Although this obvious act of "deception" made the hot-tempered Shatas somewhat displeased, she understood that Ebner's disguise was indeed beneficial for contact, so she did not say anything further.
Soon, as the "Magpie Bridge" took shape, with Ebner and Shatas's eyesight, they could already see the situation within the "hidden space."
When she saw that there were still so many of her own elven kin, a faint smile couldn't help but appear on Shatas's refined face with its gentle lines.
After thousands of years, she was finally seeing her own race again.
However, Shatas did not take the initiative to enter the "hidden space" along the "Magpie Bridge." Firstly, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings; secondly, as the envoy of the "Queen of Calamity," it was only proper that they come to pay respects to her.
Thinking this, Shatas secretly glanced at Ebner beside her and saw that he had made the same choice. Only then did she quietly let out a breath of relief.
Although she outwardly seemed insufficiently respectful toward Ebner, it was a fact that his strength far exceeded hers. Major decisions still had to be made by this demigod.
Just like that, after both sides inside and outside the "hidden space" observed each other for several minutes, an elderly woman with graying hair, an aged face, and layers of wrinkles piled together, leaning on a cane that was clearly a Beyonder item, walked over from the other end of the "Magpie Bridge."
Behind her followed five equally aged "Elf Songsters."
The aura of "decline" around these six elves was intense. Even Shatas, who had not yet obtained divinity, could sense that these elderly elves' lives had entered a countdown and that they could die at any moment.
The leading elderly woman was naturally the only demigod of "Howling Town," the "Cataclysmic Interrer" Emily. Leading the other five "Elf Songsters" who had one foot in the grave, she stopped about a dozen meters away from the Trident, coughed lightly, and said:
"Where do you elves come from?
"And how did you find Howling Town?"
Hearing this, Ebner glanced at Shatas and gave her a few quiet instructions.
The latter nodded, indicating she understood, then stepped forward and said loudly, "I am a maid of the 'Queen of Calamity,' representing Her to conscript you."
"'Queen of Calamity'?"
However, upon hearing this name, the faces of those "Elf Songsters" revealed expressions of confusion, as if they had never heard of it.
Only Grand Elder Emily pondered for a long time and, before Shatas—whose brows were already raised—could "erupt," she spoke uncertainly: "Is the true name of the 'Queen of Calamity' 'Cohinem'?
"My apologies. The faith of 'Howling Town' belongs to a subordinate god of the elven race, and our clan's other records are incomplete…"
Upon hearing the name "Cohinem," realization dawned on the faces of the five "Elf Songsters" behind her.
Seeing that there were still elves who remembered the Queen, Shatas's expression eased somewhat, though her tone remained far from pleasant as she retorted, "'Queen of Calamity' Cohinem is the Queen of our elven race! Which subordinate god do you worship that you don't even know this?"
"'Howling Town' worships the 'God of Luck,' Oliver…" Grand Elder Emily first answered, then said in confusion, "But in our records, 'Queen of Calamity' Cohinem is the consort of the 'God of Luck'…"
"This… you are committing blasphemy!" Shatas's black hair, tied into a ponytail, suddenly came loose, defying natural laws as it spread upward and outward. Each strand was distinct, entwined with silver-white lightning and emitting a strange deep-blue luster.
Clearly, her irritable temperament could not tolerate such "erroneous" records—this was desecration of the "Queen"!
But in the next moment, all abnormalities vanished, and Shatas herself calmed down.
Naturally, this was Ebner stepping in to "soothe" her, for he knew clearly in his heart that, in a certain sense, Howling Town's records were not entirely wrong…
Moreover, the content regarding Cohinem was very likely shamelessly added by the "God of Luck" himself.
After restraining the impulsive Shatas, Ebner observed the six elders opposite him, who remained calm and had not become vigilant because of Shatas's hostile display. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
Even elves, after generations of eliminating the innate influence of their characteristics, have become less irritable… In this regard, the Five Elders of "Howling Town" formed a stark contrast with Shatas, who was born before the "Twin Era" of the Second Epoch.
As his thoughts turned, Ebner took over the negotiation and said with a smile, "Please don't misunderstand. My companion has a rather bad temper…
"However, we do indeed represent the will of the two subordinate gods, the 'Queen of Calamity' and the 'God of Luck.'"
Upon hearing this, Shatas's brows furrowed again. She hadn't known beforehand that the "God of Luck" was involved here, and instinctively felt that the human beside her was about to deceive elves again.
But this time, Ebner was relatively "honest," for he himself could represent the "God of Luck."
As for Emily and the elders of "Howling Town," they stared at Ebner and asked, "Do you have any proof?"
Even though they were fellow elves, matters concerning the life and death of the entire town left Emily and the others no room for carelessness.
Proof? That's easy… I'll just use the same method Danitz used for negotiation back then!
As this thought flashed through his mind, Ebner activated the "Pure White Eye." Then, using his "Insight" ability, he quickly found several tiny, barely noticeable specks on the surface of the illusory sun…
They symbolized the six elves before him!
Even though they worshipped the "God of Luck," and even if they were only very shallow believers—so shallow that without meeting face-to-face Ebner could not establish contact with them—they still left "specks" in the "Unknown." Through this "connection," divine revelations could be issued!
Moments later, the "Cataclysmic Interrer" and the five "Elf Songsters" behind her all showed dazed expressions. Then, as if by prior agreement, they knelt to the ground, paying homage to Ebner and Shatas according to elven etiquette, and cried out in unison: "We obey the divine oracle!"
Shatas's face revealed confusion. She very much wanted to ask what was going on, but clearly this was not the right moment, so she could only suppress the curiosity in her heart.
"Your Excellency, divine envoy, the oracle we received was to fully cooperate with you… May I ask what the 'Queen of Calamity' intends to conscript us for?" After standing up, Emily asked respectfully.
Ebner sized them up for a moment, stopped Shatas—who was eager to speak—from interrupting, and then slowly said:
"Judging from your condition, you don't have much time left. How can you complete the 'Queen of Calamity's' task like this?"
As he spoke, he took out a small bottle and tossed it over before continuing:
"The 'spring water' inside can let you live a few more years…
"This is a gift of the gods."
What Ebner gave the elves of "Howling Town" was naturally the "Fountain of Youth" water…
This item had long been exhausted in trades with the Sanguine and should not have been available anymore.
But recently, relying on accumulated wishes to restore bodily strength, Ebner had performed a "miracle" for the "Yellow Saintess" Natalia, finally allowing her to produce some again.
Although the quantity was small, these elves only needed a few years' worth. It was still sufficient.
(End of Chapter)