Green Monster Epic

Chapter 869: Disagreement

The return of the elven remnants surprised the elven unit in Coldwind Pass that was clearing out the remaining drow, and then boundless anger and sorrow welled up in their hearts.

In the end, this surge of anger and hatred was first vented on the slaves abandoned by the drow and their families. Countless slaves who had laid down their weapons in despair, originally obediently restrained in the buildings, thought that this might give them a chance of survival, but they never expected that what awaited them would be a merciless and cruel massacre.

Fierce flames directly ignited the buildings where the captives were held. The elven warriors coldly guarded the outside, listening to the shrill screams and wails in the sea of fire. Any creature that walked out of this sea of fire alive would be sent back by them immediately, until it was swallowed by the flames.

At the same time, in this dilapidated city that had basically been occupied by the elves, flames were rising everywhere. Under the instructions of their commanders, the elven warriors actually began setting fires in the city, preparing to have the entire city serve as a funeral pyre for their fallen comrades.

It seemed that only by seeing the tragic fate of these captives and burning down this city, which the drow had managed for countless years, could the sadness and anger in the hearts of the elven soldiers be calmed.

When the main force of the drow and Thorn alliance arrived under Coldwind Pass, the city was shrouded in thick smoke that blotted out the sun and burning flames. The drow no longer needed to probe the elven army to know their choice!

"These damned bastards!"

Drow Matron Deborah couldn't help but feel ashamed and annoyed, her face frosty. She never expected the elves to be so resolute, directly burning the drow's centuries of effort to ashes. Even if the elves retreated from the wilderness, it would probably take the drow matrons decades and immeasurable resources to rebuild this city.

For a race that migrated from the underground, they could not bring out many resources in the first place, and the drow, who were not very good at management, now had enough resources to rebuild Coldwind Pass, but they could not afford the cost of rebuilding the city multiple times.

Allen and Penny flew over the dark clouds, continuing north. On the horizon, the elven army was retreating in an orderly manner, obviously having given up their plan to continue staying in the Northern Territory, and not giving the drow and Thorn alliance a chance to pursue their victory.

"What are you all planning to do next?"

Suddenly, a strong wind rose in the sky, and then dense dark clouds enveloped the already fire-surrounded city below. The drow spellcasters began to use the power of magic to save their city.

Allen was unenthusiastic, not feeling much joy because the elves had taken the initiative to retreat.

Even if the other side suffered a major defeat, their existing forces still had the strength to contend with the drow and Thorn alliance. Now that they had taken the initiative to withdraw, it made the drow matrons and Allen feel somewhat passive.

This fire had completely destroyed Coldwind Pass's role as a forward outpost fortress, and if they wanted to rebuild it, relying solely on the drow's own strength, it would probably take more than ten years even if they invested all their accumulated resources.

However, the Northern Territory was now in a state of war, and the elves would definitely not give the drow matrons the opportunity to build a city peacefully. They could return at any time and destroy the defenseless buildings again.

If they did not build fortifications, the drow would not have the confidence to contend with the elves in the wilderness. The elves had the support and assistance of a powerful kingdom, so even if they suffered a major defeat like this, they could make up for their strength and even improve it in just one or two months.

However, the drow had also lost tens of thousands of their main force this time, and if they wanted to make up for it, they would have to rely on their own reproduction, which would take decades. As the strength of each side increased and decreased, the gap between them would become larger and larger, and eventually the drow would be exhausted to death by the other side.

Therefore, in Allen's opinion, the drow were now in a dilemma, whether to continue garrisoning the land of Coldwind Pass or to withdraw to Bonn City to lick their wounds.

And the drow's choice would have a great impact on the Northern Territory and the wilderness, because the current Thorn alliance was just a minor presence. To really deal with the main force of the elves, they still had to rely on the drow. If the drow chose to shrink back, then the Thorn alliance could only retreat back to Nasir Fortress.

