Chapter 1982: Order and Righteousness

"There is nothing left of Siluwende now; all that remains is the Courage and the will to drive the invaders from our Homeland, Observer Xia Duo—"

Kelusi was about to continue when his expression suddenly changed. Although he quickly regained his composure, the process of his rapidly shifting expression was still caught by Xia Duo. If he guessed correctly, it likely had to do with the current situation, so he asked:

"General Kelusi, what has happened? If it is inconvenient, I can also go about my own activities."

Kelusi hesitated for a moment, then said with grief and indignation: "Yierlan has completely torn off its disguise and has begun to directly attack the cities of Siluwende!"

"So soon?!"

Xia Duo was also somewhat surprised. Previously, while in Seventon, he had learned through the perspective of Aiwa that Siluwende had protested Yierlan's invasion and claimed it would take all necessary measures to counter it. Just now, when he arrived in Aifuruisi, he had confirmed this, and there was also a response from the Yierlan side, only one—

A war notice!

The notice was issued just yesterday, and the attack had already begun today. This was very un-Elf-like. Moreover, what surprised Xia Duo was not just this, but the way Yierlan ultimately chose to wage war.

It was not a continuation of the previous "summoning surrender and accepting defectors" or covert battlefield forms, but a direct attack. Even if they could take Siluwende this way, in the end, it would inevitably lead to rivers of blood. Once there was a blood debt, it would be unfavorable for subsequent governance.

Unless they continued to suppress it with such bloodshed, accepting a territory filled with hatred would sooner or later lead to a great disaster.

Of course, there might be inaccuracies in Kelusi's words or a description biased toward the Siluwende side, but the general facts are difficult to disguise. This is easy to verify; one only needs to go to the front line to see.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo's mood could not help but feel a bit heavy, both for the war itself and for the things he would have to do next that would offend Yierlan, and potentially offend the Demon Descendant as well.

"General Kelusi, I wonder how the war on the front line is going. Can Siluwende withstand the first wave of Yierlan's attack? If they cannot even withstand the first wave, then everything else is out of the question!"

"It is difficult, but the people of Siluwende will not give up!"

Kelusi's resolute words carried a sense of determination rarely seen in Netheril Spellcasters. For a moment, Xia Duo even believed that the other party was a pure and flawless victim.

But beliefs are not divided into good or evil, or stance. If he truly believed the other party completely, then Xia Duo would truly be a fool.

"General Kelusi, to be honest, the current situation is somewhat too dire for Siluwende. Even if other countries have the heart to provide aid, it is impossible for them to personally enter the field and go to war with Yierlan. I think you can consider the issue of your treatment after joining Yierlan post-war."

Things had reached this point, yet the other party was still unwilling to reveal even a single trump card. Xia Duo naturally would not indulge the other party; what he wanted to preserve was Siluwende, not power-holders like Kelusi.

If he had to rely entirely on his own efforts and Siluwende did nothing, then he would have to reconsider his next plan. He could not stand at the front alone and attract all of Yierlan's hatred onto himself.

Not wanting to is one thing, but whether they can is also a significant question mark!

Although Kelusi's face looked ugly, he still did not leave. After adjusting his emotions, he said to Xia Duo:

"Your Excellency does not need to provoke me like this. Siluwende does indeed have some trump cards that have not yet been revealed, but this is truly out of consideration for the war, which is why I had to hide it from you.

"Today, the problem for Siluwende does not lie in what our true strength is, but in the view of the Northland Alliance! If the Northland Alliance leans toward Yierlan, or simply lets things be, then no matter what trump cards Siluwende has, it will ultimately be unable to escape the fate of destruction.

"But if the Northland Alliance abides by the alliance treaty established not long ago and upholds justice and righteousness for Siluwende, then even if Siluwende eventually falls, it will still be a fortunate thing for the entire Northland."

Hearing the other party say this, Xia Duo finally became serious. Perhaps it was because the other party had already realized the preciousness and huge potential of the order of the Northland Alliance that they specifically came to see him, as he had the same realization!

When the Northland Alliance was founded, a treaty was established—countries would not invade each other. Small-scale conflicts were unavoidable and allowed, but the bottom line was that the destruction of a country was not permitted.

Of course, if Yierlan won a complete victory in this war, it would naturally have the opportunity and ability to manipulate all of this and legitimize this war, which was essentially illegal.

In fact, Yierlan's previous war notice was, in a sense, also a reminder to all countries—watch how I operate; in the future, you can follow suit!

However, this kind of behavior and operation is extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the Northland Alliance. In the long run, it will inevitably cause the Northland to fall back into the chaotic cycle of "the collapse of rites and music" of the past.

Xia Duo's trip was for various purposes to preserve Siluwende, one of which was to maintain the order of the Northland Alliance so it would not be shaken by Yierlan's unjust war actions.

Or rather, it was precisely because he occupied this moral high ground that he dared to go against Yierlan.

As long as order is kept stable, all struggles and conflicts will remain under that order, with definite rules of the game. Even if there are occasional accidents, they can be consolidated through repeated "protecting the law" actions.

If Yierlan wants to target him, it is actually going against the entire Northland Alliance.

Of course, the premise is that one must at least have the capital to squeeze onto the poker table; otherwise, if others move casually, you will not be able to take it.

Xia Duo's trump card is undoubtedly the Floating City equipped with War Spells, as well as Netheril, a base that is stronger than Siluwende.

If he only had one, Xia Duo would speak more softly; if he had neither, he would keep his tail between his legs. Now that he has both, he can naturally be a little bolder.

As for the resistance organization where Kelusi is, it might possess some trump cards—otherwise, it would be difficult to quickly handle the domestic Council and other opposition forces.

But precisely because it lacks a strong base, Kelusi's organization might just be a slightly larger mantis in front of Yierlan, making it hard to stop the rolling wheels.

Of course, if Kelusi's personal strength were so strong that it reached a level unattainable by mortal power, then there would naturally be no need to worry about Yierlan's threat. However, if he were truly that powerful, Siluwende would not be in its current sorry state.

"General Kelusi, if you have any unused trump cards, please use them as soon as possible. Nowadays, all countries are watching; this is your last chance. Once Yierlan gains momentum, no matter how many trump cards you have, they will be useless."

As long as Siluwende can withstand the pressure of Yierlan's attack in the early stages, there will certainly be countries dissatisfied with Yierlan that will support Siluwende, either openly or secretly.