Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

Strictly speaking, while the Kingdom of Caledon belongs to the inner ring kingdoms, it differs from the others. It possesses a unique territory extending outwards, situated on the outer ring of Ulthuan, directly bordering the vast ocean, making it a rare exception among the many inner ring kingdoms. This outer ring territory is not a remote wasteland, but rather the most precious heartland of the Kingdom of Caledon, the core of its civilization, heritage, and power.

This region is home to the legendary volcanic archipelago—the Dragonspine Mountains, named for their winding, dragon-like shape. It is also renowned for the numerous, ancient dragons that inhabit the area, revered throughout the entire elven world. The mountains are perpetually shrouded in high-temperature steam from volcanic eruptions, like an ever-present veil, imbuing their landscape with an aura of antiquity and mystery.

For millions of years, the crater has continuously spewed out hot magma from deep within the Earth's core, which has accumulated layer upon layer on the Earth's crust, creating this majestic and magnificent mountain that resembles the ruins of the gods.

Legend has it that it was the gods themselves who excavated this land, exploring the hidden treasures and mineral veins buried deep beneath the earth's crust—a trial and a blessing bestowed upon the elves by the gods.

Today, the surface of Dragonspine Mountain is covered with colorful, shimmering crystals and mineral layers, filled with rare and exotic minerals and ancient metal veins, many of which are unique to this region. These gems and metals are not only considered priceless treasures by elf and dwarf craftsmen, but they also possess unique powers that make their value far exceed worldly standards.

However, the elves of Caledor do not seize these resources through brutal deep-well mining. They follow the ways of nature, with reverence, and mine minerals gently—they patiently wait for wind erosion, rain scouring, and earthquakes to expose surface cracks in the rock strata, and only extract ore from these naturally exposed areas.

This is a respect for nature and the mountains, and also a spirit's persistence and continuation of its own culture.

At the end of the Dragonspine Mountain Range, which winds and undulates like the spine of a giant dragon and runs across the archipelago, stands a volcanic island in the vast ocean, burning with an inextinguishable black flame, as immovable as a throne of fire.

On the island stands a sacred and solemn temple, dedicated to the legendary elven god of forging, Val.

This temple is regarded as the embodiment of the will of the gods. It is one of the most sacred sanctuaries in the Kingdom of Caledor and even the whole of Ulthuan, and is the core source of Asur ironwork, divine weapons and the power of war.

While Duruci was launching a landing operation on the northern peninsula of the Kingdom of Elion, another elite fleet was quietly carrying out another equally crucial landing operation.

The target is the Val's Anvil!

On the fourth day after Imrek sang the Dragon Song, the sky was not yet fully open, and the first hint of dawn was just peeking over the horizon. The vast ocean was undulating and shrouded in mist.

Hadris, a fellow admiral of Lochsia and Dastan, stood atop the command spire of the Fortress of Eternal Fear. He gripped his binoculars, gazing intently at the distant volcano, its billowing steam seemingly burning the entire sky.

He remained silent for a long time, and after a moment, he gently shook his head and uttered a sentence in a low voice.

"Tradition, deities..."

He couldn't understand it before.

He couldn't understand why such an important, central place—a sacred site that could almost determine the fate of racial warfare and industry—was built in such a leaky, vulnerable location, so easily attacked by external enemies. In the years following the Great Severance, it still stood there in isolation, as if nothing had changed, as if it had never moved.

If it were him, he would do everything in his power to move the Val Anvil to a safer, more defensible inland area; he would not allow such a strategic location to be exposed to the enemy.

Will moving to a different location disrupt production?
The Val's Anvil is responsible for production, unlike its homeland, Hagrid Graves, which is a source of raw materials and cannot be moved without the use of supernatural powers.

But he doesn't think that way anymore; his perspective has broadened considerably.

The Vale Anvil is the place of the maker, the place where fire and will meet.

