Ashen Dragon

Serinia, Soul Bell Tree Sea.

Under the gentle moonlight, various plants glow with a silver sheen, and the air is filled with translucent thread-like branches, which upon touch reveal illusions of memories.

When the wind blows, crystal bells hanging from the branches play the melodies that the deceased loved most in their lives.

This is the graveyard of the Silver Moon Elves.

When the elves' long lives come to an end, they willingly cast themselves into the Soul Bell Tree Sea, letting their bodies return to the Holy Tree, while their souls belong to the Moonlight Goddess Shahan.

This is also one of the few places directly leading to the center of the Elf Holy Tree—Vilanse Holy Court.

Elf Queen Catherine and her followers are at the outer edge of the Soul Bell Tree Sea, preparing to advance toward the Holy Tree, seize Vilanse Holy Court, and reclaim the political power of Serinia.

Catherine manipulates the Holy Tree's branches with her Scepter, creating a concealed area to serve as their secret base.

At this moment, the Elf Queen is dressed in silver light armor, wearing a crown, sitting gracefully on a pure white unicorn, her gaze sweeping over her soldiers.

The queen's trusted aides number in the thousands, known as the "Silver Moon Followers" army, comprised entirely of professionals. They are the elite force under Catherine, her greatest reliance in launching the holy coup.

These elves are also dressed in light armor, mostly wielding longbows, Silver Swords or Magic Wands, riding elegant and intelligent animals like horses and deer.

When they look at Catherine, their eyes are filled with admiration, trust, and loyalty.

In the hearts of many Silver Moon Followers, this queen is gentle, kind, yet firm and resolute.

They firmly believe that Catherine will win the upcoming war, regain the long-lost power, become the true master of Serinia, and lead them to a glorious future.

"We will achieve victory..."

Catherine raises her head, looking at the enormous tree that blocks out the sky and sun in the distance.

She gently touches the Crescent Pendant on her chest, murmuring softly, "Great Life Guardian, Moonlight Goddess Shanee above, I swear by the name of Catherine Moonchaser, I will surely set Serinia... back on track."

Just then, the Half-elf Rhea strides forward and says in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the Harpist Alliance reinforcements have arrived, but they were ambushed by unknown enemies on the way, with heavy losses."

Catherine's expression changes drastically, her brow furrowing, leaning forward: "What? Quickly let them in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, the branches open slowly like living things, revealing a path, and a team of nearly a hundred appears before the elves, mostly humans, with some Half-elves, Halflings, and Dwarves.

In this team, many are severely wounded, their breath weak, emitting painful groans.

Seeing this, Catherine waves her Scepter, chanting Ancient Elf Spells.

The thread-like branches emit a faint glow, releasing pure energy, enveloping the wounded of the Harpist Alliance, gradually healing them.

Leading the harpists is a human woman in her forties.

She is slender, wearing a ragged dark green cloak, with a long wooden bow on her back. Her abdomen is stained with blood, seemingly from an arrow wound.

"You are... Melisandre?" Catherine's tone reveals a trace of surprise.

Melisandre荒径, Legendary Ranger, known as the "Night Wind Whisperer."

More than a decade ago, Melisandre single-handedly breached a heavily guarded palace with a longbow, assassinating a king who worshipped the Evil God and became renowned for it.

But now...

This famous Legendary Ranger is actually severely injured!

"It's me, Your Majesty Catherine."

The woman removes her hood, pale-faced, gazing gravely at the Elf Queen: "That group of enemies is as dangerous and cunning as evil Green Dragons."

"They disguised themselves as your Guard and shamelessly ambushed us when we let our guard down. We lost over a hundred people at the outskirts of the Elf Forest."

"Truly shameless to no extent." Rhea says coldly, and then she continues to ask: "How did you manage to escape here?"

Melisandre answers, "I killed over fifty enemies, then opened the Ethereal Plane's path, temporarily throwing off the pursuers..."

"Ugh—"

Melisandre clutches her abdomen, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Catherine steps forward, carefully examining her wound, horrified to find the flesh around the wound quickly turning black, putrid, emitting an unmistakable evil aura.

"This is... Drow Elves' toxin and some unknown dark curse?" The elf slightly narrows her brow, her expression growing serious: "Such insidious means, they indeed have connections with those fallen ones!"

"Melisandre, please relax, I will eliminate the toxin and lift the curse for you shortly."

Catherine raises her Scepter, chanting Ancient Elf Spells, a gentle ray of light shines upon the ranger, causing the wound to emit black smoke, bursting with sizzling sounds.

However, the black smoke then condenses into a menacing face, emitting eerie laughter.

"Found... you..."

Beside her, Rhea's expression changes drastically, immediately grasping the hilt of her sword, her tone urgent: "No good, Your Majesty, the enemies deliberately let these Harpists escape!"

"They want to use this opportunity to find our location!"

"Quick! Full alert!"

In an instant, all Silver Moon Followers present draw their Silver Swords at their waists, pulling out arrows one by one, forming an impenetrable wall to guard Catherine inside, staring vigilantly at their surroundings.