front of the carved colonnade, their bows facing the same direction. Only one looked somewhat out of place, its posture less orderly. Clearly, it had just arrived, and the sense of urgency in the air added a touch of anxiety.

A low, rumbling wind echoed through the palace, and the rhythm of the waves could be faintly heard through the stone walls.

They walked along the corridor, their footsteps echoing dully on the jade floor. Finnubar frowned slightly from time to time, as if reminded by the sound that with each step, they were closer to the final battle.

Soon, they arrived at the conference room on the first floor.

The heavy door was pushed open by Dakous, the hinges making a low creak, and at that moment, almost all eyes turned to him.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying a thousand unspoken understanding, before stepping into the conference room.

The meeting room was a gathering of stars and experts, but it was a meeting of familiar faces.

Leading the group was Ma Pingtou, who stood in the main seat and was wearing dragon armor.

Beside him were his three beings whom Darkus jokingly referred to as the "Three Egyptian Gods"—Kazoin, Kohein, and Tirya. The three had different expressions, but all carried a sense of composure as if they had already foreseen the outcome.

Elardessi, the master of the Emerald Sea Palace, stood quietly to the left.

The naval side was led by Dulias and Eslin, while the army side was represented by Nuker, Barklon, and Villanis.

On the magic side, Ana Sara and Belanar were present, along with three high priests from the Stormweavers Order—Belda, Adana, and Veltrie.

The Asleys were represented by the Twilight Sisters, Alaros, and Indra; the Assurs were led by Azalion and Arslan Silverstar (the one who scouted the Greenskin fleet at sea, who first appeared in Chapter 725).

Most notably, the dragons were the main force, led by "Dragon Mother" Modax, with the three imperial dragons "Destroyer" Marok, "Majestic" Skurex, and "Terrifying" Malathex also present.

In other words, all four Imperial Dragons of the Red Dragon faction were present. In addition, the brothers Splintwing, Agatagu, and Acregun were also there.

Marok and Springtwin were particularly down-to-earth, sneaking into a corner to feast. Meanwhile, the other dragons stood solemnly around the sand table, their expressions dignified and their gazes serious.

In addition, there was Salames, who came to report the situation, and Chupakoko and Tiktato, who were eager to try.

The sand table is the core of the entire meeting at this moment.

Dakos greeted everyone in the circle, then walked to the sand table and glanced at it.

The sand table is centered on Lorthen, with a scale so precise it borders on obsessive. The varied terrain, ports and defense lines, inland areas and seas are all meticulously replicated. Supporting structures stand at the four corners of the sand table, covered by a silver-gray metal grille, which acts like a cage, locking the entire Lorthen inside.

A ladder stands next to the table.

A staff officer stood at the top, carefully suspending a ball of black-dyed cotton below the grid. The cotton swayed slightly with the airflow, like a slowly gathering dark cloud.

Prior to this, the pieces representing the Red Dragon, Giant Eagle, Griffin, Warhawk, Wyvern, and Raider had already been hung above the grid in sequence.

Dakos looked up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the sand table that was gradually being shrouded in shadow—he understood that it was a depiction of dark clouds looming over the city.

An oppressive atmosphere, about to erupt, was quietly spreading through the conference room.

He looked down at the sand table again.

Today's layout was no different from yesterday's; all the battle lines, markers, and troop distributions had been repeatedly simulated. He glanced at it a few times, but his interest waned. He nodded, turned, and left the sand table, heading towards a corner.

The air was filled with the warm aroma of food—Marok and Springtwin were wolfing it down, with half-empty plates piled up around them. He walked over and joined them without any hesitation.

He picked up a piece of jerky and casually tore off a bite.

To be honest, he was indeed not full, and the emptiness in his stomach was a reminder that as the main player today, he couldn't afford to let the team down.

Before the war even began, supplies were prioritized, and even in this atmosphere, he still felt a strange sense of pragmatism.

Malekith glanced at Darkus, who had come and gone. The man was as restless and unruly as ever, with an almost frivolous indifference. His gaze lingered on Darkus's retreating figure for a moment before he looked back at the sand table.

Nervous? A little, but only a little.

