Chapter 331: The Mountain People and the Redwood People



With the destruction of the Central Army Group in the Sintramanada Valley, Nilfgaard's invasion of the North officially came to an end.

The South and the North in later generations made different evaluations of this war.

After the war, the first book compiled by the Nilfgaard Empire recorded:

[The Northern Aid War (1263-1265) was entirely the fault of the Temerian Special Forces.

Documents intercepted by Imperial intelligence clearly indicate that Temeria intends to seize Cintra. We all know now that there was a deep kinship between His Majesty Emhyr var Emreis and the then Princess of Cintra, Her Royal Highness Cirilla Fiona Aeron Rhaenren; Lann Lannister Rhaenren, later known as the "Lion of the North", also visited our vassal state of Toussaint in his early years and forged a deep friendship.

Under such circumstances, the Emperor could not ignore the atrocities in Temeria, and the Empire would never allow such an imbalance of power to happen in the North.

The Empire then moved its military forces to Cintra to establish order there, thus reversing Temeria's destruction and maintaining peace. Unfortunately, the rulers of the northern countries were as stubborn and short-sighted as ever, choosing armed conflict over rational compromise.

During this conflict, the northern armies committed unforgivable crimes, the retribution first coming in the First Battle of Manada and the Cintra Incident. Our great king, Emhyr var Unreith, later wrote to the Cintra court to express his sympathy and hope that such a nightmare will not happen again.

After taking Cintra, the Nilfgaardian army thought the situation in the north had stabilized, but the north continued to resist, leading to a battle between the two armies near Sodden. The northerners shamelessly said that this battle was a turning point in the entire war, but in fact it had no political significance at all. Cintra thus became the territory of the Nilfgaardian Empire.

The first phase of the war to aid the North (1263-1264) ended here.

The second phase of the war to aid the North began in early 1265. At this time, the King of the North, after secret talks, threatened the young Princess Cirilla and fooled Lann Lannister Rhaanron, who was then the Earl of Cintra, through a series of agreements, attempting to start a rebellion in Cintra.

Nilfgaard could no longer sit idly by, and the Imperial Army occupied Lyria and Rivia at lightning speed, encountering almost no resistance. Each time they were met with joyful crowds who wanted peace and civilization.

Then we entered Aedirn. King Demaev wanted to stop the Golden Sun's attack, but unfortunately failed.

Queen Miwei began to recruit bandits and outlaws into her army. After all, there was no shortage of such people in the north.

King Henselt showed the typical scheming nature of the Northmen by betraying his allies and invading Aedirn, an act we later condemned.

However, the northerners' swords were as fickle as thawed snow on a battlefield in spring, and King Foltest and Vizimir II then intervened in the war without knowing why, leading to a series of bloody battles on the Yaruga River, in Rivia, and in Lyria.

Seeing this ruthless and uncontrolled violence, His Majesty Emhyr hoped to stop these foolish battles in time, so he ordered the then Field Marshal Menno Cuhoon to lead his troops eastward to mediate.

Unfortunately, the greed of all the northern kings finally broke out in the "Battle of Lyria", and our heroic army faced a joint attack from Temeria, Rivia, Lyria and even the cruel sea robbers - the Skellige. Even the Mahakam dwarves in the mountains sent out their troops under the lobbying of the northern king.

To this day, the North still considers this engagement to be the turning point of the entire war. There is no point in constantly arguing about this positioning. What is important is that this war is a conflict between two strategies, one is the upright strategy of the Emperor of the Imperial Army, and the other is the insidious and evasive tactics of the Northerners.

His Majesty knew where this conflict would end, and the northern armies did not care how much suffering they would bring to the civilized population. But Nilfgaard refused to participate in such an act and withdrew its army to the south.

However, this move was seen by the Northerners as an act of surrender.

Finally, Lann Lannister Rhaanlon, who had grown up at that time, assisted the young Princess Cirilla and mediated between the North and the South in the war. In the end, the North and the South finally reached an agreement.

The war to aid the North ended here.

There is one more thing that must be mentioned: Menno Cuhoon, the then Field Marshal, disappeared after the Northern War. Some people believe that he was ambushed by the Northerners in the previous conflict and died with the soldiers. His unidentified body is resting in an ordinary tomb; others believe that the Field Marshal was too ashamed to return to the Empire after the failure due to his sense of military honor, so he gave up his honor and became a hermit. Finally, he lived in regret for many years until his death.

However, there is another story among the civilians: the marshal returned to the final battlefield on the night of the battle. He felt sorry for himself for not being able to quell the chaos in the north, save the people in the north, and bring civilization here. He could not forgive himself for not being able to complete the emperor's order. So he hanged himself on a poplar tree on a hill. It is said that every night, the marshal's soul would wander around the battlefield, crying and shouting: "Sun wheel above, for His Majesty the Emperor!"

His Majesty Emhyr was in great pain because of the loss of his arm, and said frankly that this was the only and greatest loss of the Empire in this war to aid the North. 】

The above is Nilfgaard's record of the war.

