Even elves must change now.
To that statement, Village Elder Laurel somewhat agrees.
Some of our kin believe that elves, who remain unchanged for hundreds of years, are the greatest beings.
But, well.
The truth is, if you look closely, there are aspects of elves that have changed over time.
However.
Even so.
Laurel opposes the way this particular change is unfolding.
There are right changes and wrong changes.
Changes that should not be made and changes that must be made.
In that sense, Elder Laurel believes that this matter must be stopped at all costs.
Even if it is being led by a young kin who wields the Bow of the Mother Forest.
Even if it means facing the ancestors’ lament and wrath head-on.
Absolutely, under no circumstances, would he ever let this situation go unchallenged.
“Elves must change, but why must it be a change alongside humans? This is wrong.”
“We elves can become great again without any reflection on the past. Because elves are already great!”
The fact that many of the young ones left the village has ironically become an opportunity.
Now, those who remain are mostly those who are either passive or resistant to change.
All it takes is a small spark to ignite a blazing fire among them.
Tyreal. A kin who has not even reached adulthood.
Yet, one who wields the Bow of the Mother Forest.
But whether it was due to some lack or an overflow of something.
The sacred bow was shattered, and in turn, it became an opportunity for many.
Under normal circumstances, they would have had to follow without a word, but now they have a cause.
“Tyreal did not wield the Bow of the Mother Forest. He ruined it. The Mother Forest did not permit that young kin; she left in disappointment at his arrogance!”
“That youthful recklessness is making us elves seem like easy prey to humans. And humans, being foolish creatures, will surely take advantage.”
“That young friend is undoubtedly a remarkable kin. I won’t deny that. But this has gone too far. It’s way beyond acceptable limits!”
When stories about Tyreal reached the village from other places, Elder Laurel and the village adults could no longer remain silent.
If Tyreal had shattered the Bow of the Mother Forest but then became a unifying force for the elves, they might have stayed quiet.
But what is this?
He’s coaxing his peers and leading them out of the Great Forest.
Now, they are to be taught by humans.
Under the Empire, they plan to learn and work.
Not even taught by elves, nor guided from behind!
Does this make any sense?!
‘Tyreal. I won’t call you a traitor. Whether you like it or not, you did wield the sacred artifact. So, as one worthy of that, you must exist solely for the elves. Only for the elves.’
Even Tyreal, upon hearing about the situation in the Great Forest, wouldn’t be able to stay idle.
If he doesn’t intend to split elf society in half, he should listen to our side.
Moreover, most of the older kin are on the opposite side of Tyreal!
Guiding and teaching the young, leading them to a better place, is the duty of the elders.
That’s why we are respected and treated with honor as we age.
Having received such treatment, it is only right to guide the young kin on the correct path.
—So, Elder Laurel firmly believed in his duty.
“Ah, ahhh…”
Until Seril, another young elf who had left the village with Tyreal, returned.
At first, they thought she had come back with different thoughts.
Perhaps she was swayed by Tyreal’s words at first.
Or maybe her curiosity about the outside world overwhelmed her.
So she left the village, but eventually realized that the outside world wasn’t for elves and returned.
“If this is how it’s going to be, then why did we spend our entire lives learning magic and spirit arts? If even after wielding the Bow of the Mother Forest, our words are ignored! Then why did we have to do all that?!”
With Seril’s anger, and the presence shaking the earth beside her, Elder Laurel and the village adults realized something had gone terribly wrong.
So, even after a lifetime of effort, they couldn’t even hope to reach.
They thought they could only interact with those beneath them.
[……..]
That is a giant snake?
No, not quite. It’s too complex to describe as such.
Spirits, by nature, do not have a fixed form.
Their appearance changes according to the understanding of the one who contracts them.
Thus, the higher the spirit, the more incomprehensible its form.
In that sense, what Elder Laurel and the village elves are facing is beyond imagination.
‘Unbelievable. These are the ones who have been called elders and adults?!’
Seril couldn’t help but sigh as she looked at the frozen expressions of the adults before her.
Even though Tyreal drew the Bow of the Mother Forest.
Just because he broke it, they dismissed him.
They’ve been boasting about the sacred artifacts of the elves, but when it goes against their wishes, they subtly push it aside.
It’s not just a simple bow; it’s an entity that can directly intervene in this world, and now they’re scared?
As Tyreal said, we elves are deeply flawed.
Humans think we are wise because we live long, but it’s the opposite.
We live too long.
Our lifespans are too extended.
Our bodies remain intact, but our minds have hardened.
And we pass down these hardened minds through generations, trapping ourselves in a shell.
[Ah, well.]
‘…’
Meanwhile, the large being beside her spoke.
[I’m here with you as per your wish, but beyond this, I can’t do much.]
‘…’
[If they resist or argue, you’ll have to fight alone from then on.]
No matter how talented one is in spirit arts, summoning a central entity is a completely different matter.
For now, it’s forced into a form, but at best, it’s just a mirage.
The moment any real power is exerted, this illusion will scatter, and all energy will vanish.
‘It’s alright.’
But Seril was more enraged by another fact.
“How can this be? Tyreal, all of us, are striving to bring glory to the elves beyond the forest!”
“That’s not striving, Seril! Bowing to humans, how is that bringing glory to the elves?!”
“We’re not bowing to humans! We’re bowing to our past! Don’t you understand?!”
Persuasion through words won’t work anyway.
Then, we must act with the rights of the elves that they so cherish.
“Tyreal proved himself by wielding the Bow of the Mother Forest. And I am in contact with a being that you elders could never even dream of.”
“…”
“In contrast, what qualifications do you have? What noble elven virtue allows you to oppose our views? All your lives, you’ve forced magic and spirits upon us! Answer me!”
Tyreal might have been careful not to bruise the elders’ pride, but Seril was not.
She ruthlessly exposed the ‘level’ of the elders.
“You’re older! You’ve learned more magic and spirit arts! Did that let you wield the sacred artifact? Did that let you greet the king?! If not, then shut your mouths!”
“But the traditions of the elves—”
“Shut up! Those damn traditions! Before you ruin everything with your traditions!”
Seril’s roar made the elves shrink back.
The Spirit King beside her smiled faintly, amused.
“Tyreal tried to persuade even you, but if you throw filth at his resolve, I won’t stand by any longer.”
“Seril? What are you—”
“From now on, belittling Tyreal is the same as belittling me. And I challenge you to a Forest Duel, following the tradition you so adore.”
A Forest Duel.
It doesn’t take lives, but it shatters all pride.
By elven standards, it’s socially equivalent to eternal death—a kind of ultimate showdown.
The victor is right, and the loser is wrong.
Everything is decided in that one moment.
“What, what did you say?”
“A Forest Duel? Seril, that’s going too far!”
“What does it matter? The Mother Forest will decide who is right and wrong! I’m ready now, so anyone, step forward!”
Her words were relentless, and her determination to crush anyone who stepped forward was clear.
Is this really the same ‘elf’ we’ve known all along?
The Spirit King tilted his head, observing the one who had grown enough to contract with him, hoping she would reach even greater heights.
‘She’s not without talent, but not exceptional enough to rewrite history. Where does such confidence come from? I’m truly curious.’
Perhaps no one present would ever understand the source.
This isn’t confidence.
It’s courage.
The kind of heart that can do anything for someone else.
“Ah, come out already! The Mother Forest will judge who is right and wrong, won’t She?!”
But for now, someone should probably stop her.
She’s way too worked up.