Having lived for nearly six thousand years, he was long past the age of being controlled by anxiety.

From the long nights of the North to the seas of fire in the South, he witnessed the rise of empires and the fall of gods.

On that timescale, war and peace are nothing more than a recurring breath.

At least that's what he thinks.

And today—this decisive battle about to erupt in Lorthorn—is not unfamiliar to him.

Duruci's side adopted a strategy of provoking an attack. The initiative, at least on paper, was firmly in their hands. Even though they were positioned on the defensive, their actual offensive and strategic planning had begun long before they even reached King's Landing in Ausuan.

He looked up, coldly watching the dark cloud on the sand table gradually expand. His fingertips tapped lightly on the table, the sound steady, as if he were silently counting something in his mind. After a moment, he spoke again, his tone flat, reiterating something.

As the saying goes, blackening is three times stronger, and whitening is three times weaker.

Currently, Duruci is in the process of clearing his name. Some of his tactics can be executed very well—decisive, ruthless, clean and efficient, solving the problem once and for all and at its root.

But they cannot.

That path, even though it was known to lead to victory, was blocked by reality.

Duruci knew that Imrek would definitely go to the Dragonspine Mountains to summon dragons. It was a choice that fate had already etched into his very bones, a destiny that was predetermined and could not be deviated from.

Just like when Pigsy and Sandy faced a powerful enemy, their first thought was to call for Monkey King, and when Monkey King faced a powerful enemy...

Duruci could certainly capitalize on this, launching a surprise attack while the dragons of Dragonspine Mountain are still asleep: dismantling the Val's Anvil while simultaneously mobilizing troops for a major offensive against Dragonspine Mountain, initiating a thorough hunt, and conducting a comprehensive search to eliminate all the dragons sleeping deep within the volcanoes, in their dreams, and in the lava.

If we could seize the opportunity to find Imrek himself and kill him, it would be a victory that would shake the entire continent and might even change the course of the war.

But Duluche cannot do that.

The reason is not tactical, but at a deeper level.

First, how does the Red Dragon, who is in Duruci's camp, view this matter?

Why did those red dragons that once roamed the skies above Elsin Alwyn follow Darkus, leaving the cave, crossing the ocean, and arriving in this strange new continent? What was the fundamental reason? Was it an exchange of interests? Or a resonance of ideals?
Has the oath of Ruishui turned your hair white?
Darkus is Darkus; his surname is Helban, not Sima, and he is not Sima Yi. Although he also holds double standards and has done his share of unethical things, such as sending Helibon to Gorond, etc., some things...

If Duruci were to actually do that, it would be tantamount to touching the red dragon's Achilles' heel. The consequences would be no less severe than the foolish act of some dragon princes using dark magic to forcibly control the red dragon during the War of Revenge.

Although the Red Dragons are self-centered, they don't mind dying in battle; in fact, they take pride in it.

They can be pierced by arrows, killed by crossbows, or swallowed by magic, but they cannot accept being controlled, much less die in their sleep.

That wasn't death; it was an insult, a desecration, a tearing apart of the very foundation of the dragon race's dignity.

Why did the two-headed chaos dragon Baldross, who is now Springtwin, choose Darkus as his partner in another timeline?

That was neither a coincidence nor a simple alliance.

It is a contract built on mutual respect, understanding and common goals.

If Duruci were to slay the dragon in this way, the contract would collapse instantly. Not only would the red dragon become disloyal, but Asul, Asley, and Enir would also cast complex, even disgusted, glances at him.

What the hell is this?

Duruci is still the same Duruci, still the same Duruci who can't be presented in a respectable way.

This behavior, though seemingly clever, is in fact incredibly foolish. It will trigger a series of political consequences, a chain reaction that could render all diplomatic efforts futile.

It's like two people agreeing to a duel, to settle the score fairly and squarely in the arena. But before the duel even begins, one duelist is ambushed by the other and dies on the way.

The two ways of dying may seem to have the same outcome, but in reality, they are worlds apart.

To die in the arena is the fall of a hero; to die on the way is the assassination of a coward.

The former earns respect, while the latter only invites contempt.

