"A battlefield for traitors", "a war without justice". No matter how future generations would evaluate this war, this long war that lasted from autumn to winter in the Year of the Griffin was destined to be recorded in history. This was the grand opening of a new Holy War that had already begun countless times. Its influence would last for decades, centuries, or even millennia.
The Elven Gods' plan had met with an iron wall right from the start. The beastmen's southern invasion would probably have to wait for the next time. Yet, due to a certain person's scheme, the beastmen took advantage of the fact that the beastmen were weak to send visitors from the Underground to both sides.
After the calamity ended, the Underground city lords would establish several dozen satellite cities in the Mist Alliance. These would become the Underground factions' bases on the surface. Naturally, there would be no lack of dark elves among them. No matter if they were willing or not, they would become a buffer zone between the Sleuweir Kingdom and the elven kingdoms.
Of course, since Anne, Anya, and Little Red all represented their factions and applied to join the Mist Alliance, it could be said that the Mist Alliance was finally established, and this place would become a new outpost.
As for the harsh natural environment? To be honest, the Underground was about the same. As long as they made proper preparations and had the support of the entire new Mist Alliance, the residents of the Underground were confident that they would be able to take root in this land of ice.
For the sake of the Tassel elves who might return to their homeland, I also had them prepare a sufficiently large piece of land as well as the Tassel capital, Tassel City, so that they would have a place to return to their homeland.
Of course, if my plan was successful, the elves who had a good life in Donglan wouldn't return to their homeland, which was still a world of ice and snow.
As for the highlands, it seemed troublesome, but due to the heavy losses the beastmen suffered and the beastmen's ancient tradition, it actually became much simpler.
"When a tribe suffers heavy losses, it will merge with a stronger tribe (or be swallowed up by the stronger tribe) in order to continue the entire tribe."
The highland beastmen, who had suffered heavy losses to the point where every family wore mourning clothes, faced the powerful Underground beastmen. It was impossible to stop the Underground beastmen's mass migration. No, it should be said that the remaining tribes, which lacked males and resources due to the war, were more than happy to see themselves being swallowed up.
"If hatred is black ink that can't be bleached, then pour a large amount of water into it to dilute it. If pain is unbearable, but can be forgotten with time."
Perhaps it would take several decades or even centuries for the Underground beastmen and Plains beastmen to merge. But once the Underground beastmen truly devoured this new territory that always brought about war, according to our contract, both the Plains beastmen and Underground beastmen would become part of the Mist Alliance.
Of course, assimilation and fusion were mutually exclusive. In order to prevent us from entering the cycle of war once again, I would import residents of other species, diluting and mixing the various species in a single area.
This was indeed a despicable move, but it was also a brilliant move that could truly resolve the Cycle of War. It was a grand strategy to end the Beastmen's invasion of the South, which happened once every few decades. Perhaps, I would never be able to see such a day in my lifetime.
"… War isn't good. But if war truly breaks out, we should at least seize the opportunity to change something. For example, completely eradicate the root cause of the next war."
So, I said.
"Orc Nation? Elven Nation? Hey, hey, hey, why do we have to make things so clear? From today onwards, all countries and factions in the Mist Alliance will have no borders. All you need to do is follow the simplest procedures, and you'll be able to freely travel and even live in this region. "
This was doubtlessly a revolutionary decision. In this feudal era where land was the most important resource, population was the most important resource. Every domain lord had their own household registration system, and it would be inconceivable to allow their citizens to freely move about in any city.
Just proposing such a revolutionary decision caused intense discussion and even fierce opposition within the various countries of the Mist Alliance. In fact, the Rhodes Kingdom, which had already agreed to join the Mist Alliance, immediately started delaying the negotiations to join the Mist Alliance and wanted to retreat.
"I object! If we give them freedom, won't all the untouchables run away? There won't be anyone to farm the land! Won't all our territories be abandoned? Absolutely not! "
"That's because you're too harsh on your citizens. That's why you're worried about losing your citizens. I think that this is a wise decision. That way, the territories of wise domain lords will become more and more prosperous, while evil domain lords like you will have pitiful lives! "
"… You're wrong. My ancestors and I have worked very hard, but the natural environment of my territory is so vile that it's impossible to improve it. If a large number of my citizens run away, I'll be ashamed to face my ancestors."
Originally, considering that the Donglan Principality's popularity was quite high, and that Sleuweir was currently in its weakest period of reconstruction, I could have used the prestige I'd established from the previous battles to forcefully push through this plan. However, due to the fierce opposition from the domain lords, I was unable to pass it in the end.
