Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 187 Helpless to Bow Down and Kneel: All-Round Firepower Strike

After listening to the other party's explanation, which involved a lot of gestures, Bai Xu fell into deep thought. Overall, the conditions for opening the conch shell were actually quite reasonable.

"Shadow Claw" deployed no fewer than a thousand soldiers, who were placed under the command of Conch Mouth and carried out combat operations according to the enemy's orders.

It seems absurd—taking away command of thousands of my soldiers right off the bat—but considering the subsequent conditions, it suddenly becomes incredibly tempting.

The other party will provide all supplies during the operation, including food, lodging and living necessities.

For certain outrageous orders, such as ordering cat orc warriors to directly charge the otter orc camp, the Shadowclaw troops are entitled to refuse to carry them out, await the results of communication between the two leaders, and ultimately the orders of the cat tribe itself shall prevail.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xu even suspected that the other party was trying to lure his thousand soldiers out and then kill them.

Or, take your main force with you and then send someone to raid your main camp?

Otherwise, why would they offer such generous terms?

Just as Bai Xu was filled with doubt and uncertainty, the other party presented the subsequent terms one by one, plunging him into complete confusion.

Once the two sides reach an agreement, Hailuokou will first pay the "Shadowclaw" tribe an advance payment containing a large amount of food and weapons, and this amount will continue to increase later.

The total amount promised by the other party, after a rough estimate, is equivalent to "Shadowclaw's" current income for two and a half years. Even if it is only the first phase, it is enough for the "Shadowclaw" tribe to smoothly get through this difficult period in the future.

Another cat-tribe captain, somewhat straightforward, couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to give it to us first? Aren't you afraid we'll take the goods and then not send any troops?"

Centaur Baoguo chuckled.

"We're preparing to wipe out the Otter-Boar Orcs. Do you think we could take out one more swindler tribe while we're at it?"

The cat-like beastmen were speechless for a moment.

Other conditions for Hailuokou included that after the first cooperation was completed, the "Shadow Claw" tribe would be guaranteed to receive the area under its control at its peak, which was all the land from the rocky mountains to the alluvial plain along the riverbank.

If the cat warriors perform exceptionally well in the war, they can also gain additional land or abundant resources.

After the Otter-Boar Beastmen were defeated, the Cat Beastmen could choose to continue cooperating with Conch Mouth if they wanted, or go their separate ways if they didn't.

In addition, the other party will also purchase the cat tribe's products, slaves or other spoils of war on a long-term basis, and can also continuously provide the "Shadowclaw" tribe with food, weapons and living supplies.

"However, please remember, White-bearded Chief, there is one thing that cannot be changed!"

"No matter what, your department must always confirm to the outside world that the attack on 'Rotten Swamp' was initiated and completed by 'Shadow Claw' alone, and that we at Conch Mouth merely rented that land from your department's spoils of war."

As the negotiations concluded, Bai Xu instructed his guards to escort the other party to rest, then turned his gaze to the tribe's elders and chieftains.

This bizarre event, seemingly as if a fat fish had fallen from the sky, was so captivating that no one in the tribe could bear to refuse, nor dared to agree.

In the end, it was the eldest son of the white-bearded man who couldn't help but step forward first.

"Father! Please agree to their request!"

"We may never encounter such conditions and opportunities again. We'll decide whether to cooperate with them after we receive the first batch of food and weapons!"

The tribe's shaman slammed the ancestral staff heavily on the ground and sneered, "You're thinking too simply. Others aren't fools. If they dare to give it to us, it means they're absolutely certain of success."

"Once we take over the goods from Hailuokou, we must send troops, even if it means becoming cannon fodder for others. You must be prepared for this."

The other elder let out a bitter sigh.

"What's the point of all this arguing? Do you really think we have any choice in this situation?"

The communication lasted all night. As dawn broke, the group of leaders, their eyes bloodshot, finally made a decision.

promise!

It must be admitted that the Shadowclaw tribe's decision-making speed was top-notch.

Whitebeard, representing the cat-like orcs, gave a definite reply, expressing his willingness to cooperate with Conch Mouth and stating that he had already begun selecting troops.

"As your unit's first batch of supplies arrives, our brave soldiers will immediately descend the mountain."

The cat leader tried to make his voice sound calm and composed, but the slightly trembling tip of his tail betrayed his inner excitement and unease.

As a result, the other party gave him a completely unexpected answer.

