Chapter242

Faced with the remaining evil retainers of the Dark Sky Temple who wielded various mystical arts, the Eastern Nation was unwilling to back down. But during its struggle with Narcissus Kingdom, the surrounding second-tier countries had already started to stir restlessly, ready to reap the benefits once both sides were weakened.

The vassal lord of the Narcissus region used to be the younger brother of the ruler of the Eastern Nation. He commanded an army of five hundred thousand and was one of the Eastern Nation's greatest pillars of power. After his death, the strength of the Eastern Nation had already suffered a severe blow. On top of that, many of the officials in that land had already been replaced by Narcissus Kingdom with their own people. The control of the region had long since been stripped from the Eastern Nation.

Narcissus Kingdom even sacrificed half of its national treasury to bring in evil retainers from the Dark Sky Temple. With so many threats stacking up, the Eastern Nation eventually had no choice but to retreat to the border, painfully giving up that land once known as Narcissus.

At this point, Mr. Yu chuckled again. There was mockery and sarcasm in his voice.

"But the funny thing is, the land that was cut off didn't end up in Narcissus Kingdom's hands either. The treacherous officials they bribed with heavy gold had their own ambitions. While Narcissus and the Eastern Nation were fighting, one of them took the chance to declare the land an independent country under his own rule. He made himself emperor, and that land became the current Narcissus Kingdom. Then, in order to survive between Narcissus and the Eastern Nation, he immediately pledged allegiance to Narcissus as its vassal state."

Mr. Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud. "At that time, both Narcissus and the Eastern Nation were already severely wounded. Narcissus seized the chance to become independent and swore loyalty to Narcissus. The Eastern Nation, even in rage, no longer had the strength to take the land back. Meanwhile, Narcissus Kingdom had been so battered by the Eastern Nation that even their monarch was killed. After offering up half the treasury, they were left with neither people nor wealth. Naturally, they didn't have the energy to fully absorb Narcissus either."

"For more than a hundred years since then, right up to now, both the Eastern Nation and Narcissus have remained in recovery. That's why the northwest has taken on its current appearance."

The history of the grudge between these two nations really was thrilling. Since the Eastern Nation and Narcissus were mortal enemies, and their current strengths were fairly evenly matched, and the Eastern Nation also sat in a highly strategic location, if they could form an alliance, it would be a perfect match.

Elara glanced at the map Mr. Yu had drawn on the table, then at him as he continued to laugh.

"So at this Hundred Nations Banquet, are you planning to seek out people from the Eastern Nation?"

With a snap, Mr. Yu opened his folding fan and fanned himself, his narrow eyes curving as he looked at Elara. "Yes. I'm quite familiar with the Crown Prince of the Eastern Nation. I once saved his life, and he saved mine. Also, the Eastern Nation's territory isn't far from our Dahlia. Our two countries have had trade relations for many years. I know exactly how much they loathe Narcissus Kingdom."

As he finished, the smile on Mr. Yu's face deepened, as if he had thought of something amusing.

"The land of Narcissus was considered a national humiliation by the Eastern Nation a century ago. As long as it's not reclaimed, every successive ruler of the Eastern Nation feels it like a bone stuck in their throat. During every divine vein sacrifice, the ruler and the royal family must bring up this matter and conduct a deep and solemn self-reflection in front of their ancestors."

"As a result, the entire population of the Eastern Nation harbors extreme hatred toward Narcissus. At every previous Hundred Nations Banquet, as long as they encountered each other, there would always be a fight. No matter the reason or even without a reason at all, whenever someone from the Eastern Nation sees someone from Narcissus, they basically just roll up their sleeves and go straight for a brawl."

Mr. Yu half-covered his face with the fan as he laughed for a while. Elara also curled her lips slightly, her soft laughter echoing in the quiet room. After more than ten seconds, Mr. Yu finally stopped laughing and said, "So, as long as we plan carefully, the Eastern Nation won't give up this chance to strike at Narcissus."

Whether objectively or subjectively, the Eastern Nation truly was an excellent choice for an ally. Elara nodded in agreement. "With that in mind, and with the Eastern Nation's power behind us, we will truly have the strategic depth to contend with the four kingdoms aligned with Narcissus."

After conquering a large portion of Edelweiss Kingdom's territory, the overall strength of the Dahlia Kingdom had already surpassed most ordinary third-tier nations, only one step away from becoming a second-tier power.

Salvia, Narcissus, and the other states might also be third-tier, but they were no match for Dahlia.

In a one-on-one battle, they were sure to lose. Only in a two-on-one could they hope to win.

As for Elara, while the national strength of Plumera was still about average among second-tier states, with the factories she founded, the weapons she had forged, and her modern battlefield tactics, her forces were no weaker than a third-tier kingdom's. And once they entered the battlefield, her fully armed elite troops would hardly be at a disadvantage.

In fact, on the battlefield alone, even if Plumera's total number of troops and generals couldn't match Salvia and others, with high-quality equipment and heavy crossbows at the ready, Plumera's army had a real chance of winning with fewer troops. And not just a small chance, either.

Besides, even if they couldn't win in a frontal clash, couldn't they switch to guerrilla tactics? Cut off supply lines, sneak attacks?

Victory in war didn't always go to the side with more people.

Her hundred-thousand-strong puppet army and the many living puppets weren't for show.

"Advance when the enemy retreats, harass when the enemy encamps, strike when the enemy is weary, pursue when the enemy flees" with such a great doctrine guiding her, Elara didn't believe she couldn't beat them.

Even if she had to face a third-tier kingdom alone, she wouldn't be afraid. In fact, she was a little eager to try.

"Alright, then this will be our general direction for now."

Having more or less settled on the Eastern Nation as a future ally, Elara recalled what Mr. Yu had said earlier. A few unfamiliar terms surfaced in her mind again... remnants of the Dark Sky Temple? Divine Attendant Palace? Buying divine vein blessings?

Weren't divine veins worshipped as holy gifts from the gods by all nations in this world? You could actually buy blessings with money?

And that "Thousand-Faced Impersonator" it must be referring to Emory's fellow disciple.

She blinked. The System had also briefly introduced the history of the Thousand-Faced Sect when she first met Emory.

With their ability to change form so thoroughly that even close acquaintances couldn't tell them apart, the Thousand-Faced Sect once silently replaced a crown prince of a powerful nation and impersonated him for over ten years before being exposed.

This powerful shape-shifting ability once allowed them to stir up the entire continent single-handedly.

Until the ability became too dangerous and indistinguishable. Then, the major powers of the continent deemed them a threat and united to hunt them down. From the height of their influence, they fell into near-extinction.

Still, throughout the long history of this world, Thousand-Faced disciples continued to appear in key positions within different nations from time to time, spreading their shadowy influence.

Thinking of how Emory once disguised himself as Damon and even the likes of Lord Gregory, who had been close to the real Damon, never suspected a thing, Elara became even more alert to this nearly indiscernible impersonation art. Though a part of her couldn't help but admire it, too.