Chapter 131: Ailindel’s Decision

The moment the name Ailindel Morningsong was spoken, paired with that beauty so unearthly it scarcely seemed real, the entire forest clearing fell into a strange, suffocating silence. Every Wood Elf stared wide-eyed as though struck by a paralysis spell, blankly gazing at the silver-haired woman whose long hair flowed like liquid moonlight.

Pointed ears, pale skin, a face so exquisite even elves would marvel at it, and the title of Heavenly Judgment Knight—that combination alone was enough to awe even the coldest soul.

“Morningsong…?” A young female Wood Elf was the first to break the silence, her voice filled with disbelief. “You… you said your surname is Morningsong? When I was little, the elders used to tell stories about them. They said it was one of the Moon Elf bloodlines, but after the Age of Glory… they had already vanished…”

As she spoke, her voice gradually grew softer because she caught the fleeting trace of sorrow that passed through Ailindel’s eyes. It was grief that seemed to have settled over ten thousand years, so deep that no one dared meet it directly.

But the sadness only lingered for an instant before disappearing once more. Ailindel’s gaze became calm and resolute again.

“That is correct.” She nodded gently. “I am indeed a Moon Elf.”

A collective gasp immediately swept through the surrounding Wood Elves.

Moon Elves!

Weren’t they creatures that only existed in myths and legends? A race older and more powerful than even the High Elves, true children blessed by the Mother Goddess herself.

The young elf girl’s face turned pale. Covering her mouth, she stumbled backward and nearly tripped over a tree root. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it that way… I meant no offense…” She apologized frantically, terrified that her careless words had reopened the wounds of a figure who seemed to have stepped straight out of myth.

“It’s alright,” Ailindel replied calmly with a shake of her head. “What you said is true. Although I never witnessed it personally, Mr. Nolan already prepared me for that reality.”

The young elf relaxed slightly, but an even greater confusion surfaced in her eyes. Gathering her courage, she lowered her voice almost to a whisper, “But even Moon Elves couldn’t possibly live for nearly ten thousand years… right? So then… does that mean you’ve already…”

She could not bring herself to say the word dead.

Everyone present unconsciously held their breath, waiting for the answer.

“That would be one way to put it,” Ailindel admitted it openly. “I bore a special Oath of Shackles and willingly transformed myself into an eternal war spirit. Strictly speaking, I can no longer be considered among the living.”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward Nolan beside her, and within that cool composure, a trace of gentleness quietly appeared.

“It was this Mr. Nolan who destroyed the Demon Overlord and, in doing so, freed me as well from ten thousand years of imprisonment.”

At once, every Wood Elf’s gaze converged on Nolan. Their eyes were filled with shock and reverence.

No explanation was needed for what a Demon Overlord represented. Every race used such beings to frighten unruly children. Enemies of the entire ordered world. Embodiments of destruction itself. Each possessed a different philosophy, but every path they walked ended in chaos and ruin.

And yet this human before them, who looked approachable enough and had literally fallen flat on his face moments ago… had actually destroyed a Demon Overlord?

If one could suppress such a creature for ten thousand years, and the other could destroy it entirely, then both were unquestionably true powerhouses. And powerhouses were respected everywhere.

Finley suddenly felt his throat go dry as cold sweat soaked through the clothes beneath his armor. He secretly swallowed. A moment ago, he had pinned down a man capable of killing a Demon Overlord… with his foot. He had even aimed three armor-piercing arrows directly at his face.

And the other one was a legendary hero who had suppressed that same Demon Overlord for ten thousand years…

Fortunately, both of them had shown restraint, and fortunately he himself had not acted rashly. Otherwise, the Heavenly Judgment Knight’s threat would already have become reality.

And likely with terrifying ease.

Just as everyone was still reeling from the overwhelming revelation, another bold Wood Elf guard stared at Ailindel with shining eyes and asked excitedly, “You… you said you’re the Heavenly Judgment Knight? The one from the legends who wielded wind as a spear and thunder as judgment while fighting across the skies?”

