Chapter 67

In the heart of the Great Tree Sea lies the Elven nation of Oldwood.

It is a nation with a particularly ancient history among Elven states, where many Elves who have lived for over a century reside, making it a nation of distinguished lineage.

Elves, one of the four major races on the continent, possess the longest lifespans and the most advanced magical skills. Unlike humans, who are numerous, their total population is small. Oldwood, in particular, places great importance on maintaining old bloodlines, and compared to other Elven nations, its population is especially small. While its history is indeed long and well-established, in terms of population, it can be considered a medium-sized country.

Humans often refer to it as an old-fashioned nation that upholds Elven supremacy, but the Elves living in Oldwood dismiss such criticisms as "nonsense."

It's not that they are called Elven supremacists.

Humans themselves are the ones who are nonsensical.

Their greed, expanding their population recklessly, forcefully expanding their living areas, and even reaching out to the Great Tree Sea, is something that cannot be ignored.

Their basic attitude towards humans is one of indifference.

Certainly, humans, who judge the beauty of things only by their appearance, are objects of contempt, and one might wish for their extinction, but getting involved with them is a waste of time. Even with their long lifespans, spending time on foolish humans is a waste.

The same applies to Half-Elves.

For Oldwood, which values the continuation of old bloodlines and the refinement of ancient wisdom, Half-Elves are beings with whom there is no need to interact. Naturally, they have no intention of recognizing them as kin, given their mixed human blood. They are akin to a new species of wild animal that has settled in the forest. To Oldwood, Half-Elves are nothing more than that.

However, if Half-Elves were to venture deep into the Great Tree Sea, the situation would be different.

"Hmm... An interesting story indeed."

In the heart of the Great Spirit Tree, which stands at the center of Oldwood, in a room of the ancient temple built around its trunk, known as the "Tree Intersection Room," a man who had just heard an unexpected story said this.

The man holds the position of Grand Elder in Oldwood. While the country has a king, like other Elven nations, the king is more of a symbolic figure due to the emphasis on maintaining old bloodlines. The actual governance of the country is largely influenced by the Elder Council. As the sole Grand Elder who leads the five elders, he can be considered the representative of Oldwood in this setting.

Before him stands a middle-aged Elf.

For Elves, who remain in their prime for a long time, the slight signs of aging in his appearance are rare.

This indicates that the man sitting before him has lived for a considerable length of time.

"However, it is also a story that is hard to believe at first. Can you understand my doubts, noble kin of the ancient forest?"

Oldwood respects old bloodlines.

Moreover, a long-lived kin is respected simply for that fact.

But the reason he showed respect to the man before him was not just that; it was because he, like himself, held the position of Grand Elder.

Harwell Winus Nobleleaf, the middle-aged man who had come from Noblewood, nodded and spoke.

"Your doubts are understandable, noble kin of the ancient forest. I, too, doubted my ears when I first heard it. But it is true. The 'defiled ones' foolishly took up arms and attacked us in Noblewood."

Harwell spoke calmly, without raising his voice.

The content of his words should have been infuriating given their position, but strangely, he remained composed. The Grand Elder of Oldwood became even more suspicious.

"…We know that a group of Half-Elves settled in a corner of the forest and established a country by gathering outcasts from other races. However, since they did not venture deep into the Great Tree Sea and were close to the Abyssal Forest, we chose to observe them without much concern. Was it their growth that you are now speaking of, noble kin of the ancient forest?"

"Unfortunately, that is the case, noble kin of the ancient forest. We underestimated the foolishness of the 'defiled ones.' Showing them leniency was a grave mistake."

The Grand Elder of Oldwood grunted. The other elders present also looked somewhat perplexed. The Grand Elder asked the question he had been harboring from the beginning.

"…If that is the case, why not just eliminate them immediately?"

He knew that Noblewood harbored hatred and disgust towards humans. Given the outcome of the war a hundred years ago—though they initiated it—it was understandable.

Similarly, they despised Half-Elves as 'defiled ones.'

The group of Half-Elves, known as Latestwood, was founded by the descendants of those born from the union of captured Elves and humans in Noblewood.

Fortunately, Oldwood's blood was not mixed, but from Noblewood's perspective, calling Half-Elves 'defiled ones' was understandable.

Moreover, Half-Elves are, in general, weak.

