Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree

...

Imhettel left Dream Island.

He flew alone to the depths of the ocean, silent, with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

He had lived on Dream Island and in the Ideal Country for so long that his childhood days had long become sealed history, only the days as a Guardian allowed him to feel the passage of time.

And these thousand years were perhaps the happiest days among countless millennia.

But now, everything was over.

However, he did not regret it.

If he had to choose again, he would still rescue the elf that collapsed on the shore of East Seges a thousand years ago.

If he had to choose again, he would still unhesitatingly take action to eliminate any who would harm her...

As a Guardian, he once lived in a daze; it was she who taught him what "love" is, and she who taught him what "goodness" is.

Thinking of that beautiful figure, a glimmer of light appeared deep in Imhettel’s eyes.

If his heart was always a place of darkness, then she... was the light shining into the darkness.

However... is she now very angry with him?

After all, he had hidden the news of the Life Goddess for so long...

Thinking of that figure praying devoutly in front of the statue all year round, Imhettel’s gaze dimmed slightly.

Yet after the dimness, there came relief.

The Life Goddess had already ascended to become a powerful Divine Power.

At least... having returned to the embrace of the True God, her injuries should be healed, right?

At least... the Life Goddess has transformed completely, and can now provide her with a safe haven, right?

Enough.

This was enough.

When Imhettel saw Diana’s excited and joyful expression upon feeling the Life Goddess’s power, he understood that this was what she truly wished to pursue.

At the same time, he came to realize, he... was truly wrong.

"Love is selfish, but... it is also selfless."

In a daze, Imhettel recalled a sentence she had once told him.

He felt that, perhaps now, he could somewhat understand it.

Imhettel flew aimlessly.

He did not care where he was going, nor did he care about what the future held for him.

Seeing her last excited and joyful smile, he was already very satisfied.

And while flying, flying, gradually, Imhettel stopped,

He silently looked around, a coldness gradually appearing deep in his gaze.

Platinum brilliance slowly bloomed, and a powerful vast force gathered around him.

Accompanied by the ethereal sacred hymn, no fewer than four Judgment Angels appeared around him.

They had powerful auras, golden hair, and silver armor, each possessing Demigod Level strength.

The leading Judgment Angel drew his Divine Sword, its blade pointing directly at the Titan Giant, speaking with a solemn voice:

"Blasphemer Imhettel! By the command of our Lord, you are given the True God’s judgment! The judgment is—death!"

With that, he and the other angels shouted, drawing their weapons and charging at the Titan Giant...

Imhettel remained calm.

He coldly watched the angels, and likewise picked up his Titan Giant Sword.

He did not like these feathered beings.

Anyone who was Diana’s enemy, he did not like.

Even if he had to die, he would take someone down with him here.

However, just as Imhettel was planning to burn his last Divine Power and Divine Soul completely, releasing the final fireworks of his life, an even more magnificent and sacred aura descended.

Golden particles of light spread across the sky, the entire world seemed to bathe in the radiance, and in the next moment, a beautiful and holy figure slowly emerged...

That figure was all too familiar to Imhettel.

It was the existence he had been tirelessly sculpting day after day, year after year, following the template provided by Diana for a thousand years.

The Life Goddess—Eve.

Only to see her appear by the Titan Giant’s side, gently deflecting all the attacks from the Judgment Angels.

Seeing the Life Goddess personally descending and directly intervening, the four Judgment Angels turned pale simultaneously.

"Eve, are you choosing to oppose our Lord?"

The leading Judgment Angel spoke in a deep voice.

However, Eve didn’t even glance at them, merely uttering one word:

"Leave."

The faces of the Judgment Angels darkened.

"Your Grace, Eve, are you going to..."

"Leave."

Eve repeated once more.

Vast Divine Power emanated from Eve, as she looked at the Judgment Angels with a smile that was not a smile:

"Blazing Angel Raphael attacked a Demigod loyal to me. According to the True God Contract, this is self-destruction. Titan Giant Imhettel has protected the Elf Clan for a thousand years, sheltered by the Elf Forest..."

"I can forgive your attack just now, you may leave."

Upon hearing her words, the faces of the Judgment Angels turned grim.

"Your Grace, Eve, do you know what you are saying?"

The lead Judgment Angel spoke with a somber expression.

"This is the stipulation of the True God Contract."

Eve said calmly.

The majesty of the True God is not to be blasphemed. The Eternal Lord can see Imhettel’s killing of Raphael as blasphemy, so naturally, she can also view Raphael’s sneak attack as blasphemy.

The expressions of the Judgment Angels grew even more unsightly.

"You..."

They wanted to say something more, but sensing the unfathomable Divine Power on Eve, they eventually gave up on the pursuit.

"Your Grace, Eve, everything that happened today, we will report to our master..."

They took a deep look at Eve, then with a cold snort, left the place.

Eve did not stop them.

Rescuing Imhettel could be justified by the broad interpretation of the True God Contract, but truly taking action against the Judgment Angels now would be tantamount to outright war with the Eternal Lord.

That would not be an ordinary war of faith.

It would directly be the most brutal divine war.

Moreover, she had only descended here in an incarnation, and if she compelled the Eternal Lord to forcibly descend, it would be very troublesome.

A seasoned, mighty Divine Power, even if descended in a Demigod Level incarnation, is not to be underestimated.

Not to mention, she has yet to find the best method to counter the Eternal Lord, and the leverage of faith has just begun...

As the Judgment Angels departed, Eve looked at the silent Imhettel.

Facing Eve’s scrutinizing gaze, the Titan Giant remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply:

"Imhettel... pays respect to Your Grace, the Life Goddess."

Eve nodded softly, then gently beckoned.

With her gesture, a warm Divine Power flowed into the Titan Giant’s body, beginning to repair his form, nurturing his Divine Soul.

In just a moment, Imhettel’s aura began to rapidly recover, his wounds gradually disappeared, and even his fragile Divine Soul grew strong again...

No one understands healing better than the Life Goddess.

Even if the wounded is a True God, as long as enough Divine Power is consumed, the characteristics of the life laws can heal them, let alone just a Demigod.

And to improve efficiency, Eve directly dispersed over five hundred points of Divine Power, a quantity sufficient to recreate an Elemental Elf Demigod.

Feeling the changes in his body, the Titan Giant’s expression finally changed.

His gaze became much more animated, no longer the usual dullness.

That was the effect of his Divine Soul Power being restored.

He once again bowed deeply to Eve, speaking respectfully and gratefully:

"Imhettel... thanks you for your assistance."

Eve nodded gently, smiling:

"Imhettel, your care for the Elf Clan over the millennia has not gone unnoticed by me; I ask you, are you willing to join the Elf Forest and become its Guardian Demigod?"

The Titan Giant remained silent.

After a moment, he looked up and asked:

"After joining, will I still be able to see Diana?"

However, before Eve could answer, he shook his head again: "Never mind, I know, in her eyes, I am just a friend, and one who has hurt her heart at that..."

"In her heart, apart from you, there is no room for anyone else..."

"I do not ask for her forgiveness, as long as she is well, I am content..."

Having said that, Imhettel bowed deeply to Eve once more:

"Your Grace, Eve, I am willing to become the Guardian Demigod of the Elf Forest..."