Ailindel looked toward him. “Myths are merely the exaggerated praise of later generations. I am the daughter of Saint Rollins, commander of the Fifth Legion of the Allied Army. I fought for purity and glory.”

That single statement completely ignited the enthusiasm of every Wood Elf present.

“I know that one! The Fifth Legion! The Vanguard of the Wind King! In the legends, they were the strongest field legion of the Radiant Allied Forces!” someone shouted excitedly from the crowd.

The disciplined ranger squad instantly erupted into chaos.

“By the Mother Goddess, she’s my greatest hero!”

“Lady Ailindel! I grew up listening to your stories! Could you sign my bow?”

“My lady! Would you be willing to guide us?”

A swarm of Wood Elves immediately crowded around her. The bows that had moments earlier been aimed at Nolan and Ailindel were now clutched carefully against their chests like precious treasures, every face overflowing with fervent admiration.

Nolan and his companions watched in stunned silence.

This had basically turned into a full-blown fan gathering.

Vivi nudged Nolan with her elbow and muttered under her breath, “Who said Wood Elves are naturally aloof?”

They simply had not encountered anything worth getting excited about before.

Even Romina looked slightly embarrassed as she struggled to maintain order while watching her fellow Wood Elves collectively lose control.

Ailindel clearly had not expected this sort of reception either. She had fought countless battles across her lifetime and faced enemies of every kind imaginable, but being surrounded by a mob of enthusiastic admirers was an entirely new experience for her. Almost instinctively, she took a small step backward and moved closer to Nolan, using his tall frame to shield herself from most of the fervent gazes around them.

The tiny gesture made Nolan’s heart stir slightly.

“Heroes of the old era should remain within the stories,” Ailindel’s voice came softly from behind him as she attempted to calm everyone down. “This new age requires heroes like Mr. Nolan, people capable of creating the future.”

Well, that’s one way to use me as a shield. Nolan could not help laughing inwardly. Left with no choice, he forced himself to respond. “I’m hardly worthy of being called a hero. I’m just someone chasing his own selfish desires.”

“Judge by deeds, not intentions.” A trace of amusement entered Ailindel’s voice. “Besides, you are someone acknowledged by both the dragon race and the King of Earth Elements. You deserve that title completely.”

The Wood Elves had no idea what exactly that meant, but merely hearing it was enough to tell them it was no ordinary accomplishment.

Earlier, their respect for Nolan had come from his achievement of destroying a Demon Overlord. Now, however, they found themselves developing an unprecedented curiosity and admiration for the man himself. To earn such praise from the Heavenly Judgment Knight while also having connections to dragons and elemental kings… just what kind of person was he? In their minds, Nolan’s status rose infinitely higher.

“Mr. Nolan truly is… unlike any human I have ever met,” Romina looked at Nolan and spoke with sincere admiration. Then she turned toward Ailindel, her expression solemn and hopeful. “Lady Ailindel, what are your plans now? If you have nowhere to go for the time being, our Forest Home will always welcome you.”

Here it comes.

Something stirred in Nolan’s heart.

According to the story from his previous life, after escaping the seal, Ailindel would politely refuse every invitation and leave the Elfin Kingdom alone, traveling to the distant Holy Osu Empire in search of the lost truth and ruins of the Moon Elf race. It would be a lonely and endless journey.

Bringing Ailindel out of the seal was only the first step. What came next was what truly mattered. Nolan’s thoughts were already racing, calculating how he could maintain a long-term connection with this future top-tier powerhouse.

After hearing Romina’s invitation, Ailindel merely shook her head politely. “Thank you for your kindness, Captain Romina.”

She stepped out from behind Nolan. Her silver hair drifted gently in the forest breeze while those star-like eyes passed over everyone present before settling directly on Nolan.

“However, I’ve already made my decision.”

Her clear voice carried the certainty of someone who had long since resolved herself.

“I intend to follow Mister Nolan. I want to witness this new era with my own eyes… and experience it for myself.”