People in Xumi: I am really not the Dragon King

Chapter 515 The Sea of ​​the Heart: Persuading the people to leave requires a catalyst... Hmm? You said the general is approaching?!

On the southwest side of Narukami Island, at the junction of Tatakasa and Hachiyeon Island, lies the Nashina Beach.

On a clear early summer morning, a sea breeze carrying the salty and bloody smell blew across the center of the battlefield, causing the withered wild grass, stained red with blood, to sway among the rocks.

Rusty weapons and armor are soaked in seawater, and the Blood Orchid, which can only be opened by bathing in blood on the battlefield, is flourishing like never before.

For a considerable period of time, it served as a major battlefield between the shogunate army and the resistance forces, with both sides choosing to fight due to differences in their respective gods and ideologies.

But after that sudden turn of events, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the armies that had once been hostile to each other chose to cease hostilities.

"."

"General Goro, are we really going to retreat now? If we give up now, what about the many soldiers who have sacrificed their lives?"

The soldier, dressed in rebel uniform, asked hesitantly, his expression somber.

The shogunate army opposite them was clearly a disorganized mess, and the victory they had longed for was within their grasp, but their own current state of affairs...
"Let's retreat; there's no point in fighting now."

"This is not only Lord Coral Palace's order, you should also be able to sense the attitude of the soldiers in the camp."

He shook his head and sighed softly.
Goro was equally heavy-hearted, never having imagined that the battle would turn out like this.

"The losses from the previous monster invasion were too great. Our ability to hold out here is largely due to our allies and the 'mysterious gifts' from our sponsors."

"But the price to pay for using those things called the Evil Eye is extraordinary, and many warriors are already showing signs of physical aging."

"The threat from the abyssal monsters is becoming increasingly serious, and such power cannot be used lightly. There is no need to persist in fighting against the shogunate army."

At the most dangerous moment of the battle, the mysterious ally who had previously funded the rebels sent some "small gifts."
These ornaments, which resemble the eyes of God, can unleash a person's potential and even allow them to directly control elemental powers simply by carrying them on their person.

In that battle, nearly half of the soldiers were slaughtered by the enemy in an almost playful manner, and the remaining ones were just lucky and could do nothing on the battlefield at that time.

After an unprecedented defeat,
The resistance, on the verge of collapse under the pressure of monsters, finally gained the power to fight against the enemy with the help of these "aid supplies."

As if they had grasped the reins to control their own destiny, the soldiers, who had almost completely lost their courage, regrouped.

but.
"Even though our allies have explained that this is an 'evil eye' that erodes a person's life force, is no one still willing to give up this power?"

"."

"I see."

"Arrange for soldiers to use the Evil Eye in rotation as much as possible to reduce the consumption of individual life force."
Even in the fight against those monsters, our losses cannot be allowed to increase any further.

With almost everyone equipped with the Evil Eye, and with the help of allies who were very talented in elemental power, they finally managed to resist the continuous invasion of monsters.

After repeated introductions from those allies and continuous observation of the user's aftereffects,
The rebel soldiers now know very well that this "Eye of God" is not a blessing from the gods.

On the contrary, this is an ominous force that sacrifices the future for the present, and it is an overdraft of fate.

Without using this power, one can only be like the Shogunate soldiers on the other side, helplessly torn apart by the claws of monsters.
While using this power may grant temporary strength, it cannot last.
"It's pointless now; continuing to fight will only result in pointless sacrifices of life."

"The shogunate army of Kujo Jinya is on the verge of collapse, and Futsuna has almost become the territory of monsters."

"Even if we manage to get through their blockade and reach Narukami Island, we'll probably only be facing an even more terrifying enemy in the end."

They never imagined that their relationship with the shogunate army would be eased in such a way, and that they could even get a lot of information about Narukami Island from the terrified soldiers just by talking to them.

After learning that many monsters also roamed the wilderness there,

Goro discovered that Inazuma seemed to have become someone he didn't recognize overnight.

"Eye-hunting edict and national isolation edict, monster attack."

The previous main points of contention were mentioned much less frequently, and were replaced by more practical issues of survival.

