Game of the World Tree

【OBSERVATIONS OF TONGLU THE DWARF】

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"By any chance are you two elves followers of the Goddess of Life and Nature, Her Grace Eve? Are there any priests blessed by your goddess stationed in Sandstorm City up ahead?"

The heavily bearded dwarf, Tonglu, asked in a gruff voice.

A "blessed priest" refers to a cleric who has received divine favor and can communicate directly with a deity.

As an envoy of the Dwarven Kingdom, Tonglu's mission was to make formal contact with the Church of Life within elven-controlled territory and deliver his message to a priest who had received the goddess's blessing.

Although the High Pontiff had already informed him that such a priest resided in Sandstorm City, Tonglu was not the sort to rely solely on secondhand reports. As a veteran warrior known for his caution and discipline, he preferred to verify such claims himself, especially after encountering these elves in the desert.

The two players were momentarily stunned by the sudden question, but after a quick glance at each other, they immediately nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm, like pecking chicks.

"Yes, yes! We are indeed followers of the Goddess Eve!"

"Devout ones at that!" one of them added quickly, puffing out his chest as if to emphasize his sincerity.

"Honorable dwarf, there is indeed a blessed priest of the Goddess in Sandstorm City. May we ask what business you have there?" said the other, adopting a slightly more formal tone, though his grin remained.

"We're quite familiar with the clergy of the Church. If there's anything you need, we might be able to help!" the first continued eagerly.

Seeing these two overly enthusiastic elves, Tonglu couldn't help but feel a flicker of emotion.

Back in the Dwarven Kingdom, he had heard no shortage of talk about the elves. The rumors surrounding them were often far from flattering, with claims that this once-gentle race had undergone a sudden transformation, perhaps even abandoning their traditional ways. Some went so far as to say their temperament had changed completely, that they had become ruthless or emotionally distant.

But these two elves standing before him told a different story. They were still as warm-hearted and eager to help as he remembered from years long past.

Perhaps those rumors were exaggerated. Or perhaps people only saw what they expected to see. Either way, Tonglu began to think that the truth was far more nuanced than the gossip back home suggested.

Of course, unbeknownst to him, the friendly attitude these two players displayed was largely due to their previous trade interactions with the dark dwarves. Over time, such exchanges had fostered a favorable impression of the dwarven race among the player base.

Moreover, Tonglu's commanding presence and clear sense of purpose led the players to suspect he was connected to a hidden questline. This only heightened their excitement and eagerness to assist him.

Had Tonglu been a human or an orc instead, however, the reception might have been very different. He would more likely have been met with indifference or perhaps even open hostility.

Seeing the two elves' eager expressions, Tonglu's demeanor softened. After a moment of thought, he said in a low voice:

"I am Tonglu, an envoy of the Dwarven Kingdom. I am here on important business and must meet with a high-ranking blessed priest of the Church of Life."

At these words, the players' eyes lit up even more.

A single thought occurred to them both:

A hidden quest!

This dwarf was definitely part of a hidden quest!

"Then, Honorable Tonglu, may we travel with you? Our destination is also Sandstorm City. It's only a hundred kilometers from here, half a day's journey at most!"

"Indeed!" the other added quickly. "This caravan we're escorting is delivering goods to the current city lord of Sandstorm City, Lord Thranduil, who also happens to be one of the Goddess's blessed priests!"

Thranduil, a blessed priest…

Tonglu quietly noted the name.

However, after casting a quick glance at the long caravan trailing behind the two players, he gave a small shake of his head.

"Thank you for the offer, but my time is limited. I must go on ahead," he said firmly.

His griffin, after all, was built for speed.

While it would take the caravan a full half-day to travel the hundred kilometers to Sandstorm City, his mount could easily cover the same distance in just over ten minutes. For someone on an official mission, every moment mattered. And in half a day, a great many things could happen—some of which might require immediate intervention.

Still, seeing the urgency in Tonglu's expression, the players were far from discouraged. Instead, they grew even more excited, practically buzzing with anticipation.

This had to be the opening stage of a major quest arc. The kind that others might miss if they weren't paying attention.

