Chapter 83: War Council

November 5th, 1168 of the Red Moon Calendar. The atmosphere in Skull City was unusually tense. Under the orders of Emperor Senneid, the city had been under martial law for a month. Rumors were flying, yet no relevant personnel came out to refute them or provide true and reliable information.

Sakavi: "Ms. Ridna, I reiterate, I do not have the ability to block demons in the Saltwater Swamp. I need the assistance of the Allied Forces."

Ridna: "I don't want to repeat that sentence again, Grand Duke Sakavi. Put away your little schemes. Without making sufficient contributions, don't dream of getting involved in this Abyss campaign. There is no such thing as getting benefits without us putting in the effort."

Sakavi: "Since that is the case, my people will have to withdraw to the Antradus Mountains. I do not intend to consume all my combat power in this process of resisting demons."

Rodman: "Grand Duke Sakavi, the iron hooves of demons are about to trample your territory. This is a blatant provocation to the entire orderly world. As a noble model of the orderly dragon race, defending your territory and resisting evil is your inherent responsibility and glory. Now is the moment for you to stand up and show the power and pride of a dragon."

Riman: "Noble Duke Sakavi, please remember that you are first and foremost a Duke conferred by the Luo Sen Empire. Defending the Empire's territory is your supreme duty to the imperial power and the people that you cannot shirk."

Sakavi: "Everyone, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but perhaps we have all overlooked a cruel reality: I am not a citizen of the Red Moon plane. Everything here, including those so-called dependents, is merely property to me.

It is not that I am cold, but facing a demon invasion requires matching absolute power, and this is precisely what is beyond my reach. I can only say sorry for your expectations of me. Regarding this matter, forgive me for being powerless."

Alamir: "Your Excellency Sakavi, we all know very well that the demon invasion will bear the brunt of your territory. Any slip-up here will directly affect the overall subsequent war situation. Avoiding the topic cannot change this fact. We are in urgent need of your wisdom right now. I wonder what high opinion you have regarding the current crisis?"

Sakavi: "The core of the plan is very clear: My army will rely on the Saltwater Swamp to set up three lines of defense, trading space for time to delay the demons as much as possible. Everyone must use this time to complete the assembly of the main force. The Bohe Plain will be our preset battlefield. Agrik has the ability to act as a forward pivot to firmly drag down the enemy.

The key to victory lies in the two flanks: I need the wood elves of the Black Forest to pass through the Dragon Ridge Mountains and cross the Giant Tooth Fortress southward on time; the Imperial Legion needs to coordinate with the dwarves of Morida to cross the Antradus Mountains and press on from the east side. At that time, we will form a pincer attack on the Bohe Plain to annihilate the main demon force in one fell swoop."

Mo Ge: "Swearing in the name of the God of Mountains and Forging, Morida will surely fulfill the ancient alliance. Five hundred dwarf warriors will join the defense of Agrik. We will build an iron barrier on the city walls to resist the strong enemy with you."

Sakavi: "Hey, old friend! To be honest, in my eyes, the axes you forge are more charming than the axemen you bring. Five hundred dwarf warriors are already a powerful force. I fully understand your situation—the little ones are still playing with wooden axes! As for after the war? Don't worry, my barracks here is not a kindergarten; I don't take on jobs involving bringing children!"

Mo Ge: "Haha, you still understand me! I understand, for you, a few hundred more warriors might not count for much. But what we dwarves say is a nail driven into stone! The weapons you want will absolutely be of guaranteed quality and quantity; I will also personally set out with these five hundred people, and personally deliver myself and my warriors, along with our war hammers, to Agrik!"

Sakavi: "Your Majesty Senneid, to consolidate the Bohe defense line, our army is in urgent need of food and weapon supplies. The dwarves of Morida have promised to forge weapons for us, but their workshops are facing a shortage of raw materials.

Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to lend a helping hand. If you can allocate 150 tons of iron ingots within a month, we will be able to equip the army in time and let the demons crash and bleed before the iron defense line of Agrik."

