Pillars of Ita

"Halsey, come out here!"

"If you don't come out, I will end all ties with you!"

The girl's voice startled a flock of sparrows, which flapped their wings and flew away from the flower stand. Juliana looked at the tiny black dots flying into the sky, then retracted her gaze and looked at the youngest of the Ten Kings in front of her with some surprise.

Ming picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea calmly, as if the situation around her had nothing to do with her. And Halsey was calmer than the other two, just pretending that the noise outside didn't exist. He was carefully checking the map, looking for the best location to launch an attack.

There was a long distance from the Elf Court to the Sacred Woods, but there was only a short stretch of road suitable for an ambush. That stretch of road was between the two areas, located to the north of the Gus Grey Region. Only here could the Elf Court be separated from the woods.

Otherwise the elves would never let them take action.

"Halsey, the little girl outside." The mourning dragon knight came back from outside and told him what he saw and heard outside the gate.

"Don't worry about her."

"I have to say, your sister is really energetic." Avani shook his head. The little girl stared at him, and she obviously recognized him. The dragon knight's circle is so small. When he met the little girl two or three years ago, she was still a tiny girl.

"She is like this." Halsey couldn't help but shake her head and sigh. Even a calm person like him sometimes had no idea what to do with his only sister.

But while the two were talking, another person came in from outside. It was a member of the Twelve Color Iris. He came in with a letter and said to everyone worriedly:
"The Elf King has changed his mind."

"What did you say?" Avani turned around. "What did you change your mind about?"

"The Elven Court has officially warned us not to attack each other."

Avani almost spit out a mouthful of water when he picked up the teacup, "What are the elves doing, acting?"

"No," Halsey took the letter and read its contents. "The elves announced that they would escort those people to the Holy White Glade."

"The elves are crazy?" Avani's face changed. "What good will this do for them?"

Halsey silently put the letter back on the table and held the paper. She couldn't figure out what the Elf King's intention was for going back on his word.
Because of Quvenlar's order? But it doesn't seem like it. How could the current Elf King obey the orders of a long-dead ghost? What's more, it wasn't Quvenlar's ghost, but just his will.

Moreover, if the elves really valued the first generation Elf King so much, then the Elf King should have made up his mind when Quvenlar appeared.

While he was thinking, a distorted sneer suddenly came from not far away, and then the sneer turned into a series of mocking laughter:

"Haha, you didn't expect that, Halsey. You thought you had it all planned out, but now it's all in vain, right?"

Halsey's expression changed rarely, and she looked sternly in that direction: "How did you get in?"

The poet lady was looking very proud: "What's it to you?"

But Halsey's expression kept changing:
"How did you become level 30!?"

"No," Tianlan said angrily, "Halsey, what do you mean, is this more surprising to you?"

……

"Seeing the letter is like seeing the person, my respected king——

It has been more than thirty years since Sylvarion left. In the past thirty years, everything I have seen has been right and wrong, but the sacred tree is still white and green. We have spent a long time looking for answers, but the answers we get are still different.

Now the sacred tree is covered with white frost, and the ancient prophecy has begun to emerge - from what I have seen in Kwevenlar, the roots of the white tree are decaying at an accelerated rate - our ancestors planted the seeds of disaster, and we have to take responsibility for this disaster.

Not long ago, an old friend came to me. He was a student of my dear friend. Although he is a mortal, you should have met him once. Now the moon elves have left Heimwor. I believe that Your Majesty will be able to see their saint soon. Please protect the person she chooses.

I believe that the answer is very close to us.'

There was no signature on the letter, only a green leaf was painted in the lower right corner, and a butterfly flew out from the diffuse mist, intertwining with the leaf.

The Elf King smoothed the letter with his skinny fingers and gently placed it on the desk. But after a while, he picked it up again, read it carefully again, and put it back again. The silver moonlight quietly flowed in from the window and sprinkled on the snow-white letter paper.

He pressed his hand on the table, pursed his lips, and looked forward with his silver eyes, without saying a word, as if he was thinking of something in the past.

Someone pushed the door open and walked in: "Father, I heard that you changed your mind."

