Prime Originator

Human Domain

At the heart of the Crawford Empire, the World Tree stood tall and majestic as ever—no, even more so than ever, having grown a few inches taller in the past few days.

Its vibrant spirit energy blessed the land and its million elves and humans, who have erected countless tents and crops across the Grassland Region and settled down in it.

Even though Wrathful Demonic Energy has spread throughout the world, it could not enter the World Tree's domain.

The abundant Spirit Energy in the area formed a natural barrier that wards out the harmful energy, protecting all that lived within the World Tree's domain.

The new capital in the making was not very noticeable from the ground level due to the erected tents in the region.

However, the framework of the new capital was clearly seen from a bird's eye view up in the World Tree's crown.

Elizabeth and Heinrich watched the new capital development from the World Tree's crown with pride.

Some distance away from them, Princess Thessalia and Princess Faelyn also observed the development below.

"To think that we could get a month's worth of construction work done in a few days. This is all thanks to the elves directed by you, Faelyn," Elizabeth said to Princess Faelyn.

"Without the elves' wood manipulation to grow trees for wood and crops for food, we would have to rely on a consistent supply from the other regions in the empire."

"You can't put it like that, Your Majesty—"

"Hm?"

"M-mother…"

After Elizabeth gave Faelyn a look, she quickly changed her form of address.

"It wouldn't have been possible for the elves to keep up the production without the World Tree's blessings. Furthermore, the human Awakeners did most of the labor work. The elves only provided support, M-mother…"

Whether it was actual construction or production of bricks and metal frames, screws, and related materials to construction, it was all done by Earth, Fire, and Metal Awakeners.

"True," Elizabeth nodded for a moment before she continued to argue, "Nevertheless, thanks to the elves' collective support, everyone can keep working without worry. Food has always been a big issue of any large city."

"Food will never be a problem again, mother."

Faelyn promised.

Food will never be an issue unless someone purposely burns all their crops; famine never existed for the elves.

"That's good to hear," Elizabeth smiled.

Over the past few days, she had grown fond of Faelyn, who was diligent, hardworking, and obedient, but more importantly, Faelyn was one of her son's lovers.

Elizabeth didn't have any other daughter-in-law to talk to besides Faelyn.

Lynne disappeared into the Extreme Misty Forest territory through the underground passages, while Rachel departed for the Ishaan Kingdom with her father, Duke Ignis, to further their training.

"It's been some time since we've seen our son, haven't we?" Heinrich suddenly spoke.

"Oh please, it's only been a few days since we last saw him. The Teleportation Array has already been deployed in a secured location, so our son will visit us when he is ready," Elizabeth stated.

"That's true," Heinrich nodded before arguing, "But after all, it's the Wildlands that we are talking about. So one cannot help but be worried."

"Of course, I also know that. But we have no other choice but to believe in him, so why did you need to bring it up? Did you think I wouldn't be worried? I'm his mother!"

"And I am also his father…"

"What did you say?"

"N-nothing…"

Princess Thessalia listened to the king and queen bicker over the same topic with mild amusement for the past few days.

She could tell that Prince Leon's parents loved him dearly.

Even so, a trace of sadness in her heart as she recalls the death of her parents and siblings, leaving just her and her younger sister.

Faelyn was also affected by Thessalia's slight change in mood and felt down.

However, Elizabeth noticed their sorrow before she suddenly pulled both of them into her bosom and gave them a warm hug.

"I understand that the dead cannot come back to life, and we cannot replace what you've both lost, but you can also think of us as your family from now on."

"Mm."

The two elf princesses quietly nodded in the queen's bosom, feeling strange senses of security and warmth like their mother was embracing them.

Nevertheless, they didn't get to enjoy the moment for long before a shadow guard suddenly appeared before them with an urgent report.

"Your Majesty, I bring news from the east; please review it!" the shadow guard offered an information scroll to the king.

Shortly after Heinrich accepted the information scroll and perused its content, his curious expression quickly changed into a frown.

"Is there a problem in the east?" Elizabeth queried after noticing her husband's expression.

Heinrich nodded.

"According to the scout's intel, roughly 100 people entered the Durham Region shortly after a fight broke out on the Geyser Kingdom's Border Wall. Their strength is estimated to be at least 9th step Ranked Awakener."

"100 people with at least 9th step Ranked Awakener Realm cultivation entered our borders from the Geyser Kingdom's side?" Elizabeth frowned and said, "There must be quite a few Transcendents among them…"

"If they came with a specific destination in mind, they shouldn't lag far behind the messenger. But for so many people to come from the Geyser Kingdom, it doesn't seem like they have good intentions..."

After a short moment, Elizabeth's eyes strongly flickered with realization, "Don't tell me that they are…"

"They are most likely people from the Cortez family, coming to avenge the foreign Transcendents from a week ago."

Heinrich also came to the same conclusion as his wife.

With a stern look, Heinrich immediately suggests, "We need to gather the elven elders and Elder Evergreen for a meeting and make our preparations."

"Un," Elizabeth nodded and said seriously, "If they are our enemies, which they most likely are, there will be a big battle ahead of us."

"Mother, we would also like to join the meeting," Faelyn expressed her intention to join the battle meeting and participate in the battle with them.

However, Elizabeth shook her head.