More importantly, without the use of supernatural power, the Vaal Anvil cannot be moved even a fraction of an inch. It has never been just a steel mill or a sword-making hall; it is itself a sleeping divine will, an immovable miracle.

After his reflection, he slowly put away his binoculars, his gaze shifting to the watch on his wrist, then glancing at the clock on the command platform. Time was fast approaching, but he didn't rush to issue orders or make any preparations. He simply stood there, as if the tide of time had yet to arrive, or as if all commands had already been issued silently.

The start time of this operation was not specified to the minute, and the entire operation's progress did not require the minute hand of a clock to determine its direction. Everything proceeded methodically, and no order needed to be personally issued by him at any given moment.

All necessary arrangements had been made several days ago. The land-based drones were starting up steadily, and the plunder fleet and special barges were slowly approaching the land as planned.

If he weren't the naval commander-in-chief of this operation, bearing the responsibility for overall control and the obligation to respond quickly to emergencies, he should be standing on the raiding ship right now, personally stepping onto the battlefield, rushing ashore with the first wave of Evil Guards, and immersing himself in the rhythm of iron and fire.

The circumstances surrounding this landing are completely different from those faced yesterday on the peninsula of the Kingdom of Elion.

Yesterday's landing had a natural sandy landing site, which facilitated the rapid deployment of troops. But today, the coastline near Val Anvil has almost no decent sandy beach or mudflats to provide a buffer zone.

But this minor difficulty did not deter the Truc Navy's advance. The first to approach the land were the special barges, while the raiding ships took action even before they got close.

These raiding ships approached the target coastline silently before dawn, skimming the sea surface at extremely low speeds, gliding across the water without making a sound and leaving ripples in their wake.

The Eurasian guards on board were already fully prepared. Upon reaching the designated area, they disembarked without hesitation and began operations. They dispersed and quickly engaged in reconnaissance missions in the surrounding area. After completing their reconnaissance, they began guiding signals to indicate the landing point for the approaching special barge. They then swiftly established on-site defensive positions to ensure the safety of the front line.

Meanwhile, another group of raiding ships remained hovering above the sea, their Soulbreakers leaping into the water like shadows in the deep. Their mission was not combat, but to clear obstacles for the landing: to reconnoiter the underwater environment before the special barges arrived, searching for any reefs that might threaten the ships' safety.

If such a danger is detected, they will immediately contact the tide-callers on board, who will then use their power to forcibly peel or crush it from the seabed.

Meanwhile, another group of raiding ships was quietly climbing to higher altitudes. Their mission was to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and survey the battlefield from above, ensuring control over the entire landing operation from a higher dimensional perspective.

Everything was proceeding smoothly, requiring almost no personal intervention from Hadris himself. Every command and every team's action had been pre-calibrated. His only task was to remain at the core command post, quietly awaiting the emergence of the first variable.

As for whether to clear out the nearby watchtowers and scouts...

Duruci did not take action because it was pointless.

Such a large-scale operation could not escape the enemy's notice. Once daylight broke, the Asur patrols would immediately spot the colossal vessel on the sea—the Eternal Fear Fortress, a black ark as dark as an abyss and as silent as death itself.

Ten minutes later, the first special barge was finally in place. The hydraulic spade was then activated, and the heavy mechanical device began to lower powerfully, causing the hull to tremble slightly and lose its original balance. Originally half-submerged in seawater, the entire hull began to slowly rise and detach from the sea surface as the spade pressed down, revealing the wet, dark-smelling ventral armor.

Five minutes later, the special barge completely detached from the sea and hovered steadily in its designated position. Behind it, three other barges, under the coordinated operation of their captains and tide-callers, began to adjust their attitudes and take their positions one by one, paving the way for a precise docking later.

The second barge began lowering its spade to stabilize itself; the third did the same, step by step, with perfect precision. However, the fourth barge, due to a sudden change in the seabed terrain and a significant increase in depth, could no longer reach the bottom with its spade and had to simply anchor to maintain its position.

