Chapter 257: Confrontation, Unexpected Discovery

"The Sorensen Mountains?"

Wang Yu paused upon hearing the name; in this unfamiliar land, the name of this mountain range sounded strangely resonant.

"That is Holo's homeland, isn't it?"

Fragments of memory surfaced. Wang Yu had never specifically investigated the range; everything he knew about it had come from that Dark Elf druid of the Nightfall Church.

"Yes, I remember you telling me about it, Wang Yu. About the mountains that were Mr. Holo's home, the extremist followers of the God of Life, and the reason that forced Mr. Holo to leave: the 'Corruption'."

The girl nodded, recounting what she knew of the range.

The map had been pinned to the wall for some time, though neither Wang Yu nor Avia had bothered to study the place names upon it.

It was only today, after Avia transcended to the realm of an Archmage and activated the Perfect Fractal spell, that she noticed the term "Sorensen Mountains" amidst the vast stream of automatically gathered external data.

"So, the corruption in those mountains has been resolved. I never expected the Sorensen Mountains to be so close to Liahim. Even if the inhabitants are Dark Elves, they are still elves, after all. It makes sense that Liahim would step in to resolve the issue."

Wang Yu nodded, having gained a rough grasp of the situation.

"If we get the chance, we should let Mr. Holo know. He would be delighted to hear that his homeland has returned to normal."

A smile graced the girl's face. She held a favorable impression of that responsible and kind-hearted Dark Elf; it would be a joyous thing to see him, a man who had led his entire family into exile, finally able to return home.

"Holo left the royal capital some time ago with a group of Nightfall believers to find a place more conducive to the Church's growth. Who knows where we might run into him now."

Wang Yu mused that if that were the case, it was indeed good news. For the Nightfall Church, the Sorensen Mountains would be an excellent place to develop.

He reckoned those deranged followers of the God of Life had likely died out over the years, making proselytizing much easier.

"Well, we can think about that later. As Lady Darkness gains more followers, her power will grow. By then, no matter the distance, we will be able to contact our friends in the Nightfall Church through the prayer communication network."

"But before that, Wang Yu, I have some rather good news for you."

As the girl spoke, her smile deepened, and she looked at Wang Yu with a hint of playfulness.

"What is it?"

Wang Yu watched Avia’s whimsical demeanor and played along, feigning curiosity. He was, in fact, genuinely curious; what kind of good news could make the girl smile so... un-Avia-like?

"Hey!"

The girl rolled up the sleeves of her mage’s robe, revealing her smooth, fair arms, then turned her back to Wang Yu and struck a pose common to bodybuilders showing off their muscles.

Having trained specifically, the girl’s slender arms actually displayed quite an aesthetically pleasing muscular definition.

"Clap, clap, clap, clap!"

Wang Yu applauded vigorously.

"Eh? Can't you tell what I'm trying to express, Wang Yu?"

The girl asked with a smile, watching Wang Yu as he played along with her performance.

"I can't tell at all!"

Wang Yu expressed his opinion with a response that was almost robotic in its delivery, yet remarkably loud.

"Haha, from now on, I can be Knight Avia too."

The girl turned around, using her left hand to gently tap the bicep of her right arm, presenting herself to Wang Yu.

"That's impressive. The Golden Apple's effects are even better than imagined. I thought it would only reinforce your existing mage talents, but it seems it granted you the talent of a knight as well."

Wang Yu shook his head with a smile. It was rare to see the girl so lively; perhaps the joy of crossing into the Archmage realm while simultaneously opening the path of a knight had brought her such immense satisfaction.

Regardless, it was a good thing!

"Yes, after consuming the Golden Apple this time, I managed to collect a lot of data using 'Perfect Fractal.' With this, I should be able to figure out if the Golden Apple will have an effect on your body, Wang Yu."

The girl regained her composure, tapping her chin gently as she shared this other discovery.

Because Wang Yu’s body possessed so many unique traits and a host of inexplicable mysteries, they had been cautious about researching the apple, fearing that a rash consumption would lead to waste.

Now, having consumed the apple herself, the girl had obtained enough data. With a little study, Wang Yu should be able to achieve a breakthrough in his own strength.

"I'm just one step away from becoming a Great Knight. I wonder if I can use this thing of yours to break through."

Wang Yu looked at the remaining half of the Golden Apple in its container. The shimmering, golden fruit looked as tempting as ever, no matter how many times he saw it.

…………

"I have already said it, whether to your messengers or to you, Elder Gawain: my answer remains unchanged. We cannot suspend our use of the World Tree's branch root network. This is something we are rightfully entitled to."

Toby the Dwarf dragged his massive iron hammer, standing outside Ironforge. He stood alone, confronting a large group of elves. Their leader was none other than Elder Gawain, who had traveled here from Liahim.

"I believe I have made myself quite clear. My request for you to cease the utilization of the World Tree's branch roots is not a request, but a demand."

Gawain spoke with finality. Faced with the dwarf's angry retort, he showed no intention of yielding even an inch.

"Do your people truly intend to break the contract our two races signed together? You know that was a vow signed by our kings themselves, with a handshake."

Toby frowned. He was surprised by Gawain’s attitude; the Elven race was generally peaceful, and it was rare for an elf to speak with such uncompromising harshness.

However, given that this was the man known for his rigid adherence to rules, it was perhaps not entirely incomprehensible.

But Toby had no intention of backing down either. The "Deep Excavation Project" was too vital to the Dwarven Kingdom, and the use of the World Tree's root network was an indispensable part of it.

