CH209
Tyron shook his head, "Impossible! Mr. Cole is a mid-level spellcaster; he wouldn't fall so easily. I suspect he's trapped inside."
"Should we send someone to check?" the messenger asked.
"Check? If Mr. Cole is trapped, who else could go?" Tyron replied, frustrated.
The messenger, intimidated, remained silent, head bowed.
Tyron exhaled, sighing, "We can't do nothing. Keep monitoring the area, and notify me of any changes. Also, write to Archmage Severus about the situation."
Tyron hadn't expected Cole to disappear without a trace for half a month, causing him anxiety. If something happened to Cole, how could he explain to Severus?
He decided against sending anyone to find Cole.
If a mid-level spellcaster like Cole couldn't escape, sending more people was futile.
Tyron realized the gravity of the situation.
The Lim Mountains were more perilous than imagined.
Numerous adventurers vanished, and now Cole, a mid-level spellcaster, was missing.
This indicated a significant underlying issue.
As a high-ranking official, Tyron knew some supernatural events were terrifying.
Ordinary people couldn't comprehend them, filled with inexplicable occurrences.
He hoped Cole would return or Severus could resolve the problem upon receiving the letter.
Tyron felt immense pressure, viewing the Lim Mountains as a quagmire, swallowing anyone who ventured in.
"If even Archmage Severus can't…" Tyron shook his head, dismissing the thought.
If Severus couldn't solve it, no one in the Norn Kingdom could.
***
Another half-month passed.
Sea Stone City.
Severus read the letter, his expression grave.
"Half a month without a trace…"
Severus knew what this meant.
Many relics could trap people, but not for this long.
And Cole, a mid-level spellcaster, wouldn't be easily trapped.
Severus had experienced many relics, understanding them well.
From his experience, Cole likely wasn't trapped but encountered danger, possibly life-threatening.
Severus felt an urge to rush to Oberstein.
But he calmed himself.
He began doubting his initial assumption of a relic.
The Lim Mountains' events didn't align with relic signs.
Severus sensed something amiss, feeling the situation was beyond his control.
He retrieved a wooden flute.
An elf had given it to him, saying to use it if something unusual occurred.
Severus had been puzzled, as elves were aloof, rarely interacting with humans.
Elves typically only associated with royal families, not human spellcasters.
As a magician, Severus knew some elves.
When he received the flute, he wondered, "What constitutes an unusual situation?"
After encountering the Lim Mountains' events, he recalled the flute.
Perhaps the elves knew something, hence the flute.
Severus initially thought he had connected with the elves due to his magician status.
He believed his power had earned him value among elves.
But now, it seemed the elves anticipated unusual events, and as the Norn Kingdom's strongest spellcaster, Severus would be informed.
Thus, the elves left the flute.
Severus felt blank.
If true, Cole might not return.
This was unacceptable.
What seemed a simple relic exploration hid many secrets.
Severus's aged eyes gazed at the horizon, hoping to see Cole's smile.
He solemnly played the flute.
A melodious tune rose, followed by a man's voice from the flute.
"Severus? What's the matter?" the elf man asked.
"Mr. Lucio, I've encountered some issues…"
Severus explained the Lim Mountains' events in detail.
Lucio listened silently, waiting for Severus to finish.
Afterward, Lucio paused, then asked, "Your student is a mid-level spellcaster?"
"Yes," Severus replied, his voice weary.
"He hasn't returned after half a month?" Lucio continued.
"Yes, sir," Severus answered.
Lucio remained silent for a while.
After a long pause, Lucio spoke, "I'll bring people to discuss this with you. Meanwhile, keep everyone away from the Lim Mountains and act as usual."
"Alright, I'll wait in Sea Stone City," Severus felt hopeful with Lucio's visit.
Elves were the world's strongest, capable of solving any problem.
Yet, Severus realized the situation exceeded his imagination.
The Lim Mountains hid great secrets, increasing the likelihood of Cole's demise.
After ending the call with Lucio, Severus wrote to Tyron.
Lucio's tone suggested seriousness.
What could make elves so serious?
Severus didn't know, only praying for Cole's safety.
***
Strange Valley.
An elven settlement.
A giant tree, over a thousand meters tall, dominated the valley, its canopy vast and impressive.
This was a branch of the World Tree.
Every World Tree branch housed elves.
Elves thrived around the World Tree, growing and prospering.
