235 Who Will Go? (2/2)
Although Elves also live up in the Elder Tree as well, that place was only reserved for royalty and elders of the council.
While the elves below had no idea what was going on, everyone above was in the know. They could see the World Tree that appeared over the horizon.
A meeting was being held by the high council of elders along with the elven queen and king as they discuss what course of action they should take.
A World Tree had appeared, and their own Guardian Spirit had just submitted to it.
”What thoughts does everyone have? The humans have managed to cultivate a World Tree and our own Guardian Spirit pales in comparison. The life and death of every plant on this continent can be decided under the World Tree's whims. If the humans learn to control the World Tree, then…”
The Elven King did not speak further. Everyone understood the underlying message. They would be at the mercy of the other side.
The High Elves were inwardly prideful and independent. How could they allow this?
The relationship between the Human Domain and Wildlands was not good and can even be considered terrible.
They also knew just how easy it is to befriend the Guardian Spirit. Tree spirits were sacred and pure entities with child-like mentality the moment they gained sentience.
With the devious nature of humans, it was easy to trick the World Tree to do their bidding. At least, that is what the Elves believed and feared.
If a great war between humans and beasts break out once more, they would also be affected.
The council was split into two sides of opposing views on the matter.
The extremist believed they should invade and take control of the World Tree before others did. Tree spirits were like deities and the source of their belief. It should not belong to others.
On the other hand, the conservative group believed they should make peace and establish friendly ties to build a bridge between them and allow their race to visit the World Tree.
”It's impossible for humans to have cultivated a World Tree! I do not believe they are capable! It must be the tree spirit's own efforts!” A proud high elf elder slammed the round council table in disagreement.
Some elders shook their heads in disagreement, ”You mean to tell us that by its own efforts, an Elder Tree that we had no knowledge, much less even seen so close to us, suddenly ascended to the World-level by its own efforts?”
”Why not?” Another elder interjected. ”We've been doing all we can to help our Guardian Spirit grow, but has our efforts bore any fruits? No? I didn't think so.”
One of the twelve elders, who had remained silent, suddenly said, ”The Human Domain holds most of the ancient heritage from a bygone era. The humans could have unearthed their secrets and used the knowledge to aid the World Tree's breakthrough.”
Seeing that the course of the debate was derailing from the main problem, the Elf Queen said, ”How the World Tree ascended is not the problem. You can debate all you want, but your theories are all baseless without concrete proof and hold no meaning to this council. What we need to do is understand how this will affect us and come up with a plan if the situation is unfavorable.”
”I concur. Regardless of what actions we take, contact with the Human Domain is unavoidable.” The Elf said.
After a heated discussion, the elven council unanimously decided to send an envoy with autonomous authority to act as they see fit after establishing ties with the humans and understanding the situation relating to the World Tree within the Human Domain.
”Due to the bizarre incident relating to the beasts arising in the Wildlands, we can only send one. Who will go?”
The Elven King swept his gaze across the round table of elders. Everyone at the table was all Transcendents at the Preliminary Accession-level, but everyone avoided eye contact when the king swept pass them.
Only one can go? That seems quite dangerous. Count me out!
The Elf King had an ironic smile when he saw this.
Everyone was quite excited when discussing the problem, but when push comes to shove at spearheading the problem, no one was willing to venture outside their comfort zone.
”I will go.”
A deep voice sounded from the depths of the room, away from the council table. Everyone was startled by this voice.
”Supreme Elder, you can't! We need here to hold the fort!”
Everyone began to panic.
The Guardian Spirit was the great protector of their Elven Tribe, Elvengarde, but it was only active when it feels threatened.
The one defending their borders from outside threats had always been the owner of the deep voice, the Supreme Elder of their tribe, and the only Seeking Insight-level Transcendent among them.
”The Human Domain holds great animosity for the Wildlands. The success of our diplomacy will depend on our deterring force and sincerity. For that, I will also be taking those two human prisoners with me and one of your daughters.” The Supreme Elder said.
The pupils of the Elf King shrank before he drew a sharp breath and refused, ”You want to use one of my daughters as a tool for negotiation? Absolutely not! I will not let them suffer!”
One had to know that when they captured the two humans that stumbled into their great forest, they were easily captivated by the beauty of the elves.
If they were to see any of the Elf King's daughters, which were the cream of the crop, the hearts of men might just be set ablaze by fiery lust that can only behave like animals.
In a situation where the Elves did not know the strengths of the Human Domain, he did not want to risk his daughter's wellbeing.
He loved his daughters. Perhaps, a little too much. What about sending one of his sons? Hold on…
He had four daughters, but only one son. He could not possibly send away his only heir, could he?!
'How about… making another?' The Elf King seriously contemplated.
”My words are final.” The Supreme Elder said with irrefutable dominance.
The Elf King's hopes were dashed like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
He might be king, but the Wildlands was the world of the strong. The biggest fist has the biggest say.
He was lucky enough that the Supreme Elder was not interested in his crown, otherwise, he would be forced to abdicate.
The Supreme Elder was not completely unreasonable and soften his tone with a sigh. ”I had a premonition that the bizarre series of events with the beasts will soon engulf the Wildlands in a violent storm. The World Tree may be our only chance of survival in this unforgiving world.”
The beasts had been growing increasingly violent and powerful in the past week like the prelude to the coming of a Second Cataclysm.
Just in the past week, he, alone, had already slain no fewer than a hundred berserk beast.
As for the princess, the Supreme Elder assured the Elf King that nothing would befall her. She was only there for appearance to make negotiations with the humans easier and no real action was required of her.
The Elf King could only reluctantly acquiesce to the Supreme Elder's decision.