The Development of the Eternal Elves

The port city of Dankfort was especially lively today.

Soldiers bearing the moon insignia had taken over its defenses. The navy, now organized into proper units, was ready to sail, and its massive fleet waited for the king's inspection.

King Snyder and Queen Maiev had also come under the protection of the royal guard.

Dankfort's residents lined the streets to welcome their king, and Snyder and Maiev greeted them in return.

The Eternal Elves loved Snyder with near fanaticism and trusted him deeply. During their darkest days, Snyder had brought a ray of light that had illuminated their lives and given them hope.

Snyder walked down to the city's harbor, and his heart lifted at the sight of the completed naval force.

Over the past ten years, the Kingdom of Aikatel had developed considerably. Its various military forces had been established, its population had grown, and most basic living facilities and the residents' education system were in place.

The entire kingdom was flourishing, and Faledor watched over all the Eternal Elves. Whenever anyone asked him a question, he would answer them in turn.

Various blessings had given Faledor extraordinary wisdom.

The Eternal Elves had also established numerous outposts and settlements across the Helidos Continent. Their people had gained complete control of the continent.

"Your Majesty, General Jarod's fleet will soon reach the shore," a sentinel reported to Snyder after receiving word from Jarod.

"Mm, I can already see them. They came back rather quickly." Drawing on the power of the elements, Snyder could see the fleet gradually approaching.

After a while, the fleet under Jarod's command came into view of the assembled elves.

"They're here," Snyder said, watching the fleet draw closer. Maiev, standing beside him, was excited too. After all, she hadn't seen her younger brother in ten years.

A little while later, Jarod's fleet docked.

Jarod and his adjutant were the first to disembark.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Jarod and his adjutant said, saluting Snyder and Maiev.

"Rise, my great contributors," Snyder said, telling them to get up.

"I've prepared a banquet and a place for you to rest. After the banquet, you'll have a month's leave to relax."

"For now, go and get some rest. The banquet will begin this evening," Snyder told the two of them.

"Take everyone on the ships to rest. His Majesty and I still have something to discuss," Jarod told the adjutant beside him.

"Mm, come with me," Snyder said to Jarod. Jarod's adjutant returned to the ship and began leading the crew into the city to rest.

"Tell me about it. How was life there?" Snyder asked Jarod. Maiev was also curious about her brother's life there.

"No rush, no rush." Jarod laughed, trying to brush the question aside, but his eyes kept searching the crowd for an elf. He didn't find her.

"Everyone, follow me off the ship. We'll go to the inn and rest, then head to the banquet hall together this evening. After the banquet, we'll have a month's leave."

"Finally, we can get some rest," an Eternal Elf mage said.

"Mm-hmm, and we have a whole month off. I can spend some quality time with my family," a female warrior said.

All the elves were happy, discussing their leave.

"All right, enough talking. Follow me to the inn and get some rest first."

The adjutant led the elves off the ship and toward the inn. After ten years away, they all gazed at the city, both strange and familiar.

Among the elves, one was looking at the city with curiosity.

Aisali looked at the city, with its different elven style, and thought, It may not compare to my Zin-Azshari, but it's still quite nice.

The cities of the Kingdom of Aikatel had evolved from their original Night Elf style into the Eternal Elf style they had now.

Gold had replaced the original purple, and the streets were paved with pure white marble. Thanks to Snyder, elemental and Arcane beings also lived in the Eternal Elves' cities, coexisting with them in harmony.

The elves cared for them, while those beings protected the elves and helped them in their daily lives.

Looking at the energy beings in the streets, Aisali had much on her mind. The city lacked Zin-Azshari's noble and magnificent air, but it was peaceful and prosperous.

The people here also lived with ease. In Zin-Azshari, however, the classes were strictly divided, and everyone was intent on climbing higher by stepping on others.

The sight filled Aisali with emotion. This was the first time she had seen how the lower-class residents lived. Back in Zin-Azshari, those elves had known only how to praise themselves; they had never cared whether the people at the bottom lived or died.

"How have you been these past few years, little brother?" Maiev asked, looking at the brother she hadn't seen in so long.

"Pretty well. I made a brother on that continent. With his help, we lived quite comfortably."

"What are their morals like? I wouldn't want us to cause unforeseen harm to the other races on that continent," Snyder said.

"Apophis's people are all excellent. They know that friends can't just keep taking from one another; they should help each other."

"Even their children understand that. From this, I think they can control the power of magic."

"Perhaps after a few generations, they'll split apart, wars will break out, and blood will be shed, but their fine qualities will also be passed down from generation to generation."

"Mm, you've grown through all this. You were already capable of handling things on your own, but who would turn down more experience and knowledge?" Snyder teased.

"All right, now that you're back, get ready. I'll find you a female elf, and you two can meet in a few days," Maiev said, patting her brother's head.

Maiev also marveled that her little brother had grown up and become a great general who had distinguished himself in the War of the Ancients.

"By the way, sis, where's Adjutant Naisha? Why haven't I seen him? Aren't you two usually inseparable?"

"Her? Well, I came to welcome you back, didn't I? Naisha is covering for me at Nethergarde Keep."

Hearing Maiev's words, Jarod's expression changed. The disappointment in his eyes tugged at Snyder's and Maiev's hearts.

"How about this? Go find her. As it happens, she's the female elf I had in mind for you," Maiev said, looking at her dejected brother.

"Then I'll go right now." Hearing Maiev's words, Jarod thanked her and hurried away.

"Looks like Jarod's quite the lovesick fool," Snyder said.

"You think everyone's like you, with one eye on your bowl and the other on the pot?" Maiev rolled her eyes at Snyder.