Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 135 Clouds and Mist, Iron Wall, Autumn Wind, Nightfall
War is a continuation of politics.

The wars between small countries are often just embers on the chessboard of large countries.

Sometimes, even if neither party wants to fight, they have no choice but to fight.

The common people have their own hardships and displacements, and the lords have their own constraints and limitations.

September is the traditional harvest season on the mainland. However, for most farmers in the kingdom who struggle in the fields all year round, this September is definitely not a good month.

The town's tax officials, with bellies the size of women about to give birth, and under the still scorching sun, came to the fields where harvesting was in full swing, bent down with difficulty, and picked up an ear of wheat.

The accompanying tax collectors immediately seized the opportunity to lift up the shimmering magic crystal and record this touching scene in the kingdom with magical images.

"Is it all engraved?"

"It's all done, it's all done, sir. Look at your vigorous and heroic figure, you are like a celestial being. We subordinates are truly ashamed..."

The tax official scrutinized the image in the crystal with narrowed eyes, and after a long while, he finally let out a satisfied "hmm" through his nose.

When the magical image was put down and the person turned around, they were wearing an iron mask.

"The city lord has ordered that the autumn grain tax be paid in full within three days, and that one out of every three able-bodied men from each household must serve the city lord!"

"Hurry up, all of you! If you delay the city lord's business, don't blame us for being merciless with our swords!"

Yes, when the harvest season arrives, the kingdom has abundant food and manpower, and the war that was not finished before will continue.

Once a century of peace is broken and the wound is reopened, it will not heal so easily. The prelude to a new round of continental annexation wars has been set in motion. The ceasefire agreement temporarily reached under the auspices of the two major powers is known to all parties to be a worthless piece of paper.

If either side is ready for war, the flames of war will immediately reignite.

The Green Pine Kingdom, sharpening its knives and preparing to launch an attack, knew this, as did the Emerald Duchy, which was on high alert and ready to meet the attack.

In the autumn of 1427, the armies of the two countries facing each other across the Newper River broke out into a small-scale local conflict because of a magical fireball that flew in from an unknown place.

Before the interrogation letter even reached the Lord's manor in the Clouds, the Green Pine forces had already begun a large-scale river crossing operation.

It must be said that the loss of the Crystal River defense line was a painful blow to the Emerald side.

Having lost a major river defense line, they could only retreat to a tributary. The enemy could build boats and practice crossing the Crystal River with impunity, then sail upstream along the river's intersections, turning the Newport River into a smooth road.

With the loss of natural defenses, troops from the three territories of the Green Pine Kingdom crossed the Newper River in succession and launched a siege on the city, as if everything was a replay of the war that had just taken place.

It's just that yesterday it was Nanguan Territory, and today it's Yunwu Territory.

However, the military strength of Yunwu Territory is completely different from that of Nanguan Territory.

The taxes in the Earl of Liuyun's territory are less than half the average level in the surrounding area, and the levies and corvée labor for the people are also relatively friendly.

During the decades the Earl ruled the territory, a large number of refugees poured into this fertile plain to cultivate the land. As a result, even though the exploitation of his people was limited, the strength of Cloud Mist Territory was significantly higher than that of the surrounding areas.

The same applies to the fighting strength and morale of the troops. Wherever the Earl's longsword points, the warriors of the Cloud Mist, like beasts that have smelled their prey, shout and roar as they charge into battle!
As soon as the war began, Earl Liuyun, who had made preparations in advance, immediately led his army south and fought three consecutive head-on battles with the enemy near the Twin Towers Fortress, crushing the invading Green Pine Left Route Army.

With their flanks breached, Green Pine's central group had to halt their offensive and regroup their defense.

Meanwhile, Earl Liuyun made a show of launching a major attack on the Green Pine Central Army. After using his Griffin Knights to cover up the enemy's long-range battlefield reconnaissance, he marched for two days and nights and then directly stabbed the Green Pine Right Army, which was besieging Violet City, in the flank.

With one casualty and one wounded among the three armies, the Green Pine Central Route Group had no choice but to shrink its lines and establish a static defense in place.

In just half a month, Earl Liuyun's fame soared, and the name "Iron Wall of Clouds and Mist" resounded throughout the southern kingdoms.

In contrast to the jubilation throughout the Emerald Duchy, Lord Cloud Mist, Earl of Flowing Cloud, was deeply worried, staring at the map every day, searching for any possible opportunities and loopholes.

Vulnerabilities are the enemy's opportunities.

