Glenhill's heart skipped a beat, and he understood Lind's intention.
Was he seeking some form of understanding, or... a deal? In exchange for some restraint on his power, to gain the elves' goodwill and non-interference?
"What kind of sincerity does Your Excellency desire?" Glenhill asked cautiously.
Linde smiled slightly, a smile that carried an enigmatic meaning:
“Sincerity is first and foremost based on mutual understanding. You are worried that my power will pollute nature, and I also need to ascertain the elves’ position, especially when… facing certain shared ‘trouble’.”
He deliberately emphasized the word "trouble".
Glenhill immediately understood Lind's implication—the God of Fusion! Lind was implying that they might have a common enemy!
This information gave Glen Hill a much-needed boost.
If Linde is truly an enemy of the God of Fusion, then his existence is at least not a threat to the elves for the time being, and may even become a potential ally!
"Regarding the threat posed by the God of Fusion, the Elven race stands in solidarity with all beings that protect nature!"
Glenhill's voice was resolute, carrying the natural hostility of elves towards their nemesis: "We are willing to cooperate with any force that opposes chaos and distortion."
“Very good.” Linde nodded in satisfaction. “Then, as the beginning of this trust, and to prove that I am not relying on the power of an evil god…”
He turned his gaze to Lyla Ryan, “This lady who is proficient in nature magic, and Captain Glenhill yourself, you are the most sensitive to life energy.”
Could you please come closer and carefully sense the primal aura of my power? See if there is even a trace of the corruption and chaos inherent in the Fusion God?
This proposal is bold and direct.
Glenhill and Lyla Ryan exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and a hint of determination in each other's eyes.
This is the most direct way to verify the truth of Lind's words!
Glen Hill nodded: "Okay."
Under Astaire's wary gaze, Glenhill and Lyla Ryan slowly stepped forward and stopped a few steps away from Lind's desk.
The two closed their eyes, and the leaf-like patterns on their foreheads and Lyra Ryan's entire body glowed with a soft emerald green light. This was the highest skill of the elves in connecting with nature and perceiving the origin of life—[Life Resonance].
With a slight thought, Lin De stopped suppressing the core power of the [Activation Halo].
A powerful, pure, and vibrant emerald-green energy, brimming with boundless vitality yet carrying an absolute will to control, rippled outwards from him like an undercurrent beneath a calm sea!
The force swept across the hall, and the flames in the fireplace seemed to leap more joyfully. In a crack in the wall, a tenacious little grass visibly unfurled a tender leaf.
Glen Hill and Lyla Ryan both shuddered simultaneously!
They sensed it! The power was vast as the sea, incomparably pure, carrying the most primal aura of life's creation! It was indeed "tyrannical," driven by a forceful will, but deep within this power… there were no distorted cries of pain, no sticky, putrid stench of fused flesh, no nauseating chaos and disorder characteristic of the God of Fusion! Instead… there was an indescribable depth, seemingly originating from the very rules of the world itself, and… a purity?!
Lila Ryan suddenly opened her eyes, her grey-blue pupils filled with extreme shock and confusion, and she looked at Glen Hill.
Glen Hill slowly opened his eyes, his amber-gold pupils contracting to their limit, his face showing unprecedented solemnity and... bewilderment.
"How is it?" Lind's voice broke the silence.
Glen Hill's throat bobbed, his voice dry:
"...pure life force...powerful, direct, bearing the mark of...a kind of 'rule' that we cannot understand."
But... there was indeed no trace of Grutus's contamination. Not even a trace.
This conclusion was unbelievable even to himself.
The nature of this power is completely beyond the elves' understanding of life energy!
Linde was not surprised by the result.
His power comes from the system, from the "halo," which is essentially a creation of rules that transcend this world, naturally different from the power system of the native gods.
"Therefore, my promise remains valid."
Linde withdrew his power, and the vibrant life force in the hall gradually subsided. "I will restrain its large-scale influence on natural rhythms. But in exchange, I need a promise from the Elven Council of Elders."
"What promise?"
Glen Hill pressed for more information, his attitude noticeably softening.
The confirmation that Linde was not a minion of the evil god, and that the nature of his power was "clean" beyond imagination, greatly changed the tone of the negotiations.
"A commitment to 'good faith neutrality'."
Linde stated clearly, "In my potential conflict with the God of Fusion, the Elven race remained neutral and did not take the initiative to become my enemy."
At the same time, within your capabilities and without violating the laws of nature, provide early warnings of any unusual activities that may occur within my territory related to the Merging God or its cult.
This is a rather pragmatic request, which will not arouse the suspicion of these elves nor have any impact on the territory.
To be honest, with Lind's current power to deconstruct the halo, nothing in the territory can escape his eyes. This action was just to put the elves at ease.
Glen Hill pondered for a moment.
This request is not excessive; in fact, it could be said to be advantageous to the elves—to send Lind, this powerful unknown being, to fight against the elves' nemesis, Grutos.
However, he has no authority to make a formal commitment on behalf of the Council of Elders.
"Your Excellency, I personally believe your terms are reasonable."
Glenhill replied cautiously, “But I need to bring back to the Emerald Forest everything I have seen and heard today, especially the astonishing discovery about the nature of your power, as well as your promises and demands, and report it to the Elders and Council of Galadriel. The final promises will be made by the Council of Elders.”
"Can."
Lind readily nodded. "I trust the wisdom of the elven elders and their commitment to maintaining balance. Until the council makes its final decision, I consider you all guests of Blackrock Territory, not potential enemies."
You are free to move around the castle and explore the trading district, as long as you do not venture into the core, confidential areas of the territory.
He gestured to Astaire.
Aster nodded slightly, and the invisible pressure enveloping the elves lessened accordingly.
"Thank you for your trust and hospitality, Your Excellency."
Glenhill placed his right hand on his chest, performing a formal elven salute, his gesture imbued with genuine respect. The power, intellect, and negotiating skills displayed by this human lord far exceeded his expectations.
“However, before I leave,” Glenhill hesitated for a moment, then asked, “may I ask one more question? Since you are not the chosen one of Elessia, and your power is not tainted by Grutus… then, where does this great power that drives you to change the rhythm of life come from?”
This problem troubles him, and it will surely trouble the entire council of elders as well.
Upon hearing this, a subtle, enigmatic light flashed in Linde's deep purple eyes, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
"Where did it originate?" he repeated softly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the castle's stone walls, looking towards the endless sky and the steel structures buried deep underground.
"Perhaps it stems from a discontent with fate, a yearning for the stars... or perhaps it simply exists within the rules of the world, waiting to be understood and awakened."
His voice was like a whisper, carrying a profound depth that transcended the mundane:
“I call it… ‘the future’.”
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