Kael sighed and put the second bottle of [Sap of Nature's Blessing (Quest Item)] back into his inventory.
Caelthas, Isilwen, and Aerendyl gazed at the large flask on the floor, their faces alight with excitent.
"Arch Elder," Isilwen said, her voice trembling with emotion, "our World Tree can finally connect with the others!"
Caelthas gave a firm nod, trying to maintain his composure, but the slight tremor in his hands betrayed his joy. He looked up at Kael. "Dawnbreaker, would it be possible for you to stay in Aelindale for a few more days? Once our World Tree has matured, we wish to hold a Moonlight Revel in your honor."
Kael had no interest in attending so weird ritual. He shook his head. "I have other matters to attend to. But I appreciate the offer."
Caelthas's face fell with disappointnt. He turned and gave Isilwen a aningful look.
She nodded and approached Kael. "Honored Dawnbreaker, the Moonlight Revel is more than a celebration for our people. It also bestows a blessing upon our most respected guests. A blessing that will remain with you always."
His interest was piqued. After a mont of thought, he said, "I really am busy these next few days. When do you plan to hold it? I can try to co back then."
Seeing Kael relent, Caelthas's relief was palpable. "The full moon is in seven days," he said quickly. "If you can return then, our entire clan will hold the Moonlight Revel for you."
"Alright, deal."
Now that he had the [Sap of Nature's Blessing], Kael saw no reason to linger. As he was about to take his leave, however, the thought from the day before resurfaced.
"Arch Elder Caelthas," he began, "I have a settlent in a distant part of this continent, a place called Starlight Town. It was once Starlight Village, under the domain of Crescent City. I would like to invite Aelindale to join us, to stand with us against WarChief Kromgar. What do you say?"
Caelthas didn't answer imdiately. He, Isilwen, and Aerendyl exchanged long, silent glances.
Kael knew the Elves possessed a [Mindspeak] ability; they were no doubt discussing his proposal. Seeing their solemn expressions, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety.
After a long mont, their expressions relaxed.
"We agree to join you," Caelthas said. "But only as partners. And you may not interfere in the internal affairs of our people."
"But of course," Kael agreed.
A system notification appeared.
System: The village of Aelindale has requested to join Starlight Town. Do you accept?
"Accept."
System: The village of Aelindale has joined Starlight Town.
Kael breathed a sigh of relief. It seed the [Honored] relationship status, courtesy of his Luck stat, had paid off. With the alliance secured, it was ti to solve the logistics.
"Elder Caelthas, Starlight Town is a great distance from here. Is there any way to establish travel between our two locations?"
"That is a simple matter," Caelthas replied. "Once Aelindale's World Tree connects to the heart of the world, it can create a passage to any other World Tree. Is there one near Starlight Town?"
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"No." Kael shook his head. He quickly scanned his mories of his past life. There was one other World Tree in the Mythrosia Empire, but it was even farther from Starlight Town than Aelindale was.
Caelthas looked surprised. In his worldview, the entire world was supposed to be sheltered by the great trees. Had their power waned so much?
"There is another way, though it is far more difficult."
"What is it?"
"To plant a new World Tree near your town."
"..."
Kael was speechless. You couldn't just plant a World Tree, could you? Still, since he brought it up, it was worth asking. "And how would one do that?"
"The World Trees are resilient," Caelthas explained. "They can survive almost anywhere. This very tree we stand in grew from a simple branch we brought from our old ho over forty years ago."
He held up three fingers. "But for a new tree to grow, three conditions must be t. First, there can be no other World Tree within a thousand miles. Second, one of our priestesses must guard it until it reaches maturity. And third, it must be irrigated with the [Sap of Nature's Blessing]." He sighed. "But I fear obtaining more sap will no longer be so easy..."
Sap of Nature's Blessing?
A jolt went through Kael. I have that. The extra bottle the system had awarded him!
He took out the [Sap of Nature's Blessing (Quest Item)] once more. "Arch Elder, I have another flask of the sap right here. Will this work?"
This ti, Caelthas's reaction did not disappoint. His face lit up with pure joy. "Dawnbreaker, you truly are remarkable. Obtaining this second flask must have taken you a great deal of effort."
Kael grinned to himself. Effort? Not a chance. It was a freebie from my Luck stat. Of course, to an NPC, it was only logical to assu he had made the perilous journey twice.
"Once our village's tree has rooted itself in the world's core," Caelthas continued, "I will arrange for our people to travel to Starlight Town and help you plant a new World Tree."
Kael nodded, a thrill running through him. It was done. He was getting his very own World Tree.
After bidding farewell to the three Elves, Kael took a quick tour of Aelindale. The residents were already busy preparing to irrigate their tree, and there were no new quests to be found. He activated his [Pass Token] and returned to Starlight Town.
The mont he arrived, he knew sothing was off. A large crowd had gathered in the main plaza, all staring up at two colossal statues that hadn't been there before. They were easily five hundred feet tall.
When did these go up? he wondered, though he didn't pay them much mind. It was normal for towns to have statues. He casually glanced up to see who they were of, and when he recognized the faces, he absolutely lost it.
"ISOLDE!"
His roar echoed across the plaza. The surrounding players, seeing Kael himself had appeared, all turned to stare at him, whispering behind their hands.
...
In the Mayor's Office, Kael sat in his chair, trying to catch his breath. Isolde, MirthBringer, SkyVault, and Lotusbond stood before him with their heads bowed, not daring to make a sound.
Looking at them, Kael's temper flared up again. "Isolde, what were my instructions to you? You report any major decisions to ! Did you forget?"
"Building statues doesn't take up much space," Isolde mumbled in her defense, "and the three guilds donated all the materials for free..."
SLAM!
Kael slamd his hand on the desk. "This isn't about space or materials!" He strode to the window and pointed at the massive effigy of Lila. "A statue of is one thing, but why did you make one of Lila? And why is it so close to mine?!"
Isolde shrank back, not saying a word.
Kael then whirled on the three guild leaders. "I don't even have to ask. This was your rotten idea, wasn't it? You three..."
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Kael was about to unleash his fury, a knock ca from the office door.
"Who is it?" he snapped. "Can't you see I'm busy?"
"It's ," Lila's calm voice replied.
Kael took a deep breath, then granted her access. Lila walked in slowly. Isolde imdiately shot her a desperate, pleading look. Lila gently patted her on the head before approaching Kael.
"What's going on? Why are you so angry?"
"It's nothing," Kael grumbled. "Just a few people being foolish."
Lila gestured out the window. "The statues are very well made. I should thank you properly."
Kael sighed. He knew she was here to run interference for Isolde. He had to let it go.
He turned to the three guild leaders, his expression dead serious. "You think I don't know what you were trying to pull?" Then he looked at Isolde. "Isolde! Imdiately remove their three nas from the plaque..."
The three guild leaders felt their hearts sink. Their plan had failed.
"But..." Isolde started, but Kael cut her off.
"...and carve the nas of the guilds instead. Not just theirs. All ten of the top guilds."
A collective sigh of relief ca from the three n.
"And as for you, Isolde!"
Isolde flinched, bracing for her punishnt.
"You're suspended from your duties for three days."
"Oh..."
"And you will spend that ti with Lila, until she forgives you."
"Yay!"
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