The flames of war burned unchecked.
From the perspective of a strategic map, one could clearly see several bloody arrows rapidly advancing toward the territory of the War Pig tribe.
One arrow belonged to the Winged People, another to the Elves. The third arrow was the human army led by Aililan.
And the final arrow came from the Jackal Tribe, located even further to the north.
All routes of advance pointed toward the War Pigs’ final bastion of resistance—where they still had thirty thousand troops remaining.
Battle reports could lie.
But the frontline could not.
The Jackal Tribe Chief, Hucli, looked at the information he had received and angrily threw it to the ground.
“Damn it! How could those cursed War Pigs be so useless? In such a short time, their twenty-thousand-strong southern army was wiped out!”
What frustrated him even more was that the benefit the Saintess had originally promised him—allowing the Jackals to sweep through the War Pig territory—was now being carved up by the Elves and the Winged People.
How could he not be furious?
At the same time, he also received a handwritten letter from Aililan, its tone carrying a subtle reprimand:
[I have witnessed the bravery of the Jackal Tribe. When our allied forces arrive, I hope the Jackal Tribe Chief will join in the attack to shatter the War Pigs’ final resistance together.]
This letter seemed like a greeting and encouragement, but it actually contained hidden dissatisfaction.
From the outbreak of the conflict until now, the clashes between the Jackals and the War Pigs had almost all been small-scale skirmishes. They hadn’t even fought a single proper, head-on battle.
Aililan’s meaning was clear—
At the very least, during the final decisive battle, you Jackals should show your faces.
And at this moment, the most uncomfortable and silent place was undoubtedly the War Pig main camp.
The War Pig Leader, Baccus, looked haggard and withered. “How did it come to this… Why did it come to this?”
His former pride and confidence had long since turned into deep despair.
Given the combat power of the beastmen, fifty thousand could be considered equivalent to one hundred thousand humans.
And with an army of one hundred thousand, the War Pigs had become a regional hegemon. He had once thought this was only natural.
A hegemon should have the dignity of a hegemon.
What was wrong with a hegemon wanting more?
But when the war truly began, the internal problems of the War Pigs were quickly exposed.
Not only did the war situation not develop as they had envisioned—sweeping through the humans and forcing them to sign a humiliating treaty—it rapidly deteriorated instead.
“Father.”
Baccus’s daughter, Naris, spoke with a grave expression. “Please issue the order quickly. Our territory is filled with civilians who have no ability to resist. Right now, the Elves and the Winged People are running rampant.”
“Naris… was I wrong?”
“Father, I opposed your rebellion from the very beginning. But at the time, you were blinded by the arrogance of our clansmen. Since you chose this path, why act so hypocritically now?”
“Father, this is a moment of life and death for the War Pigs. Please make a decision quickly.”
“Naris, my daughter… what should I do?”
“Father, have you lost your mind? Of the thirty thousand troops we have left, only about ten thousand belong to our War Pig main force. We only have two paths left.”
“Tell me.”
“The first: gather our forces and fight our way out, rescue as many of our people as possible, then head all the way north to seek the protection of the Beastman Royal Court.”
“And the cost?”
“Our War Pig tribe originally had over forty thousand people. Those who could reach the Royal Court alive would likely be less than ten thousand. Moreover, our previous relationship with the humans will inevitably lead to ostracization. We would never have a chance to rise again.”
“What about the second path?”
“Beg the Saintess for mercy.”
“That’s impossible!”
“Father, it is the only way.”
“Who taught you this? Their heart is worthy of execution!”
At that moment, the tent flap was pushed aside.
“It was me.”
The War Pig Sage walked in.
Baccus fell silent for a moment.
Back when the masses were impassioned and blindly arrogant, only this Sage had strongly opposed the plan.
“Why would you say that? We betrayed the Saintess. How could she possibly spare the War Pigs? ‘With such disloyalty, never to be used again’—have you not heard that saying?”
The War Pig Sage, Cyril, sighed. “Do not apply your own logic to the Saintess. She has invested too much effort and care into our War Pig tribe. She will not give up on us so easily.”
Hope rekindled in Baccus’s eyes. He bowed deeply. “Please, Sage, teach me.”
“Baccus, you are confused. According to the Saintess’s original plan, she was going to support us in establishing our own nation. But you went and contacted the Northern Royal Court, thoroughly enraging her.”
“But we are beastmen, after all…”
“Enough.”
“Alright… then tell me, what should we do?”
“We need to give the Saintess an explanation.”
“How do we explain?”
“All those who supported you this time, likely even including you, will probably not come to a good end.”
“I…”
“Hear me out. First, go and fight. Show the spirit of our War Pigs, display an attitude of fighting to the death. That is the only bargaining chip we have left. As for you and those supporters—you must die.”
“Then we might as well fight the humans to the death!”
“Yes, fight to the death… that is perhaps also a path. At least you can preserve your final dignity, and then be completely exterminated.”
Baccus fell silent.
Cyril’s words presented two sides.
If you want dignity, the price is the extermination of your race.
If you hand over the chief culprits, the War Pigs might still have a sliver of hope.
After a long while, Baccus asked in a low voice, “Then what will become of our War Pig tribe… in the future?”
Cyril took a deep breath, his gaze profound. “We can never return to our peak. The Winged People will gain the Saintess’s favor and become a force to rival us.”
“Those traitors…”
“They are no longer traitors. From now on, they will be the second sword hanging over our heads.”
“I… understand…”
The War Pigs erupted with their final strength.
In a conflict with the Jackals, they tenaciously held onto the Jackal main force and, with despair and resolve, forcefully crushed it, rendering it unable to form effective combat power again for a significant time.
This should have been a great victory.
But within the War Pig tribe, a cloud of gloom and sorrow hung heavy.
Because the human army was already closing in.
The Winged People had finished sweeping their allocated territory, the Elves had returned laden with spoils, and the forces from all four sides were converging.
Winged People, Jackals, Elves, Humans—the allied forces of the four sides totaled nearly one hundred thousand troops.
Although the War Pigs had crushed the Jackals once, their own forces were now just over twenty thousand.
Clearly, the victory in that battle had come at a terrible cost.
“Saintess, when do we launch the final assault?”
“Not in a hurry. Let’s wait a little longer.”
“Wait for what?”
“For the War Pigs.”
Aililan took a light sip of black tea.
Just as the War Pig Sage had said, completely annihilating the War Pigs, while satisfying, did not align with her plans and interests.
The price she wanted was never the extermination of a race.
It was—
The backbone of the War Pigs.
“If they don’t give it up willingly, it’s fine.”
“Breaking it works just as well.”
She said softly.
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