Chapter 4: Elf Gate
The world of the elves is connected to the Dwarven Royal City “Moen” through a spatial secret realm. Ig, who had only arrived in the Dwarven Kingdom a year ago, had heard its name.
“Elf Gate” was not only a passage for the court of the Elven Sky City to seek aid from the Dwarven Kingdom.
In the past, Dwarven merchants often used this passage connecting to the Elven world to sell them weapons, armor, and various ores for forging, in exchange for exquisite handicrafts, magical items, and other rare goods. They would then sell these to nobles in the empire, thereby obtaining high profits.
Maintained by the King of the Dwarves, the “Elf Gate” had never been interrupted for the past twenty years, even during the erosion of the Dark Moon. However, a year ago, the Dwarven King Mud was assassinated. Without his power, the communication link that sustained the two civilizations completely collapsed.
Even the entire Dwarven Kingdom did not know what changes the Elven nation had undergone in the past year.
In the silent night sky, a magical glow suddenly flickered, like an unstoppable force that tore through this world. Traces of space were torn apart, and then, within the mysterious markings, the image of a grey, iron-like cluster of door panels formed in the light, surging with the terrifying power to shatter the earth.
The gale stirred in the sky. Ig, holding his fluttering robe, raised his face, his black hair blowing before his eyes. He saw a towering golden giant tree at the distant horizon.
“Is this the Elven world? But, by the time, it should still be daylight…”
He looked up. In his gaze, the branches and leaves of the golden giant tree covered most of the sky, emitting a dazzling radiance that illuminated the sky and the earth. However, on the other side, it was shrouded in a dark night, even the light of the stars was obscured. A solitary, dark moon cast a dim light like frost.
What appeared before Ig was a painting where the dark moon and daylight coexisted.
Before arriving in this world, Ig had heard Elinsell’s account. Like the giant tree supporting the sky, it was the World Tree “Yusinthselius” that supported the entire Elven civilization from ancient eras. The ancient Elven royal city, the Ancient Sky City, was once situated upon it.
Although, after the Golden Era, the ancient royal city decayed due to the erosion of the “Dark Serpent,” and the elves rebuilt a brand new Sky City on the Sacred Tree of Life. The World Tree “Yusinthselius” remained an undisputed sacred site.
Ophi, hugging her tail, walked out from behind him. She also gazed at the dark moon shadow on the giant tree. Her exquisite dragon horns refracted a cold, frost-like gem luster, casting the gracefully tall and slender lines of the maiden on the ground.
The Ice Dragon Girl tilted her head, her frost-blue big eyes blinked, and said with a bit of curiosity, “I remember my father used to tell stories about the elves. He said that the Elven Sacred Tree dripped with moonlight, and the green buds of life grew amidst beautiful melodies…”
Ig also concentrated slightly.
Since ancient times, the Elven world has been blessed by the goddesses of life and moonlight… This is a legend not difficult to know.
It is said that during the peak of the Elven Empire in the Golden Era, the goddesses of life and moonlight cast their blessings upon the World Tree. Laws and divine power merged into one, and the Sky City on the Sacred Tree, under the divine radiance of the two goddesses, was undoubtedly a symbol of the elves’ glorious history.
However, the World Tree was now being eroded by the dark, moon-obscured silent night.
“Isn’t this the Elven Sky City?”
Suddenly, a rather rough voice came. Ig turned his head, and a Dwarf clad in armor, with a heavy hammer in his other hand, emerged from the spatial gap.
“Hey, but after all, the Elf Gate has been collapsed for a full year. Even if my King’s power reopens it, those mages in the Elven Royal City might not be able to stabilize this passage… Fortunately, it seems we haven’t deviated too far.”
The Dwarven warrior said heartily. Sensing Ig’s gaze, he revealed his white teeth and laughed heartily, “However, I’ve never had the chance to visit the Sky City with my King before. This time, Your Majesty is willing to agree, it’s all thanks to you, young Ig.”
“Gavin senior is too kind. We are honored that you are willing to go to the Elven Sacred Tree with us,” Ig said with a smile, seriously.
Ig was no stranger to the Dwarven warrior named Gavin. He had interacted with him several times before when Moen City was plunged into a conspiracy.
As one of the few Saint Ranks in the Royal City, and also the captain of the King’s Guards, Gavin, a great hammer warrior, was indeed quite skilled among the many Saint Ranks Ig had met.
Both Gavin and the more than ten elite Dwarven warriors following him were specially dispatched by the Dwarven King Mud to escort them to the Elven Sacred Tree as part of the Mountain Kingdom’s delegation.
Of course, although not explicitly stated, King Mud probably understood that his insistence on going to the Sacred Spring of Life was to incubate the Phoenix Egg in his hand.
Coupled with Ophi’s words earlier, even the dullest person would have guessed the specific reason.
Ig remembered clearly at that time the King of the Dwarves’ strange look, and then his uncontrollable laughter that almost made the already somewhat dilapidated palace collapse.
However, in the end, King Mud realized his presence, and with the help of the arriving palace guards, he managed to hold back his laughter in a very uncomfortable manner.
Ig gently touched the Phoenix Egg in his embrace. Although it was covered by his robe, Ig could feel a touch like starlight on its shell, with a soft, delicate golden glow faintly shimmering, like the gentle and soft pulse of life.
The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up, but Ig quickly realized something and shook his head in distress, showing a wry smile.
Well, when that girl hatches and comes out, if she gets angry and quarrels with him, the “culprit,” who is also his responsibility, then it will be a truly troublesome matter.
However, upon truly knowing Ig’s intentions, King Mud, who was already exceptionally enthusiastic and bold, ignored the advice of his court officials and, without even resting, reopened the Elf Gate overnight.
The King of the Dwarves originally intended to personally take them to the Elven Sacred Tree. However, the entire Mountain Kingdom had just gone through turmoil. As king, it was naturally difficult for him to break free. Coupled with Ig already being overwhelmed with gratitude and stepping forward to decline, King Mud reluctantly relented.
However, even so, as the King of the Dwarves, Mud still prepared an elite palace guard for them, led by Gavin, a Saint Rank, and sent them to the Elven Sacred Tree as envoys of the Mountain Kingdom.
Perhaps, in the heart of the Dwarven King, even with Elinsell by Ig’s side, Ig, as his envoy, would have a greater chance of borrowing the Sacred Spring of Life.
As he was thinking, a slender maiden figure also emerged from the Elf Gate.
“Miss Ein.”
Elinsell, holding the Fire Pigeon in her arms, slightly raised her face. The cloak draped over her slid down, and her emerald green hair, like life jade, fell behind her, adorned with the cold moonlight.
The Elf maiden’s pure white long ears perked up, and her slightly opened big eyes looked around:
“Hmm. This place feels somewhat familiar. It looks like it’s near the Norland Spring… But, how can it also be shrouded in the Dark Moon?”
