Chapter 350: Chapter 322: If We Must Fight, Then Let’s Fight

News of the Steel Mane Tribe’s declaration of war on the Silver Moon Race was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples that rapidly spread throughout the entire eastern continent.

From the granaries of the River Valley to the towns of the Tide Sound Plain, from the frozen earth of the Frost Ridge Plateau to the mining towns of the Iron Hill Kingdom, almost every power paying attention to the regional situation received the news immediately, all turning their gazes toward the border between the Green Highlands and the Thundering River Basin.

Although the eastern continent had been rife with conflict in recent years, with powers large and small constantly fighting over territory and resources, this was still considered the most notable conflict in recent memory.

The Steel Mane Tribe had deep roots and a powerful military. They had expanded rapidly in the chaos following the overthrow of Dragon City’s rule, annexing lands in every direction. Now, they were showing signs of becoming a regional hegemon.

To have distinguished themselves in a region like the Thundering River Basin—a land packed with formidable powers—and rise to the top, the Steel Mane Tribe’s strength was undeniable.

The Silver Moon Race, on the other hand, though a relatively new power, had become the fastest-growing and most renowned faction in the eastern continent over the last century.

Their Refined Metal, modified potions, and Rune Equipment could be found almost everywhere, and the annual profits and wealth they generated made countless powers green with envy.

Furthermore, the Silver Moon Race’s military strength was not to be underestimated.

Their feat of crushing the main forces of the Black Stone Territory and taking control of the Green Highlands in a single day was still a topic of frequent discussion.

The clash of two such powerful factions would affect far more than just their own fates.

Countless powers were secretly speculating on the war’s outcome, calculating who might gain the upper hand or even achieve a decisive victory.

The outcome of this war had the potential to redraw the balance of power in the eastern continent and reshape the order across this vast land.

For a time, a tense atmosphere hung over the eastern continent—the calm before the storm.

...

Taichu City.

The Ninefold Celestial Tower, Celestial Essence Hall.

When Anton stepped through the hall’s doors, his gaze swept over the long table, and he saw that almost everyone had already arrived.

Eleanor sat on the left side of the long table, a few unrolled scrolls of sheepskin paper spread out before her, the ink not yet fully dry.

Romance was leaning back casually in her chair, one hand propping up her chin while the other tapped an idle beat on the table. Her expression showed no hint of tension; on the contrary, she looked eager with anticipation.

The three elders sat on the right side of the long table, their expressions composed.

Cedric sat at the far end of the table, his back ramrod straight and his hands resting on his knees, his posture as solemn as ever.

Across from him were Elena and Darian, who were quietly discussing the defensive arrangements for the Nine Nether City Domain.

For the first time in years, the entire high council of the Silver Moon Race was gathered together.

Seeing Anton’s arrival, everyone stood up to greet him and pay their respects.

Anton nodded to them and walked straight to the head of the table to take his seat. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, his gaze swept around the room before he cut straight to the point. "You’ve all heard about the Steel Mane Tribe’s declaration of war, I assume?"

The Elves all nodded.

Anton looked at Eleanor, who understood his cue and said in a solemn voice, "The Steel Mane Tribe’s declaration is worded very harshly. They demand that our Clan Leader personally issue a public apology for the Slave Hunting Team incident and cede the Green Highlands to them as reparations."

"Furthermore, they demand that we promise to expel all the Half-Elves we have already accepted and to cease taking in any more as vassals from this day forward."

Although the Elves present knew the Steel Mane Tribe had declared war on the Clan, this was the first they were hearing of the declaration’s specific terms. Hearing them now, their expressions turned to scorn and derision.

"The Steel Mane Tribe certainly has a big appetite, trying to take half our territory in one go," the Third Elder scoffed. "They never intended to negotiate. They just want our Clan to bow down and submit."

The Second Elder said gravely, "Knowing how Beastmen operate, even if we did agree to their terms—ceding the Green Highlands and expelling the Half-Elves—they wouldn’t stop there. Once they’ve fully digested the Green Highlands, the Eldron Plain would be next."

"Indeed. Beastmen have always been so overbearing," Elena said with a shrug.

Romance sat up straight, her face full of eagerness. "Then what’s there to discuss? They’ve already put a blade to our throats. We can’t just sit here and bicker with them. Let’s just fight. It’s the perfect opportunity to show them we’re not to be trifled with."

The last time they attacked the Red Blood Fertile Soil, the war was over before she even had a chance to do much, which she had regretted for quite a while.

Now that a new enemy had finally appeared, she certainly wasn’t going to miss out.

The Great Elder, Cedric, and Darian didn’t speak, but each gave a slight nod to show their agreement.

From the very beginning of the meeting, there was no disagreement.

In a very short time, the Clan’s high council reached a consensus.

They had all witnessed the Clan’s growth and knew just how powerful it had become.

Had it been a first-rate power, they might have given it more serious consideration.

But the Steel Mane Tribe had not yet earned that level of respect.

Anton took in everyone’s expressions. He turned calmly to Eleanor and asked, "How is the investigation into the Steel Mane Tribe coming along?"

Eleanor was already prepared. She picked up an unrolled scroll of sheepskin paper from the table beside her; it was covered in lines of text written in a fine, dense script.

