The next day, in the Dryad domain.
Inside the mushroom farmhouse.
Eserin sat upright on a chair woven from vines, her fingers lightly tapping on the table. She raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with undisguised suspicion:
"So, what you're saying is, the people you sent to Ironboot Town for trade went to drink at a tavern, annoyed the local Adventurers, nearly attracted pursuit from the sheriff, and in their frantic escape, accidentally discovered a child hidden in the caravan, and then brought her back?"
Chen Yu bounced once, shaking his gel body up and down to indicate affirmation. "R-roughly that's it. Believe it or not, the little one is with us now. We can't just leave her be."
"Maybe your Dryad domain could adopt her. You're all Elves, so you should have more in common to talk about."
Eserin rubbed her temples, her tone carrying helplessness. "Our Dryad domain only has forest sentries responsible for patrols and vigilance, and Oak Gardeners. We don't have any Elf mothers who can carefully look after and educate a child."
She initially wanted to refuse outright, but then thought about a young Elf child living long-term in an environment full of Slimes, Lizardfolk, and various Magical Creatures. She probably wouldn't even learn basic language and manners. Thinking about it, it was indeed rather pitiful.
Perhaps... she could ask the experienced Old Bloom to help look after her. He had taken care of many Glimmerlings, so he should have experience.
After receiving permission, the wooden door of the farmhouse was gently pushed open a crack. Anvil, whose build resembled a sturdy wine barrel, cautiously poked his head in, offering Eserin a guilty, awkward smile.
"Hello, Miss Elf..."
He carefully squeezed in sideways. Only after his figure was fully revealed did Eserin see the little girl clinging to his back.
Her small face was peaceful, seemingly fast asleep.
Eserin softened her voice, saying, "I've already grasped the general situation. If this abducted... ahem, this little girl who followed by accident, if she is willing to stay and live here, our Dryad domain can take her in."
Anvil, honest and simple, immediately nodded vigorously, like pounding garlic. "Thank you, thank you so much, Miss Eserin. You truly have a kind heart..."
"Does she have a name?" Eserin interrupted his thanks to ask.
Chen Yu thought for a moment, recalling the scene from yesterday when he met the little girl. From initial wariness to finally playing with the Slimes, in her relaxed state, she seemed to have mumbled her name.
"It seems... she's called Little Aileen."
Eserin pondered for a moment, crossing her hands in front of her. "Before making a formal decision, I must remind you of something."
"Based on my observation, this little one... might not be a pure-blooded nature Elf. Her hair, the subtle fluctuations in her life aura, all indicate she is more likely a half-elf with human Bloodline."
"Half-elf?" Chen Yu was taken aback. He wasn't very familiar with the subspecies distinctions among Elves.
Eserin affirmed, "Correct. This means her lifespan might not be as long as you imagine, closer to humans rather than Elves."
"It's fine, it's fine!"
Anvil quickly waved his hands, seemingly not concerned about such distant issues as lifespan length. "As long as someone can properly care for her, let her live like a normal child, that's enough. The rest... can be dealt with later."
He breathed a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted, then gently shrugged his shoulders, trying to wake up Little Aileen on his back.
A few seconds later, Little Aileen's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her sapphire-blue eyes.
She looked around dazedly, then instinctively tightened her grip around Anvil's neck, mumbling vaguely:
"Dada..."
"..."
These words plunged everyone into immediate silence. The look Eserin gave Anvil took on a peculiar nuance.
Anvil's entire stocky body stiffened instantly, his swarthy face rapidly flushing red. He frantically waved his hands, stammering in explanation:
"Miss Eserin, don't misunderstand."
"Our territory is full of Slimes and Lizardfolk. I'm the only one who looks somewhat like her. Although not very much, it's completely possible she mistook me."
"I... I haven't even properly held a female Dwarf's hand, how could I possibly have a daughter?"
Chen Yu watched the spectacle from the side. Thinking carefully, what Anvil said did make sense.
Compared to the bizarrely shaped Slimes and the scale-covered Lizardfolk in the territory, Anvil, the only Dwarf, at least was half a "human" — having limbs, walking upright, able to speak...
Mistaking him for a father wasn't completely incomprehensible.
Anvil hurriedly and carefully lowered Little Aileen from his back, gently patting her little head, signaling her to go towards Eserin.