"We can give you some supplies first to fully express our sincerity, but whether we need your troops or not, we'll have to wait and see."

wait? What are you waiting for?
Of course, we'll wait for the results of the first option.

The second plan was originally a backup plan for the first plan, but it was implemented in tandem with Lord Chen Mo's idea of ​​saturation execution.

According to the order of precedence, if the first plan succeeds and successfully creates conflict within the Otter-Boar Orcs, then the second plan will not be initiated at all.

Although the other party did not say it explicitly, when the first batch of supplies actually arrived, seeing the mountains of food and the brand-new weapons gleaming with a cold light, "Shadow Claw" became completely desperate.

In the minds of the cat-like orcs, they were the weakest of the four surrounding tribes, and if they were to choose a partner, they would definitely not choose themselves.

The fact that the other party is acting this way clearly means they have other options, and I'm just a backup plan... Oh, in the Starry World, there's no such thing as a backup plan; perhaps it could be called a spare wheel.

What were the feelings of being looked down upon, humiliated, and mocked that you had before?

No, that doesn't matter. What's rising in my mind now is a deeper fear.

If Conch Harbor really reaches an agreement with other tribes, then the Shadowclaw tribe will have no value left to be exploited!
"We can't wait any longer!" The white-bearded chieftain made the final decision to the tribe's elders in a trembling voice.

"We must...we must show more sincerity! Otherwise...otherwise it will be too late!"

Then, the situation completely reversed.

The white-bearded leader and the high-ranking members of "Shadow Claw" spent all their time at the conch mouth mission.

"This is my eldest son, this is my youngest son, and this is my youngest daughter!"

"I only have these three children, and I am willing to send them to your tribe as hostages to express our sincerity!"

"Your Excellency, our brave warriors have descended the mountain and are engaged in battle with the riverbank guards of the Otter-Headed Beastmen. This is the beast head we slew the day before yesterday, just brought back. Please take a look, Your Excellency!" "This is the newest magical beast we hunted from Qishan. I wonder if Your Excellency's team has any dietary restrictions?"

"We have just received important intelligence: a mysterious force attacked a patrol of the Otterboar Orcs in the west, and the Otterboar Orcs are mobilizing their forces to search for them!"

"..."

From a psychological perspective, in a collaboration lacking a foundation of trust, if the other party is overly concerned, the other party will often become suspicious and pretentious; conversely, if the other party appears indifferent, it will greatly increase the credibility of the collaboration.

That's how the strategy of feigning indifference to lure someone into a trap came about.

Faced with the increasingly expectant gazes of the Whitebeard and the Shadowclaw tribe leaders, Bao Guo also felt immense pressure, but he could only continue reporting to the temporary command and await the lord's instructions.

Finally, the reply arrived.

To ensure the obedience of the troops at the front, Bai Xu entrusted the affairs of the tribe to the council of elders and personally went down the mountain with 1,300 carefully selected warriors. Following the conch mouth team, they quietly crossed the river and entered the territory controlled by the otter-headed beastmen.

Here, they met younger officers from the Vast Ocean Territory and received mission orders from the "Shadow Claw" tribe.

There was no expected bugle call to charge, no brutal attack on the stronghold.

The young human officer unfolded a finely drawn map and drew circles on several points.

"There are three main tasks assigned to your department."

"First, at the designated time, announce to the public that because of the long-term oppression of you by the 'Rotten Swamp' tribe, you will launch a war of revenge at all costs!"

"Don't worry, there's no need to fear that others will take the opportunity to attack you. By the time you issued this announcement, the war should have already ended."

The white-bearded man silently stroked his beard.

Now I know why this group, without a single minotaur in sight, can be considered subordinates of the Thunder Bluff minotaurs—they're all masters of boasting! No wonder the old minotaurs of Thunder Bluff like them…”

"Second, occupy these key intersections and core high ground, and intercept any Otter-Headed Orcs attempting to escape from the 'Rotten Swamp' stronghold. Don't let a single one escape. We will have reconnaissance teams to cooperate with your various units, providing timely alerts and reporting the number of enemy troops that may be escaping and their escape directions. What you need to do is to completely trap them in this circle!"

"Third, establish a cordon to cut off the spying of other tribes. Whether it's 'Stubborn Rock' or 'Raised Horn,' fight them or kill them if necessary. In short, do not allow their scouts to cross this red line!"

