Lao Lao Wang's Works The Butterfly that Crossed Time and Space Volume 1: The Most Absurd War Chapter 13: Elusive and Enigmatic

  Thirteen, obscure and mysterious

  The violent east wind brought the breath of the distant ocean, sweeping across the northern land. Thick dark clouds pressed down on the small town in the forest, and the heavy rain washed away the streets that had flowed with blood, but couldn't take away the strong smell of blood. In the rain, the long-eared invaders moved from one corpse to another, wiping clean their bloody weapons, sitting in the homes of the victims eating the food they had just plundered, boasting to each other about their "achievements", and the gloom of recent days was swept away.

  However, the highest commander of the Elf Army still had little joy on his face, sitting in the second floor of the town mayor's house, racking his brains for the next move.

  "Is this Fogtown by the Reindeer River?" Idriel frowned, studying the newly acquired map on the table. "Have we come to North Province?"

  "Yes, we've just taken down the enemy's headquarters in the Northern Province!" Gilbert said with some excitement. "The enemy was completely unguarded, and we've seized enough food to last us two months! And there's also a good amount of gunpowder, so life is going to be much easier from now on."

  "Yes, it's certainly worth celebrating to have captured so many things." Idriel said perfunctorily, waving his hand to dismiss Gilbert and bending down again to study the map. The River Tamed flowed through the western edge of the Northern State, and after crossing a mountain range to the east was the capital city of Storess. Currently about 10,000 militiamen were besieging the several hundred Elven soldiers in Storess. And 100 miles northeast of Storess was the Elves' main base, Northport.

  If the Elf Fleet temporarily abandons its warships and marches eastward, it can respond to the inside and outside of the Stone Fortress City, destroying the main force of the Northern State Militia in one fell swoop, thereby occupying this land and connecting with the North Pole Port. This is a relatively stable choice.

  But during this time, the fleet would become extremely vulnerable and could be destroyed by enemy forces at any moment. Even if enough troops were left behind to protect the warships, the Noldor could set up a blockade downstream on the River Narog, trapping the powerful Elven fleet in the desolate inland waterways, rendering them unable to pose a threat to the colonies again.

  There is also a relatively adventurous option, that after collecting the grain and supplies, the entire fleet turns south, rushing into the Blue River before the enemy reacts, either entering the sea to return or heading towards the Tan Sea (he still doesn't know about the broken flow). This way can preserve the fleet, but it would also have to endure the harassment along the route of several hundred miles again and confront the enemy army on the vast grassland where the fleet is difficult to exert its strength.

  Idril pondered for a long time, but still couldn't make up his mind. In essence, he had always advocated for the spirit of adventure and was quite bold in battle, as evidenced by his launching an attack with inferior forces outside the North Pole Port. However, this western expedition's series of setbacks made him realize that he was only suited to commanding land armies and lacked the ability and level to command a fleet. Therefore, now he was hesitant and couldn't make a decision.

  "Anyway, food is not in short supply for the time being. The Noldor can't do anything under this weather either. Let's just wait until the rain stops." Idriel finally gave up thinking and picked up his already cold lunch, gobbling it down hastily.

  "It's still raining!" Fili stood on the balcony of the Garrison Command, gazing out at the turbulent sea in the distance.

  Like most places in the north during this season, Emmon Port was shrouded in storms and heavy rain, with a low-hanging sky that wrapped around the fishy smell of the sea breeze blowing from the east. The silver light danced wildly in the dark clouds, and large raindrops fell from the sky, sometimes turning into torrential downpours. The surface of the sea was turbulent, with huge waves constantly pounding against the breakwater, their power so great that it gave people a sense of dizziness as if the earth itself was shaking.

  The weather was bad, and things were not going well either. The state council had flatly refused Governor Norn's request for further funding for the war in the north. Instead, the council voted to establish a special investigative committee to look into the failure of the Blue River diversion tactic. Governor Norn, Speaker Zena, and a large number of other officials were stuck in New Morsobral City, schmoozing with various people, while Ferry, the governor's personal transmission wizard, was left alone in Emont Port, spending his days gazing blankly out the window at the bleak streets and cloudy skies.

