Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

On the ninth day that Imrek sang the Dragon Song.

Nothing much happened that day; it was unusually uneventful. There was no earth-shattering event, no incident that caused a stir across the continent, and no celebratory occasion to commemorate it.

Nothing at all.

The reason is simple: the way information is disseminated is too outdated.

There were no communication towers to connect, no telegraphs to transmit, and no internet to connect everything. Even communication between spellcasters was limited to small-scale exchanges between high-level individuals, like passing a cup of water through a narrow pipe, ultimately unable to irrigate the vast land.

Less than half an hour after something happened on the other side of the planet, the news reached this side as well.

If there was anything significant that day, it was that the 14th Army, deployed along the Phoenix River and the Agarwood River, sent out scouts and established contact with the Itaien garrison at Phoenix Gate.

And then no more.

After confirming that the garrison of Itien had updated their message, the Dark Riders left without lingering. They left no additional instructions, no requests for supplies, no orders for the garrison to come out in full force—nothing at all. Their arrival was like a cold breeze, gently passing by, carrying away a trace of warmth from the air, but causing no real ripples.

Thus, the Fourteenth Army quietly set up positions along the Phoenix River, slowly maneuvering along the border between the Kingdom of Elion and the Kingdom of Avalon, operating silently and ruthlessly.

The garrison of Etein continued their mission, guarding the ever-present Phoenix Gate, ready to repel any attack if necessary.

However, the identities of friend and foe were silently reversed.

Enemies who once brandished their spears are now comrades-in-arms; allies who could once be trusted have now become the most deadly threats.

Ah... an elf!
In the following days, nothing earth-shattering happened.

Duruci's army was either on the road, on ships, or consolidating new defensive lines and redeploying troops. With the successive falls of Tal Usvi and Tal Palatour, the entire northern peninsula fell completely into Duruci's hands, and their flags were raised on the towers, symbolizing their control and ruthlessness.

There were no major incidents, but small things kept happening one after another, like trickles of water that would eventually converge into a river.

Has Asur finally come to its senses?
As for why I said "consider it"...

Upon hearing the news of Tal Amarais, Isherian Windseeker, the owner of Tal Uswi, immediately dispatched a team of messengers to travel through the Marauders' Lands to Tal Ariel, the capital of the Kingdom of Ariel, to relay the situation on the northern peninsula to Arandir Swiftwin, the head of the Kingdom of Ariel.

As for the 'Plunderer's Den'...

This is a noun, but it doesn't refer to a temple, a city, or, as some might mistakenly think, a forbidden place. In reality, it's not a building or a ruin, but a vast plain.

This plain lies between the River Ruyun and the River Yebai, the heart of the Kingdom of Elion. Fertile and lush, it is the core and essence of Elion, and its name derives from the countless plunderers who have roamed its lands here.

The moment the messenger set off, Itherion did not stand idly by. This city lord, known for his carefree and unrestrained nature, and his pursuit of freedom, after cursing Finnubar, decisively ordered: Tal Amarais to enter full wartime mode.

The raiders who normally roam the vast plains must be recalled immediately. They are the true blade of Tal Amarais, and once assembled, they can sweep across the grasslands like a storm.

At the same time, Iserlian also dispatched a small cavalry force, swift as the wind, across the Night White River, heading straight for the northern peninsula to scout out enemy positions and gather intelligence.

On the third day after Imrek sang the Dragon Song, the raiders who set out from Tal Usvi had to take a detour to avoid being intercepted by Duruci, traversing a long arc. This choice allowed them to successfully avoid the enemy, but at a cost—they lost the opportunity to transmit the message to Tal Paratul.

Thus, from this moment on, misalignment and delays, like silent chains, bound the future of the entire battle.

They traveled along the edge of the hunting forest, crossed the Night White River, and did not reach Tal Amares until nightfall on the fifth day.

This left Iserlian with a vague understanding of the enemy situation; the only thing he knew for certain was that Duruci had landed on the northern peninsula.

As for the size of Duruci's operation, how many people it had, and where it would be deployed, he had no idea. The lack of intelligence left him feeling as if he were in a fog, unable to see his own hand in front of his face.

