Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 301 The First Battle of the Siege: A Junior Officer from the Vast Sea

Outside White Stone City, it had become a huge and noisy vortex.

Looking out, the makeshift shacks and tents resembled clusters of mushrooms, densely covering the open land outside the city and stretching all the way to the distant horizon.

The massive influx of refugees has brought unprecedented pressure to the elves, and the population of this city is almost reaching the total population limit of the elves.

Even at their peak, the elves were not known for their management skills; in terms of restraining and controlling their vassals, they were even inferior to the orcs.

Those green-skinned barbarians at least knew how to use humans to manage humans, but the elves, due to their inexplicable arrogance and past experiences, could only trust half-elves at most.

There is a cruel reality that no one has ever warned the elves about.

If they were willing to use some of the money they've invested in those half-elves to bribe dissidents among the humans, the returns could be many times greater than they are now.

In fact, from the moment the elves stepped out of the Silvermoon Forest and began to intervene in the Stream Moon Federation, the expert team in Dongxia made a judgment that with the size of the elven population, if they could not introduce a large-scale "community of interests" and establish a broad "local united front", then no matter how many tactical victories they achieved, their strategic influence would be extremely limited.

Throughout history, the entire history of wars between humans and elves reveals a cruel pattern: humans, relying on their large population, waged a long and brutal war of attrition against the elves.

Humans can lose ten, twenty, a hundred, or two hundred times, but if elves lose just one crucial battle, they may face utter destruction.

The life of a short-lived species is not as valuable as that of a long-lived species.

During this period, without the continuous efforts of the people of the Vast Ocean Territory to establish standards, promote managers, and control the situation, the order under the rule of the elves might have completely collapsed.

Even so, the endless stream of problems left the Whitestone City management team overwhelmed and exhausted.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the elf received a reminder from the Lord of the Vast Sea.

Inside the main hall of Whitestone City, Major Fungus displayed several pictures to a group of elf high-ranking officials whose faces were ashen.

"Our lord has always maintained the highest level of concern for the safety of the Elven race, and has repeatedly instructed all levels of the Vast Ocean to treat friendly cooperation with the Elven race as a top priority, attach great importance to it, and actively promote it!"

"This time, through special channels within Xiyue, we obtained some special information. After realizing that the Xiyue army might have malicious intent to launch a sneak attack on the elves, the lord spared no expense to activate the 'Sky Eye' system above Xiyue!"

"Intelligence indicates!"

Junzi took a deep breath, his voice becoming increasingly serious: "'Xiyue' North Wind Legion, its main force has been traveling up the Beilu River and has built a pontoon bridge at the San Die Wan. They crossed the Beilu River no later than last night or early this morning."

"It's less than 170 kilometers from White Stone City; we can reach it within a day."

"Crack!"

A crisp sound rang out in the arena, and everyone looked in astonishment to see it was none other than the Chief Elder, Aiona.

The elder, whose hair had turned slightly gray recently due to overwork and perhaps a lack of special "moon dew" care, accidentally crushed the crystal cup in his hand with excessive force, scattering crystal fragments and shimmering liquid all over the ground.

Coming to her senses from the surge of anger, Iona took a deep breath, clenched her fists tightly, and crushed the crystal shards in her palms into fine sand.

"I apologize, Major Jun, I got a little carried away and lost my composure. Please continue!"

The mushroom nodded and continued reporting, "Now let's look at the intelligence on the east side."

"The Sky Eye shows that two large-scale Xiyue Legions are approaching. They are using a pattern of concealment during the day and marching at night, and it seems that they are using mercenary squads to block information from the outside."

"Currently, the legion on the north side has completely entered the forest area of ​​Changfeng Hills and entered a state of concealment, while the legion on the south side is expected to enter Changfeng Hills in three to four more nights at most."

"Currently, the northern legion's hideout is less than 150 kilometers from White Stone City, and very close to the Changfeng Legion on the west side. Clearly, they are waiting for an opportunity to launch a coordinated attack."

"in addition!"

"Based on intelligence from special channels, it is speculated that there may be some spies or inside agents of the Xiyue Federation hidden among the refugee population in White Stone City. They may use various sabotage methods to disrupt order, create chaos, or even launch direct attacks when the enemy attacks."

