Chapter 1964 - The Veterans Donned Their Armor Again

The garrison that the elves situated at the goblins' borders was summoned back from the south, but it was unknown when they would arrive at the Wind Forest.

The queen was still in seclusion, and High Priestess Helena was still in Chaos City. Only Sally was left in charge of the elves now. Many elves didn't trust her potential and judgment, and some even sneaked out of the city to evade the disaster.

"Report! The Roth Empire's cavalry is only 50 km away from the City of Life, and they are still marching rapidly. They are expected to arrive at the City of Life in approximately one hour!"

"Report! The advanced force of the garrison will arrive at the City of Life in three hours!"

The two bad pieces of news were sent to the meeting tent almost simultaneously, making all elves look even worse.

"See, I already said that we cannot resist them. The Roth Empire is too powerful. We may be able to maintain our current dignity if we surrender and become the Roth Empire's vassal state," Elliot said in a trembling voice with an ashen expression.

There were only 5000 garrison troops in the City of Life now. Due to the worsened relationship with the goblins because of the Night Elves' incident, most of the garrison was stationed at the southern border.

The City of Life could be described as being in a perilous state due to the current invasion of the 50,000 Roth Empire's knights.

Pessimism was spreading in the tent now.

Sally suddenly ordered, "Men, lock Elliot up for undermining the morale of our army!"

"Y-you… are locking me up? I'm your father!" Elliot puffed and glared at Sally.

All the elves stared at one another consciously. They didn't know how to react at that moment.

"Whoever undermines the morale of our army should be executed. With our enemy approaching, it's already mercy that you are spared." Sally looked at Elliot coldly, and said in a cold voice, "Did you all not hear my order?!"

Two elves immediately stepped forward, and dragged a cursing Elliot out of the tent.

"Now, does anyone still want to surrender?" Sally's cold gaze swept over all the elves.

All the elves in the tent tensed up, and then lowered their heads.

The little maiden's power wasn't really strong, but she already had the presence of a queen.

"Master Denton, how long can the City of Life hold up?" Sally asked.

All the elves turned towards the quiet old elf sitting in a corner.

Denton looked up with a severe expression, and said, "If defending with 5000 garrison troops, even if we have more 10th-tier powerhouses, I'm afraid we can't last more than two hours."

"We can't even last for two hours?" Sally frowned.

"There are no tall walls at the City of Life, and the seal barrier needs the high priestess to maximize its effectiveness. The Roth Empire sent 50,000 knights along with many magic casters. If they focus their attacks on one point, they will be able to break through the barrier very quickly. 5000 garrison troops isn't going to hold on for long against 50,000 Roth Empire's knights." Denton nodded.

"How could the defense of the City of Life be so weak?" Sally was still perplexed.

"You don't know about it, Princess. The elves' defense strategy has always focused on the periphery. All the families' domains formed a spider web that kept the enemy beyond the City of Life, so all the families had kept a great number of soldiers. However, those families at the periphery gave up without a fight this time, which was equivalent to exposing the City of Life to the enemy's swords. It's difficult to form a strong defense at the very last minute," Denton explained.

"These fellows…" Sally clenched her fists. After enjoying their lives for over 100 years, these elven lords had forgotten about their mission. They actually chose to flee when the enemy came, and put the City of Life in danger.

Denton continued, "I have already issued a conscription order to all the lords around the City of Life. If they can come with their soldiers, they will be much faster than the garrison troops that are summoned back from the south."

Sally coldly said to Denton, "Tell them, if they don't come with their troops, or they deliberately react slowly, they will lose their domain and status forever. We can do without such feudal lords."

"Alright." Denton nodded. After looking at Sally in hesitation for a moment, he continued, "There's one more thing. Can we talk in private, Princess?"

Sally and Denton left the tent.

"Please," Sally said to Denton.

"There are over 100,000 elves in the City of Life. If we can mobilize them to defend the city, then we don't have to fear the 50,000 invading Roth Empire's knights. However, I am only worried that the Night Elves will cause trouble in the midst of the chaos and worsen the situation," Denton said.

Everyone was a magic caster in the elven race. Although their powers differed, there were over 100,000 elves living in the City of Life, and it wasn't hard to select tens of thousands of elves with combat ability. Furthermore, most of them were veterans who had experienced the racial war 100 years ago.

Sally pondered for a moment before saying to Denton, "The Night Elves aren't evil, and they are our people too. I believe they won't make trouble when the Wind Forest is being invaded, and is about to be toppled. They will become our partner to resist the enemy."

Denton looked at Sally with appreciation, and said, "If that is the princess's judgment, then please conscript all the elves in the City of Life, and make them join in the defensive battle of the City of Life. Once the city falls, an unorganized resistance will be throttled by the Roth Empire's cavalry."

"Alright. I'll proceed to the Tree of Life to issue the conscription order now. I'll leave the battle arrangements to you." Sally nodded before turning towards the Tree of Life. She took a step forward, and a silver light flashed underneath her feet. She disappeared on the spot.

Very soon, Sally's voice rang in the City of Life.

"The people of the City of Life, I am Sally. I think you all already know that the Roth Empire has started a war with our Wind Forest. They invaded our land, killed our people, and are closing in onto the City of Life now.

"We have once deemed them as our ally and trustworthy friend, but they have stabbed us in the back now. They tried to give us a fatal blow!

"Now, the elven race is on the boundary between life and death. 50,000 Roth Empire's knights are rushing to the City of Life with their swords unsheathed, but we only have 5000 garrison troops in the city now.

"I need your help. The elven race needs your help! Just like how we chased the invaders out of the Wind Forest 100 years ago, the elven race needs you to step forward and stand together with the City of Life this time and chase these robbers out of the Wind Forest!"

"…"

The elves gradually calmed down from panic.

Some took down their dusty bows and arrows from the walls. They carried the quivers on their backs, and then hugged their wives and children before walking onto the streets.

Some took off their opulent robes, and changed into their magician robes. They took their magic wands, and stepped out onto the streets.

Some took out their old armor from under their beds, and stuffed their fat bodies into it.

The crowd slowly converged on the streets, and proceeded towards the area where they called the muster roll of officers and assigned them tasks.

The veterans donned their armor to guard the city again!