On either side of this group of barges, two other groups of barges on either side also began to deploy simultaneously, like placing stones in a Go game, gradually pushing the battle towards the enemy shore.

Five minutes later, two sections of bridge slowly extended from the hulls of the last three barges. Each section was twenty-five meters long, thick and sturdy, like the long tongue of a giant beast slowly protruding.

The two sections of the bridge extend steadily to the open platform at the rear of the barge ahead, and then stop extending after reaching a predetermined distance.

Immediately afterwards, the guards, in groups of five, pulled the heavy iron chains in perfect unison, rushing out of the ship. Their footsteps on the deck made a deep metallic sound, carrying a certain sense of ritual, and they quickly arrived at both sides of the bridge.

They skillfully secured the iron chains to pre-drilled holes on both sides of the bridge. These holes were reinforced to ensure they wouldn't deform or loosen under heavy workloads. Once all operations were completed and personally verified by the officer in charge of the inspection, the guards, led by the officer, orderly withdrew from the bridge. Every step was crisp and efficient, as if they weren't completing a task, but performing a traditional ritual ingrained in their very being.

Subsequently, the bridge slowly rose under the traction of the suspension system, like a lifting bridge opening a passage for an approaching ship, rising slowly and steadily with a uniform rhythm and no signs of jamming.

All of this not only tests the operator's feel and judgment, but also relies on the experience accumulated from countless exercises.

Now, the most difficult stage of the entire project has finally arrived.

To ensure the smooth extension of the third bridge section, the engineers controlling the suspension cables became highly focused. They continuously adjusted the tension of the cables, controlling every inch of the extended length to ensure that the cables connecting to the first two sections were not excessively taut, thus preventing the third section from being unable to extend smoothly due to excessive tension.

This process demands a high degree of precision in timing, rhythm, and teamwork; the slightest mistake can lead to disaster.

In fact, this step had many problems in the first few trials.

Bridge jams, broken cables, and misaligned suspension cables were among the unexpected incidents that caused the original designers to waver and question whether a four-section bridge structure was truly necessary. They believed that perhaps two sections were the operational limit, and adding more would only bring unnecessary complexity and risk.

When the problem was presented to Keus, he gestured to continue, believing that with the improvement of material strength, the rise in the quality of soldiers, and the addition of new machinery, these temporary problems were no longer problems.

Now, having mastered the skills, become familiar with the procedures, and understood the operating principles, the EVE personnel are carrying out their work in an orderly manner. Every movement is filled with confidence and strength, and every traction is perfectly timed. Compared to the chaotic and disorganized drills of the past, this live-fire operation can be described as a victory demonstration.

The troubles that arose during the exercises are now a laughing stock.

In those exercises, inexplicable casualties occurred frequently. One second the Evil Guardian was still operating tensely, and the director team suddenly stopped him and took him away from the scene. Nominally, he was killed in action because he was attacked by magic or a rain of arrows from a distance and was forced to exit the operation.

The scene was chaotic at one point, and reserve personnel had to quickly fill in. During a severe overload exercise, the number of personnel lost reached the warning value. The remaining E-Guards had to run back and forth, switching between multiple operating points, as if they had become four-armed and eight-legged monsters. Meanwhile, the E-Guards on the barges behind had to rush to the front line, crossing the 100-meter hull to join the coordinated operation.

But those days are over. Now, with the third section of the bridge fully extended, the project is unsurprisingly 90% complete. Next, the Eerwei personnel operating the suspension cables resume their work. Under systematic and coordinated control, the bridge is slowly lowered onto the open platform of the barge ahead, emitting a dull, heavy metallic scraping sound.

At this point, the progress bar has steadily advanced to 95%.

Just then, the Evil Guards, who had returned to the ship to await further instructions, regrouped and moved out like an iron torrent returning to the battlefield, entering both sides of the bridge to conduct final checks and secondary operations. After confirming that everything was securely fixed and tightly connected, the final step was completed, and the progress bar quietly crossed the last bar, reaching 100%.

