Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 272 A Wrongful Death, Absurdity, and Turbulent Waves Rise on Blue Star
The scene that once played out in the flood is now being repeated in the villages that have luckily escaped the disaster, with cries, curses, and pleas echoing across the fields.

This time, however, the perpetrators were not the flood, but the army that was "protecting" the Federation.

Under the guise of "requisitioning" and "supporting the front lines," the arrest of villagers was inevitably accompanied by rampant looting! Grain, livestock, and any valuable possessions were all swept away.

The valuables were put into the warehouse of "North Wind," and the refugees were sent into the city gate of Qingze.

After all this turmoil, the local tribes couldn't take it anymore.

They have lived here for generations, their roots intertwined. The Federation doesn't care about the lives of these people; they can't afford to uproot their own families.

The struggle between the "central" and "local" factions in the Xiyue Federation has never ceased. When the monarchy was strong, the East Wind prevailed over the West Wind; when the parliament rose to prominence, the West Wind prevailed over the East Wind.

Yes, Xiyue's capital is located on the eastern side of the country, so that's what people usually say.

A few days later, the "North Wind" Legion welcomed a group of envoys from local clans and powerful families.

The leading representative was named Vincent.

It was Vincent the mage who had once sent Chen Mo to the "Har Farm Mage Compound" for twenty gold coins.

Vincent's ability to rise to the powerful position of deputy director of the Skills Assessment Institute, while also managing the enrollment and recruitment of students in several surrounding mage towers and secretly controlling the Federation's spy routes for "planting spies," was not only due to his outstanding abilities and smooth tactics, but also to the strong support of local powerful families.

He is a direct descendant of the local Wen family.

The tribes of Xiyue are diverse and complex, including single-character surname families inherited from the Sky Empire, double-character surname families from the north, and multi-character long surname families that have sprung up haphazardly in the wild.

According to the normal development trajectory, Vincent's career would have ended at the level of director of the skills assessment center, after which he would have paved the way for the next generation of the family and helped them get on their feet.

However, the invasion of the elves, as if by magic, interrupted everything.

As a member of a powerful clan deeply intertwined with local interests, Vincent was completely different from a rootless, low-level mercenary like John; he would never surrender to the elves. Of course, perhaps a touch of patriotism and human integrity were also involved—who knows!

Judge by the actions, not the heart!

In short, Vincent not only refused to cooperate with the elves, but also used his intelligence network to send information to the outside world and cause sabotage inside after the fall of Qingze City. During this period, he also secretly rescued several groups of resistance fighters until he was captured by the elves.

According to the conventional script, Vincent's life should have ended at this moment, and the family shrine would have gained another memorial tablet for future generations to admire.

However, due to a twist of fate, and because of Chen Mo's nostalgia and the enormous influence of the Vast Ocean Territory on the elves, the elves, adhering to the principle of doing as good as possible, after much deliberation, still gave the Vast Ocean Territory Lord face.

Qingze City not only released Vincent, but also expelled several former members of Xiyue whom he had named.

This made the middle-aged monk famous overnight, and he was hailed as a "model of righteousness" and a "leader of resistance"!
Now is the time to leverage his newfound prestige. Local families, represented by Vincent, hope to use his current reputation and familiarity with Qingze City to persuade Linde, the commander of the "North Wind" Legion, to stop this short-sighted and destructive plundering.

Unfortunately, upon meeting them, the Linde Legion Commander immediately gave the clan representatives a hard time.

"You powerful clans have managed this land for so many years, enjoying the local wealth at your own expense, practically ruling your own territories. And what was the result? The elves came, and the vast city of Qingze was lost in a single day!"

"Our Federal Central Army has fought a bloody battle for a long time, suffering countless casualties, and is still fighting to reclaim the Federal territory you abandoned. What gives you the audacity to make demands of me?"

Vincent took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and gave the general a standard aristocratic salute.

