The dwarves raised their shields sideways and pointed their war hammers at the sky. They used their highest form of respect to Oditore and the other warriors who had become 'legends'!
Among them, even the dwarf chieftain was among them.
The 10,000 soldiers of the Abyss Army wasn't a lot, but it was a huge number for the dwarves who didn't have a large population. Especially when the 10,000 soldiers gathered at the foot of the mountain, no one was confident that they could last until the end.
But until the end of the battle, which took an unimaginable amount of time, proved that their enemy was only a 'paper tiger'. Of course, even if it was a paper tiger, the dwarves didn't think that they could defeat them within two days and make them retreat from the Stonehammer Castle without hesitation. Because at the same time, they had also invaded the territories of several other dwarven tribes.
Speaking of which, Attila's team didn't come to the dwarves' territory to find trouble. Their actual goal was to go around the continent and head to the elves' territory. This goal seemed to involve the Undead Council. Naturally, many understood that Leoric had an unclear relationship with the Abyss Army. But for the overall situation of the continent, this army didn't seem to be a threat to the elves' impregnable fortress city.
Taking Karo City as an example, once a professional with the strength of a High Priest was present, the city walls made entirely of plants would no longer be as simple as they seemed. Even if an army of more than thirty thousand people attacked this city, with the strength of top-tier champions evenly matched, the city would not be easily breached.
From this, it could be inferred that after Attila received Cridill's order, he didn't just go around in circles and foolishly go to his death.
Elves …
Many remembered the horrifying thing that they had met in the Earl Mansion of Winricton in the Southern Territory. St. Augustine had mentioned the 'elves' to Many when they met.
Many of the people who went to the Southern Territory failed because of Augustine's appearance, but Augustine seemed to know why they came here. When faced with many questions, he answered by telling them to go to the Elven Territory and take a look, and there would be answers.
Why would it be an elf?
At the thought of Elder Wendell, the first thing that came to mind was the entire Elven Council that had a falling out with Elder Sandinaran. Until now, many did not understand why the high elf who had returned from the Abyss to the Empire of Saint Reims had fallen out with the Elven Council. But from a political point of view, the Elven Empire would not deliberately create a huge conflict with the Empire of Saint Reims.
Everything was waiting for the humans to slowly explore. However, not a single member of the entire team died in the battle at Stonehammer Fort, which was yet another boost to the confidence of the Human Empire — especially when the Empress personally led them to defeat the terrifying enemies from the Abyss in less than two days!
This message, which was distributed throughout the Empire of Saint Reims, did not mention the weakness of the enemy or the terrifying military strength of the troll warriors. This was the perfect embodiment of political needs.
In the past, there were many people who would not be mentioned or praised in such a major battle. However, they changed their low profile and became the object of worship for the believers of the Empire with a light wave of the Patriarch's Scepter in the name of "the bishop assisted the army in achieving a decisive victory".
Their power increased even more rapidly.
Although Many did not hide the truth from the dwarves, the dwarves did not diminish the contribution of Many and his army because of the weakness of the enemy. More than five hundred dwarven blacksmiths gave their all to help. More ores and even some forging recipes that were previously kept secret were made available to Oditore's territory. These decisions, which had never happened before in the history of the continent, in the stubborn and proud race of the dwarves, showed their attitude.
Of course, this also included the most unique and expensive magical insulating metal in Kargath Mountain — thorium!
A series of aid conditions allowed the semi-abandoned underground city of Medusa to be reactivated. The mages used the most efficient way to transform the entire underground city into a military factory. Everything was based on the ideal forging workshop of the dwarves. The high-temperature smelting magic circle continued to be activated under the support of Oditore, who had endless wealth. Those priceless materials were smelted into pieces of armors or indestructible weapons for the warriors.
Oditore's armaments were about to usher in the largest and broadest renovation.