This means that this round of work has been officially completed.

If the difficulty of the entire operation can be described as difficult, then the difficulty of the barge closest to the land can undoubtedly be classified as hellish.

It wasn't due to improper operation or design flaws, but rather the relentless constraints of the natural terrain. The waters here are shallow, the edges of the land are steep, and the height difference between the barge and the land is extreme. The angle between the raised bridge and the hull is nearly 45 degrees, making it look like a sheer steel cliff.

The extension of the third section of the bridge became increasingly difficult, with each advancement accompanied by a slight sway of the entire bridge structure.

Fortunately, the well-trained Evil Guardians overcame numerous difficulties and, through strong teamwork and superb skills, successfully completed this phase. Amid cheers and high-fives from the Evil Guardians, the final section of the bridge was slowly lowered and successfully connected to the land.

Ultimately, the ship was successfully connected to the land, and the overall slope of the bridge gradually decreased from the initially astonishing 45° to nearly 35°, reaching the standard value for passage.

The whole process was like a silent battle, unfolding quietly, yet every second was breathtaking.

When it was over, a smooth road to victory unfolded.

On the distant sentry post, the Asur soldiers left behind stared wide-eyed at the commotion. They were stunned by the breathtaking scene, speechless as if witnessing a miracle, their gasps echoing softly in the mountain wind.

Their bodies trembled involuntarily, not from the cold, but from the fact that what they were witnessing was completely beyond their comprehension. Having witnessed the entire process, though they hadn't participated, they experienced the immense power and terror unleashed by industry in a different way—a kind of spiritual shock. In the past, they would never have imagined that Trucchi would land in such an outrageous manner.

Not only them, but also Alalos, who came to watch, was deeply shocked by this scene.

"How about it?"

He was jolted back to his senses by the sudden sound beside him, his consciousness abruptly pulled from the shock. He instinctively turned his head and stared blankly at the person who had spoken—Tyrandor Twilightstar.

This operation was a joint operation between Trucchi's army and navy, and the army force deployed was commanded by Tyrandeur.

The 15th Army under his command was extremely special in the entire army group order of the Truc Army. Its nature and positioning were completely different from other units. They were experts in mountain and forest warfare, and were true mountain troops, a sharp blade tailor-made for these complex terrains.

Compared to other army groups, the 15th Army Group had fewer cavalry and vehicles, but this did not mean that their combat effectiveness was insufficient. On the contrary, they were equipped with a large number of professionally trained war dogs and highly mobile raiding ships. At the same time, the proportion of pack animals was extremely high, a considerable portion of which were alpacas from Ashriel, used as donkeys.

This creature is active in the mountains of the continent of Lustria, adept at traversing rugged terrain, and can easily climb even the most treacherous mountain paths.

Therefore, the 15th Army's strategic deployment usually involves approaching the crater, using the mountainous terrain to maneuver, block potential Asur raiders, or confront the shadow forces of the Kingdom of Nagarius.

However, the 15th Group Army carried out this operation prior to this.

Who made the terrain here suitable for mountain warfare?

However, this time it was not the entire army group that was deployed; the main force that was truly engaged in combat was the large army led by Aredel van Maris.

Sending too many troops is pointless. This is mountainous terrain, not an open forest battlefield. Too many troops will only hinder each other's mobility and tactical deployment.

Therefore, the large legions commanded by Vassell Malfoy and Elahir Radiant Horn remained at the port of Lorthen, but their stay was only temporary.

These two large legions are currently loading onto ships on a massive scale as the second wave of forces to launch an attack on the Kingdom of Elion. They will disembark at that landing site later.

Upon setting foot on the land of the Kingdom of Elion, Vassell's legion will quickly deploy to the dense forest behind the Phoenix Gate, using the natural cover of the forest to establish contact with the Itaien garrison holding out inside the Phoenix Gate.

