Chapter 1343: “The Bodyguards”

Belsethia was still uncertain whether the “Barrier Wall Project” that Amon had brought would truly bring an end to the wasteland, but since this plan was personally proposed by Gawain Cecil and the former goddess of magic, it undoubtedly had solid theoretical backing and practical necessity. She did not doubt that. Yet, on the other hand, she was more aware than anyone else of the immense difficulties involved in making this plan a reality.

There was no question that the Silver Empire had the capacity to produce enough purification devices. But now, the situation on the southern front was deteriorating. The original Silver-Kaoling allied forces were barely holding the line, and with the aberrant legions retreating from the western front heading south, the southern battlefront was bound to become precarious. Although Amon mentioned that allied troops from the western front could be redeployed to support the south, Belsethia knew all too well that the Ogure tribal nation had vast lost territories to reclaim, and the mountain barriers required large garrisons to defend against counterattacks from the wasteland forces. Add to that the long front lines and the logistical and communication challenges—how many expeditionary forces from the Cecil Empire could realistically reach the Kaoling defense line? This was an unavoidable question.

“At least until the southern front stabilizes, it will be very difficult to launch the ‘Barrier Wall’ project,” Belsethia said gravely. “But we can start preparing now—producing purification devices and protective gear.”

“I understand your difficulties. The North understands as well. I will report the situation here truthfully,” Amon bowed his head slightly, gently touching the Silver Queen’s crown with the tip of his nose, then continued in a warm tone, “Also… although I don’t know if it will be of any help, I’ve brought a rather special guest today.”

“A special guest?” Belsethia looked around in surprise. This was the first time she’d heard that this “messenger” had brought someone along. “Who is it?”

“Come out, little one,” Amon said, looking toward the shadows in the nearby woods. “Be brave, don’t be so nervous—your Silver Queen won’t eat you.”

The bushes rustled, and both Belsethia and Ilian instinctively widened their eyes toward the source of the voice. In the next moment, a small figure emerged from the shadows hidden among the shrubs and flowers—it was an elf.

But not any elf Belsethia recognized.

She had golden hair like the Silver Elves, but her elongated ears seemed a bit shorter than those of the Silver Elves. Her skin was extremely pale, almost translucent, with faintly glowing, vein-like lines visible beneath the thin surface. She wore light, forest-hunter style gear, exposing arms, neck, and legs covered with mysterious symbols and lines—whether they were battle tattoos or magical runes, none belonged to Silver Elf culture.

She looked like a Silver Elf, but any true Silver Elf could immediately tell this girl was different from their kind. Belsethia, confident in her extensive knowledge, had seen every elven subspecies in the world, yet she had never encountered such a peculiar “branch.” Curious, she watched as the elf girl stepped forward nervously, glanced at her with a shy expression, then seemed to summon great courage before taking a step closer.

“…Hello,” Belsethia decided to break the silence, noticing the girl’s obvious nervousness. “May I ask who you are?”

The petite elf flinched slightly, then quickly replied, “I… I’m Berna Lightwind! I live at No. 17, Reflux District, White Stone City. My mentor is Master Thornheart. I’m a ranger and mage… I was, anyway. I’ve been traveling for years and just returned from the North. The last place I registered was Sentinel Outpost No. 112. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty, the Silver Queen!”

The rapid-fire self-introduction tumbled out, starting a bit haltingly but quickly flowing smoothly, as if she had rehearsed it countless times. When she finished, Belsethia blinked in surprise, taking a moment to process what she’d just heard.

Ilian, standing nearby, couldn’t help but speak up: “You mean… you’re a Silver Elf? A Silver Elf who’s been traveling outside?”

As she spoke, Ilian instinctively scrutinized the girl again. But up close, she was even more certain that this was not a Silver Elf. From physical traits to the aura of life she radiated, the girl felt utterly alien—nothing like any race Ilian knew. And upon closer inspection, Ilian noticed something else:

The “magical runes” on the girl’s skin weren’t mere decorations—they were part of her flesh! The runes shimmered and shifted like a real magic circle, channeling a complex flow of arcane energy beyond Ilian’s understanding.

“Y-yes, I really am a Silver Elf,” Berna said, noticing Ilian’s gaze and shrinking back as if to hide. “These… these things on my body are because of… some special experiences… but I really am a Silver Elf…”

Ilian blinked, about to say more, but a subtle gesture from the Silver Queen stopped her silently.

“…It seems you’ve been through a lot—an adventure others can hardly imagine,” Belsethia smiled at the small elf. “Though your body has changed greatly, Silver Elves always welcome brothers and sisters returning from afar. In any case, welcome home.”

Berna looked a bit dazed, as if still trying to grasp the moment. After a couple of seconds, she hurriedly nodded. “Ah, yes, it’s really hard to imagine… I never thought I’d be… um, personally escorted back by Mr. Amon, and we even passed through the Shadow Realm. Oh, and I brought some helpers—I heard you might need assistance here, though I don’t know how much they’ll help…”

As she spoke, the runes on her skin suddenly lit up one after another, glowing far brighter than before, like a breathing constellation shimmering across her flesh. The dazzlingly complex “casting process” completed in an instant, and Belsethia sensed a vast “signal” radiating from the elf girl.

Then, from the nearby dense forest, heavy footsteps echoed, accompanied by the sounds of breaking branches and rustling leaves.

Moments later, towering figures appeared—treants, a legion of them, but very different from the “Ancient Guardians” Belsethia knew.

These intelligent “plants” strode out in neat, rigorously trained ranks, exuding the aura of professional soldiers. Their trunks and branches were armored with alloys and equipped with various auxiliary devices, giving them a majestic yet eerie appearance. At the ends of their clearly modified arms were mounted what looked nothing like handheld weapons—rail-accelerated cannons.

