Chapter 1408: Chapter 148: At Wit’s End

The Grand Magician was momentarily startled, then hurriedly shook his head: “General, you jest. I’m just an old man focused on researching magic and teaching some students. Leading troops into battle is really too much for me to take on.”

The Grand Magician quickly declined, jokingly. He couldn’t show even a trace of interest, and indeed, he had none. His entire life had been dedicated to the study of magic.

Had it not been for the kingdom’s need for commanding figures, he would not have even joined the governing council.

As they were discussing, a voice came: “What legion could it be that our Grand Magician cannot lead?”

A one-eyed high elf with an eye patch and another high elf whose presence seemed to whirl around him like a tornado, both strode towards them quickly.

The speaker was the one-eyed high elf, clad in opulent leather armor. Far from detracting from his handsomeness, the eye patch added a certain sinister charm.

He was none other than the Regent, the highest-ranking administrative official of the high elves.

And the person beside him, seemingly blending with the wind, was the Ranger King.

The Regent, Ranger King, and Grand Magician made up the highest governing council of the high elves.

The Countess briefly recounted the situation, and both men grew silent, obviously deeply shaken by the matter, and found themselves in a bind, or rather, weighing their options.

Li Yao waited a moment before continuing to ask, “Then how about letting the Countess continue to lead this legion? For the new legion, the lady should be the most experienced. Given that the Blood Knight order has achieved brilliant results, the lady’s contributions are indispensable.”

The Countess quickly shook her head: “No, no, I’m already spread too thin with the affairs of the Blood Knight order. How could I have the time to manage another legion? The Blood Knight order was recently established and there are many matters to attend to. Starting a new legion involves endless complexities. I am too busy to handle that. Let the Regent lead instead.”

The Regent’s expression also changed: “Well, at the moment, I’m too busy with the kingdom’s administration to take on the task of founding a legion. We need someone dedicated to handle it.”

Li Yao turned to the Ranger King: “Then Your Excellency Ranger King is most suited for the role.”

“I would not deserve the title of Ranger King and as a Light Ranger, I am not fit to lead other legions either. Better to choose someone more qualified.”

All four had declined, firmly indicating they would not involve themselves with the new legion. Was it that they did not want to gain control of the new legion?

Of course not. With the high elves in need of rebuilding, their overall interests were naturally aligned. When faced with significant matters, they would come together and cooperate. In fact, they had done very well so far.

Although the high elves had a King, the King did not wield absolute power. The real control over the country lay with the Silvermoon Council, and in particular, its Council of Elders, while the King himself had only two votes. To increase influence, one needed the support of more people; the kingdom had many nobles and factions, with the Elders representing various interests.

After the Scourge, the kingdom fell into disarray. Over half of the population was slaughtered by the Scourge, and even the capital fell. In the battle for Silvermoon City, including the King who represented the highest executive power of the country, the Ranger General who was the highest military commander, the old-generation Grand Magician who symbolized the ultimate research force in magic, and all the Silvermoon Council Elders chose to fight to the last, leading from the front to aid the evacuation of more people.

After the war, the Prince who had been studying abroad came back to the country to rebuild the kingdom. Before he ascended to the throne, he took the already devastated High Elf Legion into the unknown, resolved to solve the issue of magic addiction.

What he left behind was a ravaged kingdom. The governing council was established under the influence of the Queen.

But in fact, this was a result of leaving behind a balance among various forces, with the Prince having taken away the majority of the troops.

The Regent inherited the remaining Ranger force left by the Windrunner Family to guard the capital city, while the Ranger King represented another Ranger force spread out to guard key locations across the kingdom, exercising control and protecting the citizens.

The Magician, as the Grand Magician, had no independent Magic Legion after the Prince took away the elite forces, becoming an auxiliary to other legions, with every High Elf Legion supported by a certain number of magicians.

The Countess represents the royalist faction, forming the Blood Knights also indicates the royalists’ stance, acting as the Prince’s spokesperson among the High Elves, responsible for communication with the Prince.

The four powers mutually support yet check and balance each other; it is because of this balance that the kingdom remains stable. If the balance is disrupted, unpredictable chaos would ensue, yet the kingdom is in such a state of disrepair that it can hardly afford to be thrown into disorder.

They all know the number of Witherbarks, and if they were converted, it would become another Blood Knights legion; whoever acquires them could become the strongest force in the kingdom in reality.

It’s not that they don’t want them; it’s that they cannot take them.

But to leave the Witherbarks without restoring their sanity isn’t an option either. They can’t manage the legions by simply sending different people.

A new legion can only become a strong power when united. If overseen by appointed figures to hold each other back, it may not pose a problem in peacetime, but it would be very dangerous during wartime.

This is different from their governance; the four of them have clear divisions of responsibility and are all committed to the country with high conviction, so naturally, there wouldn’t be any issues. But the individuals they deploy may not necessarily share this high level of dedication. If an efficient and strong military force isn’t established, then what’s the point? The High Elves need this newly-emerged power as well.

After half a day of discussion, no conclusion was reached. It’s not that the High Elves lack talent; however, with the Scourge invasion and the Prince having taken the kingdom’s ultimate elite force, individuals truly capable of standing on their own are scarce.

Li Yao was speechless, damn it, haven’t I been standing right here all this time, as the best choice? With no other option, Li Yao reluctantly stepped forward and said: “Ahem, my lords, how about I take the lead in establishing this new legion?”

The four were so engrossed in their discussion they even forgot Li Yao was right beside them. Upon hearing his words, they all turned to look at Li Yao together.

The Countess’s eyes lit up briefly, while the Magician smiled inscrutably, revealing nothing. The Ranger King scrutinized Li Yao carefully, as if seeing him for the first time, while the Regent remained silent, deep in thought.

Seeing the others’ silence, the Countess spoke up directly: “I see no issue. General Li Yuan’s excellence is widely recognized, and as an inheritor of the Ranger General of the Windrunner Family and a rising star among our people, he is fully qualified. And as for his personal strength, though he is from the new generation of our people, he has restored his origin and can resurrect, with his strength growing very rapidly, he’ll reach Tier 6 soon. More importantly, he can wield the Star Bow, and leading the legion with it will definitely boost the legion’s morale.”

The three were taken aback, the Ranger King’s expression changed: “What, he can wield the Star Bow?”

The Countess nodded and said: “Does General Li Yuan still wish to keep his skills hidden? Now is not the time to be modest.”

Under the astonished gazes of the others, Li Yao bent his bow like a crescent moon, shooting streams of light into the sky.

The three remained speechless for a long time until the Regent finally spoke: “General Li Yuan certainly has the qualifications, but having qualifications doesn’t necessarily mean one can fulfill the role, otherwise we wouldn’t hesitate. There are quite a few who are qualified. General Li Yuan, the lady has just mentioned many of your strengths, which I am aware of too, but I want to hear from you, why should we entrust the new legion to you?”

Li Yao performed a solemn bow and said earnestly, “There are three reasons you must choose me.”…