Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 242 Tenacious Confrontation, Super Reversal, Shattered Cage
"Elder, the incitement from 'Light Song' is getting stronger and stronger, and many 'Restoration Party' elves are now in a state of hesitation."

"Elder, Angus's troops have entered the inner ring!"

"Elder, Colleen rejected our proposal. I have done my best, but I can only gain the support of sixteen people."

"Elder, what should we do?"

"Does this really mean we must let blood stain the Silvermoon Forest?"

Iona, who was squatting in the shooting range watching the guards practice with compound bows, slowly stood up, gently brushed the dew off the arrow rack beside her, and revealed an elegant smile on her face.

"Are there still so many stubborn people? They're all on my side?"

The standard membership of the Silvermoon Elders Council is 66 people. The neutral "Stargazers" are a small group, usually consisting of only nine to ten people. The remaining 50-plus seats are the space for the "Restoration Party" and the "Watchers" to compete for.

However, judging from the current situation, the "Restoration Party" only has so few die-hard supporters left, and this time it is going to be a complete failure.

Ysera stared blankly at the Grand Elder's still captivating smile, her eyes filled with confusion. Had the Grand Elder gone mad? Or...?
"Ysera, do you remember the feeling of galloping across the Crystal Plains when you were young?"

Isera paused for a moment, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

"I remember... the wind whistling in my ears, the sunlight shining all over my body, the sky right above my head, an unobstructed, free direction."

"Yes, freedom."

Iona looked up at the sky, which was fragmented by the layers of tree canopy.

"These young kids nowadays always think we old folks are using and deceiving them, completely forgetting that the forest is just a prison! If we fail this time, from now on, no one will remember the elven capital!"

"Therefore, we must work hard!"

On the night of the full moon, the bright moon, like a silver plate, hangs high in the sky, its cool light turning the vast dome and spiraling staircase of the Eternal Court into a silvery white.

The early convening of the Silvermoon Elders' Conference took place in the central hall of the Eternal Court. The air was slightly stagnant, and the exchanged glances were filled with vigilance and hostility, creating an atmosphere of impending conflict.

Taking advantage of her position as the chief elder, Iona made a final attempt to persuade and mobilize her compatriots.

"The Elven race has been decadent for too long; many of you have forgotten the glory of the Moon!"

"Those who truly desecrate the glory of the Elven ancestors are you cowards who are willing to rot in the shadows of the trees! Those who truly sever the future of the Elves are you shortsighted people who only care about immediate peace and have no backbone!"

The Grand Elder's voice suddenly rose, as if carrying the grief and resolute anger accumulated over hundreds of years: "Do you still remember the vastness of the Crystal Plains under the sunlight? Do you still remember the shimmering waves of the Lake of Shattered Dreams? Do you still remember the tragic battle fought by the Moon Elf royal family to cover the retreat when the royal city fell? Do you still remember the complete annihilation of the Darkmoon Guard and the loss of one-tenth of the Silvermoon Guard!"

“Those are our dearest relatives, our children, and also your parents and your brothers!”

"Their blood was spilled on that land of the elves, their corpses scattered into the mud, gazing northward day after day!"

"But they never saw us arrive!"

Iona's gaze was almost tangible, sweeping across faces that were moved, indifferent, or evasive.

"And you, constantly saying you don't want war? What's the use of that? Is war something we can fight whenever we want, or something we can simply avoid?"

"Currently, the two sides of Silvermoon Forest are still scattered human kingdoms, fighting each other and constantly merging! If we watch them gradually achieve unification, and wait until the humans have forged their staffs and swords, how long can Silvermoon Forest, this last barrier, protect the elves?"

"A hundred years? Fifty years? Or... just today?"

"The fate of the elves must be in our own hands. What we need are weapons, not 'Moon Spring' or 'Source Essence'!"

These words touched some of the elves, and the atmosphere in the hall began to become heavy.

At this critical juncture, Lillian Light Song, the leader of the "Watchmen," took up the banner of counterattack.

“Aiona, I used to respect you. I respected the blood you shed for the elves and the contributions you made to protecting the Silver Moon.”

"But scars cannot be your capital to forever stand above the elves!"

"Fire out? With what? With those messy, spiderweb-like 'composite bows' you brought over?"

"Didn't you once teach us that spirit, will, and heritage are the essence of elves? When did our Grand Elder become a 'weapon-only' believer?"

Lillian had been preparing for a long time and came prepared. First, she weakened the value of the compound bow from the root, and then she attacked Iona herself.

An attack capable of inciting the emotions of a group of spirits with vested interests.

"You say what we need are weapons, not Moon Spring or Source Essence. Then, who has enjoyed the most Moon Dew over the past few centuries? Isn't it you?"

"Now that you're nearing the end of your life, it doesn't matter anymore. But what about the other elders? Without Moon Dew, will they wither and die like red maples under autumn frost, turning into old monsters with wrinkled faces like liches?"

This caused a slight commotion.

Lillian found an extremely fierce point of attack.