The entire elf world will see this and remember it.

How can this be cleared up?

Darkus was a paradox; he consistently tried to avoid getting bogged down in an uncontrollable decisive battle before the snowball effect had grown and an advantage had been established. He advocated mobile warfare, using flexible strategies and fluid defensive lines to draw the enemy down, harass, wear them down, and whittle them down, then strike decisively when the enemy was weakened.

He was not seeking a lucky victory, but a stable order, an unquestionable rule.

However, some situations are unavoidable.

Some battles are not a matter of whether you want to fight or not, but a test that fate forces you to face.

This is the real reason he made the bet with Leandera; he wanted to increase the stakes. Leandera had experience in summoning dragons, and her involvement could, to some extent, increase the success rate of Kaledo in awakening the dragon.

The stage was destined to be in Lorthorn, and nowhere else; this was beyond doubt and unavoidable. It was the focal point of destiny, the place where the gods watched, the point where all of the Old Testament and the New History intersected.

What Duruci wanted was to defeat the Caledo faction head-on on this stage.

It was not a sneak attack, nor a conspiracy, but a fair and square victory—leaving no one with a single word to criticize, and making the whole world acknowledge: the new era's Duruci is no longer the Duruci of the past!

Can the new era's Duruci lead the Elf race to continue on their path?
For Trudeau, who has already begun to clear his name, the greatest political and strategic gains would undoubtedly come from a direct confrontation and victory.

On the military front, if this battle is won, everything that follows can be summed up in one word—garbage time.

On a political level, it goes without saying. The entirety of Ulthuan, and indeed the entire elven society, is holding its breath, awaiting the final outcome of this decisive battle.

Whether it was the forces that had already sided with Duruci, the wavering centrists, or the old nobles still under the banner of Imrek, everyone knew that after this battle, the balance would be completely tilted.

If successful, Duruci could further undermine Asur's will to resist through his prestige, influence, and network of connections, turning politics into an extension of the war and negotiation into a substitute for swords.

Solving problems politically, ending bloodshed through agreements, and preserving the population and productivity as much as possible—all of this is also related to the power balance within Trudeau's inner circle.

The influence of the military must be suppressed.

Despite Malekith being the most powerful military leader, and despite Dakous holding sway over the navy and wielding considerable influence in the army, both of them understood one thing: they could not be held hostage by the military.

What they want is to control the army, not to be controlled by it.

Why did Dakos, while in Adolf, persuade William III to form the Sigmar Firearms Corps?

there are many reasons.

One of the most practical reasons is to make the Sigmar Empire look less weak. If the empire is too weak and too easily manipulated, it will lose its appeal, and the elves will unconsciously become conquerors rather than collaborators.

Darkus did not want to see that happen.

He knew all too well that once the snowball of an army started rolling, it was hard to stop. After defeating Ausuan, someone would suggest attacking Elsin Alfvén, and then Cinta, step by step, war would become a habit, and victory would become poison.

What he and Malekith really wanted to protect was the power of decision-making!

They must control what kind of war to fight, when to fight it, and why to fight it.

The war can continue, but it must not get out of control.

The "military-first" approach was merely a stopgap measure, a strategy adopted for this specific period. If this approach were to be extended indefinitely and perpetuated as truth, then it would be the turn of Wilhelm II, the "legendary reef-keeper" living in seclusion in the Netherlands, to step forward. He would lean on his cane, wave his trembling hand, and speak for a whole day in that aged yet sharp tone, without repeating himself.

In fact, as early as when he was still in Nagaroth, Tarrendan had already rehearsed the Battle of Lor'then. He began to analyze various possible scenarios: the plan for Druich to attack Lor'then, the contingency plan for Druich to defend Lor'then, and the corresponding strategies for different enemies, opponents, allies, and forces.

Those were terrifyingly calm deductions.

Nevertheless, the current situation has still exceeded all contingency plans.

But this is not important.

For Trudeau, contingency plans are not shackles, but rather a reference point. As long as the thinking is clear, adjustments are always more valuable than chaos. Modifying, repairing, and redistributing resources within the existing framework is sufficient.

In fact, these adjustments were completed well before today.

