“We’ve gathered intelligence that the main force of the Demon Race’s invasion is led by a subordinate known as the Bloodslaughter King. He claims to command hundreds of thousands of troops to attack the Forest, but in reality, it’s at most a tenth of that number.”
Celes shared her findings with the Elders of the Elves.
“Thank you. Our assessments align closely with yours.”
Thanks to their friendly attitude and sincerity, this time the girls were allowed to stand a little closer and listen in on the Elders’ discussion about the war.
Today, the troops entering the Forest were the Demon Race’s vanguard, not many in number—roughly a few thousand by estimation.
After charging into the dense Forest, they quickly dispersed into small groups.
But to charge so fiercely right from the start was enough to signal the intensity of the impending war.
“A Demon Army numbering in the tens of thousands is a very dangerous sign. Our entire Elven tribe only has tens of thousands of warriors. Although I trust that our people can take on multiple enemies at once, we must respond with caution.”
Trinia said firmly.
“Full mobilization. There’s no time to delay!”
But this time, Isadora, usually the more diplomatic one, stood her ground: “We cannot send the younger generation to the battlefield. They are the future of the Elves.”
In the end, both suggestions were accepted.
The entire Elven tribe entered a state of war readiness and launched the Battle for the Defense of the Forest, but children under three hundred years old were forbidden from participating.
Tereka and the others clenched their fists tightly, their faces flushed with frustration, but in the end, they dared not say a word.
Vina tugged on Ella’s sleeve: “That’s strange. Since they were willing to let people join the Envoy Group before, apparently to train the young ones, why forbid this now? It feels like they’re overprotecting them.”
“Probably political reasons,” Ella replied calmly.
“Any unusual decision could be due to political motives.”
Of course, she didn’t really know—just said it casually.
After all, who really cared?
But unexpectedly, after the Elder meeting ended, Isadora specifically sought Ella out.
“Miss Ayla, if you have time, could you come over for a moment?”
“Just me?”
“Yes.”
The private conversation spot was on the other side of the treehouse, not far, but quiet enough to avoid interruptions.
If it had been any farther, some of the girls might not have wanted to come.
A few minutes later, Ella followed Isadora behind the treehouse and found that it was indeed a private chat—there was no one else besides the two of them.
“I want you to protect someone,” the elf who had lived for over a thousand years said.
Ella instinctively asked, “Who?”
Too direct. She hadn’t expected the secretive summons to be about such a vague matter.
“I can’t tell you who exactly,” Isadora shook her head gently.
“Only that it’s someone from the Envoy Group.”
Ella subtly twitched the corner of her mouth.
“Why?”
“Because it’s necessary.”
Isadora’s face was void of smiles, no longer gentle but somewhat resolute.
“You’ll understand later.”
Fine, fine—now she’s acting like a riddle master.
She wasn’t like this when she first came.
Since Isadora refused to say more, Ella didn’t press.
She spoke plainly, “What’s the benefit?”
At those words, Isadora’s expression softened a bit.
“If you’re free tomorrow, bring your companions here. I’ll take you to choose Dragon Hawks.”
After ending the conversation, Isadora walked off to discuss war preparations with the other Elders.
Ella stayed behind, pondering mysteriously, feeling a bit strange.
Protect someone young from the Elven tribe?
Who could it be?
A secret child?
Royal bloodline?
Or someone carrying some racial secret?
All possible, and all irrelevant to her, but since there was a benefit, she might as well go along for now.
Isadora left, and Ella didn’t want to stay alone in the cold wind either.
She was about to return to the other side of the treehouse to meet her companions when she heard a voice:
“I’m telling you, don’t let Little Ayla hear this.”
She quickly hid behind the corner and peeked out.
Vina was talking to three others, saying, “I think Little Ayla might be the real Demon King.”
Ella’s heart stopped.
How, how did they find out?!
Celes frowned slightly.
“What do you mean by ‘real Demon King’?”
“The one who actually wields the Demon King’s power.”
Vina gestured with her small hands as if casting some dark magic.
“Like in some folk tales and rumors in the Kingdom, there’s talk of a ‘Secret Emperor’—a king hundreds of years ago during the Kingdom of Jinduo who was a puppet, while the Queen and her relatives were the real rulers.”
“What does that have to do with Ella?”
“Of course it’s related. We all know that when Little Ayla was at the Demon King Castle, she supposedly strategized for the Demon King, but in truth, she knew every important order clearly—perhaps they all came from her.”
Vina lowered her voice mysteriously.
“Is it possible that the Demon King is actually her puppet?”
Ella gasped for air, her little heart pounding again.
So scary, I thought someone discovered my transformation into a beautiful girl.
“But Ella said she was forced by the Demon King.”
“She says that, but what if she enjoys it secretly?”
“Impossible. Ella is a kind and good girl.”
Celes said firmly.
“And she said so herself. I believe her.”
Leah crossed her arms.
“Yeah, all this ‘Secret Emperor’ and ‘Demon King puppet’ talk is way too far-fetched. Who would believe that?”
Zero didn’t speak, but her indifferent gaze spoke volumes about her stance.
That’s trust among companions!
Ella felt warm inside, comforted, and thought it was time to come out, so she deliberately made a sound.
Footsteps, tap tap tap.
“Oh, Little Ayla is back.”
Vina swiftly sat back down, waving at Ella as she stepped out from behind the corner.
“Welcome back, Little Ayla. Did Elder Isadora say anything important?”
“Nothing urgent, just asked if I could help watch over some kids when I have time.”
Ella clasped her hands and smiled sweetly.
“Also, we’re going to pick Dragon Hawks tomorrow.”
She came back right away with the good news for her companions—what a good girl.
The news about the Dragon Hawks was indeed exciting.
Only Celes seemed to notice the part about watching the kids and asked a bit about how to care for them.
“Not much to care for,” Ella said.
“Just keep them alive.”
After some discussion, they figured Isadora was worried that some of the tribe’s promising youth might sneak onto the battlefield and die under the Demon Race’s blades, so she wanted their help to keep watch.
Such a small matter—what was there to say?
Just watch them.
Suddenly, sharp cries sounded from the distance in the Forest.
The girls looked toward the noise and saw the huge treetops sway gently as birds fled in panic into the shadows.
The war was about to begin.
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