That night, Itherion sent messengers to Tal Airley. And on the morning of the sixth day, he ordered his cavalry north, across the Night White River, deep into the peninsula to scout out enemy positions.

Unfortunately, fate was not on his side.

As the tenth day passed, Tal Amarais fully entered a state of war. The returning raiders, driving their warhorses and livestock, brought a long-absent atmosphere, symbolizing that the city was finally beginning to tense up.

However, the cavalry that was dispatched disappeared without a trace, and no further news came back.

Iserlian did not regard this as an ominous sign. He believed it was merely a delay caused by the journey and distance. After all, the territory was vast, and delays in communication were not uncommon.

As for the flying ships described by the pioneers, he considered them nothing more than exaggerated absurdities, like children's toys. He even asked himself with a hint of disdain: intercepted by the Duruci cavalry? What a joke! Who could stand against raiders on the land of Elion, in the realm of cavalry? The cavalry of the Kingdom of Elion had always been the strongest among the elven race!

However, on the eleventh day, reality finally tore away the veil of fantasy in a cruel way.

Just as Iserlian was preparing to personally lead a team across the Nightwhite River to explore the northern peninsula, some of the cavalry units he had dispatched finally returned. Of the two hundred-man squads that had set out in a grand manner, only less than twenty men returned in a sorry state.

The best teacher in life is never the advice of others, but the hard and unyielding south wall.

No amount of persuasion can truly enlighten a person. What truly awakens a person is pain, hardship, personal setbacks, and wounds. The saying "teachings are ineffective, but experience teaches" perfectly illustrates this point.

Because hardship is the cruelest yet most real form of education.

It was only when Iserlian learned the truth from the survivors that he was truly shocked for the first time.

Before this cavalry force even set foot on the northern peninsula, they were blocked by a massive enemy army. Just as they were attempting to scout and deploy their forces, raiding ships descended from the sky like dragons, swooping down and entangled them. Immediately afterwards, a large number of Duruch cavalry swarmed in from all directions, launching a relentless pursuit.

Chaos, division, and a devastating rout followed one after another. By the time they finally managed to break free of the encirclement, their numbers had been reduced by more than half.

In the end, fewer than twenty managed to struggle back to Tal Amarais. The others were either killed on the way or collapsed from their wounds and exhaustion.

The blood-stained road became the cruelest witness.

At this moment, Iserlian truly understood the weight implied in the pioneer's words; the chilling and premonition hidden behind those words finally pressed down on his chest like a boulder.

However, he still knew nothing.

He didn't know the exact situation on the northern peninsula, nor how many men Duruci had brought—was it a legion or the entire peninsula's army? He didn't know if Tal Usvi had fallen, nor whether Tal Palatour was still holding out in isolation. He didn't even have a clear grasp of the size of the Duruci army blocking the northern peninsula—was it a mere few thousand or tens of thousands?

But sitting idly by and waiting for death has never been his style. Hesitation and observation, even for just a moment, could lead to the loss of an entire territory.

Therefore, he resolutely entrusted the heavy responsibility of defending against Tal Ariel to his younger brother, and at the same time sent a team of messengers to travel day and night to inform Tal Ariel of everything that had happened as soon as possible.

Immediately afterwards, he personally led his team out, choosing to bypass the enemy rather than engage them head-on. He led his troops across the Yebai River and into the hunting forest, where they used the dense forest as cover to conduct reconnaissance.

However, he didn't realize that he had unknowingly played a strange role, becoming Trucchi's tool. His actions and choices had led to exactly the situation Trucchi had hoped for.

The chessboard that Duruci had meticulously set up was indirectly beginning to take shape under his manipulation.

In Tariendan's view, if war were to be waged within the Kingdom of Elion, the most reasonable and feasible option for Asur would be to construct defensive positions along the Dragon Gate-Nightwhite River line and confront the army of Duruchi, given that the northern peninsula was now completely lost and beyond any hope of victory.

But this line of defense is not perfect.

Because the source of the Night White River is at the Unicorn Gate, not the Dragon Gate.