To be frank, there wasn't much need for this meeting. Everyone present already knew what they were supposed to do, what they were going to face, and were clear about their responsibilities and limits.

They were simply going through the process again to confirm the consensus.

That's why, after Dakota glanced at the sand table, he turned around and went to eat.

It's not indifference, but unwavering conviction.

He knew there was no need to say anything more; the machine was already running, the gears were engaged. However, procedures still needed to be followed. Reiterating the objectives and attitude before the battle was also necessary.

After all, this is the final battle.

A decisive battle of vital importance to both sides.

It's not just about winning or losing, it's about defining the future.

From this day forward, the question of who represents the will of the elves and who will usher in the new era will be answered in this decisive battle.

After feeling full, Dakota returned to the sand table and began to look at it.

The sand table remained silent, yet it gleamed faintly under the lights, like a miniature world.

Upon closer inspection, the sand, architectural models, cotton balls, chess pieces, and metal grilles resemble metaphors for fate itself—there is order, but also chaos; there are manipulated trajectories, but also unpredictable mutations.

Darkus didn't speak, but silently watched the miniature Lorthion, watching the place names that would soon be stained with blood and fire in reality being marked on the sand table.

When Duruch arrived at the undefended Lorthorn, the Tenth Army, led by the High Dreadlord Valahar-Barkon of Grond, was the first to land.

Following closely behind was the 1st Guards Army, forged in blood and iron. Also included were the 3rd Army, "Wind," led by Dranak Mogar; the 5th Army, "Thorns," commanded by Talos; and the 22nd Army under Chintara. Except for the 1st Guards Army, the other three armies were all subordinate to Army Groups under Kowell's command.

In the old era, Vilanis Shadowdisaster was one of the Black Tower's masters, but in the tide of the new era, he has risen to prominence and now commands the First Sentinel Army.

His superior was Coran Blackhand.

Currently, there are two Sentinel Armies, the First and the Second, both under the command of Koran. His superior is Malekith, but he is not currently in Ulthuan; instead, he is stationed in Nagarond with the Second Sentinel Army to guard the rear and prevent any uncontrollable situations.

In the current Duruci system, the uncontrollable is often more dangerous than the enemy.

Corran, along with Flannery and Syrsis, who also guarded Nagalond, were jokingly referred to by Darkus as the Three Egyptian Gods of Nagalond.

Of the several army groups that landed on Lorthene, the army group commanded by Kowell served as the general reserve. However, unlike other general reserves, this reserve was moved and split up.

In episodes three and twenty-two, they marched overland to Angriel, repairing and expanding roads along the way. Upon arrival, while maintaining their garrison, they began further construction, making Angriel, the second largest port in the Kingdom of Ithaan, larger, deeper, and capable of handling even more steel and blood.

The fifth episode was spent in Lorthorn, and he was later transferred to the northern peninsula of the Kingdom of Elion.

Currently, the Duruch Army Group stationed in Lorthorn consists of units from the first and tenth installments. In addition, there is the "Red Dragon" Legion commanded by the brothers Agatagu and Akregon.

This corps did not have an official designation; in terms of organization, it was defined as a large corps rather than an army group.

The defense zones of the two army groups and the Red Dragon Army were clearly divided: the First Army Group guarded the west side of the lagoon, the Tenth Army Group guarded the east side of the lagoon, while the Red Dragon Army and a part of the Haiwei were stationed on the city wall near the vast ocean.

Now, whether it's an inland sea, a lagoon, or a vast ocean, everything has been emptied.

The black ark and ships headed to Wildwood Island, at the border between the Kingdom of Itien and the Kingdom of Southern Iris, while merchant ships and cruise ships continued their operations on the route, and the blood of war still flowed.

Meanwhile, the Asur navy did not stop. They continued to transport troops from the Kingdom of Iris to the Kingdom of Safri, but due to the war, this route was shortened, and now their ships could only dock at Wildwood Island.

The initial deployment was highly controversial. With Dakous absent, Dulias, representing the Duruci Navy, and Aislin, representing the Asur Navy, stepped forward and argued their case forcefully.

