Chapter Eighteen: The Alliance of Three Forces

In the shadowy depths of the underground, the Black Onyx Stone City was a peculiar existence. Other subterranean cities were almost always monopolized by a single race—gray dwarves ruled their own, dark elves reigned endlessly over theirs, and in the mind flayers’ domains, all except the mind flayers themselves were mere slaves. It could be said that in the Underdark, each city was essentially a gathering place for its respective species.

But Black Onyx Stone City was different. It was governed jointly by three races, and what made it more intriguing was that all three originated from the surface world. They were the Tiefling clans, the Half-Vampire lineage, and the Serpentfolk tribe. Each had its own story, but their fate was the same: driven from the surface for various reasons, forced to flee into the Underdark to seek refuge.

Unfortunately, the native races of the Underdark were hardly welcoming. Quite the opposite—the arrival of these surface refugees provoked immense hostility. In the first few years, they suffered repeated attacks from mind flayers, dark elves, and gray dwarves. If not for the mutual animosity among the underground races, lacking a unified alliance, these pitiful exiles might have perished altogether.

Yet those who managed to escape here were not ordinary. Sensing the dire situation, the three factions ultimately banded together, forming an alliance and building a city upon that foundation: Black Onyx Stone City.

Now, its power had grown formidable. Having repelled several assaults from the local races, their prestige steadily rose. Once they understood the rules of the Underdark, Black Onyx Stone City revealed a fierce belligerence; no matter the attack, they responded like rabid hounds, refusing to let go.

It was a shrewd strategy. The underground races were proud and contentious, and if any suffered at Black Onyx Stone City’s hands, allowing others to benefit from the aftermath, it would be a laughingstock.

In this delicate balance, Black Onyx Stone City gradually prospered.

But now, new troubles loomed.

"Another caravan failed to arrive on schedule at Black Onyx Stone City. This makes the fifth one," said Devo Dudenstein, tossing aside his records. His golden, lizard-like eyes glared fiercely across the council chamber, as if ready to devour someone. Two long, sharp horns whistled through the air with his movements, echoing his anger.

"How much longer must we wait?! Gentlemen, are we to starve ourselves to death?"

"Don’t be so anxious, Devo. The more dire the situation, the more cautious we must be," replied Elate, the half-vampire, sitting calmly with an elegant smile and swirling a glass of crimson wine as if he were a connoisseur. Though his tone was relaxed, his blood-red eyes stared intently at the shadow on the other side.

"Let’s hear from our Serpentfolk friend. The patrol should be back, right, Lass?"

"Naturally," the Serpentfolk nodded. His upper body was as sturdy as any human, but below the waist, he was all massive, muscular serpent. The white scales covering his body made him stand out—especially his gleaming bald head.

"According to the patrol, they found traces left by those caravans. It appears the caravans were attacked by bandits."

"Bandits?" The other two’s expressions changed at once.

"Yes. All the subterranean lizards transporting goods vanished, and nearly everyone—guards included—was slain. The numbers are unclear, but it seems no survivors were left. The lizards were herded away. Furthermore, the patrol found magical residue at the scene. Apparently, the caravans were attacked by magic during their encampment, killed amid the ensuing chaos. Unfortunately, the bodies were mauled by underground beasts, making it impossible to determine precisely how they died."

"Could it be dark elves?" Devo scratched his horns and frowned. His reasoning was sound—mind flayers controlled with their minds; if they were responsible, the caravans would have become loyal slaves without resistance. Gray dwarves, though fierce, were famously resistant to magic, making it unlikely they could wield such sorcery. The only enemy with a motive and magical prowess was the dark-skinned elves. Yet...

"There are no dark elf cities nearby, and the caravans are heavily guarded. A handful of dark elves couldn’t possibly wipe them out completely. Besides, those elves prefer to send their slave cannon fodder rather than risk themselves. But..."

Devo glanced at the half-vampire beside him. Elate shook his head.

"No recent intelligence suggests the dark elf families have mobilized slaves en masse."

This was curious. Not mind flayers, nor gray dwarves, and the dark elves lacked both motive and opportunity. Who, then, was responsible?

"Whoever did it, we must teach them a lesson!"

The other two agreed. Whoever the culprit, this weakened Black Onyx Stone City. Without caravans to trade, their survival was at stake. If they declined, mind flayers, gray dwarves, and dark elves would surely seize the chance to strike again. At that point, it would be a matter of life and death for Black Onyx Stone City.

"We've traced the trail; it’s not far from here," Lass the Serpentfolk said, swinging his arms and speaking with a cold gaze. "I suggest we assemble an elite force to hunt down those bastards who dared attack our caravans and teach them a lesson! Let them know Black Onyx Stone City is not to be trifled with!"

After Lass spoke, an eerie silence fell over the council chamber. None present were ordinary—they were leaders who had escaped surface purges to survive underground. They knew well the consequences of such actions. Caravans capable of traversing the Underdark were no pushovers; this realm was far more perilous than the surface. Outside the underground cities, caravans often traveled through deserted tunnels, beset by monstrous threats at any moment.

Therefore, caravan guards were always well-trained, their strength rivaling armies. Yet five caravans had been wiped out. The enemy’s power was evident. Black Onyx Stone City could not simply send patrols to investigate.

Only by marshaling their greatest strength for a decisive blow could they achieve the desired effect. If successful, it would announce Black Onyx Stone City’s dominance in the north, surpassing the weaker cities of the Underdark.

But there was risk. Should the enemy prove stronger than expected and annihilate their elite force, Black Onyx Stone City would be gravely wounded. They had only settled here for a few decades, their accumulated strength less than the long-standing races of the Underdark. Losing their best would leave them vulnerable.

Still, they had no choice. Five caravans had been attacked. If Black Onyx Stone City failed to respond, no caravans would dare trade with them again, sealing their fate.

Bang!

The Tiefling slammed his fist on the table, clenched his teeth, and after a moment’s silence, made his decision.

"We’ll do as Lass suggests. This time, we must deliver a lesson so severe they’ll remember it forever! Let them know the might of Black Onyx Stone City! If we don’t act now, our city will become the laughing stock of the north. That must never happen!"

"Then it’s settled," Elate replied, finishing his wine and slowly rising. His expression remained indifferent, but those familiar with the half-vampire knew that once he made this gesture, his decision was final. Yet what he said next surprised everyone.

"To be safe, I’ll send Li along as well."

"What?" Devo and Lass stared wide-eyed at the half-vampire, incredulous. They were prepared for great sacrifice, but had not expected Elate to choose this candidate!