Chapter 579 - 577: The Elf King’s Response
The pollution begins.
The situation over at the Elf Royal City had long reached the ears of Elina and her companions.
𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Yesterday, the pollution had just touched the Elf Royal City, and the city confidently conveyed to them that they could handle it.
However, the very next day, an urgent recall order came, stating they needed Elina’s power, and if they didn’t return, the Elf Royal City might fall and become a playground for pollution.
Upon hearing the news, Elina curled her lip, "Tsk, why so timid now, I thought they would keep up their tough talk till the end."
The Elf Elder said, "Elina, we should go back."
"Alright, work is work no matter where, going back is fine too."
Elina did not refuse and soon withdrew her life magic power, looking at the still surging pollution, she sighed.
"Elder, to be honest with you, I don’t have the ability to solve this filth. I suggest you seek assistance from the Holy Court."
The Elf Elder frowned, "What are you talking about, where is there logic in seeking aid from a mortal enemy? The Holy Court has been eyeing the Elf Forest and the Holy Tree covetously, under no circumstances can we allow them to enter the Elf Forest’s boundaries."
Elina said, "If that’s the case, then why not seek help from Hilia?"
The Elf Elder snorted, "So that’s your plan, do you think that girl named Hilia can solve the problem here?"
Elina nodded earnestly, "I believe she can."
"The Elf Race shouldn’t just believe; only give definite answers. Even though she shows the ability to purify pollution, it’s not the same as completely resolving it."
The Elf Elder shook his head, saying lightly, "Alright, don’t mention a mixed-blood elf again. That person studies the magic of the Holy Court, who knows if she’s joined them, if she has, then she’s a spy. Not capturing her is already very merciful."
Elina furrowed her brow, said nothing, just stowed her magic puppet and followed the Elf Elder and others to leave.
Some time later, the group returned to the Elf Royal City, another Elf Elder flew over, pleasantly surprised, "Candia, Elina, you have finally returned, the King has been waiting for a long time."
Candia was the name of the Elf Elder who had been following and protecting Elina.
She nodded, looking at Elina, "Let’s go, let’s meet the King first."
Elina looked at the streets of the Elf Royal City, her nose twitching slightly, she frowned, "Such a strong smell of blood, what have you all been doing?"
The Elf Elder said helplessly, "Your prejudice against us is too severe, we haven’t done anything, it was some outsiders and elves who ignored the warnings of the Royal City, wandered outside on their own, got invaded by filth, and became disasters, bringing bloodshed and chaos to the Elf Royal City. Fortunately, we have suppressed those people completely."
"Is that so?"
Elina was noncommittal, following the Elf Elder and others back into the Royal Court of the Holy Tree.
They made their way up to the very top of the Holy Tree, outside the palace where the Elf King resided.
The Elf King looked at Elina, nodding slightly, "You came just at the right time, Elina. We need your power to replenish life elements to the Holy Tree, so the tree can hold on a bit longer."
The Elf King was a male elf with golden hair, his eyes revealing the vicissitudes of life. He had been on this throne for over a hundred years, yet showed no intention of retiring.
Elina could be unrestrained with the Elf Elder, but in front of the Elf King, she maintained some formality, nodding, "Alright, but let me first state, I might not be able to resolve this filth outbreak. Even though in my senses, the source of the filth seems to be weakening, to completely purge it would probably take nearly a month."
"A month, huh." The Elf King frowned, sighed, "We can only let the elf citizens endure for another month."
Elina furrowed her brow slightly, asking, "Is maintaining the Holy Tree’s vitality all you ask of me?"
The Elf King replied, "Of course not, we’re conducting a Holy Tree blessing ceremony. We need you to lead it. Participating in this blessing will also bring you extra benefits, no downside. I hope you won’t refuse."
Elina opened her mouth, but in the end didn’t voice the thought, ’What if I refuse?’
She nodded, "Alright, but can I know what the blessing ceremony entails?"
"Of course, it’s an opportunity to resolve this disaster. We can’t have the elf citizens staying home for a month, waiting for the disaster to disappear on its own. In a month, not many people’s supplies will last that long."
"What does the Royal Court plan to do?" Elina asked.
"I will take many measures. If you want to know, you can ask my attendants later, first, let’s provide energy to the Holy Tree."
"Alright."
...
Hilia had already left the Elf Royal City, the process went very smoothly, taking a day to find a loophole that allowed her to leave quietly without anyone noticing.
"Outside is completely shrouded in pollution now."
Hilia walked through the Elf Forest.
Previously, while walking in the Elf Forest, there would occasionally appear adorable little animals around her, these cute creatures like little elves, some were rabbits, some were small butterflies, and some were special beings resembling glows.
But at this moment, all of them had disappeared, no one knew where they went. The entire Elf Forest turned from vibrant into desolate silence.
The pollution sweeping around also seeped slowly into all the trees in the Elf Forest.
These trees had birthed elemental life; some, like animals, would set traps to hunt animals.
And now, with the invasion of pollution, these plants revealed their crazed claws, intending to attack any passer-by.
Hilia easily evaded an attack from a plant that looked like a man-eating flower and continued forward.
She carefully sensed the vague position, looking ahead, "Feels like it’s soon, just ahead, though I’m not sure how long I’ll have to search."
Hilia felt it shouldn’t take long, considering her historically unlucky streak...
She arrived in front of a small hill, prepared to search the mountain for any cult bases or similar things, when she suddenly felt a stir in her heart.
"Lana’s mark has moved, could it be that the Elf Royal Family plans to transfer Lana and the others to that ’Recovery Temple’ for treatment at this time?"
Hilia thought about it, and figured that even if there were changes in the Elf Royal City, it wouldn’t affect those talented elves from going for treatment.
The illness of those elves couldn’t be delayed, if they didn’t get treated soon, it would be too late.
"Let me see the direction Lana is heading."
Hilia jumped onto a tree, sensing carefully.
After a while, she opened her eyes, showing a look of surprise.
"Coming towards me, is it? What a coincidence."