Meanwhile, the resistance movement on El Island was both in full swing and on the verge of collapse.
This was no contradiction. First, reports of victory poured in from all across the island, from the countryside to the cities. It seemed as if the Kingdom had abandoned El Island overnight, handing it back to the Gray Elves without a fight.
But this was no act of conscience. The administrators and Lobster Soldiers had withdrawn to the coastal ports to form a defensive line, and all harbors were completely blockaded by the Royal Fleet. Any Gray Elf who drew near was met with a merciless assault.
Only after taking over the warehouses did the Gray Elves discover that the food supplies had long been shipped to the Istani mainland or elsewhere. This meant the widespread starvation would continue.
Even if the Rebel Army could hold onto the fruits of their victory, those fruits were withered and bitter—not enough to help the island's residents survive the coming winter.
