Glen Hill took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and unease of being completely seen through, and tried to regain his rhythm in the negotiations.
He looked directly into Lind's violet eyes, which seemed to see into one's soul, his voice carrying the clear and solemn quality unique to elves:
"Your Excellency, your power... that power that forcibly awakens life and distorts the rhythms of nature, does its source... originate from the grace of Elessia, the Mother of a Thousand Roots? Do you worship this supreme weaver of life and nature?"
The hall was silent, all the elves' eyes were fixed on Lind, filled with last hope and deep worry.
If Lind is Elexia's chosen one, then his "tyrannical" power could perhaps be interpreted as some deeper meaning of the oracle, since they at least share the same belief system.
Upon hearing this, Lin De's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, carrying a hint of understanding and indifference.
He slowly shook his head, his voice clear and calm:
"The Mother of a Thousand Roots? No, I have never heard her divine pronouncements, nor am I a follower of hers."
"boom!"
As if the last hope had been shattered, behind Glenhill, Tal Salin's hand instantly pressed against the short blade at his waist, and the faint light at Lyra Ryan's fingertips suddenly lit up. Even the most composed Glenhill's face instantly turned ashen, and the last glimmer of hope in his eyes was completely extinguished.
It's not Alessia!
What does that mean? The answer is almost obvious—that power that twists life and defies nature points to Elessia's eternal nemesis, the opposite of the forces of nature, the embodiment of flesh and chaos—the God of Fusion!
A chosen one! And a chosen one who worships the God of Fusion! They actually stepped into the other's core territory, which is no different from lambs to the slaughter! Despair, like cold vines, instantly wrapped around the heart of every elf.
Glen Hill's heart pounded so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
He forced himself to calm down and thought about how to lead his companions to fight for a chance of survival in the face of this "chosen one".
Just as this suffocating atmosphere of despair reached its peak, Lind spoke again.
His voice remained steady, yet carried a strange, soothing power, as if it could see through the fear churning in the elves' hearts:
"My fellow elves, there's no need to overanalyze this, nor is there any need to be so nervous."
Lind's gaze swept over their tense bodies and fearful eyes. "Although I was not guided by Elesia, please rest assured that I, Lind Truk, would never fall into the embrace of the God of Fusion."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, cleaving through the heavy despair.
The elves looked up abruptly, their eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
It wasn't Grotos either?!
Glenhill's heartbeat didn't calm down; instead, it pounded even harder! It wasn't Elesia, nor Grutos? Then where...did this power come from?
The unknown is often more unsettling than the known! A being completely independent of the two major natural pantheons, yet capable of driving such immense life energy?
This sent chills down Glenhill's spine even more than the Chosen One himself.
He had no way of predicting Lind's purpose, let alone assessing what the existence behind him meant for the elves and for the balance of nature.
Seeing the undisguised, deeper sense of surprise and wariness in Glenhill's eyes, Lind knew that a simple denial would not truly convince these spirits who regarded faith and nature as their lifeblood.
He needs more leverage.
"It seems that my answer has not completely dispelled your doubts."
Linde leaned forward slightly, his hands crossed on the table, his posture calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.
"Then let's be frank. Captain Glenhill, you've traveled thousands of miles, almost half a continent, and even from such a vast distance, you were able to pinpoint the abnormal life fluctuations in my Blackrock Territory... This perceptive ability is truly astonishing. I suppose this is the mission your 'Eyes of Emerald Leaves' are entrusted with?"
Glen Hill took a deep breath. At this point, there was no point in hiding it anymore; honesty might be the only way out.
He straightened his back, regaining the composure of an elven messenger, though his heart remained turbulent:
"Yes, Viscount Linde. The power you wield generates an unusually strong and... illogical tide of life."
It's as if a hole has been forcibly torn in a natural tapestry, violently injecting a vitality that doesn't belong to this season or even to conventional laws.
This distortion, to the spirits who serve nature and listen to the song of life, is as blinding as a torch in the night.
We have been sent by the Council of Elders to investigate its origins, assess its nature, and... its potential impact on the balance of the world.
He paused, his voice earnest and solemn:
"Your Excellency, whatever the source of your power, the way it manifests has caused a substantial disturbance to the natural order."
We urge you to stop using this power.
When the realm of the divine is involved, the consequences are unpredictable; good intentions may bring disaster, while malice... can destroy forests and civilization.
Linde listened quietly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest, producing a rhythmic sound.
He understood that the elf's worries were not unfounded.
His "activation aura" is indeed forcibly rewriting the natural laws of a local area.
A firm refusal? With his current strength, although he is not afraid of these few elves, it would be unwise to completely offend the entire elven race, especially given the possible attention from elders or even gods of unknown strength behind them.
He needs allies, not enemies, especially in the shadow of the Merging God.
"stop?"
Linde spoke slowly, his voice deep and magnetic, "Captain Glenhill, do you know that it is this very power that allowed my barren Blackrock Territory to give birth to an 'oasis' in the dead of winter, enabling my starving people to have enough to eat? It is one of the cornerstones of my territory's survival. How easy is it to just say 'stop'?"
Glen Hill's expression changed slightly, and he was about to retort when Lind raised his hand to stop him.
“However,” Lind changed the subject, a deep light flashing in his purple eyes, “I understand your concerns and respect the elves’ desire to protect nature.”
I am not an unreasonable person.
Power itself is neither good nor evil; the key lies in the user's will and purpose. I, Lind, act according to my own principles and have no intention of undermining the foundations of the world.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze sweeping over the elves, each with their own distinct expression:
“I can promise that, unless absolutely necessary, I will do my best to limit the direct impact of this force on the wider natural rhythms. But…”
Linde's voice carried an undeniable firmness:
“I need to see your sincerity, and... the attitude of the Council of Elders behind you. After all, your 'exploration' across the continent is inherently tinged with scrutiny and even potential hostility.”
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