The northern scholars said in their article collected in Niubao:

[The Anti-Southern War first broke out in 1263.

The conflict was caused by Nilfgaard's apparent intention to invade Cintra. Imperial forces crossed the Amer Mountains and attacked the garrison near the Irenwald Forest on Cintra's southern border. Some unconfirmed rumors suggest that Emhyr var Emreis has a special connection to this place, but the details are unknown. What we do know is that he had long ago made up his mind to control Cintra.

The key battle was the Battle of Manada, where Nilfgaard surrounded and destroyed the army of Cintra. The Queen of Cintra, Calanthe Fiona Rheanron, was killed in the battle, and the King, Ester Tursek, was rescued by reinforcements from Skellige. The Black Army then advanced to the capital of Cintra, and the entire city was massacred, which is known as the "Cintra Massacre".

His Majesty Lann, who was previously believed to have been assassinated by Nilfgaard in Toussaint, miraculously appeared at this moment and intervened in the war. There are rumors that he was recalled from the Lost Land by the power of the Three Lions of Cintra, but this statement cannot be verified now.

But His Majesty Lann did in fact stop the Nilfgaardians from further expanding the killing in Cintra in time, and then calmly and wisely gathered the remnants and refugees to preserve the fire of Cintra, escorted Her Majesty Cirilla, who was still the Princess of Cintra at the time, back to Brokilon, and began to plan a counterattack.

When the Nilfgaardians discovered that His Majesty Lann was invincible, they shamelessly moved the battle to Upper Soden, where the fighting was horrific, barbaric, and brutal. These brutal acts left the northern army with only two choices: win the war or die with their families. Then the Brotherhood of Warlocks joined the battle, and their desperate determination allowed them to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Nilfgaardian army.

The first phase of the Anti-Southern War (1263-1264) thus ended.

In the same year, the northern kings met at Haji Fortress to plan a strategy against the south. His Majesty Lann, who was still an earl at the time, led his troops northward and integrated the northern kingdoms for the first time with his advanced strategic vision and strong personal prestige. Since then, the north has established a united front against Nilfgaard for the first time.

At that time, the South was powerful, and His Majesty Lann was also keenly aware of the hidden enemies in the four major northern countries. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the war, after returning to Cintra and being canonized as Duke by His Majesty Cirilla, he went out non-stop to lobby for more allies, not only helping King Easter to regain the throne of Skellige, but also conquering the Mahakam Dwarf Kingdom that had been closed off for many years.

Emperor Emhyr manipulated a series of events while His Majesty Lann was away, exposing the North's weakness. The Empire immediately marched north, and the second phase of the war against the South began.

Without His Majesty Lann, the Imperial Army quickly swept across the north. First, they captured Rivia, and after a brief siege, Lyria followed. The combined forces of Queen Mevi and King Demave were forced back again and again.

King Henselt of Kaedwen took this opportunity to attack his neighboring kingdom and broke the agreement he had signed with His Majesty Lann.

The turning point of the war came after the return of His Majesty Lann. At this time, His Majesty Lann had integrated almost the entire power of the North, and pioneered the inclusion of multiple non-human races into the army.

After marching east alone to help Queen Mevi and King Demawi stabilize the war on the eastern front, His Majesty Lann showed his suppressed power on the battlefield for the first time, launching the "Battle of Rivia" and defeating the Nilfgaardian Eastern Army, which was several times larger than the coalition forces. This was the first major victory in the second phase of the Anti-South War, and also the greatest victory in the entire Anti-South War.

After the Battle of Rivia, His Majesty Lann, who rushed back to Cintra without stopping, was keenly aware of the instability within the empire. An internal struggle exposed Nilfgaard's flaws (called aristocratic conspiracy), and the myth of Nilfgaard's invincibility was shattered.

His Majesty Lann took this opportunity to launch the "Battle of Ortaga" and easily annihilated Nilfgaard's Western Army. This was the second major victory in the second phase of the war against the South, and the impact of this victory exceeded that of the "Battle of Rivia". The confidence of the people of the North in fighting against Nilfgaard was further strengthened, and all the prerequisites for regaining the North were also met at this moment.

King Henselt of Kaedwen was terrified by the might of His Majesty Lann and withdrew his troops from Aedirn. However, his despicable behavior was known to the North, which led to his sad end.

King Fortestai and Vizimir II, who was still in the alliance at the time, responded to the call of His Majesty Lann to varying degrees. His Majesty Lann thus integrated the armies of Cintra, Skellige, Mahakam, and the Kovir Free Army, and deservedly took over the command of the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia, Aedirn, and Temeria, and single-handedly led the "Battle of Lyria" that broke out outside the capital of Lyria.

The Battle of Lyria was the decisive battle in the second phase of the Anti-Southern War, and the war situation was completely reversed.

The Skellige people led by King Easter showed amazing mobility after the Battle of Lyria. They sailed their warships down the Yaruga River and ambushed the retreating Nilfgaardian army in the Manada Valley together with the sea guerrillas established earlier by His Majesty Lan.

