Chapter 186: The Return (Part 1)

  Looking down from the high altitude, the sprawling hundred-li Tulalion Forest was like a green ocean. From this height, the giant ancient elven tree at its center stood as majestic as a great mountain isolated in the sea, its presence imposing.

  Two gargoyles circled directly above the ancient elven tree, each carrying a sorcerer on its back, their faces covered by a silver skull mask.

  These two sorcerers were dressed plainly, and aside from the silver masks on their faces, there seemed to be nothing remarkable about them. But those two masks were more than enough. They were the legendary devils in the minds of most, a symbol of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring status and power on the continent, and above all, a proof of strength.

  But now, the eyes of these two sorcerers, supposedly the most mysterious and terrifying figures of legend, were filled with astonishment, as if they were the ones seeing a legend for the first time.

  Indeed, in their eyes, the aura of the ancient elven tree was perhaps far more immense than what ordinary people could perceive. The vigorous life force and magical energy even made them feel their own nerves tightening in waves. Their own magical power, which was originally enough to look down upon the continent, seemed comparable to that of a mere mouse in contrast to this great tree.

  One of the sorcerers began to chant an incantation in a low voice, pressing his hands down towards the distance below. Two tremendous explosions immediately erupted from below. Huge flames spread and rose with the blast wave, forming two small mushroom clouds of fire. Although "Infernal Blast" is not the most powerful attack magic, it is not far from it. In small-scale battles, a sorcerer who could cast such a spell was often a key figure capable of turning the tide of battle. Yet this sorcerer had cast it twice simultaneously with both hands, and without showing the slightest sign of strain. If this scene were witnessed by all the sorcerers in the world, many would probably never dare to study this spell again.

  However, the sorcerer who cast these two spells did not look pleased or smug. Instead, he sighed heavily and shook his head. This was because the two "Infernal Blasts" did not actually hit the ancient elven tree or the Tulalion Forest below. A faint layer of light flickered above the ancient elven tree, and the two high-level spells detonated in mid-air. The sorcerer said in a tone that was half admiration, half regret: "It seems this is the War Ancient Tree from the Ancient Elven Empire era that Lord Archibald mentioned in his book. I never thought one would still remain here in Tulalion. Those elves are quite patient; they only used the Leaves of the World Tree to activate it at this moment. I also never imagined that the Leaves of the World Tree, after being used as the core of the ancient elven tree, would have such an effect, able to withstand our full-power attack."

  The other sorcerer also frowned, looking at the forest below, and asked with some frustration: "I still have a 'Blazing Might Shot' and an 'Ice Storm' scroll here. Should we combine them and add both of our strengths to try?" He was not just a little frustrated; his face also showed unconcealable fatigue. In fact, he had already cast several large spells earlier, but except for creating a burst of colorful light in the sky above the forest, they had no effect whatsoever.

  "It's useless. If we can't break through that barrier in one go, the inexhaustible life force of the Leaves of the World Tree will immediately restore it to its original state. Our magical power is no longer sufficient..." The sorcerer tilted his head and thought for a moment, then continued: "A Forbidden Spell should work. Or if two more people came, the four of us attacking the same point with top-tier magic should also be effective. After all, this isn't an absolute magic-nullifying barrier like the one in the Whispering Woods..."

  "Should we try? I don't think we need to waste a Forbidden Spell scroll; that thing is just too difficult to make. I'll go get someone right away. Just for the Leaves of the World Tree down there, I believe even Teacher Valthor would be very interested..."

  A voice came from the War Ancient Tree below. It was not loud, but it enveloped the sky above this forest. "Guardians of the dark will, or rather, I should address you by your names in human society, respected Necromancers, please go back. We do not want to be your enemies. But we absolutely cannot let you take what you desire."

  One of the Necromancers looked down and snorted with a cold laugh: "A joke. Do they really think hiding in this tortoise shell will make us retreat? I don't believe they dare to poke their heads out."

  Just at that moment, a green light suddenly shot out from the War Ancient Tree, aimed directly at one of the Necromancers' gargoyles.

  The gargoyle's reaction and mobility were impeccable. With a thought from the Necromancer on its back, it shifted its position slightly in an instant. But this slight shift was clearly not enough for the gargoyle's massive body. With a light crack, its obsidian-constructed body shattered and scattered like glass. Half of the gargoyle's shoulder and arm turned into a sky full of fragments as the green light swept past.

  The gargoyle felt no pain and did not scream, but the face of the Necromancer on its back had completely changed. He knew clearly what the consequences would be if that green light had swept over him. But at the same time, he also saw that the target of the green light did not seem to be him, but rather the gargoyle's head.

  "Respected Necromancer, I have said that we do not wish to be enemies with you all." The voice sounded again, with no change in tone or volume, but to the ears of the two Necromancers, it now had a completely different flavor, its persuasiveness many times stronger. "But I also guarantee that we have sufficient ability to make you abandon this endeavor. Mr. Sedros of Oufu and General Gru can both receive the messages we send instantly. They also have teleportation scrolls for Tulalion and can arrive here at any time. I don't think you wish to see them..."

