Game of the World Tree

【 THE CURRENTSTATE OF THE ELVES 】

Nightingale seemed quite popular among the Chosen Ones.

As Taylor followed her, he noticed that every time they encountered a Chosen One, they would greet her warmly.

Nightingale, in turn, responded with a smile.

Occasionally, Taylor even saw some of the Chosen One approach her with hopeful expressions, eagerly asking if there were any tasks they could undertake.

The slightly flattering expression left Taylor momentarily stunned, subtly distorting his perception of this world.

He didn’t expect that the Chosen Ones actually had such a side to them.

In his mind, the impression of these beings was firmly set—they were enigmatic figures, and although the chosen ones who descended to Ouros often carried an air of eccentricity, they remained neither humble nor arrogant.

Wait…

Wasn’t this how they acted when he first encountered them as well?

Back then, they had also asked him if there were any tasks they could do.

However, at the time, Taylor had been too overwhelmed by the shock of being approached by beings rumored to be divine beings. He had been so flustered and ecstatic that his mind went blank back then.

In hindsight, his reaction must have appeared perplexing, as the Chosen Ones eventually left, disappointed.

Looking back now, Taylor couldn’t help but wonder—had there been a deeper purpose behind their behavior?

Or was it simply proof that the Chosen Ones found amusement in such interactions?

Regardless, Taylor now felt that Nightingale’s status was likely far higher than he had initially assumed.

After all, she could assign tasks to other divine beings!

This realization made him even more cautious in her presence.

As they walked, they continued their conversation.

Nightingale began explaining the current state of the higher realm.

Thanks to her detailed account, Taylor gained a deeper understanding of the elves, or as they were often referred to in Ouros—the divine beings.

At present, the Elvenkind could be divided into three distinct groups.

The first group consisted of the Chosen Ones, who made up the majority of the population, totaling around sixty thousand.

They were the sword and shield of the Goddess, active throughout the Elven Forest. They built and protected the land, ensuring its prosperity and security.

The second group was the Returning Elves, the second largest, with a population of just over two thousand.

These were elves and half-elves with purified bloodlines who had returned to the Forest from various parts of Seigües.

They primarily resided in an elven city named Florence.

Both Nightingale and Lord Aél belonged to this group.

Unlike the adventurous and thrill-seeking Chosen Ones, the Returning Elves valued peace and were generally gentle in nature. Many were devout followers of the Goddess.

They also formed the core leadership of the Church of Life.

Unlike the Chosen Ones, who were primarily responsible for external affairs, the Returning Elves oversaw internal matters. They handled tasks such as managing the Forest’s production and assigning missions to the Chosen Ones.

Of course, they had their own guards, but these forces were mainly responsible for maintaining internal security rather than engaging in external conflicts.

It’s also worth noting that any residents from Ouros who purified their bloodline and became true elves would also be considered part of this group.

Lastly, the third group was the Primordial Elves.

Their numbers were small, no less than a hundred, but their status was exceptional.

Every Primordial Elf was personally born from the Goddess herself, possessing immense potential and extraordinary talent.

They lived alongside the Chosen Ones, receiving education from both the Chosen and the Returning Elves.

They were seen as the future leaders of the elven race.

After listening to Nightingale’s description, the mysterious divine beings in Taylor’s mind seemed to finally shed their veils.

“So… may I ask, Lady Nightingale, which group were the elves who descended upon our world a thousand years ago part of?” Taylor inquired.

“They were part of the elves who fled the Elven Forest. If any of them are still alive and have returned, they would now be considered part of the second group,” Nightingale replied.

As expected…

Taylor nodded slightly in realization.

He had always felt that the legendary divine beings in their legends seemed quite different from the Chosen Ones he saw currently.

The elves in those stories were more dignified and composed, and they didn’t seem fond of conflict at all.

For a long time, he thought those stories might have been exaggerated. But now, it seemed the difference simply came down to the groups they belonged to.

Still, despite learning the truth, Taylor couldn’t shake his fondness for the Chosen Ones.

Perhaps it was due to his first impressions, but he found the adventurous and lively Chosen Ones more approachable than the gentle Returning Elves.

After all, it was the Chosen Ones who had saved the demi-realm and guided him toward his faith.

