Chapter 159: Earning Queen’s Trust
"I am not here to fight, O Queen of Elves. I’ve come to help you. I know why the World Tree is no longer responding, why the spirits have vanished... and I can also assist you in decoding that ancient language."
Hearing that, Serena froze. Her body stiffened, and her mind instantly entered a heightened state of alert.
How does this person know about all of this? Could there have been a leak?
She knew that only a few individuals were aware of the World Tree’s condition—herself, the members of the Elven Council, and a handful of other trusted figures. Every one of them had been carefully chosen and were people she had complete faith in.
As if he could read her thoughts, the masked figure spoke again, his voice calm and composed. "If you’re wondering how I came to know these things, I cannot tell you that."
Hearing his response, Serena’s hand moved slightly, and the vines and roots coiled more tightly around Ash’s body. But even as they constricted with greater force, not a single sound of pain escaped from him. He stood silent and still.
"Your words... How can I possibly believe anything you say?" Serena asked, her voice steady, though her heart was conflicted. In truth, she wanted to alert everyone right away. But the possibility of getting answers to the questions that had haunted her for so long... it made her hesitate.
"To show my sincerity," he said, "I can reveal the reason why the Great Mother is not responding to your calls. Will that be enough for now?"
"Tell me," Serena replied plainly, her expression unreadable.
"There is something beneath the World Tree, buried deep within its roots, that is forcing it into a state of sleep. That is the reason."
Serena didn’t interrupt him. She listened carefully, absorbing every word. When he finished, she slowly responded, "We have already checked the roots of the World Tree, and found nothing unusual. There was no sign of corruption or damage."