Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Dakos paced back and forth, his expression shifting constantly—sometimes serious, sometimes relaxed, sometimes thoughtful. His pointed ears were slightly perked up, like two sensitive receivers, picking up every sound coming from not far away.

Yes, listening to the tide.

Beside him were the members of the Brave Team, lined up and waiting.

These members, however, have their own explanations.

Standing to the right front is Prince Intrigue, and behind him is his daughter, Princess Ariana.

The father and daughter's surname is Aniren—Aniren of Aniren, the capital of the Kingdom of Kosqui.

However, that was a long time ago. Now, Aniranien is a ruin, a desolate place paved with broken marble towers and scattered stone slabs. It was destroyed in a cataclysmic event thousands of years ago. The details of that disaster have long been worn away by time, leaving only a vague, heavy name and a ruin where even seaweed seems to have grown weakly.

Attempts to recapture or rebuild the city have been notoriously plagued by misfortune.

Devastating storms, the invasion of Norsca raiders, inexplicable ground collapses...

Each commencement of the project was accompanied by some form of disaster, shattering everything. The surface rubble was long covered by seaweed, appearing from a distance as merely a green, undulating, shapeless mound. The ruins of this dead city continued to crumble under erosion, the seawater washing away day after day, gradually revealing more riddled cliffs beneath, dotted with abandoned halls and dark caves. Unknown, pitch-black shadows lurked in the passageways beneath the sea, and collapses were commonplace.

No one knows where those passages lead, and no one really wants to know.

then……

To understand this, we first need to clarify the political landscape of the Kingdom of Kosqui. It's like being full after eating the third steamed bun, but that doesn't mean the first two buns were useless.

In the Kingdom of Kosqui, kingdom-level policies are decided by a council of seven princes and princesses. Each member represents a noble family that rules a city. Although the princes in the council seats can be replaced by a vote in the council, this structure has remained unchanged since the fifth Phoenix King, "The Peacemaker" Caladrell, ascended to the throne. The council hears the demands of everyone from lower-ranking nobles to commoners, and even occasionally the spirits of Kosqui.

This council was known as the "Council of Seven Sages".

Although Anireen was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, it still retains two seats in parliament due to its status as the former capital. A city that no longer exists on the map, yet still holds two chairs in the council…

This is the power of historical inertia, a political legacy that can continue to function without any real-world support.

Prince Intrigue was an exiled ruler and the first patriarch of his family to never have seen Anirenne. He was born on the road to exile, grew up in a palace where he lived as a dependent, and spent his life advocating for a city he had never seen with his own eyes.

But thanks to his exceptional political skills, careful command of his small army, his daughter's business acumen, and the protective network woven from his shrewd political maneuvering and historical inertia, he remained firmly in his seat in parliament even without prosperous territories. His ability to effortlessly forge political alliances has long influenced the kingdom's power structure.

In Kosquieu, no one dared to underestimate this prince who had no land.

This is because, in addition to the abilities of the father and daughter, it also relates to the seventh seat. If the parliament cannot reach a clear consensus on a certain issue, then the holder of the seventh seat has the right to make the final decision.

This seventh seat is Kosquieu's most coveted political reward.

As the capital of the kingdom, Tal Corelli was entitled to this seat, but Darrowland had no interest in it. He insisted that the prince of Anireen should accept the position in recognition of his sacrifice. In return, Intrigue was a staunch supporter of Darrowland in parliamentary affairs. It was a respectable deal, a tacit understanding between the two sides.

Darrowland gained fame, and Intrigue gained real power; each got what they wanted, and everyone was happy.

But in reality, there were undercurrents within the Kingdom of Kosqui. Intrigue's palace in Tal Corelli was his only remaining luxurious property—a house in a city that did not belong to him, but which the city's owner could take back at any time.

Many believe that if Darrowland's two sons, Dano or Darlos, were to one day succeed him, they would be unlikely to inherit their father's character. Whether Intrigue would be able to retain his two seats or continue living in Tal Corelli at that time remains uncertain.

But that's all in the past.

Sorry, Duruci is here.

It felt like being attacked from a lower dimension, being crushed by a higher dimension.

