Chapter 608 - The Rite Begins
Chapter 608: The Rite Begins
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As the Elf Queen was deciding on their representative for the Sword Dance Rite, Rhode led Lize, Anne, and the little mermaid for a stroll around the gathering place.
The gathering place was entirely different from human parks and markets. Large trees and greenery surrounded the area with two clear, slow-flowing streams forming a circular plaza. The Elves sat on tall tree branches and lawns on both sides, listening to the harmonious tunes of the performing Elves in the middle. The Elves were talented musicians and singers and their suave, melodious voices resounded in the vast forest.
If the performers were the Humans, perhaps the crowd would have applauded for their graceful performance. However, the Elves didn’t have the habit of doing so. Before gathering at this place, Rhode had warned Anne and Lize that they shouldn’t applaud no matter how well the Elves sang because the Elves deeply valued the beauty of nature. Those who truly respected their performance would be showing their deepest respect by listening quietly.
The arrival of Rhode’s group had attracted a lot of curious gazes since Humans rarely visited them. Due to various reasons, seldom would there be Humans who entered the Elf Forest as most of them couldn’t withstand the strange, rigorous rules, and they would rather stay in the resting points ran by the Elves than to find trouble for themselves. Moreover, Rhode’s beautiful facial features weren’t too different from the Elves and the little mermaid floating in water ball was also fascinating to them.
The Elves were more curious that even though Rhode was in their gathering place, he didn’t seem anxious at all. Instead, the hidden paths in the underbrushes and bushes didn’t pose a problem for him. He seemed really familiar with this place as though he had lived in the Elf Forest for years. However, the Elves were sure that they had never seen him around.
Not only did the Elves feel strange, but Lize and Anne also felt dubious. Logically speaking, Rhode shouldn’t have visited this place before. However, he led them around like a tour guide on a ‘Free One-day Elf Forest Tour’. Lize and Anne barely recognized the man-made buildings and plants in Blackberry Town, but they failed to find any traces of man-made constructions in this Elf territory. Although the Elves also lived in wooden houses, their wooden houses were different from the Humans’. The Elves joined and stacked branches to create their own space. Looking from a distance, their wooden houses appeared like a dense greenish treetop. However, not only could Rhode recognize which were the Elves’ houses in a single glance, but he also educated the three young ladies from time to time about the history, interests, and accomplishments of the residents. He sounded so convincing that Lize suspected if he was a locally born and bred Elf disguised as a Human.
“What a beautiful place…”
Lize turned to the circular plaza where the melodious voices sounded from. It was simply a paradise of her dreams — Tranquil, cozy, and peaceful. She felt as though the mundane matters of the world had gone far away and the troubles bugging the Humans were unseen on the Elves. The Elves got by everyday peacefully and had no conflicts about money, fame, and status. If it were possible, Lize hoped to stay here forever to get away from all worries…
“Yes, such a great place!”
The dinner prepared by the Elves weren’t sumptuous because they didn’t like eating meat or cooked food. In fact, most of the Elves only needed fruits to satisfy their cravings. However, this didn’t mean that the Elves’ food wasn’t delicious. The wine and Elf biscuits that they made had always been popular in the Human world.
However, Rhode didn’t focus his attention on the tasty food. Instead, he caressed the dagger hilts around his waist and sensed their spiritual undulation. He realized that his relationship with Gracier and Madaras had become closer after meeting the Elf Queen and now, he could detect their emotions through their spiritual undulation. The nonstop flowing spiritual undulation was long and steady, which represented that Gracier and Madaras were feeling calm. They didn’t appear in the least bit tense for the upcoming battle.
The final ray of sunset shone at its finest before falling below the horizon. Then, the bright moon emerged from the darkness and illuminated the dusky forest with gentle, soft light. The sound of birds singing also gradually softened.
Rhode lifted his head and turned to Corina.
“We’re ready, Miss Corina.”
Although the Sword Dance Rite was a solemn rite for the Elves, the location wasn’t as holy and inviolable. In fact, it was held in the circular plaza which Rhode had brought Anne and Lize to in the morning. However, it was currently empty and the moon had brightened the entire venue with its gracious, soft radiance.
The Elves stood patiently and silently by the perimeter, observing everything that was taking place. Rhode lifted his head and spotted the Elf Queen standing on the plaza platform. The Elf Queen revealed a smile to Rhode and turned to the surrounding Elves.
“My compatriots. My people. Today, we are holding a sacred rite to recognize two pure, great souls. They shall prove their honor, bravery, and pride with their blades. And now, under the watch of the moon and the Twin Holy Dragons, we promise and pledge the fairness of this Sword Dance Rite.”
The Elf Queen’s speech caused a slight uproar among the Elves. Many of the Elves who ‘didn’t know the truth’ expressed different extents of astonishment and doubts. Although the Elves had witnessed several Sword Dance Rites, this was the first time that they had heard the Elf Queen evaluating the challengers as ‘pure, great souls’.
Rhode twitched his brows as he sharply detected something abnormal. When the Elf Queen mentioned the Creator Dragon Soul, she used ‘Holy’ to describe them instead of calling them ‘Gods’.
Although the pronunciation was similar 1, they had totally different meaning.
“Alright then, please welcome our representative.”
Shortly after, a familiar, yet unfamiliar figure walked out of the crowd. He was clad in fine glass armor, luxurious helmet and a polished sword emanating magical radiance hung by his waist. But even so, Rhode immediately recognized who he was as soon as he sensed his amusing gaze. It was Dale, the Elf Knight who had suggested this Sword Dance Rite to the Elf Queen.
What is this guy up to?
Rhode puckered his brows and scanned the Elf Knight who had stepped into the middle of the plaza from head to toe. He gently caressed and stroked the daggers around his waist and a wave of dizziness hit him out of a sudden. His vision blurred in a flash and two petite Elf girls emerged before him.
“I’ll leave it to you. Gracier, Madaras.”
Rhode nodded. The two girls let out crisp chuckles and stepped into the middle of the plaza while holding hands. Then, they pulled down their hood in unison to reveal their extraordinary faces.
“…!”
The crowd cried out in alarm and exclamation. It was apparent that they didn’t notice Gracier and Madaras’ presences until they had decided to show themselves. The two Elf girls presented their gentle smiles and stretched out their right arm forward. Then…
Shing!
Snowy short blades emerged from their sleeves.