“This is a good thing!” Although he had never seen the Tree of Life or the Spring of Life, from Monica Morton’s tone, James Grant still understood how important these two things were to the elves—at least, to the dark elves, they were as vital as the Mother River was to the Kingdom of Women, a direct guarantee of their survival and reproduction.

“But the most critical thing is, after a thousand years of depletion, the Spring of Life in our tribe is almost dried up.”

Chapter 9: The Freshly Appointed Envoy of the Moon Goddess

How could a living person be suffocated to death by a pile of shit! —said James Grant.

The more James Grant listened, the more confused he became. “What does this have to do with me?”

“Originally, it had nothing to do with you, but once the Divine Invocation is fully performed, both honor and disaster will fall upon us at the same time.”

“I still don’t quite get it!” James Grant rolled his eyes wildly.

“My tribe was attacked by the sea people during our migration a thousand years ago and ended up stranded on a deserted island. On this island, we managed to settle down with the help of some remaining Spring of Life and a sapling of the Tree of Life. But as time passed, the Spring of Life dwindled, and now it’s almost gone. If a new priest doesn’t use the elemental spirit’s life essence to replenish the spring, then the fate of our tribe…” Monica Morton’s shoulders trembled slightly.

“Extinction?” James Grant voiced the answer Monica Morton didn’t dare to say.

“Can’t you escape from this island? There must be other elf tribes out there, right? Don’t they have Springs of Life? Aren’t you all family?” The leader of this tribe is really an idiot! James Grant thought to himself.

“If it were really that easy, I wouldn’t be so worried.” Monica Morton showed a bitter smile. “Not to mention whether the other elf tribes would give us those Springs of Life, which are more precious than life itself, just the blockade of the sea people alone is something we can’t break through.”

“Uh…” James Grant was speechless; he didn’t understand the rules of this world at all.

“James Grant… you need to know, the status of priests among the elves is unique and supreme. They have immunity from all charges. Even in the entire Orc Empire, it’s the same. Even the queen of every elf tribe must pay respects when meeting a priest!”

“That’s awesome!” James Grant stared at Monica Morton with shining eyes, thinking that as long as he followed this girl, he’d be living the good life wherever he went.

“Along with their vast and unrestrained authority, priests also bear unimaginably difficult responsibilities. Every priest spends most of their life on the road, traveling to replenish the Springs of Life for every elf tribe!” Although Monica Morton said this, she was full of longing. Priests are respected by every elf; without priests, there would be no elves!

It’s not an exaggeration to say that priests are the parents of all elves!

“So basically, every priest dies of old age on the road.”

“I’d hate to see you die like that.” James Grant shamelessly blurted out his true feelings.

“That is the honor of every elf!” There was a sense of yearning in Monica Morton’s tone.

This girl is so naïve! James Grant thought to himself.

“The heart of a priest is as broad as the sea. Although there are many branches of elves, a priest treats every elf as family.”

“Silly, after all this, you still don’t get it?” Monica Morton lightly poked James Grant’s forehead, her gesture like that of a lover of many years.

“I get it—the most direct issue is one of interests!” James Grant cut straight to the point that Monica Morton had raised.

“Although it sounds a bit mercenary, I have to admit, it really is a matter of interests.” Monica Morton gave a bitter smile. “It concerns the interests of every elf.”

When a small issue is elevated to the level of the entire race, it becomes a big problem.

“Without elemental spirits, the Springs of Life consumed over the years can’t be replenished. That’s the fundamental fatal flaw.” James Grant analyzed methodically. “And every elemental spirit is summoned by a unique priest using the Divine Invocation. This means the elves must have a priest capable of summoning elemental spirits, right?”

“Yes, you’re very smart.” Monica Morton sincerely praised him. “So I must return my powers to the Moon Goddess. Only when the next priest is successfully born can I atone for my sins!”

“Nonsense!” James Grant was furious. Although he didn’t understand exactly what Monica Morton meant by atonement, he was sure it wasn’t anything good.

“Because my mistake has brought disaster not only to my tribe but to the entire elf race, and even dragged you into it. I’ve become a sinner to all elves!” Monica Morton’s shoulders trembled more and more, and now she was completely choked with sobs.

James Grant pursed his lips, not knowing what to say for a moment.

If—just if—Monica Morton waited a few more decades, and when she had the ability to use the Divine Invocation, and if that so-called Moon Goddess responded, then she might be able to summon an elemental spirit. At that time, countless halos would shine upon this little girl.

But now, there was no turning back.