They have not honed their magic over long periods like Elves, nor can they fight in large numbers like humans. If Oldwood were to confront a group of Half-Elves head-on, they could easily crush them without significant losses. The same would apply to Noblewood, which boasts many skilled mages and hunters.

In short, if a group of Half-Elves were to challenge Noblewood, it would be a simple matter to eliminate them immediately. Yet, Noblewood had brought this matter to them, which was puzzling.

"You make a valid point. However, there is a reason we cannot do so. It is most frustrating, but the 'defiled ones' have received the aid of mysterious foreigners."

"Foreigners? What do you mean by that? Surely, noble kin of the ancient forest, you don't mean to say they are 'rare beings'?"

"I have no intention of discussing the uncertain legends of the Abyssal Forest here. The crucial point is that these foreigners possess extraordinary power. —After all, our hero and chief hunter, Sarawin Welt Nobleleaf, was taken by them and returned to the forest."

"…What!?"

The Grand Elder was genuinely shocked. The other elders present reacted similarly. Sarawin Welt, the chief hunter of Noblewood, was a renowned hero in the Great Tree Sea. It was said that he hunted hundreds of humans during the war a hundred years ago.

The idea that such a man could be taken by unknown individuals and returned to the forest was hard to believe.

"Most likely, they used despicable means. Nevertheless, noble kin of the ancient forest, the fact that our hero returned to the forest is undeniable. Given the unpredictable actions of the 'defiled ones,' this is not a matter that can be ignored by you either, is it?"

"…Indeed."

If this were true… If the Half-Elves, who had settled in a corner of the forest and now had the aid of foreigners, were to invade the Great Tree Sea, it would be a situation that could not be overlooked. If Noblewood were to be defeated by a group of Half-Elves, Oldwood, as its neighboring country, could be the next target.

Logically, it was an unlikely scenario. The idea of being outmatched by a mere group of Half-Elves was absurd. However, the fact that an Elf from Noblewood had spoken these words added weight to the Grand Elder's concerns.

Noblewood's hatred and contempt for Half-Elves, and their strong sense of pride among Elves, were well-known to anyone living in the Great Tree Sea.

For the Grand Elder of Noblewood to personally visit another country and admit the loss of their chief hunter to a group of Half-Elves was a humiliation that would be unbearable. It was not something that could be fabricated. Despite this, he had chosen to share this information with the Elves of another country.

—This was not a lie. The Grand Elder, who knew the depth of their pride, was convinced that the events described were indeed true.

"…I see. The reason you came to our country in person, without prior notice, is now clear. Indeed, an unprecedented situation has arisen."

The Grand Elder nodded and looked around at the other members of the Elder Council.

None of them were foolish enough to miss the meaning in his gaze.

As the representatives of Oldwood, they responded with silence.

"I understand the situation. We have shown mercy to the Half-Elves near the Abyssal Forest, expecting them to perish soon. However, if they have grown in strength, it seems we must also prepare to take action."

"Then?"

"A full-scale cooperation cannot be decided here without the king. However, we will prepare for any eventuality. I will inform the king of our intentions."

The Grand Elder gave the most appropriate response he could in the current situation.

While he had no intention of taking the lead, it was better to be prepared.

This was his judgment.

"—Ah, a weight has been lifted from my chest, noble kin of the ancient forest. Indeed, you are different from others; you understand our reasoning."

Harwell responded with a cheerful expression. There was even a hint of relief in his voice.

The Grand Elder, who had expected a more solemn response, was somewhat surprised by Harwell's reaction.

"If you had refused, we would have regretted it. There would have been hesitation, suffering, and pity. After all, you, like us, are kin who carry the old blood."

Smiling, Harwell continued smoothly.

His voice carried a genuine emotion and a serious tone that reached everyone's ears.

With the sincerity of a devout believer praying to the Spirit Tree, he continued.

"But now, all doubts are cleared. Cleared, noble kin of the ancient forest. Of course, we had anticipated that you would reach this conclusion, but it was worth confirming.

—Thanks to this, we can pray without hesitation."

"…? Wait, noble kin of the ancient forest. What do you mean by that?"

The Grand Elder's words were cut off.

A loud, inhuman cry echoed, interrupting him.

The elders present exchanged glances, recognizing the sound as something distinctly non-human.

"Was that… a monster?"

"Ridiculous. Are they suggesting that a monster has ventured so close to the city?"