He turned around and looked at his daughter. "Alsana, you usually don't come in without notifying someone."

"My sister asked me to come here," Arsana said calmly, "I asked if it was her idea, but she asked me to ask you. I know her well. If it was her idea, she would not tell me this."

"Melfina wanted you to ask for my opinion," the Elf King keenly sensed his eldest daughter's thoughts, "She was afraid that something beyond her control would happen. But she openly opposed my opinion in the Elf Court and did not dare to come to see me."

"I don't care about that," Alsana shook her head. "Father, do you really agree to open the gate to the Sacred Grove and escort Mr. Ed and me to the White Tree Temple?"

The Elf King looked at his little daughter. They were clearly father and daughter, but their conversation was pointed. Even though elves were not very emotional, this still made him feel uncomfortable.

The two daughters have grown up and have their own ideas. Arsana is simple and upright, and her actions do not please him.

But the eldest daughter's thoughts were too deep. He sighed and thought that if he had more time, things might be much simpler.

But after the tragedy of Heluolin, he could hardly control his injuries. Coupled with the withering of the holy tree day by day, he could feel that he didn't have much time left.

"Soriya sent me a letter asking me to protect the young man."

"Teacher?" Alsana asked in surprise. Although she was a student of the Great Saint, she had also had a swordsmanship teacher when she was younger.

That was Soria Deepshadow, the youngest and most legendary swordsman in the history of the Elven Court. However, he became famous at least two hundred years ago, and even Alsana had never seen him shining in the Giant Tree Hill.

However, the other party had left the Elf Court thirty years ago, and she did not expect that the Sword Saint would write to her at this time.

"Because a student of his acquaintance found him and asked him for help. In the past hundred years, he made some mortal friends, but also picked up mortal habits."

The Elf King did not comment on this. He actually knew who that person was. After all, he had been paying attention to that matter since the tragedy of Helolin.

Moreover, the prophecy indicated that the elves were also involved in the Covenant Mountain incident, and the Elven Court might have had less information about what happened that day than the Silver Wind Watchers.

But he did not tell his daughter these words. Arsana learned the whole story and finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, father."

The Elf King shook his head: "Rather than thanking me, you actually care more about that young man."

"Mr. Ed is the man chosen by His Majesty Quvenlar," Alsana replied, "but I care more about the White Tree, father. I don't care about people's struggles for power, but I think the crown should not be worn on a bone mound."

The Elf King waved his hand, unwilling to argue with his daughter. If Melfina were here, her words would be sharper.

Is there no conflict away from the Hill of Giant Trees? Now the Oshus are attacking the Great Rain Forest, and mortals are killing each other with their former allies.

Far away in Corin-Ishurian, Lothal, the situation is no better than here. Mortals are a race that naturally likes disputes, and they are always fighting among themselves. Silverwind Port is tainted with such an atmosphere, and thus becomes the center of the vortex.

His eldest daughter would certainly object.

But fighting is not exclusive to mortals, otherwise the Xinsas snake people would not have sunk in the eternal fire of disaster, and there would be no second era or third era.

The Elf King coughed lightly twice, trying to suppress his injuries. What he was pursuing was not the dispute between these superficial concepts. All he needed was time.

Arsana looked at her father with some worry. After all, she was still his daughter. She realized that her words were a bit too harsh and immediately apologized softly: "I'm sorry, I--"

The Elf King shook his head, indicating that she could leave first. Alsana bit her lower lip and had to retreat, looking back every few steps.

The Elf King was inexplicably comforted by his daughter's worry, but his eyes were still fixed on the letter and the 'signature' on it.

"Ao Wei Na, can we answer that question now?"

He stared at the silver moonlight and muttered to himself.

……

Derek Elwood turned his back to those people, his eyes calmly falling on the frost-covered woodland. The undulating scales looked like silver wax attached to the ground.

Iron foot guards were crushing the crystal ground.

The elves are on the march.

Derek understood that those people deliberately let him see the offensive of the Linoril Council - the gray and white spires were marching towards the battlefield in a row, the spears in the hands of the elves were shining with silver light, and the blue and white triangular flags on the tips of the spears were like brocade, weaving a cloud of clouds.

