"Now that I have some idea of the past, shall we start about the present?"

Erisgrirlum glanced at his aides who grew a little tensed hearing this before he nodded.

"All right,"

Ocean leaned ahead slightly, whatever information ne would get now would decide his plan of action.

"You must know that the conflicts have always existed between the Pure Mana Elves and the Dark Elves." Erisgrirlum started.

Ocean nodded.

"The land space that they occupy, the resources that they use, even their numbers are significantly different. The Pure Mana Elves have it all in abundance and they had always shunned the Dark Elves because they use dead mana. Most Dark Elves live under the ground since that’s where they could sustain themselves."

Ocean frowned a little and asked, "Why are there Dark Elves here in the first place if there is no resource of dead mana?"

Erisgrirlum sighed, "There is one resource of dead mana."

Ocean leaned ahead wanting to know what and Erisgrirlum simply said, "It’s Yggdrasil."

Ocean cocked a brow, "Isn’t it responsible for spread pure mana? Why would it also be the resource of dead mana?"

"The portion of Yggdrasil that’s above the ground is responsible for Pure Mana, but the roots emit dead mana which is why the Dark Elves live under ground."

"Is that even logical?" Ocean asked.

Erisgrirlum shrugged, "That’s how it is, the Yggdrasil holds the balance of both the kinds of mana, while there is the life giving mana there is also the dead mana."

"Does it effect the lands then since the roots are underground?" Ocean asked.

Erisgrirlum shook his head, "While Pure mana exists in the form of air, dead mana is the sap that Dark Elves retrieve from the roots."

Ocean nodded, "All right, go ahead."

"The problems had always existed between them, the Pure Mana Elves always considered themselves superior to the Dark Elves and often tried to drive them off the island. But the Dark Elves wouldn’t leave. It would often spark some tension but it would also get resolved quickly without any problems. However, that one incident that happened seven months ago changed everything."

Erisgrirlum’s eyes grew hard and he started, "Seven months ago, there was a conflict that happened between some Pure Mana Elves and some of Dark Elves. But this time, it didn’t end peacefully. The Dark Elves were found dead, they were killed. There were fights before but none of the sides were killed, after that the tension rose and occasionally the fights started happening on either sides. At first, it was only the young Elves on both sides who acted up, but after that it escalated to more Elves."

"The Elves who would be out in the secluded area would be found either dead or brutally beaten and this only fanned the flames of the war. There were talks between both the sides and it was fortunately, because of the Elders of both sides, the King of Pure Mana Elves and the leader of Dark Elves that the war never broke out. But since the situation was be coming dangerous the Elves closed off its boundaries and decided to keep the outsiders away in case that they might get hurt."

"Outsiders like the traders and Dwarves and merfolk?" Ocean asked and Erisgrirlum nodded.

"Yes,"

Ocean pondered over whatever he had learned and Erisgrirlum watched him before he continued.

"The recent incident was an assassination attempt on the Pure Mana Elves King, he was struck by one of the Dark Elf’s attack and since then we are only counting days since this war would begin." Erisgrirlum said and massaged his temples.

"Would you all be able to sustain without the Yggdrasil?" Ocean sudden asked and Erisgrirlum frowned at him.

"What kind of a silly question is that? Didn’t I explain earlier that Yggdrasil is the source of Mana on earth, if anything happens to it then Mana will be gone?"

Ocean shook his head before he looked straight into the Dwarf King’s eyes, "Then, do you still believe this is an internal war?"

Erisgrirlum sighed, "Don’t try to tempt us to-"

"I’m not." Ocean affirmed, "I am simply reminding you that even though the Elves were given the responsibility of protecting Yggdrasil, it’s not solely on them. Since everyone on this planet use the Mana emitted by Yggdrasil so, it’s the responsibility of every single being to protect that source."

Erisgrirlum massaged his temples again, "I understand what you mean but we still cannot intrude in their internal affairs."

Ocean smiled, "You’re not required to do that. This point just struck me that’s why I put it forth. Speaking big about the history and the past won’t change the present circumstances. The war was fought back then by everyone who wanted to save themselves and this world. Dwarves, Elves, Humans and everyone. At that time, it wasn’t an internal affair."

