Chapter 119 : Pre-battle Maneuvers

Pre-battle Maneuvers

With the victory in battle, Serea had obtained the intelligence she wanted.

The Empire had dispatched a total of 550 soldiers. Nearly 250 had ventured deep into the jungle, dividing into five teams. The camp outside the jungle served as their headquarters, where 300 were stationed.

After receiving the order to assemble, the soldiers inside the jungle had already begun converging toward the first squad.

As for the assembly point...

The Elf village!

Humans arrogantly intended to use the Elf village as a springboard for their advance. With its walls to protect their safety and the Spring of Life able to cleanse the plague afflicting them, as long as they occupied the Elf village, their operation would become much smoother.

As for what would happen to those Elves who were expelled once the village was taken?

What did that matter to them? They were just some long-eared aliens. This was the Eastern Continent—the realm of humanity. When dealing with such barbarian non-humans, they did not need to care; in fact, killing them was no different from killing monsters.

This was the state of affairs everyone on the Eastern Continent acknowledged; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many non-human intelligent races banding together for mutual protection, forming united tribes like Tawu Ishihara.

But for now, those foolish humans still did not know what kind of existence they had truly provoked...

"There are about 170 enemy soldiers left. By the time we reach the Elf village, I estimate they will have already assembled."

"So they've already gathered at the Elf village, have they? Heh, excellent. Didn't they want the Spring of Life? Then I'll let them drink their fill!"

As Serea spoke, an insidious smile appeared on her face!

"So you're the 'Queen Serea' my dad mentioned? You really are quite impressive."

The speaker was a gray-haired wolf-girl.

"Auna, mind your manners."

"Mm, I was only saying hello."

The voice caught Serea's attention. Looking at the father and daughter standing together, Serea could hardly believe that this beast-eared young girl before her was actually Aruka's daughter—and his biological child at that!

Character: Auna, bloodthirsty Fangs (Half-werewolf, junior wolf rider, Epic)

Level: 23

Status: Good

Spirit: B

Strength: A

Agility: C

Endurance: C

Physique: B

Charm: A

Luck: C

Skills: ..., shattering Rock Slash (Second tier), bloodline Awakening: Werewolf (Third tier)

Description: Father is a werewolf, mother is human. The union of the two produced such a beautiful and powerful half-werewolf. But remember, do not be deceived by her appearance.

A half-werewolf? That meant Auna's mother was human.

Thinking of Aruka's 2.3-meter height and comparing it to the delicate build of a human woman...

The image was too much for the imagination.

But judging from Auna's delicate appearance, her mother must have been a beautiful woman. However, Serea had never heard anything about Aruka's wife.

But there was no point in thinking about that now. Looking at the dozen or so werewolves present, Serea slightly bowed.

"Thank you for helping my people. As the Queen, I express my gratitude to you. I will forever remember what you have done for us."

Serea spoke sincerely.

If it weren't for Aruka and the others appearing in time, the Darkmoon clan might have suffered enormous losses.

And for every Elf lost now, it meant one less potential powerful blood elf subordinate like Lola or Dorulu. Such a loss would be irreparable—Serea did not believe she could find another Elves for use in evolving more blood elves.

To Serea's words of thanks, Aruka scratched his head and replied.

"Ahahaha, we're all friends of the great forest. If we want to survive here, we must help each other."

"Mhm."

Auna nodded in agreement. Hearing this, Serea responded.

"Is that so? Then I will remember those words. And please be assured, I will provide you all with a safe refuge to survive this undead outbreak. Consider it my way of showing gratitude."

Serea spoke, and at this Aruka seemed to realize something.

"Er... a safe home? Queen Serea, you don't mean to take back the village, do you?!"

"Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do."

Serea replied, and at this Aruka's expression changed.

"I wouldn't advise that. This is the Eastern Continent—provoking humans will bring about their crazy retaliation. I think, Your Majesty, it's better for you to take your people and leave with us. Elsewhere, we can build a new home together."

To this suggestion, Serea smiled and replied.

"I appreciate your kindness. If the day truly comes when I must flee, I'll do so. But for now, I must reclaim what's rightfully mine!"

"But the human soldiers are too numerous and their equipment far superior. If we counterattack, it'll certainly be a bitter fight."

"As for that..."

With those words, Serea looked into the distance, muttering to herself.

"What a coincidence, my troops have arrived."

"Sha-sha-sha!"

It sounded like the autumn wind rustling through the leaves, and, turning their heads, they saw a strange glow from the soul flames flickering in the deep, dark jungle.

The skeletons moved as one through the woods. Their attributes were too low for fast movement, but their numbers more than made up for their shortcomings.

Nearly a hundred!

Aruka estimated this number, then muttered to himself.

"So that's how it is..."

The werewolves and Elves were all stunned. When the skeletons arrived, they formed a protective circle around Serea and the others, letting out guttural howls to greet their Queen.

Looking at these skeletons, Aruka thought for a moment and then said,

"It seems Her Majesty has prepared well. These are all fine warriors."

"I never fight a battle unprepared."

"Hahaha, then let us join as well, though we probably can't help much."

Aruka spoke, and at this, Serea was a little surprised, but then she declined.

"There's no need. You still have your own people to protect. I don't wish to drag you into this fight."

But as soon as she said that, Aruka immediately objected.

"What do you mean by that? Don't forget, her Majesty has promised us a safe haven to survive this catastrophe. If we can't even offer this small help, what right do we have to accept the Queen's help?"

Aruka insisted, and Auna did not stop him—it seemed she tacitly approved of her thick-skinned father.

At this, Serea showed a delighted smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Very well, I accept your assistance. I believe that, in the future, you'll feel 'proud' of this decision."

Serea spoke these words. As for why...

In Tawu Ishihara, the 'non-humans' had united against the humans, inspiring Serea. Since they could do it, why couldn't she?

To create a powerful tribe, united by multiple races!

But for now, that was a distant objective. The immediate priority was to deal with the humans occupying the Elf village.

"My warriors will handle the main assault. Chief Aruka and Lola's people will cover us. Is that acceptable?"

"At your command, Your Majesty."

"Leave it to us."

Lola and Aruka promised.

"Excellent. Then let's get ready to move. But before that, I need to send them a little gift."

As she spoke, Serea opened the Blood Well's building management. At this moment there were still some fresh blood crystals reserved for producing Blood Spring (purification).

But this time, those blood crystals would have a different use...

They liked to drink, did they? Then she'd let them drink their fill!

System: Consume blood crystals to produce 'Blood Spring (corrosion)'?

"Yes!"

After finishing everything, gazing at the forest shrouded in night, Serea gave the order.

"Move out!"

(To be continued...)