In other words, from a geographical and strategic perspective, the Dragon Gate is in fact isolated. It is not a link in a complete defensive line, but a solitary and prominent fulcrum, serving as both a barrier and a trap.

After the Northern Peninsula was completely occupied by Duruchi, and with the Itaien garrison still guarding the Phoenix Gate, the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Charis had to take a detour. They had to traverse the Kingdom of Nagaris, marching arduously along the Bloodfire Gorge in the Ring Mountains, to reach the Dragon Gate and rendezvous with the Kaledo garrison there.

Therefore, abandoning the Dragon Gate is impossible; there is no reason for the Dragon Gate to be abandoned.

The Dragon Gate was built by the great King Caledo I himself, and it carries the oldest glory and memories of the Caledo Kingdom. For Caledo, this formidable pass is not merely a defensive fortress, but a symbol, a legacy, and a belief that cannot be easily betrayed. (Introduced in Chapter 812)

Putting aside these weighty additional meanings, from a purely strategic perspective, the existence of the Dragon Gate is equally crucial. If this place is abandoned, then the reinforcements coming from the direction of Nagarius will only be able to choose Unicorn Canyon Road and join up with the defenders of the Unicorn Gate.

More importantly, the Dragon Gate has a reserve of enough supplies and provisions to sustain an army of tens of thousands for several years. These provisions, weapons, armor and supplies are the result of countless years of accumulation by the Kingdom of Caledo.

If we abandon the Dragon Gate, what should we do with these supplies? Should we just watch them fall into Duruchi's hands? Burn them? Destroy them?
Have the Caledonian garrison at Dragon Gate lost their minds?

At this point, the flaws in Asur's command system were exposed again and magnified. The fragmentation of power across multiple lines, the hesitation and mutual obstruction among various parties, turned what should have been a decisive decision into internal strife.

Then, the N-chorus began to play again, like a cruel echo of fate.

Finnubar, that traitor, he deserves to die!
With the Dragon Gate unyielding, Asur was forced to station a portion of his troops in the Hunting Forest as a strategic foothold.

These troops are not merely defensive forces, but are given multiple missions: on the one hand, they can form a complete defensive line, firmly connecting the Dragon Gate and the Night White River; on the other hand, when necessary, these legions lurking in the forest can also swoop out like falcons, suddenly rushing out from the depths of the forest, echoing the troops crossing the Night White River, and launching a surprise attack on Duruchi, who is guarding the passage to the northern peninsula.

This idea is not merely at the tactical level; it also has macro-level strategic significance.

Because once these troops and the defenders of the Dragon Gate form a pincer movement, they could even launch a surprise attack deep within the forest, advancing all the way to the banks of the Phoenix River. If successful, they could then outflank Duruchi and inflict heavy damage on his flank. At that point, the two sides would be locked in an extremely brutal tug-of-war on the battlefield of the Northern Peninsula.

If the situation is completely disrupted, Asur could break through the blockade established by Duruci and re-establish contact with his allies in Avalon and Charis, thus completely rewriting the course of the war.

However, this very possibility was exactly what Duruci wanted.

While Duruci may not be afraid of direct combat, wouldn't it be brilliant to lay a trap where the enemy thinks they have the upper hand?

This is a crushing defeat in terms of both intelligence and strategy!

In response to these potential offensives, two large corps of the 15th Army were deployed in the Hunting Forest.

Vassell's large army was quietly deployed in the dense forest behind Phoenix Gate. Relying on the natural cover of the forest, they could establish close contact with the Itaien garrison inside Phoenix Gate, and form a strong barrier to firmly protect the entire flank of the Fourteenth Army.

Such a deployment not only blocks possible enemy flanking maneuvers but also eliminates shadowy warriors lurking in the shadows. If the situation demands it, they can even cross the border and penetrate deep into the heart of Avalon, providing the 14th Army with the strongest support and coordination from the flank and rear in a highly deterrent manner.

Meanwhile, Elahir's legions took on another heavy mission.

They will be deployed deep within the hunting forest, serving as a solid foothold and directly connecting with the large corps under the Fourth Army, thus creating a closed battle line.