Earl Liuyun, who is adept at exploiting the enemy's weaknesses, is always most worried about the enemy seizing an opportunity.

"Father, you're too tired. You need to rest. Your body can't take it if you keep going like this!"

The speaker was Liu Chuan, the third son of Earl Liu Yun, the deputy commander of the camp, and a ducal baron.

According to the custom of the nobility, apart from the male descendants of the royal family and kings being called Your Highness, the children of dukes or barons can all be called Prince.

Since Earl Liuyun is personally leading the battle this time, the first heir must remain in Cloudmist City to prevent any unforeseen events from happening to the Earl while he is away.

The second heir was arranged by Earl Liuyun to go to the capital of the Emerald Duchy to seek help, which was, in a way, a backup plan.

In the unlikely event that the entire territory is destroyed, at least the Emerald Duchy can retain a "Cloud Mist Territory Exiled Lord" to await a possible glimmer of hope in the future.

Therefore, the ones who went out to fight with the Earl were the third, sixth, and seventh sons.

He took the cup of tea his son handed him and drank it all in one gulp.

"I can't rest!"

“The enemy can make ten mistakes, a hundred mistakes. If they lose here, they can retreat across the New Per River. If they lose again on the other side of the New Per River, they can retreat across the Crystal River.”

"But we can't afford to lose a single game. If we lose even one, the enemy's fireballs will be raining down on the walls of Cloud Mist City."

“Your mother and brothers are all there!”

Having fought alongside his father for many years, Rukawa naturally understood the situation: the weak often faced this helplessness when confronted by the strong.

Every time you bet, you're risking your entire fortune, while your opponent only loses a little money, then immediately throws in double the chips, forcing you to gamble with your life savings.

The biggest difference between war and gambling is that war is more technologically advanced.

“Father, I don’t understand why Qiyue just watches us get beaten and lose territory by territory without coming to our aid?”

"Are we just going to stand by and watch South Pass disappear, Cloud Mist disappear, and the Emerald Kingdom disappear?"

"Is the loyalty of these vassal states worthless in their eyes?"

Seeing his son's surging anger and indignation, Earl Liuyun shook his head helplessly.

"The Qiyue Dynasty has been around for too long. Just like the sky back then, it's old, wooden, and its arms and legs have become stiff."

"Think about it, how many years has it been since Qiyue produced a pioneering knight who has established a foothold in the region? Fresh blood isn't coming in! Kids who want to make a name for themselves with swords and spears will never rise to the top!" "Above the dynasty are a bunch of old guys. They don't have to do anything. They're just hereditary dukes and marquises. Who would want to fight a war?"

"Therefore, when faced with war, they always try to negotiate and resolve it peacefully first!"

"What's the big deal about losing one or two territories, or even one or two duchies, to the Qiyue Dynasty?"

"But Father!" Baron Rukawa slammed his hand heavily on the top of the map, making a sharp cracking sound. "Why doesn't Wuyue have this problem? And why is it still waging war against other countries?"

"No, Wuyue has one too, and it's a bigger problem than Qiyue. They're old bastards dressed as charlatans. What wise decisions do you expect them to make?"

Seemingly a little tired, Earl Liuyun leaned back in his chair, and the Third Young Master leaned over and gently massaged his father's arms.

"There are two reasons why Wuyue is still actively provoking wars. First, they face less external pressure than Qiyue."

"Back then, the Moon Alliance rebelled against the rule of the Sky Empire and drove the Sky Empire's forces west of the Dragon's Spine. This region was then divided up by more than a dozen countries, large and small, led by the Moon and the Mist Moon."

"As the two leading forces, they have a division of labor: the Qiyue Dynasty is stationed on the western front, facing the counterattack of the Tianqiong Empire; while the Wuyue Divine Court guards the eastern frontier, resisting the invasion of the wasteland beast tide."

"Now you see, the Sky Dome is always thinking about returning to the center of the continent, but the orcs, ever since the Misty Moon abandoned the White Deer Plain, the orcs and the Misty Moon have not fought a war for more than a hundred years."

"Right now, it is us small countries caught in the middle who are suffering from the plundering of the orcs, the constant pressure from the Mist Moon Divine Court, and the endless harassment from the greedy vassals under Mist Moon."

"As for Qiyue, half of its main force is guarding the sky in the west, and the other half is guarding against Wuyue. It's not surprising that their support for countries like ours is always late."

After finishing punching one side, Rukawa switched to the other, continuing to ask, "Then... what's the other reason?"