It's like two militias fighting to the death over a town, trying to gain control of it, only to have the regular army arrive and tell them they don't need to fight anymore, as the town will be taken over by the regular army.

Any objections? Any questions? Hmm?
This is both extremely humorous and extremely ironic.

The current state of Intertec is contradictory.

He was both happy and worried, and also both happy and angry.

The anger stemmed from the fact that Malekith, the very culprit who had caused Anireen's sinking, was nearby, participating in some ritual he didn't quite understand but which was clearly very important. That name, that person who had caused him to lose his home, his land, everything, was now standing before him, and he could do nothing about it. He even had to stand there with a smile, waiting for the other's handout of 'restoration'.

Destroyers have become restorers; sometimes, this world is more absurd than the most absurd drama.

Joy came from the fact that he now stood on the edge of Anireen. And soon, if the news he had heard was true, if that Duruci named Darkus wasn't just making empty promises, this city, submerged for thousands of years, would resurface!

His greatest desire in life was to one day revive Anireon. This was his mission as the son of Anireon, the legacy he inherited from his father, and the only thing that sustained him through countless days and nights of living under someone else's roof.

Now, the fulfillment of this wish is in the hands of the destroyer.

Interek stood there, his expression as complex as Darkus's. He didn't know whether to be grateful or angry; whether to embrace this era or curse it.

All he knew was that his feet were about to touch the soil of Anireen, for the first time in his life.

His daughter, Ariana, stood behind him, her gaze sometimes calmly fixed on the seaweed-covered ruins, sometimes burning with intensity as she looked at the pacing Darkus. She was younger than her father, and more pragmatic. She wasn't thinking about 'who destroyed this city,' but rather 'when will this city be inhabitable again?'

On the distant sea, waves crashed against the exposed rocky cliffs, producing a deep, rhythmic sound. Was that Anireon's heartbeat, or its breath before awakening?

Intrigue couldn't tell; he just stood there, waiting.

Actually, the one standing to the right front should not be Prince Intrigue, but Prince Darrowan, the nominal ruler of the Kingdom of Kosqui.

But the land beneath their feet belonged to Anirene, so whether it was because this was Anirene's homeland, or because Darrowland was displaying the demeanor befitting a ruler, he naturally stood beside Intrigue, rather than occupying the "first" position. Their shoulders were almost level, but in Kosquie's political context, this "leveling" itself was a statement.

Dacroix was very fond of Darrowland, who, as the embodiment of the kingdom's enlightened qualities, was tolerant, politically astute, and kind—the kind of ruler who made people feel comfortable at first sight.

If it weren't for Prince Danor standing in the second row, and Prince Dalos standing in the third row... well, without these two overly extraordinary children, he might have preferred Darrowland?

As for Darrowland's eldest daughter, Adana, she was not in the queue. As a spellcaster and one of the high priestesses of the Stormweavers Order, she was currently participating in the ritual. Her figure was faintly visible in the distant crowd, her robes fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, making her appear more at ease than anyone standing in the queue.

The seats in the Council of Seven Sages are determined by the cities of Kosqui, and behind each seat is a city, a family, and a history that has lasted for thousands of years.

Beloda's father, Seraphim, the ruler of Tar-Deno, should have stood in the front row. But since a ceremony was underway, as a high-ranking spellcaster, he stood alongside his daughter in the ceremony's procession, not in the main line. The father and daughter stood side by side, looking from a distance like two rocks sculpted by the sea breeze.

Therefore, standing next to D'Arland is Elione Whitepath.

The Fennu River forms the boundary between the Kingdom of Safri and the Kingdom of Avalon.

Just ten kilometers north of the estuary of this river, the Viru River quietly flows into the sea, its mouth located within the territory of the Kingdom of Avalon, strategically forming a "choke point." Whoever can firmly control the passageway where the Fennu and Viru rivers meet to the sea holds the initiative there.

On the other side of the crater lies another often overlooked but crucial location—Talville, the inland city of the Kingdom of Kosqui.

And Elione was the ruler of Tal Ver.

In some people's eyes, he was undoubtedly an eccentric, unambitious, reclusive, and acting based on meticulous research and careful consideration. Unlike most Kosquière nobles who were keen on going to sea, trading, and competing in naval power, his passion lay elsewhere: books.