Their idea was to organize the Black Ark, which was anchored in the vast ocean, with the combined fleet. The Black Ark would unfold around the Brilliant Tower, while the fleet would cruise around it, forming a grand, three-dimensional position.

However, after much debate, the plan was ultimately rejected by Malekith.

The reason is simple, and also cruel: Tariendan and Serenius had already conducted simulations, and there was a very high probability that the Caledonians would launch a siege against the fleet. In other words, once the fleet was deployed there, it would be tantamount to actively attracting all attention and exposing itself to the enemy's surveillance.

Although he didn't understand naval warfare, he knew one thing: once the fleet was in motion, the entire situation would change. And change was bound to produce countless different outcomes.

Even the slightest error or delay in any link during the process of change may result in an eventual victory, but the losses will be unbearable and could even directly disrupt the subsequent course of the war.

Besides, all that work he's done these past few days, was it all for nothing? Stuck in the streets, was it all for nothing? Was the shelter built for nothing? Did all those Asur laborers work day and night just to watch a fireworks display?
Will the Holy Resurrection Society of Ulthuan still be established? Will Lor'then still be renovated?

If we really fight head-on as they suggest, all our previous plans will be for naught.

And that's exactly what happened.

The dragon's flight path begins in the Kingdom of Caledor, traversing mountains and fjords before heading towards the vast ocean. After a long aerial maneuver, it will appear in the direction of the Glory Tower. In other words, the dragon is not traveling in a straight line, but rather choosing a peculiar, curved route, which means its journey will take longer.

It evokes a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of the Battle of Rabaul.

Furthermore, this is not just a tactic, but also a psychological war.

Once the enemy discovers that the fleet that should have suffered a devastating blow does not exist, their thinking will begin to fall apart.

Change is inevitable, and once it happens...

Change is the only option; regression is not an option.

Retreat is not an option; we have to go on, even if it means gritting our teeth!
There's no turning back!

After being rejected, Aislin settled for a less desirable option: to lead the fleet of the Kingdom of Ithain to patrol the lagoon, that is, to circle around it, to protect Lorthen, to defend their homeland, and to fight off the dragons.

It was a proposal tinged with a sense of tragic grandeur, which almost silenced everyone present.

However, this suggestion was also rejected.

It was Serene who stood up to refute him; she also participated in the war, but not directly. She planned a large-scale operation that would impact the boats operating in the lagoon.

The end result was that the Haiwei were transformed into marines, with some assigned to the city walls and others transferred to the urban area on the east bank of the lagoon. Meanwhile, the Erwei were given a contingent of elite troops to guard the northeastern coastal positions, which consisted of specialized barges.

If Caledo were to launch an attack there, they would face devastating consequences. The positions there are three-dimensional; the twisted cannons hidden within the mountain fortifications would be activated immediately, and the long-range firepower of the army on the shore would join the fray instantly.

To put it simply, Duruci's overall strategy was to first disperse the dragons, rather than crowding them together, and launch counterattacks in different local positions, gradually lowering the dragons' flight altitude.

Lorthene, perched on the hills, is the best local stronghold; it is a natural trap, a spider web tailor-made for the enemy.

It's not the Black Ark, nor the unified defense of the Combined Fleet, but rather a dense, layered network of sharp teeth ready to bite back at any moment.

Once the dragon loses its height advantage, the situation will fall completely into Duruci's control.

Then, they struck again, coldly and precisely, delivering a fatal blow to the dragon.

The meeting ended quickly.

Once everything had settled down, Malekith didn't give a passionate speech, which wasn't his style, and besides, it was all familiar faces, so there was no need for it.

When Darkus stepped out of the meeting hall and into the courtyard, the sky over Lorthen had already darkened. The light was obscured by rolling dark clouds, and the whole world seemed shrouded in some silent force.

"Dark clouds loom over the city, threatening to crush it."

He murmured a sigh, his tone carrying an indescribable mix of mockery and composure.

Then, he started moving; he was about to take off.

After all, he's one of the main characters today!

He was one of the backup plan providers; when he told Finnuval he was going to unleash his full power, he wasn't just bragging. If necessary… (End of Chapter)