They exchanged glances, their minds already racing as they plotted how best to follow up on this unexpected encounter.

Arthur, this NPC is clearly in a hurry. It has to be an urgent quest!

I agree. We should notify the guild right away. Let's have the guildmaster station a few members near the city gates to intercept him when he arrives!

Without wasting a moment, they sent off a flurry of private messages through Moe Moe's guild chat, quickly coordinating their next steps.

Once that was done, they turned back to Tonglu with friendly, if slightly mischievous, smiles.

"Then there's no helping it," one of them said with a shrug. "However… many of our friends are currently in Sandstorm City. If you happen to need any help, feel free to contact the 'Moe Moe Committee' guild!"

Both players were members of Moe Moe Committee.

In fact, since their guild's main base was located within the Dark Mountains, which was not far from the Desert of Death, most players active in this region were mostly part of Moe Moe Committee.

Hearing this, Tonglu silently memorized the rather peculiar name: "Moe Moe Committee."

A guild? It must be… some kind of elven organization, perhaps a mercenary guild?

Given the appearance of these two elves, with their practical gear, travel-worn cloaks, and the casual confidence of experienced adventurers, it was a natural assumption.

Still considering the possibilities, Tonglu accepted a water jug offered from the caravan. With practiced ease, he raised it and drank deeply, the cool liquid helping to clear the dust from his throat and focus his thoughts.

Then, without another word, he returned the jug, climbed onto his griffin, and gave a soft command.

With a powerful beat of its wings, the majestic beast lifted into the air. Within moments, it was soaring across the vast desert sky, swiftly making its way toward Sandstorm City.

Meanwhile, the two players quickly tagged their Guildmaster in the guild chat:

"Sister Cat! Sis! Arthur and I might have stumbled upon a hidden quest!"

༺⟐༻

Tonglu's griffin cut through the air with remarkable speed.

After just over ten minutes of uninterrupted flight, the vast silhouette of Sandstorm City had already come into view on the distant horizon.

As a legendary-rank expert, Tonglu had visited this city several times decades ago. Back then, it had left a strong impression upon him under its other name:

The City of Chaos.

This was a place wherein only power and wealth reigned supreme.

Although it was nominally ruled by the orcs, it was also home to a diverse array of sentient beings from all across the continent, many of whom were fugitives or outcasts from various factions.

Here, moral codes bent easily beneath the weight of a full coin pouch. As long as one possessed enough gold and the power to back it up, anyone could indulge in a life of decadence and luxury.

"Sandstorm City… I wonder what this chaotic city has become now that it's under elven control," Tonglu mused with curiosity.

Truth be told, he found it difficult to imagine how those kind-hearted and naive long-eared folks could possibly govern such a place.

His golden griffin let out a low screech as it descended in a broad arc, wings outstretched against the dry desert wind. It landed smoothly just outside the gates of Sandstorm City, sending up a modest cloud of dust.

Tonglu dismounted with practiced ease, his heavy boots hitting the ground with a solid thud. He took a moment to survey his surroundings.

At first glance, the city gates seemed much the same as he remembered: towering and weathered by time. But upon closer inspection, faint residual patterns of magic shimmered along the outer walls, likely remnants of defensive enchantments or the aftermath of a recent siege.

He also noticed that the flow of people entering and leaving the city was significantly sparser than he remembered. The atmosphere was clearly quieter and more subdued.

What struck him most, however, was the change in demographics. The gates were no longer crowded with orcs. Instead, elves and other races from the Underground now made up the majority of the traffic.

Many of the elves passing through the gates wore ornate garments adorned with symbols of nature or divine magic, but even more were clad in practical, battle-ready attire—lightweight armor, reinforced leathers, or flowing robes etched with magical runes. It was a stark contrast to what Tonglu remembered. Decades ago, the elves he had seen (at least the free ones) typically wore elegant ceremonial robes, rich in tradition and beauty, with little sign of battlefield utility.

Only the enslaved elves, stripped of dignity and forced into service, had been dressed for combat. Yet now, that same readiness seemed to define their people.