"Finally, it seems that Xiyue has made a deal with some of the neighboring human forces. We have learned that although the nearby caravans are still bringing in food, as soon as Xiyue makes a move, Silvermoon Forest may face a complete food blockade."

"Please inform the Elven side of the above information and give it due attention!"

This didn't really need a reminder: three major legions! A pincer movement! An inside agent! A blockade of grain merchants! The elves' faces were as if they had returned to the day the royal city fell.

Iona couldn't wait to ask, "Major Jun, what does Lord Chen Mo mean? If we retreat to Whitestone City, what will happen to the refugees... what will we do with them?"

Aiona wasn't too surprised that the enemy might launch a sneak attack. After all, war doesn't always have so many rules. When the elves rushed out of Silvermoon Forest, they didn't notify the Stream Moon Federation either.

Although intelligence indicated that the attacking enemy forces were expected to outnumber the elven defenders by more than double, Aiona believed that with proper preparation and the support of Whitestone City's strong defenses and the elves' individual combat prowess, they could hold out.

However, with such a large number of refugees, if they are all taken into the city, regardless of safety, the logistics simply cannot keep up if the siege lasts for several months.

"We have almost depleted Silvermoon Forest's food reserves, which can last for about two months in peacetime."

"The original plan was to continue purchasing grain through various channels while organizing spring plowing, to get through this planting season, complete the grain harvest, and then consider the next steps."

"but……"

However, it was clear that the enemy's actions were aimed at disrupting the spring planting season; if they couldn't take Baishi City, they would starve it to death.

The problem has returned to square one.

If it were just the elves, they could simply retreat into Whitestone City and keep the refugees outside, thus relieving the burden of over two million people. The elves would have enough food to last for several years.

However, while the Lord of the Vast Ocean is providing great help to the elves, he is also placing a huge burden on them. The two are almost strongly correlated. If the elves abandon the refugees, will the Vast Ocean abandon the elves?
For a fleeting moment, Aiona even suspected that the Lord of the Vast Ocean was deliberately manipulating the elven race through this method to achieve his long-term control...

Facing the elves' somewhat puzzled yet expectant gazes, the mushroom cleared its throat and said with a hint of regret, "Elders, as you know, my main responsibility is to be in charge of communications and to cooperate with your side in the resettlement of refugees. I do not directly participate in military command."

"However, please rest assured. The Vast Ocean Territory has dispatched a professional war commander to provide support. He will arrive in White Stone City directly at a suitable weather window in the near future."

"How the war will develop in the future will be discussed in detail by the commander from the territory."

"However, please rest assured, elders, that as long as the elves abide by their agreement with the lord, the lord will do his utmost to ensure the safety of the elven race!"

Things have developed to this point, and it seems there is no other choice but to trust Hanhai.

The next two days were rushed and chaotic. The elves gave a brief announcement in the refugee resettlement area: the army of the Stream Moon Federation was about to besiege Whitestone City. Now, the refugees outside the city were given two choices.

You can either follow the elves into White Stone City and spend some time in centralized accommodation, or you can receive some food rations and travel expenses from the elves, and go wherever you want.

An interesting division has emerged: the group of refugees who followed the elves all the way from Qingze City to Baishi almost unanimously chose to continue following the elves into the city.

The refugees taken in near Whitestone City, having not suffered the brutal beatings of the 'North Wind' Legion at Qingze City, mostly chose to trust the Xiyue Federation and leave the sinking ship of the elves.

That's just how real human nature is.

With such a large-scale population movement, it was impossible to completely conceal the news. After the first group of refugees who chose to "make their own way" left with the last bit of "favor" they had received from the elves, the news that "the elves have learned of the sneak attack and are preparing to defend the city" quickly reached the ears of the high command of the surrounding Rivermoon Federation army.

At this moment, because the Radiant Legion of Xiyue was not yet fully in position, the scheduled attack time had not yet arrived. However, after learning that the elves had begun full preparedness, the anxious and eager-to-achieve North Wind Legion hastily sent an urgent communication to the Xiyue Royal Court and immediately launched a preemptive attack.