This deployment was not only intended to intercept the Erian forces that attempted to retaliate against the northern peninsula after realizing the situation, but also to coordinate with Talos's Fifth Army if necessary. Whether launching a proactive assault on Dragon Gate or being forced to defend against a fierce counterattack from the Dragon Gate defenders, they had to shoulder this dual responsibility.

It can be said that once Duruci's strategic deployment in the north of the Kingdom of Elion is fully formed, the situation will undergo a fundamental change.

The Kingdom of Caledo, a nation that has always been proud and self-assured, will also have to make a choice under immense pressure.

A decisive battle is about to unfold at the plunderers' stronghold...

With the Dragon Gate-Night White River defense line in a strategic stalemate, it was impossible for Asur and Duruchi to engage in a so-called decisive battle at the Raiders' Lands.

That place doesn't meet the conditions to become a battleground, unless Asur is foolish enough to abandon the entire defensive line and let Duruchi in. Moreover, such a move would be tantamount to digging his own grave, because it would mean that the Dragon Gate and Tar Amares would be completely abandoned, and Asur's core barrier would instantly become ineffective.

Even if this battle were to actually take place, it would certainly not unfold according to the script that Asur had envisioned.

Furthermore, the forces of the Kingdom of Caledo and its allies are limited. They cannot be deployed at will like pieces on a chessboard, nor can they be summoned out of thin air like in a virtual game world.

The sheer size of the population is undeniable!

Every card must be played with utmost care, and once played, it cannot be easily taken back. This is the harsh reality, and the true essence of the entire situation.

If Asur chooses to defend the Dragon Gate-Night White River defense line and make trouble on the northern peninsula, then they will have to reinforce their troops and forcibly transfer more military forces from the south of the Kingdom of Elion and the direction of Kaledo to continuously reinforce the north of the Kingdom of Elion.

At this moment, the N-chorus began to play again.

Finnubar, that traitor, he deserves to die!
On the map, once Asur starts moving, his massive army will be stretched out, pulled like a fragile thread, and eventually arranged into a long, thin, single-line formation.

But Duruci will not move, will not take the risk of cutting off this long, serpentine formation, and will not carry out multi-point explosions, as that would be too dangerous.

They would watch coldly, waiting for the long, serpentine formation to disappear on its own over time, before suddenly unleashing their power and moving again.

From the inland sea, from the vast ocean, and from the direction of the Kingdom of Tyrenlock, Durucci's military might will sweep in like a storm, launching a sudden attack on the homeland of the Kingdom of Caledon. Simultaneously, at the border between the Kingdom of Elion and the Kingdom of Caledon, and even in the waters of the Silver Sea, Durucci's fleet will launch a large-scale amphibious landing operation, penetrating behind enemy lines and cutting off the main force of the Kingdom of Caledon's retreat route.

The Silver Sea, originally part of an inland sea, is located within the Kingdom of Elion. On the map, it lies below Tal Elir and to the right of Eagle Gate. This is the lowest-lying part of the entire kingdom, swallowed by the tidal wave during the cataclysmic event. The once vast plains were torn apart and shattered into countless islands of varying sizes.

To get through here, you must cross the river that runs right up against the ring-shaped mountain. The reason it's called the Silver Sea is because that river is called the Milky Way.

Duruci could use his fleet to launch a forced landing at the mouth of the galaxy. If they could establish a foothold there and build a defensive line along the river, the main force attempting to withdraw from Elion to Caledon would be blocked, and they would find that their retreat route had been completely cut off.

A major battle? A decisive battle? These were not options for Duruci at all.

The new-era Trudeau army simply doesn't play that old, foolish war of attrition, where they fight tooth and nail.

Mobile warfare is their true essence.

With a firm grip on naval supremacy, Duruci's army could leverage the fleet's mobility and flexibility to launch multiple landings and infiltrations, constantly tearing apart and dividing the enemy forces on land, dismantling Asur's massive army, and then encircling and annihilating them one by one.

Even if a major battle or decisive battle is forced, it will definitely happen much later in the game.

Even if Duruci lost at that moment, they would never lose to the point of turmoil or collapse. Because all the initiative was already firmly in their hands.