"Another reason is that the higher-ups of Bulwark are completely in cahoots with the dwarves, and the dwarves have been able to profoundly influence Bulwark's decision-making."

The mention of dwarfs seemed to evoke some unpleasant memories for Earl Liuyun, and his voice became somewhat shrill: "Those guys who couldn't even reach my crotch on tiptoe, they were too greedy!"

"They want to turn every area they can influence into a slaughterhouse where they can exploit every last drop of blood."

"Do you believe it or not?" The count suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at his son: "If I just grant those dwarfs the right to operate casinos and loan sharking businesses on my territory, those guys on the other side will immediately back down and even have to happily invite me to dinner!"

Rukawa looked up several times, hesitating to speak, but finally couldn't help but ask, "Then... Father, the territory is already in such a state, why... why can't we do that?"

"Don't think nonsense about my child!" Lord Cloud stroked Liuchuan's hair with his hand: "Dwarfs are a bunch of parasites who can possess other people. If you let them in, you will either become one of them or watch them drain you and your territory dry."

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. If you don't understand politics, don't get involved in these things."

"Let your older brother and the others worry about these dirty political struggles."

The father and son chatted for quite a while longer.

The flickering candlelight inside the tent reflected the deep sorrow on the count's brow and the jagged battle lines on the map.

Rukawa silently and gently tapped and pounded, from his father's tense arms to his stiff thighs and calves.

Only when Earl Liuyun's heavy snoring filled the tent did the young baron carefully tuck the thin blanket around his father, tiptoe out, and disappear into the shadows of the camp.

Back in his tent, a voice eagerly greeted him: "Young master, has the Earl agreed?"

Rukawa sat down without a word, and remained in a daze for a while before shaking his head under the expectant gaze of his adjutant.

“I don’t know if my father sensed something. Before I could say anything, he brought up the matter of the Fog Moon and the Dwarf.”

"He said that it was absolutely unacceptable to work with dwarfs."

"My father also said that if something sways in the wind without roots, it will eventually be uprooted easily..."

Upon hearing this, the adjutant's face was filled with undisguised disappointment, but soon, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he began his final persuasion.

"The Earl is determined to drag the entire territory down with the corrupt duchy. Surely you, young master, can't be so blind to this?"

"The East Gate Territory is finished, the South Gate Territory is finished, and the Cloud Mist Territory will also be finished. This is the general trend, and it cannot be changed."

"The Duchy of Emerald won't last more than a few days. By then, even if there is an exiled heir to the title, would it be you?"

Rukawa clutched his head in anguish: "No, I can't betray my father!"

"No, how can this be betrayal? Mist Moon is willing to make you a promise. As long as you agree to a few small conditions, Cloud Mist Territory will still be Cloud Mist Territory, and your family will still be the rulers of Cloud Mist Territory!"

"Most importantly, you will become the new Lord of the Clouds."

"No, my father raised me for so long, I can't let him down!"

"Your territory was shattered, becoming someone else's pasture; your family was destroyed, becoming slaves to your enemies. This is the true betrayal of your family."

"What your father did was what destroyed the family."

"Aren't you saving them? Saving a crumbling territory and a family on the verge of death. Think about it, your ancestors are watching you, my lord!"

"Death means becoming a handful of dust unknown to anyone, your loved ones being humiliated and trampled by enemies! Or will you continue to carry on the glory of your family, becoming a great lord, a true ruler, or even... a monarch?"

These words, like the whispers of a demon, echoed in his ears, relentlessly pounding on his soul, causing Rukawa to tremble slightly. At one point, the young general raised his head, his eyes already bloodshot.

"If... if I accept, what will happen to my father? Can... can his life be saved?"

The adjutant finally let out a long sigh of relief.

The very act of asking this question foreshadowed the outcome; this young nobleman was merely looking for a way to justify his final, descent into depravity.

"Of course! My lord!"

The adjutant's voice instantly became obsequious and fervent, and he knelt on one knee, performing an exaggerated salute of allegiance.

"From this moment forward, you are the supreme ruler of Cloud Mist Territory! The life, death, honor, and disgrace of everyone on this land are all in your hands! Your father, the Earl, is naturally included as well."

Rukawa stood up and stared blankly at his palm.

The long autumn wind swept across the misty military camps outside Violet City, causing the firelight, near and far, to flicker and sway. Occasionally, the hooting of a few owls carried far and wide through the silent night, sending a chill down one's spine.

(End of this chapter)