"Go on, Miss Eserin is your kind."
Eserin took a deep breath, trying her best to show a less stern expression, and said softly, "Be good, come to sister here."
Little Aileen looked warily at Eserin, then looked up at Anvil. Finally, under Anvil's encouraging gaze...
She turned around, threw her arms around Anvil's leg, buried her little face in it, and refused to let go no matter what.
Anvil: "..."
Eserin: "..."
Anvil said awkwardly, "She's a bit afraid of strangers. Please don't mind. I'll persuade her more."
Eserin ignored Anvil's explanation. She had been staring at Little Aileen, her expression thoughtful, and finally shook her head gently. "No need. She won't come with me."
"Why?" Anvil was startled, asking in confusion.
"Maybe she's afraid of Elves," Chen Yu said.
Eserin nodded. "Although I don't know how she got here, if I'm not mistaken, this little one might have had contact with Elves from the Ancient Tree Council. Her parents likely had some unpleasant conflicts with those rigid Elves."
Halfway through her words, she suddenly used gel to transmit her thoughts.
"This little one seems to have lost her previous memories. It's highly likely she's been cursed by the Council... she won't live for many more years."
"Let her spend these last days well, at least happily. There's no need to send her to me anymore."
After hearing this, Anvil was completely stunned, falling into silence.
He couldn't help but look down at Little Aileen. Meeting her innocent gaze, he sighed inwardly, then cleared his throat and said, "Let's go back, go home."
"Go... home?" Little Aileen was first stunned, then a delighted smile bloomed on her little face. She immediately let go of Anvil's leg and scrambled onto his back again.
"Your Majesty, Miss Eserin, I'll take her back first."
Chen Yu shook his gel in agreement. After watching Anvil leave, he turned to Eserin and asked curiously, "What do you mean by curse?"
Viola's spirit suddenly drifted out, saying leisurely, "The literal meaning, of course. A curse cast by the nature Elf elders of the Ancient Tree Council, targeting 'impure Bloodlines'."
"Generally speaking, any half-elves born in that place, especially offspring from unions between Elves and humans, many don't survive childhood."
"Her parents likely escaped from the Elf city, Quel'Thalas. But sadly, the seeds of the curse are often sown at the very beginning of conception. This child probably can't escape this fate."
Eserin explained, "It's an ancient curse called 'Root Withering'."
"It originates from oaths made by some extreme Elves, who believe mixed blood defiles the pure Elf Bloodline and will incur nature's punishment."
"The curse subtly erodes the life essence of half-elves, making them like a sapling eaten by insects. Outwardly they seem fine, but inside they wither at an accelerated pace. The outbreak usually occurs within these few years."
"Purifying this kind of root curse is extremely difficult, unless one can find the legendary Forest Sage Council."
"Those Sages who still follow the most ancient will of nature might possess methods to counter this fanatical curse."
"Forest Sage Council?" Chen Yu muttered, unfamiliar with the name.
Viola lazily chimed in, "You can think of it as a loose organization spontaneously formed by ancient beings who are unwilling to be bound by the Ancient Tree Council and are dedicated to maintaining nature's balance, for the sake of easier communication."
Hearing this, Chen Yu curiously "looked" at Viola.
"What?" Viola felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze.
"You seem... quite like a Forest Sage," Chen Yu probed.
Viola yawned, her spirit drifting leisurely next to Chen Yu.
"Of course. What am I, Viola? A Dryad Archsage. Joining the Forest Sage Council would be a breeze."
"Seems like some Nature's Blessed did approach me before, inviting me to join, but that was a long time ago. Hmm... the specific details are long forgotten."
She waved her translucent hand. "Forget it. If there's a chance, next time they come looking for me, I'll help you ask about removing that kind of curse."
As she spoke, she was about to leave but suddenly remembered something, turning back to say, "Remember that exile castle in the Ice Elemental Plane? That thing might be related to that alchemist you're interested in. If you're curious, you'd better go explore it yourself."
Alchemist?
That Golden Core Earth Immortal who mistakenly entered Zeyarila?
He silently noted this important piece of information, then bounced onto Eserin's shoulder, guiding her to a carriage parked outside the farmhouse.
Several Slime guards waiting nearby immediately stepped forward, deftly lifting the heavy tarpaulin covering the carriage.
