CHAPTER 384: THE TINY ELVES AT MIDNIGHT

When it was Nana’s turn to scoop the water, she was just as careful. She only ever looked down on those she considered beneath her; when it came to this ancient tribe and the heaven-defying holy lake, she carried nothing but caution.

The jar filled up. Nana lifted her hand, but the water inside immediately receded, leaving even less than what Nicole had gotten.

Nicole let out a small laugh. Nana pressed her lips together, clearly displeased, though she didn’t show it here.

Next was Silvanus. The elves seemed to pay more attention to him, drawn by his hair and eye color.

Silvanus stared at the lake before him, thinking that reality probably wouldn’t match his own assumptions, then bent down to scoop water from the lake. Only when the jar appeared full did he slowly lift his hand.

Nana watched the scene with anticipation. Silvanus absolutely had to get less than she did!

She was a noble and only got that much water. Silvanus was just an ordinary person...

But Nana’s wish was never going to come true. She stared at Silvanus’s jar, still brimming full, and blurted out instinctively, "Impossible!"

Something struck her thigh in warning. Nana jolted, brows knitting tightly, but she could only fall silent.

Silvanus was a bit surprised too. The elves looked toward him, and their gazes suddenly softened far more than before.

Dorian abruptly stepped forward, taking the rim of the jar together with Silvanus. A leaf materialized out of nowhere, transforming into a stopper that sealed the jar. Dorian smiled, his voice gentle as he said, "You are one favored by the Tree of Life. Both your heart and soul lean toward the Elves."

To Dorian, this was only natural. The domain of the Tree of Life was a forbidden land; no one could wander into it, whether by accident or intention. But Silvanus had—birds had guided him, nature itself had opened a path for him.

Dorian felt Silvanus must be the same as he was, an elf, not a human.

Just then Nicole stepped forward with a pleasant smile, calmly drawing Silvanus back as she said, "Goodness, how could a student of Lumina possibly bear such a lofty title? Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness."

Dorian glanced at Nicole, his eyes empty and emotionless, as though the spark that had lit up in them just moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.

"You’re right, Dorian. Is she saying you’re wrong?"

"Silvanus is definitely the lost bloodline of the Elves—definitely!"

"That’s right. You need a friend, and Silvanus fits perfectly."

"Trapped in this dull cage day after day, every step bound by rules precise to the centimeter—how pitiful. At the very least, you should have a friend."

"Yes, someone who truly understands you, who doesn’t look at you with that reverent gaze as if you’re some destined savior."

"You won’t be alone anymore."

"..."

Countless voices suddenly rang beside Dorian’s ears, like a swarm of bees endlessly buzzing.

The hand hidden behind Dorian’s back curled slightly, yet his eyes remained calm and gentle.

He tilted his head a little toward Silvanus before finally speaking softly: "Take them to rest."

With those words, he turned and left.

Silvanus watched Dorian’s retreating figure. Instinctively, he felt that something was wrong with him, but he couldn’t follow—he could only head to the resting area with the others.

Dorian walked slowly, his steps leaving only faint sounds behind. His brows knitted slightly, his gaze somewhat empty.

At last, he tilted his head as if evaluating something, murmuring, "You’re mistaken. Don’t assume the worst of others..."

"Silvanus won’t agree. Here... what’s so joyful about this place..."

"Me? I’m not interesting."

No one could hear his whispering.

Night in Eldoria was still bright, the light coming from many things—fireflies, moonlight, silver leaves, or the glowing canopy of ancient trees—even though everything had long returned to silence.

Silvanus looked outside the window. His resting room was on the second floor of the structure inside the World Tree.

From here he could see the moonlight pouring down outside, along with the beautiful tree bridge whose leaves and tiny flowers swayed endlessly in the wind.

Silvanus blinked. He didn’t know if it was the hazy silver moonlight or not, but he suddenly saw streaks of light appear before him, dancing nonstop.

He instinctively frowned. Only when he stared closely did he realize it was not an illusion.

Those streaks of light were actually approaching his window. They were very small, maybe only the size of his palm, like tiny little people.

They wore pure white dresses, their small wings fluttering nonstop, scattering glittering dust with every movement.

They were elves—just incredibly tiny.

There were perhaps ten of them, each one stunningly beautiful as they danced and sang at Silvanus’s window. One of them even held a tiny harp, plucking its strings without pause.

"Pop!"

Vivian suddenly slapped herself against the window, her front paws scratching at it as though digging into the earth. She shouted loudly, "Silvanus! Are those butterflies? I want to catch butterflies, I want to catch butterflies!" As she spoke, the little fox kept hopping on her hind legs, causing the mattress beneath her to sag slightly.

The tiny elves seemed extremely entertained by Vivian’s reaction, deliberately swooping a little closer to the small fox.

Vivian’s front paws scratched even faster, her little mouth open wide as she bit at the window frame, tongue lolling out to the side.

The elves outside couldn’t help pointing at her before all bursting into bright, joyful laughter.

Silvanus: "..."

He lowered his gaze to look at Vivian, who was still trying to gnaw through the window, and felt utterly embarrassed.

At that moment, another tiny sound reached Silvanus’s ears.

He looked back. The ten miniature elves were now lined up at the window, tapping it in unison, their beautiful eyes fixed intently on him—as though waiting for his answer.

Silvanus placed his hand gently on the window, touching the glass between him and the tiny beings.

He tilted his head slightly and asked softly, "Do you want me to open the window?"

The tiny elves seemed to understand him clearly; they all nodded at the same time.

Silvanus paused for a moment, then finally decided to open it.

Vivian, who was about to leap forward, was scooped up by Silvanus and placed on his shoulder, loosely curled around him.

Vivian giggled, pretending to protest, "I’m not actually a collar, you know!"

Silvanus rubbed her fluffy, loose tail without saying anything.

At that moment, the elves also fluttered over beside him. Silvanus instinctively lifted his hand, extending one finger.

One elf suddenly grabbed the tip of his finger and pulled with all her might.

Silvanus couldn’t help finding it amusing—he was about to say that wouldn’t work, but then a miracle occurred. His body suddenly felt weightless as shimmering specks of dust wrapped around him. Before he could even react, he was lifted off the ground!

The elves all grabbed hold of his hands at once, pulling him out through the window!