"Commander, your reputation for bravery is known throughout the Federation. The fact that the elves were able to withstand your siege for so long shows that their strength is not to be underestimated. How could Qingze City, which was completely unprepared at the time, possibly have been able to stop them?"

That's a very eloquent statement.

Linde's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not respond. Vincent's tone became even more respectful: "It is only natural for the people of Siye Township to serve the Federation, but driving people into the city like this will consume an unknown amount of resources, but it will greatly damage the Federation's manpower."

“If the city becomes short of food, the elves aren’t fools who stick to the old ways. They can simply cut off the refugees’ food supply or drive them out of the city. Sending more people in won’t help, will it? Perhaps…”

The Lind Legion commander's lips curled into an undisguised sneer as he interrupted Vincent's explanation: "You're saying the elves aren't stupid?"

“A species that has lived for hundreds of years wouldn’t be too stupid!” Vincent answered instinctively.

“Since you’re not stupid,” Lind leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Vincent’s face like a hawk’s, “then why did they release you in the first place?”

With a "whoosh," Vincent felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and the hairs on his body stood on end!

Even with his sharp mind and worldly wisdom, at this moment, his mind went almost blank.

In previous public relations efforts, in order to boost morale and create a heroic image, the unified narrative was that the mage Vincent fought relentlessly, eventually uniting with several like-minded righteous individuals to bravely break free of the elves' prison and escape the city.

This was, of course, a political necessity for the "great cause of resistance."

But how could he possibly utter such an explanation in front of a senior legion commander of the Federation?

Commander Lindgren pressed on relentlessly, "Tell me, are the elves stupid or not?"

Vincent slowed his speech, organizing his thoughts: "Replying to the Legion Commander...sir, elves...elves, compared to the Legion Commander's...uh...wisdom and might...are naturally far inferior, but...but after all, they are old and wise, so stupid...should be, shouldn't be an option..."

"So, the not-so-stupid elves let you back because you're useful to them?"

"Pfft!"

Vincent, who had been holding his bow, finally couldn't stand any longer and knelt down: "Absolutely not, Commander, absolutely not! My loyalty to the Federation is as clear as day!"

"Oh? Utter loyalty?"

Lind Legion Commander raised his eyes, a half-smile on his face, his gaze piercing Vincent like a knife. "Then let me ask you, back then, wasn't it you who used your connections in the city to secretly get a guy named Chen Mo into the Mage Tower to study?"

Can we admit to this? Of course not.

After Vincent left the city, he made his position clear to the head of the family regarding Chen Mo's matter. The family's opinion was very firm, and there was no connection with the Lord of the Vast Sea!
In a country like the Federation, surrounded by formidable enemies, they can make up a braid even if you're bald, and they can find out illegitimate children even if you're infertile. So what about this kind of past history that, once confirmed, could lead to being accused of the heinous crime of "treason"?

In any case, the operation was carried out in secrecy, with very few people aware of it, and the Federation would never confront the elves or Chen Mo himself. Admitting ignorance was the only way out.

Vincent, maintaining his composure, slowly replied, "Why do you say that, Legion Commander? I did recommend some promising apprentices to various towers and academies during my time at the Skill Appraisal Institute, but none of them were named Chen Mo."

"No?" Linde sneered, no longer looking at him, and simply raised his hand and lightly clapped his hands. "Bring him up!"

The tent flap was lifted, and a timid figure was brought in.

Vincent looked closely and realized it was Roy, the intelligence agent he had replaced to get Chen Mo into Howl Magic Academy!
As Roy was brought forward, he dared not look at Vincent, his head bowed and his voice trembling slightly: "It was him. Back then... it was Deputy Director Vincent who arranged for a young man named Chen Mo to take my place at Professor Hal's place, and... he repeatedly told me not to tell anyone!"

Lin De's smile slowly froze: "Is this what you meant by 'no'?"

Vincent closed his eyes in pain.

