Chapter 719: The Outsider
Countless tiny patterns are etched into the trunk of the Great Tree of Life. Each pattern is no bigger than a thumbprint, and even the magical fluctuations emanating from each one are distinctly unique. Within those delicate markings, there lingers a faint trace of soul energy.
This wisp of soul energy, along with a sliver of magic, is bound within the narrow confines of the engraving.
These are the Soul Sigils of the Dark Elves. After acquiring their first magical mark, every Dark Elf comes here to carve their own Soul Sigil into the Great Tree of Life. Each sigil is unique to its owner, sealing not just a strand of magic, but also a trace of their soul.
The Great Tree of Life safeguards these Soul Sigils. As long as the tree endures, the Soul Sigils remain protected.
The only way for a Soul Sigil to disappear is if its owner perishes. When a life is extinguished, the soul energy and magic sealed within the Soul Sigil lose their source and quietly fade away.
Whenever a Dark Elf falls, a Soul Sigil vanishes from the Great Tree of Life’s trunk. Now, a vast section of the Great Tree of Life stands bare, devoid of Soul Sigils—meaning at least several hundred Dark Elves have perished...
Standing before the Great Tree of Life, an elder furrowed his brow and whispered, "Send word—convene the Elder Council."
Half an hour later, inside a massive treehouse, a group of grim-faced Dark Elves gathered around a huge round table.
The seat at the head of the table was empty—reserved for the Grand Elder. To the left, at the very front, sat an elderly Dark Elf with snow-white hair and beard, the tribe’s Second Elder.
Next in line were the Fourth Elder, Elsa, and several stewards from the elven tribes.
At the front right sat Jairus’s father, the Third Elder, Brewster. Behind him were the Fifth Elder and a group of Dark Elf stewards.
With the exception of the Grand Elder, who remained lost in the Lightless Dream, all were present for the Council meeting.
Once everyone had arrived, the Second Elder, his face shadowed with worry, was the first to speak.
"I trust everyone already knows the reason for this Elder Council. A mage hunting party has fallen—all six hundred sixty-three of them. Their Soul Sigils have vanished, every last one. In other words, the entire hunting party disappeared without a trace. Not a single message made it back."
"Dark Elves have never feared dying in battle. To fall in combat is the highest honor. But this time, six hundred sixty-three souls—including their Nightwing Raptors—vanished without a word. It’s as if they were erased from existence. Share your thoughts."
With the Grand Elder absent, the burden of explanation fell to the Second Elder.
"Third Elder, I’ve explained this before—your son Jairus struck first. Merlin was only defending himself. How can that be disturbing the peace?"
"Only those two races know us well enough to make an entire hunting party vanish without a trace. They know our methods inside out. If they’re plotting again, a sneak attack on our hunting party is well within their abilities. If you ask me, it’s definitely those wicked Ash Orcs behind this."
Elsa, sitting beside the Fourth Elder, agreed with a grim face. "Exactly. Our relations with the Ash Orcs have soured over the years. Hundreds of our people vanished without a word—it has to be them. We should send scouts to the Ash Orc tribe. Surely we’ll find some clues."
The Second Elder nodded, his worry showing. "If it really is the Ash Orcs behind this, then things are dire. Their tribe has always been stronger than ours. If they’re bold enough to strike now, they must be confident they can deal us a heavy blow..."
Across from him, the Third Elder wore a solemn expression and voiced his dissent. "I don’t think so. If we provoke the Ash Orcs without proof—the ones with abyssal demon blood—they’ll jump at the chance to retaliate. I suspect there’s a deeper plot at work here."
"The tribe has been peaceful for so long. Why is trouble erupting now? Even if it’s the Ash Orcs, why didn’t they make a move before? And if they did, why so ruthless? This must be a premeditated ambush!"
"Everyone, our tribe has known peace for years. Why the sudden unrest? Has anything changed recently? Or perhaps there’s been a shift within the tribe—surely, that’s a sign!"