After a day of forced march, the vanguard cavalry of the North Wind Legion, carrying mud and dust from the floodplains, swept to the foot of Whitestone City.

Blessed are the refugees who refused to follow the elves into the city.

The rations and travel expenses they had just received from the elves were quickly looted by the ravenous soldiers. Young women in the crowd were forcibly dragged away amidst their cries and wails and imprisoned in the military camp.

As for the remaining elderly, women, and children, they were mercilessly whipped by the soldiers with whips, gun barrels, and the backs of knives, driven out of the North Wind Legion's controlled territory like livestock, and thrown back into the boundless wilderness. They were to return to where they came from.

The next day, the Tree Toad Legion on the western front also rushed to the foot of White Stone City, forming an initial pincer movement with the North Wind Legion.

As soon as the two sides met, they immediately launched a probing attack on the city.

Having fought the elves for a long time, the experienced Northwind Legion used heavy infantry as the core to draw the enemy's attention. By quickly rushing into the battlefield and drawing the defenders' fire, they covered the ranged and magical units as they entered the firing range and began exchanging fire with the city's defenses, covering the advance of the attacking forces.

Meanwhile, the Tree Toad Legion deployed a large number of lightly armored, agile infantrymen who quickly traversed the battlefield, intending to directly scale and attack the city walls.

Arrows rained down like locusts across the sky, magical light tore through the heavens, and boulders launched from catapults crashed into the city walls with a mournful whistle, only to be shattered mid-air by high-ranking elven archers, producing deafening explosions.

The soldiers of the Tree Toad Legion were clearly extremely skilled at climbing and jumping. They used specially made climbing tools with barbs to insert into the gaps in the city wall, and then, relying on their amazing arm strength and jumping ability, they leaped upwards, inserted the tools to a higher position, and leaped again...

They hopped and jumped along the vertical city wall, relying on the numerical superiority of their troops and their insane fearlessness, and actually managed to force a portion of their soldiers to the top of the wall.

However, once they reached the city walls, the elves no longer had the problem of vertical firing range. A barrage of attacks slammed these daring warriors off the walls.

In the first phase of the battle, White Stone City became a giant meat grinder, but most of the meat being ground up was human flesh and blood.

Just as the battle for the city reached its most intense moment, the accomplice within the city made his move.

With such a large number of refugees, no household registration information, no specific origins, and no mutual corroboration, it is almost impossible to screen out enemy agents from among them. White Stone City can only try to divide them into small teams and bind them together in a collective manner, so as to prevent large-scale collusion while implementing mutual supervision.

However, attacks from enemy insiders were ultimately unavoidable.

Thousands of Xiyue warriors, disguised as refugees, launched an attack simultaneously. They set fire to tents, drove away crowds, attacked the patrol teams maintaining order, and even organized a large force of a hundred men to try to seize the city gate.

Iser, who was assigned as a reserve force, took drastic measures. The Silver Moon Guard marched directly into the chaotic area, swords drawn and arrows flying, and began a forceful suppression of the chaotic area.

The first day of fighting ended in such a chaotic situation. Although there were no major dangers to the city's defenses and the riots of the refugees were dealt with in a timely manner, the dozens of riots and hundreds of fires that broke out in the city still kept the defenders busy for a while, and even caused the loss of an important supply warehouse.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the bandits who attacked the Great Warehouse were not refugees, but rather the city's defense force, led by the dwarf-half-elf Org, who had long since surrendered to the elves and been entrusted with the important task of maintaining order.

Enraged, Captain Silvermoon berated Org in front of all the high elves in the city's defense hall, and immediately stripped him of his position as commander of the city's defense forces.

As Aug walked out of the council hall with his head down, he vaguely heard the whispers of the Silvermoon High Elves behind him.

"I told you long ago, having dwarven blood means you're ultimately a worthless piece of trash..."

"Don't talk nonsense. He did a great job when we entered the city. This time he was just a little slow-witted, had poor eyesight, was a bit naive, and reacted a little slowly..."

"What you're saying... how is that any different from being a piece of trash?"

