Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Chapter 670: Alliance

The description from Silver Thorn, interspersed with labored breaths, narrated a chilling scene that made the spine of every listening Elf tingle: eerie metallic sand that could absorb moonlight Magic, the silent advancement of a tremendously hard metallic giant that appeared out of nowhere, and a human Wizard heavily guarded, seemingly youthful yet unfathomable in methods...

"Moon Blade... can’t break through the defenses, the Magic seems to have been devoured..." Silver Thorn’s eyes were somewhat dazed, as if recalling that desperate battle, "The golems with rock armor and that sticky substance, I... had to burn my essence to break free. Dew and Thorn... didn’t make it back, Whisper and Shadow Shuttle... were captured..."

Each name uttered struck the hearts of the Elves present like a piece of ice.

Six of the clan’s finest hunters and Casters, an elite team, two dead, two captured, and only three managed to escape, even the Deputy Commander was severely injured.

Night Breeze listened quietly, his face showing no change in expression, only his deep eyes seemed to harbor a gathering storm.

When Silver Thorn mentioned that he barely escaped by using a forbidden technique, Night Breeze slowly closed his eyes, and after a moment reopened them, filled with a cold determination.

He extended his hand, pressing it onto Silver Thorn’s shoulder, and a pure and gentle moonlight energy slowly infused, stabilizing Silver Thorn’s precariously collapsing Fighting Spirit cycle and injuries.

"You’ve done well enough, Silver Thorn, rest first." His voice remained calm yet carried an undeniable power.

Then, he straightened up, his gaze slowly sweeping across each face around him, whether fearful, grief-stricken, or bewildered.

Finally, his eyes fell upon his daughter Lyra’s pale face, pausing for a moment, with a slight nod, seemingly conveying silent comfort and entrustment.

"You all heard it." Night Breeze’s voice resonated in the stillness above the village, drowning out the low hum of Sar’s moon, "The invaders are more cunning and dangerous than we imagined, possessing powers we do not understand."

He paused, his voice becoming steadier yet heavier:

"Our Mist Song clan has thrived here for hundreds of years relying on a Level 1 Tear Well. But our strength, like the ripples of the well water, has its boundaries. Facing these well-prepared and unconventional outsiders alone, we will be swept away like autumn leaves."

His gaze cast toward the village outskirts, as though piercing through the dense forest to see the other Elven settlements farther away.

"On the outskirts of Shadow Song Valley, there are several small clans living off Level 1 Wells like us—Stone Root, Night Dew, Mu Ye. Our hunting grounds may overlap, and our moonlit ceremonies may differ, but we all share the blood of the Night Elves, rely on the moon’s blessing, and face the same threat."

Night Breeze turned to the eldest hunters and Priests in the clan.

"Just relying on us—the Mist Song—, even if we unite with nearby clans like Stone Root, Night Dew, and Mu Ye that also rely on Level 1 Wells, it might hold temporarily but definitely not for long." Night Breeze’s gaze became profound, "The intelligence Silver Thorn gained at the cost of blood cannot remain with us alone. More powerful clans and the court must be informed of the encroaching threat of these invaders and their bizarre capabilities."

He quickly issued orders, showcasing his decisive leadership:

"First, dispatch the Messenger, with utmost speed, bearing my moonlight imprint and Silver Thorn’s detailed account, to the nearest Ashen Blade clan. They possess a Level 2 Moon Well, far more powerful than us, and have always been responsible for patrolling and guarding this region. It’s their duty and capability to relay this message faster into the depths of the valley, until it reaches the court."

"Second, also dispatch envoys to connect with Stone Root, Night Dew, and Mu Ye clans. Invite their leaders or representatives to a meeting at the Three Woods Convergence when the next Elistraee’s moon rises. We need to discuss how to defend our hunting grounds and sanctuaries collectively, like interwoven thorns, before we receive a response from above."

"Third, Lyra, assist the old Priest in immediately strengthening all the protective and concealment sigils around Mist Song’s Tear and inventory all war supplies. From this moment, the village enters the most concealed defensive state, only going out if necessary. We must hide like shadow snakes under the moss, waiting for the right moment, or... possible aid."

The clear and coherent commands helped the slightly panicked Elves find their backbone again.

Seeking aid upstream, forming alliances laterally, and solidly holding internally, these are the most prudent strategies when facing formidable enemies.

Night Breeze finally glanced toward the direction of Darkmoon Town, where the ominous blue glow was particularly glaring against the dark red sky.

"A storm is gathering, children. But we are not solitary leaves; where moonlight shines, there are kindred. Even the faintest light, when gathered, can illuminate the darkness and guide the court’s sword to its destined path."

The surface of Mist Song’s Tear, at the Moon Well, rippled violently, as if responding to the leader’s words, or perhaps trembling for the impending upheaval that might sweep through the entire Shadow Song Valley.

Lyra took a deep breath, gripping her short staff tightly.

She not only has to learn to protect but also understand the bonds between clans and the distant, formidable order of the moonlight.

Her father’s gaze had already set on the broader forests and deeper darkness, and she too must let her vision extend beyond the confines of the well’s mouth.

...

Darkmoon Town, in the largest stone house in the center of the Explorer’s camp.

This was originally the meeting hall of the garrison officer, now temporarily repurposed into a rudimentary yet fully functional command center for operations.

On the rough stone walls hung several large maps crafted from magically tanned animal hides, densely marked with glowing paints of different colors indicating terrain, energy nodes, known Night Elf clan activity ranges, and the latest reconnaissance intelligence.

The air was filled with the scents of tobacco, sweat, a faint sulfur from burning low-grade magic crystals, and a tense, pre-battle restlessness.

Over a hundred Wizards were gathered inside, distinctly divided into several areas.

The largest group consisted of independent Explorers and Wizards hired by small and medium Commerce Associations, wearing a variety of equipment, standing in small groups, conversing quietly, eyes full of yearning for merit and spoils.

On the other side were groups clearly belonging to larger forces, wearing uniform attire or adorned with conspicuous insignia, more disciplined, quietly listening to their leaders’ low-voiced instructions.

The team assembled by the Star Dome Commerce Association was also present, with Master Ted standing at the front, and Duke, Una, Hal, Ivan, and Shadow Raven standing behind him.