Moreover, when Taylor considered the origins of the Chosen Ones, he felt a certain kinship with them.

After all, both he and they had come from another world—and neither had originally been elves in the first place.

After hearing Taylor’s thoughts, Nightingale shook her head.

“That’s not quite the same.”

“The world you prior live in is merely a demi-realm connected to thel realm of Seigües. Ouros itself was created by Her Grace, the Goddess, alongside its former Lord Oros.”

“But the Chosen Ones… they come from a place far beyond our universe. They originate from another reality entirely, one beyond countless realms. It’s said that only the Goddess herself knows where they truly came from.”

A place farther away than their own universe…

Taylor’s mind drifted, his thoughts growing hazy upon knowing such revelation.

Suddenly, he realized that the reality for which he lives in was far larger than he’d ever imagined.

He once believed the demi-realm of Ouros was the entire world. Yet, he now learned that there was a higher realm beyond it.

And even after reaching this upper realm, he then discovered that the realm of Seigües was just one of countless realms spread across the so called ‘universe.’

Beyond all this universe, there might even be more distant otherworldly worlds…

The Elvenkind, as revered and lofty as they seemed back in his home world, was actually merely just one of many sentient species in this vast universe.

Not only that, but their status wasn’t as exalted as he’d initially imagined.

While they were praised as the most noble, elegant, and graceful of the long-lived races, in actuality, they were also a civilization in decline.

He became aware that, a thousand years ago, the elves had endured a devastating assault from various races for which resulted in a war that had left the forest scarred and their people scattered all over the land.

Even their revered goddess had fallen in that tragic conflict, and it was only in recent times that the elves had begun their slow and cautious resurgence, quietly rebuilding what had been lost and striving to rise again from the ashes of their once-glorious civilization.

At this point, Taylor started to understand why the divine beings had offered to purify their bloodline and accept them as their kin.

If Nightingale’s words were true, then centuries of persecution had left the elven race with dwindling population.

Given their slow reproduction and long maturation periods, achieving their goals without population growth seemed entirely impossible.

Hence, they provided the opportunity for anyone with a trace of elven bloodline to purify their lineage.

This was Taylor’s guess.

Still, he knew that nothing came without a price.

Ever since the divine beings saved him and he pledged his faith to the Goddess of Life, Taylor had chosen his path.

They were now bound by blood, sharing a common bloodline.

The chance to become one of the mighty beings he admired so deeply wasn’t something anyone in the Ouros demi-realm would refuse.

And once he became one of them, Taylor believed it was only natural to dedicate himself to the elves’ cause.

After all, the stronger the elves became, the better his life would be.

If they faltered, then perhaps even the Ouros demi-realm could easily fall prey to other, more powerful races.

Striving for the elves’ success wasn’t just for the elves or the Goddess herself as it was also for himself and his people back in his home world.

Yet despite understanding all of this, one question still nagged at Taylor’s mind:

“But… if the Chosen Ones possess such immense potential and have the ability to revive themselves endlessly, why doesn’t Her Grace turn all elves into Chosen Ones?”

Nightingale shook her head.

“That’s impossible.”

“The Chosen Ones are a unique existence and according to the legends, they will eventually leave our universe in the far future.”

“Thus, all we can do now is grow stronger with their help, to ensure that the Elvenkind can once again reclaim their former glory before their eventual departure…”

As she spoke, he noticed Nightingale’s expression changed slightly, as if recalling something painful.

They’ll leave someday…

For some reason, Taylor felt a pang of sadness.

Although his time with the Chosen Ones had been brief, he greatly admired and respected them.

Their carefree, adventurous nature made them quite endearing to him.

Taking a deep breath, Taylor asked another question:

“I see… So, Lady Nightingale, if I wish to progress from a half-elf to a true elf, how should I go about it?”

Hearing this, Nightingale seemed to snap out of her melancholic state.

She offered a faint smile and explained:

“It works like this.”

“You need to study under the guidance of other elves at the temple first. From there, you’ll be able to delve deeper into the ‘Holy Codex of Life’ and learn more about our history and culture.”

“The Temple conducts regular examinations. If you somehow manage to pass this test, then you’ll earn the right to undergo further bloodline purification, thereby becoming a pureblooded elf.”