It seems the culture of the elves has indeed changed. They appear to have become more martial. No wonder they were able to defeat the Orcs…

Tonglu thought to himself.

In the world of Seigües, strength was everything.

This was the belief Tonglu had always lived by.

The subtle changes he observed in the elves made him begin to speculate on the true nature of the support mentioned by the High Pontiff.

As the thought crossed his mind, Tonglu began unfastening the straps on his griffin's harness, intending to let the beast roam and forage nearby while he conducted his business inside Sandstorm City and sought an audience with the blessed priest of the Church of Life.

However, to his surprise, the golden griffin refused to budge.

Usually fearless and eager to stretch its wings, the majestic creature now trembled visibly. It crouched low against the ground, wings folded tightly to its sides, its eyes wide and fixed on the sky as if it had sensed a threat beyond Tonglu's understanding.

"Hm?" Tonglu frowned, immediately becoming alert.

Before he could ponder further, a thunderous roar split the sky above them.

Looking up, he saw a magnificent black dragon soaring overhead.

"A black dragon?!"

Tonglu's expression turned serious.

He had not expected to encounter one of the most aggressive and violent species of chromatic dragons here in the desert.

Judging from its aura… it was strong.

Even if it had not yet reached Legendary rank, the dragon before him was clearly perched at the very peak of Gold-rank. And when it came to dragons, that alone was more than enough to pose a serious threat. Tonglu, despite being a seasoned warrior and a Legendary-rank expert himself, did not feel confident that he could easily bring it down in a one-on-one fight.

"A black dragon… is it here to attack Sandstorm City?" he muttered, his voice low and grim.

In his experience, the appearance of a black dragon above any city could mean only one thing:

Destruction was imminent.

But as he narrowed his eyes and continued watching, something unexpected happened. The black dragon, which had been gliding overhead, suddenly seemed to shift its attention—not to the city per se, but to the creature beside him.

"Hmm? A griffin?" came a voice from above.

It was clear and articulate, but what truly caught Tonglu off guard was its tone. The voice was much younger than he had expected.

"A young dragon?" Tonglu murmured in disbelief.

He had heard numerous tales of black dragons, but never one this large.

Was it a special kind of dragon, perhaps?The idea unsettled him.

His surprise only deepened when the dragon's gaze shifted once more—this time locking directly onto him.

"Eh? And… a Legendary-rank dwarf?"

Clearly, the dragon hadn't noticed him at first. His stature may have allowed him to go overlooked, but the aura of a Legendary expert was impossible to ignore for long. Now fully aware of Tonglu's presence, the dragon began to descend.

Its massive wings stirred up clouds of dust as it landed with a thud just meters in front of him. Despite its youthful voice, the pressure it exuded was immense. Tonglu instinctively clenched his fists, bracing for a confrontation.

Then, in a voice both authoritative and demanding, the dragon spoke again.

"Hey, you—Dwarf. You're a Legendary expert, right? What brings someone like you to Sandstorm City?"

Tonglu blinked.

"Hm?"

It's not attacking?

And its tone… it actually sounded like it was speaking on behalf of Sandstorm City?

Tonglu was a little taken aback.

Just as he was trying to make sense of the situation, a crisp female voice called out from nearby.

"Meryer! Stop scaring people! That's the dwarven envoy I told you about. He's here to visit Thranduil!"

At her words, the oppressive draconic pressure that had been weighing on the surroundings dissipated instantly. The black dragon blinked in surprise, then gave an odd, toothy grin.

"Is that so? This dwarf is an envoy? I thought he was some intruder coming to stir up trouble…"

"Hm?"

Tonglu's brows furrowed even further.

A black dragon… taking orders from someone else?

Tonglu's astonishment only deepened.

Black dragons are notoriously proud creatures. So for one to willingly obey another, it could only be due to a companionship pact.

Among the chromatic dragons, black dragons are known to be the most violent and unruly. Across the entire world, there are likely very few beings capable of forming a bond with one.

Just who could this person be, to have such a powerful dragon who's nearly at Legendary-rank as a companion?

Moreover… they even knew his identity.

