Chapter 214: ·The Stubborn Wood Elf Elders
The air fell silent. Outside, a breeze rustled through the leaves, and Nolan could hear the steady thump of his own heartbeat.
He is my person. Speak to him.
The unspoken meaning could not have been clearer. This Moon Elf hero from ten thousand years ago, a legend of the Order world, had, before all the Wood Elf elders, bound her fate completely to that of a human lord.
The soft warmth of her body pressed against his made Nolan’s thoughts waver for a moment. He lowered his gaze to Ailindel at his side. She seemed to sense it, quietly pinching his arm and offering a faint, slightly mischievous smile.
Moon Elves were a supreme race, spoken of in the same breath as dragons in ancient legends. They were the favored children of creation, synonymous with nobility.
When Ailindel had first revealed her identity on the platform, the elders had likely taken it as little more than a gesture to support Nolan, a vague show of backing. But now, with her arm wrapped around his, the intimacy and reliance she displayed could not be feigned. Any notion that it was merely for appearances collapsed on its own.
Nolan turned his head and met her gentle, star-like eyes. He could see the resolve in them, along with a trace of shyness. She was standing up for him, using her most exalted identity to place the heaviest possible weight on his side of the negotiation.
A warmth rose in his chest. Nolan clasped her hand in return, the heat of his palm conveying silent gratitude.
“Ahem.”
A deliberate cough broke the stillness. Elder Sind was the first to recover from her shock.
“This matter can be discussed later. What matters now is restoring the purity and vitality of the Foundation of Life as soon as possible.” Her composure returned as she spoke, though her tone carried a clear challenge. “As for whether it can be resolved, that has nothing to do with this.”
She did not even bother to use Nolan’s name.
“This human lord may as well present his plan. Let us see what gives you such confidence.”
Nolan showed no anger, his expression calm. “The exact condition of the Foundation of Life must be seen in person. I have only heard Captain Romina’s description, so I have some preliminary assumptions. If the reality matches my expectations, then it should be solvable.”
The Grand Elder’s stance softened noticeably. He nodded. “In that case, please follow me.”
He turned, preparing to head toward the tunnel behind him.
“Wait!” Elder Sind did not move an inch. Her voice rose sharply, stopping him in his tracks. “Grand Elder, the Foundation of Life is the very root of our people. Since the age of the great migration, the Flourishing Leaves family has borne the responsibility of guarding it!”
She pointed directly at Nolan, as though he were not here to help but to extort them.
“As the current head of the Flourishing Leaves family, I will not allow an unknown human to approach it recklessly. Consider this. We have exhausted every method without success. How could a short-lived race like his succeed where we have failed? Look at how certain he sounds. He has never even seen the Foundation of Life, yet claims he can restore it. Perhaps… he is the very one who contaminated it in the first place!”
The accusation was a grave insult.
Romina’s expression darkened. As the one who had recommended Nolan, Sind’s public doubt was a direct affront to her. What troubled her more was that the Grand Elder merely frowned and fell silent after hearing it, offering no immediate rebuttal.
Though offensive, Sind’s words were not entirely without reason. This human had never seen the Foundation of Life and had only just arrived in Forest Home. Why, then, was he so confident he could solve a crisis that had left them helpless? That confidence itself seemed suspicious.
The Grand Elder glanced at Romina. Even her encounter and acquaintance with Nolan now seemed questionable.
So she is the head of the Flourishing Leaves family, Nolan thought.
That explained it. From her perspective, leading a family that had guarded the sacred ground for thousands of years, her caution and rejection of outsiders were understandable.
But when one was already powerless to change the situation, clinging stubbornly to decayed traditions and even shutting out the only possible hope was another matter entirely. With such people holding core authority, it was no wonder that a once-powerful race like the Wood Elves appeared so fragile in the face of crisis.
“Elder,” Ailindel said, her expression turning cold, “your words go too far.”
Brilliant soul energy surged around her, and a powerful pressure spread outward from her center. Every Wood Elf present, whether high-ranking elders or elite Stag Guards, felt their hearts tighten. Breathing became difficult under the weight of it.
Ailindel did not release killing intent. The mere overflow of her power was enough to press down on everyone present. Dressed in a flowing gown, she might have caused some to forget that beyond being called the “Pearl of the Moon Elves,” she was better known as the Heavenly Judgment Knight.
Elder Sind bore the brunt of it. Her face turned pale as she involuntarily took a step back, cold sweat forming on her brow under the overwhelming force. Only then did she truly understand why this woman was so revered.
Nolan felt a surge of emotion, but he did not want the situation to completely break down. He reached out and took Ailindel’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
The warmth of his touch made her body tremble slightly.
Their fingers intertwined.
Even for Ailindel, such open intimacy caused a faint blush to spread across her pale cheeks.
She saw Nolan nod to her. Only then did the immense pressure that filled the hall vanish instantly.
Around them, the Stag Guards who had already placed their hands on their weapons in tension all let out quiet sighs of relief. None of them had the intention, nor the courage, to oppose a legendary hero like her.
Still holding Ailindel’s hand, Nolan turned to face Elder Sind, whose complexion had yet to recover. His tone remained steady, neither humble nor overbearing. “Elder Sind, is it? Whether a problem can be solved does not depend on lifespan, but on knowledge and method.” He smiled faintly, his gaze meeting hers without retreat. “Tell me, after thousands of years of isolation, do the Wood Elves still truly understand the changes of this world? The fact that you have not found an answer does not mean none exists beyond your borders.”
“Lord Nolan, Sind only speaks out of duty. Please do not take offense.”
Another elder stepped forward, his face kind, framed by a long white beard.
“When I was young, I had dealings with merchants from the Elfin Kingdom. While most humans are indeed short-sighted, they have created many ingenious things we never would have imagined.”
Nolan looked at him. The elder’s gentle demeanor, along with the constant hint of a smile in the lines of his face, made him appear approachable. Judging by his words, this should be the elder of the Golden Bough family, the one in charge of resources and external trade.
A moderate, perhaps. Though the Wood Elves’ blunt manner of speaking was… something to get used to.
Most humans are short-sighted…
“Ingenious things? Hmph!”
Another voice cut in, thick with displeasure. It belonged to the most burly elder, his beard tangled like twisted roots.
“The ‘goods’ you brought from the outside have captivated the younger generation. Even their daily training has been affected. This is the good influence of the outside world?”
This must be the head of the Ironwood family, Romina’s superior and the commander of their armed forces.
Romina could hold back no longer. She stepped forward. “Honored elders, Lord Nolan has faced countless trials within an ancient seal, overcoming layer after layer of challenges. In the end, he risked his own life to achieve the miracle of completely destroying the Demon Overlord Qroshu. His character and resolve have been tested to the utmost. I am willing to stake my reputation on his trustworthiness.”
“A miracle? Romina, you are still too young. How do you know that was not an elaborate act designed to earn your trust?”
The Ironwood elder let out a scoff. Like the Flourishing Leaves family, he was clearly among the conservatives, openly hostile toward Nolan and outsiders in general.
His suspicious gaze lingered on Nolan.
“An enemy of the Demon Overlord’s level is not something that can simply be destroyed. I find that highly doubtful.” He paused, then spoke with a trace of triumph, as if presenting his strongest argument. “Whether that so-called Demon Overlord even existed… is still up for debate. Perhaps both you and Lady Ailindel have been deceived by this man.”