In fact, before Jitte Sourbelly's army was defeated at Fort Armory, Skarnik had already received news from many sources that Balegar had returned. The Badlands were too big and vast. It was no longer news that a powerful dwarf-human allied army had appeared in the Badlands.
Even when the army arrived at the Sea Gate, Skarnik received news from the Skaven ratmen that Bellegar had returned with an unprecedentedly large army. To Skarnik's surprise, the right-clawed headhunter of the Moss clan, Quake, issued a warning to Skarnik for the first time. He told Skarnik that Bellegar Ironhammer's offensive this time would be extremely fierce, and that the reinforcements he had summoned would be very powerful. The other commander was the legendary human hero, the chosen one of the female rats of the lake, Yesyes, the king of the small kingdom of knights, Ryan Macado.
The Grey Prophets of the Moss clan even vaguely received an oracle from the Horned Rats. The Skarvin Ratmen and the Demonic Moon clan might need an alliance to fight against Balegar and his army.
However, Skarnik flatly refused. In the eyes of the Eight Peaks Mountain Warlord, he would never form an alliance with the despicable and treacherous Skarvin Ratmen. He knew how much Headhunter Quake wanted to collect his head, and Skarnik knew how much he wanted to hunt for Balegar and Quake's heads.
The hatred between the King of Eight Peaks Mountain, the Warlord of Eight Peaks Mountain, and the Warlord of Eight Peaks Mountain had reached the extreme. Each of them could not wait to kill the other two.
Therefore, Skarnik pretended to agree to the alliance and lured the Skarvin Ratmen to send people to negotiate. He set up an ambush and massacred the Skarvin Ratmen army that came to negotiate. He built a monument with their heads to announce his strength and his attitude of never forming an alliance.
However, the cunning Eight Peaks Mountain Warlord did not listen to the advice of the Skarvin Ratmen. On the contrary, Skarnik had already judged from the attitude of the Skarvin Ratmen that Balegar was indeed coming with a strong momentum this time.
Strategically looking down on the enemy and tactically valuing the enemy had always been Skarnik's guiding ideology. In the hundreds of years of history, the Battle General of Eight Peaks Mountain had used his cunning and cruelty to defeat countless opponents, becoming the only Goblin warlord who could perfectly suppress and command all the Oker Orcs and even the Black Orcs under his command.
Before Jitte Sourbelly came to Eight Peaks Mountain, Skarnik had already thought of a way to deal with the expeditionary army. The Eight Peaks Mountain Warlord had fed all the green-skinned warlords who wanted to go out and fight the expeditionary army to his beloved Skarnik. On the contrary, he had already thought of a strategy.
"Trash, you're really trash. But at least you can still escape. For the sake of Brother What and Brother Hell, I'll give you a chance for now." Skarnik smiled sinisterly and gestured for Jitte Sourbelly to come over. "Now you know who's the boss, eh?"
"Boss … Boss, you're the boss here!" Jitte Sourbelly rushed over excitedly.
"Get out!" Skarnik kicked Jitte Sourbelly down. "Stinky thing, don't come near your most expensive boss. Now, you're going to lead the Goblin Wolf Riders. As for how to deal with Bearded Foe and Canned Shrimp, listen well. I'll only say it once!"
"Yes, boss. No problem, boss!" Jitte Sourbelly quickly stood up straight and stuck out his belly.
"Listen well. If the enemy advances, I'll flee. If the enemy retreats, I'll advance. If the enemy stays, I'll make a fuss. If the enemy is tired, I'll waaagh!" Skarnik said in a shrill voice. "Get out if you hear me!"
"Yes!" Jitte Sourbelly went out.
Skarnik nodded slowly. He looked at the empty and dilapidated Dwarven Ancestral Hall and smiled.
He liked to smile because only with a smile could he hide all his schemes and plans. Only with a smile could his subordinates not understand what he was thinking. He needed a sense of mystery and dignity. None of the green-skinned warlords knew that Skarnik would promote him to leader in the next second … or send him to the Goblins' mouths.
This would be a protracted battle, Skarnik thought.
From the perspective of the expeditionary army, the expeditionary army formed by Belegar and Laing was destined to be powerful and difficult to match head-on. The fall and destruction of many green-skinned fortresses along Blackwater Bay, as well as the loss of the armory, had shown that the enemy had indeed come prepared this time. Therefore, blindly going out of the city to fight the expeditionary army was a very foolish decision. Skarnik never felt that guerrilla warfare was not enough. On the contrary, if he could take Belegar's head, that would be the real deal!