As a devout follower of Hosse, he would always read extensively on the subject and personally verify precedents before making any decision. A proposal would often take weeks or even months to reach him, as he would go through all the relevant literature he could find and verify every historical precedent. He often annoyed his colleagues by delaying parliamentary affairs, but his reverence for Hosse also prompted everyone to remain patient and cautious.

Ah, that's one of the benefits of having a God. We can't exactly criticize Hoss and his doctrines, can we?

White Tower of Holstein: ?
When you face a ruler who "needs to look up information for everything," you can criticize him for being slow or annoying, but you can't say that his approach is wrong—because that's what Hoss taught.

Since we've brought up Hoss, we have to elaborate on that.

The Hoss sect is quite influential in the Kingdom of Kosqui, and Tal Wel has long been the sect's academic center in the Kingdom of Kosqui.

Even the most fearless sailors often whispered prayers to Hoth for guidance. After all, in the perilous waters of the drifting islands, nothing demands a sharp and clear mind more. When your ship is navigating between islands that are constantly shifting, brute force and courage won't help; besides praying for Matheran's protection, you need brains—and Hoth is the god of brains!

For those less devout, the sect will perform a stimulating spell in exchange for a symbolic donation. A small sum of money, a spell, and a few hours of mental clarity—in the Drifting Islands, this is probably the best deal.

Before inheriting the throne, Elione, as the ruler of Tal Vil and a devout follower of Hoth, also held another identity—he was a highly respected Hothian swordsman. Like Darrowland, he was also a friend of Finnubal.

Even more significant is that he was Darrowland's predecessor, having served as the ruler of the Kingdom of Kosqui.

Nevertheless, he was heavily criticized for being too close to the Phoenix Court and for his questionable loyalty to the Kingdom of Kosqui.

This is related to the kingdom's culture.

The Asur people living in Kosqui are known for their resilience and courage. They are seen as explorers and adventurers, and their ambition and flamboyance are seen as exaggerated and excessive by other Asur.

That undisguised, almost ostentatious ambition was seen as vulgar by the scholars of Safrei, reckless by the rangers of Charis, and undignified by the nobles of Avalon.

But the people of Kosquière didn't care.

The sea breeze carries away those gossips faster than they travel.

As explorers, they naturally possess a fearless value. Struggling to survive on this barren and desolate land, coupled with their proud maritime traditions, many Kosquie elves' lives are inextricably linked to the sea from birth.

From their youth, they had become accustomed to navigating the magically turbulent waters of the drifting islands. The ever-moving islands, the cursed reefs, and the mists that even the sun refused to illuminate were nothing more than the daily commute for the sailors of Kosquie.

Whether on the raging waves of their own shore or in the unfamiliar waves of the distant sea, the Kosquite elves always carry a striking courage and a passion for glory.

Maritime trade, sea monster hunting, and even plundering were the kingdom's most prestigious and respected professions. A successful merchant was worthy of respect, a captain who had hunted sea monsters deserved a biography, and a sailor who returned home with a ship full of goods from the distant seas walked with a sense of pride.

For many Kosquières, physical recreation such as riding horses across the coastal plains and sailing small boats across the waves is more appealing than art. It's not that they don't understand art, but they find oars more useful than pens.

The sailors' boasting was not without reason. They had heard too many audacious stories, and many had even performed them themselves; ordinary things could hardly amaze them.

Tell a sea monster story in a relatively conservative kingdom, and the audience will politely express their skepticism; tell the same story in Kosquiat, and the audience will ask, "How big was that sea monster? Which fin did you cut off?"

The adventurous lifestyle imbued Kosquig with a sense of heroism and worldly sophistication, and the Kosquig elves ventured overseas more frequently than the people of other kingdoms.

Naturally, many Kosquiens set their sights on worldly achievements, wealth, and their recognized status both domestically and internationally. Although in Asur society, fate is largely determined by birth—a tacitly accepted rule throughout Ausuan—the Kosquiens always manage to break through class barriers by seizing opportunities at sea.

