novelraw Chapter 684 - 683 - Let Slip the Dogs of War
Chapter 684 - 683 - Let Slip the Dogs of War
It was uncertain what exactly made the final spark. Was it the battle to rescue some Secret Flame disciples that had been led into a trap inside the Theocracy of Spirits or was it the Council of War simply being making a permanent beachhead in the Mao Kingdom? It could have been both or simply all the steps leading up to both.
It could also have simply been patience running out, but Lind now looked out at a burnt out city that once stood in the Mao Kingdom. The merchants had pleaded for his intervention but his own spies revealed they had played both sides and been caught at it.
The city had not had as much loss of life as it could have as both the Council and the Theocracy had carefully evacuated children and those not directly involved in combat. Even a few production masters that had no affiliation had been allowed to leave.
It was a strange thing to find that thousands that died were involved but it did not lessen the horror of war.
"My Emperor, I have more reports." A young man that looked a great deal like Gravis was currently kneeling behind Lind. The young man had long sworn to his service after Lind saved his life.
Lind smiled and took the jade slips. His smile died as he saw the reports from the Emerald Souls. They had only become more impressive in their information network that it did not suffer after the reshuffling of all the powers he caused.
"Tell Gravis to lock down our borders and have Kin keep an eye on things." He nodded and left Lind quickly while talking into his communication bracelet. Lind felt tired. He had chosen his path but the present war was the true test of his choice.
"You could work on your stealth skills, Melody." His old friend quietly stepped out from behind a tree that was within striking distance of Lind. She looked chagrined as she had thought she was well hidden.
"You are still very powerful, Emperor Frey." He looked back at her sternly.
"You will never call me that again." Lind was an Emperor but he had very few friends from his old days in the Law Binding. She smiled at him before standing next to him.
"What will you do?" Her question was not as his friend and Lind carefully considered it as they looked at the ruins of the city.
"For now, protect my people and those running from the war. It will strain my resources but I already started planning for this long ago." Melody looked surprised at him as he simply shrugged. "Nothing is forever and I always planned to leave, remember? I am not so irresponsible as not to prepare for war when I am gone."
She then felt herself being very shortsighted as she had risen to lead her sect but had not thought to prepare for war on the scale they were seeing.
"Is there anything we can do?" Lind then looked at her with a sad smile as he pointed at the ruins with his finger. His fine robes of crimson, black, and gold made him imposing as the sun shone down on him in that moment.
"Stand behind your disciples but remind them they are not gods. None of us are. If you want to help with refugees, see what you can pull off but don't leave yourselves vulnerable. Also, as you well know, crush the opportunists as they show up." His last words were firm but it was a decree from the Emperor of the highest power in the land.
She bowed but before she left, she felt a hand on her head stop her.
"Go see Keke. He misses you." She blushed but nodded before leaping off into the forest around them.
Lind looked at her retreating back sadly. She of all the current elites knew the horrific loss of life to come for those powerless to stop it.
Part of the reason the Heavenly Maiden Sect had risen to power was it became a place for those that lost their livelihoods to reclaim power over their lives and ensure it did not happen to others.
It was very different from what Valkyrie presented to him but it was still the tenets of the sect as he knew them too. The Dao is myriad but one.
He slowly took to the air before turning around and transforming into his dragon form. He was now nearly 20 meters long but the feeling of oppression was much higher than before. His breath formed and reduced the ruins to an empty plain.
The now smoldering ground would recover and the many lost souls would hopefully find peace in their next lives. He flew far into the sky as he returned to his throne. He had much to do and little freedom left to do it.
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The Theocracy officially declared war on both the Council of War and Mao Kingdom. It was followed by brutal attacks that showed while they were zealots about their ideals, they took their cultivation very seriously.
Of the 2, the Council of War had it far easier. Neither could fight the other without crossing the Sanctuary Empire. Further, they dared not cause an issue inside its borders as it would be swiftly punished.
Still, eventually, a flow of resources and camps were made that began to fight regularly until it became the true chaos of war. Lind had his people work tirelessly to do what they could but things got messy very quickly.
The Secret Flame Sect had a small meltdown as various elders tried to overthrow the Sect Master but they were all against each other as well! Some were with each of the 3 supreme powers and thus the Sect did not collapse but it suffered heavy losses.
The Sect Master raged at the foolish loss of life but could do nothing to avenge the fallen as the elders that survived fled to their respective partners. All the secret rituals and many resources were plundered as well!
Rather than try to stop the flood of disciples, he let them do what they wished. Many left for the Haven Lands or the Sanctuary Empire which made the various powers embroiled in war frustrated but Lind said nothing.
The stunning level of support Lind was able to give to refugees made it clear he had been holding back resources for a very long time. He had been prepared for war all that time!
New fear of him invaded the 3 powers at war. Just how prepared was Lind for war? He had such a level of resources he was absorbing millions of refugees as if they were nothing to him! None of his cities nor major centers of power had any problem at all.
Further, he had areas quickly built with strange identical buildings that were practically duplicated like snapping a finger to make them appear. It was like he had been anticipating the war on the scale it was currently happening all along!
The care and ready made ability to make the small camps self sustaining in less than a few months also terrified them. There would be no need to live off handouts or pity as the people could quickly stand on their own!
In other words, the Sanctuary Empire did not simply take in refugees, it gained full fledged citizens!
The screening process was very harsh to get in, however it was efficient. Somehow, Lind's border inspectors knew soldiers or war profiteers from simple commoners. They also caught fleeing nobles that tried to hide among the group feeling from the wars when things went wrong.
After a full year of open warfare, the 3 powers felt they were all losing to Lind! He was the only one gaining anything!
The Theocracy, of all people, were the first to suggest an end to the conflict. The chaotic battlelines had not gained them any territory as the aether beasts were able to keep them out of the Hinterlands while the Sanctuary Empire only grew stronger.
In other words, they were not getting any of the benefits war should bring nor were they getting anything but a stronger overlord ruling them!
Despite their best efforts, however, the leaders could not agree on a place to meet and kept reigniting the war for the next year after that, if less viciously than before.
Finally, their fears came true.
The battle between the Mao Kingdom and the Theocracy spilled over into the Sanctuary Empire. Powerful formations and weavings stopped them cold but the violation was done!
A gigantic azure dragon instantly appeared in the sky and she crushed all under her power!
"The war is over. The leaders will gather in 5 days at the Two Rivers City. Failure to arrive will be taken as defiance of the Sanctuary Empire." Lanbao had been watching carefully and Lind had been right that the war would finally strike their borders.
The thin strip that stretched across the borders of the Council of War, Theocracy of Spirits, and Mao Kingdom had always been a troublesome worry for Lind.
Now, the war had drawn them in but Lind had no desire for war at all. He had no need for it. The war with the Fiends was more than enough!
All battles ceased and the leaders gathered at the rather humble Two Rivers City. Despite the ability to upgrade it or even improve over the centuries, it remained a simple fortress city with farms around it.
The idyllic pastures and rustic atmosphere was so peaceful the war weary leaders felt a flash of insight all at once. That was the vision Lind defended. He did not desire power or resources, just a wish for simple peace.
They approached the massive wall in front of them in their caravans and felt the horrifying power pulsing in it. Any ideas some may have had about causing trouble vanished as the feeling of Lanbao washed over them.
They bowed and were let in by the guards at the gate as she appeared in front of them in her human form. She nodded and led them to the fortress and the Emperor waiting to greet them.