69: Bloodshed on the altar, the elves are reborn!

Moonlight, like water, spilled over the ruins of the Elf main courtyard.

In the center of the main courtyard, the white jade altar, once used to worship the World Tree, had been re-erected.

Su Jin stood with his hands behind his back on the high platform, the moonlight outlining his tall figure.

His expression was calm, his gaze deep, as he looked into the distance.

Bai Xiao stood half a step behind him, like a loyal shadow.

Liora stood on Su Jin's other side, slightly behind him.

Her face was still a bit pale, and her body still felt a little weak, but her back was perfectly straight.

In her emerald eyes, the former confusion and fear had been replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility.

She looked at the Elf people gathered below the platform, her heart a mix of emotions.

These were her compatriots, the last embers of the Elf.

They had experienced the tragedy of their home being destroyed and their loved ones slaughtered, and then endured endless darkness and despair in the dungeons.

At this moment, they looked up at the man on the high platform, their eyes complex, filled with the relief of surviving a catastrophe, as well as apprehension about an unknown future.

They were already aware of Infinite City's decision.

Although setting aside the inherent pride of the Elf and choosing to be subservient to a human lord was a struggle for many Elf, in the face of cruel reality, they understood that this was the best, and only, option.

The promises made in the council hall needed a more formal announcement to soothe the hearts of all surviving Elf.

Su Jin's gaze swept over the crowd below, and the Elf unconsciously held their breath.

"From today onwards, the Elf of Twilight Forest will be under the governance of Infinite City."

His voice clearly reached the ears of every Elf.

"Infinite City will give you a new home and provide protection."

"What you need to do is to abide by Infinite City's laws, obey orders, and contribute your strength."

As his words fell, there was first a moment of silence below the platform, and then, long-suppressed sobs began to spread.

It was not sadness, but the release of complex emotions.

Liora watched her people's reactions, her eyes welling up slightly, but she held back strongly.

She knew this was not the time for weakness.

She took a step forward, faced Su Jin, and loudly declared: "Lord, the Elf will surely offer our loyalty and wisdom for the prosperity of Infinite City!"

Su Jin nodded slightly, his gaze turning to his side.

"Bring him up."

The shadows at the edge of the high platform wriggled like living things, and then a blurry dark figure separated from them.

It was Shadow One.

In his hand, he dragged a withered, ragged figure—none other than the former Elf Elder, Eldrin.

At this moment, Eldrin no longer had any semblance of an Elf Elder's demeanor.

His face was ashen, his eyes unfocused, and he trembled uncontrollably, thrown onto the open space in front of the altar by Shadow One like a dead dog.

"Ah—traitor!"

"Kill him! Kill him!"

"Eldrin! You shameless scoundrel!"

The moment they saw Eldrin, the Elf below instantly erupted.

Angry roars, venomous curses, and bone-deep hatred surged like a tangible force towards the figure slumped on the ground.

If not for the Spirit Pivot Sword Servants standing guard below, they would likely have rushed up immediately to tear this traitor to shreds.

Liora's body trembled slightly, her knuckles turning white.

It was this traitor who personally opened the Elf's defenses, brought in the Goblin's blades, causing countless compatriots to die tragically and bringing shame upon the Elf's sacred artifacts!

Eldrin seemed to have been scared witless by the Elf's fury; he wept and sniveled, struggling to crawl towards Su Jin, wailing incoherently: "Lord! Spare me! Spare me! I was forced! It was Bashaka! Bashaka forced me! I..."

Su Jin's eyes showed no fluctuation, not even bothering to glance at him.

He simply spoke calmly, his voice not loud, yet it drowned out all the clamor: "Betraying your own people, inviting wolves into the house, causing widespread suffering."

His gaze turned to Liora: "He is a traitor to your Elf; how do you wish to deal with him?"

Giving the power of judgment to Liora was both an acknowledgment of her and an explanation to all the surviving Elf.

Liora took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

She looked at Eldrin's face, twisted with fear, and then at the bloodshot eyes below the platform, burning with the fire of vengeance.

She slowly raised her hand, pointed at Eldrin, her voice cold and resolute:

"Betraying the clan, inviting wolves into the house, causing the royal court to fall and the World Tree to wither..."

"According to clan rules, he shall be put to extreme punishment, and his soul... forever cast into shadow!"

"No! Don't! Liora! For the sake of our people..." Eldrin's wailing abruptly stopped.

Shadow One's figure appeared behind him as if teleporting, and with a swift motion, a head rolled to the ground, staining the dust in front of the altar.

The entire scene suddenly fell silent.

All the Elf stared intently at the rolling head, their expressions complex.

The suppressed resentment in their hearts seemed to dissipate considerably with the traitor's death.

Su Jin watched all this, his expression unchanged.

He turned to Liora.

"The traitor is dealt with. Now, I give you half a month to handle your internal clan matters, and then proceed to Infinite City to report to me."

"Yes, Lord!" Liora bowed in response, her voice filled with determination.

She knew that from this moment on, the burden on her shoulders was even heavier.

"Bai Xiao, leave a team of Spirit Pivot Sword Servants to assist them." Su Jin looked at Bai Xiao, who stood respectfully behind him, and instructed.

"Yes." Bai Xiao bowed slightly.

With the instructions given, Su Jin did not intend to stay long.

The aftermath in Twilight Forest could be left to Liora.

While the Elf's potential was not small, they needed time to recover and integrate.

Currently, the more important matter was to return to Goblin King City and handle the affairs there.

And... to investigate the specific situation of that seal, so as to prepare countermeasures.

He looked towards the edge of the high platform, at the dark figure almost merged with the night.

"Shadow One."

"Give orders to Stone Rock, Zhui Yun, and Huo Jun."

"After the army is fully prepared, they shall set off first."

"Return to Goblin King City!"

"Understood."

Shadow One's voice sounded, and his figure quietly vanished.