War (I)

"Master, this is what I see."

Alger knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice.

"Very good, I understand."

Keosius lay coiled at the highest point, leisurely grooming his scales, seemingly without any sense of urgency about the impending war.

Inside Dragon Valley, all the leaders of the Ember Nest had arrived.

The Ogre Mage Lang Pu, the Hobgoblin leader Dolo, the Wyvern leader Smaug, the Chimera, the Lizardmen leader Ake and the Saman Keda, the Kobold Sorcerer Gold Tooth, and representatives of various races conquered during the expansion—orcs, Half-goat Human, Pureblood Snake People —basically all the prominent figures in the Ember Nest, gathered in this valley, ready for battle.

"Anzeta hasn't seen a war of this scale in a long time; the last one Lion Alliance Battle thirty years ago," Darena added.

She is currently serving as an advisor and doesn't have much real decision-making power, but she is doing her best.

"According to Lord Alger's intelligence, the allied forces have now advanced to the edge of Storm Highlands, and the Terfa Hills are the only place suitable for large-scale marches."

"And here—"

She unfolded a sheepskin map, her slender finger pointing to a point—a flat, open valley, blocked by mountains to the north, with only one narrow pass leading to Storm Highlands, and surrounded by undulating hills to the south.

"The Trill Valley is the only way for them to reach Dragon Valley."

"We only need to hold this easily defensible pass— the Trill Throat —to firmly hold Storm Highlands and prevent the Allied forces from entering."

Keosius made no comment, but simply glanced calmly at his retinue below.

Lang Pu pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said in a deep voice, "I think this is a great idea. We can set up magical traps there in advance to demoralize their troops and make them unwilling to fight."

Keosius made no response, but continued to look down at his retinue.

Silence fell over the surrounding area, with most of the family members adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

Seeing this, Dolo's eyes darted around, and he snorted angrily, exhaling a puff of white smoke from his nostrils. He then launched into a tirade against Lang Pu: "Lang Pu, I think you've gone mad from studying those human spells all day, becoming as cowardly and overthinking as a human mage! Are we, the Ember Nest, going to cower and defend ourselves like turtles against a mere group of humans?"

Hobgoblin goblin brandished his spear, roaring, "We are the servants of the Great Red Dragon, with destruction and aggression flowing in our veins! We should strike first, using fire and power to utterly destroy them! Shatter their pathetic courage, and bring them blood and death!"

His speech received a strong response from many of his relatives, since most of them were not very bright and had an extreme fondness for force, Dolo's words suited their tastes perfectly.

Lang Pu scoffed and said disdainfully, "Ignoring natural barriers to fight the enemy to the death? Is your brain filled with Goblin dung?"

"Pathetic fellow."

"That's right, Mr. Lang Pu, those Goblin are really greedy, cowardly, and stupid..." Gold Tooth Sorcerer Kobold, added at the right moment.

Although he was talking about Goblin, every word he uttered made the Hobgoblin chieftain tremble with rage, and his already red and ugly face turned even redder.

Dolo stepped forward, looked down at him, and roared menacingly, "Gold Tooth! Get out of here!"

"You have no right to speak here!"

But with the even taller Lang Pu standing next to Gold Tooth, he had the courage to Contend Against Dolo. Since they were already enemies, he might as well annoy him a little more.

The Kobold Sorcerer spread his wings menacingly at Dolo and said smugly, "Look at this, who has the purer bloodline of the master."

"Who is the true dragon vein!"

Dolo, enraged, laughed coldly, "You—"

That's enough.

The Red Dragon's voice rang out, and an invisible dragon's might permeated the valley, giving each member of the clan an extremely strong sense of oppression.

The scene immediately fell silent, even eerily quiet. Whether they were Ogre, Hobgoblin, or Kobold, they all stood obediently, not daring to breathe.

"We definitely need to take the initiative."

Upon hearing this, Dolo's expression immediately lit up with joy, and he gave Lang Pu a rather provocative glance.

Keosius paused.

"But..."

"I'm planning to give them a big gift."

The Red Dragon supported its massive body with its forelimbs, slowly rose up, and spread its broad wings.

"Waaah—"

Horns sounded in Dragon Valley.

The horn, made from the horns of Azure Foot Dragon Snake and snake, emitted a heavy, muffled sound like thunder.

The Hobgoblin drove their massive Terrestrial Dragon Beast forward, causing the ground to rumble and tremble. Tiefling and Lizardmen Fighter, fully armed, marched in orderly ranks. Meanwhile, from the countless mines and lairs of Storm Highlands, Kobold Goblin forth like a tidal wave.

The terrifying behemoth that had been lying dormant for many years, the Ember Nest, has finally revealed its formidable claws.

In the the North Allied Army camp, a hand wearing a white glove slaps on a map scroll.

"This is it, the Trill Valley."

"Our preferred location. It allows us to advance directly to Storm Highlands or retreat to hold Trill Throat to prevent the Ember Nest from pursuing us. Everything is perfect."

The man speaking looked to be in his forties, dressed in ornate knight's armor, with a meticulously groomed mustache, and a dignified appearance.

His name is Robert Dudley, the youngest Earl the Lakman Duchy, the son-in-law of Duke Brad Lachmann, the commander of the three-nation alliance, and also a seasoned noble knight.

Inside the tent, a blond young man in his early twenties raised a question, "What if they attack from behind and trap us in the valley?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The nobles and lords inside the tent burst into laughter again.

The speaker was Andre Bosk, the third son of the "Northern Lion" Bosque family, and a young and promising Paladin who followed the Oath of Glory.

Aside from his personal fighting skills, his naivety and recklessness often made people laugh, so he was nicknamed "Little Lion" in private.

Robert stroked his beard and chuckled, "Andre, war is not a simple game. In a war involving tens of thousands of people, mobilizing troops is not as easy as playing Chinese chess."

He pointed to the map.

"Look here, the Lektar Mountains on the edge of the Storm Highlands are blocking our way, so it's impossible for them to appear behind us without warning."

After a moment of contemplation, Andre said softly, "I understand, Lord Robert."