Glenhill straightened his back, his amber-gold eyes staring directly at the Grand Elder:
“Elder, Lind Truk’s power and ways of doing things do indeed violate the natural way that our people follow.”
However, he was not a chaotic and disorderly destroyer; his goals were clear, his will was firm, and... he seemed to harbor a clear hostility towards the God of Fusion.
His demand for 'neutrality' is, to some extent, a way of temporarily excluding us from his conflict with the God of Fusion.
I believe that, before we can determine the ultimate impact of its power on the world's balance, accepting its conditions and maintaining limited contact and observation is a relatively prudent choice.
Directly confronting such an unfathomable being, whose territory has already become powerful, would come at an immeasurable cost and could potentially drag the Elven race into an unnecessary vortex.
Galadriel nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the other elders. Clearly, Glenshire's judgment represented the inclination of most of the elders.
After all, the threat level of an existence that can accurately locate and instantly kill a legendary behemoth (they don't even know it was Lind who did it) is too high. It is not advisable to start a war without solid evidence and certainty.
Just then, the Second Elder, a male elf with a stern face and sharp, eagle-like eyes, who had been in charge of forest intelligence and protection, suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief and shock:
“Glenhill, you just mentioned… Lind’s way of displaying his power, and his possible long-range attack capabilities?”
"Yes, Elder Sylvanas."
Glenhill affirmed, "Although we haven't witnessed him casting a spell, based on Lyra Ryan's observations and his own words, we can infer that he possesses a terrifying ability that ignores distance and uses magic network nodes to perceive and attack. Its power... is still unclear."
Elder Sylvanas took a deep breath and exchanged a look of utter shock with the other elders in charge of specific matters.
He stood up, his voice rising slightly with excitement:
"Less than a day before your arrival! We just confirmed news that will shake the entire Emerald Forest!" He looked around at everyone and said, word by word:
"Grom the Earth's Revenge... that ancient dragon turtle that has been entangled with us for thousands of years... is dead! It died right there in the Emerald Heart Lake where it resided!"
"What?!"
"Storm above!"
"How is this possible?!"
A collective gasp and incredulous exclamations erupted within the council chamber! Even the usually composed Elder Galadriel wore an expression of utter shock!
Grom the Earth's Revenge! That legendary behemoth was barely managed to severely wound and repel by the ancient elven hero, Lord Elaril, along with three archdruids! A nightmare that lurked deep within the Emerald Forest! For thousands of years, it was like a bomb that could explode at any moment, tying down the power of the Eastern Elves. And now... it's just dead like that?
"Is the news... accurate?" Galadriel's voice trembled slightly.
“Absolutely true!” Elder Sylvanas declared firmly. “Our ‘Shadow Scouts’ risked their lives to venture deep into the edge of the Corrupted Swamp and witnessed the battlefield firsthand! The area around Emerald Heart Lake was reduced to scorched earth, the lake water stained dark green, and the giant tortoise’s massive body was almost torn apart by some incredibly terrifying cutting force! Its carapace was shattered, its flesh mangled, and the remaining energy fluctuations were violent and pure, carrying… highly condensed water elements and traces of spatial tearing! The time of death was approximately one month ago!”
One month ago... one month ago...
At this moment, like a cold bolt of lightning, it struck the hearts of all the elves present!
Glenhill and the others left Blackrock Territory about a month ago! When Lind "received" them, he casually mentioned that he had "stretched his muscles at the Eastern Node"!
A terrible, almost suffocating thought surged uncontrollably into the minds of all the elven elders and members of the mission!
Could it be... that terrifying behemoth that the elves feared for thousands of years, that being that required the combined might of ancient heroes to defeat... was actually killed by Lind Truk, who was "stretching his limbs" from thousands of miles away, across a magic network node, as easily as swatting an annoying insect... with a casual strike?!
There was a deathly silence in the parliament.
Only the rustling of the wind through the ancient trees outside the window and the beating of the elves' own hearts like drums could be heard.
Lila Ryan covered her mouth, her grey-blue eyes wide open.
Glenhill, Tal Salin, and the others turned deathly pale, their backs instantly drenched in cold sweat! They finally understood the terrifying, world-destroying power hidden behind Lind's seemingly casual "stretching"! They had actually tried to "assess" or even "warn" such a being?!
Grand Elder Galadriel slowly closed his eyes, as if digesting this earth-shattering news that was enough to overturn all understanding. When he opened them again, his deep, star-like eyes held only unparalleled solemnity and a trace of... deep apprehension.
“Lind Truk…” The elder’s voice was deep and resonant, as if carrying the weight of the entire forest, “What he showed us was probably just the tip of the iceberg. His promise to limit the scope of his influence… now seems more like a…blessing.”
He looked at Glenhill.
“Your judgment is correct. Immediately, in the name of the Elder Council, formally respond to Viscount Lind: the Elven Elder Council, and accept his conditions.”
During his conflict with the God of Fusion, the Emerald Forest maintained benevolent neutrality. Meanwhile, we will open some border outposts in areas adjacent to Blackrock Territory, establish limited information-sharing channels, and focus on potential infiltration by cult activities…”
Galadriel's gaze turned eastward, as if piercing through layers of forest to see the Emerald Heart Lake, ravaged by terrifying forces.
"Grom's death... whether or not he was truly responsible, marks the end of an era." The Elder's voice carried a hint of melancholy. "And the appearance of Lind Truk foreshadows the beginning of a new era that we cannot predict but must face with caution. The Elven race... needs to re-examine our place in this world."
Inside the council, all the elves felt a heavy sense of destiny, overshadowed by the name "Lind Truk." Their relationship with Blackrock Territory, shattered by the truth of Grom's death, was firmly anchored on a path of awe and cautious observation.
Meanwhile, in the distant Blackrock Territory, Lind, who was enjoying the spring sunshine and the company of his wife and children, seemed to sense something. He slightly raised his eyelids and looked towards the direction of the Emerald Whisper Forest, a meaningful smile curving his lips that went unnoticed by anyone.
His "stretching" seemed to have an even better effect than expected. Now, the elves should be able to understand his "sincerity" more "calmly".
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com