※ ※ ※
After the renovation, Oditore's temple now had an unusually grand scale. This temple, which even Dashiel could not reach, was no different from a "holy land" worthy of worship for the elves. Many elves had begun to travel long distances from the distant Elven Empire. They braved the threat of the undead and the Abyss Clan to come to this not-so-grand territory. They stood in front of this huge statue of the goddess and prayed quietly for three or seven days before returning.
For Oditore, the appearance of the elves had pulled some business chains. However, these were things that the Kratos Trading Company needed to worry about and calculate. Many of them only needed to grasp the strategic direction.
Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, the main purpose of Oditore's advancement was to cultivate an invincible elite army. They had the most sophisticated military facilities and wealth reserves on this continent. However, the only flaw, which was also the most fatal point, could not be made up for in a short period of time …
The number of troops was not enough.
After taking everything into account, including the Abyss Army that came from the Abyss Continent through the portal, the entire army of Klimt was less than thirty thousand people.
This was the result of all the human troops.
"Nana."
"Hmm?"
Sylvia turned around and saw Many walking over with Athena.
The moonlight shone on the holy priestess. Her white robe was spotless and had a sense of inviolability. Many sighed softly and stopped in front of Sylvia. "Do you want to go back and take a look?"
"Go back?"
Sylvia understood Many's meaning. She walked a few steps forward and got closer to Many. She reached out and stroked Athena's long white mane. Athena intimately rubbed against Nana's cheek. She was gentle and calm.
"I haven't gone back for a long time. Maybe I should go and see them."
Many pouted. "Not only your parents, I also want to see the room in the Vine Bar. I haven't been back for a long time. I miss the taste of the wine."
"When are you leaving?
I'll listen to you. "
Sylvia did not hesitate. She nodded and agreed to Many's request. She leaned forward and was almost face to face with him.
"We'll leave tomorrow, but Flora will come with us. The Empire of Saint Reims and the Elven Empire have some strategic plans that need to be agreed upon —"
Before he could finish, Sylvia sealed Many's mouth. The high priestess was much bolder than before. Perhaps the era of war had changed many people's personalities. If one did not fight for something, they might not get it in their lifetime. Sylvia now deeply understood this.
"Don't talk to me about anything profound. I only have you in my heart."
Sylvia's voice was as soft as a mosquito's, but she was extremely satisfied.
* * *
Florora quickly spread the news of her high-profile visit to the Elven Empire to the city hidden in the forest. Dashil responded positively. As it was an official "diplomatic visit," the Empire of Saint Reims would naturally put on an extravagant show.
Her Majesty the Queen appeared in Dashil through the teleportation circle. When this quaint city welcomed the Queen of the Human Empire, there was no hypocrisy or pretense. Unlike the humans who liked to put on a show and deceive themselves, the elves would never force their people to smile or pretend to be sad. When the human guards of honor walked out from the teleportation circle, the elves only stood quietly on the sides of the road and watched. They did not cheer or laugh. It was as if they were looking at ordinary passersby.
The elves who had never been enslaved would not have much fear and respect for the so-called "royal power." They wore dark clothes and would only smile slightly when Florora passed by to show their friendliness.
The Queen of the Empire of Saint Reims did not choose to sit in a huge carriage or wear luxurious clothes on a tall horse as if she was on a demonstration in this peaceful land of the elves. Compared to the natural buildings around her, Florora's dark green robe and the subtle magic runes on it immediately closed the gap between the elven commoners and Her Majesty the Queen. As she walked, she did not feel the urgency of a war. Instead, she looked more like she was taking a leisurely stroll in the afternoon.
Lord of Klimt, the "First Bishop", "Legendary Hero", and "Epic Creator" who had recently risen to fame across the entire continent, many Count followed behind the procession. He smiled and nodded to confirm the authenticity of his identity as the Queen when the procession arrived at the center of Dashil.
Sylvia, who was wearing a high priestess robe, walked side by side with many others. The high priestess of the Klimt Temple also attracted the attention of many believers. What was more exaggerated was that when the procession reached the center of Dashil where the Elder Council was located, countless believers knelt on one knee and solemnly begged for the priestess' blessings.
Pure, without a trace of extra emotion.