The "Second Battle of Manada Valley" responded to the "First Battle of Manada", and the second phase of the Anti-South War ended here, and the Anti-South War came to an end. His Majesty Lann and King Easter completed the first revenge on the Nilfgaardian invasion of Cintra, completely crushed the Nilfgaardian ambition to invade the North, and laid a solid foundation for His Majesty Lann to unify the North. 】

"Is this your glimpse into the future, Ada?"

"And Francesca." The person who spoke was very tactful. "This is just a war between humans. If you want us to help you, Ain Sheed, regain control of the mountain land, we can't do it."

"As you know, we in Ain El have lost the ability to travel through space. Even if the Red Cavalry can occasionally reach the mountains where you are, it will not help the current situation."

"That is not my purpose, Oberyn," Francesca replied.

An illusory light curtain separates the two worlds, and the two sides seem to be in two different worlds and having a conversation.

This is also true.

Both parties in the conversation had pointed and thin ears. They belonged to a race called "elves" by humans on the mainland.

But they have special names for themselves named in ancient languages.

The ancient elves traveled between worlds, and they chose two different worlds at the crossroads of fate.

He descended into what they called the "Mountain Land" - which is now the continent - and called himself Ian Sid.

He chose another world called "Red Wood Land" and called himself Ain Hill.

Although they are divided into two worlds, there is an extremely powerful profession among the elves called "Elven Sages". In addition to being able to cast spells like sorcerers in a broad sense, they are also good at medicine, art, and can even travel through other worlds, dimensions, and time itself.

Their existence allows the elves from the two worlds to communicate.

The elves have had four elf sages since ancient times. They are:

1. Oberon Mushitazi, the leader of the elf branch that descended on the Redwood Land, known as the Redwood King.

2. Avallac'h, full name Klevan Esping Aipu Koman Maka. An elf who came to the Redwood Land, he once participated in the creation of the "Gate of Time and Space" and was an elf sage who once gave the gate the ability to travel through the world. Although the gate of time and space was destroyed by the white frost, the elves have since lost the ability to travel through time and space.

3. Aida Amin Aipu Siweni, an elf sage who came to the mountain land. After the elven dynasty on the continent was overthrown, she has been living in seclusion in the Blue Mountains, not caring about worldly affairs.

And lastly, Laura Doron, the first Ancient Blood.

At this time, except for the first generation ancient blood Laura Doron who had passed away, the remaining three elven sages were communicating on both sides of the light curtain.

In addition to the three elven sages, there was also a general wearing skeleton-shaped armor sitting in from the Red Wood Land, and there was also a female elf from the Mountain Land - that is, the continent.

This female elf is named Francesca Findaby, known as the most beautiful woman in the world, nicknamed "Daisy of the Valley". She is one of the five members of the "Society of Talent and Art", the decision-making body of the Northern Warlock Brotherhood, and a top warlock.

This strength seemed to be inferior to the three elven sages. However, the only elven sage on the continent, Ada, did not care about politics, so the elves here elected her as the leader, and she was indeed quite politically skilled.

Today, it was Francesca who proposed this cross-world meeting, and asked the sage Aida to show her companions in another world the glimpse she had gained from the future.

Facing the doubts of her companions from another world, Francesca raised her chin slightly and said, "These two 'historical records of the future' describe more than just human wars. Don't you think there is an incredible individual in them?"

The Redwood King shook his head. "You mean the 'Majesty Lan' in the latter battle report? This seems to be a deliberately flattering way of writing by human historians in order to flatter their own leaders. Is there something wrong with him?"

Francesca smiled with a hint of confidence: "Of course, this 'Majesty Lan' is only a duke now. But I don't believe you didn't notice his last name - Lei Anlun."

"That's right, he is the son of the ancient bloodline that you have been searching for after Laura Doron!"

"The war described in this 'future history' ended not long ago. I can tell you for sure that the historian's writing was not flattering, but realistic! And this record was achieved because the ancient blood in Lann Lannister Rayanron has awakened!"

"He is the key to our regaining the power of time and space!"

The two elven sages in the red wood land fell silent.

"The ancient blood...awakened in a male human?"

"That's right."

Seeing them in deep thought, Francesca added, "In addition to Lann Lannister Rhaenlen, there is also a second descendant of the Ancient Blood—Cirilla Fiona Iren Rhaenlen. For you, her role may be more important than that of the male Lann Lannister Rhaenlen."

Behind the two elven sages, the general in skeleton-style armor moved.

The general's name is Eredin Brick Glass, and he leads the most powerful cavalry unit in the Red Wood Land. With the help of the power of white frost, this unit can barely cross space to help the elves of the Red Wood Land plunder the necessary resources from other worlds and provide for their compatriots trapped in one place.

This army was called the "Red Knights" by the elves.

But after this army came to the mainland a few times, witnesses gave them a more ferocious name:

Wild Hunt.


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