Puglin: "Your Majesty Senneid, we believe this request is reasonable. For this reason, the Principality of Modus is willing to immediately allocate 200 tons of wheat and 10,000 healing potions to solve the urgent need. In addition, if Grand Duke Sakavi needs it, my 30,000 elite dependent legions are ready to go and can be dispatched at any time, duty-bound to protect the common front!"

Senneid: "I will satisfy your request. 200 tons of iron ingots and 1,000 tons of wheat will arrive at the port of Rikan of the sea elves within a month. I think you should all be clear that Norasien is no longer safe. The Imperial Navy has discovered traces of demons in the Blackwater Sea more than once."

Sakavi: "Everyone, we must clearly realize that this invasion is far from a riot of low-level demons. A demigod-level demon lord will surely come in person, and even... the existence of a true deity rank may descend with an avatar. Have you ever thought about what price must be paid to let such a level of existence fight in our world?"

Rodman: "Your Excellency Duke, the acquisition of benefits always requires paying an equivalent admission ticket. Now, the opportunity to make you famous in the multiverse is right in front of you, achieving the great cause of slaying demon lords in Agrik. This is not just a price, but a proof of your strength. I think you must see the value in it."

Sakavi: "Since that is the case, everyone please feel free. See you under the walls of Agrik."

Sakavi said no more and left without looking back. He had long since seen through this boring ending. A group of allies who claimed to be righteous would never sincerely accept a black dragon. Staying would only lead to more hypocritical pleasantries and suspicion. The corners of his mouth pulled up a cold mockery. Perhaps they would eventually discover who was the more lethal threat: the demons or the black dragon.

…………

"Aquilon, order the suspension of operations at 30 ports including Norasien. The demon invasion has been brought forward again. This time, you have full authority to command the Saltwater Swamp defense line. I will not interfere at all. You must drag the demons down for a month. I need to carry out defense deployment in the Bohe Plain area. If you have any needs, just mention them, and I will fully support you."

Aquilon: "Grand Duke, the intelligence of the Allied Forces seems worrying! The first time they said seven years later, last month they said May of next year, and now it has become next month. We are seriously short of preparation time now, but fortunately, we have already prepared sufficient food and weapons."

Sakavi: "You think too highly of them. If the orderly good were as selfless as they claim, the entire faction would have perished long ago. Selfless? That is a luxury creed that only gold dragons can afford, while the rest of us must first consider how to survive."

Vilna: "According to historical lessons, the orderly faction is likely to carry out cold-blooded cost calculations and then use the Bohe Plain as a trap to consume demons, letting the lords enter. Sakavi, this is a dangerous signal, meaning we will face the most lethal enemy alone. What is your second plan? We must save ourselves."

Sakavi: "My plan is to turn the entire Bohe Plain into a trap and turn it into the ultimate graveyard for demons. I have ordered the laying of destruction formations throughout the Bohe Plain, which will be synchronized with the mage tower network of Agrik to build a defense line capable of strangling demon lords.

But defense has never been the ultimate goal. We have six legends here. I would rather... wrestle with that demigod. It is time to let the demons of the Abyss understand who is the master of this land."

Su Lai De: "But is this price too heavy? The Bohe Plain is our granary and the foundation for the Grand Duke's territory to survive. Turning it into scorched earth is no different from destroying our own lifeline, and the trauma caused will be permanent. And what about the Allied Forces? They won't compensate us for a single grain of wheat.

I am even worried that after the crisis is resolved, they will turn their spears and define today's sacrifice as a future crime. Don't forget the role we played in the death of the previous Luo Sen Empire Emperor. This will always be a ready-made handle in their hands. This could become an excuse for them to attack us at any time."

Sakavi: "Since we have chosen to enter the game, sacrifice is an inevitable price. We are at the core of the storm. Any fantasy of preserving strength will only lead to greater losses. This is cruel, but it is the optimal solution.

As for counterattacking the Abyss... that is something to consider after victory. Only by first proving to everyone that we have the power to decide the war situation will we have the qualifications to sit at the negotiating table in the future and define a new benefit distribution plan."