Watching Oaker fight with the Orcs was just for fun. If he really wanted to waaagh, he would have to watch the Eight Peaks Mountain!
On the other hand, the expeditionary army might be very powerful, but the Badlands were the green-skinned territory. Here, neither humans nor dwarves could obtain supplies. Humans were even very unaccustomed to the harsh environment of the Badlands. They had to obtain supplies from Charlemagne's Empire or even further away. If the war dragged on, the expeditionary army would most likely not be able to hold on.
Therefore, Skarnik was very clear. Would he and his Demonic Moon Clan lose? Obviously, it was impossible to lose, but could they win quickly and eliminate the bearded enemies and canned shrimps through a decisive battle? It was also impossible.
They had to drag on the war! Drag it into a protracted war and then look for a chance to win!
As for the scorched earth strategy, it did not mean that Skarnik really intended to give up all the green-skinned fortresses. On the contrary, Skarnik could actually only control the Demonic Moon Clan of Eight Peaks Mountain. He could not control or order the other clans.
Skarnik's plan was to concentrate all the forces of the Demonic Moon Clan to guard Eight Peaks Mountain and another important stronghold, the Badlands of Valaya. He would gather his forces and resolutely not have a chance to fight a decisive battle with Belegar and Laing in the wild. On the contrary, he would rather have a thousand plans. When the time came, he would defend the Eight Peaks Mountain Fortress to the death. If you have the ability, you can attack the fortress. Let's see who can last longer!
Belegar! You and I, one of us will die!
… I am waaagh! The section dividing line …
Regardless of how the general of Eight Peaks Mountain planned the layout of this large-scale battle in the future, the winter of February in the Old World was lively.
A small part of the expeditionary army was now stationed in the Sea Gate Pass, and most of them were stationed in the Armory Castle. After a month of construction, the Armory Castle had now been built into a very strong military fortress. The six-meter-high walls were full of cannons and shooting holes. The 20-kilometer-long fortress walls were modified on the basis of the green-skinned fortresses. The dwarf engineers also introduced the water of the Blackwater River to build a moat. There were also traps and other facilities set up in front of the moat, as well as dwarf war machines. The walls were full of serf archers, dwarf crossbowmen, and musketeers patrolling everywhere.
There was a very abnormal prosperity in the Armory Castle. As there were 40,000 troops stationed here, a large number of merchants came from the Old World like sharks that smelled blood. The merchants knew that the expeditionary army was rich and had seized goods. Selling the stolen goods was a huge profit. Even if the Olivier Chamber of Commerce and the Hadrian Chamber of Commerce worked together to sell the stolen goods, as long as a little leaked, many small merchants would be full.
At the same time, there were all kinds of goods that arrived with the merchants. The merchants knew that the soldiers and nobles had money in their hands. Everyone had money, and they needed to spend money and entertainment. This was an opportunity for the merchants to make money. Many merchants spontaneously formed guards to transport all kinds of goods to the Sea Gate Pass and the Armory Castle for trade. Even many women came because of the reputation.
Laing was very strict with military discipline, but he also allowed the knights and soldiers to relax when they were not on duty. Most of the knights chose to be stationed in the Armory Castle because Laing, as the king, set an example by staying in the Armory Castle.
In the camp of the forest rangers "Emerald Wind", the forest rangers of the wood elves were stationed here. Of course, the wood elves were very unaccustomed to the environment of the Evil Lands, because they could not feel the energy and affinity of the forest here. As for the spoils of war and the spoils of war, the wood elves were a typical low-desire society. Apart from killing the green-skinned creatures to give the forest rangers some satisfaction, there was nothing else.
In the depths of the camp, a half-elf was inspecting his equipment and applying oil to his dagger. He had been doing this for more than a decade. Although his appearance did not change much from before, his movements had become very skillful.
If anyone still remembered, this half-elf was Astaire who had followed Laing to adventure in Nord. More than a decade had passed, and he was still working under Laing. These years, he had accumulated quite a lot of savings. After being conferred a title by Laing and receiving a property, Astaire immediately relied on his good looks and the natural charm of a half-elf to quickly marry a freedman's daughter and settle down. However, the good times did not last long. A few years later, Astaire's wife died in childbirth, leaving him only a daughter. This was a huge blow to the half-elf, causing his quiet personality to become somewhat taciturn.
However, a few years after his wife's death, Astaire married another freedman's daughter. This marriage was still childless. Most half-elves would have three to five marriages in their lifetime.