"What are the hunters doing? This is a disgrace during the visit of a guest."

The intrusion of a monster was not a significant issue.

The monsters around the city were regularly culled and guarded by skilled hunters, though occasionally a stray monster would wander in.

The elders' frowns were more a matter of pride, given the timing of the incident, rather than a sense of crisis.

However, the Grand Elder was seized by an inexplicable chill and shivered.

The cause was the expressions of the Elves from Noblewood.

Despite the disruption of the sacred meeting, they showed no signs of agitation.

Just as the Grand Elder was about to ask a question, it happened.

"——!?"

A large hole suddenly appeared in the wall of the temple.

Something large and rough emerged from it, grabbing one of the hunters in the Tree Intersection Room and pulling them back with the same force that had broken the wall.

Moments later, a death cry echoed outside, and the area was filled with shouts.

The elders, momentarily stunned by the unexpected event, quickly regained their composure and prepared to act.

The position of Elder in the Elven community is held by those of distinguished lineage who have honed their skills and achieved significant accomplishments as hunters, and are recognized as exceptional individuals. While there may be some political considerations, unlike human nations where intrigue prevails, the position is more merit-based, with lineage being a prerequisite.

In other words, Elven elders are not only scholars but also powerful individuals. Despite their retirement, they still possess considerable strength. A stray monster should have been no match for them.

However, even they could not resist it.

Without the chance to cast spells, one by one, they became victims, and the temple was stained with fresh blood. The Tree Intersection Room, where calm discussions should have taken place, was now a scene of chaos.

Despite this, the Elves from Noblewood showed no signs of panic. Harwell, at the forefront, maintained his cheerful expression and spoke to the last remaining Grand Elder.

"From the bottom of my heart—thank you, my dear kin. Your resolve to cooperate in purging the 'defiled ones' is deeply appreciated."

At this point, the Grand Elder of Oldwood understood. He realized the truth behind Harwell's calm demeanor and the reason he had spoken so calmly despite the humiliation.

He was not calm from the start; rather, the opposite. His passion was so intense that it had circled back to a state of numbness. Harwell had been on the brink of madness even before the meeting.

As this realization dawned on him, the Grand Elder sensed a presence behind him and hesitantly turned around.

A large hole in the temple wall.

There, a pair of blood-red, ominous eyes stared back at him.

"Rest assured. Your ancient and pure bloodline will transform into a powerful force to purge the abominable 'defiled ones.'"

These were the last words the Grand Elder heard.

Dozens of fangs pierced his emaciated body, splattering blood.

Without realizing what had happened, he met the same fate as the other elders.

Soon, screams and shouts began to echo throughout the city.

While the people of Oldwood were confused and fleeing, the Elves from Noblewood remained motionless.

In the heart of Oldwood, now engulfed in chaos, Harwell, their representative, spoke with a murky voice.

"…This must not happen. The fact that Noblewood was defeated by the 'defiled ones' must not happen…!"

His eyes, devoid of the smile, now glowed with madness.

---

"…—That is the sequence of events, my lord. While I anticipated several outcomes, they chose the most extreme one."

In the private room of the renovated mansion, Helian received this report.

A 'Communication Virtual Window' for voice calls floated before him, displaying the name of the Sixth Legion Commander, Camilla.

The content of her report was within the expected range.

However, he was also surprised by their choice of such a direct method.

Helian asked Camilla through the 'Communication Virtual Window.'

"One confirmation: No mental interference or brainwashing was used, right? They started acting on their own free will, correct?"

Interference with the soul or mind was a specialty of Camilla, the "Succubus Empress."

In intelligence operations, it was often used, and in the "Tactics Chronicle," the spy unit's "Report Phase" often included phrases like "Brainwashing of enemy officials successful. Conducted sabotage, triggered internal unrest level III."

However, such techniques were currently prohibited for several reasons.

While he did not think Camilla would lightly violate orders, he asked this as a final confirmation.

"Of course, my lord. I did make some adjustments to how the news of the vanguard's annihilation was presented, but I swear no mental interference techniques were used. As for Oldwood, I did not interfere at all, not even with information manipulation. This choice was made by them alone."

"…I see."

Helian sighed and responded.

He processed Camilla's report again in his mind, confirming that it was indeed a fact that could not be misinterpreted.

Having reached a conclusion, he spoke solemnly to Camilla.

"Understood. I will return to the homeland once."