What is Moon Dew? It's the supreme skincare product of the Elven race!
The spring water, where the spiritual energy of the Silvermoon Forest converges, was first condensed by the elven priests into "Moon Spring," then purified by the Tree of Life into "Source Essence." The elven priests then performed a second refinement, resulting in two final products: one is the "Life" series, which heals injuries and cleanses chronic illnesses, and the other is the "Moon Dew" series, which protects youth and nourishes the complexion.

A skincare product that can make these hundreds-of-years-old elders in the council look as radiant as women in their late twenties or early thirties.

How powerful is this thing? For the Silver Moon Elders Council, which is predominantly female, especially older and more elderly women, [Moon Dew] is practically a divine artifact!
If you put [Elf King City] and [Eternal Youth] on opposite ends of a scale and offer them a choice, most men wouldn't hesitate at all, and most women wouldn't hesitate at all either!

And Lilan Light Song is right. The oldest, Aiona, is undoubtedly the elf who has used the [Moon Dew] series the most, without exception.

She didn't even bother with subtext or innuendo; she just blatantly tore off the facade of harmony. "You, Iona, are old, you're not going to make it. Even the best skincare products won't be able to save your face from getting wrinkled soon. But the rest of us are still in the prime of our youth."

Why should we use our faces and our blood to pay for your ambition to restore the old capital, especially when the hope of restoration is so slim?

The commotion in the Eternal Court gradually intensified. Aiona glanced deeply at Lilan, then at the various people in the arena with their different expressions and flickering eyes. She understood that even if she spoke her mind to Lin Hai today, she would not be able to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Iona turned and pushed open the gates of the Eternal Court, then turned and left with the elders who had followed her closely. A sudden war then broke out.

The moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, illuminated the Eternal Garden and its surrounding area with a cool and clear glow.

This once peaceful and serene elven sanctuary was now shattered by the clanging of swords being drawn, the hum of bowstrings vibrating, suppressed gasps, and furious roars.

Iona's Bloodstained Guard launched an attack.

This is a war with no suspense whatsoever.

Despite Lillian Light Song's side having made ample preparations for war, and despite the fact that Redwood Guard Captain Angus had mobilized three times the number of high-ranking warriors and archers of the Blood-Clad Guard, the "Watchers" suffered a crushing defeat in the brief battle for the Eternal Court.

They have the advantage in numbers, but they lack two things.

First of all, Aiona's Blood-Clad Guard consists of veterans and their descendants from the war to defend the Elven Kingdom. They have all seen blood and risked their lives, and at the very least, they are battle-hardened elites who have fought their way through countless mercenary missions. In contrast, the Red Tree Guard is just a group of highly trained professionals.

The second item is the compound bow. The reason Eona values ​​it so highly is because the compound bow's advantages over the traditional elven longbow are simply too great. This battle is like an adult wielding a sniper rifle fighting a doll with a matchlock gun; numbers are meaningless.

Moreover, the compound bow requires only a small amount of force to maintain its pre-firing state, allowing elven archers to maneuver with their bows fully drawn. The moment the two sides meet, the opponent will already see the enchanted arrow as swift as lightning.

Angus, the renowned captain of the Red Tree and the acknowledged successor to the Silvermoon Guard, couldn't even get within twenty paces of his opponent. He managed to parry a barrage of arrows, but he couldn't dodge the overwhelming barrage of shots imbued with enchantments like [Armor Piercing Edge], [Precision], and [Course Change]. He was pinned to the trunk of the giant tree, letting out a furious and desperate roar.

Just over twenty minutes later, Iona returned, back to the central hall of the Eternal Court.

The Bloodstained Guard had completely taken control of the scene. The soldiers carefully wiped away the remaining bloodstains, their long swords gleaming and illuminating the horrified, incredulous eyes of those present.

"Iona!!!"

The one who let out that heart-wrenching roar was none other than Lillian Light Song. This leader of the "Watchmen" had suffered at least three arrow wounds—one in her left shoulder, one in her right thigh, and two broken arrow shafts stuck in her waist. There was also a gash on her head, and blood stained her delicate face.

At this moment, she was bound tightly to the spot by more than a dozen magical vines emitting a pale green light, like a mother leopard caught in a trap, only able to futilely twist her body and let out a series of beast-like roars.

"Aiona! You despicable traitor! Attacking the Silvermoon Elder Council and slaughtering your own people! Is this your so-called 'restoration'? Is this the elven glory you've been talking about and touting for hundreds of years?!"

Iona walked expressionlessly towards the center of the hall, her gaze not even lingering on Lillian. Suddenly, a figure appeared, firmly blocking her path.

Colleen, second only to Iona in seniority in the entire council of elders, is equally respected and has always strived to maintain neutrality and balance among the elders.

"Enough! Iona!" Colleen's face was filled with grief and utter disappointment, and her outstretched arm trembled slightly with emotion.

"Look what you've done! To gain power with hands stained with the blood of your own kind? Is this the future you promised the Elven race? A chief elder built on the corpses of his own kind?"

"Wake up! Stop making the same mistakes! Once the precedent of seizing power with swords and violence is set, there will never be peace within the Elven race again! You kill me today, I kill you tomorrow, is this the restoration you desire?!"

