Elves were the oldest of the major races on the Allen Continent. None came close.
Their glory reached back to ancient times, when humanity was still weak. They were born long-lived, beautiful, and gifted with Magic affinity at a rate of nearly one in ten. By comparison, humans lived only a few decades, looked ordinary, and had Magic affinity at a rate of one in ten thousand. They seemed like poor imitations.
Orcs could not beat them. Dwarves could not beat them. Orcs and Dwarves together could not beat them. And so the Elves ruled the Allen Continent from ancient times until a thousand years ago.
Because humans looked similar to Elves, the Elves did not reject them. Humans learned Arcana from them, brought order to chaotic magic power, and forged a path of spells.
The Elf Calendar lasted forty thousand years, until humanity took the Elves' place a thousand years ago and established the Saint Laurent Calendar.
The Elven Royal Court was sacred to the Elves. Hundreds of thousands of Elves lived there, along with countless Druids and Treefolk. It stood on equal footing with the Thirteen High Kings. In its eyes, Free City was as small as could be. Why did the Elven Royal Court want an alliance? Annan figured Free City's "freedom" and "justice" must have moved them.
Surely it was not because even Elves could not resist his charm.
The next morning, Annan woke from a dream free of Demon Archdukes, looking forward to the arrival of the Elven Royal Court Envoy Delegation.
The City Lord's Mansion was quiet today.
"Abby?"
No one answered Annan's call.
Annan put on his shoes and opened his bedroom door. "Della?"
His voice echoed down the empty corridor.
"Eldest Sister?"
"Leila?"
Calling one name after another, Annan went from the