Chapter 39
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Chapter 39: Gathering
The Mist Sorceress Alice’s nods were always slight, and her agreements often came as a single “Good.” Yet her efficiency in execution remained astonishing.
Within a day, all five Elven Tribes in the forest mobilized under that one “Good.” Gathering at the Silver Star Tribe’s territory near the Asreks family lands, they formed a main force of over two thousand: Morning Breeze Tribe magicians, Gray Language Tribe Great Swordsmen, Green Leaf Tribe clerics, the mighty Nightblade Leopard Cavalry of the Claw Tribe, and Silver Star Tribe’s wandering gunslingers.
Perhaps due to the pot of well-stewed beef broth, Alice made a rare appearance to address the crowd.
But the moment the black-haired girl stepped onto the platform and saw the sea of eager faces, she regretted it—this was too bothersome! Compared to handling Summoned Beasts, she had no patience for Elves gazing at her with awe, admiration, or curiosity.
In the end, the Mist Sorceress spoke only three lines: “We will join the human Kingdom’s war. Orders come from Midi Asreks. Supplies, demands, and rewards will also be provided by Midi Asreks.”
Dry as the words were, they cut to the core.
War existed for profit and its division. Though Alice had been convinced, the Elven Tribes wouldn’t fight for free. Her presence merely vouched for Midi’s credibility. Whether they participated half-heartedly or wholeheartedly remained the Elves’ choice.
After Alice summoned the elven elders to deliver a brief war mobilization, Midi—as the Asreks family heir—negotiated terms with Fina Hamilton and the elders, trading benefits.
Though the forest-bound elven elders had narrow perspectives, their demands were practical: more forest, resources, food, magic veins, trade passageways… all to grow stronger.
This was a world where the strong devoured the weak. With the Forest of Gran’s great fire approaching next year, amassing power remained timeless wisdom for any race.
Midi’s edge as a reincarnator shone here. Rational elders were far easier to handle than prideful girls who fought on whims.
In his past life, Midi had adventured across Arad, learning even the dark elves’ culture, customs, and manners. Here, he navigated negotiations like fish through water.
Beyond securing troops, Midi planned for next year’s disaster—the Forest of Gran fire.
That blaze would ravage Elven homes, mutate Monsters, and turn familiar woods into a Death trap. Even with Alice’s magic array, the forest’s edge had suffered fires and rampant magic veins.
Borrowing troops was a pretext to strengthen ties and prepare. Offering territory for Elven settlements or smoother trade routes meant when the fire struck, Elves could retreat to Asreks lands. In turn, the family’s territory would gain population—including rare Elves.
Midi subtly wove such details into talks.
The future-blind elders saw immediate gains: idle warriors, minimal forest conflicts, and generous human aid in exchange for military support. A profitable deal!
Both sides soon agreed. The elders felt victorious; Midi secured preparations for the fire.
Yet he knew success hinged on repelling the Sais family’s invasion.
Whatever next year brought, the noble war came first.
Only by crushing the Crimson Flame Legion could Midi secure the Asreks family’s Status in the duchy, guarantee Alice’s escape route, and become Fina Hamilton’s staunch support. Failure meant exile—a path he’d walked once in despair.
This war permitted no defeat.
With negotiations smooth, Midi now commanded over two thousand Elven warriors averaging level 15—far above the Crimson Flame Legion’s level 10. Elite among elites.
But how far they’d follow depended on more than elders.
After all, being a tribal leader and a warrior leader were two entirely different matters. Midi had appealed to the elders with benefits, but he clearly understood the elite warriors of the tribe likely wouldn’t submit to a mere level 23 human Demon Swordman like himself.
Just how arrogant were Elves? One needed only recall the attitude of Beryl, captain of the Wind Team.
To subdue these haughty long-ears would still require careful planning even for Midi.
Transforming this hastily assembled team into a disciplined army required time – precisely what Midi lacked. Ten days had already passed since finding Mist Sorceress Alice and gathering forces in this forest.
Returning the elven army to their territory would consume more days. How much time remained before the Sais family completed resupply and launched their attack?
As Midi calculated these variables, sudden commotion erupted outside. Several proud elven warriors marched in, pushing forward a disheveled group of human soldiers.
"Lady Sorceress…" The lead elf bowed reverently, kneeling before Alice.
"Talk to him." Alice’s eyes flickered with annoyance as she pointed at Midi, thoroughly distancing herself from the matter.
Midi suppressed a bitter smile. Couldn’t she at least pretend to mediate?
The elf warrior froze momentarily before Midi stepped forward with natural authority. "Report."
Facing this unfamiliar commander, the elf dispensed with formalities. His subordinates shoved the captives forward. "We captured enemies during patrol!"
Capturing enemy scouts before mobilization could boost morale. But when Midi saw the soldiers’ armor insignias, he recognized them as Asreks family troops.
The elves’ expressions turned mortified. They’d remembered fighting humans but forgotten their allies were also human.
Midi ignored the blunder. His focus locked on why Asreks soldiers appeared here.
"Young Master Midi!" The lead soldier blurted urgently. "A week after your departure, enemies crossed our borders. Not just Sais family scum – Joseph family troops joined them! Two thousand strong!"
"Joseph family’s two thousand?" Midi’s brow furrowed, calm exterior masking inner shock.
The Joseph family – a Count of the Senator’s faction – had long been Sais’ insignificant underlings in Belmar Duchy. Their territory between Sais and Asreks gained sudden relevance in this noble war. The Crimson Flame Legion had used Joseph’s York County as base, with Joseph supplying provisions.
Count Joseph could be called cautious… or spineless. After York County’s ambush, he’d neither condemned the Crimson Flame Legion’s incompetence nor denounced Asreks’ retaliation. Even when Sais family occupied his lands, the Count remained silent – a master of survival through obscurity.
Yet now this turtle-like Joseph family marched with Sais? Deploying most of their three-thousand-troop force?
Midi smelled unprecedented danger.
