Pillars of Ita

Chapter 1167 The Complicated Situation

With a dull thud, the tall gray giant fell to the ground, and his rotten flesh and blood turned into countless tiny silver-gray insects that crawled around, but these insects themselves were also decaying at a very fast speed, and turned into ashes in the blink of an eye.

Elisa got goose bumps all over her body when she saw this weird scene. She took a step back in disgust, holding up her emerald skirt and stepping on her high heels. Tracis looked at her with some pride, "What do you mean, Miss Valentine? Now you know the benefits of not letting you participate in the battle?"

"Shut up!" Miss Nightingale rolled her eyes unhappily and said sarcastically, "Ms. Isabella, please pay attention to the etiquette between master and servant, otherwise I will complain to my brother."

Cui Xisi took a breath. She didn't expect the other party to threaten her with this: "You——"

Miss Nightingale smiled at the latter very cunningly.

Fang He looked at the two of them helplessly. It seemed that his men did not have any basic qualities of disguise. 'Ms. Papamo' was also complaining all the way. Fortunately, the unique childish voice of the Papara people did not arouse suspicion.

However, a few outsiders believed it without a doubt, thinking that this was the demeanor of aristocrats. The wizard Elion had an extraordinary demeanor, which was due to the etiquette and good upbringing of the ancient family, so that his servants were picky, which might be the foundation of a big family.

The slaves they keep should be arrogant and domineering.

The three Chosen Ones came back from afar. One of them was injured in the previous battle. The healer in the team stepped forward to stop the bleeding. The ranger reported to Merrill, "The road ahead has been opened and the monsters have been cleared, Miss Merrill."

Merrill looked at Fang He with a bit of joy. She had made an extremely correct decision, which was to invite this wizard to join the team. Although he himself did not take action much, the people under his command were very powerful.

She couldn't help but thank him sincerely: "Mr. Elion, this is all thanks to you and your men, otherwise our progress would not be so smooth."

"Ms. Merrill, is the Linfeng area ahead?" Fang He asked.

"No," Merrill shook his head, "It's on the outskirts of the Linfeng area. There is a branch of the gray branch there. Our main task is to remove it."

"There's more than one ash branch here?"

Merrill replied: "No, there is usually only one ash branch when it sprouts, but it will produce secondary insect plagues. Those insects will spread branches everywhere, and we must cut them off one by one. The main force's mission is to attack the elite ash branches in the center of the disaster area, and our target is these secondary ash branches."

Fang He had wanted to ask this question a long time ago: "So there are still elite troops in the port? What I mean is, these monsters don't look very powerful. If someone above the Silver Rank took action, it wouldn't be so troublesome and it could also reduce casualties."

He estimated that those silver-gray tree people - the gray evil creatures that the locals called "withered monsters" - were no more than level 16 or 17, but the average level of the members of Merrill's team was only 15, so they had a hard time dealing with them. But to the Seven Seas Brigade, it was nothing.

If someone above the Silver Rank had taken action, this disaster could have been easily quelled.

But Meryl shook his head. "The main force has been mobilized outside the city to deal with Ninimare. There is a dragon knight in the port, but he has to take care of the sky barrier and cannot take action easily. As for the elite gray branches, we and others can still deal with them."

"Ninimeier?"

"That is one of the three great ash trees," Lian Kuiya Arsana interjected. "We call the highest level of ash branch disaster nightmare, but there are also monarch-level ash branches above that. They are one of the earliest original ash branches of the sacred tree. No, they are no longer ash branches, but ash trees, gray towering trees... Ninimer is one of them. It is located at the junction of Linoril and Sanshak. The monsters accompanying it are so powerful that it is unimaginable. Almost all the ash branches in the area near Sanshak and Linoril are sprouted from it."

  Meryl looked at the elf girl with some surprise. She always felt that she had a similar aura to herself. She looked like a unicorn girl, or a member of the Star Ring? She also brought two guards with her. Maybe she was the daughter of a noble in the Elven Court?

However, the other party's understanding of the three major disasters is deeper than hers. Even the Temple did not tell them so much. She couldn't help but become curious about the other party's identity. Which branch of the Elf Court did she come from?

Meryl nodded as well. "It's similar to what this lady said. The plague in Giant Tree Hill was almost all brought by these three ash trees. We believe that only by eradicating them can we solve the problem from the root. The war craftsmen of the Adventurer's Guild, the Craftsmen's Guild, and the Tower of Star and Moon have all issued war notices. Several dragon knights are gathering in Sanshak, Linoril, and Ravenriel, preparing to launch a general attack."

"Ravenriel?" Fang He felt uneasy. "Is there an ash tree there too?"

