Chapter 363: Gardenia Pass, Gardenia High Court

Several minutes later…

Upon leaving the Elven Commonplace, Vasati led Kieran and Agatha deeper into the Forest of Gardenia, where the light dew gravitated toward the trees, filling the trees with moisture that contained overflowing vitality.

These droplets acted as a sort of battery for elves if they ever needed to draw upon their surroundings to defend their home. In fact, this was a feature unique to this depth of the Forest of Gardenia as it was where the race's warriors were born.

〈System: You have entered the «Gardenia Pass: Elven Royal Grounds»!〉

〈System: You have completed the objective: Enter the «Forest of Gardenia». 1/1〉

'As I suspected, that's why the notification never appeared. It's truly a quest that's weighted towards the royal areas. Though it's considered the Gardenia Pass, it's still a part of the Forest of Gardenia as a whole,' Kieran thought.

Unlike the Elven Commonplace, the Gardenia Pass consisted of several mountain-like creations formed from the upheaval of a ridiculous amount of soil.

This soil, rich in nature-based Mana, provided the large mounds with enough stability to act as foundations for the homes of multiple royal clans.

Aside from these clans, there was also a court at the end of the pass, the same court where the summons took place.

Though interested in the clans that inhabited these mounds, especially the overgrown vines that wrapped around them endlessly, Kieran soon averted his gaze.

However, doing so was a challenge of Kieran's willpower, evident by his current grimace. 'The abundance of vitality in this place is so tempting that it's making me feel as if I've been starved.'

Not too long after, Vasati led them inside the court, which gave Kieran another alert.

〈System: You have entered the «Gardenia High Court».〉

'Hmm? Some sort of open concept?' Kieran inquired mentally.

He stood before a construct that resembled a large circle, except part of it was missing completely. That part was an elevated ceiling, supported by what appeared to be ancient tree trunks that now acted as support pillars.

Below the ceiling was an orb of soft green light that provided zero warmth but added to the ambiance of the setting.

Underneath those lights were several seats, thirteen of which stood out from the rest, while one stood out from all the others. These seats were naturally reserved for the Emplenan Few, which always held 13 members at a time, as well as the ruler of the Elven Race.

However, upon their arrival, Kieran noticed that several seats were empty. He gathered that their presence didn't command an audience from all of the Elven Leaders.

Though, Kieran did observe something noteworthy.

Surprisingly, every lesser seat was occupied.

Whether these people belonged here, Kieran did not know. What he was certain of was that they were the representative of their respective party at the very least.

"Esteemed Elders and Leaders, I have brought the guests," Vasati announced, giving them a respectful half-bow. Afterward, she retired from her position, leaving Kieran and Agatha alone in the middle of the court.

Despite this change, neither Kieran nor Agatha displayed a shift in expression.

Though, as he stood there, Kieran recalled something extremely important, leading him to stand with his hands clasped behind his back.

From what he perceived, many of these older elves had sharp eyes. If he weren't careful, they'd detect the War Crest of Champions imprinted on the back of his hand.

Following Vasati's introduction, the first to speak was the acting representative of her clan. "How fast time passes. It seemed like only yesterday that the protection of our home was reinforced, yet here we are again."

The speaker was an old elf with long silver hair. Because his eyes were closed and his face relaxed, it was difficult to tell his true age. Of course, this wasn't the only reason that discerning his age was problematic.

After all, the Elves were a race famed for their longevity, given they were always in the presence of overflowing and exuberant vitality.

"You're not wrong, Elder Thallan. Time passes quickly when our worries remain small," another speaker replied. It was another old man with a stockier build.

He went by the name of Elder Gaelin.

When it came to outward appearance, one could say that the Elven Race existed at the highest echelon of beauty, whether it be male or female.

Thus, even in older age, which was admittedly ancient age, they still maintained a semblance of youth.

"Ah-! Enough small talk, let us address the matters that have been brought before us. This young man smells of a human, but it is clear that they've been in the direct presence of the Enchantress. Heiress, would you care to regale us," an older elven woman spoke.

Unlike the typical elven features, which involved emerald green eyes, hair that ranged from white to ash yellow, and a slender face, this woman possessed orange hair the color of autumn leaves.

"Allow me, Elder Madris," Agatha replied, recalling the identity of this elf. "This young man beside me has been bestowed the special title—Mystic Light of the Ancient Wisdom. He is a new generation Mystic Runemaster who has spoken with an Endless beyond."