At the same time, they will be responsible for protecting the entire flank of the 14th Army, commanded by Garros, which has already penetrated deep into the battlefield, blocking any possible flanking attacks by the enemy, and eliminating any hidden shadow fighters. If necessary, they may even cross the border and enter Avalon directly to provide strong support and coordination for the 14th Army from the flank and rear, ensuring the integrity of the entire front.

Elahir's large army will be deployed to the forest region of the Kingdom of Elion.

On the surface, this legion should be tasked with connecting with the large legion of the Fourth Army of Dorion, which is deployed at the left flank of the peninsula and the mainland to build a blockade line, and tactically establish a closed front to block the Erian bypass forces that would react later and attempt to launch retaliatory attacks on the peninsula.

However, Elahir's mission was not this; the duties of this large legion were entirely different from those of the Dorion Legion, which was tasked with building the blockade chain.

Their true mission is to intercept the defending forces in the direction of the Dragon Gate, and to act as a cover force before launching a destructive attack on the Dragon Gate, under appropriate tactical windows.

This task may seem isolated, but it is actually extremely crucial. If the Dragon Gate is not contained, or even used by the defending forces to organize a counterattack, then the entire northern layout of the Kingdom of Elion will be severely disrupted.

The Dragon Gate is the largest and most magnificent gate in all of Ulthuan.

It is not merely a military defense line, but also a symbol of power, a manifestation of an ancient and awe-inspiring will. When the conqueror Caledo personally surveyed the site and laid the foundation stone for the Dragon Gate, he knew he could not remain in the court of Lortheon for long. Thus, the construction of the Dragon Gate was undertaken to the standards of a future war command center, employing the strongest materials, the most rigorous craftsmanship, and mobilizing the most outstanding artisans of the Kingdom of Caledo.

Finally, a massive palace stood in the center of the gate, which was not only a front-line fortress, but also a complex system that combined permanent garrison, troop deployment, and military and political administration.

This design also directly determined the extremely large scale of its garrison—the permanent military force at Dragon Gate was more than twice the combined garrison of any other gate in Ulthuan. Such an imposing and prestigious display of military power naturally became the prey that Duruch initially targeted during his invasion.

After the construction of the Dragon Gate was completed, several of the Durucci Legion's forces were defeated and killed beneath this cold, high wall.

To this day, the gate still maintains its strategic significance and military function, and its garrison is still composed of troops from the Kingdom of Caledo, known for their strength and formidable defense.

To allow El-Rahir's army to complete such a daunting task alone would undoubtedly be too risky and would also contradict Duruci's strategic pace of steady advance and gradual attrition in the current phase of the war.

Therefore, Talos Cloudwalker's 'Thorns' Fifth Army was also part of the second wave of landings...

Once the Fifth Army was in position, El-Rashid's large army group took on the role of protecting the flanks of the Fifth Army.

As for the coordination and connection between the two legions, it is not an obstacle at all.

Elashir Radiant Horn and Talos Cloudwalker both came from Enir. On a deeper level, the strictness of Duruch's military discipline, tactical execution, and even the modularity and standardization of his organizational structure determined that as long as the orders were clear and the objectives were clear, the coordination between the legions could operate as efficiently as mechanical gears.

Furthermore, it is well known that Shadow Warriors are named for their attire—the ashen-colored cloaks used to conceal themselves. They are a unique unit, serving as Aris's personal guards. Not all Nagarius warriors are Shadow Warriors, and not all Nagarius warriors can become Shadow Warriors. They also possess the regular units found in other kingdoms.

If these troops want to enter the inner ring, they certainly cannot traverse the narrow paths in the crater like the Shadow Warriors. They can only choose the more feasible large passages, and under the current strategic situation, the Phoenix Gate and the Dragon Gate are the most reasonable choices.

The Phoenix Gate is currently guarded by the Kingdom of Itaien's legions. Under the current circumstances, the Itaien legions will obviously not allow Nagarius's main force to pass through the gate.

