Falas Port's Conspiracy

Theresa did not understand where this elf's hostility toward her came from, but the third attribute of the Holy Tree Leaf clearly stated that the Elf race had to show its bearer sufficient respect. Otherwise, she could report them to the elven enforcers.

Theresa took out the leaf.

The Holy Tree's radiance instantly filled the enclosed space.

The green-haired elf's disgust was instantly replaced by shock. Extremely unwilling, she dropped to one knee and gritted out, "Respected Candidate Saintess, what are your orders?"

Tsk, so she could speak properly after all?

Theresa asked, "What is your name?"

"My lady, my name is Trist." Trist lowered her head, as though even one extra word was too much.

Even if elves were arrogant, they would not make it this obvious. Could this be related to what had happened aboveground at the port?

Theresa immediately asked, "Trist, why has Falas Port become a ruin?"

"Why do you think?! Aren't you the ones who know best?!" Trist said through gritted teeth.

Only then did Theresa realize that the emotion filling Trist's eyes was hatred.

"You mean Falas Port ended up like this because of humans? Impossible. The destruction of Falas would be practically a declaration of war against the Elven Empire, but there are absolutely no war-related quests in Forest City!"

The moment doubt surfaced in Theresa's mind, she dismissed it herself.

The Carron Empire had no reason to wage war against the Elven Empire. Moreover, in her previous life, the Carron Empire had never fought the Elven Empire. Even during the Ancient War several versions later, these two neighboring empires had never broken their peaceful arrangement.

Could it have been another country?

But Falas Port was far from the other Human Empires.

"Strange."

Theresa muttered before saying sincerely, "Trist, hatred blinds us to the truth. As an adventurer of the Carron Empire, I have never heard anything from the Adventurer's Guild about a war with the Elven Empire. For now, we are not enemies."

"Set aside your hostility. Communication can prevent many misunderstandings."

Theresa's voice was full of warmth, like that of a trustworthy older sister, and Trist's hatred gradually eased.

Suspicion remained in Trist's eyes, but when she remembered that this was someone recognized by the Holy Tree, she felt that perhaps Theresa could be trusted.

"Three days ago, a group of people wearing black robes suddenly appeared in the city. Shouting about glory for the Empire, they smashed our port to pieces. Many elves died, along with members of other races. Only humans were left unharmed."

"Everyone suspects it was the Carron Empire."

"Are there any other surviving elves?" Theresa asked.

Trist glanced at Theresa. The Holy Tree's radiance was still slowly spreading, illuminating her face with an air of great nobility.

"My lady, follow me."

Out of trust in the Holy Tree, Trist led Theresa through the complicated dog holes and into a relatively open stretch of forest. The light was still scarce; although it was daytime, it was as dark as dusk, with only a few faintly glowing plants maintaining the illumination in the space.

The elves in the forest watched the two of them warily. A voice of unknown origin rang through the empty woods, filled with anger.

"Trist, who is that behind you?!"

"Big Brother Ent, this human is someone recognized by the Holy Tree!" Trist hurriedly explained.

"The Holy Tree?"

Hearing the doubtful voice, Theresa quickly displayed the Holy Tree Leaf, adding a glowing green light source to the dark forest.

Several elven rangers dressed in brown leather jackets leaped down from the trees and bowed very respectfully to Theresa.

It seemed the Holy Tree's authority had an even more obvious effect on these grown elves.

One elf stepped past the others and came before Theresa. "Respected Saintess, welcome to Falas Port."

Theresa nodded.

Then the group led Theresa back to a camp hidden within the forest.

There were several hundred people there—elves, goblins, beastmen...

There were also injured people lying on the ground, groaning in pain.

Everyone examined Theresa with scrutiny in their eyes as she arrived.

After entering a tent, Theresa immediately questioned them about what had happened at Falas Port. She felt this was a major quest!

After all, this was a city-destruction incident that had happened early in the game. The quest rewards were definitely going to be substantial.

Fortunately, she had somehow obtained this Holy Tree Leaf. Otherwise, this elven captain would never have explained in detail what had happened in Falas Port.

Just as the green-haired little elf had said, a group of strangely dressed people had suddenly begun massacring every race except humans throughout Falas Port. They shouted slogans about glory for the Empire and detonated explosives buried throughout the city.

Theresa took the opportunity to ask, "There should have been noble elves in Falas Port, right? Logically speaking, even if there were invaders, the noble elves should have been able to deal with them."

Captain Ent sighed. "The noble elves and high-ranking mages of Falas Port all went to the royal city for Christmas Moon."

"Christmas Moon?"

He added, "It is the festival celebrating the birth of the Saintess. During the previous Christmas Moons, Falas Port had never experienced any accidents, so this time the noble elves left no forces behind to defend it."

Christmas Moon... it seemed to be related to her Saintess quest.

She glanced at the time limit on the quest panel. There were still two months left, so there was no rush.

Theresa thought for a moment. This was an obvious frame-up, but it needed a certain amount of prompting to trigger the quest.

Then she said, "Captain Ent, don't you think it's too much of a coincidence for something like this to happen at this time? And they slaughtered people while shouting about glory for the Empire, yet never said which Empire. Doesn't that make it even more suspicious? Don't you think this is a frame-up?"

Captain Ent kept a blank expression as he said, "I know. But they used royal magic from the Carron Empire. Whether it's a trap or not, we must hold the Carron Empire's royal family accountable."

Theresa: ...

What the hell. Who besides someone of royal blood could use royal magic? But how could there possibly be anyone that stupid in the Carron Empire's royal family?

At that moment, the system's voice finally rang out.

"Ding. You have triggered the legendary quest, Falas Port's Conspiracy."

Falas Port's Conspiracy (Red Quest, No Level Restriction)

Quest Description: Everyone knows this disaster is the conspiracy of a certain organization, but they used royal magic from the Carron Empire, proving that these people are connected to the royal family. The Elven Empire will hold the Carron Empire accountable for this. Investigate the true culprit behind it and quell the undercurrents between the two empires.

Quest Hint: One of the instigators is hiding within the camp, silently observing the survivors' movements and guiding public opinion.