In the Name of Empress

Chapter 675 381: The Enemy's Descendants_2

Although this is a tragic victory that lost post-war dominance, it at least preserved a spark of hope.

If the Elves and Earth Spirits hadn't antagonized each other but instead developed separately and united against the Divine Punishment Legion, they definitely could have achieved results more glorious than the Magic Empire, possibly even annihilating the Divine Punishment Legion.

But unfortunately, this world doesn't deal in hypotheticals, only results.

The Earth Spirit descendants kept their distance and Roland had no reason to be overly friendly, so he proposed to leave.

The Earth Spirit official responsible for hosting was very courteous in sending him off, offering local specialties to avoid letting Roland leave empty-handed.

The Earth Spirit descendants demonstrated the estranged politeness with their actions.

Just as Roland was about to leave, suddenly someone called his name loudly from behind.

"Great Sage Roland, please wait."

Roland turned around with some curiosity.

This was the first time he heard the rounded tones of Third Era Elven Language in these days.

The Earth Spirits and Elves are arch-enemies, they know each other very well, so it's normal for Earth Spirits to speak Elven, and Elves to be fluent in Earth Spirit Language.

But they were reluctant to use each other's language in communication.

They most enjoyed mastering the other's language proficiently and then finding faults to criticize harshly.

Over time, using the other's language became synonymous with lowering oneself to ask for something.

Roland was very curious to know what the Earth Spirit Race wanted from him.

The Earth Spirit host guiding Roland was even more surprised, hardly believing his eyes.

"Wise Man Kromi, why have you come?"

The sage known as Kromi was relatively short among the Earth Spirits, appearing to be only around one meter forty.

Though his hair and beard were white, he was still spirited and ran like a flash of lightning, clearly showcasing his strength.

Roland never doubted the Earth Spirit descendants had formidable experts.

Given their survival amid the predators of the South Continent, it was natural they had hidden strengths, with their limited population only protected by advanced equipment and outstanding personal abilities.

Roland smiled and greeted Sage Kromi, "Sage Kromi, if I'm not mistaken, your strength should be at Gold Level, what you can't handle, I'm not sure I could either."

Kromi's smile stiffened slightly, and his speed decreased a bit.

He sighed lightly and shook his head with a smile, "Great Sage Roland, you jest. If our tribe still had Gold Level, we wouldn't be besieged by a swarm of monkeys."

"If you don't mind, I have a pot of good tea I'd like to share with you."

Tea-sharing?

The Earth Spirits once had territories on the surface but were consistently suppressed by the Elf Race. As their relations completely deteriorated, the Elves, supported by the War Ancient Tree, treated the Earth Spirits as moles, beating them whenever they showed up.

As surface territories were lost, the Earth Spirits lost their source of tea leaves. Their favorite daily beverage gradually became a luxury only the elite could savor.

Offering tea to guests is the highest hospitality in the Earth Spirit Race.

No matter what Kromi wanted, such a grand welcoming ritual was something Roland would not refuse.

Unless he intended to perpetuate the old animosities.

Currently, it's known there are only a handful of Elves remaining, and they exist in forms nearly identical to humans.

The Earth Spirit population is slightly larger, but they barely maintain their existing territories, surviving by the skin of their teeth.

The former world dominators have ended up in such states, what's left to contest?

Roland displayed a "stunned by the honor" expression, responding in the most standard official Earth Spirit Language, "Thank you for the Sage's hospitality."

Both paused momentarily, simultaneously reminiscing about the early days of interspecies contact.

At that time, the Earth Spirits and Elves were not world dominators, with the world still ruled by the descendants of the Three Goddesses.

The Earth Spirits and Elves, being marginal races, could only reside in unwanted corners.

The Elves lived in forests, the Earth Spirits mainly underground, with neither interfering in the other's affairs, while complementing each other in many domains, maintaining a relatively good relationship.

The races of the two civilizations naturally sought mutual respect during interactions.

Both Elves and Earth Spirits earnestly learned each other's languages, proactively using them in interactions to express respect.

It was an idyllic era.