"Astaire? You're here? " At this time, a greeting came from afar. Astaire could tell from the footsteps that the other party was not an elf. The arrogant half-elf instinctively wanted to ignore the other party, but the one who came was an old acquaintance of his. "Lopes? It's you. Long time no see. "
"Yes, long time no see. But you still look as young as when you were adventuring in Nord." The person who came was a middle-aged man in his forties. He was the son of Hyde, Lord of Nord, who had followed Laing all the way from Nord to Brittany. He had been awarded the title of Baron Vaz for his meritorious service during the Muxilon expedition. He was in charge of guarding the Muxilon coastline.
The middle-aged man held a long halberd in his hand. This halberd had been with him for more than a decade and had been reforged by the dwarves many times. Seeing Astaire, Lopes' face showed a hint of melancholy. "How are you? Old friend? "
"I'm alright." Astaire gestured for Lopes to sit down. The ranger's tent was not big. There was a simple bonfire at the entrance, and a pot of hot soup was boiling inside with some herbs and meat. "Why did you suddenly come to find me?"
"Why, can't I come and talk to you?" Lopes sat down naturally. He grabbed a branch and poked at the pile of firewood. "Everyone is busy anyway, and I have nothing to do."
Astaire helplessly shook his head and laughed at himself. The half-elf knew why.
Lopes had followed Leon all the way to Brittania in his early years, so he could be considered an old man. However, this Nord's talent and strength were ultimately limited. After more than ten years, he had been stuck at the peak of the Elite rank and had no chance of reaching the Legendary rank. His ability to command and manage internal affairs could not be said to be bad, but it could only be described as mediocre. After a long time, Lopes was gradually excluded from the core and decision-making levels. Although everyone respected him, they did not take his opinions into consideration.
But wasn't it the same for himself? Astaire himself had served Laing for more than a decade, but his identity as a half-elf meant that he could not be put in an important position. Laing had appointed him as the commander of the Emerald Wind because of his special status. Simply put, if he did not have any significant contributions or achievements, Astaire would be like this for the next few decades.
"Do you want some? It might not be to your liking. "Astaire filled a bowl with food and handed it to Lopes.
"It's been more than a decade. You're still so young, but I'm already old." Lopes reached out and took the bowl. The dishes made by the wood elves seemed to have some special magic. Baron Vaz could see his own face in the bowl. Many years had passed, and he had turned from a young halberd wielder to a middle-aged man with crow's feet at the corners of his eyes. Both sides of his face were slightly loose, and he had a full beard.
"You should stay in your territory when you're old, Lord Lopes. There's no need for you to insist on participating in this expedition." Astaire also picked up a bowl. The half-elf said arrogantly and mockingly, "Bravery does not mean death!"
"No, a true warrior's ending should never be to die in his bed!" Lopes raised his bowl and said indignantly, "Yurik guided me. The best ending for a true warrior is to die on the battlefield, fighting for the future of humanity, fighting for glory and faith."
"Glory and faith will not bring you a better life or a higher status, Baron." Astaire was still disdainful. "Times have changed, old antique. You should live for yourself."
"I've lived long enough." Lopes put down his bowl and spoon. The baron turned around and looked at the half-elf with disdain. "I went from being the son of a lord of Nord to becoming a hereditary peer baron, bringing glory to my family, getting married and having children. Are you still not satisfied?"
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, you're very satisfied. Satisfied to the point that you want to die!" Astaire thought that he could not get through to this idiotic human.
"A generation can only do what a generation can do." Lopes shook his head. "While I can still hold my halberd, I have to leave something behind in this world. Otherwise, I will be forgotten. Death is not scary. Yurick will embrace my soul and take me to the kingdom of the wolf god. Astaire, if you only think about yourself, you wouldn't have come to the Evil Lands. I think you have plenty of excuses not to come on the expedition. Am I right?"
"Enough! Forgotten by everyone! You have a family, a coat of arms, and a title. How can you be forgotten? " Astaire threw the bowl on the ground, spilling the stew and soup. The half-elf stood up with an agitated expression. "What do you know? Do you know what it means to be a half-elf? In the eyes of humans, he is an elf. In the eyes of elves, he is a human! Everyone thinks that he is not one of them. Everyone thinks that he is biased towards his race! "
The half-elf's anger came and went quickly. He looked at the broken bowl, took a deep breath, and sat down again. "Sorry, this has nothing to do with you."
"So, we understand each other?" Lopes said with a cold smile.
"Kind of." Astaire nodded.
"It seems that this lunch has to be stopped. Let's make a promise." Lopes picked up the pieces on the ground. "Astaire, when this expedition is over, let's go back to Brittany and have a good meal together."
"Okay, let's make a promise!"
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