Moxi had never touched a World Tree Leaf before, but the instant her fingers brushed the leaf, she sensed the unmistakable aura of the World Tree.
But if that aura was unique... how could there be a second tree!?
The worldview Moxi had built over hundreds of years collapsed in a single day, leaving her stunned.
Ellia's mouth fell open in an adorable expression, and she stopped thinking altogether.
Annan was pleased with their reactions. They had turned the tables on him and kept him in suspense long enough. Which of them was the Holy Son here, anyway?
"Have you made up your minds?"
Like a dancer waiting for the applause to fade after a flawless performance, Annan gave them time to absorb the shock before saying slowly, "Will you pledge your loyalty to me, or..."
Nothing unexpected happened. The two Dark Elves pledged their loyalty as naturally as if it had been inevitable.
They simply could not resist the lure of the World Tree.
Dark Elves were, in essence, fallen Elves—two sides of the same coin, like light and darkness.
Elves would never admit it, but if forced to choose between rescuing a human and a Dark Elf, they would save the Dark Elf first—then lock her up and put her on trial.
The Holy Son and a second World Tree... Forget betraying Lady Lothermar. They would even betray the Spider Queen for that!
"I need more Dark Elves I can trust..."
"Holy Son, I know some!" Ellia answered eagerly.
Pleased with her attitude, Annan nodded. "Discuss how to arrange it with Lady Mora. She'll be the Archbishop of the Spider Queen Church in Free City from now on."
As the Holy Son (self-proclaimed) and the Spider Queen's Spokesperson (without her knowledge), he was funding the construction of the