I Became My Elf King Character In A Game-Like World
Chapter 75: Goddess Influence

Chapter 75: Goddess Influence

The surroundings were filled with celebration. Melodious songs, filled with relief and hope, drifted from the beautifully crafted living dwellings woven seamlessly from branch and vine.

Tiny, iridescent sprites, like scattered jewels of light, darted and danced through the air above, their wings creating a soft, magical hum.

Everywhere, flowers bloomed in a riot of colour, their sweet perfume mingling with the scent of damp earth and lush foliage.

Green grass formed a soft carpet underfoot, and countless butterflies, their wings painted in dazzling patterns, fluttered lazily between the blossoms.

Surveying the scene, the breathtaking beauty, the palpable peace, the sheer life brimming around him, Renjiro felt a profound sense of contentment settle deep within his chest.

To call his territory a paradise was no exaggeration.

Night had settled over the land.

Renjiro stepped once again into the heart of the elven sanctuary. This sacred place was forbidden to all other elves; only he, Elaria, and the three elven commanders could enter here.

Upon the main trunk of the mighty Eternal Tree, the ancient, weathered face of the Tree Spirit slowly appeared.

"You are here."

Renjiro gave a slight nod. ’Always the same,’ he thought.

The Tree Spirit’s voice resonated like rustling leaves. "Lately," it said, "I feel the shadow of evil lifting from the forest. I sense this is your doing, a great accomplishment Indeed."

A small smile touched Renjiro’s lips. "Indeed. Aside from a few stray monsters hiding in the deep woods, only elves now live here. The entire forest belongs to us."

"I hear the ring of war in your voice," the Tree Spirit rumbled, its tone turning grave. "Elves are lovers of peace, a kind and noble people! War has only ever brought us ruin. Remember the Elven Territory of old? How powerful it was! No human, dwarf, orc, not even the dragons dared provoke the proud elves. Even the vilest undead kept their distance from elven lands. And yet... that mighty Land collapsed. Its glory is just a memory now."

Renjiro chuckled softly. "You seem... unlike yourself today."

"Forgive my forwardness, Your Majesty," the Tree Spirit replied.

Renjiro waved a hand dismissively. "War can bring destruction, true. But without strength, without reaching beyond these trees, our people will remain hidden forever, never truly seeing the world outside. The elves deserve more than just this forest; they need a true home... a land they can call home. And this vast Continent cries out for a ruler. Once I unite this world under my banner, that is when the elves will know true peace, free from the threat of war from humans or other races forever."

The Tree Spirit’s leafy branches rustled like a soft sigh. "Even a king as wise as you can be blinded by ambition," it murmured slowly. "Desire... it is a hunger that is never satisfied."

Renjiro frowned. "System, what’s going on with the Tree Spirit?" he asked inwardly.

[Esteemed User, the Tree Spirit is temporarily influenced by a divine will. Do not worry, User. I can easily erase that influence!]

"The Elven Goddess?"

[Correct. The rapid growth of your elven population attracted her notice. She expended divine power to send a sliver of her will into this realm, latching onto the Tree Spirit. Rest assured, User, this was exceptional. I will not allow her a second chance.]

"Ah..." Renjiro breathed, understanding dawning. He looked intently at the Tree Spirit’s face, but spoke past it, addressing the presence within. "Elven Goddess. If you held any true compassion for the elves, any love at all, you would not have shown yourself like this."

A long silence stretched, thick with unseen power. Then, the voice spoke again through the Tree Spirit, distant and resonant. "You... you carry unknown secrets indeed. It isn’t that I lack pity. I know the suffering your people have endured. But you do not comprehend the intricate powers at play on the Continent. The Nature Goddess, the God of Light, the ancient Titans, their eyes are upon this land. The elves walk a dangerous path."

"That’s just an excuse!" Renjiro retorted sharply.

"And where does your

faith truly lie... Youngling?" the voice pressed.

Renjiro declared firmly, "My faith is in my people! The Elves!"

"So be it," the voice resonated, slow and cold with finality. "From my distant realm, I shall watch the elves of this continent as they will bring their own destruction from someone so foolish. And when your life comes to an end or your life ends by someone, I will take your soul to my realm. There, I will ask you one last time: where did your faith truly lie?"

With that chilling promise, the face on the Eternal Tree faded away.

[User, her consciousness has withdrawn to her divine realm.]

"System," Renjiro asked, a touch of disbelief in his voice, "you’re supposed to be all-knowing, yet you couldn’t prevent the will of a true goddess from interfering?"

[I could have obliterated her will instantly. However, I permitted its presence briefly to trace it back through the void. Her hidden divine realm is now located. Once you have secured the Continent, User, should you wish it... you could even extend your conquest to the domain of the Goddess.]

Renjiro stared into the darkness, stunned. ’Could the System truly be that... cruel or manipulative?’

"She won’t try that again, will she?"

[Her direct interference was an isolated incident. It will not be repeated. However, should you desire to converse with the Elven Goddess later, User, I can arrange it.]

"Later," Renjiro decided firmly. "For now, create the Tree of Wisdom!"

[Acknowledged, User.]

Almost instantly, the ground trembled. A colossal ancient tree surged upwards, reaching a height of a hundred meters in mere moments. Its vast branches unfurled, thick with vibrant leaves, creating a breathtaking, sheltering canopy.

Renjiro took a deep, steadying breath, the air thick with new magic. "System," he commanded, "open the Tree of Wisdom template. It’s time to summon high elves!"

[Opening the Wisdom Tree Interface...]

[Available Units for Cultivation: Spirit of the Groves, Druid of the Claw, Giant Golem]