Before he arrived, he knew this mission would be difficult, given that the "North Wind" Legion seemed determined to take Qingze City at all costs. However, he never expected them to choose such ruthless methods. Sure enough, Linde didn't hesitate and immediately pinned a huge accusation on him.

"You're spouting nonsense and deceiving the emperor!"

"Chen Mo, the Lord of the Vast Ocean who is now supporting the elves and causing enormous trouble for our Federation, isn't he the one you introduced to us?! Vincent, you are the culprit who brought a wolf into the house and wreaked havoc on the Federation!"

"Guards! Seize this traitorous spy!"

The fierce guards swarmed forward, pinning Vincent down. Before this "anti-semen hero" could even defend himself, a rag was roughly stuffed into his mouth, followed by being bound hand and foot and dragged out of the tent like a dead dog.

"He is to be executed on the spot for treason! His head shall be displayed to all troops as a warning to others!"

In the final moments of his life, Vincent remained silent and motionless.

I wonder if he regretted it when he was led to the execution platform. He had once upheld righteousness in his life, refusing the high-ranking official position and generous salary that Han Hai Territory might offer, and resolutely embarking on the path of resisting the elves. In the end, however, he died dramatically at the hands of the Federation soldiers he served.

The charge remains—treason!
As the gleaming blade flashed and the head rolled away, the filthy rag stuffed in his mouth also fell out. From the slightly moving shape of his lips, some could vaguely make out two silent words—

"absurd!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The North Wind Army was in high spirits, the surrounding clans were silenced, the refugees throughout the city were overjoyed, and Qingze's defenses were as solid as a rock.

Meanwhile, the comrades in Dongxia, sporting heavy dark circles under their eyes, began a new round of intense work.

The situation on Earth is becoming increasingly chaotic.

When a powerful empire roars with all its might, even a behemoth like Dongxia cannot help but feel the pressure as heavy as a mountain.

According to the analysis department's report, on the northern front, the Eagle and the Two-Headed Eagle quietly shook hands by betraying a subordinate's limbs and a large amount of benefits. Facing the media's barrage of questions, the Eagle's leader smiled broadly and spoke eloquently about the Two-Headed Eagle's leader.

“I think there’s a wonderful chemistry between us. He likes me a lot, and I like him a lot, and we have something in common: neither of us likes that tough guy!”

The analysis report also points out that while the north is currently inactive, the atmosphere in other directions is becoming increasingly tense.

"We have noticed that the Seahorse Nation in the southern wing is showing a tendency to accelerate its rightward shift in policy, and the possibility of escalating conflicts with us in the future is increasing!"

The name "Seahorse Kingdom" comes from its long and narrow terrain, which resembles a seahorse. As a "powerful" nation in the south, Seahorse Kingdom has been defeated by three of the five great benefactors of Blue Star, which is one of its most talked-about achievements.

"At the same time, the white eagle continues to stir up extreme nationalist sentiments in Jasmine Griffin, especially in terms of recent public opinion guidance. Topics about certain sea areas have been artificially guided to become the focus, and at one point, they were even comparable to the popularity of 'Afro'."

"On the east side, the white eagle's two domestic dogs barked wildly, and a rebellious son jumped around."

Finally, the report should also mention the Ganges Lotus Federation, which is jokingly referred to as "a sleeping maggot that will disgust the entire planet Earth when it wakes up."

"The other side is proposing to send more troops to certain sensitive areas through some motions, thereby putting pressure on us and trying to appease the bald eagle in exchange for certain promised benefits."

"In the near future, the overall situation in the surrounding area will deteriorate significantly."

It must be said that the bald eagle has painstakingly managed Blue Star for so many years, especially with its massive investment in this region, and it has achieved some results.

Of course, there will be analysis and suggestions.

The report suggests that most of the surrounding figures are just clowns who can't make a fuss, so if you're going to push someone, push the biggest one directly.

