Volume 15: The Totem Continent
Chapter 235: The Elf Council
“Ochi, have you investigated that human territory called Dalaran?” Two elves who had returned from among humans took off their disguises. With their tall, handsome human appearance and golden-brown hair, it was clear they were mixed elves with Sun Elf blood.
“Elders, we have learned about Dalaran. That human territory is truly astonishing to us…” “There are indeed elves in Dalaran, but they differ from both our Sun Elves and Moon Elves. Their appearance resembles that of other elf factions in the Forest Kingdoms, yet their magical prowess is extremely strong. In a tribe of less than a hundred people, over 90% are powerful spellcasters. And aside from nature mages like the Forest Elves, most of them are legendary druids…” “I secretly communicated with the elders of that elf tribe. It seems the human ruler of Dalaran also has high elf blood, along with a loyal subordinate believed to be a Sun Elf.” As the two mixed elves spoke, they brought one surprise after another to the Sun Elf elders seated there!
It should be noted that these elders were all powerful figures in the realm of legends. Some of the oldest among them had lived for over two thousand years. The fact that such events in that human territory could move them showed just how extraordinary they were.
Among them were not only Sun Elf legends such as the Sword Saint, the Legendary Archer, and the Legendary Archmage but also the only three known Arcane Masters in the world. This was why the Sun Elves, with their long lifespans, had been able to preserve their traditions to this day. As for other Arcane Masters, their lineages had either been severed due to the collapse of the Banai Empire a thousand years ago under the pressure of the Gods’ Church or transformed into mages.
These three legendary Arcane Masters were from the time before the fall of the Magic Empire of Banai a thousand years ago. Although mages were prevalent at that time and the lineage of Arcane Masters was on the verge of extinction, one of the founders of the ancient Arcane Master Empire—the high elves—was able to maintain their lineage due to their long lifespans. With the protection of the elf gods, even if the human gods had any intentions, they would not act on them.
Many later human Arcane Master lineages were reclaimed by the elves. It can be said that the high elves are truly the recorders of world history and disseminators of civilization.
Of course, all of this only managed to move those Sun Elf elders slightly. If that were all, these elders who had lived through long years would not have any particular thoughts about that land—at most, they might pay slight attention to the elf tribe that had emerged in the North. But what the two young elves said next shocked everyone. “Elders, we also saw a Tree of Life in human territory! It is said to have been planted and nurtured by the lord of Dalaran himself!” The two young elves excitedly shared this significant discovery. Even the Forest Elf Queen, who had always sat firmly in her position, seemingly unmoved by anything, suddenly stood up from her seat. “Is what you’re saying true?” asked the elders and the Elf Queen together. The two young hybrid Sun Elves, aware of the seriousness of the matter, dared not hide anything and recounted everything they had seen and heard in the Druid elf tribe. “A Druid tribe? They are indeed pure-blooded High Elves. I remember there was once an elf tribe in the North that inherited the ancient Druid traditions and lived independently. But it is said that as the Tree of Life they protected withered away, that elf tribe perished thousands of years ago. Only some survivors either hid in the mountains or merged with other elf groups. Who would have thought they still managed to survive in the harsh environment of the North!” said the oldest Sun Elf elder with awe. Although this elder appeared to be a handsome man in his thirty-fourth year—what Donald would consider a mature man in his prime—he was actually over two thousand years old. Besides the longevity granted by his Sun Elf bloodline, his great strength also extended his life far beyond its natural limit. He was the oldest elf known to the outside world. “There are still seeds of the Tree of Life left in the world? I thought that after the Great Father God moved the First Mother Tree to the land of Aventor, most of the Mother Trees in the main world had perished for various reasons, leaving only the two we protect! Elder Shalandrei, what do you think we should do?” the Forest Elf Queen asked this oldest Sun Elf elder.
The Moon Elves gave up their genetic advantages to become Forest Elves with superior reproductive abilities, thus losing the innate talents of the Sun Elves. Aside from the Queen of the Forest Elves, only three legendary warriors govern the entire Forest Elf kingdom. Since each Queen of the Forest Elves is the most powerful priestess of the Goddess of Moonlight and Darkness, the other two elders usually agree with the Queen’s decisions. Therefore, in this meeting, the Forest Elves’ stance was represented by their queen.
The Sun Elves had witnessed this situation many times over the centuries and paid it no mind. Elves might be the most united race in the main world. Only a few lower-tier branches of the Forest Elves, with less pure bloodlines, had temperaments somewhat similar to humans, with stronger desires for power and wealth.
