Chapter 1319: Chapter 1318: Western Front War

Amon is about to leave—he has cleared the aberrations lingering in the Upper Layer of the Sacred Stars Temple, temporarily blocked the pollution near the temple’s crash zone, and healed part of the Forest Sea Defense Line’s guardians that still had life. As a "God of Yore" who still needs to hide himself at this stage, he has done enough here.

Any more, and it would cross that line, leading this matter into the realm of "divine intervention."

"I will still assist you within the domains I am capable of," Amon slightly tilted his head, speaking to Belsetia and Yilian behind him, "The relationship between gods and humans isn’t limited to divine wonders and faith. We exist with the possibility of ’fighting alongside within safe boundaries.’ Perhaps this is the greatest lesson from my reckless act this time..."

As he spoke, he turned to look towards the direction of the Gondor wasteland. The dark land shrouded by turbid clouds was reflected in his crystal-clear eyes. After a long time, he retracted his gaze and sighed lightly, "However, the main battlefield ahead will still be the stage for you mortals... I can feel that the longer I exist in the real world, an invisible force increasingly tries to bind me here. Even though I’ve not crossed ’that line’ from start to finish nor revealed myself to the world, this force still subtly emerges... It seems that even though the chain on me has disappeared, a slight connection with mortals remains."

Belsetia gently frowned but soon understood. She spoke with a complex expression in a low voice, "The lifespan of the silver elves is ultimately too long... The memories we’ve left in the forest are always difficult to dissipate..."

"It can’t be helped because back then, I essentially breached a loophole—not severing as cleanly as the War God and Dragon God did, and on this point, Mirmina isn’t much better than me," Amon chuckled lightly and then leaned down, "Get off, you two should go, I should leave as well. The monsters wandering within the forest defense are being gradually eradicated, perhaps your soldiers will soon arrive here."

Belsetia and Yilian gently jumped to the ground. They saw the sacred Giant Stag beside them rise again as if about to turn and leave, but he paused the next moment, gazing far into the vast forest sea to the south, the emotion of reluctance and worry in his eyes was evident.

"Don’t worry, we’ll be fine," Yilian couldn’t help but speak up from the side, "The breach has been sealed, we will certainly exterminate the invading aberration Legion—the forest’s pollution will not spread."

"I know..." Amon mumbled, shifting his steps but still looked back uneasily, "Be extra careful, these aberrations are fierce, and there might be other breaches in that great barrier. Don’t become complacent just because you’ve wiped out the enemies in the forest... Moreover, behind those aberrations is an elusive ’sentinel’..."

"I understand, rest assured," Belsetia nodded very solemnly, "Recovering the defense line is just the first step, as long as the southern situation stabilizes, we will immediately probe for other breaches and try to rebuild the offensive with allied forces on other fronts..."

"Pay attention to the issue of residual pollution. The trouble left by those monsters after death is not small. Keep monitoring the toxicity in the environment, and thoroughly burn the contaminated remains. All water sources must be checked and checked often..."

"We understand," Belsetia felt a bit amused yet helpless but nodded seriously and said, "I will remind everyone to pay attention."

"Also, be careful of airborne pollution. Sometimes the toxic gas released by those creatures is hard to detect, they have various mutant forms, some specializing in releasing toxins... The protective devices of the Cecil Clan are very effective, it’s a pity you don’t have them here, so ensure every team has monitoring and warning measures. If all else fails, you can let the soldiers bring a Yellow Spotted Sparrow, they are very sensitive to changes in the air...

"The Sacred Stars Temple crash caused great damage to the geological structure. Be mindful of minor geological disasters, even if you have recaptured the defense line, don’t rush near the temple ruins. It’s such a large block stuck there, the things in the wasteland can’t come out all at once...

"When you reunite with the main force, take some rest. You’ve consumed quite a lot on this way—the internal injuries on you two I’ve healed, but the mental fatigue is best recovered in a natural state..."

Amon babbled on but suddenly seemed to realize, suddenly stopping with some embarrassment. He glanced down at Belsetia and Yilian, whose expressions seemed a bit odd, shook his head, "I think I’ve said too much... I’ll be going, really going this time."

