I'm currently sitting on a huge branch of the Hometree. Below me is the edge of the island. I can see many boats docked around the island's shore - these are probably the transportation for the Light Elves going in and out of the island.
Despite it being just a tree, at least over a hundred people are living in this tribe, so I can see Light Elves of all ages, both male and female, passing by above and below me. It feels quite novel.
Looking at the peaceful scenery before me, I'm suddenly reminded of the scene I saw in Edenmere City previously. Despite the two places not being very far apart, they seem like two different worlds, which makes one sigh with feeling.
"Angel Lady, is it true Edenmere city got invaded by monsters?"
Just then an elderly Light Elf woman hurriedly ran up to me and asked.
"Ah? Yes."
I was just sitting on a tree branch outside the door spacing out, didn't expect a Light Elf to specially come and ask me this question. Feeling puzzled, I added:
"Do you have something worrying? We didn't come to conscript troops..."
"No! I want to ask about a Light Elf, my son. He should be training swordplay in the city now..."
Hearing that, I immediately understood. She's here for her loved one. But there are many Light Elves in Edenmere city, at least a few dozen if not over a hundred. It would be useless even if she gave the name.
"His name is Ayshu. Do you happen to know him? And if you do, do you know of his current situation?"
"Of course n... huh?"
Speaking of which, this name does seem a bit familiar! Thinking carefully, isn't he the male Light Elf that Nicola fought in the swordplay competition? Can't help but correct myself:
"Uh, alright! I have heard of him, but I don't know about his situation under the monster invasion. Sorry, I'm afraid I can't be of much help."
"I see. Thank you, sorry to disturb..."
Hearing my reply, she seemed somewhat disappointed and didn't say anything more before leaving.
"The Ayshu family only migrated into Edenmere from outside about ten years ago..."
Not long after the woman left, the voice of the Elf Chief sounded from behind me, saying:
"You're done over there?"
Seeing him, I naturally asked about the matter of greatest concern first.
"So fast, how's Cyra?"
"Of course no issues, she'll wake up soon. Only that during the time before the cut heals, she has to keep the wing wrapped with bandages and change them periodically, which is a bit troublesome."
Quite professional! Aligns with my knowledge of medical practices in this world. The main difference is that primitive medical methods are rarely used here due to the existence of healing magic.
"I'm clear about this part, don't worry!"
I nodded, just about to go into the room to see Cyra, when I suddenly recalled what he mentioned earlier, and couldn't help but turn back to ask:
"That Ayshu... is there anything special about him?"
"Oh, nothing special. Just that his family has always been a single-parent household. It's said his father was once a powerful warrior, a rare combat and swordsmanship specialist among the generally frail Light Elf race. Unfortunately, he later encountered powerful monsters and got dark corrupted into a Dark Elf..."
"No way?"
I'm aware of dark corruption, of course, having heard Selene mention it before. But this is still the first time hearing a real-life example, moreover such a tragic case of a broken family.
" Doesn't that mean Ayshu might end up confronting his father in battle?"
"Not necessarily. Light Elves and Dark Elves originate from the same source after all. Even if they meet on the battlefield, they'd try their best to avoid fighting."
The Chief shook his head at my words, seeming quite certain of Ayshu's father's current state.
"Moreover, it's been over ten years already. His father probably died long ago."
"How can you be so sure his father must be dead?"
It looked incredulous unless he witnessed it. But it doesn't sound that way...
"Not fallen in battle, but his lifespan ended. I can ascertain that after being turned into a Dark Elf, he couldn't have lived over ten years!"
However, his reply greatly exceeded my expectations, leaving me confused.
"Just what is going on? Why would his lifespan end after just ten years?"
The conversation had successfully piqued my interest at this point. A possibility suddenly occurred to me:
"Could it be Dark Elves have very short lifespans?"
"That's right, very short! Seems like you aren't very familiar with the related basics about our Light Elves and Dark Elves, Lady Feliciana..."
