Hero or Villain, Both-Chapter 70: Verdant Forest (5)

The high priest that watches over the Tree of Life.

This was another special position among those that worshipped the Tree of Life.

It was a position that was at the same level as the chief of the Verdant Forest, which was why Nimue and Rania felt assured when they heard his introduction.

However, as someone who knew about this character from the game, I knew a bit more about this.

The high priest was the only other one that could connect with the Tree of Life.

Other than the high priest, the person that could connect with the Tree of Life was the chief of the Verdant Forest.

Which meant that his power was indeed on the same level as Qilynn’s.

Someone like that would naturally be well known and trusted by the elves.

With that introduction calming them, they followed behind Qilynn and Umero. However I could tell from the way that they grasped my arm that they were still worried.

This was something that most high elves would be worried about since this was an important ceremony.

Though I wasn’t actually worried since I knew exactly what was about to happen.

I was even a bit excited since I couldn’t wait to go through this ceremony.

When we arrived at the base of the Tree of Life, we could feel the immense amount of nature energy that was in this place. This was a level of nature energy that was just too much for most normal plants to bear, which was why there was nothing else that was growing here other than the Tree of Life.

Too much of a good thing would turn that good thing into a bad thing.

That was the best way to describe the level of nature energy that was in this place.

If it wasn’t for the natural ability to absorb and filter nature energy that the high elves had, we wouldn’t have been able to stand here either.

Once we arrived, Umero didn’t turn to look at us.

Instead, he went even closer to the Tree of Life and seemed to lean in against the trunk as if he was going to say something. However, he didn’t say anything as he reached his hand out towards the trunk.

When he did, there was something that came out of the trunk and went into his hand.

This was a staff that was made from the wood of the Tree of Life.

It was like the branch, but it was filled with far more power than what a single branch would be able to hold.

Just by being near this staff, one could feel the powerful nature energy that was coming from it.

Only after pulling this branch from the Tree of Life did Umero finally turn to look at us.

With a kind smile on his face, he asked, "Are you ready for the ceremony?"

When he said this, I could feel the hands that had been grabbing my sleeve tighten even more.

I couldn’t help shaking my head with a faint smile when I felt this before asking, "Since I’m new here, may I ask what exactly this ceremony is? I know that you’ve said that this is to receive the blessing of the Tree of Life, but I would like to know what exactly that involves before undergoing this ceremony."

Umero seemed a bit surprised to hear this before turning to look at Qilynn.

Qilynn leaned in and whispered a few things to Umero before a look of understanding appeared on his face.

Seeing them act this way, another faint smile appeared on my face.

It seemed like they hadn’t told him a single thing about me. But at the same time, it showed that the high elves did this quite often that Umero didn’t question the fact that I was here with them.

"You should know that the elves are known as the children of the Tree of Life and in a sense, it is true. We’re actually the children of the Goddess of Life and this Tree of Life was the cradle that she sent down to nurture us. As such, it’s only natural that we receive the blessing of the Tree of Life when we reach adulthood like you. It is the only way for a high elf to truly grow into the high elf that they’re meant to be."

Then shaking his head with a sigh, he said, "It’s a shame that in this day and age, us elves are scattered to the four winds and it’s hard to locate a proper Tree of Life. There are many cases of high elves that are unable to find a Tree of Life to receive this blessing and grow up without maturing properly."

As he said this, he looked at me with what seemed to be pity.

I didn’t even need to guess to know why he felt this pity for me, but I didn’t mind it.

Though to my surprise, I could feel the two pairs of hands grabbing my sleeve again.

With the way that they grabbed my sleeve, it was as if they were angry about something.

Or it was better to say that they were angry on my behalf.

After all, the one that they were glaring at was Umero.

He could naturally see this, so all he could do was reveal an awkward smile in response.

Then with a cough as if to gather himself, he said, "Regardless of what happened in the past, you are here now and that’s all that matters."

"But that still doesn’t tell me what exactly the ceremony entails." I said with a faint smile.

"Right...So basically it’ll be a baptism from the energy of the Tree of Life. You won’t have to do anything, you can just stand there and take in the energy from the Tree of Life." He explained in a way that didn’t really seem like he was explaining it.

After all, this wasn’t something that could exactly be explained.

Before any more questions could be asked, Umero suddenly brought his staff down to point at us before saying, "Are you ready?"

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