Could it be that Her Grace, the Goddess of Life, had foreseen his arrival?

Tonglu's curiosity sharpened as he turned toward the source of the voice.

But when he finally caught sight of the speaker, his eyes widened even further.

"…A little girl?"

It was indeed a female elf.

She looked young and composed, wearing a magical robe that glowed faintly. Her strength, however, was clearly lacking—barely at lower Silver rank.

Still, despite her modest petite presence, both her robe and her staff immediately caught Tonglu's attention. The staff, in particular, stood out. It held a gemstone the size of a skull and pulsed with divine energy.

If his instincts were right, those items were authentic divine artifacts.

She was likely a high-ranking member of the Elven Church.

Though her personal power was limited, her equipment told a different story.

Tonglu thought to himself.

While he was studying her, the elven girl turned to him and smiled gently.

"You must be Sir Tonglu, the dwarven envoy. I am Little Salty Cat, leader of the elven guild known as 'Moe Moe Committee.'"

After speaking, she gestured toward the black dragon.

"And this one is Meryer, the guardian personally appointed by Her Grace the Goddess to Sandstorm City."

Upon hearing the introduction, the black dragon puffed out its chest with pride, clearly pleased and self-satisfied.

Tonglu, on the other hand, was shocked.

This black dragon had been personally appointed by the Goddess of Life as the city's guardian?

A black dragon…had converted to the faint of the Goddess of Life?

Wait a moment…

Moe Moe Committee?

Wasn't that the guild those two elves earlier had just mentioned?

Could it be… a highly influential group within the elven race?

In that instant, Tonglu's expression became more serious.

He gave the elven girl a respectful bow and said,

"Greetings. I am Tonglu, envoy of the Dwarven Kingdom. I have come at the request of our High Pontiff to visit the Church of Life."

Salty Cat nodded.

"I have been informed, Sir Tonglu. Please, come with me."

༺⟐༻

Following the elven girl who had come to greet him, Tonglu boarded a carriage prepared by the elves and finally entered Sandstorm City.

Compared to a few decades ago, the city had undergone significant changes.

But the most noticeable one was the drastic increase in greenery—trees planted along the streets and even small gardens here and there. This соpy wаs gеnеrаtеd frоm соntеnt аt МV|LЕМРYR.

It was indeed characteristic of the elves. Even in a desert, they did not forget their reverence for nature.

Another major change was the city's public order.

What Tonglu remembered most about Sandstorm City was its chaotic surroundings. Fights and brawls were commonplace back then. But now, the entire city seemed remarkably orderly.

He could not imagine how the elves had achieved such a transformation.

Naturally, Tonglu was unaware that many of the troublemakers had long since become experience points for the players shortly after the city was occupied.

Now, there were mostly elves within the city.

In contrast, orcs were few and far between.

As the carriage moved along, Tonglu noticed that most of the elves wore combat gear, either in armor or magic robes.

They carried with them a battle-hardened aura that surpassed even many veteran mercenaries across the continent.

However, their actual levels were not very high and mostly ranging from upper Iron to lower Silver rank.

Of course, this "not very high" was only in comparison to Tonglu himself.

From the perspective of an entire race, the elves had clearly surpassed the dwarves in overall strength.

This realization impressed Tonglu. The elven race truly lived up to its legacy as a race formerly known for its silver lineage. Now that they had gained a new patron deity, their growth had accelerated rapidly.

The carriage was open-topped and moved at a steady pace.

Along the way, many elves greeted them warmly.

In particular, when they saw Tonglu, many of them beamed with bright smiles. Their expressions were so friendly that Tonglu couldn't help but feel they were trying to flatter him.

The scene prompted him to think:

The elven race truly is warm-hearted and kind.

The only thing that struck him as odd was their manner of walking.

Perhaps hopping and skipping were simply fashionable among the elves nowadays.

As he curiously observed the surroundings, Tonglu engaged in conversation with the elven girl. He shared news about the Dwarven Kingdom and also inquired about the Elven Forest.

After a dozen or so minutes, the carriage finally came to a stop in front of a solemn and majestic temple.

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