"Yes, Nianlotte - 'Pale King' in Elvish. It is the largest of the three gray trees. In the last battle, Ravenrell's brass dragon Salindarax was captured by it and has been corrupted and become our enemy. It has turned into a gray and withered dragon hovering over Ravenrell... Now the main goal of Ravenrell's coalition forces is to limit the further spread of the death plague. That is also the battlefield where we are currently under the greatest pressure -"

"There is one remaining ash tree in the Holy White Forest, on the edge of the Ash Forest. However, the Council of Elders and the Temple have been suppressing it. It is called Gus, which means 'the door to death'. It is close to the Holy Tree, so Gus' influence on the Holy Tree is most obvious. The Saint... Her Majesty went to the Ash Forest to suppress it."

Merrill simply told him everything he knew.

Fang He did not expect that the situation at Giant Tree Hill had deteriorated to a level beyond his imagination. It seemed that the previous plan had to be scrapped and started over. It had become a luxury to go to the Holy White Forest through Ravenrill.

Moreover, there is actually an ash tree in the sacred forest. No wonder the Council of Elders agreed to the Elf King's proposal. The sacred tree is in danger, and all the elves are gifts from the Holy White Tree, and no mistakes can be allowed.

However, the Elf King actually had some thoughts at this time - he couldn't help but look at Lian Kuiya Arsana, and the princess's face was full of clouds, and she was frowning with some worry. It can be seen that she really cares about her kingdom and homeland.

"But when the situation deteriorated to this extent, why didn't the Second Division ask for help from other divisions?"

"Because the communication between the two worlds was cut off, we had already called for help, and the people we sent out have either arrived or are on the way," Merrill replied, "The Imperials ignored us, and the Rotao people agreed to send out a vanguard team."

She looked at Fang He, "As for you..."

Fang He slapped his forehead, and then he remembered that he was one of the "foreign aid" from the Elingran family. But it was really strange that the Elven Council would seek help from the magician family of Corrin-Ishurian? Unfortunately, the communication between the two worlds was interrupted, and he didn't know the reaction of the Alliance and Stargate Port.

"I'm sorry, it was my negligence. It was mainly because the disaster came too bizarrely and my attention was attracted by it." Fang He replied.

"It's okay. We are already very grateful that you are willing to help." The elf girl had no doubt about it.

The group continued to move forward. The environment ahead had obviously changed. The deserted street seemed to be covered with a layer of silver-gray. Fang He bent down and pinched it with his hand, only to find that it was actually a thick layer of mycelium.

"We are already close to the area where Gray Branch is," Merrill said suddenly, "Everyone, be alert."

The few Chosen Ones who were with her turned around and said to her, "Ms. Merrill, why don't you stay here? There aren't usually any particularly powerful monsters near the Gray Branch. We should be able to handle it."

"No, no," Merrill shook his head. "I led you here. How can I back down? We have dealt with Gray Branch several times before, and nothing happened."

"But this time it was an elite gray shoot sucker, which we have never encountered before."

Fang He looked at the three people with some curiosity, not quite understanding what was going on.

The leading ranger turned around and said to him, "Mr. Elion, you should have heard about the influence of gray matter on elves. Elves are all born from the Holy White Tree, and the essence of gray wood is the dead branches sprouted from the Holy Tree. Some elves who have a stronger affinity with nature, such as the trainee unicorn girl Miss Merrill, are easily affected by it."

"What will happen if we are affected by it?" Fang He asked.

"They will turn into monsters," the Chosen One replied. "The gray spirits you killed earlier—those giants—are essentially ordinary elves transformed into monsters. The stronger the victim's own qualities, the stronger the monster they will become."

Fang He was stunned for a moment. The strength of those gray spirits was about level 20, which was indeed much stronger than ordinary withered monsters. If they were all transformed from the most common elves, then they were indeed worthy of attention.

  Most of the ordinary people in this world are non-combat professionals, and even they can become level 20 monsters after mutation. So what would the monster mutated from combat professionals look like?

The ranger said to Merrill again: "So whether it is for your own safety or the safety of others, Miss Merrill, it is best for you to stay here."

"No," Merrill still shook his head, "Don't forget that only the clergy of the temple know how to eradicate the ash branches. What if you accidentally leave hidden dangers? It's not that I don't trust you, but this matter deserves our serious treatment."

She looked at Fang Heron beside her with a resolute expression, "Mr. Elion, the gray branch is not that scary, and it can't control us out of thin air. As long as you are careful, you won't fail, but if I really get killed by accident, I will end my life."

Meryl turned around again and said to his two companions, "Funny, Eloya, but what Mr. Argen said also makes sense. You two stay here. The location of the gray branch here needs to be reported to the port. Go and contact the others."

But the two trainee unicorn girls disagreed.