The cavalry's hooves fell on the ground like thunder, the Chosen Ones were launching attacks from both wings, clockwork fairies flew across the sky like a swarm of bees, followed by aerial combat constructs, and wind elementals left blue and green trails over the forest. Sometimes they lit up the night sky like the tail of a comet.

The battle line is indeed slowly advancing.

As rumored, the Linoril Council has made great progress in its attack on Ninimere. Thanks to the help from Corrin-Ishurian and the Elingran family, their plan seems to be working, and now they have approached the core area.

"Look, Derek," the man behind him said, "Do you really think what we do is meaningless? The sacrifice of a few people is just in exchange for today's victory."

"We'll talk about victory first," Derek replied calmly, as if he didn't care about the scene in front of him. "Besides, what is victory? What will happen after you control the disaster branch?"

"Of course, it is for the benefit of Giant Tree Hill."

"Benefit the Giant Tree Hill?" Derek turned around and looked at him with sharp eyes, but still with a smile on his face: "For example, let the Gus Disaster Domain and Ravenril's Disaster Branch sprout at the same time?"

The man was stunned for a moment: "You think too much, Derek. Besides, even if the disaster in Ninimer is quelled, do you think the Elven Court and the Council of Elders will let us enter the two disaster areas?"

"So you have to use some means to force them to ask for help."

"Derek, we are still here to tell you these truths in the hope that you can change your mind and stand on our side. Aren't you also a member of the council?"

"I'm just a small agent," Derek smiled, "What you really care about is Thranduil, after all, he has the sword master behind him - you can ignore the views of the Elven Court, but you have to take into account the real power -"

"I guess you have won over at least two dragon knights. They are——"

"That's enough," the man interrupted him seriously, as if he didn't want to talk about this topic. "Derrick Elwood, have you ever thought about what your purpose is?"

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

"My purpose," Derek turned his gaze to the disaster tree in the distance that seemed to reach the sky, "is naturally to find out the truth."

He smiled and said, "I don't care about the principles you talk about. I just get paid to do the job. I only care about who is the mastermind behind all this."

"What if we double - no, ten times the asking price?"

"I have professional ethics," Derek raised his hands and put them behind his head. "In fact, you all know in your heart that I already have the answer, don't you?"

"I have the answer, which means Thranduil has probably guessed the truth," he continued, "You know him better than I do, so why bother?"

"Justice is worthless in the face of real disaster," the man replied. "Even if you have the answer, what can you do? Judge everyone in the parliament? This is a proposal passed by the majority of the parliament."

"But not me, and you bypassed him."

"That's because he's against us on everything."

Derek smiled but didn't answer.

He saw cheers erupting in the distance, waves of sound rising and falling, and the slowly advancing battle line seemed to have undergone some changes at that moment.

The subsequent reinforcements played a crucial role, and the gray tide was slowly receding.

The towering branch of disaster was reflected in Derek's sight, but it was no longer as ferocious and aggressive as it was a few days ago. It was just that flames and bright light burst out of its body from time to time, illuminating the eyes of this human agent.

That was the artillery fire from the airborne battleship.

Linorel's two main fleets were entering the scene one after another. More than thirty battleships were surrounding the disaster tree, with flames spewing out from their gun muzzles from time to time.

The dark sail seemed to be cutting through the clouds, and flocks of gray creatures were falling from the sky. The disaster tree was dying, as if it was its last moment.

Derek watched the scene and muttered to himself, "What a big show."

But he shook his head again, "But will the result really be what you want?"

"What do you mean, Derek?"

"Don't forget, Ms. Aimaya is watching you, watching every one of us." Derek turned back to look at the man and smiled calmly, "And according to the Chosen Ones, there are many saints in our world."

"But Ms. Aimaya will acquiesce to our actions..."

The man suddenly shuddered and stopped talking.

He was feeling a chill rising from his body, even as he was looking at the towering 'giant tree' that was emitting an endless amount of red light and then slowly collapsed.

Shouts like the tide were rising from the battlefield. Everyone rushed forward like crazy. Even the elves found it difficult to maintain order.