Under the tarpaulin were rows of well-sealed glass jars. Through the glass walls, one could vaguely see they contained amber-colored, viscous liquid, shimmering with a warm luster under the sunlight.
"All of these are Ancient Resin?" Eserin looked somewhat surprised at this entire cartload of precious material.
Chen Yu bounced once in affirmation. "The trade team had good luck. They found a reclusive Elf noble in the White Horse Kingdom and purchased all his stock at a reasonable price."
"Is this enough?"
Eserin stepped forward, carefully inspecting the resin jars on the carriage. She even opened one, dipped a finger in, and felt the energy contained within.
After quite a while, she looked up, a satisfied expression appearing on her face:
"The quality of this resin is very high, and the quantity is sufficient. At least enough to conduct complete rituals for three Oak Guards."
"However, drawing such complex energy circuits will consume a great deal of time and effort. I need some assistants to help process the materials and maintain energy stability."
Chen Yu immediately understood her meaning. She wanted to dispatch Slime Scholars to help as assistants.
"No problem. I'll arrange for a group of the most meticulous Slime Scholars to come assist you," Chen Yu readily agreed.
"Then, during the preparation period, lend us that silver-leaf Oak tree named Fardoern first."
"For what?" Eserin asked, somewhat puzzled.
"To help our new allies, of course."
...
Northern Dark Realm, the Fald Frontline.
On this frontline named after a long-fallen undead monarch, the Blacktooth mercenary company had set up crude bunkers and defensive works relying on the ruins of ancient structures, facing off against the dark mass of the Goblin Army in the distance.
But the mercenaries guarding the bunkers knew very well that without sufficiently favorable terrain, they and their bunkers were laughable against the tide-like Goblin Army.
If the Goblins were determined to launch a Charge regardless of cost, their meager manpower and pitiful fortifications would be instantly overwhelmed.
At that point, the only thing they could do would be to throw away their armor and weapons and flee in panic.
The reason they could barely hold their ground now, maintaining this standoff, was entirely because the employer offered high mercenary pay.
For these desperadoes who risked their necks, every extra day they held meant shiny Gold Coins falling into their pockets.
This was simply the best deal in the world.
Inside a ruin bunker built from broken stone pillars and rammed earth, a warrior in ragged Leather Armor spat fiercely on the ground.
"Damn it, when did these Goblins become so smart, knowing how to use the planar rift to invade here?"
Another companion leaning against the wall, polishing a short sword, shrugged.
"Who knows."
"But speaking of which, the patron behind our mercenary company reacted so strongly, mobilizing so many people here. Could it really be like the rumors say, those sun-shunning Vampires?"
"Who cares, as long as the gold is enough, even if a Demon hired me, I'd do it," the warrior grumbled.
Just as they were about to continue complaining about the awful food in this damn place, a commotion suddenly arose in front of the bunker. Someone shouted hoarsely, "They're back! The negotiators are back! The Goblins agreed to a temporary truce!"
Hearing this news, the mercenaries in the bunker didn't show delighted expressions. Instead, they all started complaining.
"Making peace already? That's too fast!"
"Exactly! I wanted to earn a few more days of garrison pay!"
"Hope tomorrow's mercenary quota doesn't get reduced because of this..."
Amidst their whispered complaints, Dunlan and Casimir, both looking rather displeased, quickly passed through the defensive line under the escort of a team of elite mercenaries. Without lingering, they headed straight back towards the direction of the Evernight Domain in the rear.
Throughout the journey, Dunlan's brows remained tightly furrowed, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome of the negotiation.
He glanced at Casimir beside him, who seemed like he was just out for a stroll, and couldn't help but confirm once more.
"Viscount Casimir, are you sure those Undead from the swamp will keep their promise and attack the Goblins when we need them?"
Casimir spread his hands. "My apologies, my dear Dunlan. What those Undead are thinking, whether they will act, when they will act, in what manner they will act... please forgive me, but this Viscount cannot give any definite assurances."
"Perhaps they are actively preparing within their domain at this very moment."
Dunlan shot him a glance, dissatisfaction and doubt flashing in his eyes, but in the end, he said nothing more.
After returning to the Ancient Castle, he quickened his pace, putting some distance between himself and Casimir. Alone, he traversed the eerie, silent courtyards and corridors of the Evernight Domain, heading straight for that solitary, towering castle perched on the cliff's edge.