Chapter 603 - Resurging Waves (1/2)

Swish.

The light arrow pierced the falling leaf and left a perfect circle in its middle. The Elves standing around the Archery Practice Ground observed in awe and clapped in admirable respect.

“Hu…”

Corina lowered her chin and gazed at her palm. Then, she stepped out of the practice grounds after greeting her compatriots with a wide smile. After she left, the surrounding Elves lined up and began their practice session.

What a peaceful life.

Corina shut her eyes and listened to the sound of arrows ripping through the atmosphere and the chirping of birds in the forest. The young Moon Elf returned to her mount, a Pegasus with spotlessly white wings, walking at a relaxed pace, and gently caressed it. The Pegasus stopped chewing on the grass around its hoofs and let out a comfortable snort, making Corina break into laughter. Then, she adjusted her glass armor and longbow before flipping herself up to the saddle.

“Madam Corina.”

A clear, crisp voice sounded and Corina turned around curiously. Shortly after, an Elf lady leaped out from between the shade of the trees and landed on her feet like a nimble cat. She saluted to Corina and said, “Sorry to disturb you, but I have something to report to you.”

“Is anything the matter?”

“We received news that the spread of Chaos troubling Emerald Valley has been eliminated.”

“Oh?”

Corina twitched her nicely shaped eyebrow curiously. She was also aware of the happenings in Emerald Valley. Although the Elf Dominion hadn’t had wars for years on end, the Elves didn’t exactly lead boring and tranquil lives. The Judgment & Ruling Twin Dragons lived in the Elf Dominion and the Elves naturally had to do their part in maintaining the stability of Order. It was especially so for the border regions of the Elf Dominion because their borders were connected to the Country of Light and the Country of Darkness. This was why the Country of Law had to face troubles arising from both sides simultaneously and the Elves were responsible for handling them. Although the Elves handled the tasks easily in the forest, they weren’t more capable of managing the Chaos and distorted evil than humans.

Recently, the power of Chaos had increased and Corina rode on her Pegasus to patrol the borders everyday in order to assist the regions in eradicating the Chaos. Emerald Valley was desolate and the Chaos wouldn’t cause too much harm, which was why Corina had arranged her patrols at the end of her daily schedule. Now that the problem had been resolved, it piqued her curiosity.

“Eliminated? Which team of Elf Guards did it?”

“No, it wasn’t, Madam.”

The Elf Lady shook her head.

“It was eliminated by outsiders. They are looking to enter our territory and have applied for entry. After the outsiders knew about the troubles in Emerald Valley, they headed there to resolve the problem. We also dispatched a team to investigate the area and it was verified to be true.”

“I see.”

Corina nodded slightly and she was rather interested in meeting the outsiders. But shortly after, she shook her head. After traveling in the human world, she had understood the personalities and habits of humans. Humans were unlike Elves. Regardless of whether they were kind hearted or evil, they had endless desires in the eyes of the Elves, and there were motives for everything they did. They treated one well in exchange for something that they wished for and the Elves couldn’t accept what the Humans viewed as inevitable and right. It was the same for Corina. It wasn’t due to the difference between their moralities or the Elves had some psychological bias. Instead, it was solely due to the differences between their cultures and lifestyles. If the Humans didn’t need money and relied only on the sun, forest, and fruits for survivability like the Elves, they would become saints.

But no matter what, since these outsiders were willing to risk their lives to eliminate the Chaos, they were their friends.

“Alright, I understand. Since they were willing to assist us in eradicating the Chaos, they’re undoubtedly our friends. Send some men to receive them in. By the way, do you know their purpose for visiting the Elf Forest?”

“I’m not too sure…”

The Elf lady shook her head helplessly. But she revealed a curious expression shortly after.

“But I heard that those people are rather interesting. Besides, there is still a little mermaid swimming in a floating water ball among them, it seems. Also, Madam, according to the residents of Blackberry Town, the group leader appeared to be a really, really beautiful man and he appeared rather similar to us, Elves. Although many humans have visited the Elf Forest, we have never met such interesting and peculiar people.”

“Hmm?”

Corina’s heart skipped a beat. She rested her arm that was pressing on the saddle and turned to her subordinate with a grave expression.

“A beautiful-looking man? Where did they come from? Do you know his name?”

“Hmm…”

The Elf lady tilted her head. Madam Corina doesn’t seem to be the kind who loves to gossip. Then, she puckered her brows and nodded.

“They came from the Munn Kingdom, and that man is… Rhode Alander.”

Corina’s finger twitched.

Rhode—Soraka Mountain.

The frightening, enormous shadow emerged in her mind instantly and she felt dizzy.

Corina was 300 years old and she wasn’t considered too old for an Elf. As one of the most talented figures among the Elves, she had entered the Legendary Stage for quite some time. Even though she was the Elf Dominion Queen, she had had a lot of battle experience with other Elves who were also in the Legendary Stage. Although she had lost to them in battles sometimes, her persistence never wavered because she took battles as opportunities to improve herself and she believed that she could catch up with them after clearly identifying their differences in strength.

But the battle in Soraka Mountain was the first time Corina’s unswerving determination had been swayed.