Chapter 224 Two Sides Of A Coin

The entire week, from January 07 to 13 of the Year 2063, dedicated to the El-Vul-Or Tournament or the considered second process of founding a deep connection between the Humans, Elves, and Dwarves had finally been concluded.

According to the rules aforementioned on the first day of the tournament, the rewards would be granted to the three last participants belonging to each category, making it a total of six winners – three for the Student Category and three for the non-student Category.

After the three last participants were decided on each category, they would then fight with each other for places, which was also concluded on the seventh day or last day of the tournament.

The third place was won by the princess of Etheria, Elizabeth von Etherion. She lost to Ilsevel after an intense battle, which was considered to be a very close match in the spectators' eyes. After that win, Ilsevel then placed second but quickly surrendered in front of another human, who then became the champion for the Student Category – Lyra Mihaela.

What happened was simple, after Ilsevel failed in scrutinizing the possible psychological power of the Vice President of the Disciplinary Committee, she surmised that it would be a bad idea for her to continue the fight, especially after seeing with her own green eyes what had happened in Lyra's previous matches.

On the other hand, Azalea Vermillion, too, surrendered as she had a grasp on the power that Lyra possessed. This happened before the match-up between Ilsevel and Lyra. Then, regarding Anya Amasawa, she lost to Elizabeth, but their match was all smiles because of their closeness on a personal level. In other words, they felt like they were training together by sparring with each other. Nonetheless, it was a satisfactory battle.

Aside from the Student Category, although it's unfortunate for humanity, each place was dominated by two Elves and a Dwarf. However, according to the results of the Student Category of the El-Vul-Or Tournament, the Obelisk Organization had analyzed that there were more potential students on the humanity side than the students of the other races, though it was only due to superficial analysis since there's a high possibility that every race possessed hidden gems that were yet to shine.

With that, although it's a mix of disappointment, hope, and excitement, the El-Vul-Or Tournament had ended.

***

January 16 of the Year 2063, three days after the El-Vul-Or Tournament.

In the grand hall of the Elnira Kingdom, where Russell had claimed the rewards of the Elves that aided the Umbra Mercenary in fulfilling the mission of capturing a Vampire Commander, who turned out to be a substitute, on the outskirts of the Northern Border of the Elnira Kingdom, more than a hundred or two individuals were lined up on three rows as the Queen of Elnira sat on the high-back, exquisite chair of her throne.

This time, though, there were other seats on her side meant for Artorious Hall and the Dwarven King. Additionally, Lucille, the Elven Queen's closest subordinate was standing behind, which was the same case for Ayleen Mayfield, who was standing behind Artorious, and then a well-built Dwarf, one of the closest aid of the Dwarven King.

Lucille was wearing a green tunic; Ayleen was wearing a fitted formal white suit and formal blackish pants, while the Dwaft subordinate whose name had yet to be introduced was donning a simple shirt – since the Dwarves' clothing style was more of a mess because their everyday life was more focus on either hammering and drinking.

After some time, the soft yet firm voice of the Queen of Elnira reverberated throughout the grand hall of her kingdom.

"We have gathered you all to tell each and every one of you that it is time for the Vampire aggression to be put to an end!

Her words echoed in everyone's ears and registered in their firm minds. The audience within this grand hall could be identified as Elven Grand Dukes, Elven Dukes, Elven Marquises, and other lines of Elven nobility, who were all loyal to their Queen and all faithful to the World Tree, Yggdrasil, and the Elven Goddess.

On the other hand, although the hierarchy of nobles didn't exist in the Dwarven race, there were several presences that were considerably strong in terms of technological advantage and fighting experience in this grand hall, lined up and listening attentively.

Elves and Dwarves aside, at this very moment, numerous high-rankers or players that could be said to be atop the food chains on humanity's side were here. They were from the Obelisk Organization or players affiliated with the organization, with the exception of the Umbra Mercenary that seemed out of place because of their young age, however, their presence could mean something because, in the first place, they were tolerated to witness the start of the war.

After the Elven Queen's opening remark, she continued:

"Throughout the history of our race, the Elven Race, we have fought their aggression that's traditionally transpiring every 40 years due to the instigation of the vile Crimson Goddess, the archenemy of the Elven Goddess, our progenitor and beloved Goddess

"However, for the first time in our history, we will have two new allies since we came into this strange world – Humans and Dwarves. The former experienced a silent intrusion of their peaceful continent, while the latter decided to protect their sovereignty, which might be swept up in this war.

"Before this, each of us contained a flawed trust as if it's a glass that's irreparable, and I know!

"...I know that a mere tournament or letting the other race explore the renowned places of one's kingdom is not enough, but as your Queen, in my name!

"Amara Viridi-yelah Elnira, who learned to trust the Humans and Dwarves, hopes for everyone under my rule to place their trust in them.

"...And we know, that lives will be lost in this war, but take heart! The Yggdrasil will guide us, and our Goddess will bless us!

"...This time, it will be a victory that is not seen in our history! For the Elven Goddess!"