"The core race of the Steel Mane Tribe is the Beastmen, with an additional thirty or so Vassal Races. Their fighting force of adult Beastmen numbers around two hundred thousand, with about fifty thousand more troops from their vassals."

Anton nodded in understanding.

Compared to the Silver Moon Race, the Steel Mane Tribe’s number of Vassal Races was quite small.

In fact, however, this was the norm in the eastern continent.

Very few powers could attract multiple Vassal Races like the Silver Moon Race could.

After all, most factions lacked a vast trade network to generate enormous profits or a complete merit system to provide paths for advancement. They were unable to secure the loyalty of Vassal Races with sufficient benefits.

More often than not, Vassal Races were simply treated as cannon fodder to be conscripted in wartime. In times of peace, they were burdened with heavy tributes and forced labor.

Naturally, not many races were willing to voluntarily join such a relationship.

Even for those that did, their unity and loyalty were low.

This was a completely different situation compared to the Silver Moon Race’s Vassal Races, who were cultivated through the merit system and bound by shared interests.

For instance, in both the former Black Stone Territory and the recently crippled Red Blood Fertile Soil Alliance Army, the combat strength of their Vassal Race armies was far inferior to that of their main race’s forces.

"In other words, the Steel Mane Tribe has a total of two hundred and fifty thousand troops. That’s indeed not a small number," the Third Elder murmured, but his expression was calm.

Although the Beastman forces were numerous, their individual combat strength was far inferior to the Elf soldiers of their Clan.

In fact, aside from a small number of elite units, the majority of the Beastman army was only on par with our own vassal forces.

"As for the Steel Mane Tribe’s top-tier combat strength, there are currently eight known Legendary Powerhouses."

Eleanor continued:

"This includes two peak Legends: one is the current Great Chief of the Steel Mane Tribe, Uerk Steelmane, and the other is their Chief Shaman, Zul Steelmane."

Romance tilted her head in confusion. "That doesn’t sound too outrageous. Eight Legends, two at their peak... that’s certainly top-tier in the eastern continent, but for them to be so sure of victory against us seems a little arrogant."

"What gives them the confidence to think they have this in the bag?"

Eleanor smiled faintly. "Our military strength has grown very quickly these past few years. Even when we attacked the Black Stone Territory, we only used a portion of our military might. The outside world’s perception of our military is likely based on our performance in that battle. It’s only natural that they don’t know our true strength."

The three elders all nodded in agreement.

The Silver Moon Race’s operations were extensive. Aside from the high council members present, even their own clan members were not fully aware of the true depth of the Clan’s resources.

Let alone the outside world.

Outsiders had no way of knowing they had expanded the Daoist Soldier Corps.

They did not know of their Flying Radiance Towers, a means of long-range deployment.

They were even less aware of their strategic arrangements in the Dark Nether Realm.

Many powers’ understanding of the Silver Moon Race was still stuck many years in the past.

The Steel Mane Tribe was presumably no exception.

In that case, they would naturally feel that victory was assured.

"But there is one point we need to take seriously."

Eleanor’s tone shifted, drawing the Elves’ attention back to her.

"The backer behind the Steel Mane Tribe is the Blood Claw Race. The two sides are in close contact; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them strategic partners."

At these words, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense for a moment.

The Blood Claw Race was a first-rate power, stronger than the Steel Mane Tribe by more than just a small margin. Furthermore, they had been making frequent expansionist moves in recent years.

If they were to intervene in this war, things would become rather tricky for the Silver Moon Race.

Just then, Anton, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

"We just need to not give the Blood Claw Race a chance to intervene."

Anton turned his head to look at Eleanor. "How are the war preparations coming along?"

He had instructed Eleanor to begin war preparations as soon as the Steel Mane Tribe’s envoy had departed from the Taichu Spirit Realm.

’The preparations should be nearly complete by now.’

As expected, Eleanor smiled and nodded.

"Materiel, deployment plans, and personnel—it’s all been prepared in advance."

"The three Flying Radiance Towers have also been calibrated and are ready to ascend and dispatch troops at a moment’s notice."

Anton nodded in satisfaction. His gaze returned to the other Elves, his expression calm and solemn.

"If the Steel Mane Tribe wants war, then war they shall have."

"And we must make it swift and decisive, giving neither the Steel Mane Tribe nor the Blood Claw Race time to react."

"Issue the order: all troops are to be mobilized, with the exception of the standing forces garrisoning the Taichu Spirit Realm, our strategic chokepoints, and resource nodes. They will be formed into an expeditionary force, which I will lead myself. We march on the Steel Mane Tribe."

Anton then began assigning roles.

"Eleanor, you will remain in the Taichu Spirit Realm and coordinate everything from here. Elena and Darian, you will hold down the Nine Nether City Domain and ensure there are no disturbances in the Dark Nether Realm. The rest of you, you’re with me on the expedition."

As his voice fell, they all rose to their feet simultaneously. With burning gazes, they responded in unison.

"Yes, Clan Leader."

After the meeting concluded, the high council members swiftly departed to begin their preparations.

While the outside world was just beginning to stir from the declaration of war, the war machine of the Silver Moon Race had already rumbled to life.

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