Given the current situation where they would be torn apart immediately if they didn't use the Evil Eye,
Goro knew very well that compared to a symbolic victory, they were more needed behind the Coral Palace.

"Let's go. The Shogunate army no longer has the strength to invade, and our internal forces are no longer as united as they were at the beginning."

"Everyone has worked very hard to persevere, and it's time to go back and let the soldiers rest."

I can completely understand that the resistance is currently able to unite because of the external pressures of survival.
If we continue forward, it's hard to say whether we'll crumble completely in an instant when we finally set foot on Narukami Island, tempted by the divine protection.

Having persisted with their previous habits until now, Goro, who could no longer figure out which way to go, decided to return to Umijima Island and let Lord Sangokami decide where they should go in the future.

"Xin Hai, the initial collection of public opinion has been completed, and the results are somewhat..."

"."

"Is the conflict very serious?"

"Don't worry about me, I expected this outcome from the very beginning."

On the southwest side of Nashii Beach, in the center of Kaigi Island, lies Coral Palace.

The white fluffy ball floating in the air held a large stack of anonymous questionnaires in its hand, its expression somewhat hesitant.

"Yes, most of the people who fled here because of the magistrate's office want to return to Narukami Island. They feel it is safer there after they heard that the gods cleansed the shogunate."

"But the warriors of Umijima Island themselves are unwilling to abandon your gods. They feel that the messages they have received are of dubious authenticity, and that it would be foolish to leave the main camp and allow the shogunate army to make arrangements for them."

For some reason, the previously united resistance forces suddenly seemed to fall apart, and even showed signs of fighting each other.

Paimon, whose path was blocked by a group of Abyss Apostles, had no idea what was happening on the front lines.

"Hmph, different voices are just for survival, resistance is for survival, and wanting to go back is also for survival."

"The losses this time were far too severe, exceeding our capacity to bear them. If it weren't for the monsters outside hunting down any lone person, the exodus of people would have been more severe than ever before."

His tone carried an undisguised weariness, as if he were utterly bewildered upon receiving the battle report that "half of the soldiers were gone without a trace."

They never imagined that their conflict with the shogunate army would be forcibly interrupted in such a way. Under unprecedented pressure, Shinkai felt that every decision he made could affect the survival of the entire Umijima Island.

"We did not conceal the intelligence brought back from the front, including news that the Tianling Envoy is now leaderless and that Narukami Island is also being invaded by demonic beasts."

"More and more people are choosing to apply to me for the Evil Eye. Rather than dying helplessly, they would rather use this power to protect their families."

"Some have suggested that everyone on Haigi Island migrate to Narukami Island to seek divine protection during this special time. Others have strongly criticized those who made such suggestions, considering it a shameful betrayal."

He let out a long sigh. The pressure of life and death was imminent. He had never imagined that the enemy could be so powerful.

"Hmm, it seems like the things the soldiers are talking about have changed quite a bit?"

"I remember everyone used to discuss how to defeat the Shogunate army."

Paimon exchanged a glance with Ying beside him, scratched his head, and realized something from Xin Hai's reply.

"Yes, you're right, that's the cause of the conflict."

Xin Hai nodded wearily.

"The pressure to survive is imminent, and nothing is more terrifying than a monster that could take the life of someone at any moment."

"The resistance was composed of a very complex group, a large part of whom were fugitives and avengers who had been persecuted by the shogunate."
They came to Haiqi Island seeking a better life, and now, threatened by death and magical beasts, it's perfectly normal for them to want to go back.

"But those who advocate for our direct surrender are ultimately only a small minority. If they weren't truly desperate to survive, they wouldn't have come to the resistance in the first place."

"The fighting with the shogunate army was forced to stop, and the pressure to survive increased dozens or even hundreds of times."

At this moment, the vast majority of people are in a state of great confusion; they don't know how to find a way out of this predicament.

Reports from the front lines kept coming in, indicating that the Shogunate army was no longer able to threaten the rebels.

In the last monster attack, the sandy grounds of the Tasha Sand Camp were stained red with blood. With such huge casualties, they even had trouble maintaining their current organization.

