“We must do something. We must make our fellow clansmen recognize the reality of the current situation…”

“Peace and kindness are virtues, but they alone cannot solve every problem!”

“We elves are without ambition, yet our civilization, by sole virtue of standing at the pinnacle, has become an obstacle to the ambitions of others…”

“The other races are progressing swiftly, and a race without ambition that continually yields will inevitably become a target in the end…”

These thoughts consumed Ouros.

He aspired to rise within the ranks of the Church of Nature to change the mindset of his fellow believers.

He hoped to awaken the elves and other elven halflings to the harsh realities of the outside world and inspire them to adopt a firmer mindset.

At the same time, he also wished for his people to cast aside their arrogance and acknowledge the growth and latent dangers posed by other races…

Yet, despite his extraordinary affinity with nature and a growth rate that astonished even the High Priest, Ouros was unable to pass the Church of Nature’s most basic priesthood exam.

“Ouros, I know you are a devout follower of nature, and your faith in our Divine Matriarch is unwavering. However, some of your views are far too extreme.”

“Peace and kindness are the core tenets of the Church of Nature. No matter what others do, we must not incite war or succumb to malevolence.”

“Our great Elven civilization is the centerpiece of this world. The Divine Matriarch is the most powerful being in the universe. No one can defeat us, and we have no need to wage war upon others.”

“The original intention of Her Majesty the Matriarch in creating us was to bring peace and prosperity upon this realm.”

“And only by adhering to peace, sincerity, and kindness can this land flourish in harmony…”

The High Priest of the Church of Nature had often told him this.

But such reasoning failed to convince Ouros at all.

“No, I do not agree!”

“Your arrogance blinds you! There are things out there beyond our control. Persisting on this old-fashioned beliefs will ultimately doom our elven civilization!”

“I must meet with the Divine Matriarch. I must explain everything to Her Grace. Surely our Great Mother will understand me!”

This was his response.

And as soon as Ouros said it, he acted upon it immediately.

This was an era in which gods walked the land.

Thus, for most ordinary sentient beings, the gods were not as distant or unattainable existence as they might appear.

The same is true for the elves.

Among the elves, there was even a legend passed down through generations.

According to this particular legend, if someone, without the aid of magic or any outside assistance, sealed their powers and ascended the towering World Tree to its very crown by using nothing but their own physical strength alone, then they would earn the right to meet the Great Goddess of Nature and Life, Yggdrasill herself. 𝐫𝒶Ɲȱ𝔟Ě𝒮

This task, however, was anything but easy.

The trunk of the World Tree, though fissured, was relatively smooth, and its massive cracks offered no grip or support for climbing at all.

Nonetheless, Ouros had achieved it.

After three years of relentless practice, day after day, he finally scaled the World Tree and reached its crown in the final hour of just a single day.

There, he finally met their race’s Divine Matriarch.

The World Tree herself—Yggdrasill.

The incarnation of their Great Mother appeared just as the Church had described her to be:

Holy and beautiful.

She gazed gently at Ouros and smiled.

“Brave child, I have watched you for three years. Your persistence and determination have moved me.”

“I shall grant you one wish.”

Overjoyed, Ouros knelt devoutly and expressed his desire:

“Divine Matriarch, our elven race is falling into decline. If this persists, war will be unavoidable!”

“I wish to become your Godwarden. I wish to change the mindset of our people!”

Ouros poured out all his thoughts and desires.

But after hearing his plea, the Divine Matriarch only smiled faintly.

“Falling into decline, you say? And what of it?”

…what of it?

Ouros froze in shock.

“But we elves are your very creation—the race you personally crafted to be caretakers of this land!”

He exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion.

However, the Divine Matriarch merely let out a deep sigh.

Her gaze slowly turned toward the vibrant Elven Forest in the distance and spoke:

“When I first created the elves, this realm was a desolate, barren land…”

“At that time, the Twilight War had only just concluded. The Titans were extinct, while the Dragons had withdrawn into seclusion, leaving this realm teetering on the verge of destruction…”

“Back then, this land needed a new race to be its caretaker to save it.”

“Thus, I created the elves with that in mind.”