"The entanglement with other surrounding forces means that even if we achieve local victories, their interest groups will continue to put pressure on us under the instigation of the bald eagle, making it difficult to bring about any valuable change to the overall situation in the short term."

"We believe that the only key to breaking the deadlock is to determine whether the White Eagle is superior in terms of overall situation."

While it was called a suggestion, it was actually the result of repeated selection and discussion by the Cihang Engineering Department. Under this guiding principle, Dongxia's behavior was unprecedentedly tough.

Because it involves some specific classified deployments, it is impossible to describe in detail. I can only use a typical example to illustrate it.

On a sunny afternoon, a massive fleet consisting of more than twenty main warships and four research vessels crossed the Seonghan Strait directly.

This is an extremely special geographical area. As the number one loyal dog of the sea eagle, the Four-Clawed Sea Serpent Kingdom has almost given up all its local rights in order to cater to its master. Among them, the Seihan Strait, located between the two large islands of the sea serpent, has been designated as a public strait.

How to describe it? To use a perhaps inappropriate analogy, it's roughly equivalent to someone turning their bedroom into a public space, only to draw a line three centimeters from the bed and write: Please don't pee on my bed, thank you!
The problem is, if the Four-Clawed Sea Serpent's master can come, then other countries, once they become strong, can naturally come too. In the past, the two big shots to the west and north of the Sea Serpent have stepped into the Sea Serpent's bedroom more than once.

However, this is the first time that such a large-scale fleet, fully equipped and heavily armed, has sailed so ostentatiously along the coastline of the Sea Serpent's homeland, just a few kilometers away.

Dongxia's explanation was rather understated: "Because some countries irresponsibly brought dangerous creatures to the Tranquil Sea, Dongxia needs to conduct scientific research to find the unidentified creature as soon as possible and avoid causing greater damage."

"Warships? This unidentified creature has launched multiple attacks at sea and on land. To avoid danger, it is necessary for us to arrange for warships to provide escort!"

"As a non-territorial strait, the Seihan Strait is open to normal passage by ships of all countries, and the actions of our fleet are in accordance with international law."

Of course, such a large fleet wouldn't just be making a show of force.

After crossing the Seikan Strait, the fleet secretly released a psionic array deep within the tranquil sea.

It's time to feed "Afu"!
According to the original plan, "Afu" was supposed to return to the near-shore port directly under the [Compassionate Voyage] Engineering Department to resupply using the dark energy array.

However, due to its previous "high-profile actions" such as attacking the contaminated water storage site, killing the black monkeys on the abandoned ship, sinking the old frigate, and openly retaliating against the whaling ship owner, "Afu" has become the focus of the entire planet.

In addition, the fact that "Afu" does not kill "innocent people" attracted a huge number of believers, fishermen, explorers, bounty hunters, and enthusiasts of mysterious events.

In this situation, if Afu were to be seen by someone while approaching the coast of Dongxia, it could cause a huge problem for Dongxia.

It should be noted that a large number of civilian vessels are currently patrolling this sea area in order to track the "A-Fu" typhoon, completely ignoring any talk of territorial sea baselines.

The countries most closely connected to the bald eagle are all subject to its tyranny and turn a blind eye, only issuing warnings when the eagle is within three kilometers of the coastline.

If guided by someone with ulterior motives, thousands or even tens of thousands of ships would sail in a mighty procession straight to the coast of Dongxia. At that time, whether through civil or military means, it would bring great public opinion disadvantage to Dongxia.

With this in mind, Dongxia decided to take the initiative and go to the open sea to breastfeed her child.

At the same time, it is also to attract the attention of bald eagles as much as possible, so as to gain more room for the "budding" species in the Ziyun Nature Reserve to develop.

To achieve this, Dongxia also prepared a special plan.

Or rather, a completely new script, with "Afu" as the protagonist and sea snakes as the stage.

Everything is ready, just waiting for the gong to sound!
(End of this chapter)