Chapter 247 - Night Shall Rise!!

Far from the sacred heart of the Elven Forest, beyond the golden light of the World Tree’s waning aura, the woods changed.

The air thickened. The warmth of life gave way to cold mist and silence. Trees stood taller here, their bark blackened as though charred by time, their branches twisted together like withered fingers reaching for a sky that had long forgotten the sun. The faint glow of mana that danced through the upper forest dimmed into a ghostly blue shimmer, pulsing faintly through the fog.

And deep within this shrouded realm—where not even the wind dared to whisper—a throne of obsidian stood beneath the roots of a dead tree.

Before it, shadows bowed.

An elven woman stood beside the throne, her back turned to the gathered crowd. Every movement of hers exuded quiet dominance, the air around her bending slightly with mana so dense it felt alive. The flickering torches barely illuminated her, casting long, sinuous shadows along the cavern walls.

Unlike the fair elves of the surface, these elves bore pitch-black skin that absorbed the light, their features sharp, proud, and coldly beautiful. Their hair was a spectrum of gray and white, like faded moonlight. But the woman at the throne’s side was different.

Her hair shimmered silver.

When she turned, every eye lowered instinctively. Her beauty was not soft—it was dangerous, intoxicating, and divine. Her silver hair cascaded like liquid starlight against her black garments, tailored in elegance that clung to her every curve. Her eyes—cold and predatory—held the shimmer of midnight crystal.

As she stepped forward, her voice carried—a calm melody that commanded obedience.

"We greet the Princess!"

The cry came in perfect unison. Dozens of dark elves knelt, foreheads almost touching the cold stone floor.

The princess’s gaze swept across them briefly before she raised one slender hand.

"Rise."

Her tone was even, detached—yet the authority within it left no room for hesitation.

The dark elves obeyed as one.

Her eyes shifted toward the two cloaked figures standing at the edge of the dais. Their forms were half-hidden beneath hoods that seemed to drink in the faint light around them. Beneath the folds, faint glimmers of sickly green mana pulsed like beating hearts.

"Are you certain," she asked quietly, her tone silken yet edged with steel, "about the promise you made?"

For a heartbeat, silence. Then—

"Jieiejeiejeiejeie—!"

The laughter split the still air, high-pitched and unnatural, crawling up the walls like a thousand whispers.

One of the figures tilted his head, and a low, rasping voice followed.

"Of course, Your Highness. Hahaha! Just continue what you are doing, and soon... the so-called good light elves will be nothing but a tale of the past. The Dark Elves will reign—your clan will inherit the night itself!"

Their laughter echoed again, sharp and shrill, like broken glass scattering across stone.

The princess did not flinch. Her expression remained unreadable, but her eyes glinted faintly—like a blade catching moonlight.

Her lips curved just barely as she replied in a calm, detached tone,

"Do not forget your other promise."

The two cloaked figures froze for half a breath—then burst once again into manic laughter.

"Jjeiejeejeieeieie! But of course, Your Highness! We never forget a deal sealed in shadow—hehehehehe!"

The echoes of their laughter dissolved into the darkness, twisting through the chamber like a curse.

The princess watched them without emotion, though for the briefest moment, her hand brushed the obsidian throne beside her. Her gaze lifted toward the towering, dead tree roots above, and her thoughts whispered quietly to herself—too soft for any to hear.

"Then the dawn shall fall... and from its ashes, our night will rise."

****

[Back to Luca]

The sky rolled endlessly around them, waves of cloud and sunlight stretching into infinity. The Kunpeng’s wings glided effortlessly, the faint shimmer of its feathers scattering silver rays across the horizon.

Luca sat cross-legged near the center of Aira’s broad back, the wind brushing against his hair. Beside him sat Lilliane—her pink braids fluttering wildly, her gaze fixed straight at him with surprising determination.

"So," she began suddenly, her voice barely rising above the wind, "what are the plans for this trip? How are we gonna get stronger?"

Luca blinked, genuinely surprised. The light in her eyes was different—no longer the hesitant gleam of a shy girl, but one filled with quiet resolve.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "What’s this? You’re not shy and awkward anymore, huh?"

Lilliane tilted her head, her tone almost thoughtful. "I’m not really shy," she said honestly. "I just don’t know how to interact with people other than Aiden... and those I’m comfortable with."

Luca chuckled lightly, unable to help himself. "So... you’re comfortable with me now?"

She crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks just slightly. "Hmph. You’re my friend, of course I am."

That earned a small, genuine laugh from Luca. "Fair enough."

But before he could tease her more, Lilliane leaned forward slightly, her expression turning earnest again. "You didn’t answer my question."

"Right," Luca said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’ve got quite a few things planned, but I can’t exactly say how strong we’ll get. It depends on a lot of things—our compatibility, training, how we handle what’s coming."

Lilliane listened quietly, her fingers brushing the edge of her cloak. She nodded slowly, her eyes softening. "I see..."

She let out a quiet sigh, looking down at the clouds far below.

Luca tilted his head, studying her for a moment. Then, in a gentler tone, he asked, "Well, I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while—but why did you join me on this trip? That too, without Aiden?"

Lilliane didn’t answer immediately. The wind carried only silence between them for a few moments.

Then she spoke, softly but clearly.

"...Because I have to get stronger."

Luca blinked, caught off guard by the quiet conviction in her tone.

She turned her gaze to the horizon, eyes reflecting the fading sunlight. "When we faced that Devil Cult in the Hellsand Dungeon... when I saw those Spatial Expansion experts tear through everything around us... I realized something. I’m nothing in front of power like that."

Her hands clenched slightly. "If I stay the same, I’ll just end up watching others fight—again."

Luca’s expression softened.

Lilliane’s voice lowered, but her words carried a calm firmness. "I looked at Selena that day... and I thought—I don’t want to be left behind."

Her eyes flicked briefly toward where Selena sat farther ahead, the mage quietly meditating as if unaware of the conversation.

Luca tilted his head slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. So it’s not just about Aiden anymore... he thought, faintly impressed. She’s growing, in her own way.

But Lilliane wasn’t done. She turned back to Luca, her voice clear again. "And besides... Aiden’s off doing his private training anyway. So why not?"

Luca’s smile froze midair, his lips twitching as he let out a quiet sigh in his mind. I thought too early.

Before he could respond, Aurelia’s voice called out from the front.

"Lilliane! Can you come here for a second?"

Lilliane instantly tensed, shoulders jerking upright. "C-coming!" she stammered, standing up quickly.

Luca couldn’t help the amused grin tugging at his mouth as she awkwardly hurried off, nearly tripping on Aira’s feathers in her haste.

He watched her go, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "She’s really changing... bit by bit."

Above them, the Kunpeng soared higher, its wings cutting through the blazing sunset. Theair shimmered faintly with mana, and the laughter of his companions drifted across the wind.

Luca leaned back, eyes half-closing against the golden sky. The journey was just beginning—but in small moments like these, he could already feel how much everyone was growing.

And just like that...

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The sky, once endless and open, now began to shimmer with a faint emerald hue. A soft wind brushed past them—gentler, warmer, carrying the scent of ancient trees and blooming mana.

Everyone gathered near the front of the Kunpeng’s back as the horizon changed before their eyes.

There—spreading as far as they could see—was the Elven Forest.

It wasn’t merely a forest; it was a world of its own. Vast canopies stretched like living mountains, their crowns shimmering with gold, silver, and soft blue light. The trees reached the clouds themselves, some glowing faintly with streams of mana that flowed like veins of light across their trunks.

Between the giant roots, waterfalls cascaded in slow, glittering arcs, falling into rivers that wound through moss-covered valleys. The air was alive—thick with energy so pure that every breath felt lighter, almost intoxicating. Wisps of glowing pollen drifted lazily through the air, catching sunlight and scattering it into tiny rainbows.

Aurelia leaned forward, her crimson hair whipping with the wind. "It’s... beautiful," she whispered, awe clear in her voice.

Kyle grinned, shading his eyes with one hand. "Now that’s something worth flying two days for."

Even Selena’s calm expression softened as her eyes reflected the shimmering expanse below. "The natural mana density here... it’s astounding. The air itself hums with life."

Luca smiled faintly, his heart strangely still as he took in the sight. This was no ordinary land—it was sacred, timeless, alive.

Aira’s vast wings slowed, each beat softer than before, until finally the Kunpeng came to a gradual halt midair.

The sudden stillness startled everyone. The wind quieted, replaced by a serene, pulsating silence.

Luca frowned slightly, turning his gaze downward. "Why did you stop, Aira?"

He waited for the familiar rumble of the Kunpeng’s telepathic voice—but no

ne came.

Instead, a calm, knowing voice answered behind him.

"Let me handle it."