This statement clearly resonated with many survivors. Not only did the neutral elders rise to their feet, their faces filled with a complex mix of fear and courage, and block Iona's path, but even within the "Restoration Party," those elders who were already hesitant about using force cast painful and disappointed glances at Iona.

Seeing this, Lillian Light Song was greatly encouraged, her voice piercing the night, growing ever more resounding: "Come on, if you have the guts, kill us all! The elves will never submit to your tyranny!"

As her movements became more and more intense, blood gushed from her wounds, staining her entire body of armor red. Her screams, a mixture of pain and pleasure, echoed throughout the hall.

"Ha! Iona! Do you see that? You can't beat me! Even if you kill us all, you still can't beat me!"

"With the blood of your own people staining the scepter, the Elven race will bear a wound that can never be healed! With that, you still think you can restore the Elven capital? Regain its former glory? Don't even dream about it!"

"You're nothing but a pathetic butcher, a madman indulging in old fantasies!"

The elves of the "Restoration Party" were somewhat confused.

They easily won the war, but the reality was completely different from what they had imagined.

There was no cheering, no surrender, only struggle, resistance, and accusations, each cry a lament of blood! It was as if they were the sinners who brought disaster and destruction.

An invisible moral pressure weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, and all eyes were on Iona.

The chief elder's face was very calm, with a slight weariness and a faint sadness.

Finally, Iona's ears twitched, as if she had heard something.

The elder took a deep breath, the cool night air of the forest filling her lungs. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every elf, carrying a heavy sigh that seemed to bear the weight of hundreds of years.

"Traitors...it's you!"

She clapped her hands gently!

A vast, gentle, and majestic aura of nature rippled out from the front gate of the Eternal Court like waves.

The aura was so pure and ancient that it caused a tremor in the souls of all the elves present, regardless of their affiliation. The chaotic hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to the enormous gate of the Eternal Court, which had somehow become entwined with fluorescent vines.

A figure slowly walked in, surrounded by several maids dressed in white priest's robes.

She wore a simple white linen dress, without any jewelry, her long, emerald-green hair flowing like moonlight, cascading casually down her back. Her serene face was expressionless, even her lake-like eyes remained undisturbed, carrying an ancient tranquility and sorrow.

"Her Majesty the Queen!"

Someone cried out in surprise, and then, like wheat fields blown down by the wind, the guards standing in the hall all knelt down on one knee in unison, the clanging of their armor plates clashing together!
This stems from instinct, a respect and submission to the legitimate bloodline of the Elven royal family!
The one who arrived was none other than Vera Moonshadow, the only legitimate and orthodox queen of the Moon Elf race in the present day, who had been praying and atoning for her sins beneath the Tree of Eternity and had never interfered in elven politics.

All the elves, including the enraged Colleen, the laughing Lylan, the indignant neutrals, and the furiously roaring wounded, fell silent, leaving only Eona's unhurried voice.

"By Her Majesty the Queen's supreme decree, those rebels who obstruct the Elven race's restoration and plot to seize power from the Silvermoon Elder Council shall be apprehended and detained. Those who resist shall be executed on the spot!"

"Now, do you have any questions?"

Most of the elders stared blankly at the slender and graceful figure, seemingly still unable to process what was happening.

How many years has it been? More than three hundred years, I suppose. The Queen of the Moon Elves seems to be in perpetual seclusion, atoning for her "sins" that she can never truly atone for.

Everyone has become accustomed to treating the Queen as an ornament, a symbol, a scepter on an empty throne during a Moon Festival. Some young elves don't even know which generation the current Queen belongs to.

However, when the Queen actually entered the Eternal Court, everyone suddenly realized that from any perspective—from history to heritage, from the laws of nature to the will of the race—she should be the undisputed supreme leader of the Elven race.

Iona is right. At this moment, the ones standing opposite the Queen are the rebels!
Colleen, who had been so righteous just moments before, was now pale, her lips trembling. She pointed a shaky finger at Iona, and after a long pause, finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Iona, you...you...don't you know how much effort we put in, with the cooperation of the previous queen, to imprison the tyrannical throne and guide the elves with the guidance of the elders of each department? Now...now..."

Iona smiled, the ancient elf, hundreds of years old, her eyes sparkling, her gaze captivating.

"The queen who has lost the glory of the elves should certainly be locked in a cage, but the elders who cannot restore the glory of the elves must also be swept into the dustbin of history."

"No one can stop the Elf's path to restoration!"

"Anyone!"

　On a whim, I thought this monthly ticket task would be difficult to complete, so I clicked for three extra chapters.

　　I didn't expect this month's double bonus to be so crazy; it was completed in just three days.

　　Even more unexpectedly, I completed the task and received the reward, but now I'm still stuck outside the top 40 on the monthly ticket rankings.

　　It was a battle of titans, leaving newbies trembling with fear.

　　Anyway, I'll keep my word, but I'll have to add extra chapters separately.

　　I'll start with two regular updates of 12 words today, continue writing this afternoon, and add another update around midnight.

　　Thank you all for your support!
　　Thank you!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)