Chapter 2172: Three Major Challenges, Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences

In the original Illefarn, the High Elves were almost entirely wiped out by Aryvandaar during the Crown War; the lower classes did not actually revere Eastern culture much, which resulted in the later Illefarn nation having almost no Eastern character.

However, beautiful things are often able to transcend culture and race. Tailun himself likes Eastern tea very much, so whether for his own sake or based on the idea of hindering Cormanthyr, he was not prepared to let Suweilisi succeed easily.

Tailun was not the only one with such thoughts; Xierdalanna's eyes flickered, as if she also had a plan, but the current relationship between Eaerlann and Siluwende is extremely tense.

As long as that newly established Ailan Kingdom exists for a single day, it will be very difficult for the two to achieve a normalization of relations.

As for Prince Baside, he could be said to be the person present least interested in tea leaves, and because the vast majority of Dan Zuo's territory is in the Underdark, he could be said to be the most detached one.

As for Xia Duo, the moment Laruian took out the Eastern tea obtained from Siluwende, he saw through the other party's intentions. If he guessed correctly, this was likely a probe of the several major nations proposed by Siluwende.

Of course, it is also possible that it was planned by Evereska; the Small Nations Alliance can resist the encroachment of major nations, but that does not mean they can provoke them in every matter.

If the direction of interpretation for the current situation is slightly skewed, it might not be impossible to see it as Evereska's provocation and incitement against the several major nations.

"Still too impatient!" Xia Duo sighed in his heart.

The path to the rise of any nation cannot be achieved by taking risks or using tricks, but must be taken one step at a time, steadily crossing one threshold after another.

To be honest, this kind of behavior, which reeks of conspiracy, is something that, apart from Siluwende, Evereska—which only recently received his guidance—is likely incapable of doing.

From this, Xia Duo could also roughly guess that Evereska had likely reached some kind of cooperation with Siluwende. To be honest, he did not look favorably upon the cooperation between the two; he only hoped that this nation, for which he still had some good feelings, could continue to walk smoothly!

……

The tea had been drunk, and this tea party, which did not live up to its name, soon entered the real main topic.

"Regarding the issues related to the use of War Spells that Lord Xia Duo mentioned last time, I think we can discuss them before the Alliance Assembly begins. If there are any opinions or disagreements, discussing them now is better than having disputes at the Alliance Assembly and letting the southern Observers see a joke."

That the topic was first brought up by Suweilisi did not exceed Xia Duo's expectations; anyway, with just these few Elves and Dwarves, someone would always speak first.

Regarding this, Xia Duo expressed his attitude once again, "Last time, due to some private matters, I couldn't explain it clearly. Since Consultant Suweilisi wants to discuss it before the Alliance Assembly, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I wonder what questions you all have for me?"

The Alliance Assembly was at noon, and Xia Duo was too lazy to beat around the bush with them, going straight to the point. This made Tailun and the others feel a bit awkward, but it was only for an instant; personal emotions should not hinder official business.

"Then let me start!"

It was still Suweilisi. He glanced at the representatives of the other nations, and seeing that they had no objections, he continued: "According to the content previously stated by Lord Xia Duo, you should be wanting to place restrictions on the use of War Spells, right?"

"Yes, this is very obvious. Not only the 【Annihilation Light】 I previously used in Zhamu Dasi, but other similar weapons of mass destruction should also be used with caution. This is in the interest of the people of the Northland."

After Xia Duo finished speaking, Suweilisi nodded solemnly and then said to the other representatives: "I don't think anyone here would have any objections to this major premise, right?"

"No."

"Very well. With such a consensus, even if a specific agreement cannot be finalized in the end, the Northland Alliance can be considered to have entered a brand new historical stage."

After Suweilisi finished speaking, his expression seemed a bit distracted. Before coming, the Cormanthyr nation had not actually reached a unified opinion; only Crown King Ilithir had given a bottom line for negotiations to restrict Xia Duo.

But no matter how overbearing Cormanthyr is, it cannot unilaterally restrict a certain person or a certain force. Since War Spells are to be restricted, then everyone can only be restricted together. He figured that by relying on their ancient heritage, they would still be able to suppress the humans.

"Lord Xia Duo, I wonder how you want to restrict War Spells? Or rather, under what circumstances can War Spells be used?"

"This question is actually very simple; it doesn't even need me to answer it."

Xia Duo smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the representatives one by one, finally landing on Elder Laruian of Evereska, though it was only a fleeting touch, and then he further clarified:

"War Spells, as the name implies, are born for war, and war is divided into just wars and unjust wars. I believe that any unjust war should be curbed, while just wars need to be supported!"

"Is Lord Xia Duo saying that War Spells will only be used in just wars?" Suweilisi continued to ask.

"The general idea is correct, but who defines justice? You? Or me? Or the Alliance Assembly? I believe that justice resides in the hearts of the people, but the hearts of the people are not necessarily impossible to manipulate."

【To be honest, I have been using Wild Fruit Reading to catch up on books recently. The source switching is fast, and there are many reading voices. Both Android and Apple are supported.】

Finally, Xia Duo stated his true intention: "There is only one kind of war that can be recognized as just without the need for judgment, and that is a war of resistance against foreign invaders."

"Resistance against foreign invaders?"

Hearing this sentence, Suweilisi frowned very sensitively. Although Xia Duo did not name anyone specifically, he always felt that the other party was alluding to the Listaer Forest unification plan formulated by Cormanthyr.

At the same time, another representative at the Jingmi Huayuan tea party also appeared somewhat displeased, and that was Xierdalanna of Eaerlann.

If one uses Xia Duo's current definition, it was Eaerlann that invaded Siluwende not long ago and split off a puppet-like Ailan Kingdom from it.

But in the eyes of the Eaerlann Elves, Siluwende's collusion with Demon Descendants is the most unstable source of chaos in the Elf World, the Northland, and even the entire Xilu, and it should be purged.

As for the Ailan Kingdom, that was also people voluntarily breaking away from Siluwende and establishing an independent nation.

Thus, Xierdalanna decisively raised a different opinion, "Lord Xia Duo, you just mentioned the issue of the definition of 'justice', so now who is to define 'invasion' and 'resistance'?"

"Ms. Xierdalanna, this question is raised well!"

As for the dissatisfaction in Xierdalanna's eyes, Xia Duo treated it as if he hadn't seen it, instead introducing another topic: "Last time I mentioned that my original intention for doing all this was for the peace and development of the Northland, and to maintain the order of the Northland."

"War Spells are just one part of it. The relations between the nations of the Northland Alliance are complex; there have been incredibly deep friendships, and there have been incredibly cruel wars. Some small-scale conflicts have never stopped, even now!"

"So I believe the next main task of the Northland Alliance is to clarify the powers and responsibilities of all parties and clarify the root causes of conflicts so that they can be resolved symptomatically, and so that the nations of the Northland can truly come together."

"Specifically regarding the issue of restrictions on War Spells, didn't Ms. Xierdalanna just ask me who defines 'resistance' and 'invasion'?"

"Actually, the solution has long been written in the Northland Alliance Charter, but due to realistic reasons, the relevant preparatory measures have not yet been completed. I think you all must have thought of it; I am talking about the issue of national territorial borders!"

"The Alliance Assembly has been held countless times before, and almost every time the border issue has been mentioned. Now that we have encountered War Spells, I think it is time for that issue to have a result!"