  "These long-eared rats, I'll turn you all into chunks of meat on the experimental table sooner or later." The Necromancer who had nearly been shot by the green light now looked down with eyes full of towering anger and killing intent. This obvious threat had severely wounded his pride as a Necromancer. A person who believed he was already at the pinnacle of the world would never like the feeling of being pulled down, especially when he was completely powerless against such a threat.

  Several winged pegasi carried elves, circling around the crown of the ancient elven tree. Although they never dared to fly out of the invisible magical barrier, the elven archers on top never put down the bows in their hands.

  The other Necromancer did not show much excitement or anger. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and then he said softly: "Let's go."

  The two gargoyles made a turn in mid-air and reluctantly turned to fly east.

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  On the ancient elven tree below, in the very center of its huge, dense branches was a platform woven from branches. Three elves, one old and two young, looked up at the receding figures of the gargoyles in the sky. The wrinkled elven elder finally let out a long sigh of relief.

  "Elder Lloyd, why didn't you want me to aim for that Necromancer? For these evil, dark things, killing one is one less. Why bother to warn them and let them leave?" The female elf, holding a giant black longbow, asked with a frown. There was a hint of fatigue on her face; the arrow she had just shot had consumed no small amount of energy.

  Elder Lloyd shook his head and sighed: "Even if I had aimed, at such a long distance, it's not certain it could have killed him with a single shot. Even if one was killed, with your current strength, you absolutely couldn't have shot a second arrow to kill the other one. These fellows are all arrogant. Whether one of them was injured or they felt threatened, as long as they were truly provoked, I'm certain that it wouldn't be just two people appearing above tomorrow, and the magic they use would definitely not be just these conventional spells." He glanced at the side, his face full of worry, "And Elder Luya's ability has probably reached its limit. In fact, if those two above had bombarded it one more time, she might not have been able to endure it."

  The elven maiden Elder Lloyd was looking at was sitting cross-legged in the center of the platform, her eyes tightly closed, her face completely bloodless. In the very center of the platform was a magic circle, and a verdant green leaf slowly radiated its own green light throughout the circle. The maiden's hand was pressing down from a distance above this leaf. It was she who controlled the power of the Leaves of the World Tree, using the War Ancient Tree to unleash it, supporting the barrier that resisted the magical bombardment from above.

  She slowly opened her eyes. A flush of red appeared on her face, which was originally as pale as her silver hair. Although it was a morbidly beautiful crimson, on her face, it seemed to give her a more vital beauty. Although the life force of the Leaves of the World Tree is inexhaustible, she is not. After all, she was single-handedly controlling the War Ancient Tree's barrier to resist the magical bombardment of two great sorcerers. She had long since reached her limit.

  Several elven elders also walked up from beneath the ancient tree. Everyone's face was filled with deep worry. Every magical explosion in the sky just now had made every elf below tremble with fear. Once the War Ancient Tree's defense failed, they would face a catastrophe below. An elven elder wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said: "Elder Lloyd, it seems your suggestion to activate the War Ancient Tree in time was indeed correct."

  But Elder Lloyd shook his head, his expression even more grave than that of all the other elders. He said: "This is just a temporary measure. Those fellows will not give up. Even if Sedros and General Gru can rush here, it will only make them wary. The next time they make a move, it will surely be an offensive we cannot resist."

  "Then what can be done to deal with them? Tulalion doesn't have many pegasi, and only a dozen or so can be used to carry archers. With these, we absolutely cannot hold off those gargoyles and Necromancers."

  "Then let the pegasi carry all the sorcerers."

  "But our elven nature magic is not adept at frontal assaults. As for elemental magic, no one has a very high level of proficiency. How can we contend with the magic of those Necromancers..."

  "There's no way. Those Necromancers will absolutely not fly within our bow range before they level this place with magic. Yet our tens of thousands of elven archers in Tulalion have no use for their skills..."

  "Each War Ancient Tree stores three mutated War Mantis eggs... If Elder Luya uses the power of the Leaves of the World Tree to hatch them, perhaps it can give us enough combat power to deal with the Necromancers."

  "No, when Queen Isabelle left the Whispering Woods to collect these things and establish the Tulalion Forest, it was precisely to prevent the heritage of the ancient elves from being used for killing and to provoke war. Using the War Ancient Tree this time was already a last resort..."

  "Whether it's the divine prophecy of Mafa or the Queen's intention, we must never again pursue power for the sake of conflict and desire, only to lose control of that power in the end."

  "But the conflict was not provoked by us. The source of this desire lies in the hearts of those humans. Should we just allow ourselves to be slaughtered?"

  The argument seemed to yield no result. In the end, all the elven elders turned their gazes to Elder Lloyd.

  Elder Lloyd frowned at the Leaves of the World Tree on the platform, the wrinkles on his face bunching together. This thing was truly a trouble, and the most troublesome part of this trouble was that it could not be completely resolved. After all, this is a sacred relic of the elven race. No matter how great the sacrifice, it cannot be handed over to others or destroyed.

