The Great Elder remained silent, contemplating inwardly. The na Valhalla cos from an ancient legend, which says that within the Trade Wind Ring lies a fantasy realm, a resting place for warriors, where one of the most primal Torches in the Vorn World is stored.
By igniting that Torch, the order of the Kalanja Peninsula would be rebuilt, possibly forming a Guardian Land as vast as the Cruz Empire.
The Druids of the Withered Wood Council have guarded this secret for generations, and this is also why they have long sought to enter the Trade Wind Ring to uncover the truth behind this peculiar atmospheric current phenonon.
Yet, Valhalla seems like a legend; it's there and not there, countless Druids have crossed the outskirts of the Trade Wind Ring, ventured into the Kalanja Mountain Range, but found nothing.
The only discovery is the ruins near the center of the Trade Wind Ring.
But the Great Elder knows well that what Andrew and his team discovered was really only the outer area of the ruins; to reach the center one must enter the Storm Circle, which is the central region of the Trade Wind Ring, an impassable area for anyone.
Thinking of this, the elder looked up at Brand, "Mr. Brand, the recent changes in the Trade Wind Ring, Gray Crow must have ntioned to you before coming, haven't they?"
Brand nodded; the changes in the Trade Wind Ring stem from the rise and fall of the Magic Tide, which is probably not a recent occurrence.
"In fact, he withheld the truth; the trouble we face is far greater than that." The Great Elder answered slowly.
Brand did not speak after hearing this; he looked at the seventeen Druid Elders, adding Gray Crow, that made eighteen, which should encompass all the Elders in this region of the Sky Ring — even including three Great Druids — he suddenly understood the significance of their gathering.
The Druids had encountered trouble, and it didn't sound like a small problem; otherwise, they wouldn't be desperately seeking his help.
However, he did not take the opportunity to make exaggerated demands but silently nodded.
The Great Elder seed very satisfied with Brand's attitude; the young man's humility made the elder believe this was indeed a human worth associating with. "The Trade Wind Ring."
He quoted: "This atmospheric current starts from the eastern end of the Kalanja Peninsula, circling the Kalanja Mountain Range, and is the most spectacular natural phenonon in the southern Vorn. On clear days, this white cloud wall can be seen stretching across east to west, hanging distant and low on the southern horizon of Erune —"
"The Lantoniolan Geographical Records, a work by Master Turaman—" Brand said, sowhat surprised, thinking that these Druids really did not concern themselves with worldly affairs, but apparently, they had so contact with the civilized world, just not known to the public.
The Great Elder nodded: "The Sky Ring is a loose organization. The Druids focus on their tasks, monitoring the movents within the Black Forest for a long historical period. anwhile, our Withered Wood Council is here, guarding the secret of the Trade Wind Ring for generations."
The elder turned back, his gaze piercing the canopy above, looking towards the south at the white cloud wall hanging between heaven and earth — that thick cloud layer towering tens of thousands of ters high, indefinitely extending from east to west, with so birds flying against the sky backdrop, appearing as re black dots.
"The Black Forest south of Tonyger has always been considered the wilderness closest to civilization within the Sky Ring, being the most stable Black Forest in the surrounding order of the Vorn World."
"Not to ntion that the borders of Tonyger rarely suffer monster attacks; even deep into the forest borders, traces of monsters are hard to find."
Listening to the Druid Great Elder's description, Brand nodded in agreent, acknowledging the truthfulness in his words. The Black Forest bordering Tonyger has indeed been known for its mildness — which is why in the past, Erune's players first entered the Black Forest here for adventure.
This early venture made it possible for them to accomplish the feat of penetrating deep into the Kalanja Mountain Range.
"Is it because of the Trade Wind Ring?" the young lord asked.
His question startled not only the Great Elder but also the other seventeen Druid Elders, including Gray Crow, who couldn't help but look over with incredulous expressions.
"How do you know?"
"This ti, during our month-long foray into the Black Forest, we encountered thunderstorms twice, snowfall once, eleven days of bright and sunny weather, with three days of scorching sun akin to midsumr, the rest being overcast," Brand remained undeterred by their astonishnt and continued speaking eloquently. "There were exactly a week of days with less than six hours of daylight, and one day without night."
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