Six months had passed since the ambush. Although, there had been a great number of casulaties due to the unfortunate incident, but nothing else followed after that, so the village remained quite peaceful.

  The plague did not spread either as its core had been discovered. More importantly, due to the unique talents of Iquaral, a new cure had been developed as well. Now that he knew the root cause of the disease, what caused it and what symptoms did the surviour of the disease showed, he was able to brew a new potion that did not need rare ingredients to be produced. Well, its effectiveness was a bit duller than the original, but it was a negligible difference in most cases.

  The most important development was that the village was able to open the route through the forest just like they had planned to — a pathway for the merchants to saftely pass through. In addition to strict checking for any potential danger throughout the forest, a new outpost had been established a bit further away from the forest as well. The forest was now practically impossible to be stepped in without the elfin scouts noticing it.

  The external outpost was well hidden by building up a trench and then covering it up just enough to be able to see what was happening around the vicinity. Anyone coming from a distance would never be able to spot it.

  Coming back to the route, the village was able to earn one gold empyrean per week — a huge sum for the previously struggling village. The strategic location that the forest held was far more valuable than the elves had anticipated.

  This was not the only source of income, though. The shops built throughout the route from one end to the other were also able to earn a large amounts of silver everytime a caravan passed through. The famished merchants were able to fill their stomachs in a tavern built near the end of the route (it was built at the edge of the forest so it could be well protected while also providing the elves with a peace of mind.)

  Overall, the village was flourishing. Trading caravan brought goods that the village required, the elves were able to not only buy essentials but also luxurious items. Some merchants even specifically passed through the forest only to trade with the villagers even though the path led to the capital which only showed how much prosperity this place had been able gain in such a small time frame.

  The one and only person to whom the credit was to be given was Harwin. This foreignn human who was brought in as a prisoner soon proved himself to be the most useful person the wood-elves had ever seen after the great sword-saint himself.

  Harwin was well respected now, he was given a proper house, and he was part of all the council meetings. His opinions were held in high regard, but most importantly, he was seen as an equal by all the villagers. They owed their livelihood and practically their lives to the man, thus such small courtsey was to be expected. However, Harwin had not changed one bit — humble and did not consider his help to be praise-worthy.

  Harwin was enjoying his time there. He was learning all sorts of new magika spells under the guidance of not only Alisa but also Iquaral, who at first had considered him a burden but now was grateful and respectful to the man. It was not only because of the order from the council but because Harwin had provided him with a great stepping stone in the understanding of alchemy better.

  Harwin did not have his left arm anymore, but with the help of Iquaral and the prodigical craftsmen of the elfin village, he was given a new arm. Well, it was less of an arm and more of a weapon. It was carefully crafted and enchanted to act as a sword and a staff at the same time which would help him direct magika through his body to a specific point — something he had previously sttruggled with.

  As for his progress in magika, he was now able to cast intermediate spells but only once or twice a day before hitting his limit. He had soon learned the bitter truth that this certainly was not his forte and had shifted his focus more towards learning about echo shards — something which did not require much magika rather relied on the knowledge and the reaserch of the individual. It might even lead him to solve a conflicted desire he still held in his heart.

  As for his physical training, he practiced under the supervision of Landel while occasionaly getting some lessons from Graftel and the captains as well.

  He struggled a bit at first as balancing was an issue due to the lack of his usual left hand, but he slowly got used to it. With his new attachment rather equipment, he was able to use two blades at the same time. Although he was not even decent with at it first, but now after six months, he could be considered a above-average swordsman. He could now take down atleast three or more of the enemies he had encountered in the ambush, but of-course, the tides of battlefield could be turned quickly so he could not afford to be overconfident.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Harwin was also much better against the younglings now. The lad was able to have sparring match with the wood-elf warriors on regular basis. His endurance and strength had significantly increased — it was not only due to his hard work but also due to the genius guidance.

  Most recently, his most impressive feat was harnessing basic magika spells to help in close combat. Rookie fighter or even some intermediate ones are usually overconfident and do not take mages seriously in close combat which was a huge advantage. Even the younglings who did not have magika incorporated in their training programme scummed to the unique tactics used by their human counterpart.

