Lucien's brows furrowed, he had always been cold, and it was rare to have such an obvious expression. The kind-talking male elf who followed him said: "The two mercenaries both confessed that they were told that the elves were tens of thousands of years old, and the treasures they had accumulated were innumerable, not only gold and precious stones, but also ancient artifacts, as long as they got a small part of them, it was enough for them to enjoy a lifetime." They were only half-convinced, but just before the half-elves were about to chase them away, they stumbled upon the hedron that Radlow had hidden. ”

"Hedrons?" Xiao Tianjian asked.

"I know that." Old Qiao opened his mouth to explain, "Since the establishment of Phantom Town, human adventurers have come every year to get the herbs or animals in the Elven Forest, as long as it is not too much, we will agree, but ask them to exchange all kinds of magic crystals. Those hedrons were used to strengthen the power of weapons against the snowy beasts, and once the magic power was exhausted, they became useless gems. The elves were not interested in this, and they all threw them away to the children as toys. The little prince liked the color of those hedrons, so he collected more than others. ”

Xiao Tianjian felt that his son's hobby was a bit like himself, but he still couldn't understand: "Even if the child collects a few discarded spars, it doesn't mean that there are treasures in the elven forest?" Isn't that something given by humans? ”

The amiable elf sighed: "But the mercenaries don't know, they only think that a child can have so many gems, which shows how rich the elves are, so they simply kidnap the children, one is to be a hostage, and the other is to ask them to lead the way." Little Luella tried to warn her, but they killed her. ”

Xiao Tianjian's face was a little ugly, and it was probably his son who was originally killed. The elves were not interested in treasure, but only in plants and elegant art, and when the hedrons lost their magic, they were no different from toys to them, but they became a source of trouble. "Who the hell is spreading the rumor?!" He asked through gritted teeth.

"Whoever it is, it's not well-intentioned." Lucien opened his mouth coldly, he took out a tattered piece of parchment and threw it to Xiao Tianjian, "This is the so-called treasure map found on those humans, if they really find the place, it will be a catastrophe for us elves." ”

Xiao Tianjian unfolded the map and took a closer look, the drawing was very old, there were traces of moths on it, the lines on the map were obviously the plan of the elf forest, there were three red X's on it, marking the words of treasure, two of the X's were the location of the two world trees in the elf king city and the elf station, and he didn't know the location of the third X, but he vaguely remembered that Funoya had mentioned that there was once a fountain of life in that area, but it dried up a hundred years ago.

Next to the three X's, it is indicated that the things are buried in the ground, if those mercenaries who don't know the inside story find the World Tree and dig up its foundation, it is tantamount to shaking the foundation of the survival of the elves.

"Who made the treasure map? What the hell are they up to?! Xiao Tianjian was very sure in his heart that those people must be unfavorable to the elf clan, and suddenly, he remembered one thing, "How many copies of such a picture are there?" And how many people know about this rumor? Did those mercenaries confess? ”

Lucien retracted the drawings: "They didn't tell anyone else, but it doesn't know if anyone else knows." I'm going to report the matter to the queen right away and take my leave. After that, he asked his men to take Radlow, and escort the two mercenaries, and led all the elves to retreat

Xiao Tianjian watched them take away his son, and he was in a hurry, so he hurriedly got up to chase after him, but was pushed back by Lao Qiao: "Are you crazy?!" Do you still want these legs? Or do you imagine me being a cripple?! ”

Xiao Tianjian hurriedly said: "It's okay, it's just a pain, I'm already fine." ”

"You idiot! Who said it was already good? It is a holy medicine, not a miracle medicine, it can only reduce the injury to the greatest extent, and it must be well conditioned to heal. Your injury is tired for a few days before it is healed, and if you don't rest well, this injury will not be cured! Lao Qiao restrained him strongly, carefully checked the injury on his foot, and only pressed it a little harder, Xiao Tianjian was so painful that he couldn't speak, and when Lao Qiao saw this, he called a few half-elves to find an herb, chewed it and applied it to his wound, so painful that he couldn't help but scream.

