Chapter 121: The First Day

The residence prepared by the Elves was a carefully decorated treehouse.

From the outside, it looked like a very, very large tree, hollowed out in the middle for people to live in.

Ayla double-checked.

It wasn’t some sort of living structure—it just looked that way.

She made sure the treehouse couldn’t move on its own and had no independent consciousness, then finally felt at ease moving in.

To be honest, the air here was really nice, very fresh.

Ayla tried the fluffy pillow, lay down, closed her eyes.

Good night.

Zzzz

In the next room, after untying her ponytail, a black-haired girl lay face down on the bed.

She reached out to the wall, pressing a few times to test it.

Since it was a treehouse, the walls were made of wood and looked rather thin, but after trying, she found the soundproofing was actually very strong.

She couldn’t see or hear the next room.

After a few minutes, Zero gave up and sat up, preparing to get some real sleep.

In theory, this was her first time resting alone since last night.

When she closed her eyes, scenes of memories floated through her mind.

Last night, inside an unknown little room in the Cathedral of Light in the Royal City, she saw the girl’s contented expression.

But her heart wasn’t happy at all—because that wasn’t hers.

Miss Leah, weren’t you always distant with Ayla?

So why did you secretly get involved together?

It’s so unfair, hiding it from all of us.

Of course, Ayla was even worse.

She clearly got close to another girl in private, yet still spoke sweet words to her, saying things like “I like your flowers.”

Sneak attacking in Necromantic Form isn’t right, but Ayla was the bad one first.

Bad girls deserve more punishment.

The other two rooms didn’t have so many tangled thoughts.

Especially the Little Witch—she lay down and immediately went to sleep.

She wasn’t worried.

Since they were here, the Elves, as an old and high-ranking race, were bound to have many interesting things.

Celes, on the other hand, thought a bit more.

But all about serious matters.

For example, she wondered if the Elven Envoy Group’s bad attitude was some kind of smokescreen.

After all, they were all geniuses of the Elven younger generation—it was impossible for them to be so childish, right?

Hmm, probably not…right?

Zzzz

The Hero Squad’s first night in the Elven Kingdom was peaceful.

The next morning arrived.

Because the tall treetops blocked the sky, the sunlight shining through the leaves was bright, but the position of the sun couldn’t be seen, making it impossible to tell the exact time.

“My biological clock tells me it’s ten in the morning.”

Vina yawned as she spoke, then changed her mind.

“Or maybe nine.”

If it was ten, she’d be fully rested and not yawning.

At this moment, they were in the big treehouse having breakfast—some fresh salad and slices of low-temperature grilled meat.

Regardless of cooking skills or seasoning, the meat itself was excellent—tender and juicy.

Vina was surprised.

“So Elves eat meat too.

I thought they only ate plants, like those herbivores in the forest.”

“Don’t let them hear you say that.”

Celes reminded her kindly.

“It might be a taboo.”

Respecting the cultural differences of other races was important, especially on someone else’s territory.

After breakfast, Silitya arrived to take them to see the Elders.

Having been caught in a conversation trap last time in the Royal Capital, the Elven loli had learned her lesson and led the way in silence.

Vina tried to bond with a “You’re a loli, I’m a loli too,” but the other party ignored her, lips sealed, and marched on ahead.

“Why are you so wary of us?

That square-jawed guy fooled you, but we’re not the same, really.”

It was useless—no matter what she said, the other girl wouldn’t trust her anymore!

Leaving the resting treehouse, they followed a soft vine-covered path for about twenty minutes until Isadora’s figure came into view in the distance.

Silitya stopped and spoke her first words of the day.

“Wait here. The Elders are talking.”

“Elders?”

Celes noticed the term.

“The one talking to Elder Isadora is also one of your Elders?”

But the Elven loli’s mouth remained shut.

She had only given herself two “speaking lines to outsiders” today, and she’d already used half!

About two hundred meters away, the girls watched as a conversation took place.

“You intend to let them see the seal?”

The female Elf opposite frowned.

“I don’t think it’s necessary.”

She was also an Elder, around the same age, but compared to Isadora, she looked more striking.

Deep lines on her face gave her a stern appearance.

Elves did not have ageless faces—only lifespans not long enough.

“It’s just for a look, Trinia.”

Isadora spoke the name.

“More importantly, we should be concerned about our young people’s strong feelings toward the Human Delegation.”

“That’s exactly my point.

They’re invigorated and more united.

Elven problems must be solved by Elves.”

Trinia said.

Long years had dulled their spirits, making all things in life seem insignificant, emotions growing ever fainter.

To most in the Human Kingdom, after a hundred years of severed relations, the mysterious Elves must have grown stronger in that time.

But in truth, nothing had changed.

This was the flaw of the Elven Race.

As they aged and their remaining years dwindled, they saw this ever more clearly.

So, in the Council of Elders, each one tried to change the situation in their own way—to save the race from crisis.

“I think that’s not certain. Human lives are short but brilliant, especially these young geniuses who came this time.”

Isadora said.

“They’ll bring unexpected vitality.”

Trinia didn’t refute her, only replied,

“I have my views.

The Elven Race can only rely on itself.”

Young Human geniuses could spark the competitive spirit of the children and force them to unite.

Now, facing a great crisis, they had to awaken the Elves from numbness by any means.

The little time remaining pulled her from apathy, and long years had taught her that it’s easier to hate than to love, and hatred is stronger than love.

Trinia glanced northward, feigning carelessness.

To awaken her entire race, she was willing to use any means.

***

Ayla withdrew her gaze from the north.

“Little Ai, what are you looking at?”

Vina suddenly jumped up beside her.

“Is there something over there?”

“Nothing, I was just admiring the view…the scenery’s really nice.”

Ayla certainly wouldn’t tell her that beyond the northern forest lay the border of the Demon Territory—and her hometown.

Feeling homesick, what’s wrong with looking a few more times?

At this moment, the Elven loli spoke.

“The Elders have returned.”