NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Before the Battle_2
A great deal of wealth started to flow into the war effort, and the whole of Giant Snake City began to operate. Forging, training, and preparations for war were all proceeding in an orderly manner.
If there were any problems, it was probably that the hostility of the residents of Giant Snake City toward the Blood Clan had significantly deepened. Because of this, Jones had to repeatedly step in to manage the situation and prevent it from escalating. After all, in his view, the opponent now was the Bloodline Elder Council, not the entire Blood Clan.
There were still many Blood Clan merchants in Giant Snake City, and most of them, for various reasons, stood with Jones.
By Silver Moon Fourth Year, February, Giant Snake City had fully entered a state of war and issued a strongly worded ultimatum to the Elder Council.
"Respected Blood Clan Elders, as your descendant, I respect you and am honored to hear your teachings. But as the City Lord of Giant Snake City and a member of the White Bone Holy Light Court, I must refuse your previous suggestion. I do not intend to start a war; the residents of Giant Snake City love and cherish peace. However, if someone tries to impose inequality upon us, we will be forced to resist. Even if it means resorting to war, we will not hesitate. Here, I, Jones Dracula, sincerely request that you abandon your previous ideas. I am very willing to return to the negotiating table to avoid unnecessary casualties. But this is on the condition that the Elder Council also shows visible sincerity. Please respond by February 15th. Otherwise, something that we all do not wish to see may happen."
"Visible sincerity" meant, of course, a proposal that Jones could accept. "Something that we all do not wish to see" was, of course, war.
In other words, any proposal that Jones could not accept would be seen as a "lack of sincerity" and would lead to war.
The key was that the letter also had a date, which undoubtedly made it an ultimatum.
*Many, many years later, when people read this part of history, they would inevitably have a question. Why was it that the Elder Council, being in a strong position at the time, and actually the one who brought up the negotiations that led to this new situation, was the one to receive the ultimatum from Giant Snake City?*
*Hmm, this is a very good question.*
*In fact, the Elder Council had long wanted to issue an ultimatum, but just couldn't do so.*
The mobilization order within the Blood Clan was issued the day Jones left the High Court. Due to the close blood relations among the Blood Clan, the order was indeed delivered to every member of the Blood Clan on the Kolin Peninsula.
*However, issuing a mobilization order and completing initial mobilization are two different things. The leisurely Blood Clan and the diligent Giant Snake City are utterly different.*
*When issuing the mobilization order, the Elders knew that the Blood Clan no longer had a structured army. They didn't think this was a big problem. After all, although the Blood Clan was the weakest of the immortal races, its combat power was still quite formidable. The core combat power of Giant Snake City was the Liches. To fight against Liches, a regular army was of no real use; in the end, it had to be the Blood Clan itself.*
*However, in reality, things were much more complicated than they thought.*
"Are you kidding me? Have you gone mad? You want us to be soldiers?" That was Prince Louis's first reaction when he received the order.
"No, I am not joking, Your Highness. That's exactly it, you must lead by example," the envoy sent by the Elder Council replied earnestly.
The room full of princes was stunned, their mouths twitching slightly.
Yes, that's how it was. Apart from those Elders high above in the High Court Cloud, the main body of the Blood Clan army would be the descendants of the Blood Clan scattered across the Kolin Peninsula. And these descendants mostly lived luxurious lives. Now, suddenly sending them to the battlefield? And not as generals but as soldiers…
For someone like Prince Louis, at most, he would be a squad leader. For someone like Jones's father, Count Dracula, he would be nothing more than a soldier, not even a squad leader.
Yes, so once the mobilization order was issued, the Blood Clan Lords were the most shocked. It wasn't the declaration of war against Giant Snake City but the fact that they were asked to be at the forefront…
...
"I don't understand, why must it be me? Isn't there anyone else?" Prince Harries questioned, "I can provide many men, like five hundred Blood Clan warriors."
"They will go, but you must also go," the envoy said helplessly, "Our opponents are Liches, and many of them are over a thousand years old. Young Blood Clan members are no threat to them."
...
"Wait, you mean, I must wear armor and charge at the front lines? To fight those Liches?" Tiris was stunned.
"No, not entirely. Ms. Tiris, wearing armor is your choice. If you prefer, you can wear a long dress to the battlefield. Moreover, your opponents won't be Liches, at most, the Undead Army under the Liches. In fact, you shouldn't be able to handle the Liches."
Tiris's eyes widened so much that her eyeballs were about to pop out.
...
The mobilization order was quickly delivered to every member of the Blood Clan. According to the requirements, the Blood Clan who received the letter had to report in person and bring along all the combat-capable helpers they could manage.
Thus, they began to fall into a tug-of-war.
*The members of the Blood Clan greatly revered the Elder Council, but you have to admit, suddenly asking a bunch of Blood Clan members who were used to a life of ease and comfort to go to war... Did they even know what war was?*
Clearly, they didn't. *Most of them had never participated in a war, let alone an actual duel. At most, they bullied their slaves at home.*
*Well, to them, that was a thrilling and bloody game. Jones, with his countless wartime experiences, intended to offer them something even more thrilling and dangerous.*
*Those who strongly resisted Jones, and were harmed by the rise of Giant Snake City, never thought that when the Elders and Jones tore off all pretenses, reaching the point of war, they themselves would be included. For most Blood Clan Lords, used to a life of luxury, this was a complete blackout.*
The day after the news spread, some had already considered withdrawing their accusations.
"We can always earn more money, but if we lose our lives, they're gone for good."
"Right, right."
"I do not doubt the capabilities of the Elders. We can certainly destroy Giant Snake City and capture its Lord, Jones. But… not everyone would get to see the victory, right? Especially those at the front lines."
"I think the same way."
"Peace is very precious, and we shouldn't sacrifice so many lives for personal gain, especially when the lives at stake are our own. Liches are not to be messed with."
"I completely agree, totally agree, really."
Thus, the families gathered together, jointly petitioning the Elder Council to withdraw their accusations against Jones to avoid war. Most importantly, to avoid their own involvement in the war.
*Do you think the Elder Council would agree?*
*Well, of course not. The Elders also wanted some thrills and excitement.*
So, the once enraged Blood Clan Lords were all dumbfounded. They never expected that accusing Jones would dig a grave for themselves, maybe one where they would be buried incomplete.
Thus, the so-called preparations for war started in this back-and-forth of wrangling and bargaining. This went on for more than ten days.
Consequently, Jones's ultimatum had already arrived, but their declaration of war had yet to be sent out, and it seemed unlikely to be sent out anytime soon.
If one had to describe the current state of the Blood Clan's war preparations, it would probably be "utter chaos."