Chapter 78 of 100
Chapter 78
7 min read1,846 words
The World Tree is its scientific name, but among the elves, it has another title—the God of Life. It is the one who granted life to the elves and protected them as they multiplied and thrived.
The Elven Queen Gailard's expression brightened: "Really? Where is it?"
Kailandelle said, "I don't know. It's too far away, and the God of Life can't sense it, but it's definitely not within the elves' territory."
The Elven Empire is within the range of the World Tree's divine power. If it were within this range, we would definitely be able to sense its exact location.
"Find it, send people to search for it. No matter where it is, even if it's in the Abyss, we must find it." Gailard's frown vanished, replaced by excitement and enthusiasm.
Before, it couldn't even sprout, like being infertile. No matter how much affection and power there was, there was nowhere to release it.
Now it's different. Now it has sprouted, and the remaining goal is to find it. This is not just my responsibility but the mission of the entire Elven Empire.
"What if it's within the human territory?" Kailandelle asked with concern.
Gailard said without hesitation, "If they are willing to return the World Tree's sapling, the Elven Empire is willing to pay any price, including myself."
"What? Your Majesty!" Kailandelle exclaimed.
Gailard, known as the most beautiful queen in the history of the Elven Empire, possesses a beauty that is otherworldly. Her eyes are deep like the starry sky, her facial features are perfectly proportioned, and every angle exudes a different kind of beauty. Just her face alone is enough to captivate anyone.
Since she ascended the throne, countless humans have been infatuated with her. Of course, none have dared to openly express their admiration, but in the black market, various products, merchandise, and original items related to the Elven Queen are abundant, almost all of which are counterfeit and of poor quality, yet they are very popular among humans.
A mental painting of the Elven Queen can sell for over 5,000 magic crystals, and it's in high demand.
A mental painting is a work created by a mental magic user on a canvas. Viewing such a painting makes one feel as if the person in the painting is about to step out of it, vivid and lifelike.
However, even such paintings struggle to capture Gailard's beauty, and many are fake because many artists have never even seen the Elven Queen, so they just use their imagination to draw.
Once, a powerful nobleman boldly offered a reward for the Elven Queen in the black market, but before the reward could be announced, the nobleman's family was stripped of their titles, and the royal family was furious, revoking their noble status.
The Tivan Empire's experience serves as a warning. This was a conflict between two human empires. If something were to happen to the Elven Queen, the conflict between humans and elves would be irreconcilable.
The Elven Queen, whose beauty could lead to the downfall of a nation, is now saying she is willing to pay any price, including herself.
Kailandelle hesitated and asked, "What if it's a cripple or an old man, would that be acceptable?"
Gailard's face darkened: "I mean, even if the price includes me, it's worth it. Where did your mind go?"
"Oh, oh, that kind of price..."
But even sacrificing the Elven Queen might not be enough when it comes to the World Tree. Kailandelle had to ask, "What if the humans refuse to hand it over?"
Gailard smiled, "Landel, do you know how the Church of Light, the most popular religion in the human world, harvests faith?"
Landel is Kailandelle's nickname, used only by those close to her. If not among family, using this name indicates a serious conversation.
Kailandelle's expression became serious, adding a touch of earnestness. She understood Gailard and knew that the following words were to be taken seriously.
"The Church of Light initiates holy wars to continuously harvest faith. Eliminating heretics is just an excuse; the true purpose is faith. The God of Life is our deity, and it concerns the rise and fall, as well as the survival of the entire elven race. It is worth any sacrifice to protect it. If the humans refuse to hand it over, then we will initiate a holy war, an elven holy war."
A massive arrow was placed on the eagle siege crossbow. Four tall elves struggled to draw the bowstring and adjust it to the highest position. The arrow had no sharp metal tip but instead had a large whistle.
The bowstring, made of World Tree fibers, suddenly tightened, and the whistling arrow was shot, emitting a sharp, long whistle that spread far and wide.
In the shade of the forest, an elf heard the whistle, her expression brightened, and she nimbly climbed up a tree. Her sharp eyes caught the arrow slicing through the sky, and she immediately drew a whistling arrow from her quiver and shot it into the sky.
As the sound spread, every few dozen or hundred meters, a whistling arrow was shot from the treetops, relaying the sound. Even when the crossbow arrow lost its momentum and fell, the elves continued to shoot whistling arrows, creating a ripple effect that spread throughout the entire Elven Empire.
In the dark depths of the forest, a hand suddenly lifted the hood of a shadow, revealing a face adorned with intricate magical patterns. The shadow twisted, and an elf's figure emerged from the darkness.