Gray creatures were falling to the ground in large numbers and turning into ashes. The gray region's defense line collapsed in an instant. They won - they finally won.

The ground vibrated dully, and even the man couldn't help but take two steps forward. At this time, he no longer cared about Derek. Victory was within his grasp, and next - the Linoril Council would completely become the winner of this battle.

He looked at the sparks in the sky, and his confidence seemed to return to him. "The plan worked. We have never really defeated Ninimer head-on. As long as we inject the soul of the unicorn girl named Serinya into the ether vein connected to it, the gray tree disaster in the entire Giant Tree Hill will be eliminated."

"Even if she hates you?"

"But she loves this land more," the man turned around and looked at Derek not far away, and smiled indifferently, "She won't do that. Besides, after she merges with the disaster branch, she won't remember those things anymore."

He was very pleased with himself.

Derek just looked at this person silently, looked at the nonchalant smile on his face, looked at the flickering golden flames, and the swaying gray branches.

Looking at the four dragon knights jointly guarding a magician, who was holding a holy white tree heart in his hand and slowly walking towards the center of the disaster tree, looking at the grayish-white tree tumors clustered together, flowing with milky white pus.

The blazing flames reflected the liquid on the ground. The gray branches screamed in the sea of ​​fire, making strange cries.

Elion de Flin held the vital object in his hand. He seemed to be able to feel the burning soul inside it and the painful wails of the elf girl.

But he didn't care about it. He just turned around and looked at the dragon knights beside him, asking them with his eyes.

Several dragon knights from the Night Walkers, the Ship of Nottingsh, SK, and the Council of Linoril nodded to him at the same time. Although they had some doubts about the strange help from the ancient wizard family of Corin-Ishurian, facts proved that the council was right.

This was indeed the first time they had made such progress and defeated Ninimeier head-on. Although the calamity tree could still revive, as long as they followed the next step according to the plan, this gray plague would become a thing of the past.

The wizard from the Elingland family nodded and walked forward holding the tree heart.

The age of the Two Trees is over.

This thought flashed through his and Derek's minds at the same moment.

……

The news of Ninimare's victory spread throughout the Hill of Giant Trees overnight.

Even though communication between the two worlds has not yet been restored, the Silver Wind Harbor Craftsmen's Association and the Adventurers' Guild still tried their best to spread the news along the avenue.

From Sanshak to Norishien, to Roshar, to the Elven Court and Ravenriel in the north, everyone is discussing this exciting news. The Hill of Giant Trees is recovering its vitality. Is the shadow of doomsday hanging over everyone's head fading?

But beyond the borders of the Gus Disaster Zone, far to the west of the Scar of Yasha, across the dark wasteland, there is an even more distant disaster zone, shrouded by gray mountains.

The giant dragon captured by the Bough of Disaster was hovering overhead all day long, forcing the elves stationed here to hide carefully, and the defense line was almost impossible to maintain. Before reinforcements arrived, they could only monitor the changes in the border of the Gray Region as much as possible.

At an outpost in Rivenshagen, the elven guards stationed there were awakened by a rustling noise. The alert captain of the guards was staring in amazement at the changes in the forest outside the outpost.

On the waxy gray land, countless silver branches are growing and sprouting. They are like twigs in a nursery, stacked layer upon layer, densely packed.

But that was not the rebirth of the forest.

But the winter has come.

The withering is dead, and the gray disaster is spreading. The countless sprouts are not the symbol of life, but branches of disaster, like intertwined shadows, covering the earth at this moment.

No one has ever experienced so many disaster branches sprouting and taking root at the same time.

The elven captain's teeth were chattering, but his remaining instinct told him what he should do at this moment. Although the silver branches had already climbed up his ankles and knees, he still tried his best to turn around.

He shouted almost at the top of his lungs, "Sound the alarm!"

"Pass the message on..."

Bright flames rose up, and a straight column of smoke shot up into the sky below the Gray Mountain, then another, and another column of smoke rose from the west of the entire Ravenril Line.

The sharp alarm sounded, spreading through the network to every nearby crystal tower.

The Nianlot Gray Region is recovering.

...(End of chapter)