Read Novel Full Chapter 761: Elven Realm [1]
Chapter 761: Elven Realm [1]
However, she was mistaken. Michael was no half-elf, even though he gave off a faint sense of kinship.
When the elf representative, whose name was Serena, clarified this, Lirien was even more surprised.
However, due to the presence of the old man far above her in status, she kept her further thoughts to herself.
Though elves considered themselves superior to other races, they still possessed common sense. For a powerful figure like the old man, basic consideration had to be given. If her leader could do so, then why could she not.
Although elves often preached dignity and humility, they were largely unaware of how terrible their image appeared to many other races.
Serena raised a hand.
"That is enough," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The tension in the air eased slightly at her words. Even Lirien straightened instinctively, wiping the remaining tears from her face and lowering her gaze in acknowledgment.
Serena turned to her.
"Lirien," she said, "take some of our brothers and sisters to the healing facility immediately. Prioritize the wounded who can still be saved."
Her gaze shifted briefly to the bodies being carried in the background.
"And ensure the fallen are handled with care."
Lirien hesitated.
Her eyes flicked toward the stretchers again, then back to Serena.
"You are returning home," she said quietly. "If that is the case, why not bring them as well?"
Her voice trembled, but there was resolve beneath it.
"They laid down their lives for the realm. This should be the moment they are honored properly, not delayed or hidden away."
The forest fell silent.
Serena did not answer immediately, but she understood better than anyone.
She looked at the bodies, at the still forms of elves who would never walk these paths again, never return to their homes, never see the forest they had defended.
"I understand," Serena said at last. "And they will be honored."
She met Lirien’s eyes.
"But not like this."
Lirien frowned slightly.
"If we return now with the dead, without explanation and without preparation, it will only spread confusion and fear," Serena continued. "Families will see bodies before they hear the truth. Rumors will move faster than reason."
She lowered her voice.
"The atmosphere there is calm. If we shatter that without context, we will only deepen the wound."
Lirien’s shoulders sagged.
Serena placed a hand on her arm.
"We have been away for too long," she said. "We need to know what has happened in the realm during our absence. We need to assess the situation, speak with the elders, and prepare them."
Her eyes hardened slightly.
"Only then will we bring the fallen home, with full respect and clarity."
Lirien closed her eyes.
After a moment, she nodded.
"I understand," she said softly.
She turned and issued quiet instructions to the elves behind her. The wounded were separated carefully and guided deeper into the forest toward the healing facility. The fallen were carried away with equal care, their bodies covered, their names spoken softly among those who bore them.
As the forest resumed its quiet rhythm, Serena looked back toward the old man.
"Please, let us move. We have taken too much time."
Serena turned without another word and descended from the air with everyone as the group began walking deeper into the forest.
The path narrowed as it descended, winding between thicker clusters of trees where the canopy grew denser and the light dimmed naturally. Roots crossed the ground like veins, polished smooth by centuries of footsteps. The sounds of the settlement faded behind them, replaced by the quiet rhythm of leaves shifting and distant water flowing somewhere unseen.
Spartan followed at her side, Michael still held carefully in his arms.
Lily and Beginning moved behind them. The old man walked slightly to Serena’s other side, his gaze never fully relaxing as he studied the land they passed through.
Elven guards appeared more frequently the deeper they went.
Some stood on elevated platforms between trees. Others watched from the forest floor, hands resting near their weapons. Every one of them straightened the moment Serena passed, recognition immediate.
None questioned her authority. A few glanced briefly at Michael and his group, curiosity flickering across their faces before discipline took over.
Eventually, the path opened into a natural clearing.
At its center stood a structure that did not belong to the forest, yet did not disrupt it either.
A gate.
Two massive stone pillars rose from the earth, ancient and weathered, their surfaces etched with simple runes worn smooth by time rather than magic. Between them stretched an empty archway where the air itself felt heavier and denser, as though space had been folded and anchored in place.
This was the portal.
It was not active yet.
Around it stood several elves in formal armor, their expressions serious, their weapons grounded but ready. Unlike the patrol guards above, these were gatekeepers, veterans who carried themselves with quiet confidence.
The moment Serena stepped into the clearing, every guard straightened.
One of them stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Supervisor Serena," he said. "We sensed your return, but not this."
His gaze drifted to the old man, then to Spartan, then to the massive undead behind them.
"How is it?" Serena asked.
"Stable," the guard replied at once.
Serena nodded.
"That is good."
She stepped closer to the gate and placed a hand against one of the stone pillars. For a moment, she closed her eyes.
Then she opened them again.
"Prepare it," she said. "We are passing through."
The guards moved immediately, splitting to their assigned positions around the archway. One began issuing quiet commands while another retrieved a signaling device from his belt.
Serena turned back toward the others.
"This gate leads into the elven realm," she said, her tone precise.
Her eyes lingered briefly on Michael.
"He will be taken directly to the healing sanctuary."
Spartan inclined his head slightly.
"That is acceptable."
The old man remained silent, his gaze fixed on the gate.