They all shook their heads. "Lord Meryl, the purpose of the Saint's Society is to dedicate ourselves to fulfilling the oath of the Daughters of Unicorns to protect the forest and its people. We all joined because we recognized this noble purpose. Why would we back down now?"

In the end, Meryl had to force one of them to leave and pass on the information about the gray branch here, while the other elf girl, Aloya, chose to stay.

Fang He was a little surprised when he saw this scene.

He originally thought that these unicorn girls were just clergy selected by the temple, and that it was their duty to eradicate the gray branches, so they were here, but they themselves did not belong to the temple's combat units. Even before becoming trainee saints - they were actually just ordinary girls.

But he was still impressed by the courage of the three girls - he couldn't help but look at Lian Kuiya Arsana beside him. If he remembered correctly - the Holy Maiden Society should have been promoted by this princess.

Lian also looked at these trainee unicorn girls with some appreciation. She formed the Holy Maiden Society in order to gather like-minded people. Later, this organization grew stronger during this disaster, and many people who came here because of her reputation joined because of her fame.

Most of these people are unicorn girls like her, apprentice saints of the White Tree Temple. They don't actually have much combat ability, but they do not lack courage at all, and they bravely fight on the front line for the beliefs in their hearts.

Just like Meryl before her.

But she couldn't reveal her identity and could only remember these girls silently.

At this time, Fang He couldn't help but become interested in the Holy Maiden Association. After all, it was related to the Elf Lady. However, the branch of the gray tree was right in front of him, so he didn't want to ask questions at an inappropriate time, and its founder was right behind him anyway.

He still has plenty of opportunities, let's talk about it later.

At this moment, a group of people suddenly came from the opposite side of the street. Fang He saw that most of them were dressed as Chosen Ones, and some of them were even wearing the guild's uniforms.

The ranger named Argen's face fell when he saw these people. "People from the Silver Wind Watch." He complained in a low voice.

Those people also noticed Merrill and her group and stopped to say hello: "Ms. Merrill, you are here too."

"Hello, Mr. Dark Crow and Mr. Ferrins," Merrill returned the greeting politely. "We are here for the branch. This area is our area of ​​responsibility."

"You are too slow," Dark Crow replied, "We have already wiped out the branches in the jurisdiction. How about we act together? Don't worry, the points will be counted as half for you, and we will protect you, Miss Saint and your companions."

Meryl frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment but nodded. After all, everyone came here to deal with the disaster, and she didn't need to have a disagreement over such a small matter. "I agree, but I don't need anyone's protection, Mr. Dark Crow."

The man smiled softly.

The other party's arrogant attitude made the Papara people beside him very unhappy. How could there be someone more arrogant than him, the King of Nightingales? He snorted coldly and couldn't help but turn around to ask the people around him: "Who are they?"

"People from the Silverwind Watchers." Argen volunteered to answer, "When the plague first began to spread, the Silverwind Harbor Elf Council summoned a group of people to deal with the disaster. Later, as the disaster spread, the organization became larger and larger, and more and more people participated—"

"In order to coordinate the Adventurer's Guild, the Craftsmen's Association, and the major Chosen Guilds, they eventually established this organization and named it the Silver Wind Watcher."

His tone was unfriendly, which made Fang He curious, "Do they have conflicts with you?"

"Hmph," another Chosen girl said angrily, "Don't be fooled by their hypocritical appearance. I don't know when rumors of an attack on the temple began to spread everywhere. It was believed that it was the White Tree Temple where Miss Merrill and her friends were who angered Ms. Aimaya, which led to the disaster."

"…and Her Majesty the Saint was not in the Holy White Forest, so almost everyone thought that it was her fault that the goddess remained silent. But all this is nonsense. The high-ranking members of the Elven Council all know that the Death Plague is the harbinger of eternal winter and the shadow of apoptosis and death."

"But they allowed the rumors to spread, and the Silver Wind Watchmen fanned the flames, causing the prestige of the White Tree Temple and the Council of Elders to decline. Otherwise, why would Miss Merrill and her friends have to run around like this? Miss Merrill and her friends were not combatants of the Temple in the first place."

"Arjan, Daisy," Meryl interrupted them and said, "It is our duty to protect the sacred tree and the Hill of Giant Trees. Besides, we didn't fight much, it was you who were doing the hard work all the time."

The girl was a little embarrassed. They were originally members of the Silver Wind Watch, but Meryl rescued them from a gray matter disaster. After that, they gradually resolved the misunderstanding, learned more of the truth, and joined the Saint's Society.

They and Arjean were actually employed by Merrill after that.

However, the girl knew very well that Aljean actually had another plan. He has been inseparable from the trainee unicorn girl since then, and his intentions are known to everyone.

Fang He also glanced at those people coldly, thinking that it was these people who spread rumors about Miss Elf. His attitude towards them suddenly dropped several levels. He thought that if it weren't for these unlucky things, he probably wouldn't have had so many troubles.

