Malfurion glanced at Lanshir, said nothing, then turned to Lucian, Natasha, and Atlant. "I am deeply sorry about this matter. Felagond placed his own preferences above the life and death of the entire elven race. I do not share his view—humans are undoubtedly a part of nature."
He did not angrily denounce the Nature's Hatred faction, nor did he brush the matter aside. Instead, he expressed his views and his apology with careful restraint, making it clear to Lucian and the others that Felagond did not represent all elves. On the contrary, he was a minority—otherwise the request for aid from the Continental Magic Parliament would never have happened.
"With one fewer hateful elf causing trouble at our side, I imagine our investigation will go more smoothly." Lucian accepted Malfurion's apology and replied with a gracious smile.
The "Vengeance Hunter" Lanshir had a pair of deep, silver-white eyes, calm and unperturbed, and he spoke in a voice like a song: "Thank you for not taking offense at Felagond's rudeness. I will take you to see Her Majesty the Empress."
He showed not the slightest acknowledgment of having deliberately provoked the conflict between the "Nature's Hatred" faction and the "Nature's Balance" faction represented by Malfurion.
Under his guidance, Lucian and the other two crossed a lake blue as a sapphire gem and flew toward the Elven Tree, whose branching trunks alone could form an entire forest. At mid-height, the densely woven trunks twisted into tree houses as delicate as works of art.
Small yellow-white flowers dotted the rooftops, releasing a fragrance that refreshed the soul.
"There really is a feeling of spiritual clarity here—I feel my creative inspiration flowing forth endlessly." Natasha praised the natural scenery with genuine admiration. "When night falls and the silver moon shines down upon the Elven Lake, casting ripples of shimmering light across the water, that will be the truest vision for your 'Moonlight.'"
Lucian nodded with a smile. "In an environment like this, the whole heart quiets down. If you like it here, we could settle down in this place."
Natasha gave a dry laugh. "If I stayed two or three weeks, my musician's soul would gradually fade away, and the knight—and the vulgar—would surface. This place is wonderful, but living here long-term wouldn't suit my personality."
Too much of a good thing… Lucian had only been joking. Compared to "a life in nature," Alint—brimming with arcane discussions and debates—was far more his style.
Malfurion spoke from beside them. "Although we have done our utmost to keep the upheaval in Stroup Forest quiet, the Kortau merfolk in the sea seem to have noticed something. They have been provoking incidents one after another, which is why Indis has gone to the Endless Ocean to help Gard with the defense, while Serinde and Loder are stationed on the other side of the forest, watching over the rift to the Abyss."
"So at present, only Her Majesty the Empress and the three of us remain here."
Gard was a legendary druid of the sea elves, known as "Blessing of the Azure." Thanks to his long lifespan, he had accumulated enough power to reach the second tier of the Legendary realm. Indis was a legendary moon elf known as "Wind of the Falling Moon." Like Lanshir, she had advanced through her own natural talent. Still young—having advanced less than a hundred years ago—she remained at the first tier of the Legendary realm.
Serinde and Loder were the two other members of the Druid Elder Council. The former was a treant, known as "Guardian of the Green," at the second tier of the Legendary realm; the latter was human, known as "Hand of Balance," at the first tier.
"Grand Elder, it's no matter. Once we've examined the Elven Tree and the corrupted, demon-tainted elves, we will head to the Abyss rift as quickly as possible to consult with Serinde and Loder about the situation." The moment Lucian set foot on the trunk in front of the tree house, he felt a deep, heavy pulse of life rising up from beneath his feet.
Natasha shifted her right foot, carefully sensing the condition of the Elven Tree. Atlant also opened his eyes, the light within his pupils flickering between dim and bright in constant flux as he studied the surroundings with a contemplative gaze.
Led by the "Vengeance Hunter" Lanshir, Lucian, Natasha, and Atlant passed through a succession of tree houses and descended along a naturally formed crevice deep into the interior of the Elven Tree.
The surrounding colors gradually shifted from brownish-green to dark green, and at the deepest point, within the pale green there appeared flecks of milky, sacred luminescence—as though containing the purest and most fundamental force of life.
These green-tinged motes of light orbited around an emerald object that resembled a heart, together creating an atmosphere of vibrant vitality. The "heart" was half-ethereal, its glow shifting ceaselessly, as though it could not be touched or approached. From it extended channels like blood vessels, connecting to the surrounding trunks, through which translucent pale-green liquid and light flowed ceaselessly back and forth. Looking closely, one could see faint traces of black mixed within.
"The Heart of Nature…" Lucian and Natasha spoke simultaneously through their mental link.
This was the most fundamental artifact of the elven race—the core of the Elven Tree. As long as the Heart of Nature existed, the elves could replant the Elven Tree wherever they relocated and reestablish their wards. Originally there had been five Hearts of Nature, but as the ages passed, two had become primary materials for peak-tier legendary artifacts, two had gone missing, and only the one within Stroup Forest remained, preserving the elves' last vestige of glory.
Moreover, this was the most powerful Heart of Nature. After partially merging with it, the Elven Empress Aglaya had broken through her limitations and ascended to the peak of the Legendary realm. This was also why the elven race had always maintained a peak-tier Legendary powerhouse—of course, only a third-tier Legendary expert could achieve this partial merger and ascend to the pinnacle.
Inside the Heart of Nature stood a hazy, golden-haired figure. She was laboriously working to expel the black specks, but for some reason, even with her peak-tier Legendary power, her progress was excruciatingly slow.
"Thank you both for coming to our aid on behalf of the Parliament." The golden-haired figure's appearance gradually became clear—pure and beautiful yet suffused with mature authority, her features impossible to describe or capture. She looked like Erestine's elder sister rather than her mother.
"What a woman…" It was not Lucian who murmured this "gentlemanly" appreciation, but Natasha. However, she quickly caught herself and chuckled to Lucian through the mental link: "Don't worry, I'm merely admiring."
Malfurion introduced Lucian and the others to Aglaya. She gave a slight nod. "Please investigate as swiftly as possible. Regardless of the outcome, the elven race will express its gratitude."
She did not elaborate further, seemingly wanting to wait until the matter was resolved before deciding what form the gratitude would take.
Lucian had come primarily to maintain the alliance, and his personal goal was to arrange an exchange—he would not be taking the elves' things for nothing. So he did not seize the opportunity to make demands. Instead, he addressed Aglaya, who wore a gown of tender green leaves: "Your Majesty, then we shall begin our examination."
"Good. I can maintain the Spirit Tree and prevent further contamination while slowly purging it, but I worry that as the rift widens, the Will of the Abyss may descend directly. That would be troublesome." Aglaya expressed her thoughts. What she feared most was the state of the Abyss rift.