CHAPTER 414: CHAPTER 355 ELF’S LOYALTY_1

A new day arrived.

Just as Yan Xing had anticipated, the army of Wildwind Principality did not launch an attack.

A brand new weapons system, a whole new set of tactics.

Anderson was also in the exploratory stage with this kind of warfare, which naturally called for caution. Without any precedent for this kind of battle, any decision-making error might lead to a complete failure.

The newly established Wildwind Principality could not afford to lose.

Moreover, Silvermane Principality responded quickly to Anderson’s act of "betrayal."

On the day Anderson was crowned, the Silver Mane Duke openly declared non-recognition of the coronation and announced the stripping of all Anderson’s honors in Silvermane Principality.

Silvermane Principality regarded the Wildwind Highlands Legion as rebels and made a show of marching up the highlands to attack Storm City.

However, the terrain difference between Wildwind Highlands and the homeland of Silvermane Principality was too great. As long as Storm City held the passes, Silvermane Principality’s army, unable to deploy its forces, posed no threat.

But Silvermane Principality still had an influence over the former Wildwind Highlands Legion.

Anderson still had internal conflicts to address.

The problems of the newly established Wildwind Principality were numerous, and Anderson’s pressure was no less than Yan Xing’s.

Eternal Domain took advantage of the war’s lull to actively supply the front lines.

The wounded personnel and the bodies of the fallen soldiers were all sent back.

The entire territory of Eternal Domain was in a state of war, operating at full capacity to produce and meet the demands of the battlefield.

Yan Xing quietly arrived at Frostleaf City.

Frostleaf City had returned to the hands of the elves.

Only, after a winter of devastation by the orcs, the whole city lay in ruins, devoid of its former splendor.

Since the original residents of Frostleaf City had all been bought by Yan Xing and moved into Eternal Domain, the city, now populated only by the elf army, seemed very desolate.

Prince Elrado warmly invited Yan Xing into his Lord’s Mansion.

After cleaning, the place was barely livable, but it would take time to eradicate the lingering odor left by the orcs.

Knowing that Yan Xing’s visit was a secret, Prince Erelado did not alarm too many elves.

After escorting Yan Xing into a secluded room, Prince Erelado asked, "My lord, is there something you need us to do on this visit to Frostleaf City?"

Yan Xing sat down on a wicker chair and answered Erelado, "Has the Elf Royal Court responded to your recapture of Frostleaf City?"

Erelado replied, "Of course, my father is very pleased and has given me much praise. But he also expressed... concerns about me being too close to you."

Indeed! The whole world knew about the conflict between Thunderous Swamp and Cloud Tower. Their wars were seen by conventional nations as battles between gods.

Choosing the wrong side was a disaster.

The Snow Elves were a secluded faction on the world map, possessing neither the power nor the ambition to dominate.

Therefore, Erelado being too close to Thunderous Swamp could easily attract targeted retaliation from Cloud Tower.

This would inevitably affect the Elf King’s choice of heir.

Yan Xing came to Frostleaf City because he had just received news: the mining convoy of Eternal Domain in Snowland had encountered unknown obstacles set by the elves.

Listening to Erelado’s words, it seemed that the Snow Elves might soon cut off the ore supply to Thunderous Swamp.

Hmph! When you elves were eagerly welcoming our mining convoy in exchange for winter supplies, you seemed quite cordial. Now that Snowland has just warmed up, are you so eager to burn bridges?

Hearing Erelado’s worries, Yan Xing asked him, "If the Elf Royal Court asks you to draw a clear line between yourself and Thunderous Swamp, what would be your choice?"

Erelado immediately answered, "Please rest assured, my lord... The things I saw and heard this winter in Thunderous Swamp and Eternal City far surpassed my previous understanding of the world.

"I know what the society of elves is like.

"Content with the status quo, hiding ourselves in ice and snow, thinking we are safe.

"But in the future, ice and snow will no longer be the barriers against invasions for the elves. Choosing isolation will only lead to being abandoned by the world.

"For the sake of the Elf Race, I will stand resolutely by your side, even if it means defying my father’s strict orders, even if I bear the identity of an elf traitor, I am willing to stake my life for the future of the elves."

Erelado was very clear... if he followed the Royal Court’s intentions and distanced himself from Thunderous Swamp, Frostleaf City would immediately be overtaken by the Great Army of Eternal Domain.

Without Frostleaf City, the elves would truly be trapped in Snowland.

The elves felt safe within the ice and snow, thinking winter would defeat all invaders to Snowland.

But what they didn’t know was that the era was about to change.

Not participating in this turmoil meant being eliminated.

The Swamp Tribe’s former status in the world would be the elves’ future status.

And Erelado had also seen Yan Xing’s development plans for Snowland in the Lord’s Mansion of Eternal Domain.

Not just roadworks, but also steel mills, factories, and cities to be built in Snowland.

Steel! Only those who had visited the steelworks of Eternal Domain could truly comprehend what it meant to be insignificantly small.

At that moment, Erelado had one belief: Eternal Domain was invincible! By clinging to Lord Yan Xing, he could gain victory in this war that was changing the times. Become a hero remembered by history.