CH210
Under each World Tree resides an elven tribe.
These tribes govern all surrounding human kingdoms.
Backed by the World Tree, they wield immense magical power, with nearly every elf being a natural spellcaster.
Their absolute power grants them absolute authority, dominating nearby kingdoms.
Aside from lower reproductive rates, elves are an almost flawless race.
They possess beauty, longevity, and exceptional magical talent.
With their long lifespans, elves have many powerful spellcasters.
However, great power comes with great responsibility.
The world has many problems that humans in the elven plane struggle to solve.
This is when the elves step in.
When elves act, they always resolve these issues.
Recently, though, some matters have troubled the elves.
Namely, invaders from the wizard plane.
These invaders, calling themselves wizards, have abilities similar to spellcasters.
They are powerful, ruthless, and love to plunder valuable things.
To them, the World Tree is a priceless treasure.
Upon arriving in the elven plane, these wizards seek to seize the World Tree.
Every elf sees the World Tree as a mother, and won't allow harm to come to it.
Wizard invasions have occurred worldwide, drawing the elves' attention.
Where wizard bases are found, elves send forces to defend or attack.
In areas without wizard bases, elves take preventive measures.
For instance, the wooden flute given to Severus.
Elves use such methods in every kingdom, usually given to protectors like Severus.
Wizard bases start hidden, hard to detect, relying on kingdom champions to notice anomalies and contact elves.
With limited numbers, elves can't monitor the entire elven plane.
Wizards are cunning, initially staying hidden, making detection difficult.
But once a sign appears, elves act swiftly.
Lucio, captain of Strange Valley's elven guard, has magician-level power.
After receiving messages from the World Tree's royal elves, Lucio visited nearby kingdoms.
In each, he chose one or two people, giving them contact methods.
He also sent elves to explore kingdoms, hoping to spot anomalies early.
One day, Lucio received Severus's message.
After speaking with Severus, Lucio was grave.
From Severus's account, Lucio suspected a wizard base in the Lim Mountains.
Only wizards could silently eliminate so many, including a mid-level spellcaster, without leaving traces.
Yet Lucio needed to investigate personally.
Lucio took three high-level spellcaster guards with him.
Fewer people meant easier movement.
"Lucio, be cautious. If it's truly a wizard invasion, return immediately; we must prepare," said Strange Valley's elder.
Over 800 years old, the elder was the oldest in Strange Valley.
Strange Valley had three grand magician-level spellcasters, including the elder.
Lucio, the most promising young elf, was likely to succeed the elder.
Lucio nodded, "Rest assured, elder. I'll return once I understand the situation."
His goal was to clarify the situation.
If wizards had invaded, Strange Valley's power might not suffice.
With few members, they'd likely need other tribes' help.
Though elven tribes might have conflicts, they unite against external threats.
***
Lucio and three elves traveled for half a month, reaching Sea Stone City.
Their journey was discreet, unknown to the Norn Kingdom's king.
By the time the king learned of four elves in Sea Stone City, Lucio was in Severus's office.
"Mr. Severus, what's the situation?" Lucio asked.
Severus, looking older, sighed, handing over two letters.
Tyron had sent another letter.
Cole hadn't emerged from the Lim Mountains.
Even Tyron realized Cole might not just be trapped but in danger.
A mid-level spellcaster, in peril in the Lim Mountains.
Tyron felt suffocated by the thought.
He immediately had a letter sent to Archmage Severus.
Tyron, sleepless, had increased border patrols, monitoring the Lim Mountains 24/7.
Behind him lay all of Oberstein, a heavy burden.
Lucio read the letters.
"We'll head to Oberstein to investigate," Lucio said.
"I'll join you; I've informed the king," Severus, eager to explore the Lim Mountains, said.
Lucio observed Severus's mental state, then said, "You're old; stay here."
Severus shook his head, "I want to see for myself."
Lucio pondered, "You can come, but don't act rashly. We're investigating, not confronting."
"Confronting? Do you know what's there?" Severus perked up.
Lucio shook his head, "Just a guess—perhaps wizard plane invaders."
"Wizard plane invaders?" Severus recalled, understanding.
"I shouldn't have sent him; it's my fault," Severus regretted, guilt-ridden.
Long ago, he'd heard of other planes but never encountered them.
He'd seen records of the wizard plane, but years had dimmed his memory.
Lucio's mention jogged his memory.