But he blamed these people, but he didn't plan to do anything for the time being.

Fang He could actually vaguely guess the cause and effect behind this. Unlike the Empire, the Elder Council of the Holy White Forest and the Holy Tree Temple behind it had always enjoyed a high reputation and status in the Hill of Giant Trees. Although the Holy White Forest did not interfere in worldly affairs, because of the existence of the Holy Tree Oracle, the temple was actually above the Elf Court and the Silver Wind Harbor Council.

If the Elf Court is still only secretly dissatisfied with the Council of Elders and tries to change the designation of the Unicorn Girl through means within the rules, then the more secular Linorel-Sanshak Elf Council will want to compete with the Elf Court and the Temple even more.

The Elf Council is called the Elf Council, but it is composed of half humans, half Paparars and half elves, and half Chosen, half Guild Alliance and half indigenous people. Based on Fang He's usual understanding, if the Super Competitive Alliance is present, nothing good will happen.

Thinking about what Victor and Sarona told them, he couldn't help but secretly be wary of this Silver Wind Watcher. The shadow will have a deeper impact on the real world. Who knows if there will be any unexpected events in the second division?

"Speaking of which, what is the Star Ring?" Fang He thought of another question.

"That is also an organization that emerged after the disaster, sir," the bounty hunter beside him replied, "The Star Ring is a loose organization composed of the warlocks of the Star and Moon Tower, the scholars of the Silver Great Library, the Geological Association and the astrologers. Their main purpose is to spontaneously study and solve this 'Gray Branch Disaster'."

"But scholars also need people to conduct field research, so many people are employed by this organization. Many of them are Chosen Ones, including many who don't like the Silver Wind Watch's style. In order to solve the disaster, everyone helps each other and establishes many subordinate groups—"

"For example, the Pure Blade and the Investigation Society," he glanced at Merrill, "but we in the Pure Blade don't have many people, not as many as the Investigation Society. The Investigation Society is the largest group of Chosen Ones in this organization, and both we and they agree more with the ideas of the Holy Maiden Society, so we are actually allies of Miss Merrill and the others."

So that's how it is. Fang He then understood why Merrill knew these bounty hunters before.

The bounty hunter continued, "The Investigation Society is like the Silver Wind Watchers. They are commissioned by the scholars of the Silver Library and have the right to enter and exit the port freely. Therefore, their reputation among ordinary people is no less than that of the Port Council. Even if we want to go out of the city to perform a mission, we have to be affiliated with them."

Fang He was stunned. Do I need a permit to enter or leave the city? He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Speaking of which, when I was at the port, what were the guards checking? I have never heard of such a procedure before. I don't need a permit to enter or leave Silver Wind Port."

He glanced at Lian Kuiya Arsana. It was the elf princess who told him these words.

"You remember correctly, Mr. Elion, it wasn't necessary before." Merrill relaxed after seeing the Silver Wind Watchers joining him. He turned around and replied, "But something happened not long ago. Someone brought a plague of insects into the port and caused some disturbances."

"So from then on, the inspection before entering the sky barrier became a necessary procedure."

Fang He couldn't help but curse inwardly.

He thought it was probably the work of those evil cultists who wanted nothing more than to bring chaos to the world. This was a big trouble for him. The bounty hunter beside him looked at his expression and couldn't help but comfort him, "Lord Elion, you don't have to do this. With your identity and status, you only need to say hello to the parliament and you can come and go freely."

Fang Plover nodded.

But his heart was already in a knot, he knew very well that his fake identity was like paper and could be pierced with a single poke.

Even if the real Elion de Flin was delayed on the road and did not arrive at Silverwind Harbor in time, the Adventurers' Guild and the Craftsmen's Association were not fools and must have obtained the video footage of this gentleman long ago.

If someone questions his identity, he can't deny it outright and refuse to check, right? Ataria has many ways to identify the Chosen Ones.

Therefore, this identity of his can only deceive ordinary people. If he wants to be completely safe, he has to leave Silver Wind Harbor as soon as possible. Fang He suddenly remembered the words of the bounty hunter, since they can be affiliated with the Investigation Society to enter and exit Silver Wind Harbor.

So can he do it too?

He couldn't help but look at Merrill and his group. The Saint's Society and the Investigation Society seemed to have a very good relationship. Maybe he could ask this trainee unicorn girl for a recommendation, but in that case, he would have to build a good relationship with these girls from the Saint's Society first.

He looked up and saw that the silver-gray street was not very long. The Silver Wind Watchers had already located the branch of the ash tree. Someone shouted, "One hundred and twenty feet north of here, behind this street."

Fang He saw those people running out, then he turned around and asked Merrill:

"Ms. Merrill, what do those people mean by points?"

……