City of Wandering, Elf Zone, beside the central Elders’ Tree, there is a treehouse used by the Dream Elf to receive guests.

Heinz, the receptionist, walked into the treehouse with a weary face. He noticed the person sitting on the side, whose somewhat aged face stretched into a gentle smile.

"Nature bless you, Princess Kayla. The archery competition between Liveser and the Dream Elves has ended perfectly amidst the cheers of the residents. Your rangers were exceptional, sharing many similarities with our elves. It was truly a delightful surprise," he said.

Queen Liveser revealed a smile. The praise from foreigners for her subjects was as sweet as Morning Dew Wine. Liveser life habits miraculously resembled those of the elves, and Kayla felt a certain affinity for this elf tribe, which they presumably felt as well.

"The success of the event is the result of our mutual openness, Mr. Heinz. It was just a small activity, and I believe we will have even friendlier exchanges in the future," Kayla said with the humility that wise creatures possess in diplomacy.

But who knew that Kayla’s response would stir something in Heinz. The man, over six hundred years old, nearly broke into tears because of the human pleasantries, nearly.

"Princess Kayla, you may not understand what this small success means to me," he said.

"We elves... we have just experienced a calamity. Eight elves are in deep comas, over a dozen Elven Guards are mentally disturbed, now forced to return to the dream realm for peaceful solace," Heinz said, despondence deepening in his eyes, whispering, "I should never have agreed when that damned skeleton came to make connections..."

Liveser was the Ranger’s Country, and as a leader, Kayla also had the ranger’s keen ears. Although she overheard every word Heinz whispered, it was best to ignore it.

A brief silence enveloped the atmosphere.

"Whimper..." The faint sound of sobbing broke the quietness, and to Kayla’s surprise, it came from a nearby wardrobe.

A green robe popped out from the wardrobe.

"Lord Irason!" Heinz, forgetting all etiquette in his anger, exclaimed, "What are you doing!"

The Green Dragon Priest’s crying grew louder, though dragon priests had no tears.

"It’s all my fault. Curiosity to see a cute girl got me scolded. The collaboration with Andrey was also my doing, swayed by my affinity for the Liches. I really am just a useless elder who only causes trouble, little Heinz is even forgoing formalities."

"Whimper, whimper."

"An unpopular fool of an elder like me should just join Brother Morocoy’s support group."

"Whimper, whimper."

With that, Irason rushed towards the door.

"Respected! Beautiful! Lively and lovely! Lord Irason!" Heinz roared, forsaking all manners and dignity, collapsing to his knees.

The man bore too much.

"The esteemed Lord Irason is not at fault! The literary club’s collaboration was my plan, and Lord Irason’s decision was the right one. There were other, more reliable clubs, but stupidly, I chose to believe that gentleman’s lies! It was me who ruined Lord Irason’s expectations! It was me who let down our kin!"

"Please, dear Lord Irason, do not diminish yourself. You have always been our Emerald Tree of reliance!"

Heinz burned out, turning to ash.

By the doorway, the Green Dragon Priest stopped.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then, can I go play with Brother Morocoy? Are you done talking?"

"I&%^&$&$^..." Heinz seemed on the verge of reigniting. This damned, already dead old woman had no sense of reflection.

Sighing like a father powerless against a willful daughter. "Go ahead, and send my regards to Lord Morocoy."

"Oh," said the Green Dragon Priest, hopping to the door with permission and then turning around once more.

"The Elves who were in a coma and suffered mental damage have been healed by me, and I’ve used Druid Spells to make plants absorb that tainted patch of flesh, so don’t worry, Heinz. I’m off to find my elder brother and have him teach the literary club a lesson!" Irason hummed an elvish tune as he left.

Kayla watched Heinz, fully revived and now radiating a vigor that made him seem like a different person.

"Let’s continue our discussion, Princess Kayla, about the cultural exchanges and trade between our peoples going forward..."

Kayla maintained her smile and continued the pleasurable conversation with Mr. Heinz.

Yet in her heart, she wrestled with the decision of whether or not to pursue the plan to strengthen their relations further.

This band of Elves was, well, a bit off-kilter, a little too... lively.

For the two human nations that had recently joined the City of Wandering, their urgent need was to develop their national strength, and the various races of the City of Wandering were their chance for revival.

The Liveser faction had already achieved notable success, their progressive and open-minded policies being their hallmark, making them quite popular.

Dreya, on the other hand, was mired in a generational divide, and the pervasive militaristic mindset was undergoing a painful period of change. Dreya’s situation was far worse.

Queen Lina Dreya had vowed to reshape the nation with her abilities, striving to surpass her ancestors. The moment her knight’s boots touched the central district of the City of Wandering, that was her thought.

"Defenders of Dreya! Walls of Dreya! My warriors!"

"This festival is our opportunity to rise!"

"We need to establish friendly relations with all races! This is a war without smoke! Our enemies are time and our barren treasury!"

"We must defeat them!"

"And you! As Dreya’s pride! Must demonstrate our resilience and determination! You are the face of the nation!"

"You are to uphold the dignity of Dreya!"

The knights roared in affirmation to their Queen’s will.

Benjamin stood among the commanders, shouting his oath.

"My life is my mission, and I shall uphold the dignity of Dreya!"

An hour later.

At the Black Abyss Arena, the main venue for the City of Wandering championship, the place was already abuzz with voices.

The Black Abyssal Demons didn’t resist the fervor of the various races, opening the arena ahead of schedule for the bloodiest and most passionate team combat.

Benjamin, Dreya’s esteemed protector, led his Defender legion laughing and yelling amid the cheers of the Demon Race.

"Brothers! Plow into those dumbass stone creatures!"

"Brothers! Crush those stupid Demon Race!"

"Brothers! Smash those trashy slime creatures!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!"

"Dreya! Defenders! Number one!"

"I’m truly fucking awesome!"