He took a breath, and the surrounding reviving woods began to sway in unison. He turned and walked into the distance, the dust and fog at the defense line’s edge respectfully retreated to both sides. He gradually headed towards the horizon, occasionally looking back at the two elves left behind, looking towards the vast forest sea still raising smoke afar, seeming still a bit worried. A giant sun was already rising from the forest sea edge, the magnificent corona emitting endless radiance, blending his silhouette with the surrounding daylight.

A few minutes later, the brilliant figure of the Giant Stag, as if cast in light, finally gradually merged with the nascent brilliance, disappearing before Belsetia and Yilian’s eyes.

After a moment’s silence, Yilian finally couldn’t help but whisper to break it, "My grandfather was like this too..."

Belsetia’s lips curved slightly, she turned to look toward the forest defense direction. Amidst the complex aura drifting from the forest, she could already sense her peers’ presence—searching within the forest, their tenacious and uplifting will shining like candles in the dark.

She stepped towards the forest, reaching back for Handmaiden Elaine, sunlight like flowing fragments of gold draped behind her, "Let’s go; everything has just begun."

...

The bloody and dark slaughter persisted for an unknown duration, now temporarily, this ancient ridge finally quieted down.

There was still some time before sunrise, and the cold wind from the northern forests, carrying the scent of blood, blew across the surviving defense line. The lights from torches and magic crystal lamps illuminated the weary warriors’ eyes, forming a discontinuous bright edge along this ridge defense line. A tall figure stood behind a barricade temporarily built with wood and iron spikes, with feline-like pale golden eyes warily watching the murky darkness afar.

He saw the continuously burning woods in the darkness, the thick smoke rising into the night sky, already mixed with the clouds, and those ruins of towns and abandoned fortresses and camps at the mountain’s foot. The glaring dark red flames still burning in those ruins, the pungent stench being stirred up by the mountain winds, spreading wantonly over this ravaged land.

The malformed freaks had temporarily retreated, but that chaos filled the valley’s bottom, with roars, howls, and murmurs penetrating directly into brains seemingly still hovering over this blood-soaked land, occasionally mixed with the war cries of tribe warriors and even the Highland Braves. Standing under the night sky, the tall figure shook his head vigorously, trying to cast off those phantom-like sounds, then he turned and passed through one after another blocking barricades of uncertain efficacy, crossing warriors resting between stones and wooden stakes, to the camp area behind the defense line, heading straight for the tallest tent.

Two Highland Braves holding Chopping Axes were guarding in front of this tent; they bowed to the visitor, "General Morak."

The tall tiger known as General Morak raised his hand, interrupting the guards’ salute, his voice slightly hoarse, "How is the Great Chieftain’s condition?"

One of the guardians thought for a moment and seriously replied, "She’s already awake. I think she can still fight three to five Highland Braves."

His words had barely fallen when a robust female voice suddenly exploded from inside the tent, a voice of such penetrating power that it made General Morak’s ears buzz: "Bullshit! You get three Champion Warriors here, and I’ll fight them just as well!"

The guardian’s face showed a somewhat disoriented expression, while General Morak merely waved his hand, stepped forward to lift the heavy curtain at the tent entrance, and strode inside.

A strong scent of medicine mixed with the smell of blood assaulted him, causing Morak to involuntarily furrow his brow. He looked towards the source of the bloody scent and saw a military cot placed in the center of the tent. The light from the magic crystal lamp illuminated the figure half-leaning against a tent pole—Camilla, the ruler of the beastmen and master of the forest, was there, staring at General Morak as he entered. Her feline-like pale golden pupils seemed to still hold a trace of lingering murderous intent.

Morak glanced at Camilla, noticing that she had temporarily removed her armor, thick bandages wrapped around her arm and one shoulder, with many small wounds scattered across her upper body. That strong and athletic body was now covered with scars, and much of the fine fur was scorched by magic, presenting a mix of ash and black.

For Great Chieftain Camilla, who always valued her fur greatly, the scorched hair was probably even more unbearable than the wounds—but for Morak, the chieftain managing to retreat alive from the front lines was more important than anything.