They looked like main guns ripped straight off heavy tanks, every rail and rivet radiating a sense of formidable martial power.

Belsethia stared in shock as these armored, cannon-wielding treants emerged from the forest, assembling silently behind Berna like a guard of honor. Then, all the rustling and creaking ceased simultaneously. The small Berna stood at the front of this legion, beaming brightly, her skin’s intricate runes glowing brilliantly.

“What… are these?” Ilian finally managed to ask, astonished.

“They’re the ‘bodyguards’ Sister Beltira told me to bring,” Berna said with a proud smile, then sheepishly rubbed her hands. “She said the South isn’t safe, and a girl traveling alone needs some helpers for protection. But I think she overreacted a bit… she practically sent me all the Solin Wardens and even had me bring a magic crystal cannon production line—the production line’s been dismantled and is carried by the last wardens who came out.”

“Bodyguards…” Belsethia’s lips twitched. She hadn’t even noticed the mention of the production line at the end. “That’s a bit over the top for bodyguards… but I have to admit, we desperately need these right now!”

“That’s great to hear,” Berna laughed. “I command these wardens, but I don’t really know much about fighting, so just tell me what to do when the time comes…”

“Alright,” Belsethia nodded, then looked a bit worried. “But speaking of the Solin Wardens… as far as I know, they’re the garrison troops of the Solin Great Tree itself? Are you sure it’s okay to take so many of them at once?”

“The Great Tree still has Commander Margarita’s legion guarding it, and it’s deep inland in Cecil, far from the front lines. The enemy can’t really fly, so it should be safe,” Berna nodded obediently. “Besides, Sister Beltira said the Solin Wardens grow from her treetop, and as long as there’s enough time, they can regenerate. She also said…”

Berna scratched her head, recalling something, then continued after a few seconds: “She said it’s like lice in hair—if you let it grow for a while, they’ll come back…”

Listening to the elf’s candid explanation, Ilian’s expression stiffened, and she looked up blankly at the heavily armored, heavily armed treants.

Those were definitely the biggest “lice” she’d ever seen—but considering the size of the Solin Great Tree, maybe it made sense?

No, it was still too strange… better look again?

Belsethia seemed unfazed by Ilian’s sudden odd behavior. She simply regarded the “bodyguards” behind Berna thoughtfully, then glanced back at the wooden door she had pushed open earlier. With a strange expression, she looked at Amon, who had quietly stood by since before.

“I have a question,” she said. “How do we get a force like this out? We can’t exactly have them squeeze through that door and march straight into the Fabuti Fortress, can we?”

“I’ll take them to the forest near the Fabuti Fortress, and then you send someone to pick them up,” Amon had clearly thought this through long ago. “Outwardly, we’ll say they’re the Cecil Expeditionary Force coming in from the west via a secret route. I’m confident no one would doubt the Silver Empress’s word at a time like this—especially since, well… many have probably grown used to the ‘surprises’ the Cecil Empire is known for.”

“Well, that is quite the surprise,” Belsethia said with a complicated expression, then let out a soft sigh as her features relaxed. “In any case… if we have such reinforcements, at least the situation on the Gaoling front won’t continue to deteriorate because of those mutant legions pushing south. We might even consider reclaiming several strategic points north of the Forest Barrier. Though I still doubt whether the southern forces are strong enough to initiate the ‘Blockade Wall’ plan, at least now I have the confidence to bring it up.”

“Let’s hope everything goes smoothly,” Amon bowed his head gently again, touching the tips of his nose to Belsethia’s and Eliane’s heads before slowly rising. “Alright, I’ve lingered here long enough. Even with this layer of ‘foreignness’ shielding me, I’m already starting to feel the influence of this land. Until next time.”

“Until next time,” Belsethia nodded softly, then took Eliane’s hand and stepped back a couple of paces, watching as Amon turned and strode toward the depths of the dense forest.

“See you soon, Your Majesty~~ I’ll be waiting in the forest east of Fabuti!” Berna waved cheerfully at the Silver Empress and her attendant, her smile radiant. Then, with nimble grace, she ran toward the nearest treant guardian. Using the lowered railgun and the armored connection points scattered along its trunk, she swiftly climbed up onto the treant’s “shoulder.”

The heavy “Sorin Guardian” rumbled lowly as its wooden frame twisted and turned, pivoting the entire legion around. Carrying Berna, the command center, it followed Amon’s retreating footsteps deeper into the forest.

…

At the same moment, within the encrypted neural network consciousness layer—

“So you sent all your ‘guardians’ to that little elf as her personal bodyguards?” In a garden surrounded by pure white blossoms, Gawain sat at a small round table adorned with pale purple patterns, wearing an exasperated expression as he looked across at the woman in the green dress. “You even bundled up an entire arms production line?”

“The Sorin Great Tree’s main body doesn’t actually need that many guardians—Marguerite’s legion is enough. Even without Marguerite’s troops, it wouldn’t make much difference. I’m confident in my own self-defense capabilities,” the woman in green replied casually. A steaming cup of tea appeared in her hand out of thin air. Stirring it, she continued, “Besides, those guardians are just ‘little creatures’ grown from my own canopy—like lice in hair. You let them grow for a while, and they multiply like crazy…”

“…Your strange metaphors just keep getting weirder,” Gawain’s mouth twitched. “But… alright, your reasoning is solid, and it does make sense given the current situation.

“Now, back to business. You said you’ve reconnected with the life signal of that dark priest named ‘Bertram’? And he’s actively moving toward your distant root tendrils?”

(End of chapter)