Old Qiao snorted coldly: "This is what you asked for, now there is no holy medicine for you to drink, don't move if you don't want to become crippled!" With that, he tore off a few strips of cloth to bandage Xiao Tianjian's legs, and cut a few branches to use as splints, and asked a few half-elves to work together to carry him back to the tree house.

Minna stayed in the treehouse and waited, and both sides were shocked to see several uncles carrying her grandfather back. Xiao Tianjian and Lao Qiao were surprised that Minna had lost weight, but Minna was frightened by her grandfather's tragic situation, and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong with grandpa?" Hurt? Did Xiaola get it back? ”

The half-elves worked together to put Xiao Tianjian on the bed, and the latter bared his teeth in pain, so Old Qiao replied for him: "The little prince is fine, the elves have taken him back to the royal city." Your grandfather hurt his leg again, this time it's very serious, you must not touch him. Minna nodded hurriedly, avoiding Xiao Tianjian's three feet away, and saw that he couldn't cry or laugh: "It's not that exaggerated...... Go boil some hot water for me, I'm thirsty. ”

Minna went out in response, she was now very skilled at boiling water, and she was very innovative in throwing a fruit into the water to boil, so that the boiled water had a refreshing aroma and made people drowsy when drunk.

People who are sick should sleep well, this is the experience she learned from her parents, nannies, housekeepers and others when she was sick since she was a child.

When he entered the house with the pot in his hand, most of the half-elves left, leaving only Old Joe. Xiao Tianjian drank the water, and soon felt sleepy, and immediately became vigilant: "Minna, what did you put in this water?" ”

Minna replied, "It's a green fruit, small and fragrant." Grandpa, go to sleep, it's good to wake up. As he spoke, he gently patted his grandfather's shoulder, a bit like coaxing a child.

Xiao Tianjian couldn't cry or laugh: "You kid, who taught you to boil this kind of water?" Where does the fruit come from? When he found out that it was plucked from a nearby tree, he was very helpless: "Didn't I ask the elves to bring you food?" Don't they have enough to eat? Why do you still have to pick fruit? And also made ...... This...... This fruit soup? ”

Minna spat out her little tongue: "I'm bored, and I don't have anything else to do." They sent fruit and it was very uncomfortable to eat it cold, so I had to boil hot water to drink it, thinking what would it taste like if I threw the fruit in and boiled it. I tried many kinds of fruits, and after they boiled them, they didn't taste good, so I looked for other fruits, and only this boiled water tasted good. ”

After listening to his words, Lao Qiao immediately got up and searched the house, found more than a dozen fruits of different colors in a large pottery bowl with a missing mouth, smelled the taste carefully, turned his head, and said to Minna seriously: "Minna, didn't your grandfather teach you that not every kind of fruit can be eaten?" Have you eaten all these fruits? ”

Minna hurriedly shook her head: "I picked it yesterday, and I haven't eaten it yet." Blinking, she cautiously asked, "Uncle Qiao, can't you eat these?" ”

"At least two are toxic." Old Joe picked out seven or eight of them, "Some of them will paralyze people's bodies, and the others are okay, but they won't taste very good, they just smell sweet." He suddenly squinted, picked up a red fruit, and looked similar to the other red fruits, but smaller: "I actually let you find this!" This one looks very similar to a cherry, but people will laugh more than once they eat it, and the more they eat, the longer they will laugh. This kind of fruit has always been found only in the east of the Elven Forest, but I didn't expect to see it here. ”

Although Minna thought it was funny, she also knew that she almost ate something she couldn't eat, and she was a little scared: "I don't know...... By the way, I caught two fish from the water to make soup and drink them a few days ago, and I was in pain when I slept at night. Are those fish also poisonous? ”

Lao Qiao looked at her blankly, turned his head and glanced at Xiao Tianjian, both a little speechless. The latter smiled bitterly: "Minna, that kind of fish in the river...... It's okay to eat, but you have to remove the bones, and a fish can cook a big pot of soup, do you throw the fish along with the bones? "The little granddaughter has no ability to kill fish and bones, and he knows this very well.