However, the intensity of the abyss attacks increased, and even with everyone eventually equipped with the Evil Eyes provided by their allies, Sea Spirit Island still lacked the ability to confront those leaders.

If the worst-case scenario occurs, there is a risk of annihilation.

'.'

As a living, divine priestess, Xin Hai knew from the very beginning that the only way out for Haiqi Island was through her own efforts.
However, also because of her status as a living, breathing goddess priestess, the residents of Umijima Island would not agree to her making such a decision.

"Well, there are just too many monsters outside. No matter how much they argue, they won't get any results right now."

"We can't survive alone in the wilderness, but even if we all went to Narukami Island, the gods would most likely not accept us."

Completely understanding Xin Hai's current dilemma, Paimon also felt extremely caught in a difficult situation.

She and Ying had provoked the Thunder General from the very beginning, leading to his relentless pursuit. If they were to seek refuge now, it would be a recipe for disaster.
"Yes. No matter what you choose, it might not be the right one. That's how I feel right now."

"If we don't seek help from the gods, it's like gambling that the monsters won't go all out to invade us."

However, abandoning everything done so far at this stage could not only lead to the internal fragmentation of Umijima Island, but also greatly increase the likelihood of it becoming a expendable resource for the Shogunate army in its fight against monsters.

The relationship between Umijima and the shogunate was never exactly friendly; the various unreasonable taxes levied could fill an entire page of military records.
Historical reasons and the hatred accumulated from previous battles are difficult to erase in a single stroke.

If the very reasons that united the resistance were betrayed, then a disorganized army would be doomed to be helpless and at the mercy of others.

"."

External situation, internal contradictions, survival pressure, and historical legacies.
With a host of troublesome and complex problems piling up at the same time, even Xin Hai felt that his brain was not enough to handle them.

He sighed and stood up from the table.
Having not slept all night, she put down the book in her hand and, with Ying and Paimon beside her, went to the highest point of the Coral Palace.

The morning mist was thick, and the light was soft.

The Huahai Moon, resembling a floating jellyfish, floated in the air, its colors reflected by the giant tridacna beneath everyone's feet.

The blue-purple vegetation and beautiful pearls were once among the most famous features of Hagijima Island as a tourist attraction.

But at this particular moment, the colors that meet my eyes are inexplicably tinged with a lingering sadness.

"The inhabitants of Haiji Island have never forgotten that our ancestors came from the dark and sunless Abyss Palace, so when they return to their deaths, they use coral and pearls to guide the deceased."

"Just like the shrine maiden's robes, blue and white are colors used for funerals."
And these two colors are so abundant on Haizhi Island right now that I dare not even count them all.

Looking around, all that could be seen were blue and white cloths, as the residents mourned the fallen soldiers.

Whether it was the hope that the death of their loved ones was not meaningless, or the insistence on fighting the shogunate to the end,

Even after experiencing profound grief, we hope that no more people will leave us in the future, and therefore we appeal to the gods for protection.
Different people may have different ideas, but in Xin Hai's eyes, neither of these two ideas is anything to be condemned.

"Everyone on Haizhi Island needs some more time. I also need to find a way out for the rest of them."

"Let's wait a bit longer; all of this needs the right opportunity."

Holding out might mean Umijima would become history, while surrendering to the shogunate army would likely lead to an internal strife even before departure.
Currently, many people would rather use their evil eyes than show weakness to the shogunate army, unless the situation becomes extremely dire.
"—Reporting to Lord Coral Palace, General Goro and the others have returned. A large group of abyssal monsters have gathered in the direction of Hachi-yeon Island, and they are currently fighting the monsters in the Nameless Fortress area!"

"—In addition, according to urgent intelligence provided by General Goro and his men, they spotted traces of the 'General' before evacuating from Nashiina."

？ ！！

As soon as he finished speaking, the three people present paused simultaneously.

I can't think of any reason why the general would leave Narukami Island so unusually.

Dozens, even hundreds, of complex thoughts swirled in my mind. Overloaded by this mental overload, my mind, which hadn't had a moment's rest, even felt like it was about to faint.

(End of this chapter)