"If you discover a large number of other tribal forces that your warriors cannot handle, immediately report to our reconnaissance team, and they will tell you how to deal with it!"

The white-bearded man looked completely bewildered.

We've mobilized so many people just for this?

"correct!"

The young legion marked an "X" on the map, north of the "Rotten Swamp" stronghold, along the path connecting the Blackmouth Tribe to the west side of the swamp.

"You don't need to worry about the north; we'll handle that ourselves!"

"Do you have any other questions?"

What other problems could there be?
Having completed the troop deployment as requested, Whitebeard was filled with suspicion. So, he led a few guards with strong stealth abilities and made his way towards the inner perimeter of the Otter-Boar Orcs. On the morning of the agreed-upon attack, he strained his eyes to see the "Rotten Swamp" camp on the distant high ground in the dim light of the rising sun.

The wooden fence and watchtowers surrounding the camp were faintly visible in the mist, and the figures of patrolling soldiers could be vaguely discerned. Everything seemed as usual... peaceful?
Then, almost without warning, flames erupted from the "Rotten Swamp" stronghold.

The white-bearded man suddenly opened his eyes wide, his pupils turning into vertical lines.

Dense, dozens or even hundreds of thin, white contrails appeared in the sky. At the top of the contrails were tiny black dots, their movements barely perceptible to the naked eye, falling precisely towards the "Rotten Swamp" camp with the force of thunder!

Because the Rotten Swamp camp not only contained Otter-boar orcs, but also a large area where humans were gathered, Lord Chen Mo carefully considered his options and chose to start with precision-strike missiles.

Try not to cause too much harm to human civilians.

Regardless, this was a battle where the outnumbered were fighting the superior forces. To ensure the effectiveness of the attack, the Han Hai Territory set up three fire positions: long-range, medium-range, and close-range.

The long-range [Guardian] series loitering munitions will take off ahead of schedule and attack the Otter-Headed Orcs' central banner, council hall, command center, and key military camps with the highest positioning and strike accuracy.

The mid-range attack positions are launched by the [Hidden Arrow] multi-functional missile system, with the target being a blanket strike on possible orc garrison areas, armories, camp watchtowers, and outer perimeter defenses.

Close-range firepower consists of sniper rifles, automatic grenade launchers, and other light and heavy weapons, which simultaneously launch concentrated attacks on the two flank defensive outposts of the "Rotten Swamp" tribe from both sides.

The Guardian's loitering missiles flew first, followed by the Hidden Arrows, and the grenades were fired last. After the timing was perfect, they all fell on the heads of the Otter-Boar Orcs at almost the same time.

The white-bearded man suddenly stood up. He no longer cared about revealing their presence; he just wanted to see more clearly.

Under the incredulous gazes of the cat-like beastmen, the walls, buildings, fences, and watchtowers of the distant "Rotten Swamp" camp... were crushed and torn apart like toys by an invisible giant hand, amidst the soaring flames and thick smoke.

Fragments mixed with mud, along with the orc's body and some other indistinct, messy things, were thrown high into the air during the impact, flying several meters or even tens of meters away!
This was just the first wave of attacks! The once imposing and vast orc camp was instantly transformed into a burning, chaotic hell, utterly shrouded in death and fear!

next moment--

Boom! Boom boom boom boom!!!
The deafening, continuous explosions slowly approached.

The time discrepancy between what the eyes see and what the ears hear due to the distance adds an eerie sense of delay to the battlefield. Whitebeard and the cat warriors around him stared wide-eyed and gaped, their minds blank!
After an unknown amount of time, the tremors of the earth slowly began to spread.

In reality, the entire process only took a dozen seconds, but this scene, which resembled a natural disaster, seemed to freeze the cat-like beastmen's minds, making time seem incredibly long and distant.

One of the first cat warriors to wake up screamed, "Thunderstorm! They've summoned the thunderstorms of Thunder Wasteland!"

However, his voice was completely inaudible amidst the continuous roaring sound.

The flames continued, the explosions continued, and the sounds continued.

High above in the heavens, Penglai coldly and precisely watches, guiding and directing this destructive feast.

The white-bearded man on the hilltop felt icy cold all over, and his hands and feet were trembling slightly uncontrollably.

He finally understood what Conch Harbor's words, "We don't need you to fight this battle," meant.

This is not a war at all.

This is just a performance!!!
(End of this chapter)