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Chapter 54
Shadows Among the Elves
Morning sunlight filtered gently through the tall trees of the Whispering Mountain Forest.
The ancient forest stretched endlessly in every direction, its towering trunks rising like silent guardians of nature, covered in soft green moss that glowed with a gentle inner light. Their leaves shimmered faintly with natural mana, glowing soft emerald under the golden light of dawn, as if the whole woods were breathing with quiet magic.
The air here felt different—cooler, cleaner, and filled with quiet magic that hummed softly beneath every step, like a soft song only the heart could hear. Tiny sparkles of light floated between the branches, dancing like friendly fireflies even in the daytime.
Alex walked at the front of the small group, his eyes calm and observant as he studied the forest around them. His golden aura pulsed softly, warm and steady, pushing back any shadows that tried to linger.
Leon followed closely behind him, carrying a small travel pack while gripping the short sword Max had given him. The boy's steps were light and eager, his eyes wide with the wonder of the new place.
Luna walked beside Max, occasionally stopping to look at the glowing plants that grew beside the path.
Some of the plants pulsed softly with spirit energy, their petals changing color whenever the wind brushed against them, shifting from soft blue to warm pink like shy smiles from the earth itself.
"This place is beautiful," Luna whispered softly, her eyes shining with wonder, her small hands reaching out to touch a glowing leaf that left a tiny sparkle on her fingers.
Leon nodded eagerly.
"It feels like the whole forest is alive and watching over us."
Alex smiled faintly but remained alert, his golden eyes scanning the trees with quiet care.
They had been traveling through the forest for several hours now. The journey had been surprisingly peaceful so far, like a gentle walk through a living dream.
At one point they had stopped near a small stream where clear water flowed over smooth silver stones that sparkled like hidden treasures. Max had picked several bright fruits from a nearby tree whose branches glowed faintly blue, the fruit hanging like little lanterns ready to be shared.
"Forest Spirit Fruit," Max explained while handing them around with a warm smile.
"They grow only in elven lands and fill you with gentle strength."
The fruit tasted sweet and refreshing, filling their bodies with a gentle warmth that made the long journey easier, like a soft hug from the forest itself.
For a while the four of them simply enjoyed the calm of the forest, sitting on soft moss that felt like a cozy blanket. Birds with glowing feathers flew between the branches overhead, singing sweet tunes that seemed to welcome them. Small spirit creatures occasionally peeked from behind tree roots before disappearing again with tiny giggles of light.
It felt like a happy journey, full of peace and new friends in the trees.
Until suddenly—
THUNK!
An arrow shot from the trees and struck the ground just inches in front of Alex's boots, its tip glowing with soft green magic that made the earth around it shimmer.
Leon jumped back in surprise while Luna gasped softly, her hands flying to her mouth.
Max immediately stepped forward, his hand moving toward his sword with steady strength.
Several shadows dropped from the tall branches above them, landing as lightly as falling leaves.
Five figures appeared silently among the trees, their movements light and graceful like the wind itself.
Elves.
Their long silver hair shimmered under the sunlight, and their emerald eyes watched the group carefully, full of quiet watchfulness. Each of them held a beautifully carved bow, arrows already drawn and ready, the wood of the bows etched with glowing vine patterns that pulsed softly.
"Halt," one of the elves said calmly.
His voice was cold but not hostile, like a clear stream running over stones.
"This is elven territory. Outsiders are not permitted to walk freely here."
Alex slowly raised one hand to show he meant no harm, his golden aura glowing a little brighter to show peace.
"I come peacefully," he said calmly.
"I am Alex von Voldigord, Second Prince of the Ether Empire."
The elves exchanged quick glances, their silver hair catching the light like moonlight on water.
"I have come from Valencrest Duchy," Alex continued.
"I seek an audience with the leader of the elves."
The elf who appeared to be their captain studied Alex carefully for a moment.
His sharp eyes lingered on the faint golden aura around Alex's body, warm and bright like the rising sun.
Finally he lowered his bow slightly.
"…Very well," the elf said.
"You will come with us."
"But do not mistake this for hospitality."
"The forest is not in the mood to welcome guests."
The tone in his voice made it clear something was wrong, like a hidden shadow under the trees.
Without another word, the elves began escorting them deeper into the forest, their steps silent as they moved between the glowing leaves.
---
After another hour of walking, the trees slowly opened into a wide clearing bathed in soft golden light.
A beautiful village appeared among the ancient trees.
Elven houses had been built directly into the trunks of enormous trees, their wooden balconies glowing softly with magic lanterns that floated like gentle stars. Bridges made of woven vines connected the homes high above the ground, swaying softly in the breeze like living ribbons.
Crystal streams flowed through the village like silver ribbons, their water sparkling with tiny fish that left trails of light behind them.
Normally it would have been a place full of music and laughter, with children playing under glowing flowers and elders telling stories by the streams.
But today the atmosphere felt tense, as if a quiet worry hung in the air like morning mist.
