"However, compared to the fate of tens of thousands of four-eared elves, even with your extraordinary strength, imprisoning you both seems to be the best course. Still, since you provide valuable information, I will cancel the order for your execution. Now, go on, continue telling us all you know about your conflict with the Four-eared elves," the Village Chief said.
Hearing the Village Chief's response, Seig exhaled deeply, 'Well, at least it was worth a try,' he thought.
He resettled himself on the ground, then glanced at Evadne, who also had a downcast expression.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Evadne's mind, causing her to turn sharply towards Seig.
However, Seig immediately shook his head, signalling her to stop. "That would only make us appear more desperate," he cautioned.
He could discern from the desperate look in her eyes that Evadne was considering explaining their predicament to the Village Chief and the others above. However, Seig recognised that rather than provoking sympathy, such an act would likely make them look at them in distrust for going through such an extent just so they could save their lives.
If it was the outside world, Seig knew it would offer more context for their allegiance; however, he was more than aware of its effects on those living within a Sanctuary.
Evadne's shoulders slumped downward as she leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on the fruit in her palm. She no longer paid attention to the Village Chief, the others, or Seig, who was seated beside her.
Seig sighed, shifting his attention away from Evadne and focusing on the Village Chief and the others. He continued, "The other valuable item they provided in their trade that led us to trespass into their territory was the 'Elixir of the Four Ears', a unique brew capable of quenching the thirst of any individual for half a day or warriors, depending on how much they consume."
"You see, with the special fruit 'The Fruit of Complete Fulfillment', capable of filling up the stomach of a normal mortal for a day, and half a day for a warrior who has just been through a rigorous battle, along with the unique drink, 'Elixir of the Four Ears', capable of quenching the thirst of an individual or a warrior for half a day, we were not willing to let go of such a trading agreement so easily."
"When we learned that Patriarch Rylan had been threatened to break the trade agreement, we immediately searched for who was behind it. However, we soon discovered that the Runaway City responsible for the issue was only a grade 2 Runnaway City," Seig said, sighing heavily.
"The only difference between a grade 1 and a grade 2 Runaway City is the size of their territories, their Runaway City, and the number of god's chosen individuals they had. While a grade 1 city typically has a minimum of 200 gods chosen, a grade 2 city may have double or even triple that amount. So, as you can imagine, the moment we learned about this information, we abandoned any idea of confronting them directly for what rightfully belonged to us."
"Instead, given that the Four-eared elves had already entered into a trading agreement with them and were obligated to deliver items to fulfil their monthly quotas, we resorted to the principle of survival of the fittest: if someone has what you need, you take it by force."
"So, every month, we'd set up ambushes, which usually went off without any problem. Both sides would end up with a few injuries, and we'd manage to forcibly obtain some of their quotas," Seig explained. "Naturally, such a thing was naturally in the outside world, so we were all well aware of what we were doing, having done so several times before this."
"Nonetheless, that was how things were until one day when we received a shocking order from our council: my unit and I were tasked with attacking the 'Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City and exterminating every Four-eared elf within while the others would block any escape attempts."
"A Runaway City never stops moving, so despite our numbers and the full support from the council, it was still a risky mission," Seig added, "However, even after the loss of my entire unit, who fought to the end, we soon realised that the Four-eared elves had somehow caught wind of our attack. They had already prepared an escape route, abandoning everything to flee."
"This led the Council to blame our unit for not finishing the task properly. Therefore, the last remaining member of my unit," Seig nodded towards the downcast figure of Evadne, " she and I were sent to complete the task. We had no choice but to pursue them and ensure the mission's completion."
The Village Chief furrowed his brows as he digested the information he had just received and couldn't help but ask, "Was that why you chased after them all the way here?" The Village Chief asked, frowning deeply.
After hearing Seig's words, he couldn't determine whether the man before him was loyal or a fool who would follow commands without questioning them.
Though the Village warriors also received commands without questioning, they knew when to question an order when it felt amiss. If they obeyed every order without question, then Stronghold Leader Drakar might have successfully manipulated the entire Rightward Stronghold in plotting his escape rather than what he had done.
Seig nodded, "Yes. Failure to obey the Council's command means death. Considering I had no other choice, my Lieutenant and I followed the Four-eared elves with the warriors arranged for us by the Council, taking them down bit by bit until we finally arrived at their location, realising we had been led to a sanctuary in the middle of nowhere. At first, I thought it might be some kind of trick to deter us, so I attacked..."
"If the attack was blocked, then you had confirmed the authenticity of the sanctuary. However, if it had been destroyed, you would have continued pursuing the Four-eared elves until every single one was dead," Stronghold Leader Zogar said, completing Seig's words for him.