“Now, after countless years have passed, this realm of Seigües has finally regained its former vitality.”

“Therefore, the main purpose of the elven race has, in truth, had already come to an end.”

“The rise of other races—Indeed, I have foreseen it with my own eyes. But…what of it?”

“From the very outset, I did not create the Elvenkind with the intention of dominating this world.”

“This is an ever-changing land, and no race shall remain prosperous in perpetuity.”

“The Elven Civilization, too, is destined to fall into decline in some form or another…”

“And should that day truly come, then I, as your mother, will ensure that you, my children have one last sanctuary for yourselves.”

The Divine Matriarch spoke with serene resolve.

“Do you mean…we must seclude ourselves from the world? And by sanctuary, Your Grace, are you referring to the Elven Forest?” Ouros asked.

The Divine Matriarch smiled and nodded.

“Indeed.”

“You elves are a race of peace and kindness, unburdened by worldly ambition.”

“Such a race is inherently unsuited to take the helm as the sovereign of this realm.”

“Moreover, I had never intended use you, the Elvenkind to dominate this world to begin with.”

Hearing her words, Ouros fell silent, momentarily lost in thought.

“But Your Grace, is this not simply an act of escapism? Can the elves truly withdraw in peace in this manner?” he questioned.

In response, the Divine Matriarch only offered a faint smile.

“What if it’s an act of escapism? In doing so, we are avoiding needless strife. Furthermore, with my presence alone, none would dare threaten the elves.”

Ouros hesitated, internally feeling conflicted.

It was correct to some extent.

Their Divine Matriarch was the most powerful being in existence.

As long as she stood at the pinnacle, no matter how far the elves might fall into decline, no one could dare threaten them.

—Yet.

“Your Grace…”

Ouros raised his head.

“But, Your Grace, it is not only the other races that are advancing in stride. The gods of faith they worship are likewise gaining in power as well…”

He trailed off, unwilling to voice thoughts that might border on sheer blasphemy.

Still, the Divine Matriarch seemed to understand his unworded concerns.

She smiled knowingly and shook her head.

“Child, you worry too much.”

She offered no further explanation, but Ouros had an inkling of what she meant.

It was She, the World Tree herself, who first discovered the path to divine ascension through faith.

Although the Divine Matriarch had not wholly embraced this path, it became the beacon that guided many others toward ascension, thereby granting them their rightful place amongst the pantheon.

Thus, to many Gods of Faith, the World Tree was regarded as their teacher—nay, even their mother.

Making the title ‘Mother of All Gods’ not a mere honorary distinction.

Realizing this, Ouros reluctantly lowered his gaze.

At that moment, the Divine Matriarch spoke again.

“Alas, you are correct about one thing.”

“The current elves has indeed grown far too arrogant.”

“The minds of these children nowadays have stagnated, and for many, simply being an elf has made them think as though they are the center of the world.”

“This, too, is my failing. I am not blind to the pervasive belief that the elves are thinking that they have become the ‘protagonists’ of this Era.”

“The elves, without a doubt, needed a new voice of reason.”

She turned her gaze to Ouros and smiled.

“Ouros, would you be willing to accept my blessing and become my Godwarden?”

Ouros’s eyes widened, filled with emotion.

“I would be honored!”

The Divine Matriarch smiled faintly.

With a gentle gesture, a radiant green orb of light appeared in her hand.

“This is the first Divine Kingdom I created during my initial foray into exploring the path of faith. Now, it is sealed in this state.”

“Regrettably, my endeavor proved to be unsuccessful. This Divine Kingdom in the end failed to merge with me, and since then, it has exhibited signs of shifting from an alternate dimension into a confined, isolated realm.”

“Nevertheless, this failed Divine Kingdom still harbors a well-developed set of laws.”

“Now, I shall bestow this failed Divine Kingdom upon you. May it serve to aid you in mastering the power of laws and elevate you to the stature of a Demigod.”

“Remember, this Divine Kingdom holds great potential.”

“Should you master it completely, then perchance, one day, it may even aid you in ascending the path to Divinity.”

With those words, she waved her hand gently, whilst the orb of light slowly drifted into Ouros’s grasp.

— 455 —

【 DIVINE MATRIARCH 】

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