"I haven’t fought such a miserable battle in my life," Camilla noted her general’s gaze with a tug at her mouth, her furry pointed ears folding inwards as she spoke with a very displeased tone, "Those brain-rotten creatures... they actually dared to singe my favorite patch of fur... even burning my tail!"

Morak lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "You faced a hundred foes alone; these injuries are only a testament to your glory compared to the enemies you shredded."

"Enough with the flattery—I’m not interested in that," Camilla interrupted, "How’s the evacuation of civilians going?"

"They’ve all been transferred to the rear. The elf warlocks will escort them to Ruby City—the evacuation route is currently safe, those aberrations have yet to cross this mountain range."

"Ruby City... let’s hope it continues to protect the forest folk as always," Camilla said, seemingly tugging at an injury, causing her to involuntarily draw a sharp breath, "Have those warlocks all left?"

"Half stayed behind," Morak said, "We tried to persuade them to leave, but they insisted... on standing with the tribal warriors."

"Damn! A bunch of idiots," Camilla cursed, this time genuinely tugging at her wound, causing her face to contort, "Damn, it hurts like hell... Why are those warlocks staying?! Do they think their magic will withstand another round of exhausting use? The camp has long run out of soul crystals and mana oil; are they planning to burn their own blood for spells next?! You go tell their leader, every warlock must withdraw before dawn, tribal warriors will cover their retreat, and they’ll rebuild the defense line back to Ruby City—if anyone doesn’t listen, bring out the token left by Studeer to deal with those elves..."

"Pale Hills has fallen; almost no survivors escaped from Holy Stone Town and Radiant Light City," Morak interrupted Camilla, this tall and strong beastmen general lowered his head, his voice slow and steady, "Most of the elves stationed on this defense line came from there... it’s impossible for them to retreat now."

Camilla was stunned, slowly blinking her eyes, cursing softly, "...damn."

Then, she shook her head, lifting her eyelids to look at her general, "Alright, just tell me all the bad news at once, what else happened while I was unconscious?"

"...Dark Stone Junction and Wind Erosion Valley have also fallen, we’ve lost one-third of our main force, the defense line has now shrunk to the line from Wolf Spine Mountain to Echo Valley. General Santibek went missing leading a rear-guard during the transfer; it’s likely not going well. We’ve also lost communication with the human forces—a strange energy field permeates the battlefield, suppressing all spell communications and devices to only one-third or even one-sixth of their original range; warriors from all tribes now stand isolated as islands in a river, losing contact with each other. Even now, we can barely maintain contact with Ruby City..."

Camilla quietly listened to her subordinate’s report, not speaking for a long time. When the other party finished, she fixed her gaze on Morak’s eyes, her expression extremely complex as she slowly said, "...Is there more?"

"No," Morak spread his hands, "But I fear there will be more to come."

"Damn..." Camilla twitched her mouth, "Any good news? Even a little bit, is there any?"

"There is, after we ignited and detonated the abandoned camp on the hillside, those Giant-like aberrations temporarily retreated," Morak said solemnly, "Those creatures aren’t afraid of arcane attacks, have great resistance to physical attacks, but flames seem to have some effect on them. Now we have a momentary breath of relief—just unsure when those creatures will launch the next assault."

Camilla did not respond.

The scarred beastmen chieftain merely leaned against the pillar of the tent, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.

After a long time, she softly began to mutter, "From Wasteland Outpost to the great barrier of the mountains, from the mountain barrier to Dark Stone Junction and Wind Erosion Valley, and now we’ve retreated from Dark Stone Junction to Wolf Spine Mountain, all within a few days? And then? Ruby City, Holy Helm City... are we going to retreat to Ancestral Peak next?"

"The situation isn’t that desperate yet," Morak immediately replied, "Great Chieftain, we were simply unprepared. Our Highland Braves and Champion Warriors are gathering everywhere; the other tribal forces are likely reacting as well. As long as we rebuild our defense line at Ruby City, those monsters..."

"Those monsters have an entire wasteland as their backing; their forces are also gathering," Camilla interrupted the old beastmen, "We haven’t prepared at all for this war, and our enemies have been preparing for hundreds of years... We made a fatal error, Morak."

She said this, shaking her head with a long sigh.

"Complacency... sheltered in a corner, what safety is there?"

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