Minna lowered her head and wrung her hands, she finally knew that she had eaten the wrong thing, and she couldn't help but be a little discouraged, she thought she was very powerful.

Old Qiao looked at her and said, "Fortunately, I found it early this time, otherwise if you really eat all these fruits, no one will be able to save you." You can't just eat anymore, not everything that looks delicious can be eaten, you know? ”

Minna nodded hurriedly and was taught. Xiao Tianjian looked a little unbearable, so he comforted: "Actually, it's not that exaggerated. For example, if you eat that kind of fish, although you will have a stomachache when you eat it, your body will become very warm, and you will not be afraid of cold even in winter. ”

Minna looked at him curiously, and was about to ask in detail, but was interrupted by Old Joe: "Don't teach bad boys, the power of that kind of fish is not something that children can bear, if it weren't for the fact that she ate a lot of fruits containing water elemental power and wind elemental power from the little prince and stabilized the toxicity of fish bones, do you think she would be able to survive?" ”

His attitude was very strict, and Xiao Tianjian couldn't say anything more, and soon fell asleep under the combined effect of his coercion and fruit soup. Minna, under the guidance of Old Joe, began a course to learn about various plants, fruits and animals.

Due to Xiao Tianjian's inconvenience, and Minna was young and ignorant, Lao Qiao handed over the inn to Lever, and stayed in the treehouse to take care of the living conditions of the grandparents and grandchildren, in addition to preparing meals for them and changing Xiao Tianjian's dressings, he also taught Minna a lot of things.

Minna had a full life, learning a lot of interesting new knowledge and resuming her practice of magic, potions, and light skills, but when she was busy, she occasionally wondered when she would be able to come home to see Grandpa Marshall, when she would be able to go to see her parents, and why Lara had never come to see her.

Not only did Radlow not come, but even the elves didn't send anyone over, and the food and medicine in the treehouse were all sent by the half-elves from Phantom Town. Xiao Tianjian was also muttering in his heart, although he couldn't save the three children safely, but his wife's side was too ruthless, right?

Perhaps hearing him, it wasn't long before Funoya arrived with Radlow, along with Lucien and two other elven guards, but they all stayed outside the house and did not enter. Old Joe knew that his old friend's family must have something to say, so he quietly went out.

As soon as Minna saw Radlow, she pounced happily: "Xiaola, you are finally here, I miss you, aren't you okay?" Why didn't you come to me for so long? ”

Radlow stole a glance at his mother before he smiled at Minna and whispered, "Now is not the time to play." Minna looked at him incomprehensibly, but he refused to speak again.

Xiao Tianjian looked at his son, a little excited: "Xiaola, you ...... You know who I am, right? Radlow's face flushed, and he glared at Minna, who felt even more strange.

Funoya nodded to her son: "Go out and play, I have something to talk to...... Tell Xiao. Radlow secretly glanced at Xiao Tianjian, and then pulled Minna out of the door. Xiao Tianjian reluctantly watched his son's back disappear outside the door, and turned his head to look at Fu Noya: "What's the matter?" His wife's expression was too calm, and he had some foreboding.

Funoya just asked lightly: "I heard Joe say that your leg is very badly injured and you need to rest for a few months, and you may have to spend the winter here, right?" ”

Xiao Tianjian hurriedly said: "Don't listen to him, it's not that serious." As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it a little, doesn't this mean that he will be able to leave soon?

Funoya didn't say anything, just took out a wooden bottle: "This is a special medicine made by our clan, it is very helpful for your injuries, you can go back and drink it." Xiao Tianjian was happily about to take the bottle, but Funoya put the bottle on the table and sat down on a chair two meters away from the bed: "You were injured to save the child, and you helped us exterminate the Snow Monster before, and you will never owe us anything in the future." You can recuperate here with peace of mind, leave as soon as your injuries are healed, and don't come back in the future. ”

Xiao Tianjian was stunned: "What do you mean?!" Can't I even come back to see my children? Husband and wife, why are you so ruthless?! ”

