"Thorne, my lord!"
"My lord, please watch your step."
"Your boots are dirty, let clean them for you!"
Thorne lowered his head, looking at the fellow tribesn wiping his boots with a look of fear and awe, he sighed softly,
"There's no need for this."
"You are the hero fighting for the tribe, battling demons in the wild. We are powerless to help, but now that you've returned to the tribe, we ordinary elves who can't join the fight naturally have the responsibility to keep you presentable so you can rest better."
The elf's explanation seed reasonable, but Thorne's expression was even more complicated.
Because before Ilya, the Azure Dragon Elf leader, divided the tribe, they, the warriors blessed by the Dragon Tree and granted the Power of Coexistence, never experienced such treatnt.
After all, they were undead monsters with elf exteriors but filled with roots and wood beneath. Even those clansn who were considerate found it hard to maintain respect for them publicly, let alone the private gossip behind their backs.
However, all this changed when Ilya, almost blatantly, divided the tribe and established a new one. The original elves felt the panic for the first ti.
When survival was greatly threatened, many previously upheld principles could be discarded. Just as so original elves intended to imitate their initial sacrificial clansn by going under the Dragon Tree to receive blessings, they hopelessly discovered they couldn't approach the Dragon Tree.
Ilya and her followers occupied the Dragon Tree and prohibited the original elves from coming near, though not entirely rejecting them.
If the original elves wished to join, they had to pass tests and trials to qualify for the blessings of the Dragon Tree; re proximity wouldn't grant the Power of Coexistence.
These nurous barriers effectively shut out most original elves. There was little ti for regrets.
Nevertheless, due to the presence of the Great Elder, these elves could still reside near the Dragon Tree. In terms of survival, as long as they didn't rashly venture out, there was no need to worry about demon invasions and threats. Yet their lifestyle and treatnt could no longer compare to the past.
In such circumstances, the dedicated Dragon Tree Warriors who chose to stay and protect the tribe imdiately gained the status they deserved, once again idolized and upheld by these original elves.
Not a single Dragon Tree Warrior felt happy due to this change. They clearly knew the source of these changes and why their clansn's attitudes shifted.
"Thorne, the elder wants to see you, if you're free now, please go over."
"Alright."
Previously not so prominent, Thorne suddenly beca one of the key figures in the tribe after its division, as most Dragon Tree Warriors chose to follow the Great Elder's daughter, Ilya, becoming mbers of the Azure Dragon Folk.
Though a Legend was in the original elves, this elder couldn't possibly harm his own daughter. Even if confined briefly, sooner or later, she would be released.
Thus many discerning Dragon Tree Warriors switched camps. It's not considered betrayal since they continued to guard the Mother Tree and protect the tribe; only their focus had shifted.
"Great Elder, you sought ."
Upon entering the tree house, Thorne saw the youthful-looking yet slightly haggard Great Elder gazing over.
"Yes, I heard you killed a Frenzy Demon single-handedly without injury this ti."
"Yes."
ntioning his achievents, Thorne's spine naturally straightened a bit, recalling his severe injuries from a Frenzy Demon not long ago. Yet now, he could slay such a demon alone.
"Impressive!"
It wasn't clear whether he was praising Thorne's talent or lauding the power of the Dragon Tree.
"Thorne, I recall you're 196 years old, nearly 200, right?"
"Yes."
Hearing the Great Elder correctly state his age, Thorne felt sowhat flattered.
"Don't be surprised. I've witnessed the birth of every child in the tribe, including you."
Seeing the young man's expression before him, the Great Elder chuckled,
"I sought you mostly to inquire about your future plans."
"I will stay with the tribe, and protect its legacy."
Upon hearing the Great Elder's question, Thorne's gaze was firm, his tone strong.
"There's no need to be so serious."
Seeing the young man's gaze, the Great Elder chuckled, his eyes soon turning despondent and lonely,
"If I were to tell you our world is ending, what would you think?"
"No matter how the world changes, I will protect the tribe."
"Once the world is dood, it will keep falling until it descends into the Abyss. Our world is no exception; as it drops to the lower layer, all living beings unable to adapt will perish."
"Will we not?"
Thorne naturally sensed the underlying aning in the Great Elder's words.
"Indeed, the Dragon Tree won't be affected by the descent into the Abyss, and elves blessed by the Dragon Tree can survive in the Abyss."
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