Erelado, to show his loyalty to Yan Xing, demonstrated an attitude ready to break with the Elf Royal Court because he knew what Snowland had done to the Thunderous Swamp caravans and could guess the purpose of Yan Xing’s trip to Frostleaf City. His own destiny was at a crossroads.

Yan Xing looked at Erelado, and after a while, asked him, "If I give you the standard equipment for an Eternal Domain Infantry Division, and provide you with certain intelligence and aerial support, how long will it take you to restore my ore trade routes?"

Finally, the substantial offer had arrived.

Erelado immediately brought out a map of Snowland and spread it on the table, inviting Yan Xing to look.

Pointing at several locations on the map, Erelado said to Yan Xing, "Now the snow on the road north of Frostleaf City has melted. I will first lead the Pegasus in an attack on Maple Leaf City, taking over the city’s administrative office as the prince. Subsequently, my ground forces will complete the occupation of Maple Leaf City.

"Maple Leaf City houses an army assembled by the Royal Court, preparing to attack Frostleaf City, along with a significant amount of war supplies.

"As long as Maple Leaf City is taken, the Royal Court will be unable to organize more troops for a while. After all, winter has just passed and the elf villages are busy starting a year of life, making conscription extremely difficult.

"I will lead my army in a swift campaign and can reach the Royal Court in three days!"

Erelado spoke to Yan Xing at length, detailing his planned route of attack and the strategy for encircling and assaulting the Royal Court.

Clearly, such a detailed and comprehensive plan was not something he had thought up on the spur of the moment.

He had long harbored thoughts of seizing power by force as a last resort.

Now that Yan Xing was willing to support him, there was no need for Erelado to hide his intentions. He laid them out openly.

Yan Xing hadn’t expected that Erelado could reach the Royal Court even without his weapons, instigating a power shift among the Snow Elves.

Indeed, none of the guys capable of commanding troops and waging war in Frostleaf City were pushovers.

Yan Xing also made his position clear, "During your struggle for the Elf throne, Eternal Domain will try its utmost to provide you with all the support you need.

"Once you ascend to the throne, Eternal Domain will immediately establish official external relations with Snowland and enter into an alliance.

"In the time that follows, Eternal Domain will assist the Snow Elves in developing agriculture and industry. I guarantee... Whatever Thunderous Swamp has, Snowland Elves will have!"

Establishing official diplomatic relations would signify the recognition of Erelado’s legitimacy as Elf King.

Forming an alliance would mean a true binding of interests, and Eternal Domain would spare no effort in supporting Snowland.

Considering Yan Xing had not entered into an official alliance with Silvermane Principality, this showed how much importance he placed on Snowland.

"Thank you, Your Lordship," Erelado bowed to Yan Xing, saying excitedly, "Snowland Elves will never betray you!"

Yan Xing patted Erelado on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I not only listen to what you say, but I also watch what you do. Get ready. Elves shouldn’t be trapped in the snow."

After resolving the mineral issue in Snowland, Yan Xing quietly returned to Eternal Domain.

A batch of drones and several transport planes converted to bombers took off from the military airfield of Eternal Domain, heading north.

Soon, aerial surveillance footage from Frostleaf City arrived.

Large groups of Pegasus flew out of Frostleaf City, heading north.

Elves in green military coats marched out from Frostleaf City, advancing along the road to the heart of Snowland.

Yan Xing quietly watched all this. From a familial point of view, Erelado’s actions would be considered treasonous. But countless historical examples prove... in his position, he had no choice but to contend. Without contention, what good end could come to him, a man capable and well-versed in warfare? Thus, Yan Xing did not have a bad impression of Erelado for this, as he liked ambitious individuals with the capability to realize their ambitions. These are the type of people who can stand on their own, who can be relied upon anywhere. If such a person betrays you, it means the one commanding him lacked ability.

"Chui Chui..."

"Master, I’m here."

Yan Xing said to Chui Chui, "Prepare an equipment set for five infantry divisions for Erelado. As for the production of planes, once our usage requirements are met, prepare 300 fighter jets, 100 dive bombers, and 10 Beak Eagle bombers for Erelado.

"This will be the first batch of military aid from Eternal Domain to Snowland.

"Also... make the development plan for Snowland more detailed and quickly construct a steel mill with an annual production capacity of 500,000 tons.

"Plans for the construction of roads and railways can also be made, and on-site surveys conducted."

"Yes, Master," answered Chui Chui. "I have added all your requests to my task schedule.

"Master, according to the intelligence I have just received, Silvermane Principality has gone to war with Gryphon Heart Empire."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xing was taken aback, and asked, "They’ve started fighting?

"Is your source reliable?

"The war between the two of them, it seems a bit early, doesn’t it?"

"Master, this is the news brought by a Beak Eagle passenger plane that just landed at the Eternal Domain civil airport.

"Additionally, Lady Karol has sent a messenger, who is currently on his way to the Lord’s Mansion."

It seemed that Silvermane Principality and Gryphon Heart Empire really had started fighting.