"The contract we signed was to lend the power of the World Tree to our allies, in return for the help the dwarves provided during the migration of the World Tree. But if the dwarves cause harm to the World Tree itself, the Elven race will never tolerate it."

Gawain’s expression was cold and stern. Even when Toby brought up the alliance signed by their respective kings, he remained unmoved.

"Harm the World Tree? What are you talking about? Are you questioning the integrity and oaths of the dwarves?!"

Toby’s voice rose sharply. He was already irritated by the demand to stop using the roots.

When Gawain accused them of harming the tree, the dwarf, feeling slandered, reached the peak of his fury. He raised his signature weapon, the warhammer *Smasher*, and pointed it at Gawain.

"Clack, clack, clack, clack."

Above Ironforge behind Toby, the sound of uniform metal grinding and clashing rang out in response to his movement and roar. Several alchemy cannons shifted their aim, locking onto the elves.

These were no mere imitations from human kingdoms; these were "Big Boomers" forged by the dwarves themselves, their power best described as exaggerated.

"I am indeed questioning you. If you have not committed acts harmful to the World Tree, then let us enter the underground where the root network lies and investigate for ourselves. That would naturally settle the matter."

Gawain’s expression remained unchanged, his words as rigid as before. He stood unmoved by the raised warhammer and the alchemy cannons above Ironforge.

"That is impossible. You not only violate our alliance but also question the stone-like loyalty of the dwarves, and even attempt to interfere with our plans. What exactly are you trying to do? If you do not want to push things to the point of no return, then retreat. Otherwise, the friendship between our two races..."

"Whoosh!"

A piercing, shrill sound cut through the air. Before Toby could finish his sentence, a blur moved at a terrifying speed across his cheek. A bloody gash appeared on his face, and beads of blood slowly began to seep out.

"You refuse to stop the development of the World Tree's roots, and you refuse to allow us to investigate. I do not know what your race is trying to do. If this is what you want, the next arrow will be aimed at your head."

Gawain lowered his longbow. In a movement no one had been able to track, he had fired an arrow at Toby. It had grazed the dwarf's cheek; just as he had said, if he had intended to hit Toby's head, the dwarf would not have been able to dodge it.

"Drip..."

A bead of sweat traced a path down Toby’s face; he was rattled, truly unable to fathom that these long-eared folk would dare to act with such reckless abandon.

The fury that had flared up moments ago at being questioned was extinguished, replaced by the stark realization that the elves had no intention of backing down.

"Damn it, have these long-ears lost their minds? Do they really mean to shatter the alliance between our races? But the Deep-Dig Project cannot be compromised; letting them underground is out of the question, yet these lunatics are playing for keeps. By the Furnace God, are these even the same long-ears? Why are they so volatile!"

Toby muttered frantically to himself, a rare display of such complex internal turmoil for a dwarf.

"If it were Gawain, perhaps this might work."

Toby’s face cycled between shades of pale and flushed, caught between the indignation of being humiliated and the tension of not daring to make a rash move.

"We dwarves have no desire to break our bond, but the details of the Deep-Dig must remain hidden from outsiders. As for your claims regarding the World Tree, we swear we have done nothing to harm it."

"Per our ancient covenant, in the event of conflict, we may hold an arbitration in the presence of our respective leaders; this time, you and I shall serve as the arbiters."

"Stay here for one month. If the World Tree suffers further distress, we will grant you entry to the depths immediately. If not, after the month is up, we shall return the rights to the root system regardless. How does that sound?"

Toby watched Gawain’s cold, stern eyes with bated breath, hoping this stickler for rules would honor the pact—it was the greatest concession a dwarf could offer. If Gawain refused, then…

"Agreed. One month. But regardless of the outcome, we will enter the depths to investigate."

Gawain nodded, accepting the dwarf’s terms, his expression softening by a fraction.

Toby stood stunned; he had expected Gawain to hold out longer, and now he felt as though he had been played by these long-ears. Yet, a dwarf’s word was his bond, and he could not retract his offer.

In the name of the God of Order, the contract was sealed.

...

"Teacher, how did the elves handle the corruption in the Sorensen Mountains? Do you know the true nature of this phenomenon they call 'corruption'?"

In the small study within Moira’s treehouse, Elvia, who had been poring over alchemical texts, suddenly looked up to ask Moira, who was resting with her eyes closed in a rocking chair.

She was curious about the essence of this "corruption," and surely the elves of Liahim, who had resolved it, would know.

"The Sorensen Mountains? That place where the dark elves dwell? Why bring them up? They aren't exactly welcomed in Liahim. And what is this 'corruption' you speak of?"

Moira straightened her back, her tone laced with bewilderment as she countered Elvia’s question.

"Ah? You don't know about the corruption in the Sorensen Mountains? Vast swathes of forest withered and died—was that not resolved by the elves of Liahim?"

Elvia froze, stunned that her teacher was unaware of the matter. Such a widespread phenomenon, even if resolved, should have left behind extensive records.

"What are you talking about? Though I am an outsider in Liahim, my sources are quite reliable, and I have never heard of any 'corruption' in the Sorensen Mountains."

"Forests wither, yes, that is common enough; any number of things can cause a sudden die-off of trees."

"But judging by your tone, this was a massive, long-term event. It simply didn't happen. Caravans passed through the Sorensen Mountains recently, and everything there is perfectly fine."

Moira seemed as puzzled as the girl, offering a detailed explanation that boiled down to a single point: there was no such thing as "corruption."

"How can that be? That is what Mr. Holo told me..."

Wait!

The girl suddenly realized something, her eyes sharpening with sudden gravity as she rose and looked out the window toward the Sorensen Mountains.