Since the opposition was so intense that it became impossible to move people within a country, I took a step back and allowed people to move between countries. Of course, the procedures were incredibly complicated and complicated. There was also a limit to the number of people who could move every year. However, if people chose to move to beastmen or elves' territories, they would definitely be allowed to move in batches, and they would even be given a large number of daily necessities.
"… If I want to unite all the Mist Alliance's powers and make sure that there's no racial discrimination within the Mist Alliance, then I absolutely must realize the principle of equality and freedom of movement. It would seem that I underestimated those stubborn old-timers. Then, let's take it slow. If the first generation can't do it, I'll wait for the second generation. If the second generation can't do it, then four or five generations should be enough. Starting from today, let's use the God of Law's church to get rid of those who go too far. "
My goal had never changed. I wanted to make Sulfur Mountain City's glory reappear on the surface. I wanted the Tauren and Holy Knight to have their arms around each other's shoulders in a bar. I wanted the "evil" dark elves to have the possibility of becoming holy job class members. I wanted everyone to live in a country where people weren't judged by their species, but by their moral character. This was my dream, a beautiful dream that I'd had for half my life.
"In order for all species to live under the same blue sky, the first thing I need to do is make sure that they'll be able to put down their prejudices and treat their new neighbors."
Only by doing this would I truly be able to eliminate this so-called Holy War. It wouldn't be so easy for the defeated species to make a comeback. It wouldn't be considered a victory if I didn't kill them all … But would I ever be able to kill them all? I would never be able to kill them all! Hatred would only create new chains of hatred, and the wheels of war would only get bigger and bigger. In the end, all that awaited me would be mutual destruction.
"True equality can't be achieved without the accumulation of thousands of years. In that case, as long as I'm still alive, I'll make sure that all living beings are equal on the surface …"
I had already established a standard (Law) for evaluating moral character. In that case, the next step would be to close the distance between all species and let them see for themselves whether their neighbors were naturally evil or not, whether they drank human blood and ate human flesh every day.
Prejudices would often come from distance. The unknown would often be connected to fear. If I wanted to divert internal conflicts, demonizing neighboring countries and other species would be an excellent method. Not to mention, I would also use information channels to spread rumors without any sense of responsibility, believing that other species were eating humans for food. How could this not create new conflicts?
All sorts of propaganda and rumors combined together would make most people think that beastmen were man-eating beasts, that the Sharal mixed-bloods were a group of demons who were humans in the day and beasts at night, and that the Northlands barbarians were an uncivilized species who couldn't even speak properly. Even I, the People of the Mist, was a group of uncultured and impoverished barbarians in the eyes of the countries in the central plains.
Just like how rumors would always become more and more ridiculous as they spread, people who were filled with prejudices would only go further and further off the beaten track. Prejudices would expand conflicts, and even a small matter would become a major matter.
And once a conflict became more intense, it would be time for wars to "accomplish great feats" and "slay demons". Meanwhile, those who invaded other countries and killed women and children would be portrayed as heroes of legends … That was how the Mist Kingdom had fallen in the past. In human society, the Mist Kingdom that didn't fit in with the rest of the world became an alien species. In the end, due to the misleading propaganda, the neighboring countries treated the Mist Kingdom as the reason why they were poor. In the end, a war that shouldn't have happened in the first place erupted.
"Only by increasing communication and distance can we eliminate prejudices. Allowing multiple species to live together is the foundational reason for Sulfur Mountain City's miracle. Implementing such a system is the most important thing right now. I definitely won't back down on this point!"
Sulfur Mountain City's model was also my ideal country's experimental plot. Now that I had a path to reach my goal. How could I possibly give up on this?
Perhaps I might back down on other matters, but I definitely wouldn't back down on this!
As for the domain lords' obstruction? Heh heh, that wasn't a problem from the very start. Perhaps I appeared far too kind, causing others to forget what I had done in the past. Since I had already transformed into an Asura, what did it matter if I entered Hell again? As long as the results were good, I wouldn't care about dirtying my hands.
"… Eliza, the new 'spectators' should have already been established, right? The first mission I'm giving you is to clear out all the opponents — no, all the neutral parties as well. There are no neutral parties in this matter. "
"… Do we need to directly clean them up?"