  After the departure of the Great Bear Legion, Emon Port was once again bombarded by the Elf Fleet. Fortunately, Speaker Zena's arsenal had managed to produce a batch of large-caliber cannons in time. Although both the quality of the cannons themselves and that of their operators were questionable, under the cover of over 200 heavy guns, the arrogant Elf Fleet still suffered greatly, with one ship sunk and another damaged, fleeing in disarray. Speaker Zena also took the opportunity to make a strong promotion for her arsenal, selling this batch of cannons at a high price to several southern states that lagged behind in industry.

  Although the invading enemy was repelled, Emon Harbour was no longer safe and its former prosperity would not be restored in a short time. Fili's alchemy products had also lost their sales channels, and after making a few small items for himself, due to the lack of material costs, he could only stare blankly every day, occasionally exchanging information with the front line, waiting for the damned council to discuss a result.

  The greatest defect of a democratic government is its inefficiency. Although the Nordsel Empire cannot be said to have a completely democratic politics, the system that revolves around the parliament has basically taken shape. The defeat at North Pole Port has been over for nearly two months, and the Continental Congress, which should be held jointly by the 13 states, is still nowhere in sight. After repeated inquiries, proposals, discussions, voting, re-inquiries, re-proposals, re-discussions, and re-voting, the conference location was finally set at the New Continent Empire Military Headquarters - Gray Fortress (GrayFortress). However, the meeting time and representatives are still to be discussed at the meeting. The process is so complicated that it can make impatient people vomit blood and die. It seems that Governor Norm's expected election of war zone officials will have to wait for a long time.

  "It's a relief not to have to worry about enemies here, it would be great if there was a beautiful girl to accompany me, sigh, why don't I still have no luck with women?" Phil rummaged through his empty wallet, tossing it back and forth, "I wonder how Charlotte is doing, she still owes me two months' worth of dividends!"

  Lightning tore through the dark sky, trees and tents were wildly swaying in the stormy rain from all directions. Under the low sky, the earth was shrouded in endless heavy rain, the pouring rainwater formed countless flowing puddles on the grassland, under the violent storm, the sky seemed to be about to collapse, unscrupulously pouring down rain and lightning, mercilessly whipping everything on the plain.

  "Achoo!" Charlotte snuggled deeper into the thick blanket, letting out a massive sneeze. "Who's cursed me now, this damned weather, achoo!" He rubbed his nose with his hand, glanced outside the tent, and quickly retreated back under the blanket.

  On the vast plain where the Reindeer River and Blue River converged, the Giant Bear Legion and the New Enoo State Militia set up their camp with over 5,000 people, enduring the torrential rain while being vigilant for a sudden attack by the Elf Army.

  Since the fall of Fogtown, all news from the Northern States has been completely interrupted. It is not known whether the local militia moved to the Forbidden Magic Zone, or lost all wizards who could transmit messages, or worse, were completely annihilated.

  Intelligence unclear, specific countermeasures can not be made. More than 5,000 young men had to settle down on this desolate grassland, and due to the continuous heavy rain, many people got a cold, including Colonel Charlotte Sarton, who could only shrink in the blanket all day, like a hibernating bear.

  Charlotte couldn't help but cast a jealous glance at the large tent with a giant bear pattern on it, where Druidry Mr. was living quite happily. Due to the monotonous military rations and the heavy rain that made supplies scarce, almost every day there were beautiful Cho'gall priestesses being attracted by the various wondrous fruits conjured up by Druidry through natural magic, or making excuses to ask Druidry for magical guidance, or accompanying the lovely little Griselda in playing games, all of them eagerly squeezing into the giant tent with the silly bear pattern, causing it to be filled with the sounds of birdsong and laughter, with silvery tinkling giggles constantly ringing out. All the young men in the army who hadn't had a woman for several months were green-eyed with envy, but no one dared to challenge the violent Druidry who could toss giant dragons around like balls, so they could only secretly seethe with jealousy.

  "Achoo! At this rate, I'm afraid we'll be growing mold here." Charlotte felt the rain had soaked through the entire tent, and even the blankets were damp. "I hope those long-eared creatures are having a worse time than us, achoo!"

  The rainy season in July, whether it's the battlefield or the political situation, is as unpredictable as the weather. No matter who you are, no one can predict what unexpected events will happen next.