But at this moment, the small house seemed unusually empty, showing no signs of habitation.

Without even stepping inside, Hathaway knew that Shiayar was not there.

"Did something come up that he had to go out?"

She wasn't particularly surprised by this.

After all, when the two of them were drifting along in "Xaya's Flying House," Shiayar would often disappear alone, going deep into the Astral Realm by himself.

The reason Shiayar gave to Hathaway was that Silver and the others were too bored in the Soul Pact Space, so they needed to take the Pet Beasts to the Astral Realm occasionally to get some fresh air.

Ordinarily, when Shiayar went out alone, he would leave her a note, but this time, for some unknown reason, he hadn't left a note.

This thought just flashed through her mind.

The next moment, the distant chimes resonated from the center of the Elven Royal Court, atop the magnificent tower.

That was the announcement of the opening of the Council Elders' meeting.

The Elders' meeting of the Lost Island is held once every fifty years.

Various branches of the elf races in the royal court would select elders to represent their clan's interests, discussing the plans for the Elven Royal Court for the next fifty years and issues regarding the allocation of resources.

But, compared to the last time.

This council elder's meeting had arrived slightly earlier than before.

"Just as well, I can take this opportunity to formally introduce Shiayar's identity to the tribe."

Hathaway didn't think too much and headed directly towards the royal court's central tower.

That is the venue of the council.

After all, to spread the Arcane Arts and magic throughout the entire court, it was impossible without the assistance of other councils.

...

The council was held at the very top of the tower.

It also represented the top of power in the entire Elven Royal Court.

Huge, eerie blue flames lit up the hall on the top floor.

Ancient bronze pillars were engraved with designs of the sun, the moon, ice, and adamantine.

This represented the leading roles of the Sun Elves, Moon Elves, Ice Elves, and other dominant races in the Elven Royal Court. Only these major branches of elves could nominate their elders to decide the major affairs of the whole court.

Hathaway traversed the vast and silent long corridor.

Then, she pushed open the ancient bronze doors at the end of the hallway.

The doors of the council creaked open.

Behind the doors sat eight elves of different appearances at a long table.

Among them was the Moon Elf with long silver hair she had seen atop the tower before, who had stopped her from accessing the vast royal library.

There were also an elderly Sun Elf and a rather gentle-looking Forest Elf woman...

Hathaway's gaze lingered on the faces of these now council elders.

Among these newly appointed elders were many faces she was quite familiar with.

Among these new-generation strong figures of the Elf Clan, many of their ancestors or elders had once placed great hopes on her, entrusting the future of the whole Elf Clan entirely on her shoulders.

Flowing with the same bloodline, their appearances were even passed down alike.

Thinking so, Hathaway quietly walked past the long table of the council, arriving at her seat and elegantly performed a gesture exclusive to the Elven Royal Court.

"Long time no see, fellow members of the council."

"Please forgive my tardiness, as I have spent considerable effort on a certain project during this time."

"However, I also bring with me a piece of news that might uplift the spirits of Lost Island."

"I wish to introduce to you something called magic, a great discovery that could change the future of Lost Island, and even the future of the Elf Clan..."

Before Hathaway could finish the words that she had already carefully prepared in her mind.

The eyes of the Golden Elf slightly narrowed.

Clearly, they had similar appearances to those elders who raised and taught her.

But for some reason.

Ever since she arrived at the council, Hathaway realized that the gazes in the eyes of those faces she should have felt affinity with were so unfamiliar.

There was no friendliness and trust between fellow kin.

All that was there was indifference and coldness.

The next instant.

Hathaway realized that it was not her illusion or fantasy.

It was a cold and harsh reality.

Dark chains spread outward from the surrounding void.

One after another, massive and mysterious black iron chains sealed the entire space's fluctuations.

Forbidding any flickering, teleportation, or spatial jump capabilities from being activated.

Simultaneously, the sharp end of those dark chains came with a hissing sound of the wind.

Then, in a situation where Hathaway was unprepared and powerless to resist, it pierced through her wrist.

Causing the spiritual power of the Golden Elf, as a wizard, to be instantly bound by those enormous and mysterious chains, unable to exert any strength.

Hathaway recognized these chains.

They were one of the most ancient Sacred Relics handed down by the Elven Royal Court.

Designed to seal all extraordinary abilities and spiritual power of the person bound by the chain.

In the past royal court, those who willingly became pioneers, exploring the risks of corruption and madness beyond, would self-bind themselves with these chains before starting their endeavors.

So that, in case of losing control during exploration and experiment, even a maddened individual would be constrained by this Sacred Relic chain, not becoming a calamity that could destroy the entire royal court due to overwhelming power.

However—

At this moment.

In the eyes of the Golden Elf, the chain itself and the silhouettes of those council members around her who were supposed to be her colleagues, merged and became increasingly cold.

The sacred relic that was used millennia ago to suppress madness and perform acts of self-sacrifice.

A thousand years later, it is used without scruples against one's own kin in this way.

"Be careful."

"After all, she is an old witch who has lived for a thousand years."

"Even if suppressed by 'Heaven's Lock,' who knows if she might have other tricks."

The only response to Hathaway's bewildered and puzzled gaze.

Was that cold voice, devoid of any emotion.

However, at this moment, Hathaway did not have any desire to ask the other party, "why do this?"

Because she suddenly thought of the unusual state of Shiayar's residence before.

It was not that Shiayar had gone out to walk his Pet Beasts.

Since the council had already decided to act against herself, then Shiayar, who remained in the royal court, naturally became their primary target.

If it were outside of the Lost Island, Hathaway would not be worried at all about Shiayar encountering any mishap.

These council members were nothing more than ordinary Legends, who even had to rely on Sacred Relics to secretly plot against her, let alone deal with Shiayar, whom she couldn't fully comprehend.

But—this was the Lost Island.

All non-elf races that enter here face significant limitations. Previously, Shiayar even found it challenging to actively release magic power.

He originally didn't want to come to the Lost Island.

It was because of her half-pleading, half-coaxing insistence that Shiayar endured the suppressive rules to come to the Lost Island.

For something that had absolutely nothing to do with him and had no overlap whatsoever.

Reasonably speaking, he could have completely stayed on the sidelines... regarding the so-called future of the Elf Clan.

"What have you all done...to Shiayar?"

Hathaway heard the tremor in her own voice.

"Shiayar?"

"You mean the human who came with you?"

It seemed that knowing Hathaway's strength, they wanted to psychologically crush her, to make her despair and give up resistance.

The leading Elder of the Sun Elves gently waved a hand, revealing an illusion.

The next moment—

Hathaway saw the black-haired youth bound in chains atop a cliff, his life or death unknown.

At this instant, the heart of the Golden Elf plummeted into an icy abyss.