Blackrock Territory, the lord's study.
Outside the window, spring sunshine is bright, and the newly sprouted plants are lush and green under the nourishment of the "Revitalizing Aura," with the air filled with the fresh scent of earth and flowers.
Linde leaned back lazily in the high-backed chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the smooth wooden armrests, producing a rhythmic soft sound.
Alice was hunched over a huge workbench, her brow furrowed as she stared at several Zedo rune blueprints that shimmered with a faint light. Occasionally, she would look up, her grey-blue eyes filled with focused concentration and a hint of barely perceptible frustration. Clearly, some crucial point had gotten stuck in her train of thought.
Nazla held their newborn daughter, Princess Linna, in her arms, basking in the sun by the window covered with a thick carpet.
The little one had its mother's soft silver baby hair and Lind's deep violet eyes. A fluffy silver fox tail swayed unconsciously as it stretched out its little hand towards the birds flying outside the window, babbling softly.
Nazra's face glowed with the gentle light of a new mother, and she occasionally glanced at Linde, her eyes filled with peace.
Leonis sat quietly on a prayer mat a little further away, radiating a soft and pure holy light, like a tranquil source of light.
Her youngest son, Aaron, was wrapped in soft swaddling clothes and slept peacefully beside her, his light golden baby hair shimmering in the holy light.
The fireplace was filled with the warmth of fine smokeless charcoal, dispelling the last chill of early spring.
This is the "blank" time that Linde deliberately reserved for himself, time for his family.
The Steel Sky was navigating the deadly waters of the Storm's Edge along its predetermined course. The final forced landing and docking were led by the central core and the mech maintenance system, and he only needed to monitor the situation remotely at key points.
As for the Siren Sirina, since the elders have already agreed to cooperate and sent a "liaison mission," they will naturally find the Steel Sky through the magic network node and enter the modified circulation chamber, so he doesn't need to worry about it.
As for the invitation from the Beast God Urano… Lind’s lips curled into a cold smile.
The invitation letter still lay quietly in the corner of his spatial ring.
A response? Of course, a response is necessary. But not now, and not in the way the other party expects.
He was waiting, waiting for his steel star to truly take root in the ruins of Bokou, waiting for his power to completely merge with his territory. Only then would he have enough confidence and leverage to "respond" to the "goodwill" from the gods.
Now, he just wants to enjoy this moment of peace and tranquility filled with the warmth of family.
Take care of some backlogged territory matters, spend time with Nazra and the children, check on Alice's research progress, and feel the peaceful atmosphere brought by Leonis.
This is the calm before the storm; he needs to conserve his energy.
"My lord, this is the trade zone's income and expenditure report for this month."
The old butler, Seth, walked in silently and placed a document on Linde's desk, his voice very low, as if afraid of disturbing Nazra and the little princess by the window.
Linde nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the satisfactory figures on the document.
Stimulated by the Crystal Remains, Blackrock Territory's trade network is expanding its wealth at an unprecedented pace. He picked up his pen and signed his name, his movements fluid and casual.
"In addition, Ms. Lillar Ryan wishes to use the greenhouse on the east side of the castle garden. She said she wants to try to cultivate some plant seeds from the Whispering Forest that require specific environments," Seth continued his report.
"Approved." Linde said without looking up. "Tell her to contact the Jell and Gerald sisters directly if she needs any materials."
"Yes, young master." Seth bowed and withdrew.
The study returned to silence, with only the soft scratching of Alice's pen on parchment, Nazra's gentle laughter as she teased her youngest daughter, and Leonis's barely audible breathing as she prayed in silence.
Linde closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let the air, which was a mixture of the scent of ink, sunlight, milk, and holy light, fill his lungs.
A rare moment of peace. He planned to enjoy these two weeks to the fullest.
————
The Forest of Verdant Whispers, the Council of Elders of the Eternal Crown.
Unlike the warm spring sunshine of Blackrock Territory, the depths of Emerald Whisper Forest were filled with the cool and moist scent unique to ancient trees. Beneath the massive council dome, which seemed to have grown naturally from living trees, the atmosphere was unusually solemn.
Glenhill, Tal Salin, Isel, and Filal, though travel-worn, still stood tall and straight as pines.
They stood quietly to one side, their grey-blue eyes curiously surveying the long-lost council of their homeland, while also keenly sensing the unusual restlessness in the air—something significant seemed to have happened in the forest before their return.
"Elders," Glenhill, as the captain, spoke in a clear and steady voice, bowing to the seven elven elders seated on the ancient root throne, "'Eye of Emerald Leaves' has completed his mission and returned from Blackrock Territory."
Grand Elder Galadriel, seated in the center, had a face like the bark of the oldest oak tree, deep-set yet radiating wisdom.
His long silver hair cascaded down to his waist like a waterfall of moonlight.
He slightly raised his hand, his voice gentle yet carrying an all-knowing power:
"Well done, Glenhill Windwhisperer, and all you brave travelers. Your journey home seems to be faster than expected; the forest senses your eagerness."
"Tell me, what did you see? What did you sense on Viscount Lind Truk's territory?"
Glenhill took a deep breath and began his detailed report:
"Lind Truk is like an abyss, unfathomable." His first sentence set the tone.
"As soon as we entered his territory, we were 'invited' into the castle by his guards, who were clad in strange magical armor and exuded an aura as heavy as a mountain. Our disguises were useless in front of him, and he even accurately stated our delegation's code name, 'Eyes of Emerald Leaves.' His insight and intelligence control capabilities far exceeded our expectations."
Tal Salin added:
"He possesses a life force that is extremely domineering and contrary to the rhythms of nature."
We suspect it is related to the Mother of a Thousand Roots or... the God of Fusion.
However, he denied both, stating that its power was purely and immensely potent, bearing the imprint of a 'rule' we cannot comprehend. Though unpolluted, its method of forcibly awakening and distorting the rhythms of life causes a disturbance to the natural balance that cannot be ignored.
“We have lodged a protest, hoping that he will stop using this force.”
Glenhill continued, “He refused, citing the need for the survival of his territory, but promised to restrain its widespread influence unless absolutely necessary. In exchange, he asked the elves to remain ‘benevolently neutral’ in the potential conflict with the fusion god and to provide early warnings about cult-related matters to the best of their ability.”
Iser said in a deep voice:
"The strength and intellect he displayed showed that he was no ordinary person. Under his rule, Blackrock Territory exhibited astonishing vitality and order, and large-scale peaceful trade between humans and orcs was possible, which speaks volumes about his methods."
Within its core territory, the flow of magic was unusually active and... frighteningly orderly, as if it had been orchestrated by an invisible giant hand.
Philar focused on describing Lind's guards and territory defenses:
“Those armors are no ordinary items; their materials and energy fluctuations are unheard of. The entire Blackrock Fortress and its core area are shrouded in an extremely powerful yet subtle detection and defense field, making it difficult for our senses to penetrate. This person… is unfathomable, and his territory has already become a force to be reckoned with.”
The elders listened quietly, their faces displaying a variety of expressions—some solemn, some thoughtful, and some worried.
Grand Elder Galadriel spoke slowly:
"Is that so? A being full of ambition and unknowns. Glenhill, what is your personal judgment?"
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