In that case, the elven army that invaded the Northern Wilderness would have achieved their goal, because the real target of the Elven Kingdom was not the drow, but the stronger and more prosperous Dwarven Kingdom.

"Of course, we must avenge ourselves!"

Matron Penny gave an answer that was beyond Allen's expectations. When he turned to look at her, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the faces of the surrounding drow powerhouses had changed, seemingly not completely agreeing with Penny's words.

"Those hypocritical fellows hope that we will retreat in the face of difficulties, but I just can't let them get their wish!"

"Since their main force has been severely damaged by us this time, giving us a one- to two-month window, although this time will definitely not allow us to build a solid defense line in Coldwind Pass, it is enough for us to go north to the territory of the Dwarven Kingdom and use the power of those dwarves to tear off another piece of flesh from the elves!"

"The elves are retreating swaggeringly now, just because they are sure that our federation is weak and cannot do anything to them?"

"I will make them pay for their conceit."

"Penny, we don't care what you personally want to do, but when it comes to the federation's decision, you should at least discuss it with us!"

Just as Penny was talking with Allen, stating her plans, Dark Saintess Ashley, who had been impatient for a while, directly interrupted Penny's speech.

Penny's presumptuousness in front of outsiders was obviously intended to push the Hothian Federation in the direction she had chosen with Allen's presence. Although this demigod matron had a great say in the federation, it did not mean that she could make a decision on major federation matters with a single word.

Although Ashley's words were impatient, she had actually restrained herself a lot. Considering that Allen, this distinguished guest, was present, she couldn't reveal the disharmonious side of the federation.

"I'm just asking Lord Allen for his opinion to see what he thinks about this matter. You can also express your other opinions!"

Penny frowned slightly, but then smiled enchantingly, revealing a charming posture.

"Lord Allen, please be the judge and see if what I just said is reasonable?"

"This..."

Allen was a little unsure how to express his position for a moment. From the bottom of his heart, he was actually very interested in the plan that Penny had revealed in her words, and he even felt a bit of respect for this female demigod.

Only a leader with truly long-term vision and wisdom would make a choice that seems to defy common sense and be unexpected, like the current drow matron.

However, with the other Matrons and Holy Daughters present, Alan didn't want to say too much. Looking at the expressions of the other Drow authorities around, it was clear that they didn't all support Penile's earlier idea, otherwise, they wouldn't have directly interrupted Penile's speech.

"This is, after all, an internal matter of the Hoja Federation, so I really can't say anything."

After hesitating for a moment, Alan could only offer a vague response.

"Then let me rephrase the question. How will the Thorns Ring respond to the war launched by the Elves in the Talun Continent?"

Penile's eyes were burning, clearly not wanting Alan or the Thorns Ring behind him to remain uninvolved.

The other Matrons, seeing Penile's actions, didn't continue to question her but turned their attention to Alan.

"..."

Alan felt somewhat trapped, completely unprepared for Penile's question.

The original purpose of this joint army was to cooperate with the Drow's forces and plans to launch a counterattack against the Elven army invading the Northern Territory, thereby protecting the safety of the organization's members south of the Cato Mountains.

Beyond that, Alan and the others hadn't considered anything further. Especially after witnessing the actual combat capabilities of the Thorns coalition on the battlefield, Alan and the others more clearly realized that their own strength was too weak in the face of such a powerful force's military operations, not even qualifying as a chess player who could participate.

"Although I very much agree with your idea, Matron, unfortunately, the current strength of my Thorns Ring is not enough to pose a threat to the Elves. In this war, we were able to take advantage of the situation and inflict heavy losses on them, but it was your armies that contributed more."

"Regarding the war between the Elves and Dwarves in the north, although we also want to help, the reality is that we are truly powerless."

"Giggle."

Penile covered her mouth and laughed, but her eyes were filled with disappointment and ridicule: "I originally thought Your Excellency was a visionary and adventurous leader, but now it seems I should adjust my image of you."

"Heh heh."

Alan wouldn't fall for such crude provocation. He wasn't too dissatisfied, just smiled casually.