"Hoorah-!"

"Hoorah-!"

"For the Elven Goddess-!"

"For the Elven Goddess-!"

The patriotic shouts of the Elves within this grand hall echoed, not just in everyone's ears, but also in their hearts and souls.

***

Russell, standing with his companions, including Samantha, listened silently to the words of the Elven Queen.

'I feel like I'm being drafted again in the military.'

Russell muttered to himself, somewhat jokingly. However, he knew very well that a war would be horrible. It was all sweat and blood and a place where emotions for the enemies shouldn't be allowed to possess.

He also scrutinized the Elven Queen's tone, trying to figure out if the Elven Queen had truly had a change of heart in a short amount of time. In his unpublished novel, the Elven Queen only considered this alliance in the first place because she needed to lessen the casualties on her side as much as possible. It was her way of sympathizing with the previous Elves that lost their loved ones because of the wars.

In other words, the Elven Queen, even if it's by a few, wanted other Elves not to fight for their lives and just to be with their families.

But, according to what Russell had described in his mysterious book, the Elven Queen's sympathy was almost nonexistent at the start of the war, and only saw the Humans and Dwarves as cannon fodder or dummies to be killed at the expense of saving the other Elves, who were at the late age.

'Hmm. I need to get Mom and Dad away from Obelisk City before this escalates.'

Russell Moon was a hundred percent certain, due to the existence of the Vampire spies that were scattered throughout the Orion Continent, that the Obelisk City would soon fall into chaos.

Although Russell had given way to Artorious by showing Tanya Drusilla's existence, making him learn of the Vampire's intrusion in advance, Russell wasn't confident that every Vampire spy would be 'discreetly' purged throughout the Orion Continent in a very short amount of time.

'I just have the right place for that, but I need to contact Rumia's mother first.'

Russell Moon thought as Ayleen Mayfield stepped in front, facing everyone. With the Elven Queen, Amara's signal, Ayleen then unintentionally cuts off Russell's thoughts.

'This is it-!'

"Everyone will be given a mission according to the intel that we have gathered in the past few days."

She said in a solemn tone. After that, the Elven Queen followed suit.

"Everyone, close your eyes."

As every one of them closed their pair of eyes, Ayleen then took out the Scythe of Fog Nightmare and activated a skill.

[Activating the Skill: Memory Transmission]

[Connecting the initial target's selected memory to the other targets.]

[Transmitting the appropriate memory to the targets' minds according to the relevance.]

From Ayleen's legendary-rank Personal Weapon, a pink-purple thread connected with everyone's head.

After a few seconds, the Memory Transmission then ended.

It caused everyone to simultaneously receive the orders of the Elven Queen, Dwarven King, and Artorious Hall in their heads as these orders were engraved in their minds.

***

After some time, the summoning of several important figures, who would be crucial in this war, ended with the words of valor from the Elven Queen.

It was time for their own respective race to have a meeting of their own. This would discuss any questions or concerns about the missions that were engraved in their minds.

The Umbra Mercenary, together with other players that Russell barely recognized, entered another meeting hall, which was considered small in area compared to the grand hall earlier.

This separate room was located within the Royal Palace of the Elven Queen.

When everyone took their seats, Artorious, with his usual cold demeanor, spoke in the same manner that described him.

"I know that we have yet to move on from the attack that was caused by the Black Sky Disorder.

"But we need to end them to at least bring peace for those who died in their name.

"This journey will be perilous, but I trust that each mission entrusted to everyone will be fulfilled... Even... Even at the cost of our lives."

Russell smiled inwardly at the way Artorious worded it out because the latter included himself by saying "our lives."

After that, since there was a right time for the preemptive attack and other missions, the meeting continued without a hurry.

***

At the same time, in the Vampire Lands.

The gathering of the Vampire Lords, including the Vampire Noble Families, that was supposed to happen on the first day of February was to transpire today.

It's to discuss the Three-Way Alliance that was formed between the Elves, Dwarves, and Humans.

This could also mean one yet infinitely important thing...

That the original information that Ayleen Mayfield had gathered on the memories of Seskel, the Vampire Commander, had been nullified in a way.

This certain near future was similar to the two sides of a coin, which could not be separated, but could be flipped in any way possible, depending on the existing variables.

Variable such as information, which could determine the outcome of the war, was one of the most important.

Additionally, a variable such as overall strength was equally important.

Furthermore, if both information and manpower were satisfied, it would mean the balance of the war.

If... and only if it's on the tip of the scale.

Because, just as "truth", a true equilibrium couldn't be less than a point percent of the counterpart.

***

"The Vampire Lords of the Twelve Clans are coming in!"

One of the aides that were managing this history-changing event announced the arrival of the Vampire Lords.

The atmosphere was dyed crimson due to the lights. They were in a place that's considered a mansion that was usually seen in human territory.

As the Vampire Lords walked one by one inside the hall, shouts of the bystanders reverberated.

"May the Crimson Goddess bestow her blessings-!"