The Sun Elves, who maintained pure bloodlines, generally had indifferent natures and no interest in power struggles. Naturally, they did not disregard the Forest Elves’ opinions just because their combat prowess was inferior.
Due to the genetic transformation, ordinary Forest Elves lost their silver hair and fair skin like the Moon Elves, gradually developing a faint green complexion and silver-gray or green hair. However, a small number of upper-class nobles among the Forest Elves retained relatively pure Moon Elf bloodlines to ensure a certain level of combat strength. The Queen was chosen from among the women with the strongest Moon Elf bloodlines, so she still appeared as a true Moon Elf. As the most powerful priestess and chosen one among the elven gods, she naturally radiated a sacred glow, making her stunning appearance even more remarkable.
“If that person truly possesses high elf blood, we should consider absorbing him and the elves under his command. This would strengthen our race, and with the help of the Third Mother Tree, we could gain more pure-blooded newborns with powerful talents!” replied the elder in response to the Queen of the Forest Elves’ question.
Then, a young-looking Sun Elf elder spoke up, “I believe the elven bloodline must not be tainted by humans, especially high elves. I don’t know where that human obtained his high elf bloodline, but I refuse to acknowledge his identity!” This elder was the most extreme among the Sun Elf elders, harboring hostility toward humans due to suffering at their hands in his youth.
“Xueflas, stop talking nonsense. Since before the Age of the Arcane Empire, humans have been friends of the elves. How many great archmage lords carry the blood of high elves in their veins? You should forgive the harm humans have caused you with a forgiving heart!”
It was his father who spoke to reprimand this Sun Elf elder. He was the youngest among all the elders, having succeeded in breaking through to the Golden rank and becoming a legendary warrior at just 300 years old—a rare genius among the Sun Elves. He had only recently become an elder, while the other elders were his ancestors. Thus, despite some reluctance, the thirteenth elder did not continue speaking.
“The Great Elder is right. If we can gain the help of another Mother Tree, we will be able to obtain more pure-blood elves and perhaps even increase the concentration of the bloodline in our people. Therefore, using force should be the last resort. Besides, they are also of our kind, not enemies. We should primarily use gentle methods!” After saying this, the Forest Elf Queen also comforted the thirteenth elder, “Elder Xueflas, you should let go of your grievances. Even among us elves, there have been evil traitors like the Dark Elves who betrayed nature and kindness. How much more so among humans? There are still many in human society who yearn for light and kindness. Moreover, humans are the race most closely related to us, with great malleability. If one day the fertility of our high elf descendants declines again, we might need to intermix with humans to continue our bloodline. That outstanding human with high elf blood is one of our potential candidates—he might give birth to new elves with pure and powerful bloodlines. This is the result of discussions among the Father God and the other lords!”
“Additionally, that person is the founder of the Theory of Natural Balance, earning recognition from most of the true gods among our elves and humans. What an achievement that is for mortals! Even Princess Lauren recently issued an oracle, saying that someone with pure high elf blood and divine bloodline, who has reached such strength in less than twenty years, must have immense potential.” With these words, the Forest Elf Queen expressed the stance of the elf gods, especially Princess Lauren, the Goddess of Moonlight and Night, which surprised all the Sun Elves present.
Even the Father God and those lords regarded that human lord so highly?
Elder Shalan Dray couldn’t help but say upon hearing this, “Princess Lauren personally delivered the oracle? Does that mean all the princesses hold that ruler of Dalaran in high regard? It seems that within a few hundred years, the human side will gain another demi-god. A demi-god who is close to us is extremely important for the continuation of our elves’ development. We’d better not dwell on their half-elf identity and instead strive to maintain friendly relations!” The Queen of the Forest Elves, due to her unique status, was respected by all elves, making her the most influential figure in the council aside from Elder Shalan Dray. If their opinions aligned, it basically meant the matter was settled.
Next, the other Elders of the Sun Elves expressed their views. Aside from the thirteenth Elder who was still at odds, all the other council elders agreed with the views of the Elder and the Queen of the Forest Elves.
“Then it’s decided. Marshall, your identity is the most suitable, and you’re the most reliable to handle this task. You’ll represent our Sun Elves on this mission to the Northlands!” The Queen of the Forest Elves added, “We, the Forest Elves, will also send a legendary Elder to accompany you, Elder Marshall!” This Elder Marshall was the father of the thirteenth Elder, Xuefras, and also the youngest of the three remaining legendary Archmages of the elves. With his status as an Archmage, he would be the most appropriate person to meet the mage on the other side.