“Of course, if you make exceptional contributions — such as recruiting a significant number of new believers for the Goddess of Life, or inventing something innovative using the Chosen Ones’ knowledge, or playing a crucial role in rebuilding the Elven Forest then you may also earn that qualification.”

Taylor nodded in understanding.

So that’s how it works…

He had always admired the culture of the divine beings.

After all, the civilization of their people back in the Ouros demi-realm was a legacy passed down by the elves.

Studying their true history and culture wasn’t just a way to integrate into this new world, it also felt like a pilgrimage to prove himself.

Speaking of pilgrimages, a thought suddenly struck Taylor.

“Oh, by the way, Lady Nightingale… I heard some of the Chosen Ones mention that the Goddess also resides in this realm as well. Is that true?”

Nightingale nodded.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

After replying, her gaze shifted toward central square of Kenorland, in front of the Temple of Life within the city.

Every elven city had a central square — a tradition that extended even to the Ouros demi-realm.

Nightingale’s gaze focused on a massive magical formation in the middle of the square, spanning over a dozen square meters in diameter.

Taylor followed her gaze and saw that the enormous formation occasionally shimmered with a radiant glow as new elves continuously emerged from it, while others entered and disappeared.

It was a large-scale teleportation array, the kind found only in legends!

Taylor noticed that most of the elves using the array wore ornate armor or elaborate robes, quite unlike Nightingale’s more modest attire.

These elves were almost exclusively Chosen Ones.

“Do you see that array?”

Nightingale asked.

“It connects to another elven city — a city built by the Chosen Ones. It’s called The City of the Chosen Ones, or simply put, the Chosen City.”

“It’s a wondrous, beautiful place, existing in a separate dimension. Your see, our is our people’s current holy city. Only the Chosen Ones who serve the Goddess and those elves granted the Task System by Her Grace may enter.”

“The true body of the Goddess also resides in that city. If you’re fortunate enough to become a pureblooded elf and receive Her Grace’s divine task system, then perhaps you’ll be able to journey there on a pilgrimage.”

Nightingale’s explanation made Taylor’s expression grow solemn.

The holy city of the elves?

The Goddess’s true body?

With a determined look, Taylor nodded seriously.

He would do his best to earn the right to become a true elf and one day visit the Chosen City to pay his respects.

However, there was one term that confused him.

“Task System?” he asked.

“It’s a special ability granted by the Goddess to Her devoted believers. Since you’re already a devout believer, you’ll awaken it once you become a pureblood elf,” Nightingale explained.

“With the Task System, you can issue quests to the Chosen Ones, asking them to assist with any tasks you can’t accomplish alone.”

“For the Chosen Ones, seeking entertainment is their greatest passion. Completing tasks issued by other elves through this system is one of their hobbies — and a source of fulfillment.”

Nightingale smiled as she spoke.

Taylor blinked in surprise.

“You mean… we can give such quests to the Chosen Ones?”

So that’s why some of them were so eager to please Nightingale!

It really was about tasks and rewards!

Still, Taylor found it difficult to gauge the Chosen Ones’ actual status.

On one hand, they seemed high-ranking, given their unique powers and the reverence others showed them.

Yet, on the other hand, ordinary elves could assign them tasks through the system.

This dynamic seemed rather…strange to say the least.

Just then, a thunderous boom echoed from a nearby district, startling Taylor.

The sound came from the ruins of an area still under reconstruction.

Taylor turned toward the noise and saw a group of dozens of armed elves gathered around the ruins.

They stood tensely, seemingly awaiting something.

In the middle of the group stood an elf holding a metallic tube-like object that emitted wisps of smoke.

In front of this elf was a small, bound green-skinned creature — a goblin, perhaps.

A bloody hole pierced the creature’s body, evidence of some sort of penetrating attack.

Taylor watched, wide-eyed, as the creature’s body suddenly began to age rapidly, before crumbling to dust within seconds.

When the goblin disintegrated into ash, the gathered elves burst into cheers and laughter, clearly excited by what had just transpired.

“What… just happened?”

Taylor whispered, both curious and confused.

Nightingale, seeing the cheering elves, seemed to realize something.

“So it’s HootyBird and the others… I didn’t expect they would come here to conduct their tests.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, then muttered,

“It seems they’ve succeeded in their modifications.”

— 474 —

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