Blood Blooms Like Flowers, a Beauty Slits Their Throats

A little earlier.

The elves' advance reconnaissance force had finished surveying the island.

At the temporary command post on the beachhead, a rough nautical chart had been drawn up. The marine captain, serving as field commander, was assigning tactical roles and addressing the soldiers.

"Our initial reconnaissance around the island found no enemy warships at anchor. That means the Goths are unlikely to be hiding here, but that is no excuse for the Royal Navy to grow lax or underestimate the enemy!"

"We must still search this island thoroughly and carefully."

"Besides searching for the Goths, keep an eye out for any ruins, battlefields, or anything else of interest that might be on the island... Those are the master's orders."

"To ensure both efficiency and safety, the landing force will be divided into thirty groups, each consisting of two marines and five sailors. Advance and scout in a three-two-two formation."

"Since supernatural powers are suppressed, marksmen should reduce their firing range to three hundred meters, and ordinary arrow corps sergeants to two hundred and fifty meters. Sailors should follow their group leaders' orders when choosing between suppressive and supporting fire, and act according to the naval sailor's manual."

"Most potential enemies are Goth sailors, the majority unarmored or lightly armored, with only a few in heavy armor. Therefore, each arrow corps sergeant will carry three heavy arrows, five shield-splitting arrows, and two impact arrows, with feathered light arrows making up the rest. Sailors will primarily carry rapid-fire arrows, supplemented by feathered light arrows."

"First rule of engagement: upon contact, immediately fire a whistling arrow to alert nearby allies."

"Second rule of engagement: defend and counterattack. If the enemy retreats, pursue cautiously on their heels and keep nearby allies informed of your position in real time."

"Third rule of engagement: attack and execute ordinary Goth enemies without mercy. Depending on the situation, capture enemy senior officers and nobles."

"Very well, gentlemen. Prepare for battle. Let us patrol this island like swift eagles, and tear apart every enemy like savage leopards."

"Elves are the spirits of nature, and nature belongs to the elves. This, too, is our territory."

"Now, we will assign the reconnaissance areas..."

The elves' morale was high.

The Dusk Moon Dynasty had held sway for too long. Its mighty military, its unstoppable fleet, its fine traditions, and its excellent chances of victory had bred an army of soaring confidence. They were well trained and battle-hardened, and because they had been invincible for so long, they had grown somewhat prone to underestimating their enemies.

That was especially true of the navy.

Although the elven army had peerless arrow formations and highly skilled spellcaster units, it could not claim to be undefeated across the world. After all, the peoples of the continent each had their own trump cards and specialties that allowed their nations to endure. At sea, however, the Dusk Moon Dynasty's Invincible Fleet stood unrivaled.

Absolute strength easily bred arrogant soldiers and fierce generals.

The thirty groups of elven soldiers began to spread out. The North Island was large and its terrain complex, but they remained full of confidence. As their saying went, elves were the spirits of nature, and nature belonged to the elves.

Born in the forest, they were blessed with an exceptional affinity for nature. The wilderness was their home ground. Anyone who tried to ambush elves in the jungle was surely courting death.

That was what they believed.

But no matter how wary they were of the Holy Seal Archipelago, the elves could never have imagined that almost every animal on the island was a potential lookout for the humans.

For Goth had a temporary ally.

Though this ally was human, he was also one of the renowned giants of the Holy Seal Archipelago's animal kingdom. Alongside the Platinum Ape, he was known as one of the World-Destroying Twin Monkeys: the legendary Terrifying Upright Ape.

It could be said that the humans were watching the elves' every move.

"Too bad I still haven't found a drone."

Kang De looked at the footage captured by the camera and muttered to himself.

"Pigeon, keep a close watch on these two groups. Have all the birds on the island help."

Kang De drew a rough map on the ground. "Judging by their route, this group of elves will probably head in this direction. Our trap is here. Your job is to keep a close eye on them and make sure no other elves come to disturb us. Parrot, you're on lookout."

"There are seven enemies in a group: three in front, two in back, and the two in the middle look like the strongest fighters. Once Miss Fulan makes her move, we'll provide support as the situation calls for it. They must have a way to notify nearby allies, so try not to let them send a signal. Otherwise, things will get troublesome."

"So, A Xing, Kangaroo, Wolverine, let's divide up the targets."

"Be as careful as you can. They're stronger than the Black Beasts... well, probably."

After making all his arrangements, his heart was beating a little faster. This was his first time plotting against people.

It was time to see the results.

"Whether it works or not, it all comes down to this."

He said to the knight, "Miss Fulan, I'm counting on you for everything."

Cleveland sighed. "I would be very happy if you called me by my real name."

Kang De nodded. "I understand, Miss Fulan."

"..."

"..."

Everyone took up their hiding places. Kang De watched in secret with the princess, while the knight held his breath and waited.

A pigeon's call came from the sky. That was the signal.

Cleveland gritted his teeth and pressed something in his pocket.

"Ahh-"

A soft, pitiful woman's scream rang out, followed by a heartrending plea that could arouse the beast in anyone. "No! No! Help!"

The princess, watching from hiding, flushed with embarrassment.

She lowered her head. "This is so embarrassing..."

Although makeup and the Beauty Filter Necklace had transformed Cleveland into a great beauty, they could not solve the problem of his voice. Kang De had tried suggesting that the knight put on a falsetto, but he had flatly refused. In the end, Her Highness the Princess had made a sacrifice, using a recorder to record the very embarrassing lines.

