The elves mostly reside in the sparsely populated western wild forests, where monsters are few but far more ferocious and mysterious. The flora and fauna within the Elven Forest are more dangerous, too. For instance,
The largest spider in the southern lands is only about the size of an adult human, but in the Elven Forest, such a spider would be nothing more than a cookie for the native spiders there.
Yet even so, brazen slaver groups remain eager to risk their lives for gold, venturing into the west to hunt and abduct elves, then selling them at exorbitant prices this is nothing new.
That’s why, elves who lack strength can’t leave the Elven Forest.
Let alone become a bard, traveling the world and recording epics in song.
But…
Vyea stared intently at the Light-Returning Stone Headband tied around her wrist, where a line of ancient Elven script was engraved.
She didn’t recognize Elven script, but Flavail had explained its meaning to her before.
“This means: ‘The young return to the herd, the evil dragon retreats.'”
Aiselyn Irwida Moon explained with a smile while polishing her Elf Fine Sword,
“Long, long ago, atop the highest branch of the World Tree lived Oriana the Silver Deer, not a deer, but a Dreamkeeper woven from Star Fragments.
Every night, she tucked in all the elven children with dreams, yet was cursed by the Void Dragon and her antlers began to rust. As the dreams threatened to slip into the abyss…”
“She broke off her cursed antler, a sacrifice to protect the greater good.” Vyea continued.
“…Mm…mm!” Aiselyn looked at the human child before her in surprise. “You’ve heard this story?”
“I only know this part…” Vyea nodded, then shook her head.
“Then you must be especially blessed by fate!” Aiselyn sheathed her now gleaming Elf Fine Sword, and gave Vyea’s forehead a gentle poke, grinning:
“Most humans will never hear this story in their whole lives!”
Seeing Vyea’s dissatisfied look, Aiselyn, like a magician, pulled out a honey stick and handed it over, finishing the half-told story:
“When facing the evil dragon, the wound from Oriana breaking her antler didn’t bleed. Instead, it burst forth with the warm breath exhaled by hundreds and thousands of elven children she had once protected as they slept—those waves of warmth scorched holes in the dragon’s scales!”
Is this a unique fairy tale among elves? Vyea wanted to ask, but Aiselyn was in high spirits, so she decided not to interrupt. She’d treat it as a story from another race while waiting for the ship.
“The wounded Oriana fell to earth, surrounded by Wolves. Then, out of the forest dashed a human girl clutching a ragged doll, who used her own headband to weave the dragon’s scales into a Dreamcatcher!”
“Incredible, isn’t it? Even more incredible, that little girl suddenly grew elven ears,” Aiselyn winked, “Legend has it she became the first human Elvish teacher. But that’s not the point, the point is—”
“Legend says every Light-Returning Stone comes from the tip of Oriana’s broken antler. When an elven child is in danger, as long as they shout toward the light, ‘Oriana owes me a sweet dream!’ they can receive the protection of starlight.”
“And later, Oriana transformed into a star, but every elf must experience the pain of her broken antler upon coming of age.” Aiselyn rubbed her forehead, recalling it with lingering fear. “I was in pain for three whole days and nights to get this Light-Returning Stone—so you can’t lose it! After all, you’re my accomplice now… uh, no, my partner in dreams~”
“So precious?” Vyea was startled. She finished the honey stick in two bites and thrust her hand back at the silver-haired elf. “Then I don’t want it!”
“No giving it back! It’s for the protection of little ones.”
“Alright, then.” Vyea drew her hand back, drowsily. “Why isn’t the ship here yet… I’m getting sleepy.”
“Go ahead and sleep. I’ll wake you when the ship arrives.”
“Thanks…”
“No need to thank me, we’re friends now, aren’t we? Would you like an elven lullaby? They’re really effective…”
“Mmm… need…”
Before she could finish, Vyea clutched her ticket, curled up on the bench, and quickly fell asleep.
“Zzzz…”
“Alright then.”
Aiselyn blinked, a bit surprised by the sleep state of this little human cub. “Looks like she didn’t need one after all…”
On the dock, the flag of the purple lily fluttered without wind, gentle melodies swirling above the cargo containers. The pigeon perched atop the flagpole tilted its head, curiously watching the elven bard playing below.
Suddenly!
The salty, humid sea breeze swept in with a mysterious air from the distant waters.
The ticket in Vyea’s hand grew hot, causing her to frown and slowly open her eyes.
From the west side of the dock came a tremendous crash of waves. The horizon suddenly caved in, as if an invisible giant had smashed it with a mighty hammer!
Sailors on the dock started running, all dashing toward their berths. Someone shouted, “The tides are in chaos!”
Blue bellflowers sprang up from the seams between the dock’s green stone bricks, swaying toward the void!
This was the sign of the arrival of one of the Human Alliance’s four top-tier magic arks—the Starlight Lily of the Valley.
Three hundred streaks of icy cracks burst in the dusk, instantly freezing the entire sea into diamond-bright star tracks, the waves frozen at the very instant they splashed.
From the crystalline fog, the mast shaped like a unicorn pierced through, causing every blade and sword in the smithies to resonate with a low hum.
When the moonlight crystal at the bow sliced through the final veil of mist, the apprentice astrologer atop the lookout tower screamed—this wasn’t sailing, the whole ship was waltzing atop a frozen track!
Ice shards scattered by the stern flew into the air, transforming into swarms of rainbow fireflies that swarmed the dock, like fragments of stars.
The blue-and-white ark sailed in from the sky, its towering hull as tall as a skyscraper, the pitch-black magi-crystal cannons aiming into the void!
This colossal ark was as large as a city, but thankfully, the harbor’s capacity was sufficient to accommodate such a behemoth.
A large crowd had gathered at the dock—adventurers, apprentice smiths, tavern keepers…
Even seasoned sailors and patrolling knights had been drawn over.
They gazed in awe at this war ark, a symbol of the pinnacle of human craftsmanship.
When the ship docked, there was no sound of anchor chains—only thousands of bellflower lanterns singing hymns in unison.
The neat sound of marching feet rang out from the deck, as a troop of Gold-armored Knights from the Capital strode to the rail and lined up in a row! They stood like a golden wall.
At that moment, a figure clad in hero’s armor walked slowly forward. The sharp presence forced the Gold-armored Knights to step back, making room for her.
“Rotissa… the Reversal Hero.”
Vyea whispered softly.
“You’ve heard of this hero too?” Aiselyn nudged Vyea’s shoulder with interest, looking up at the lofty hero. “I’d only ever heard the name before. This is my first time seeing her in person… As expected of a hero, beautiful and dashing… sigh, just lacking a chest.”
“…” Vyea said nothing, just tightened her grip on the ticket.
“Those with tickets, get aboard. I have no time to play house with you.”
Rotissa took the White Officer’s Uniform handed over by a Gold-armored Knight and draped it on with a flourish. She looked over the crowd, who hardly dared to breathe, and said in a scornful voice:
“What’s this? Not even the City Lord is here to greet us? Three bloody pleas for help in one night, and now you’re too ashamed to show your face? Heh, or have these years of so-called duty only served to fatten the maggots behind the city walls with the bones of my people from the Capital?”
“Hey, you, little knight. Go tell your master, my name is Denonas Rotissa, the hero defending the royal city. You can choose life or death.”
“If you want to die, keep hiding like rats. If you want to live, get out here and follow me to the battlefront!”
Aiselyn lowered her head and whispered to Vyea, “Truly, you can’t judge by appearances. This hero packs a punch! What a fierce one!”
Vyea gently shook her head, raised her finger to her lips,
“Shh.”
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