"The elves' lament? What's happening?" The magical patterned elf looked up at the sky.
More hands emerged from the surrounding shadows, lifting their hoods to reveal more figures. In the seemingly empty shadows, dozens of magical patterned elves gathered, all looking up at the sky.
After a moment of confusion, the magical patterned elf suddenly realized what it meant and whistled.
Black leopards leaped down from the trees, carrying the magical patterned elves in the direction of the whistling sound.
In a small elven village by a stream deep in the forest, an elven family was having dinner when they heard the whistling sound, looking puzzled.
Soon, the village guards shot relaying whistling arrows into the sky, and the elder elves came out to explain the meaning of the whistling sound, causing a commotion.
That night, the female elves put on leather armor, packed provisions and weapons, and bid farewell to their husbands and children, setting out on their journey.
One by one, groups of elves emerged from the depths of the forest, like trickles forming a stream, streams forming a river, and rivers becoming a flood.
A giant tree rose from the ground, shaking off the dirt from its roots, and slowly took its first steps. In the forest, countless such giant trees moved, and the elven war trees were activated.
All the forces converged at the edge of the forest, at the elven city of Greenleaf, which bordered human territory. When the continuous stream of elven warriors, archers, mages, war trees, eagle siege crossbows, and two-headed dragons flooded into Greenleaf, the entire human world was shaken.
The Elven Empire was on the move, like a deeply rooted World Tree. When it moved, the entire world trembled.
The high-ranking officials of all human nations held a high-level remote meeting through a magic array. The respected Emperor Frederick, rarely losing his composure, roared:
"Who! Who! Who captured the Elven Queen?! Why is the entire Elven Empire on the move! Gailard is beautiful, but she's over two hundred years old, older than your grandmothers' grandmothers! Have you all gone mad!"
Frederick ranted, and a servant whispered something to him. Frederick was stunned: "What!? The Elven Queen is safe? Then, are the elves mad?"
All nations almost simultaneously received a diplomatic note from the Elven Empire: "Hand over the World Tree's sapling, and you will gain the friendship of the elves. If you destroy the World Tree's sapling, we will initiate a holy war, a war to the death."
What? The World Tree? Sapling? Holy war? All human nations were bewildered.
Anthony, also present at the meeting, wondered to himself: "The World Tree? Why does this name sound familiar? Where have I heard it before?"
"Oh, right, the God of Knowledge. He said he was researching how to grow the World Tree. Ha, what a bold claim, the God of Knowledge researching how to grow the elves' God of Life. Can that thing even be grown?"
Back in the secret chamber, two black warriors, including Polk, floated out, looking dejected. Anthony had exchanged a elemental converter and 200,000 magic crystals for the holy remains and Polk.
"How do you feel?" Anthony asked. After the exchange, he had rushed to the meeting and hadn't had time to inquire about their condition.
Polk shook his head: "I feel terrible. Many of my memories have been erased, and I can't remember a lot of things. My soul feels dazed."
Anthony nodded, his expression confirming his suspicions: "As expected of the God of Knowledge, he's thorough, even wary of old friends. Never mind, go and rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Polk and the other black warrior bowed and retreated, but Polk suddenly stopped and turned to ask, "Your Majesty, have you ever erased some of our memories?"
Anthony nodded frankly: "Of course. You know how crucial my position is. Some memories I must erase to prevent any leaks. I hope you understand."
With such honesty from the emperor, Polk and the other black warrior were reassured. Yes, if some memories weren't erased, and they were captured again, everything would be exposed.
They bowed again and left.
Anthony sat in place for a while, then sighed, scratching his thinning hair, muttering, "These kids are getting harder to fool."
First, he cast a group purification spell to clean the residual aura of the black warriors, then he brought out the holy remains and summoned holy light to shine upon it.
Under normal circumstances, a priest could resurrect the holy remains, but since the angel was on a private mission, Anthony had to do it himself. The holy light shone brightly.
Based on the holy light used to resurrect the angel's skeleton, which required 7,000 units of holy light, this holy remains only needed 3,000 units. It was unclear whether it was because Anthony's holy light was stronger or the holy remains was weaker.
It took seven days to resurrect the holy remains in stages. Before the angel awoke, Anthony leaned close to its ear and whispered something strange.
When the angel awoke and saw Anthony, it reported, "All heretics have been eliminated."
Anthony smiled kindly, "Well done, child. The holy light is with you."
...
In the Abyss, Ang, Negris, and Lightning were discussing the dozen or so saplings.
Lightning, eager, asked, "Can I eat one?"
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