The knight staggered forward at a run.

He ran straight into the approaching elven group.

The elven navy was well trained, after all. Upon hearing the voice, they immediately nocked arrows and went on guard. When they saw a figure moving, they were about to strike, but then they saw a breathtaking beauty run out, her lovely face pale with fright.

Mother Earth above.

She... she was so enchanting!

Elves knew quality when they saw it! They led the fashions and readily embraced new things. Almost at first sight, they were struck dumb by Miss Fulan's beauty.

That makeup, that style, that hair, those clothes.

They had never seen anything like it, yet it was astonishingly beautiful, unforgettable at a glance.

The visual impact.

The Beauty Filter Necklace's enhancements, the power of the dark art of makeup: what the elves faced was the product of decades of aesthetic development on Earth. The white sweater, the sheer stockings, the long boots-every detail reflected Kang De's thoroughly straight male tastes. Straight men could understand straight men!

With a thump, the lady stumbled, tripped over nothing, and fell to the ground.

The three elven sailors in front instinctively went over.

Elves were secretly lustful at heart. Their long lifespans meant that hedonism and consumerism were widespread, and sailors in particular were bundles of sexual desire.

After all, drifting at sea, their cravings in that regard exceeded those of their ordinary kin.

Seeing such a beauty run out and plead for help so pitifully, they naturally went to her without thinking.

The two arrow corps sergeants in the middle had been trained according to the regular Dragonfang Army manual, after all, and remained reasonably restrained and calm. They advanced cautiously, bows and arrows ready to fire at any moment. In a commanding tone, they said, "Stop, you idiots. Stay alert and help this human woman up..."

Miss Fulan casually pressed the button again.

"No, no, I... I can get up on my own..."

She kept her head down, letting her beautiful hair fall around her as an enticing perfume wafted out.

The alluring beauty slowly rose to her knees, revealing the curves of her chest, her short skirt, and the stockings the skirt could not conceal. The sheer black stockings drew the eyes of every male present, including the two calm, restrained arrow corps sergeants. The effect of those things was simply devastating.

Gulp. More than one elf swallowed.

The two arrow corps sergeants involuntarily stepped closer and extended a sharp arrow to lift the beauty's chin. "Woman, raise your head. I have a few questions for you. You..."

A cold glint flashed in Miss Fulan's eyes.

She reached out, caught the arrow, and raised her head, revealing a pitiful expression.

That performance once again eased their guard.

Then.

Something slid out of her sleeve.

A squeeze.

It was called pepper spray.

Its ingredients included pure capsaicin extract, mustard extract, and so on.

A jet of liquid sprayed straight into the two arrow corps sergeants' eyes, noses, and mouths.

"Aaaaaaaaaah!"

Unbearable, searing pain struck them. Even the best-trained soldier could not endure it. The two sergeants even let go of their weapons and rubbed desperately at their eyes, howling in pain.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Miss Fulan sprang up and pulled two bottles from her trench coat.

A homemade flashbang and a Molotov cocktail.

The flashbang flew toward the two sailors bringing up the rear.

The Molotov cocktail smashed into the two screaming sergeants.

Kang De had inscribed it with a fire rune; it would explode when shattered.

Bang. Fire burned and light blazed. Amid the fierce flames and glare, the knight drew a shortsword and slashed at the three sailors around him, its blade flashing. At the same time, Kang De hurled a round shield.

Cleveland caught it and spun like a dancer. Like a discus, the round shield smashed into an elf's head with the motion, while his sword thrust pierced another elf's chest.

He pulled the sword free and stabbed again. The third elf tried to draw his blade and fight back, but the triply enchanted shortsword had already severed his hand and pierced his throat.

The two elves at the rear, stunned by the flashbang, were struggling to draw their whistling arrows.

A fierce light flashed in Cleveland's eyes. He flung his sword and hurled his shield; sword and shield flew together. The sword pierced one elf, and the spinning shield slammed into the other's head.

He snatched two short blades from the elves beside him and charged forward with one in each hand. The two remaining elven sergeants, who had been hit by the pepper spray, were already engulfed in raging flames, screaming themselves hoarse. They heard the rush of his approach and tried to dodge, but had nowhere to go. Cleveland whirled both blades, chopping into them like the wind. More than a dozen blows fell in succession, each striking a vital point, and blood sprayed into the air.

In an instant, all seven were dead.

None of Kang De's subsequent arrangements or support had been needed.

Still poised to rush out and help, he stared blankly at Cleveland, dressed in beautiful women's clothes and wearing high-heeled boots, a little blood on his face, his hem fluttering as he walked through the blood.

Then he bent down and slit the throats of every elf in turn. He spared not even those who had yet to breathe their last and were whimpering softly, killing them one by one without the slightest mercy or hesitation.

Not long ago, they had been friends talking and laughing together, that principled, even old-fashioned knight.

Lives passed away before his eyes.

Even if they were only pointy-eared elves.

He stood rooted to the spot and suddenly understood firsthand what war was really like.

And felt... a chill.

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PS1: Friends, hold on. Stop spreading a gay atmosphere all the time. As the saying goes, the wise see wisdom, the benevolent see benevolence, the lewd see lewdness, and the gay see gayness. Kang De and the knight's interactions are clearly so natural and normal, so how do they become gay in your eyes? You really ought to look to yourselves for the reason.