Therefore, the Dragon Gate is the best choice.

Of course, all of this is contingent on the Aris command system reacting swiftly enough to complete the attack plan before the enemy can fully maneuver. If the reaction is slow and the window for capturing the Dragon Gate is missed by the Fifth Army, then Nagarius's main force will have to turn south to the more distant Unicorn Gate.

Of course, you can also enter the Kingdom of Charis and join forces with the Charis Legion.

Of course, other options are also possible, as for how to choose...

A moment later, Alalos responded.

"Still breathtaking."

He had secretly visited Nagarus with Finnubar's mission. He had witnessed this scene in Krakarond, but seeing it again did not prevent him from being awestruck once more.

It's a grandeur that strikes right at the depths of your soul; no matter how many times you've seen it, it's hard to get used to.

However, the landing site is not yet fully formed; it is only halfway completed. The vertical line has been constructed, but the horizontal line has not yet been connected, and the structure of the vertical line is still incomplete.

Nevertheless, this did not prevent the Evil Guards deployed in the '丨' area from quickly launching the first wave of landing operations under the cover of the raiding ships after completing their assigned tasks and ship docking, cutting into the enemy shore like a blade.

He watched as the barges, paired off, turned in a way that almost defied the laws of physics under the precise control of the Tidecallers, not by power, but by the subtle interplay between the waves and energy.

He pursed his lips; if he remembered correctly, on the occasion in Krakarond, this kind of turning maneuver was done by those small, steam-powered barges.

Perhaps it's due to time constraints?

Those tide-callers replaced the small shuttle boats and carried out the work directly.

Subsequently, the barges on the "one" line, like the barges on the "丨" line before, began to operate, attempting to connect, connecting the bridge sections, connecting the path between war and victory.

Meanwhile, Tyrandor stopped watching the operation in the distance and turned his attention to Alalos, or more precisely, to Alalos's shoulder—he focused his gaze on Alalos's falcon companion, Skarin.

When Scarin noticed his gaze and looked at him, he gave him a relaxed, slightly sly, friendly smile.

Then, Tyrande spoke, extending an invitation in a calm tone.

"Want to go take a look around? If we wait any longer, there might not be any windows left..."

After saying this, he turned around and went to his giant eagle companion, Dol Blackwing, without waiting for Alalos's response.

When he left Azsor Loren, he did not take his loyal companion with him, for the harsh lands of Nagaroth were not suitable for the giant eagles. Dol Blackwing had come with the Asley Legion, and on their journey across the sea, they had even participated together in the attack on the Greenskins.

If this operation goes smoothly and everything proceeds as planned, he and his companions will catch up with the two large legions that have entered the Inner Sea. These legions will head to the Windswept Plains, and will later become the core of the Asley and Enil legions.

He affectionately stroked Dol Blackwing's feathers, which carried the scent of damp air and wind, and of course, a pungent sulfurous smell.

When Dol Blackwing turned to look at him, he gave a bitter yet resolute smile, like a silent understanding between old friends.

"My partner, are you ready?"

Dol Blackwing let out a low growl, nodded slightly, and responded with a resolute gaze.

“This time the enemy is not orcs,” Tyrandor added in a low voice, “nor beastmen, but dragons, my own kind.”

Upon hearing this, Dol Blackwing neither nodded nor shook its head. It simply spread its wings and let out a high-pitched cry towards the sky, like a declaration before battle, or a response to its future destiny.

As Tyrandor climbed onto Dol Blackwing's back, Alallos moved to their side and rear, watching his companions about to take off. He paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and extended his hand.

"Here you go."

Before he set off, Tyrandeur gave him a ring and told him how to use it.

As the giant eagle soared into the sky, he stroked the ring and glanced back, his eyes widening once more. He had seen many novel and unimaginable things in Nagarus, but this scene before him…

He has really never seen it.

He understood what Tyrandeur had just said—if he waited any longer, there might be no window left. (End of Chapter)