"Your Excellency has also seen the Elves' military quality. This time, the Elves will still focus their main attack on the Dwarves, but how can you and I guarantee that they won't let us exist next time!"

"Even if the Elves focus their main attention on the Dwarven Kingdom, if it weren't for their underestimation of the enemy and our proper planning, how much chance of victory do you think we would really have if their army invading the Northern Territory had directly confronted us head-on?"

Penile rarely restrained her expression, instead gazing north with a serious face.

"My city-state has migrated to the surface, cutting off all escape routes, so the only way for us to survive is to take root in this land! I don't care what the other Matrons think or what their plans are, but in my opinion, if we can't seize the opportunity to weaken the Elves as much as possible and win over allies, then the only end awaiting us will be the extinction of our entire race."

"Without my Hoja Federation at the forefront to resist the Elves, the Thorns Ring organization that you have painstakingly built wouldn't be able to survive alone in the face of the Elves, would it!"

"Although I admire Your Excellency's ability to manage tribes and forces, and have personally witnessed the growth and development of the Thorns Ring, you should ask yourself, even if you were given a hundred years, what kind of scale could your Thorns Ring ultimately develop to?"

"Perhaps by then, your strength could rival the current power of my Hoja Federation?"

"But can you contend with the powerful Elven Kingdom?"

One piercing question after another was bluntly spat out by Penile, not only leaving Alan speechless but also causing Bobier, Tim, and other strong individuals of various races who had followed him to lower their heads in contemplation, while the Drow Matrons who harbored doubts also looked somewhat gloomy.

"Your Excellency, when we Drow struggled to survive in the underground world, we summarized a path with countless blood: Only the weak who can seize opportunities and are willing to risk their lives can create miracles in the cruel and ruthless reality and seek a glimmer of hope."

"Facing such a powerful existence as the Elves, it is wishful thinking to want to reverse the gap in strength with just one or two such victories. But if we can seize opportunities and weaken their strength with small victories ten or a hundred times, then one day in the future they will no longer be strong, and we will truly not have to worry about their threat to us!"

"The gap in strength should never be the real concern for someone like Your Excellency."

Alan could tell that Matron Penile's determination and will were very firm, and what she said struck Alan like a bolt from the blue, causing a rare sense of shame to well up in his heart.

Using the action of concealing his emotions, Alan pretended to glance left and right, but in reality, he was observing the attitude revealed by the Thorns' strongmen behind him.

Among the wilderness powerhouses who came with the army, except for Grand Master Oscar of the Oakleaf Temple, the other wilderness powerhouses had a somewhat disapproving look on their faces.

Although this cooperation with the Drow Federation was very successful, and the other party behaved very generously both in terms of tactical arrangements and in the post-war cleanup of spoils, they couldn't overcome the solidified image that the other party had held since ancient times, as well as their behavior over the years, which ultimately made it impossible for other powerhouses to abandon their past prejudices.

This time everyone cooperated mainly because Alan, the demigod, strongly promoted and persuaded everyone, otherwise, they would not have appeared so promptly under Coldwind Ridge, but would have followed their usual practice of arriving late after the Drow and Elves had both suffered heavy losses.

Now, even if the reasoning that Penile spoke of was moving, everyone felt that they had done their best. Their Thorns coalition had lost 30,000 soldiers to help you lift the siege and drive away the invading Elven army, and that was already enough.

To ask them to follow the Drow to do something that required sacrifice, then sorry, they are not kind people and will not be moved by a few words.

Secretly shaking his head in his heart, Alan then forced a smile and interrupted Penile's words: "Everyone has worked hard today. Why don't we take a rest first and let the soldiers relax!"

"... Alright."

Penile glanced at Alan, and seeing his unquestionable attitude, finally nodded helplessly.

The two hundred thousand troops from both sides camped on the spot outside the ruins of Coldwind Ridge, which were still rising with plumes of smoke. The Drow also organized manpower to enter the ruins to search for any surviving lucky ones.