Chapter 340: The Variable (Part 4)

  "Actually, I think it would be better for you to let us go. Leave the Leaves of the World Tree, and I can swear in Mafa's name to let you leave peacefully," Elder Lloyd suddenly said.

  "What, are you crazy or foolish?" a hoarse, strange voice came from beneath the dark golden skull mask.

  "These thorny vines transformed by the War Ancient Tree were used to deal with dragons. The potent poison on them could make even a dragon suffer. Your constitution probably isn't better than a dragon's, is it?" Although Elder Lloyd couldn't see the wounds on the Necromancer's back, he could smell the blood.

  "Things useful against dragons aren't necessarily useful against people," the Necromancer said lightly. "You and I both understand people. There's no need to test each other with words."

  Elder Lloyd chuckled and said, "Oh, really? With your skills, you could have taken the Leaves of the World Tree and left directly. There was no need to take us hostage, which is so troublesome..."

  "Enough talk. I'll remind you, an elf without a tongue can also be a hostage. Or I can make a swap." The Necromancer's hand waved. The smile on Elder Lloyd's face instantly stiffened. All the white hair on his head suddenly fell down, leaving only hair behind; even his beard and eyebrows fell out cleanly. Only then did everyone see the uniquely shaped dagger in the Necromancer's hand. Besides the long blade, two long fangs protruded from the hilt, sinister and sharp.

  What made Elder Lloyd freeze was not the Necromancer's words, but the killing intent. He couldn't tell if it came from the strange dagger or from the Necromancer himself, or perhaps a combination of both. It wasn't overtly displayed, but it seeped directly into the marrow—a true killing aura, an aura of death. Only one who had slaughtered countless lives could possess such a killing aura. A person with such an aura, who possessed such a dagger, would definitely not be someone who liked to make threats.

  His words were not just for the other to hear, but also for the other elves to hear. In truth, he hadn't been able to see through him at the start. The poison on the thorns was, after all, meant for dragons tens of thousands of years ago and had never been tested on people, which was why he had probed with words. And now, the other's reaction was enough to explain everything.

  He glanced at the other elves, who were all at a loss. A cold sweat broke out on Elder Lloyd's forehead; it was from anxiety.

  "Alright, all of you, get the hell away from here." The Necromancer dragged the two elven elders and walked out. The elves outside made way for them.

  Elder Lloyd felt as if his veins were about to burst. He clearly felt that the hand holding his back was trembling slightly. He could now be certain that if the elves disregarded the danger to the two elders, whether by using the War Ancient Tree or by attacking, they could definitely strike this Necromancer down. At most, a few more people would die. But that was still better than the Leaves of the World Tree being taken away.

  The Necromancer, holding the two elven elders, walked swiftly to the edge of the War Ancient Tree and descended the stairs. Aimee, released from the thorn cage, ran along behind. The elves who had gathered did not dare to get too close, just surrounding them and constantly moving along. Luya didn't know if she was also controlled; from beginning to end, she did not say a word.

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  Finally, Elder Lloyd sighed in his heart. A feeling of utter helplessness and exhaustion washed over him. He knew these elven compatriots were not stupid. Even if they couldn't understand the Necromancer's situation, they could surely measure the value between the Leaves of the World Tree and the two of them. It was just that they could not harden their hearts to sacrifice the two elders, and perhaps many more elven lives.

  It is always difficult to make choices based purely on reason. The greater the thing one must sacrifice, the more inner strength is required. Those who discuss war and strategy on paper can never understand. Those who can be brave and decisive are one in a hundred. And the peace and simplicity the elves had always maintained was a very simple, kind nature. But in a situation like this, such kindness was indeed weakness.

  Even if they understood rationally that they should act, this weakness would make them unconsciously think that even if they didn't act, it would be useless. To suddenly sacrifice the two elders and many elven lives, the Necromancer would still escape with the Leaves of the World Tree. If they didn't act, at least the two elders would be safe... Perhaps the Leaves of the World Tree could be retrieved in the future... It was foolish, but reason was ever just a tool of emotion.

  It seemed the elves had always suffered more disasters than blessings. There was never a time they weren't in a passive position, never a time they didn't suffer a bitter defeat. It was all because of this weakness. By following Mafa's teachings, they had maintained a kind and peaceful culture, preserving their good, gentle nature and not getting lost in the accumulation of desire and conflict like humans, but in doing so, they had also lost their fangs and claws.

  Just as a human's true strength lies not in their weapons but in their heart and soul, a race's strength lies in its culture. When the will to fight was deliberately suppressed, preserving kindness and simplicity, they also lost the ability to defend themselves. Even with a great, invincible fortress like the War Ancient Tree, they could not protect the Leaves of the World Tree.

  Perhaps it had reached this point where the Leaves of the World Tree could no longer remain in the hands of the elven race. Elder Lloyd could only think so now.

  Along the way, they did not encounter much obstruction. The Necromancer with the dark golden skull mask, holding Elder Lloyd and Luya hostage, walked to the edge of the Whispering Woods.

  "Don't follow. We will release the elven girl after we leave," the Necromancer said, seemingly sighing in relief as they walked out of the Sunwell's anti-magic field. He dropped Elder Lloyd and continued pulling Luya, leading Aimee towards the distance.

  The elves wanted to continue following, but Elder Lloyd waved his hand to stop them.

  "Perhaps this is truly fate... At least we can be more relaxed in the future," Elder Lloyd said, with a hint of melancholy but also some relief.

  When the elves were no longer in sight, the Necromancer finally let go of Luya. Then she suddenly knelt on the ground and, with a waaah, a large mouthful of blood sprayed out from behind the skull mask.

  This was blood, because of the strong, coppery smell. If one only looked at its appearance, it seemed more like a large splash of green paint. This large mouthful of blood sprayed onto the ground, splashing onto the Necromancer's clothes. Immediately, some faint green vines and other plants grew on it. These plants grew vibrantly for two or three seconds, then quickly withered along with the strange blood, turning into a pile of gray ash on the ground.

  The Necromancer suddenly stabbed the dagger in his hand into his own arm. The blood that oozed out was also green. A mixture of blood-colored and black aura flashed on the dagger and disappeared into the Necromancer's body. Only then did he stand up.

  "Thank you, little girl. It has been decades since I last thanked anyone," the Necromancer said, surprisingly speaking to Luya, whom he had been holding hostage.

  Luya did not speak, only shaking her head. Her expression was strange. Aimee, who had followed, looked at them both, bewildered. She seemed to understand a little, but not completely.

  "Alright, I have done my best. The rest is up to you," the Necromancer said, taking out the verdant Leaves of the World Tree from his robes, along with the dagger, and handing them to Aimee.

  "You... you are..." Aimee stammered, not daring to take them. "Wouldn't it be better if you took them to exchange for Brother Ethan...?"

  "No. I've reached my limit. That elven fellow was right, I really can't take the poison on those thorns," the Necromancer said, shaking his head. Although his voice was still hoarse and indistinct, a sense of weakness could now be felt. "I can no longer let that kid of Inham see my true state. That would only make him act without restraint. You take this Nick Dagger and say you have urgent business to return to Diya Valley. If he dares to try any tricks... just wait for his head to be cut off by this dagger."