Iroge: "Hahaha! Good! This is the Black Dragon Grand Duke I know!" Sparks of admiration burst from the red dragon's giant pupils. "Back then, you dared to desecrate the holy emblem of the Church of Light before your wings were fully grown; you dared to go deep into the Abyss and kill devils before you reached the legendary rank! Compared to those feats, what is there to fear from these few stinking bugs crawling out of the Abyss?"

The head of the conference table was shrouded in silent oppression, while the commanders below were agitated with undisguised excitement. The Ogre commander Sha Lu Te sharpened his fangs, and the Minotaur warlord Uglu's breathing was as rough as a beacon fire. They were like two sharp blades eager to drink blood, welcoming the wild prelude to this war with burning gazes.

Sakavi: "Sha Lu Te, as the commander of the Bohe Plain battlefield, what is your opinion on how to defend?"

Sha Lu Te: "Reporting to the Grand Duke, over the past three years, I have transformed the entire Bohe Plain into a huge trench battlefield. Now, only those most familiar with the paths can march freely on this land. And in many hidden areas, I have reserved passages specifically for heavy cavalry charges.

When the siege of Agrik reaches its most critical moment, the demons will find that Ogre heavy cavalry will suddenly emerge from a dry river channel through underground passages. At that time, we will completely crush their offensive from the direction they least expect!"

Sakavi: "Very good, Sha Lu Te. As a graduate of the Agrik Military Academy, your planning has not failed the academy's cultivation, which makes me feel very gratified. Perhaps I am not a ruler revered by all, but being able to cultivate a student like you is enough to prove that I am a successful educator. Then—"

The black dragon changed the subject, his gaze suddenly sharp, "Uglu, the threat of the Black Forest in the north of the territory cannot be ignored. I am very worried about this group of guys who always like to stir up the situation in secret. Tell me, what is your response strategy?"

Uglu: "Grand Duke, your judgment is perhaps a bit optimistic. The real danger is far from this! When have the gray dwarves of the Dragon Ridge Mountains ever truly submitted? They are just accumulating hatred! Those Drow elves are each a dagger in the hands of the Spider Queen that could be wielded at any time!

Not to mention, there are your own kind coveting in the dark, and the soul-stealing demons in the Underworld who feed on souls! Our territory is actually surging with undercurrents! The threat of the wood elves is just one of them."

Sakavi: "So, is the purpose of your trip to make me feel uneasy with these conjectures? I understand your disappointment at not being able to participate in the main battlefield, but if you intend to try to mislead my decision-making with unverified threats, it is very dangerous. At the current juncture, my principle is very clear: never open a second battlefield.

Let your 'potential threats' stay in the official reports of the Shadow Court. When it needs to be placed on my desk, it must be accompanied by conclusive evidence and stamped documents. Now let's talk about how you intend to deal with the threat of the wood elves. This is the key to our subsequent actions."

Uglu: "As you command, Grand Duke. My deployment is as follows: I plan to deploy three experienced regular legions in a wedge shape on the Iron Hoof Wasteland to form a depth-in-depth defense. At the same time, the newly formed Minotaur Legion will be placed behind them as a strategic reserve.

Once the wood elves move, the regular legions will advance at the first opportunity to quickly lock down the Giant Tooth Fortress. At the same time, the Minotaur Legion will strike directly into the hinterland to quickly consolidate the twelve key defense nodes around it. The goal is to trap the enemy's main force between the fortress and the wasteland, making them unable to attend to both ends."

Sakavi: "The plan is good, but the most critical thing is to grasp the measure. The wood elves are coming south to help us fight demons. Before catching their handle, don't make the relationship stiff first, so as not to affect the overall situation.

But your reaction must be fast; you can't wait for others to stab you before dodging. Your army is our core capital and must be kept for counterattacks in the future. If it is exhausted on the Iron Hoof Wasteland in advance, we will suffer a big loss this time." ===== CHAPTER 84 =====