"An Endless beyond?!"

A string of gasps sounded within the Gardenia High Court.

They struggled to believe that a young man had met with such an unfathomable existence.

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Though, it was not only because they sensed a pitiful State of Being from him, but because the elves were also one of the few races that understood the cost of trying to contact such an existence.

"You jest," Elder Madris replied, unable to hide her disbelief. "If your words are true, then your master must have paid an exorbitant price."

"It is not my place to speak on the price paid as I'm in no way aware of it," Agatha answered.

Elder Madris, though still skeptical and unconvinced, nodded. "Very well, that's understandable."

However, before she could continue to speak, Elder Madris raised her brow and listened to what her attendant had to say by her side. "Is that so?"

"It is true that this young man has some garnered rapport within the Elven Commonplace."

Rather than Kieran or Agatha, the one to verify this claim was Vasati. "Well, you could say as such. But if we're judging based on that, we have to remember that the Lowborns can be naive. All they know is what occurs in our home and the history we speak to them."

"Your words are heard, Young Treasure," Elder Madris replied.

However, her gaze quickly shifted from Vasati to Kieran.

The glint in her eyes when looking at him was quite peculiar, leaving Kieran to grow somewhat uncomfortable.

After moments of looking at Kieran in silence, Elder Madris revealed a smile that gave Kieran a bad premonition. "But aside from what you did in the Elven Commonplace, I've heard something even more interesting. Young man… can you show me your hands please?"

Though his expression remained neutral, Kieran's thoughts were completely different. '...Oh boy. Welp, that's not too good.'

Before acting, Kieran looked to Agatha for advice. Unfortunately for him, she helplessly shook her head. She couldn't stop what was inevitable. Then again, even if Kieran didn't show the marking, the Elves had their ways of revealing the truth.

Due to their past, they developed items meant to detect the presence of the War Deity Council's unique energy signature.

Helpless, Kieran could only extend his arms out.

"Preposterous!" The first to snap was Elder Gaelin, slamming his hands on the court's desk.

"This is an outrage. What is the meaning of this? Young Heiress, explain yourself! Why is the lackey of the damned human waste here in our home? He ought to be expelled without so much as hearing the reason for his presence!" Elder Thallan swiftly and furiously added his input.

The entire Gardenia High Court erupted in outrage upon learning of Kieran's other identity.

Countless shouts of fury, disgust, contempt, and stupefaction traveled far throughout the area, alerting some of the Emplenan Few, who initially had zero intention of joining the summons.

But once word of Kieran's identity reached that far, they were forced to intervene.

The smell of pine wafted past Kieran's nose as he gradually looked at a person's eyes, staring into the deep eyes of what he thought to be a young man.

However, upon closer inspection, he realized they seemed to hover between old and young in appearance.

Like Elder Madris, this man's hair was an unnatural reddish-orange color, like the leaves in autumn before their vitality was all but burnt out.

「Lv.??? Paeris, Third Emplenan (High Mythic NPC)

Class: Nature Duelist

Health: ??? (100%)

Affiliations: «Emplenan Few» «Elven Protection Order» 」

"Lord Third," Elder Madris respectfully greeted.

"Be at ease," Paeris said, keeping his eyes on Kieran. "As you can see, your mere presence has caused quite the clamor in our otherwise peaceful home. Young Heiress, has the Enchantress given any deeper explanation as to why she allowed a being of calamity to accept her legacy?"

After meeting with plenty of Wykins, Paeris knew at a glance when someone could manipulate mystical forces.

"It's as I told the others. He spoke with an Endless—two, if I'm being candid. Once she confirmed that he wasn't a threat to the longevity of our race, she resolved herself to put her faith in him," Agatha explained.

"I see," Paeris paused.

Unlike the others, he didn't erupt in fury.

Instead, he looked at Kieran with a questioning gaze. "Consider yourself lucky that I appeared first. If any of the strongest five appeared, they wouldn't be so reasonable. Now… I'll let you speak for yourself. Why that atrocious organization?"

"Why?" The intonation of Kieran's words sounded like a question, but he didn't mean it that way, at least, not to Paeris.

Soon, Kieran took a deep breath before voicing his perspective on the matter.

"Despite its vile past, the council is my best path to power. I can choose to disagree with their decisions and actions while acting under their banner. I'm an individual of free will, after all. Ultimately, I'm a part of this organization to extract gains, not become a tool in their machinations. As I stand here, separate me from the entity."

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