Chapter 50: No Next Time

Chapter 50: No Next Time

Time flew by again, and two days had passed in a blink.

During these two days, the Human Race launched several probing attacks against the Elven Race, just like before.

However, just as in the past, each attack from the Humans was effortlessly thwarted by the Elves.

To many, this island had become an impenetrable fortress.

After multiple consecutive defeats, the initial enthusiasm of the soldiers had long since evaporated.

Now, most of them moved about like mindless zombies.

They no longer hoped to defeat the Elven Race; instead, they wished for orders from above to retreat.

That way, they could return to their hometown.

As seasoned soldiers who had survived countless battles, each of them was swimming in riches.

To ensure the soldiers would risk their lives for them, the legion commanders had to treat these valuable soldiers well.

Therefore, for these soldiers, each end of battle meant another accumulation of wealth.

The higher-ups were never stingy with their rewards in this regard.

With the money they brought back to their hometown, they could easily live like wealthy gentlemen.

For those looking to play it safe, they could buy some land and farm. For the more adventurous, they could use the funds as startup capital for a business, maybe even rake in a fortune!

Of course, some had the chance to be promoted to nobility, becoming rulers of their regions.

In short, faced with this harsh reality, the Human Army had all but lost their fighting spirit.

They began to fantasize about the good life waiting for them back home, trying to soothe their wounded hearts.

On the morning of the third day.

Standing at the bow of the ship, Alexander stared blankly at his army once again retreating in defeat.

The people around him had long gotten used to it.

After a long pause, Alexander turned and strode into the cabin.

He walked quickly.

Inside, he was far from the calm he appeared to be on the outside.

The Human Army was about to collapse, but his teacher, Suratu, still hadn’t sent any good news.

Thus, Alexander’s heart raced with anxiety.

Could his ambition really come to an end here?

He didn’t want it to end like this.

But he felt powerless.

The Elves on the island had just received a massive supply of reinforcements, and their Elven Soldiers had barely taken any losses these days.

The dead and wounded were essentially all Human soldiers.

Based on Alexander’s attacks, with the current morale of the Human Army, they could hold out for at most another week.

If, after a week, the Humans still couldn’t break through the Elves’ defenses on the island and find a way to their homeland—

Forget about the soldiers; even Alexander himself had lost confidence.

After so many days, the depletion of his treasury had been staggering.

Now, his treasury was about to run dry.

Even if he borrowed money, he needed to present a handsome show for it.

He was stuck here, unable to advance due to the Elven Army blocking his way.

It was hard to maintain any faith in his chance of winning this war.

A high-risk investment with low or nearly no returns? Who would be interested?

The great Emperor of the Human Race, Alexander, was about to taste defeat!

He believed many people were currently thinking this, secretly laughing at his predicament.

Returning to his room, Alexander went straight to his designated spot and sat down.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

This simple action helped calm Alexander’s inner turmoil.

He told himself there was still hope.

His hope lay with his teacher, Suratu.

As long as the teacher could successfully complete his mission, the tide of the war would turn dramatically.

The worse it seemed now, the more spectacular his comeback would be.

People would praise him as the greatest Emperor of the Human Race, crediting him with leading his people to prosperity and glory, putting the Humans at the pinnacle of the world!

Fantasizing about this, Alexander felt as if that day was truly coming, a smile breaking upon his face.

Though all of this made Alexander look somewhat selfish and not like a wise ruler, he also knew he wasn’t a benevolent monarch.

He lived in chaotic times, with many kingdoms vying for power, and wars erupting constantly among the humans.

An insightful ruler could undoubtedly govern his nation well, but he couldn’t ensure his country would survive in turbulent times.

To truly survive in chaos, one needed desires and ambitions.

It was his desires and ambitions that had brought him to where he was today.

Though Alexander thought highly of his dreams at this moment, they remained just that—dreams.

Soon, Alexander had to snap back from his daydreams and face reality.

His son, Victor, had come to see him.

The sturdy-looking young man, Victor, bowed slightly, neither servile nor haughty, and exclaimed, “Father!”

As he raised his head, their eyes met, showcasing a striking resemblance between father and son.

Both had black hair and blue eyes.

“Victor, what brings you here?” Alexander asked.

Victor’s face immediately showed anxiety as he replied, “Father, we can’t keep going like this! If we do, we’ll lose!”

Alexander said nothing in response to his child.

He knew they would lose!

But what could he do?

At this point, the only hope he had left was his teacher.

Alexander’s silence only heightened Victor’s anxiety.

He spoke up, “We need to do something to change the situation, Father!”

Heaven knew how much courage it took to face his formidable father at such a time.

He needed results.

“What do you plan to do?”

“Father, perhaps we can consider an immediate retreat. We weren’t adequately prepared this time, so we can wait until we’re better equipped to attack the Elven Race next time.”

Victor suggested tentatively.

This was the safest option he could think of.

Though retreating would mean defeat, it could help them conserve their strength for the future.

“And how long until the next time?”

Alexander didn’t answer, instead pressing for more.

“Next… next time…”

Victor stammered, unable to provide an answer.

He hadn’t thought that far ahead.

So, he had no idea when the next time would be.

“Victor, my child, I want you to understand—we don’t have a next time; we only have this time!”

Alexander’s final words were heavy.

He stood up and swiftly walked over to Victor with the speed of the wind.

Victor was taken aback by Alexander’s words.

Faced with the imposing father, he stared blankly and called out, “Father!”