"No, let's first collect evidence of their crimes. I refuse to believe that these domain lords are completely clean. Don't alert them; they're all quite cautious …"
"In that case, we're only going to collect evidence of their crimes before having those old bones from the Judgement Hall come out?"
"Yes, we'll make ample preparations and clean them up in one go. Let's set the date to be two years from now. We have plenty of patience. We'll also be able to increase the Church of Law's reputation and replenish our treasury. "
"What if one of the families is as clean as an angel? That's not entirely impossible. "
"It's not like this is your first day following me. Do I even need to waste my breath …"
"I just want to confirm whether or not you're still the master I'm familiar with. Perhaps a peaceful life has changed you. Perhaps the beauty of sunlight will allow you to stay away from the darkness."
Was there even a need to hesitate? I would still make the same decision. Afraid of dirtying my hands? I'd probably never been clean before.
"If they're as pure as an angel, I'll give them another chance to choose. But if they still insist on obstructing my plan, heh, I'll have them go to heaven to be true angels."
Eliza stepped into the shadows once again, but all she left behind was an empty echo.
"Your wish is our command."
…
Sandstorms swirled in the air, and the sky was filled with large floating rocks. What was even more unacceptable was that everything here was black and white, with no color at all.
The monotonous black and white made one feel incredibly uncomfortable. Just looking at it for a moment made one feel dizzy and uncomfortable all over. The sandstorms that entered one's mouth along with the violent winds made it difficult to breathe.
The mountains in the distance were slowly moving. Their towering peaks pierced the clouds, but when looking at them with binoculars, one would discover that they were actually stone giants and beasts that were as large as mountains. It was just that they were so large that their upper bodies were buried between the clouds and the floating islands.
This was obviously not a place suitable for mortals to live in. This was the Earth Elemental Plane!
On one of the floating islands, a group of visitors from the mortal plane that had just arrived had begun setting up camp.
As for me, I smiled proudly as I looked at the tremendous will in the distance.
"Little brother Ömdiroken, I wonder how you're doing? I've come to visit you."
I could sense that the Earth Elemental God that we were so familiar with was in a deep sleep at the core of the Underground Abyss. Perhaps he would be even more surprised to see us.
"You want to run away after offending me? Hmph, no way! "
Just as I wanted to say a few more words to declare war, I heard dissatisfied complaints behind my back.
"Roland! Stop smiling like an idiot! Hurry up and help set up the tent! "Adam seemed quite depressed as he realized that he would be sent to the frontlines as a meat shield again.
"Yeah, don't even think about slacking off. Do you think that just by standing on that rock and talking to yourself, you can stop working? Hurry up and help me. "
Alright then, my goal of pretending to sigh while standing on the rock wall had been exposed. Under everyone's angry glares, I obediently went to work.
Setting up camp in such an environment wasn't an easy task. The tents that the gnomes in the mortal plane had sold to us had already been proven to be fake goods. Not only would they not be able to stand up, their so-called sand-proof enchantments were also proven to be a joke. They wouldn't be able to last long before being buried by the endless sandstorms. And so, after a short discussion, we decided to just dig a hole and use it as a temporary shelter.
Why were we here? That would probably have to start from half a month ago.
Ömdiroken's insanity and hatred before he self-destructed was still fresh in my mind. His subsequent revenge was even more thunderous, and he struck us where it hurt the most, almost causing our defeat. Such a guy will take revenge sooner or later. If he goes all out and causes another Antoon Earthquake or Diffindor Collapse, we'll suffer great losses. Let's take advantage of his weakness and take his life! "
I wasn't an idiot who would just passively deal with things. Since Ömdiroken had the ability and motive to threaten me, he could come out and take revenge at any moment. Naturally, I would choose to first attack by building a wall. However, Ömdiroken was incredibly strong, and he would only be stronger when he returned to the Earth Elemental Plane. Without sufficient power to back me up, attacking first would be the equivalent of suicide.
And so, I sent out an invitation letter, but I didn't receive an answer even after a long time.
Half a month ago, that familiar "friend" of mine finally agreed to my invitation. However, she brought an unexpected guest with her.
She was an ethereal figure that flickered in and out of existence. When she took off her hood, I saw a blue-haired elven woman.
Her long, silky hair reached the ground, and her crystal-like eyes had a warm smile in them. Her unfamiliar beautiful face also had a smile on it, but the divine power undulations that rippled through her body seemed rather familiar. After a short pause, I immediately inhaled a breath of cold air.
"Ailos? The Water Elemental God? "
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