Erisgrirlum scowled as he grew angry, "At that time it were demons an outsider enemy! This is a matter between the Elves, no one else can-"

"How can you be so sure?" Ocean asked with his face losing all expression and Erisgrirlum stared at him.

The blood slowly drained from his face and he leaned ahead, even the aides went stiff.

"What are you trying to imply here, Lord Dragon?" Erisgrirlum asked.

Ocean glanced at him and then at his aides who stared at him.

"Around four years ago, I came across a demon and it was defeated." Ocean said making Erisgrirlum’s eyes go wide and the aides to gasp.

"A demon?!" Erisgrirlum asked and Ocean nodded.

"Sadly enough, even at present, I’m slumped with some people who use Dark spells that’s why I can’t stick around to help the Elves."

Erisgrirlum seemed like he was on the verge of exploding as he all but stood up but then he forced himself to be composed before he heaved a heavy sigh.

"Tell me one thing," He said and then looked at Ocean with a grim gaze, "is there a demon involved here?"

Ocean stared back with the same gaze, "I can’t be sure since all I have is information from outsiders. But with what you are saying, it is my conjecture."

Erisgrirlum furrowed his brows, "Don’t just make conjectures based on my words!"

Ocean shook his head, "Fine, I’m dealing with it myself anyways. I shouldn’t plant these seeds earlier on but, the demons are actively finding ways to return. With the information I have, the war is not long. And I don’t mean the internal war of the Elves."

Ocean rose to his feet, "You may dismiss it considering my age but it is foolish to cling to pride and denial when your enemies have more than one ways of deceiving you."

Ocean picked up both the maps from the table and rolled them.

"I’ll be leaving tonight for Elvenland. I’d request for one Dwarf who could just give me proper directions, that will be enough." Ocean said.

"Also,I might not return here again, so, I’ll thank you now for your hospitality and information. You gave me a great deal of information that I didn’t know of. In return, if in future you need my help then, I won’t say that I don’t involve myself with anyone’s internal matters. I’ll come for help." Ocean said with a smile, "Even if it’s a war."

Erisgrirlum stared at the young blue haired Dragon who pulled out a Mana stone from the pocket of his trousers.

"Here, it’s a device made to contact me. Whenever you need me, pour a little bit of your mana to it and call for me. I’ll answer." Ocean said placing the communication device on the table.

Erisgrirlum looked at the communication device and Ocean turned on his heel and left his office.

"Yo-Your Majesty..." One of the aides spoke.

"Send one of our skilled trackers to guide him." Erisgrirlum spoke blankly as he sat there staring at the mana stone device.

"Yes, we will but... about what the Dragon said about... the demons..."

Erisgrirlum closed his eyes, feeling the throbbing headache blossomed behind his eyes. He hadnt expected that after years of peace they would face the time where the war would repeat itself.

"Besides, what he said about Yggdrasil was right, Your Majesty? I agree that we hold a neutral stance but, if there really are demons involved then, they might use the Elves’ internal conflicts to destroy Yggdrasil and at that time, we all will be responsible for letting it fall." The oldest of the aides spoke and Erisgrirlum clenched his jaw.

Hearing about the demons appear again was enough to drive him to the edge but to know that they might just be right under his nose and close to Yggdrasil was enough to force his hand.

"We still can’t involve ourselves so, we must first confirm it." Erisgrirlum spoke, "prepare our informants and send them to Elvenland secretly. Make sure they won’t get caught and have them confirm that there isn’t a third party involved in making things worse in Elvenland."

Erisgrirlum spoke the further things through his teeth as it was the worst case scenario, "If there are demons or dark sorcerers involved then... The Dragon will need military might. We will have to protect Yggdrasil ourselves."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The aides bowed to him before they all left the office to carry out the orders.

Erisgrirlum sat in his chair holding his head in his hands. In just a single day, his peaceful mind was thrown into chaos. He only hoped that this chaos wouldn’t swallow him completely.