The young people understand that they can seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the newly emerging business conglomerates, however…

This was the situation before Duruci reigned over Ausuan; after his success, the rules had to change.

However, unbridled ambition can turn into danger. In Kosquieu's busy business activities, the hidden negative effects are often cleverly concealed. Desires that are already difficult to hide can be distorted into greed and envy under the catalysis of the enterprising, decisive, and open-minded characteristics of a businessman, ultimately leading to destruction.

Among the people of Kosqui, a minority are far more tolerant of "excessive worship" than other parts of Ulthuan. Most people know that a relative or friend has secretly offered sacrifices to Assati or Lema, and no one finds it a big deal.

In their daily interactions, the Kosquie elves possess a sense of urgency and a focus on the present, qualities rarely seen in elves of other kingdoms. They understand that a year's delay, insignificant to most elves, could completely alter the situation and impact trade.

If a deal is delayed by a day, you might miss out on making money; if a shipping route is delayed by a month, someone else might take it.

Therefore, people like Kosquiat are quick in their actions, quick in their speech, and quick in their decision-making.

Driven by a maritime tradition, Kosquie is renowned for his efficiency in all areas except politics, his reputation for "fast-paced" work spreading throughout Ausuan. His slow pace in government affairs stems from the various vested interests behind the seven seats in the Council of Seven Sages. But once outside the council hall, Kosquie are like sails billowing in the wind, unable to stop.

So the nobles of Asur resorted to their most adept tactic: compromise.

Therefore, Darrow was chosen for his pragmatic character and more humble personal ambition to lead the reconstruction of Kosquieu.

Standing behind Elionet was his daughter, Niel.

There's nothing remarkable about her; she's just an ordinary princess, like most others in the Asur family.

If there is anything commendable about her, it is that she did not choose to believe in Hos like her father, but instead chose to believe in Matheran.

As in another timeline, she was sent on a diplomatic mission to Lauren Loren, attempting to strengthen ties between the Kingdom of Kosquie and Enil. She stayed there for so long that she almost forgot what the sea breeze of Kosquie tasted like.

In this timeline, besides strengthening ties between the two sides through smuggling, she also has to oversee the affairs of the Stormweavers Order in the Storm Zone.

He would step in to coordinate matters when High Priest Kaeya was absent.

Smuggling is the official term; in reality, it refers to the shady but indispensable trade between Duruci and Enil, and between Enil and Asur.

The affairs of the cult made her one of the busiest people in the storm zone. She was either coordinating supplies, handling disputes, checking points, or dealing with harassment from the captains.

Next, we come to the second steamed bun—the history of Tal Corelli.

The city was originally a mining town, situated on a peninsula rich in rare minerals. Its remote location held no appeal for elves who were not involved in mining or trade.

During the Great Sundering, Anirraine was razed to the ground by Helburne's army, and when the heavens and earth collapsed, it was submerged by the sea.

Thus, the princes of Kosquieu fought endlessly for the position of the new capital, and in the end, Tal Corelli was chosen as the new capital due to considerations of balancing power.

Well, it's still a compromise...

Besides its geographical location, the town's topography is also unique. Situated on a peninsula, it is difficult to conquer by both land and sea. Jagged cliffs, towering defensive towers, and powerful magical barriers deter fleets from entering; while land invaders must trek along the rocky and mountainous ridges of the peninsula.

If we had to point out a weakness, it would be that the city relies on aqueducts and a few precious wells.

Therefore, whoever becomes the nominal ruler of the Kingdom of Kosqui will naturally acquire the ruling power belonging to Tal Corelli.

As is well known, Darrowland comes from Elicia, a city very close to Tar-deno. By custom, the seats in Elicia should be held by nobles from that city, not by Darrowland alone.

Thus, Princess Letalis Stashad, known for her iron fist and wisdom, became the holder of the Elisia seat.

Unfortunately, Lydias was not present at the moment. Although she was the seat holder, she was also the commander of Dawn Fortress.

In other words, there were four people standing in the first row, four seat holders.

Of course, there were many people standing at the back...

A sea breeze blew in from the ocean, carrying a salty scent and the distant whispers of a ceremony. Those in the queue, each lost in their own thoughts, waited. (End of Chapter)