The translucent shadow was not a physical entity, nor did it emit any terrifying roars, but it still had a sense of oppression that made them freeze their breath for a moment. It floated quietly, its wings flapping with a faint glow that fell on each elf.

So they saw the blood that had not yet dried up in the white tower, the moment when Panasses' chest was pierced by lightning light, and the moment their leader threw his dagger and slit the throats of his defenseless, loyal followers for greater power...... See the sword he stabbed at Payne from behind.

That's the truth that no one wants to believe, but has to believe. Accompanying the image was the undeniable power of the giant spotted leaf dragon, and no one could doubt that it would destroy all of their power in an instant—it had no need to deceive them.

Anger cooled in disbelief and fear, and they were finally able to calm down for a moment and listen to the king they didn't admit tell them what was going on.

He didn't question their beliefs, let alone why they were here, he just begged them to calm down, think carefully, and not become pawns to be used like their leader, who had already died without honor.

"I don't have anything else to ask of you. He said, "If you want to leave, if you want to go back to the Antler Forest, I won't stop you, if you want to stay...... Return to Grivar, your original homeland, like the leopard you brought, and I can assure you that I will treat you as if you were alive in every elf here...... I will do everything I can to make you feel like you never left. ”

He gave them time. He kept them in the woodland and returned the bodies of their dead companions. He didn't even leave the soldiers guarding them, the only two elves he left behind were always in plain sight.

After a heated argument, most of the elves chose to leave, and the rest stayed here. Payne Silverleaf showed enough sincerity and respect, but they knew that he didn't speak for all of Grivar's elves...... Even his reign was not so secure.

It was indeed their original homeland, but it was not a paradise that could be accepted without any guilt.

They had been hesitating for a long time, and sometimes they even felt that it was okay to stay at the edge of the forest and be a bystander. Their lives used to be very simple, and they came here with no intention of being enemies of their own kind—they really ...... At most, with a little pride, thinking that what they brought was a better choice for the whole race. But now they understand that things are not as simple as they thought.

Tonight, the elves gathered around the campfire, waiting for their elected leader to make the final decision, for the storm that swept through Grivar had not spared the remote and barren woodland...... They are not as out of the way they would like to be.

A few days ago, they had spotted the traces left by a group of elven warriors near the woodland, and they had to suspect that it was sent by the Silver Leaf King to spy on ...... and guard against them. An irrepressible resentment arose from the unquenchable anxiety that had not been quelled for months, believing that they had been deceived by the sanctimonious king, and that they had deliberately forgotten that it was natural for the other party to be on guard.

They chased away the two elves left behind by Payne, built defenses at the edge of the woodland, and intentionally or unintentionally clashed with the elves and human hunters who occasionally appeared near the woodland. The atmosphere that had gradually eased became tense again, and the only ones who were not affected were probably the leopards who came and went freely.

They begin to rush to get some kind of result, whether good or bad, right or wrong, than to wait in such a dazed and restless way, which is almost self-defeating, but it is difficult to get rid of.

However, two days ago, Payne was here again, accompanied only by a saint and a guard.

He told them frankly that he had indeed sent soldiers to search the vicinity, as three dwarves and a group of elven warriors had disappeared on the northern border of the forest, and the only clues he could find were not far from here. He believed they had nothing to do with it, and only hoped that if they found out, he would let him know as soon as possible.

They'd already heard the same explanation, but Payne's presence seemed to make the argument that sounded like a clumsy excuse a little more credible.

"You say you believe us. One of their leaders asked, "Why? There is no trust in this world for no reason." ”

Payne was silent for a moment, then he replied, "Not really." ”

"I have more reason to doubt you," he said, "but I still hope that my trust is not wrong." When I look at you, I feel like you, like most of the spirits of Grivar, just trying to find a way to walk with the same pride as we did before when the star that guides us begins to fade. If so...... Why can't we go down together?"

And today, they had to answer, when a leopard dragged the corpse of a dwarf...... The dwarf clung to a wooden box, but the box that had been forcibly broken was empty.

.

The wind is always colder at high places, let alone staying in places where there are no walls. Ed involuntarily flinched, listening to Payne whisper about Grivar's predicament.

Even though Kao was dead and Helenor Flowfire was imprisoned, and Fairey was more clearly on his side, Payne was not able to fully control the entire realm. The elders may not approve of Helenor's desperate ventures, but they also disapprove of Payne's departure from traditional common sense. They are used to being on top...... They cannot even tolerate pulling themselves to an equal footing with humans.

"Even if the rift in the space is on the edge of Grivar, there are still elders who feel that even if the world is destroyed and humanity is destroyed, the elves will still survive...... Maybe he can live better and become the absolute ruler of a new world. Payne smiled wryly, "I really don't know where that confidence comes from. ”

"Maybe it's because the crack didn't crack directly in front of him. Isis stabbed casually.

"Perhaps," said Mock, "they still have ...... in their hands The power to change the outcome. At least that's what they thought. ”

“...... So, what about the dwarves?" asked Payne softly.

Mock's fingers shrank slightly, tapping on the belt around his waist.

"Yes," he said, "we have too." ”