For a moment, every treehouse opened, and elves rushed out.
They were all young elf boys and girls, running happily toward Shamena.
"Lady Shamena!"
Dozens of them surrounded her, dancing and cheering with excitement.
More and more young elves ran over from the distance.
"Alright, alright."
"We have honored guests visiting today. Everyone calm down."
Shamena smiled warmly at the healthy and lively children.
For a brief moment, she looked just as carefree as they were.
But behind her stood Ren Kai and Venti, and beyond that waited war.
She had to end the joyful reunion.
The young elves immediately stepped aside and quietly formed a path.
"Lady Shamena, are you back to drive away the beastmen?"
One of the singing elf girls grabbed Shamena's hand.
Her eyes were filled with hope.
Hope for peace.
"Of course."
"Just stay here and wait for good news."
Shamena reassured her gently.
Seeing only children here told her everything she needed to know.
All the adult elves were already stationed at the forest's outer defenses, preparing for battle.
"Okay!"
The girl nodded seriously.
The young elves all smiled brightly.
Shamena had once been the Holy Maiden of the Elves four thousand years ago.
She possessed the most destructive fire magic and the mysterious space-time magic.
She was both the most beautiful elf and the strongest warrior of her race.
In fact, Shamena and Venti shared an unusual connection.
In the Elven Forest, natural elemental spirits occasionally appeared.
Venti was a Wind Spirit.
Shamena was a rare Fire Spirit.
That was why Venti liked staying at the Forest of Roses tavern.
Not just for the wine—
But also because it reminded him of another elemental spirit like himself.
"My lord, I apologize."
"All the adult elves are stationed at the forest's outer border."
"Only the children remain here."
Shamena bowed respectfully toward Ren Kai.
Inside, she was deeply worried about her people's safety.
She wanted to rush to the front lines immediately.
"It's fine."
"Let's go end this war."
Ren Kai said confidently.
Venti, seeing the children's hopeful expressions, finally hardened his resolve.
"Thank you, my lord."
Shamena bowed once more and opened a portal using her magic stone.
Under the worried gazes of the elf children, Ren Kai stepped inside.
I cannot let these children down.
When Ren Kai emerged from the portal, a gentle breeze greeted him.
They had arrived at the only natural barrier protecting the Elven Forest.
A massive mountain range stretched endlessly before them.
The mountains towered more than two thousand meters high.
Behind them lay the Elven Forest.
Ahead stretched a vast grassland.
Several elves perched in the surrounding trees spotted Ren Kai.
They raised their bows instinctively—
But before they could aim, Shamena and Venti stepped out of the portal.
"Stop! Lady Shamena has returned!"
The elves quickly lowered their bows and jumped down from the trees.
They bowed respectfully.
"Lady Shamena, you're finally here."
"Everyone's been extremely anxious."
"We've heard the beastmen army numbers one hundred thousand."
"They're led by the Lion King Tribe and the Wolf King Tribe, along with more than a dozen smaller tribes."
"And they've even brought Behemoth beasts."
The leading elf archer spoke nervously.
"Do not panic."
"The two lords behind me will make decisions for the elves."
"You only need to stay here and watch."
Shamena smiled confidently.
The elves looked curiously at Ren Kai and Venti.
Several recognized Venti as a traveling bard and looked surprised.
"Where is the beastmen army now?"
Ren Kai asked.
"My lord, based on their marching speed…"
"They should currently be about thirty kilometers away."
The elf replied respectfully.
"Well?"
"Would you two like to come along?"
Ren Kai smiled wickedly.
His aura surged outward, cold and intimidating.
A trace of killing intent leaked out.
The elves instantly felt a chill run down their spines.
No one dared to speak.
"I would gladly accompany you, my lord."
Shamena said happily.
Venti remained silent.
Inside, he struggled again.
One hundred thousand soldiers.
That meant one hundred thousand lives.
"I…"
Venti began to speak.
"Relax."
"I'll give them a chance to live."
"This is your territory after all."
"But if they refuse that chance…"
"Then they can remain here as fertilizer."
Ren Kai said coldly.
Venti had allowed the beastmen far too much freedom.
Ren Kai even suspected that the expedition of the Knights of Favonius five hundred years later might have something to do with these beastmen.
"Thank you, my lord."
"I'll accompany you."
Venti said quietly.
He had already done what he could.
If he kept arguing, he might end up getting beaten instead.
Shamena was about to open another portal—
But Ren Kai's Rinnegan activated.
Using Void Dominion, he instantly transported the three of them thirty kilometers away.
The elf archers watching from the mountains were stunned.
"We're saved this time!"
"Quick—inform the clan leader!"
The information had been correct.
The beastmen army was indeed nearby.
Just two kilometers ahead.
The sight was overwhelming.
One hundred thousand beastmen soldiers marched forward like a raging tide.
They were ferocious, muscular, and armed with claws and fangs.
At the very front stood two enormous Behemoth beasts, each towering eighty meters tall.
The earth trembled beneath their steps.
The roar of beasts filled the air.
Ren Kai narrowed his eyes.
The formation was chaotic and disorganized.
And the smell was terrible.
"Venti."
"Don't reveal your identity."
"Otherwise we won't know what they're truly thinking."
Ren Kai said with a smile.
"Understood."
Venti nodded.
As he stepped forward, the lion king Simba spotted them.
He immediately raised his hand.
The massive army halted.
"Shamena!"
"Have you come here to die?"
"Unfortunately, the war won't stop because of you!"
"The Elven Forest will fall beneath the beastmen army!"
Simba roared arrogantly.
The beastmen soldiers erupted in laughter.
Giving up the treasures and beautiful women of the Elven Forest?
That was impossible.
Shamena simply smiled and said nothing.
She was waiting to watch the show.
Venti frowned.
Seeing the beastmen's arrogance made him less inclined to give them mercy.
"Withdraw now."
"There is still time."
"This is the guidance of the Anemo Archon."
Venti finally stepped forward and addressed Simba directly.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access 60 ahead advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?