If the Kingdom of Caledo chooses to remain steadfast and defend its homeland with its main forces, the outcome will be equally cruel.

The Kingdom of Elion, and the reinforcements coming from the direction of Nagarius, will become an isolated force, abandoned pawns, and ultimately suffer a tragic annihilation.

Talos's Fifth Army will launch a fierce attack on the Dragon Gate. Once the defenders of the Dragon Gate have been completely crushed and reduced to dust, they will immediately turn to the Unicorn Gate and launch a series of fierce attacks.

Once Duluch has complete control of these two gateways, the Fifth Army will join forces with Duluch's army on the northern peninsula. They will then cross the Night White River like a torrent and enter the "Plunderer's Land," which the people of the Kingdom of Elion consider a sacred place.

At that time, the Kingdom of Elion will have to make a choice between blood and fire.

At this moment, the N-chorus began to play again.

Finnubar, that traitor, he deserves to die!
If the Kingdom of Elion and its reinforcements choose to engage Duruci in battle at the Raiders' Lands...

Duruci's side would avoid a major battle, shun the bloody frontal combat on the grasslands, and retreat coldly to the edge of the hunting forest, relying on the forest, ravines, and ambushes to wage a tenacious defense.

Until other units completed their landing from the direction of Yinhai.

This time, however, the landing will be on the north bank, rather than the south bank where the main force of Caledon is being intercepted. This will block any reinforcements that the Kingdom of Caledon might send, while simultaneously extending its reach towards Tal Ariel.

That is...

Stealing home!

The Raiders' Land, this grassland in western Ulthuan, which is arguably the most suitable place for a direct confrontation, should have been the foothold and the battlefield of glory for the Kingdom of Elion.

But as Duruci's conspiracy unfolded, the significance of this grassland was instantly stripped away.

This place will no longer be the stage to decide victory or defeat, but merely a desolate, empty shell. The Elion army, entrenched on this grassland, is forced to become a mere spectator—with nowhere to advance or retreat.

Unless, of course, they choose to turn back and head towards the Griffin Gate.

The problem is, if Duruci could conquer the Dragon Gate and the Unicorn Gate, he could also conquer the Griffin Gate. This leaves Erian's army with only one bleak option: depart from the Griffin Gate, risk crossing the crater, and heading towards the Outer Ring Kingdom. If they act quickly, they might be able to break into the Kingdom of Nagarris and engage in a desperate struggle in that rotten wasteland.

Wait a minute... this script isn't right.

Otherwise, they would have nowhere else to go.

After a miserable journey through the Kingdom of Nagares, we headed towards the Kingdom of Charis.
Or should we grit our teeth and traverse the Kingdom of Terenlock, then venture into the Kingdom of Kaledo?
This is a joke! How shameless would one have to be to make such a choice? Caledo himself has already shown hesitation and a wait-and-see attitude. Are the nobles of Elion still going to shamelessly rush over and expect Caledo's protection?

Wouldn't that be inviting humiliation?

Don't the nobles of the Kingdom of Elion have any dignity?

Moreover, if they slow down, even if the remnants of the Kingdom of Elion crosses the crater, they will be immediately blocked by troops sent from the direction of the vast ocean.

At that time, they will have no room to escape.

After Elion is completely destroyed, it will be a complete mess. Duruci will launch an attack on the Kingdom of Caledon from the Inner Sea, the Vast Ocean, the Kingdom of Tyronlock, and the Kingdom of Elion. Perhaps Duruci of Nagaros has moved to Ulthuan. The war in the Kingdom of Caledon is still going on.

However, Tariendan believes that the likelihood of such an extreme situation occurring is very small.

Because logically, it simply doesn't make sense.

The Kingdom of Caledo had no reason to abandon its allies from the outset and retreat to defend its homeland. If they did so, it would be tantamount to cutting off their own arm and prematurely handing the initiative to Duruci.

Caledo will definitely make a move. As long as Caledo sends troops, even if it is a step late or only a flank attack, as long as it moves, the strategic initiative will be in Duruci's hands.

At this moment, the N-chorus began to play again.

Finnubar, that traitor, he deserves to die! (End of Chapter)