Chapter 364: The Covenant of Elves
[Ding]
William's heart sank as he received an SS Plus level mission notification from the System. The message was related to the Covenant of Elves, a pact signed by three Legendary Elven kingdoms at the end of the second era. According to the covenant, they were to form an alliance in the fourth era and compete for supremacy in the land of the gods. The first article of the covenant stated that there would be ten years of bloody war.
The mission details explained that the Elven Sages had predicted in the second era that as the Elven population grew and the number of Professionals increased, only war could make them stronger, more cohesive, and able to reach the highest peak among the gods. The task was rated as SS Plus , and its objective was to destroy the Orc Empire in the far north of the Legendary continent, proving the rise of the pure-blood Elves. The time limit for this mission was ten years, with the reward being unknown.
As William read through the mission details, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. An SS Plus War mission was a significant mainline quest that could potentially change the entire plot of the Continent. He never expected that the box he had sent would trigger such a momentous mission.
However, in his previous life, he hadn't participated in this mission. It was a long and arduous quest, far from the spotlight, with few famous players or NPCs to publicize it. Very few players had undertaken it.
Taking a deep breath, William tried to calm down and focus on the original mission of ten years of bloody war. In his previous life, the Elves had emerged victorious in this conflict, but the toll on their lower-level combatants had been heavy.
His thoughts raced as he considered the situation. Since the end of the second era, the scattered Elves had never united. Even though they shared the goal of becoming the masters of the Continent, their ambitious nature and reluctance to be subordinates had prevented any meaningful cooperation.
William realized that the key to uniting the Elf families in the Legendary continent lay with the Elf King and the World Tree, a powerful symbol for the pure-blood Elves. The World Tree had an incredible allure for them, akin to an imperial sword or decree. If the Elf King with the World Tree's backing couldn't unite the Elf families, it seemed unlikely that they could rival the human Empire or the rising Winged Tribe.
As William pondered these matters, he could feel his memories of his previous life becoming clearer, and his thoughts grew more active.
In a matter of seconds, he concluded that the war of the pure-blood Elves was about establishing their voice and status in the fourth era. The Elven kings paid little attention to low-combat effectiveness candidates, such as player mercenaries, as their performances weren't particularly noteworthy and they usually operated in remote areas.
The strongest individuals in the human kingdom were often legends, whereas the Elf kingdom boasted Sages and even more powerful beings. The main constraint on uniting the Elf families or kingdoms was the issue of population.
Bernice Frost, who had been observing William's thought process, interrupted his musings and said, "Starting tomorrow, the Moonlight Elves and Black Leaf Elves Legions will begin relocating here. The war will officially commence in three months. By the way, you seem to have a number of candidates who won't mind dying?"
William nodded enthusiastically, replying, "Yes, they're mercenaries under my command. As long as they're paid, they're willing to die multiple times."
The Elven kings weren't particularly interested in these low-combat effectiveness candidates. However, William's reputation and the presence of his Undead Legion caught Bernice's attention.
Bernice acknowledged the unique capabilities of the chosen ones, who had the ability to resurrect, but she believed that excessive deaths could lead to resentment and a decline in combat effectiveness. William, a Half-Elf, was willing to sacrifice his undead legion for the greater good of the Elf family.
William understood that the chosen ones were tasked with dealing with death, while the regular legions were meant for traditional warfare. He assured Bernice of his understanding and loyalty to the Elf family.
Bernice grew fonder of William, recognizing his selflessness and dedication to their cause. William, a Half-Elf, had a heart that beat in unison with the pure-blood Elves, making him a valuable ally in the upcoming war.
Certainly Deserving of Praise and Appreciation.
Bernice gently touched William's head and offered kind words of advice, "While you may currently have control over these chosen ones driven by their self-interest, it's imperative to ensure they remain under your influence."
William gratefully responded, "Thank you for your guidance, my Lord queen. I will keep that in mind."
Bernice looked at William with satisfaction, seeing him as a mature and responsible Elf. She nodded, saying, "Now, return and make preparations, or perhaps take a detour to the far north. No one would take notice of you slaying a white dragon or anything of the sort. After all, the powerful Dragon people in the Legendary realm rarely inhabit the far north, and the fate of those white dragons is of little concern."
"Yes, my Lord queen, ANN, I shall return now."
…
Without a doubt, the first task of the covenant, the ten years of bloody war, would greatly benefit William. It was a significant mainline quest for players that promised substantial rewards.
As for the risk of death, William could only apologize to others. Nobody knew the chosen ones better than he did. With the right incentive, they would be willing to face death without hesitation.
Of course, such actions were more characteristic of other unscrupulous players, not the honorable William. Since his rebirth, he had proven himself over the years, resisting various temptations and staying steadfast in his convictions.
Even in the face of alluring women, he remained resolute, as though he were a holy monk with an unshakable heart. His unwavering determination to uphold his principles had earned him the respect of those around him.
Back in the reception room with Burned Cinder and the others, William noticed Olaf wisely stepping out to enjoy the snow on his own.
With determination in his eyes, William proceeded to explain the details of the Elf Covenant without hesitation. He trusted these individuals not to betray him, and as they absorbed the mission information, their expressions shifted dramatically, each harboring their own thoughts.
Annie, however, remained silent, seemingly unsurprised by the revelation. She likely knew the reasons behind the three Elves' decision, and returning to Moonlight Island was currently out of the question.
The elder of the Moonlight Elves had been unable to prevent Cronus from occupying the island, leaving the responsibility to the younger generation of Sages.
Burned Cinder, after contemplation, asked the pivotal question, "Your Highness, have you made up your mind to participate in this war?"
William nodded firmly, "I am committed to joining this war. It's not just because of my status; the queen has also tasked the chosen ones with completing certain death missions. Therefore, after resolving the matter in the Emerald Grand Duchy, I intend to lead the Dawn Legion and the Mercenary Legion into battle here."
"The War of Prosperity," Old Leather exclaimed emotionally, clenching his fist. He then looked at William with determination, "Sir, when you go to the battlefield, I will follow you wherever you go!"
William couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Couldn't he attract followers with a bit less luck? He longed to experience the benefits of having a Luck value of 3, especially since the curse of the Goddess of Doom had long been lifted, and the Curse of the Sword of Hegny had been removed by Moses. He was now at the peak of his luck with a Luck value of 3.
Old Leather seemed determined to help him become number 1, but William was still adjusting to the changes brought by his increased Luck.
He scratched his head and humorously remarked, "But then again, what's the real difference between being number 3 and number 1? I haven't felt it yet…"
Legolas then inquired, "Where will you go next? Back home?"
William responded, "Wait a moment. First, I want to find and slay a white dragon. It's been a while since I've had dragon meat." With a casual wave of his hand, he led the Dragon Slaying Team in search of a white dragon.
There was no escaping it. If everyone claimed that white dragons were a weak force, then it was only fitting for William, the Dragon Butcher, to live up to his title by Slaying one.