He nodded, acknowledging this point, and explained especially for me:
"Although Dark Elves and Light Elves can transform into each other, originating from the same source, in reality, they are completely opposing existences. Dark Elves, influenced by the dark element, excel in combat and have robust physiques. Due to the dark element, they can barely use any magic. Light Elves on the other hand are the complete opposite, with affinity with light elements, generally frail physiques even weaker than humans, but extremely adept at light magic."
"I'm aware of most of this, but what does it have to do with lifespan?" Still feeling puzzled, I continued asking.
"It's related to the influence of the dark element. The main reason why dark creatures are defined by humans as the evil side is because the monsters affected by it are mostly physically strong beasts with extremely high fertility and violent temperaments. Apart from some extremely rare existences like vampires, their lifespans are all very short, the higher the rank, the shorter the lifespan, rarely living past thirty years."
"No way, even succubus demons too?"
I was a bit incredulous, this completely overturned my existing knowledge.
"That's right, although I haven't personally observed it, legends say this is true without mistake."
The Light Elf Chief affirmed my statement and continued explaining:
"As for Yashu's father, he had already lived a very long time as a Light Elf. According to Yashu's mother, he was probably a few hundred years old. So after becoming a Dark Elf, his remaining lifespan probably wouldn't exceed ten years, unless he encountered light corruption and turned back into a Light Elf."
"Light Elves can live that long? Several hundred years..."
Elves living long lives isn't that bizarre by conventional notions. But the Dark Elves' lifespans being so short, the disparity between them seems a little too huge.
"If it's so, shouldn't Dark Elves be very enthusiastic about getting light corrupted for the sake of longevity?"
But Irene didn't seem to act that way.
"It's related to light and dark being incompatible. And not just for this reason alone..."
He sighed, and revealed the cause:
"All dark creatures instinctively reject the light element, similar to angels' revulsion towards the dark element. They generally won't willingly accept light corruption. Moreover, among all monsters, Dark Elves probably have the weakest affinity for the dark element, their average strength doesn't even rank. So despite having birth rates several times higher than Light Elves who at most have one child, they still can't make up for losses from war."
"With the warlike nature of monsters, repeated external wars coupled with internal strife, the Dark Elf population is said to be extremely scarce now, almost extinct. This is no secret across the continent. In contrast, the Light Elf tribes have grown even bigger, relying entirely on the angels for help..."
Saying this, the Light Elf Chief looked at me, seeming to have hidden meaning in his expression.
"You're probably a younger generation, right? Actually, in this world, only angels have the power to transform Light Elves. Just like an angel's lifespan, thanks to the light element, a Light Elf's lifespan has also become extremely remarkable, far surpassing humans and even reaching records of close to a thousand years."
"Moreover, decades ago when Lady Elara broke convention and permitted us to migrate to Edenmere to escape the monster threat, it was an immense grace! Hence our gratitude towards angels is impossible to convey in words. Now Edenmere city is in trouble, if you need help please speak up, the Light Elf tribe will undoubtedly answer the call!"
"We didn't come to conscript troops..."
Alright, I finally understood his meaning. Talking so much was just a roundabout way of declaring loyalty.
But from his standpoint, this might be considered a normal reaction.
After all, Cyra suffered such a serious injury that her wings had to be amputated. Later when Elara and I appeared, we were disheveled and even naked with our clothes burned off. It's only natural for them to be worried...
But none of this was caused by monsters! The real culprit is still snoozing away in the room.
"You're awake?"
Having been held up outside for so long, when I returned to the room Cyra already had her eyes open, looking around restlessly.
"What can I do, my wings are gone."
Looking at the stumps wrapped in bandages where her wings used to be, Cyra seemed on the verge of tears, a rare disheartened expression.
"Don't you think I'm unlucky today? First Noma died, and then my wings suffered such a serious injury that I can't fly anymore. Could this be a trial from God as well?"
"Don't worry, we already said it can be healed."
I could understand her feelings, and could only advise.
"But Noma died! Don't know if there's a way to revive in this world, but at least I took revenge for her."
"Revenge? Oh you mean throwing the nuke..."
I was startled for a moment before reacting - she wasn't wrong in this sense. But taking revenge in such an exaggerated fashion is unprecedented.