  But to protect something, power is necessary. And the elves, who follow Mafa's teachings and do not seek power, are certainly no match for the Necromancer Guild. Although they can receive help from Sedros and Gru at any time, this is not a long-term solution. Fortunately, their secret ally, Oufu, has tied up the steps of the Church and the Necromancer Guild, attracting most of their attention and power. Otherwise, the situation would only be more dire.

  "It seems we have no choice but to move... and we still need to find allies..." Elder Lloyd sighed with a bitter smile.

  Oufu, midnight.

  Ethan jumped out of bed, stretched his arms, and twisted his neck. The pulling of his muscles caused a series of even cracking sounds from the bones and joints all over his body, from his cervical vertebrae to his finger joints, and then he walked straight to the door.

  "What are you doing?" Jessica asked. She was naked, leaning against the edge of the bed. Her smooth, jet-black skin and slender yet powerfully harmonious limbs made her look more like a black panther in the dark night than a beauty who had just awakened from a deep slumber after a frenzy.

  "Get dressed. It seems something has happened." Before Ethan could finish his sentence, Jessica also heard the sound of footsteps approaching from afar.

  Ethan pulled open the door just as the figure of the Half-Orc appeared at the entrance. The Half-Orc was not the least bit panicked, seemingly accustomed to this way of opening the door. He just panted and said to Ethan: "Mr. Sedros wants you to go to the City Hall as soon as possible."

  "What happened? Did the allied forces attack?" Ethan asked. He heard more than just this Half-Orc's footsteps; there was also the commotion from the street outside. The shouts of the orc soldiers, the sound of running, the clashing of weapons.

  The Half-Orc was still panting. Even with his physique, far superior to that of a human, he was clearly strained, showing he had run at extreme speed. His green, ugly face was covered in oily sweat, like a bitter melon that had been soaked through, but his excitement and joy were evident. "No, the allied forces have retreated. Mr. Sedros is assembling all troops to prepare for an attack."

  The square in front of the City Hall was already a sea of beasts and people, with nearly all the orcs of Oufu assembled. Tall werewolves and ogres carried giant warhammers and axes, while smaller lizardmen held their respective weapons. They stood together in an orderly and dense formation, led by the chieftains and warriors of their various tribes. Half-Orc beastmasters drove a dozen or so wyverns and over a hundred Scale Ox, standing on the periphery.

  Although this scene, like a grand military parade, was not too noisy due to the good order, the thousands of heavy breaths and pants combined to form a strange wave of sound. The thick aura permeating in the air emanated from countless excited orcs, representing the wildness and impulse surging in their blood. The entire scene suggested that beneath this uneasy calm, a storm was being suppressed.

  Only the main entrance of the City Hall was lit with torches. The eyes and attention of all the orcs were fixed there. The figure of the old man, illuminated by the firelight, looked like an idol worshipped by the orcs.

  Sedros's voice was calm and loud, transmitted to the ears of every orc through a temporarily drawn magic circle at his feet: "First, I want to tell the people of Oufu a good piece of news. The allied forces of the Church have finally retreated."

  As soon as Sedros's words fell, countless shouts and howls erupted from the throats of thousands of orcs, combining into a thunderous roar.

  Although this sound was comparable to the roar of a Behemoth, Sedros merely pressed his hand down a few times in the air, and the orcs quickly quieted down. He continued: "This is our victory, the victory of everyone here who fights for freedom and survival. But this victory is not complete; everything is far from over. The army of the Church has retreated this time, but how long will it take for them to return with more soldiers?"

  "We have no intention of hatred or battle, but for any enemy who wants to invade our homeland, we will never be afraid or timid, nor will we be stingy with our weapons and our hot blood. We will not let these enemies who attempt to set foot in Oufu leave unharmed..." Sedros's voice paused, and then he said in a louder, more resonant voice, enough to shake the soul of every orc: "For our homeland, for our freedom, for our survival, we will fight."

  A sky-shaking, earth-shattering roar rose from the ground. The surrounding buildings, constructed of giant stones, seemed to tremble. Even the massive wyverns and Scale Ox struggled in terror amidst this terrifying aura. Every orc used their greatest strength to erupt the fire and wildness in their chests. They raised the weapons in their hands high—a forest of steel about to reap countless lives.

  "The allied forces are retreating, their morale is low, and their formation is scattered. This is an excellent opportunity for us to reduce their effective strength, completely crush their morale, and boost our own army's morale." Amidst the deafening roar, Lord Bolgan had to shout with effort to make his voice heard, explaining to Ethan, who was standing with him in the shadows not far behind Sedros: "This pursuit is estimated to reduce their numbers by at least ten thousand. The pressure will be much lighter later on."

  Ethan nodded absentmindedly. The wave of sound made his ears ache, and he felt an inexplicable sense of irritation, because he felt he had heard this sound somewhere before. Though it was somewhat different, the general meaning was the same.