Just as Amir had said, as they advanced deeper into the forest, Histori indeed saw many plants that looked quite dangerous.
However, under the effect of the Sacred Wood Leaf, they all docilely prostrated on the ground.
Even when Histori accidentally stepped on them a few times, these plants showed no intention of attacking her.
The environment was so peaceful that Histori gradually began to forget that she was sneaking into the Elf Forest alongside Amir.
“Wow…”
As they walked from the outer edge of the forest inward, the light gradually dimmed, making the surroundings feel more dangerous with every step.
But just as they were about to reach the Elf Forest, the situation reversed.
Thanks to Amir’s abilities, they crossed layer after layer of watchtowers.
What appeared before them was no longer a jungle filled with deadly plants, but a city growing increasingly bustling and artistic.
The foundation of the city was countless towering wooden pillars and an intertwining network of tree roots.
Whether it was a miracle of the Sacred Wood or the magic of the Elves, these trees had naturally spiraled, twisted, and grown into layers of winding, folded staircases.
Thick branches intertwined in midair, forming perfectly shaped arches and terraces.
At the same time, strands of green vines stretched between these uneven terraces, connecting each treehouse in a peculiar way, making the city look even more exquisite.
Moreover, the canopy that had once blocked the sky began to spread apart.
The bright moonlight poured down from above, reflecting off the countless small streams that crisscrossed the entire Elf Forest, casting a faint silver glow on the water’s surface.
“See that? That’s the Life River of the Elves—or the Life Spring. Something like that.”
“…I recall you mentioned before that the Elves call this stream the Elf Spring?”
“Did I? Then they’re pretty narcissistic.”
Amir gave a slight shrug toward Histori and said softly—
“Anyway, our target is the source of this Elf Spring—the Sacred Artifact known as the Elf Cup. It’s kept in the Elf Royal Palace at the very center of the Elf Forest, personally guarded by the Elf King.”
“…I remember you said before that their Sacred Artifact was called the Life’s Cup?”
“…Shh.”
Whether because she was embarrassed by Histori’s retort or because some guards really were passing by, Amir suddenly pressed down on Histori’s head and ducked with her to the side of a treehouse.
Clank, clank, clank.
A sound of well-trained, orderly footsteps marched past the treehouse right in front of them. At the same time, a deep male voice rang out—
“Listen up, we must guard every path on the outskirts of the Elf Forest recently. Her Majesty the Queen has decreed that no outsiders are to enter the Elf Forest during this period!”
“…Yes, sir!”
Just as their figures were about to pass the treehouse and run straight into Histori and Amir, Amir grabbed Histori by the collar, silently merged into the shadows with her, and leaped onto the treetop of a nearby tree.
They were four Wood Elves clad in silver light armor, each carrying a long silver bow.
The one at the front held a lantern emitting a faint green glow, his expression stern as he walked out of the Elf Forest.
“But Dali’an, we’ve been patrolling like this for over a month now, haven’t we?”
The elf at the back of the line, his face completely hidden inside his helmet, spread his hands lazily—
“There’s clearly no abnormality around. The few outsiders we caught were just black-market merchants trying to make a small deal, same as usual. What exactly does Her Highness the Queen mean by ‘this period’?”
“…Shut up. Who allowed you to casually speculate about the Queen’s orders? If the Queen says lockdown, then it’s lockdown.”
The leader called Dali’an turned his head and shot a cold glance at him—
“Otherwise, I could help you request an audience with the Queen so you can ask her yourself?”
“No need for that. I was just complaining a little about doing too much pointless work.”
The guard at the back of the line sighed but still followed the group.
‘…Hmm, what could be the reason for even the elf guards themselves to start feeling impatient with the patrol?’
Sitting on the treetop, Histori blinked her eyes silently, then turned her head to look at Amir’s face.
“…Um, He—”
However, just as Amir had pulled her up onto the treetop, Histori had instinctively shifted the leaf to the tip of her tongue.
So the moment her lips parted, the Sacred Wood Leaf flew out of her mouth.
“…!?”
Although Amir was quick and caught the falling leaf the next second, once that disposable item left Histori’s mouth, the natural mana aura on it rapidly became contaminated by Histori’s original mana.
Naturally, it could no longer be used as a concealment item.
“Who’s there?!”
Sensing a foreign presence, the elf captain, who had already walked more than a dozen yards away, twitched his long, pointed ears slightly and immediately turned around.
With a crisp sound of a bowstring being drawn, he instantly pulled out an arrow glowing with an eerie green light and nocked it.
“What’s wrong, Dali’an?! Is there something around?”
Seeing his reaction, the other guards nervously drew their bows and began looking around.
…
He held the bowstring for over ten seconds, carefully scanning all surroundings with intense focus before finally lowering his bow and shaking his head at his teammates.
“I just… thought I sensed some foreign presence nearby…”
“Hey, you’re always so tense. I think it’s your imagination. I’m at the very back and didn’t feel a single trace of an unfamiliar aura.”
The guard who had spoken earlier stretched lazily—
“Besides, how could anyone cross the forward watchtowers and reach this point without leaving a single trace of their presence? This is practically inside the elf city.”
“…Imagination, huh?”
The elf captain glanced back at the treehouse they had just passed, furrowed his brow, and finally put away his bow with some irritation—
“Even better if there’s no one. Continue the patrol. Stay fully alert—don’t let any suspicious person get within a step of the Elf Forest!”
…………………………
At the same moment, above that treehouse, on a not-so-hidden branch, sat two figures in deep green cloaks, huddled close together.
If the captain had taken two more steps back, he might have used his prideful elven eyesight to notice that the two hoods—one higher, one lower—were tightly pressed together, joined by a single tiny leaf.