  Harwin was able to use fire and wind arrows — a basic to intermediate spell which he casted with precision and swiftness with the help of his prosthetic arm.

  It was a marvellous fighting style and he was quickly able to rise to the top of the youngling. Even Landel could not afford to lose focus now whilst facing his student in a sparring match. Harwin had always been the type to quickly pick-up things and also to improvise them into something even better. He was no genius, but he certainly was above the average, mainly due to his persistence.

  It was in the middle of sixth month that a small party of wood-elves arrived in the village. They were brought under the supervision of the leader of the scouts of the village, Sarial. Although these guests were wood-elves, but their demeanour and clothes were different from their local counterparts. They were brought straight to the chief. Graftel was also quickly informed of their presence as well, but he did not meet them just yet.

  It was in the evening that a grand-council was called upon by the chief in which Graftel, the captains, Harwin, Iquaral, and the elders were the core members.

  With all of the important figures gathered, the chief for the first time, got up from his throne (It was more of a chair but due to the designation, rather position of the chief, it could be mistaken as a throne) and sat in one of the elder’s chairs.

  Graftel without wasting a moment sat on the now unoccupied throne, as if it was always meant for him in the first place. The elders instead of sitting in their usual spots, sat with the others on the floor. The foreign elfin party was once again brought in. Upon entering, they immediatley knelt infront of the sword-saint.

  “It is a honour to meet the Great Saviour once again. I hope you remember me as well.”

  One of the elf spoke from amongst them. He was a middle-aged fellow with thick whiskers. He certainly carried himself like a warrior and appeared to be one as well.

  “Of course, Uytral, I remember you. We have fought beside eachother many times. It is not the act of a friend to forget another. I welcome you to this village.”

  Graftel’s demenour had changed from usual — now he carried himself like a monarch rather than a battle-commander. Harwin was certainly surprised but kept his mouth shut.

  “You honour me great one. I do not want to waste anymore of your precious time so I will get straight to the point. Just as I discussed earlier with the chief as well, we would like you to visit all the elfin settlements. It is not an order, of course, I dare not even utter such things—” Uyteral was interrupted.

  “Uytral! I address to you as a friend, and I do not like the formalities and norms of those foolish human nobles. Speak to me in the manner of a warrior, for that is how we have lived and shall continue to do so as well.”

  “That is a relief, I see that you have not changed one bit sword-saint, Graftel. I put forward a request to you to make a journey from this Great forest of Minstral to all the elfian settlement to the end of lands. Younglings all around the settlements have been told about your exploits and tales, but they are impatient and self-indulgent. I am afraid that without witnessing your presence themselves, it is impossible to keep the unity we achieved with so much struggle...." He paused for a while and then gave a grave warning of sort:

  "In the first town (the first elfin settlment outside of a forest), most of the elves that have migrated from other settlements are harassed and frowned upon by their own bretherns. This difference of treatment may brew into something darker that can effect our whole race.”

  “Being my representative, what were you doing when all of this was happening? I had appointed you to the position only because of your excellent skills and charisma, but I see that you have failed miserably to keep our people, especially the young blood, in control. Younglings are always reckless but to tame them is the responsibilities of the elders. You can let them go berserk from time to time but not on their own people! Why have you failed at such an important task?”

  “I am ashamed, but it is simply out of my hand. The first town, especially has corrupt leadership. Some of them, even renouce you. They claim that they were the ones who defeated the humans and are also sole responsible for the prosperity of the town. Following their examples many of the surronding great forests have started to grow impatient as well, and they too, want all the power for themselves. None of them want to listen to me....I can handle them with force but that will create further distrust and anger.”

  “Even then you have failed, such things should have been brought to my notice as quickly as possible but for the time being I shall not think of your punishment, we have a more important matter at hand. I shall think about your request for now...." Graftel paused for a while, and then continued:

  "For now Uytral, I will give you a month to gather two hundred younglings from different surrounding great forests. This village’s forces have been depleted due to some past events, thus we need to tighten its strength if I am to go on such a great journey.”

  “I shall do it at once.” Utyral replied.

  "I want to say something."

  A single figure rose after saying this statement from the back of the room. His small sentence will decide the entire fate of the elfin race......