Chapter 25: Akdina

"Does Delike Laite have any news to deliver?"

Inside a cave one kilometer outside Bricolekt City, a tall lady concealed in the shadows asked the kneeling male dark elf.

The male dark elf wore a massive black crystal armor, covered with unknown magical runes; unlike the usual delicate and beautiful male dark elves, he had a solid broad chest and robust, powerful muscles.

Even while kneeling, it did not hide the explosive power stored in his towering, muscular body.

He bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Not yet, esteemed Lady Akdina. He has delayed for too long; should we consider the possibility of his betrayal?"

The woman let out a light laugh, slowly stepped out of the shadows, and the candlelight illuminated her form—a strangely beautiful woman.

She was clad in extremely revealing black leather armor, wore three exquisite gemstone rings on her left hand, and held a magnificent Snake Head Staff in her right hand.

Her thighs, as black and glossy as the finest obsidian, and her navel were exposed to the air; her delicate features were like the most tempting poisonous fruit, dangerous yet intensely sweet.

Akdina said mockingly, "That mixed‑blood mongrel would never betray."

She stroked her cheek, turned toward a nearby mirror, and gazed at her reflection with fascination: "He fell in love with me; no one can escape after falling in love with me."

The male lifted his head, met her gaze with the same look, and extended his large hand to try to touch her silk‑smooth thigh.

Akdina lifted her foot to pin his hand, hooked his chin with a finger, and said temptingly, "You despicable male, may I allow you to touch?"

The male swallowed, his muscles pulsing with excitement as he listened to Akdina's melodious voice.

"Conquer that city for me, just as you conquered me, my strongest warrior, Zata."

Seeing the male nod eagerly, his adoring gaze, Akdina satisfied herself and straightened up.

"Let the army set out; that useless one will probably die in that dragon's grasp. A juvenile dragon is truly interesting; I haven't tasted a dragon yet."

Akdina licked her lips, as if recalling something delicious, her body trembling, her dark face flushing slightly. — "Hurry, hurry! You damned slaves, don't waste the mistress's time!"

A half‑spider with mottled gray skin brandished whips in its four hands, its terrifying fangs jutting from its lower jaw urging the goblins before it.

Nearly five hundred goblins, under the supervision of one hundred half‑spiders, marched toward Bricolekt City, offering their effort to slaughter their own kin.

Behind the half‑spiders was a squad of fifty dark elves led by that sturdy male elf; each wore black armor, and the longswords in their hands marked them as warriors.

Akdina rode atop a massive spider, positioned at the very center of the dark elves, protected like a moon cradled by countless stars, her eyes cruelly surveying the distant Goblin City.

The dark elves' massive force had long drawn the goblins' attention; within the city, Volensa had already assembled an army.

Two thousand five hundred goblins—almost the entire city's adult fighting force—plus one hundred Hyena Werewolves and two hundred assorted Monsters forming a mixed army.

Tie Xiu stood on the city wall, watching the distant troops, muttering, "Not good, not good."

The disparity in strength was too great.

Don't be fooled by the sheer number of two thousand five hundred goblins; their combat ability likely couldn't even defeat an ordinary adult human, while the opposing hundred half‑spiders and five hundred goblins were enough to crush them.

As for the remaining dark elf squad, which clearly wasn't simple, even the Hyena Werewolves and Monster legion would be a mere appetizer for them.

On the Goblin City side, the high‑tier forces were Tie Xiu, a Sixth-level Warrior; Ogel, a Seventh-level Warrior; Danoli, an Eighth-level Warrior; and Volensa, a Ninth-level Warrior who also served as a Fourth-level Wanderer.

This gave Tie Xiu a slight reassurance; high‑level professionals play a huge role on the battlefield, and at least his side's elite strength was not lacking.

The dark elf leader radiated evil, she sneered at the Goblin City's garrison, a cold smile curling her lips. With a point of her Snake Head Staff forward, the army surged ahead at breakneck speed.

The goblins, long trained by the dark elves, screamed wildly as they charged toward the legion of two thousand five hundred goblins stationed at the city gate.

The scene was absurdly comical, yet these mouse‑cowering creatures truly displayed unparalleled bravery under such oppressive rule.

Hot on their heels were the half‑spiders, demonic as spiders; their eight slender, pointed legs granted them great spring, and they leapt onto the battlefield, tearing goblin flesh with their claws.

Each half‑spider matched a Second-level Warrior, and the hundred of them slaughtered indiscriminately as if in an uninhabited realm.

The slain goblins' will shattered; they screamed, dropping their weapons and fleeing toward the gate, even the archers on the wall were too frightened to keep shooting.

"A bunch of trash," Tie Xiu spat, realizing his optimism was misplaced; he hadn't expected the goblin legion to be crushed so quickly.

"Prepare to strike!" Tie Xiu ordered, a force of one hundred Hyena Werewolves, five Barbarian Soldiers, and two hundred assorted Monsters charging outward.

The fleeing goblin hadn't even begged for mercy when the ruthless Tie Xiu cleaved off its head, roaring ferociously, "Coward, die!!!"

Volensa on the wall watched impassively, knowing how hopeless the inherent flaws of these so‑called kin were.

Tie Xiu's actions were the only chance to reverse the battlefield disadvantage, and he felt no pity for those cowardly escapees.

He simply closed his eyes, conserving energy, attempting to immerse his mind amid the chaotic clamor, seeking calm in the void.

He could sense that across the battlefield, among those indifferent dark elves, a formidable opponent existed.

It was a warrior not inferior to him, perhaps even stronger.

The addition of Hyena Werewolves and Barbarian Soldiers altered the battlefield; the fearless, pain‑unfazed Hyena Werewolves acted like ruthless war machines, slaughtering every enemy before them.

The goblins on the wall were reinvigorated, and a downpour of arrows continuously cut down the slave goblins.

Everything was improving.

Akdina's expression darkened; she pointed the Snake Head Staff again, and the fifty dark elf warriors beside her sprang into action.

The elite warriors clad in jet‑black armor drew their waist‑sheathed longswords, exuding a cold, dark aura.

Each of them was a Fifth-level Shadow Sword warrior, a melee class unique to Drow Nobles, mastering elegant sword techniques, moving with shadow‑like speed, and even slipping into shadows to assassinate foes.

The fifty Shadow Sword Warriors leapt skyward with great spring, pointing their hands toward the ground.

"Dark Arrow!"

The fifty figures merged into one; each shot a dark energy arrow, the rain of arrows falling like a storm of darkness, instantly piercing a dozen Hyena Werewolves to death.

This is a supernatural ability that Shadow Sword practitioners acquire at Third level, a once‑daily Spell Circle called "Dark Arrow."

Then, the Shadow Sword Warriors swung their blades from above, cleaving the ground; under gravity, every target they chose was split in two.

The battlefield's balance tipped again, the clash turning into a meat grinder; amid screams, dust swirled and flesh splattered.

Before the fifty rigorously trained, perfectly coordinated Fifth-level warriors, the Hyena Werewolves and Monster legion suffered heavy losses.

(End of Chapter)