The Third Elder’s face was grave, and the others nodded in agreement, each lost in thought about recent events in the tribe.
"If there’s been any change, it’s those outsiders."
The Fifth Elder, sitting beside the Third, sneered darkly as he spoke.
At these words, the Third Elder’s face darkened. "Hmph! So it’s those outsiders. No wonder—I’ve suspected them from the start. Just days ago, I caught them disturbing the peace. When I went to investigate, I found them casting spells in the tribe and even injuring our people..."
The Fifth Elder’s face twisted in anger as he interrupted, "What! They dared to cast spells here and even hurt our people? Outrageous! Why haven’t we captured these outsiders yet? Ever since they arrived, trouble has followed. They must be plotting something!"
With two elders speaking out, and the Third Elder’s prior remarks, the stewards below erupted in shock and anger, demanding to know why the outsiders hadn’t been apprehended.
"Arrest them!"
"Those outsiders are definitely up to something!"
"Damn it, it must be them! Everything that’s happened lately is connected to those outsiders!"
The grand council hall erupted into chaos in an instant.
Elsa panicked, unable to understand how the discussion suddenly shifted to Merlin.
Damn it, what’s wrong with these people? How did this get pinned on Merlin? Don’t they realize how terrifying Merlin is? My gods, are they trying to doom the whole tribe?
No way, I have to stop them!
"Third Elder, I’ve explained this before—your son Jels struck first. Merlin was only defending himself. How can that be disturbing the peace?"
Elsa jumped to her feet, confronting the Third Elder.
The Third Elder remained composed, nodding calmly. "I’ve said it before—if Jels was defeated, that’s on him. But I saw that outsider knock Jels to the ground and nearly kill him. That’s a serious breach of tribal law, as I’m sure Princess Elsa knows very well."
Before Elsa could respond, the Third Elder abruptly changed tack. "Since Princess Elsa is vouching for this, we’ll continue to investigate for now. Let’s set this aside temporarily. I have another question for Princess Elsa."
Elsa was momentarily stunned, unable to process how the Third Elder had suddenly become so agreeable.
Well, as long as Merlin isn’t dragged into this, it’s fine. Looks like the Third Elder finally understands you can’t make an enemy of Merlin—he still puts the tribe’s interests first...
Elsa let out a sigh of relief as the Third Elder continued, his face stern.
"Princess Elsa, I know hunting expeditions are dangerous, but this time you took over a thousand people out and brought back less than ten. And you happened to return with these outsiders. I’ve already asked our loyal Dark Elf clansmen—the main reason for such heavy losses was those outsiders. I hope Princess Elsa can give everyone a reasonable explanation."
A flash of anger crossed Elsa’s face, but before she could speak, the Fourth Elder pulled her back, her expression icy. "The details have already been reported to the Council. Everyone knows what happened—during the hunt, we encountered Orakis, wandered into the Nightfall Gorge, and even met Duncan, the Ash Orc genius from a thousand years ago. Is there anyone here who’s confident they’d survive such a situation?"
Elsa quickly added, "That’s right. We only survived thanks to Merlin’s help. Without him, none of us would’ve made it back alive!"
The Fifth Elder’s face was sour as he replied, "That’s just your side of the story. Who knows if it’s true?"
The Third Elder shot the Fifth Elder a look, chiding him mildly. "How could you doubt Princess Elsa? She’d never lie about something like this!"
Then the Third Elder looked around the room, his gaze settling on Elsa. "Princess Elsa, I have some questions. Please answer honestly."
"Princess Elsa, was it only after meeting those outsiders that you were mysteriously attacked by Orakis?"
Elsa hesitated, glanced around, and finally nodded.
"And Princess Elsa, was it those outsiders who led you into Nightfall Gorge?"
Elsa caught on immediately and rushed to explain, "That’s right, but..."
The Third Elder waved her off, cutting her short. His face was cold. "After those outsiders arrived in the tribe, trouble followed—conflicts with our people, and within days, hundreds of elite warriors vanished without explanation. Everything is connected to those outsiders!"