Chapter 11: The Oracle!
When this oracle was conveyed, the entire Leaffall City trembled.
The power of the noble faction firmly opposed the relocation; it was unacceptable for them to simply abandon Leaffall City. As nobles, they possessed immense wealth and status, primarily derived from their land. If they abandoned Leaffall City, they would be left with nothing. The vast majority of nobles saw this as a rather foolish decision. Moreover, they blamed the church, led by Milan, claiming that it was their management that led to Leaffall City’s bankruptcy, with the looted treasury unable to pay a single penny of military wages.
The Druid Faction’s stance was more neutral; they realized that without assistance, when the Half-Orc Army returned, they might not be able to hold Leaffall City.
However, their viewpoint was that if relocation were necessary, it should be toward the nearby Elven Forest, where the Druid Church could shelter these refugees, at least sparing them from a long journey to the Overseas Islands. Unfortunately, their perspective did not gain much support, as many understood that the Elven race might not be willing to accept a large number of refugees, and settling these refugees would also be a major hassle.
Food, land, supplies.
This heavy burden was something the currently opposing Elven royalty would be unwilling to take on.
However, the church’s influence was not strong either, for if given a choice, the vast majority of people were unwilling to leave their homes. Although the church had great prestige among the civilians, very few responded when the oracle was actually conveyed.
…
In the temple hall.
A middle-aged priest with a full beard stood at the center. After glancing at the others, he spoke in a deep voice, “Are we really going to give up this place? Are we really going to leave here?”
“We lack food and do not have enough warriors.”
“While the temple guards can protect some people, once a large-scale relocation occurs, it will surely alert the scouts of the Half-Orcs. The civilians cannot escape the pursuit of the Half-Orcs.”
“In the end, we might face complete annihilation!”
“Moreover.”
“Without food, we cannot be well-fed; without being well-fed, we will have no strength to walk. The oracle only tells us to follow the river, but it does not inform us where we should go. Relying solely on the warriors of the temple, it’s likely that we wouldn’t even last fifty miles after leaving Leaffall City, before being completely annihilated by the Half-Orc army!”
The middle-aged priest spread out a map. Pointing to several locations, he said, “Although Eugene’s army has retreated…”
“Here, here, and here, there are all Half-Orc outpost troops stationed. Their scouts have already surrounded us; a large-scale migration of civilians cannot possibly evade these scouts’ eyes. From here to here, the Half-Orc light cavalry can seal off all our routes within half a day. I cannot imagine the horrific disaster that would occur if a large number of civilians were caught by the Half-Orc army!”
“Once we leave the city, we will not be able to retreat back.”
The temple fell into a deathly silence.
Milan’s youthful and delicate face showed confusion; as the most devout Holy Spirit Priest, she was only responsible for conveying the oracle. How to act was beyond the understanding of a little girl, and all she could express at this moment was hesitation: “Then what should we do? This is the will of the deity! He told us that greater disasters would befall us, and if we do not leave now, we will likely lose even more!”
A sigh emerged.
An elderly man dressed in bishop’s robes stepped forward, speaking slowly, “Holy Spirit Priest, we are not unwilling to heed the deity’s will. But the issue now is that we cannot leave. Although our prayers can elicit a response from our Lord, He still has not granted any divine techniques. Without divine techniques, our strength is greatly diminished, and we cannot protect so many civilians.”
“Please look outside!”
“Outside are just a group of old, weak, women, and children. Those left are either farmers or militia; such strength may be useful in defending the city, but once we encounter the Half-Orc army in the wild, it is unlikely we can fight back.”
The temple was exceptionally quiet.
The priests present glanced at each other, obviously understanding that what they said was true. Relying solely on the few people outside and the temple guards would certainly not protect the civilians’ evacuation.
However.
At that moment, a young female priest stepped forward, dressed in silver armor, gripping a war hammer, looking valiant and impressive.
Her name was Fina.
She had appeared in Soren’s dream once, where she had lost her brother and knelt before a statue crying.
The war had seemingly matured her significantly; a scar had appeared on her profile, and although it marred her beauty, it made her appear more resolute.
“The deity said someone will come to our aid!”
Fina looked at the others present and spoke slowly, “It is difficult to defend Leaffall City! Once the Half-Orc army reassembles, we will almost certainly be unable to hold the city.”
“The Abyss Werewolves are stirring!”
“Once the King of Werewolves—Yenogu’s followers enter the fray, we may not last even three days!”
“I also do not wish to leave here.”
“But we have no other choice! Our warriors have suffered significant losses; the current strength is insufficient to defeat the enemy! The city is now filled with refugees, and if this continues, d*ath is all they will face!…”
Fina stood up and walked to the center of the hall, gazing at the others: “The most important thing now is to prepare and wait for the deity’s assistance!”
“Our Lord has responded to our prayers.”
“Then He should not easily abandon us; our priority now is to gather those kin willing to follow us in relocation.”
Many civilians have already lost everything.
Unlike the nobles who cling to land, many simply wish to flee the flames of war and search for the hope of survival, with the deity being their only reliance.
If there is truly a safe evacuation plan, I fear many would be willing to follow!
“What about the nobles?”
The middle-aged priest glanced at Fina, saying slowly, “They probably wouldn’t let us leave.”
Fina’s gaze sharpened, speaking in a deep voice, “Whether to stay or to leave is their decision. For those believers willing to follow our Lord to the Overseas Islands, they have no right to interfere.”
“We can reclaim lost land.”
“As long as people remain, there is hope! I cannot let my kin stay here waiting for d*ath!”
The temple fell silent again.
The priests present could not help but grow somber. The Half-Orcs had tens of thousands of troops, and Eugene himself was an incredibly powerful War Shaman. From any angle, the discrepancy in power between both sides was already evident.
…
Agate River.
Soren gazed at the distant mountains, his expression seeming to contemplate something.
He was not far from Leaffall City now, and he would be within Leaffall City’s range by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Everything was proceeding according to plan; his Holy Spirit Priest conveyed important matters to him daily during prayers. Soren was not particularly concerned about the situation in Leaffall City; he only needed to take with him those who were willing to follow, and how others chose was their affair.
Soren had no intention of being dragged back into the quagmire!
He had finally established a secure rear on the Overseas Islands; naturally, he would not allow himself to be embroiled in conflicts on the continent again.
As for helping Leaffall City defeat the Half-Orc army, that was out of the question!
Not to mention whether Soren had the capacity to defeat Eugene’s army, it was uncertain whether the pirates would be willing to fight for a Half-Elf. Just the losses among them would be something Soren could not bear.
He controlled three major maritime regions!
He had ample territory, trade routes, and merchant associations at his command. If the pirate forces were depleted at Leaffall City or suffered heavy losses in battles with the Half-Orcs…
Then Soren’s rear would undoubtedly fall into chaos!
It was uncertain how many factions eyed him covetously from the shadows, those he had ruthlessly suppressed and subdued would undoubtedly launch a frenzied counterattack given the opportunity!
At that time, everything could truly become a waste.
Moreover.
The Saint’s Cataclysm was about to arrive; even if Leaffall City were taken, it would not guarantee survival through the turbulent years.
This was a dead end!
…
(PS: The third update is complete.) (To be continued ~^~)
