At this point, even a fool like Maggie could tell that the village chief's words had a hidden meaning; he most likely needed her help.
Maggie glanced at the village chief's hand that was resting on Nesser's head and said calmly.
"Village chief, please speak frankly."
Maggie knew that most elves were straightforward and didn't beat around the bush like humans. The village chief in front of her probably learned this human way of speaking because he had lived in human territory for too long.
“Alas, Your Highness, you have seen what happened tonight. The elves who have left the Green Wilderness Forest are living a very difficult life and often have to face human invaders.”
The village chief shook his head, a faint sadness emanating from his aged voice.
"Does the village chief want the Temple of Light to intervene and protect the elven village?"
Maggie countered with a question.
"No, that would be too much of a burden for the Holy Maiden."
The village chief's words were pointed.
“Well, if the village chief has this in mind, we should discuss it with Yarlin.”
Maggie nodded slightly, her words showing no reluctance or embarrassment, for in any case, Yarlin's power was indeed much greater than hers.
She knew the village chief was a smart man; from the moment she entered the village, the old man in front of her probably already knew who held real power.
"This old man has no intention of letting his old face be trampled under human feet."
Maggie wasn't surprised by the village chief's backbone. This village looked quite old; without strength and resources, it might have been razed to the ground long ago, just like in the comics.
"so?"
Maggie remained noncommittal; she was only concerned with the village chief's purpose.
"Old man, I hope that Your Highness can recommend Nesser to the Temple of Light in your name."
The village chief turned around, and before Nesser could stop him, he bowed deeply to Maggie, his tone sounding like an old man entrusting his orphan to someone.
Maggie was annoyed, but she still couldn't escape this life-shortening gratitude.
"...Nesser has great talent. Even if he doesn't enter the Temple of Light, he will never be just an ordinary person."
Maggie never expected that the village chief's plan was actually aimed at Nesse's future. However, Nesse's magic attribute was wood, which was not compatible with the Temple of Light. Joining the temple was not the best choice for him.
He needs a better, more suitable teacher to go further and higher on the path of magic.
"What Your Highness says is something I am well aware of, but what other force on this continent is as powerful as the Temple of Light?"
The village chief looked dejected, as if he were thinking of the past.
"The era of the elves has long passed, and the god of the forest has been asleep for nearly a thousand years. Who knows when the glory of the elven race will be restored?"
Maggie opened her mouth, then suddenly remembered that elves have long lifespans, and the village chief might have even seen the Forest God when he was awake.
It was because they lost the protection of the forest god that most of the elves were forced to return to the vicinity of the Elf Mother Tree and dwell in the Green Forest.
This sense of disparity is generally difficult for most elves to accept.
"To be honest, in my old man's eyes, Nesser is now the most likely to lead the Elven race back to its peak."
"He... possesses a level nine wood-type magic talent that is closest to that of a god."
The village chief continued.
"Then we shouldn't have entered the Temple of Light at all..."
Maggie was completely bewildered, unable to understand the village chief's thought process.
"No, if we take him back to the Green Forest, he will only remain immersed in comfort forever, never witnessing the ugliness of humanity, and thus will be unable to become a qualified king."
The village chief spoke with such force that Maggie was increasingly speechless.
"Village chief, you're too kind, but you don't need to say that to me, after all, I'm human too."
Maggie was internally frantic, but on her face she only showed an awkward but polite smile and quietly reminded the village chief.
Her moral character taught her to respect the elderly and care for the young, which helped her suppress the urge to curse.
No wonder elves are so easily fooled outside; their straightforward nature makes it easy for them to open up to others, like right now.
Any other human might have turned and walked away. To speak ill of humans in front of them shows a lack of emotional intelligence.
The village chief looked at Maggie, as if only then realizing that Maggie didn't have pointed ears, and the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.
Finally, he turned his face away, pretended to clear his throat, and covered up his embarrassment.
"Ahem, in short, Your Highness, if you wish, Nesser can also lend you a hand in the temple."
The village chief spoke sincerely and even pulled Nesser in front of him.
Nesser raised his face, looking at Maggie with a happy expression, waiting for Maggie to agree so he could jump up from the ground.
Maggie met Nesser's clear, red-glass-like eyes and finally rubbed her temples in exasperation.
“I can agree to your request, but I have a mission to complete and need to go to the Kingdom of Arnold first. If the village chief doesn’t mind, Nesser will need to come with me first.”
As soon as Maggie finished speaking, Nesser happily ran up to Maggie, stretched out his hands, and hugged her legs.
"Great! I can travel with my sister!"
Nesser cheered, and the village chief looked at him with a kind and doting expression, but if you looked closely, you could see a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
Maggie remained silent. The paladins had probably rested enough and would soon be setting off again.
Maggie waited for the village chief to finish explaining things to Nesser before speaking softly.
"We've already wasted a lot of time today, so I'll take the person with me."
After saying that, he turned to leave, but the village chief's voice came from behind him.
"The mercenary group is here specifically for Nesser."
"We want Her Highness to take Nesser away, and we also hope that Her Highness can protect him."
Maggie didn't stop walking, and couldn't help but admire the village chief's good intentions. To put it bluntly, rather than recreating the glorious era of the elves, the village chief probably wanted Nesser to live a good life.
What I just said was to demonstrate Nesser's value, and to increase the stakes so that she would truly protect Nesser wholeheartedly.
The old man is quite cunning. Even if he didn't say anything, would I dare to bully a child?
Nesser held Maggie's hand, and the two walked towards the edge of the village.
He kept his head down, so Maggie didn't see his sudden pout.
When Yarlin saw Maggie leading an elven child over, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he still went up to her and asked in a low voice.
"Your Highness, what is this?"
Maggie glanced at him indifferently and said nonchalantly.
"This elf has decent talent and can be used by the temple."
When Yarlin heard Maggie say this, he looked enlightened and had no further objections.
The fact that this elf's talent is acceptable, even to the highly gifted Holy Maiden of Light, indicates that her talent is at least level 8 or higher, making her truly worthy of joining the Temple of Light.
"He was still young and rode in the carriage with me."
Maggie wasn't sure if the mercenaries from last night would take the risk, or if it would be safer to keep Nesser by her side.
You'd better stay in the carriage obediently later; I can't protect you alone.
Maggie glanced at Nesser and silently prayed.
“This…Your Highness…this is probably not in accordance with the rules…but since Your Highness doesn’t mind, let’s do it this way.”
Yarlin wanted to say something, but after seeing Nesser's face clearly, he swallowed his words and accepted Maggie's suggestion instead.
"Um."
Maggie gave a nonchalant reply, but couldn't help finding it amusing.
[This guy doesn't seem stupid; he knows that if Nesser were out there, his face alone could attract a lot of trouble.]
Thinking this, Maggie suddenly felt Nesser tighten his grip on her hand.
"Don't be nervous, sweetie."
Worried that Nesser might feel uneasy in the unfamiliar environment, Maggie squeezed his hand back tightly, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
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