Aug stood blankly under the stone eaves outside the city defense hall. The afternoon sun cast his short, stocky shadow against the wall. Overwhelmed by immense grievance and confusion, he didn't know where to go for a moment.

Then, he saw his half-brother, John, galloping towards him on horseback.

"I heard you were dismissed?"

Aug's short-bearded face flushed crimson instantly, overwhelmed with shame, he wished he could disappear into the ground.

Just two days ago, he patted his chest in front of this good brother and said: Don't worry, with me in charge of the city's defense forces, I will definitely guarantee your safety!

As a result, he was hit in the face with an iron fist.

He opened his mouth, about to explain something, but Little John had already stepped forward and put his arm around his shoulder forcefully.

"Let's go, let's go, I've been looking forward to this day for a long time."

"I'm so busy over there, and I've been hoping you could come and lend me a hand! But you have such a bright future with the elves, so I'm too embarrassed to ask you!"

"Now it's all good. Hurry up and come with me. We're desperately short-staffed in the refugee resettlement area. You have no idea how kind my lord is. I'm practically raising these refugees like my own sons!"

"By the way! There are quite a few dwarves who fled from various places to the resettlement area. They're all incredibly stubborn and inflexible, always finding fault with us. Your arrival is just in time; with you there, we'll definitely be able to handle things!"

Aug couldn't hold back his tears any longer, and they streamed down his face, rolling down his beard.

Honestly, Little John has been in the mercenary world for quite a while, and he's never seen such a crybaby dwarf, nor such a crybaby elf...

Did some strange fusion reaction occur in the offspring of a dwarf and an elf?

This type of ethnic group is indeed too rare; a single piece of evidence is insufficient. We'll have to study it gradually when we have the chance.

As Aug wiped away his tears with the rough back of his hands, he followed John outside, still complaining indignantly, "Tell me, tell me why they did this to me? I've been so good to them, they always get the best of everything first, I've never treated them unfairly..."

John clicked his tongue a few times: "You just don't understand. If someone can be moved by your benefits, can't they also be bought off by someone else with even more benefits?"

Aug paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "...You're right. You're the sharpest one!"

"I wasn't very effective before either, otherwise I wouldn't have been just a lowly mercenary who offended so many people!"

"Let me tell you, I'm currently learning a divinely inspired language called 'Xiawen' with them. It's really difficult, but I feel like I've definitely improved a lot!"

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes, absolutely! If you want to learn, I'll teach you later..."

The two of them put their arms around each other's shoulders and waists... well, that's right, Aug could only put his arm around Little John's waist, and the two of them swayed away from the city defense hall.

The smoke of battle rose high into the sky outside the city. On the second day after the Xiyue army besieged the city, as the sky cleared, a combat command team from Hanhai was directly airdropped into Baishi City.

Leading the group was a centaur officer with chestnut hair, a straight posture, and wearing the standard officer's uniform of the Hanhai Territory. He still had a youthful air about him.

These are outstanding graduates from the third cohort of the HanHai Torch Youth Group.

The centaur race, though few in number, actually constitutes half of the Han Hai army, mainly because of their loyalty.

Centaurs have no territory or large clans on the continent; their lord is everything to them.

Their leader, a centaur, was an old acquaintance of the lord. When the Han Hai Territory was just starting out and seemed to have nothing to offer, he resolutely joined the lord's army. He did not flinch when facing the bandit attack, but stepped forward, thus establishing his unique position in the Han Hai Territory's military system.

Lord's personal student Makaja, first-term graduate representative Ma Baoguo, and second-term graduate representative Ma Qianzu are all now brigade-level cadres in the Han Hai.

The third-generation centaur rookie gave himself a Xia Kingdom name: "Horseback Cannon."

It sounds incredibly powerful!
　I recommend a book called "Starting with the Civilization Advancement Assessment: Pretending to be a Genius".

　　The portal is below.

　　Recommended reason:

　　1. The author's opening scene, which quickly established the setting, reminded me of the first sixteen chapters of the side stories I read...

　　2. It's great to grow together with the planet Earth!

　　3. It's really outrageous that someone can earn around 11,000 yuan a day on a part-time job!
　　

(End of this chapter)