Elves walked quietly through the village, their expressions serious and worried, their silver hair tied back with simple leaf bands. Alex noticed many guards standing watch near the edges of the settlement, their bows held ready and their eyes scanning the trees.
Something was clearly wrong, like a soft darkness trying to creep into the bright forest.
The escorting elves led them toward a large tree at the center of the village, its trunk wider than ten men standing together.
Inside was a wide council hall carved directly into the living wood of the ancient tree itself, with walls that seemed to breathe softly and floors covered in soft glowing moss.
Several older elves were already waiting inside, their robes decorated with silver leaves that shimmered like captured starlight.
At the center sat the village chief.
His long white hair flowed down his shoulders like moonlight, and his green robes were decorated with silver leaves that glowed with gentle magic.
The moment Alex entered, the chief studied him carefully, his wise eyes full of quiet thought.
"So," the chief said slowly.
"A human prince has come to our forest."
Alex bowed slightly in respect, his golden aura warm and respectful.
"I came to ask something important."
The chief nodded calmly.
"Then ask."
Alex looked directly at him, his voice steady and kind.
"Why did the elves stop trading with Valencrest?"
For a moment the room fell silent, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves outside.
Several elders exchanged glances, their faces shadowed with worry.
Finally the chief answered calmly.
"Our people simply chose to stop."
"The world outside grows… troublesome."
"So we decided to remain within our forest."
The answer sounded calm.
Too calm.
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something felt wrong, like a hidden thorn under a soft leaf.
Then suddenly—
A faint ripple of dark energy brushed against his senses, cold and sharp like ice in the warm air.
His body stiffened slightly.
As the Apostle of Light, Alex could feel demonic energy far more clearly than others, like a shadow trying to hide from the sun.
And right now…
There was definitely something demonic nearby, lurking like a bad dream in the bright day.
Alex slowly spoke in his mind.
"System."
"Show status of everyone in this room."
DING!
Dozens of blue windows appeared in Alex's vision, glowing softly like friendly lights only he could see.
Status windows began appearing rapidly above the heads of every elf present.
Village Chief — Clean
Elder — Clean
Guard — Clean
Elder — Clean
But then—
One window appeared that made Alex's eyes sharpen instantly.
Name: ???
Race: Elf
Title: Second Elder
Status: Corrupted
Affiliation: Eclipse Covenant
Alex's mind immediately connected the pieces, like a clear path opening in the trees.
So it's you.
He remembered this part of the original story.
There had once been a traitor among the elves.
Someone secretly working for the Eclipse Covenant, bringing shadows where light should shine.
But in the original timeline, that traitor had been revealed much later, after more trouble had come.
Alex's lips curved slightly, a small smile of quiet understanding.
Who would have thought…
I would find him this quickly, like a hidden shadow under the bright leaves.
Without another word—
Alex moved.
His body exploded forward with terrifying speed, like a golden streak of light through the trees.
BOOM!
The wooden floor cracked beneath his step, sending soft sparks of magic into the air.
Before anyone could react, Alex's fist smashed directly toward the Second Elder, wrapped in bright golden light.
CRASH!
The two of them burst through the wooden wall and crashed straight through a large window, tumbling outside into the open clearing with a shower of glowing leaves and sparkling wood bits.
The council hall erupted into chaos, voices rising like startled birds.
The village chief stood up in fury, his white hair flying.
"How dare you!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the living wood.
"You attack an elven elder inside our sacred hall?!"
Several elven guards immediately drew their weapons, bows creaking and swords flashing with green light.
But before they could move—
Max stepped forward.
His sword flashed from its sheath, steady and strong.
"You are not leaving this room," Max said calmly.
His voice was cold and firm, like a protective wall of stone.
Leon quickly moved beside him, gripping his small sword tightly, his eyes full of brave fire.
Luna stood behind them nervously, her small hands glowing faintly with spirit energy, ready to help if she could.
---
Outside the hall—
Alex and the Second Elder crashed hard onto the forest floor, rolling across soft moss that lit up with tiny sparks.
The corrupted elf slowly stood up, wiping blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
His eyes glowed faintly with dark purple energy, like poison flowers blooming in the night.
"So…" the elf said quietly, his voice twisting like dark smoke.
"You noticed."
Dark energy began spreading from his body like black smoke, curling around the trees and making the leaves wilt for a moment.
"Then I suppose I must kill you now."
Alex slowly raised his fist, his golden eyes steady and bright.
Golden light exploded around his body, warm and powerful.
The aura of the Apostle of Light burst outward like a rising sun, chasing away the dark smoke and filling the clearing with hope and strength.
The forest wind suddenly howled, leaves swirling violently around them in a bright golden dance.
And then—
Both of them attacked.
BOOM!
The sound echoed through the trees like thunder wrapped in light and shadow, shaking the branches and sending birds flying upward in sparkling clouds.
The fight had begun, and the forest itself seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see which light would win.