"It's not about feelings." Funoya still had the same faint expression, but there was no longer sorrow between her eyebrows, "Mother has decided to close the Elven Forest and refuse all humans to enter. I accepted your offer to open it in the first place, just so that the exiled half-elves could have a place to live. Now, the half-elves who are willing to come back have all returned, and the others are greedy for the prosperity of the human world and are unwilling to live a dull life. The Snow Monster has been eradicated, and before winter, we will set up a defense north of the royal city to prevent any more Monster invasion, and in the future, we will no longer need spars. Closed forests are better for elves. ”

Xiao Tianjian stared at her tightly: "Is it because of the rumors of that treasure?" Just find the source and eliminate it. Now that the forest is closed, how do you know who is calculating you?! Are you willing? You're still dead, don't you want to find out the culprit and take revenge?! ”

Funoya was unmoved: "No matter who spreads the rumors, as long as no one can enter the Elven Forest, what harm can it do to us?" We're not going outside, we're not interested in fighting. ”

"And what if I can help you find out the truth? I'm not asking you to open it to the public, as long as you allow me to come back occasionally......"

"Xiao." Funoya interrupted him and looked at him with both eyes, "The hopes of humanity are endless. Don't forget, what did you promise that day? I won't blame you anymore, and you won't dwell on it anymore. ”

Xiao Tianjian was stunned for a moment, and only a wry smile remained on his face. Yes, he has obviously made up his mind, why does he want to regret it now?

Funoya stood up: "Today I will bring the child to see you again, I will not come again in the future, you can take care of your injuries, I hope you ...... Get better soon. Then he turned and left.

"Funoya." Xiao Tianjian called his wife, this may be the last time, "Is it really impossible for us?" ”

Funoya didn't look back: "From the beginning, we weren't supposed to be together. If you've already decided to leave, don't regret it. ”

Xiao Tianjian leaned weakly against the back of the bed and watched his wife go away. He knew that although Funoya had a gentle personality, once she made up her mind, she would not change it, just like when she insisted on marrying her, even if the elven queen deprived her of the right to inherit the throne, she would not budge. She will make this decision today, and it seems that their fate as husband and wife has really come to an end.

Minna kept talking to Radlow outside the house, but the other party was very silent, looking into the room from time to time, and answering Minna's questions without a word. Minna asked for a long time, only to know that the whole elf clan was praying for the dead elves, and that Radlow was currently living in a cave near the royal city.

When Funoya came out, she quickly took her son and left. Minna panicked and kept calling Ra's name, but Radlow just waved back at her and said nothing.

When he returned to the house and saw his grandfather at a loss, Minna carefully called him a few times. Xiao Tianjian came to his senses, smiled bitterly and touched his granddaughter's head: "Is this retribution?" ”

After that, he was very silent, often in a daze, not knowing what to think. Minna followed Lao Qiao to learn things, and occasionally asked him about things he didn't understand in martial arts, and he was also a little absent-minded.

Minna didn't understand what was going on, she hadn't been here since she left that day, she hadn't been here all autumn, she asked Grandpa, Grandpa just smiled bitterly and asked Old Joe, and Old Joe sighed. When the first heavy snow came, she finally gave up and accepted the fact that her new friend and uncle would never come to her again.

The winter was very cold, there were heavy winds and snowstorms almost every day, the surroundings of the tree house were snow-white, and the water in the creek was completely frozen, and they had to break the ice to boil the water. Because he could no longer light a fire outside the house, and the fire inside the house could no longer be lit, Xiao Tianjian took out a dwarven copper stove and charcoal block from the ring, and used it to warm and cook.

Minna was already a little numb to his magical ring.

Even if there is charcoal, the amount is limited, and Minna begged Lao Qiao for a long time to convince him to make an exception to cook fish soup. The elves no longer send food over, and the food supply from Phantom Town has also been changed from once every two days to once every five days, and sometimes even run out of food due to heavy snowstorms. Minna survived the hardest winter of her life.

By the time the winter passed, Xiao Tianjian's injuries had completely healed. He stretched his muscles and went to the direction of Elf City for a long time, and came back and said to his granddaughter with a smile: "Minna, let's get out of here, okay?" ”

(Finally able to leave...... ）