The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: An Offer Chapter 65: An Offer In the end, there wasn’t much they could do to the strange ritual altar.

The black stone-like material it was made out of was harder than they anticipated, and their weapons did no harm to it.

Wit time passing, they decided to leave before it was too late.

As far as it was concerned, this was enemy territory.

… “Someone found the altar?

The elves…” A dark figure in a cloak said to himself while strolling through the forest.

“They shouldn’t be able to find that place, I made sure of it specifically… I need to hurry back before the memories disappear.” … Their journey was long, but as they made a straight travel back home, it didn’t take as much time as it would if were to stop and take detours.

As they neared their camp, Zarra, scouting ahead as always, stopped abruptly.

She raised a hand, signaling for the others to halt.

“What is it?” Lance asked, stepping forward.

“Elves,” Zarra replied, her voice low.

“The same group from before.” Rynne tightened her grip on her spear.

“What do they want this time?” “Let’s find out,” Lance said, motioning for the group to follow.

In a small clearing just outside the camp, the elves stood in their usual stoic formation, their leader, a tall, silver-haired elf with piercing green eyes, standing at the forefront.

Unlike before, this time, it was a female leader, and perhaps, her followers might have also being different.

Regardless, their presence there in such a manner showed that they didn’t just stumble into the tribe.

The tension was palpable as the two groups approached each other.

“You must be the human who leads monsters?” the elf leader said, her tone guarded, but oddly accommodating.

“Lance, is it?” she asked, her voice and manner of speech refined, much as one would expect from such a race.

Lance nodded.

“What brings you here?” The elf leader’s gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment on the faint traces of magic that still clung to them.

“We’ve uncovered something troubling, and you seem to have too.

It may concern you and your, tribe.” “Go on,” Lance said.

The elf leader gestured for one of her companions to step forward.

The younger elf produced a scroll, unrolling it to reveal a detailed map marked with symbols and notations.

“We’ve been tracking traces of demon activity across the region,” she explained.

“Ritual sites, corrupted creatures, and more importantly, evidence of manipulation.

The demons are sowing chaos among the scattered races of the forest, turning them against each other while they grow stronger in the shadows… at least, that is what it looks like.” Lance studied the map, his jaw tightening.

“We’ve seen it too, but from what we’ve gathered, the ones behind it, the demons… are taking a more direct approach.

Either way, they’re trying to destabilize the region.” The elf nodded grimly.

“Exactly.” Lia stepped forward, her golden eyes focused on the map.

“These rituals-they’re not just about corruption, are they?” “No,” the elf leader replied.

“They’re designed to weaken potential resistance.

Perhaps, even gain some numbers.

By so doing, the demons ensure that we’re divided to fight back when they make their move, and they have more numbers on their side.” “Classic divide and conquer tactics,” Lance muttered, “It’s join or be annihilated, isn’t it?” Rikka crossed her arms, her expression grim.

“So they’re using us-stirring up rivalries and chaos to pave the way for their own plans.” “And it’s working,” Zarra added.

“The tribes are already falling into disarray.” Lance turned back to the elf leader.

“Why are you telling us this?

You don’t exactly expect anything from my tribe, do you?” The elf leader’s expression didn’t soften, “I’m afraid I can’t answer that.

I’m only carrying out my orders, nothing more.” “You elves should be able to take care of these issues if you truly want to, why come to a small tribe like mine to begin with?” Lance couldn’t help but ask.

“The situation is not as easy as it appears.” She answered, and it didn’t appear she would be saying more.

Lance said slowly.

“I see…” “For now, we share information,” the elf leader said.

“Your tribe’s position in the region gives you access to areas we can’t easily reach.

If you discover anything significant, send word to us.

We’ll do the same.” “And why should we trust you and comply?” Lance asked, more out of spite than anything.

“Trust is earned, and I’m not sure you’ve earned ours yet, the same can be said for our side as well.

But the demons are a threat to all of us.

If we don’t put aside our differences, none of us will survive what’s coming, will we?” She said, her expression remaining almost expressionless.

“Fine,” Lance said.

“But if we’re going to work together, we need more than just information.

We need to start building trust-on both sides.” The elf leader’s gaze sharpened, but she nodded.

“Of course.” The elves soon left, and before they did, they left behind a copy of the map they brought out.

According to them, they were returning for the time being.

As the elves departed, Lance turned back to his group, his expression grim but resolute.

“This changes everything,” he said to his elders present.

“It’s not just about protecting the tribe at our doorsteps anymore.

The entire region is at play.” Rynne placed a hand on his shoulder, her golden eyes fierce.

“We’ll fight this together, Lance.

Whatever it takes.” Lia nodded, her voice steady.

“The demons may think they have the upper hand, but they’re underestimating us.” “Well, if nothing, your optimism is encouraging.” He said with an almost dry tone.

Back at the camp, Lance called a meeting with his key figures.

The map the elves had shared now lay spread across the table, its markings a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

“We need to fortify the tribe even further,” Lance said.

“Kaeli, you will double production on weapons and defenses.

Zarra, as always, your scouts will be keeping a close eye on the surrounding areas.

If any thing unusual happens, we should know immediately.” “What about the other tribes?” Mira asked.

“That’s the other side of our actions moving forward.

We reach out to them,” Lance replied.

“The more allies we have, the stronger we’ll be.

We did plan to do this, but its coming sooner than later, which isn’t bad either.

But, we need to tread carefully.

If the demons are manipulating them, we can’t afford to walk into a trap.” As the meeting concluded and the camp settled into the quiet of the evening, Lance stood alone near the edge of the clearing, his gaze fixed on the dark forest beyond.

The weight of leadership pressed heavily on him, but he knew he couldn’t afford to falter.

Just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, it was disrupted again… certainly, the path ahead was going to be rough.