Chapter 217: ·A Marriage Alliance?
With a flick of his hand, Nolan withdrew the Fountain of Potential, the pure aura vanishing from sight. A faint smile lingered on his face as he looked at Elder Sind, whose expression was full of eager sincerity.
“Elder Sind, as the one who understands the Fountain of Potential best, I believe it would be more prudent for me to handle it personally, for the sake of the Wood Elves.”
The atmosphere, which had just begun to ease, grew tense again.
Elder Sind’s smile stiffened. The four Spring Wardens halted mid-step, glancing uncertainly at their matriarch.
The meaning was clear.
At that moment, Finley, who had been standing quietly to the side, hurried forward. “Lord Nolan!” he said, unable to hold back, a trace of indignation in his voice. “My mother is only being cautious. She has no ill intent, and certainly no desire to claim the holy water. Please do not misunderstand!”
“Oh?” Nolan’s gaze fell on him. “So Vice-Captain Finley is the young master of the Flourishing Leaves family. I hadn’t realized.”
His words were polite, but his dismissive glance made Finley flush with embarrassment.
Ignoring him, Nolan continued, “I have no intention of speculating on the elder’s motives. I simply wish to resolve this crisis in the way I consider safest.”
An awkward silence followed.
Elder Sind’s expression shifted before settling into a composed smile, as if she had reached a decision.
“Very well.”
She turned and bowed slightly to the Grand Elder.
“Grand Elder, since the delegation from Coldsteel City has entered Forest Home without blindfolds and rendered outstanding service to our people, our ancient customs dictate that they have already learned our secrets. We should therefore grant them permanent family status within Forest Home as a sign of respect and acceptance.”
The other elders nodded in agreement. It was indeed an old tradition, meant both to safeguard secrets and to secure powerful allies.
Turning back, Elder Sind looked at Nolan with a sincere smile. “Lord Nolan, worldly power is fleeting. Only the vitality of life endures. I sincerely hope you will accept our highest honor and establish a permanent alliance with us. This is also our way of repaying your generosity.” Her gaze shifted to Romina. “I can see that Captain Romina holds you in high regard. She is one of the strongest and most outstanding among our young generation. I propose that she be betrothed to you. Let us all witness this historic union between Wood Elves and humans. You may take root here, become one of us, and establish a new lineage to restore the ‘Guardian’ family our people have lacked for a thousand years.”
The hall fell silent.
Romina froze, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She cast a quick glance at Nolan, her usually calm and capable eyes shimmering with a rare mix of shyness and uncertainty. Yet she did not voice any objection.
Beside the elders, Finley looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His face turned pale, his body trembling as he stared at his mother in disbelief.
Nolan exchanged a glance with Ailindel. A cold glint flickered in her starlike eyes.
Both of them understood perfectly.
Beneath the grand rhetoric—historic union, guardian lineage—this was simply a veiled form of house arrest. Through marriage and status, they sought to bind him, along with the Fountain of Potential, to this forest forever. Once he “joined” the Wood Elves, he would likely be bound by their rules, including obedience to the elders.
“What an excellent proposal! If Lord Nolan becomes one of us, it would be ideal!” Elder Golden Bough clapped in approval, delighted.
To him, this was a perfect outcome. A man capable of subduing a Demon Overlord, possessing holy water—if he became one of them, the future of the Wood Elves would be secure, and their secrets protected.
The other elders nodded in agreement.
Only one voice opposed it.
“I object!”
It was Finley.
He stepped forward, fists clenched, glaring at his mother.
“Mother, forgive me, but this violates our traditions! Never in our history have Wood Elves intermarried with other races!” His voice sharpened with emotion. “We are a people blessed by nature. Mixing bloodlines will only degrade our affinity with nature. The flawed genes of short-lived races would pollute our entire lineage!”
Romina frowned, and even the elders looked displeased at the disruption.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Nolan nodded. “Vice-Captain Finley makes a valid point.”
Finley could hardly believe his ears—his rival was the only one agreeing with him?
Nolan continued, “Of course, I do not believe any race is inherently superior, and as for bloodline degradation, I reserve judgment.”
He looked at Elder Sind.
“I am referring to the matter of ‘violating tradition.’ Don’t you find it strange? As the one responsible for managing and guarding the Foundation of Life, Elder Sind has repeatedly shown reluctance to let us help since our arrival. Baseless accusations, questioning our identities—these are merely methods. The true aim has been to keep us out. The reasoning sounded convincing enough that even Elder Ironwood was used as a pawn. Though it is dressed up as ‘protecting tradition’ and ‘exercising caution,’ we are facing a crisis that concerns the survival of your entire race. Which matters more, does that really need to be explained by an outsider like me?”
Elder Sind’s expression finally changed. “Lord Nolan… are you accusing me?”
The Grand Elder asked with a frown. “Those guards are indeed the Spring Wardens of the Flourishing Leaves family. Having them escort a sacred object aligns with our traditions. If their presence made you uneasy, I can apologize on their behalf…”
“No,” Nolan cut him off. “Grand Elder, there is no need for an apology.”
Before his words had fully settled, a dark flash streaked through the air.
Clang!
Without warning, Nolan drew the sword at his waist and slashed toward the empty space behind him.
The blade of Mountain’s Resonance cut through the still air of the Hall of Tree Shepherds with elegant precision and lethal force.
Splurt!
A spray of warm blood burst into existence, scattering through the air.