All of this gradually ended as the progenies of the Three Goddesses lost world domination due to incompetence, with multiple factions contesting until the Earth Spirits and Elves seized the reins.

After a brief period of dividing world domination, new disputes arose.

To whom did the Third Era belong, Elves or Earth Spirits?

It's a good question, one that troubled both major civilizations throughout the Third Era.

Today, Roland and Kromi closely resembled the careful, tentative contacts of their early ancestors.

Roland's voice softened, yet it was filled with undeniable resolve.

"Sage Kromi, regardless of how many hostilities we had during the Third Era, the parties involved have passed, and hatred should not persist; I wish to return to the initial understanding between our races."

Kromi's expression turned complex.

He had wrestled with this decision for three whole days, finally making up his mind to compromise, while Roland made the same decision in an instant.

Kromi, even at compromise, you lost to the Elves; know your shame!

Kromi didn't expect Roland to actively lower himself, offering an exit, freezing momentarily before responding, promptly lowering his stance further, courteously motioning an invitation to Roland.

"Great Sage Roland, you are right, please forgive our recent coldness, I will do my best to make amends for your disappointment."

It's refreshing dealing with civilized people.

Throughout his journey, Roland had met many tribes filled with the wild beauty, initially finding it novel, but eventually longing for Rodinia.

No one could spend their life in a wildlife reserve.

Were it not for the journey continuing, he'd almost want to turn back home.

If arrogance was set aside, the Earth Spirits were indeed the most hospitable hosts.

Kromi not only arranged the finest tea, pastries, and dishes for Roland but also had young men and women perform music and dance for the distinguished guest.

At the climax of the welcoming ceremony, two handsome teenagers, about sixteen, presented olive branches and floral crowns to Roland and Lisa, respectively.

Even Roland felt this was somewhat extravagant this time.

This level of welcoming ceremony, he'd only read about in ancient texts, never witnessed in reality.

In the slightly simplistic reception hall, now left with only him and Kromi, he couldn't help but ask: "Sage Kromi, your enthusiastic welcome gives me some pressure; if I can't fulfill your request, it would be awkward."

"You certainly can. It's a significant matter for my race, but for you presently it's just a matter of lifting a finger."

Since Kromi clearly understood the disparity between their forces, Roland was also at ease.

He smiled, setting down the teacup, and softly said, "Sage Kromi, please speak."

"I've had enough of living next to this bunch of monkeys; I want to relocate. I wish to move my race away from this godforsaken place, and if you're willing to accept us, we'd like to be neighbors with your people again, as initially."

Though stated subtly, Kromi's old face blushed red, repeatedly fiddling with his beard, trying hard not to appear like a beggar.

After all, it's about asking Roland to accept them, he's inevitably embarrassed.

This is all?

Roland, without hesitation, extended his right hand, formally inviting, "Sage Kromi, on behalf of the Sussex Empire, Jin Yuan Republic, Vladimir Empire, Val Free State, Tirol Kingdom, and New Magic Empire, welcome you and the wise Earth Spirit race. You may choose to reside in any of the aforementioned nations, and I will arrange the best land as an autonomous territory."

"You and your people can enjoy the highest level of autonomy based on compliance with the laws of the respective countries and the Rodinia Alliance, and your people will also have complete citizenship rights. How about that?"

Kromi was so moved that his eyes turned red.

He presently just longed to give his race a chance at survival, never daring to hope for the luxury of autonomy.

Roland offered him an enormous surprise.

He took a deep breath, held Roland's right hand with both hands, just about to touch it with his forehead, when Roland preemptively wrapped his left hand over Kromi's hand, suggesting a gesture of a handshake with close comradeship.

Kromi lifted his head in astonishment.

This signified that Roland was willing to accept the Earth Spirits as allies, even before Kromi was able to touch his hand, Roland had already taken the step to shake his hand warmly.

With evident emotion filling his eyes, Kromi declared with a firm voice.

"Sage Roland, no matter how many hostilities we faced during the Third Era, all those concerned are gone now, and hatred should not be perpetuated, I wish we could return to the state of initial acquaintance between our two races."