Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Chapter 545: Chapter 545 ”Elf Chronicles

Memories of the past fluttered before her eyes, and that tall, gentle figure lingered in Ailena’s heart.

Long, long ago, there had existed ancient elves who had lived for thousands of years, yet in the past, they had fearlessly sacrificed their lives for their steadfast beliefs, including the previous queen who had lived nearly three thousand years.

Had it not been for the predecessor queen, Ailena might have vanished into the annals of history along with the other elves.

After a journey filled with trials and tribulations, Ailena finally became queen. She had always tried to emulate the previous queen and protect the entire village in her stead, ensuring the elves did not disappear from history.

There were some things

that Queen Ailena had not revealed to Yang Yu, or to any of the other elves.

—Many of the elves who had lived for over a thousand years had, in fact, chosen a different path, and that path led only to Death.

Yang Yu did not delve further into the topic of the ancient elves but instead changed the subject and continued progressively,

”Your Majesty, having lived for so long, you must know things that ordinary elves do not, right? There must be intriguing legends among them. I am very interested in those stories, would Your Majesty be willing to share the clan’s inside legends with me?”

Stretching out her hand, a gentle golden light sparkled within Ailena’s grasp, and a neatly bound book magically appeared within that Holy Light.

”Elf Clan possesses an extremely long history and numerous legends. If I were to recount them slowly, I do not know when we would finish.

This book records the vast majority of our clan’s stories, and virtually every Elf Priest studies the legends and knowledge from it.

It’s not something of value, so take this book as a gift from me to you.”

Yang Yu naturally did not hesitate; he reached out and took the book into his hands, opening the panel to examine it, and saw the title ”Elf Chronicles” written clearly on the cover.

”With this book, you will understand a bit more about the ecological life of elves. Many answers to your questions can also be found within these pages.”

As the light in her hands disappeared, Ailena looked at Yang Yu and saw the book in his hand vanish instantly with a ”whoosh.”

”I sincerely thank you, Queen,” Yang Yu said casually, moving onto the next topic as if nothing had happened.

”The elves’ attitude toward humans is quite clear; I encountered quite a few disapproving glares on my way here. Yet, as the Elf Queen, you seem to bear no particular dislike toward humans.

As queen, why not attempt to convey the complexity of the Human World to your subjects?

At the very least, let most elves know that not all humans are villains.”

After much contemplation, Ailena ultimately decided not to entertain Yang Yu’s question,

”It’s not something that can simply be changed. It involves one factor leading to another, and I prefer not to answer this question.”

Seeing that the Queen was unwilling to discuss further, Yang Yu pretended to talk to himself and naturally transitioned to the next question,

”Possessing infinite lifespans equates to possessing infinite possibilities, yet the Elf Clan is unexpectedly conservative. If elves could absorb the strengths of surrounding races and learn all kinds of techniques, they would surely become a formidable and enduring power in this world.

Your Majesty, I want to know why you choose to be isolated, not interacting with other races and constantly hiding in the forest?”

In response to Yang Yu was Queen’s silence once more.

Ailena saw the shadow of someone in Yang Yu, smiled helplessly, and responded,

”In the eyes of you humans, elves indeed seem like a race that does not strive for advancement.

But our clan has our beliefs, which are the foundation of our existence.

We stay hidden within the forest, avoid too much contact with other races, all of which are expressions of our faith.

This ensures that we maintain the purest form of belief.”

”So long as we live well within the forest, elevate our faith, we will be favored by the goddess, grow wings, and serve the goddess?” Yang Yu asked tentatively.

”It’s not wrong to think so. Our Elf Clan is the favored race of the goddess. We have stood guard here for generations, hoping to one day be chosen by the goddess and become her true Favored Clan.

That is the meaning of our existence, our belief.

We will not allow anyone to trample it.”

Ailena spoke every sentence with conviction, believing in everything in her heart, while Yang Yu was not swayed by the Queen’s attitude, but continued to inquire:

”Yet there are still many elves who have left here and made names for themselves in history.

When elves abandoned the faith you speak of and left the village where they have lived for generations, did you or other queens not try to stop them?”

Shaking her head, Ailena appeared somewhat heartbroken.

”There are some things you can’t stop. As the Elf Queen, I must stay here and protect our clan.

When elves leave, we consider them to have betrayed the goddess, and for those who betray the goddess, she will retract the gifts she granted them.

An incident like this, a large-scale surprise attack to abduct elves—this is the first time we have encountered it.

However, due to our clan’s belief and the difficulty of retrieving those lost elves, we cannot lend aid.”

”So the abducted elves can only blame their misfortune?”

Ailena clenched her fist, unable to reply. Seeing this, Yang Yu hurriedly pretended to regret his words,

”I am sorry. This is also the first time your clan has encountered such a situation, and I somewhat understand the importance you place on belief, so my earlier words were just spontaneous human emotion. If we humans had so many people abducted, we surely wouldn’t be resigned.”

”We... are not resigned either.”

”Let’s leave this topic here. For the next topic, I would like to know, what destiny awaits an elf with black hair?”

Ailena shook her head, ”I also do not know. Having lost the protection of the goddess, they have left their fates to the heavens.

It has been many years since a black-haired elf has appeared; in my three hundred years on the throne, there have been only a few cases.

We merely exile them and do not track their lives. Perhaps they have long since vanished into the long river of history.

I do not know how many more questions you have, but please focus on key questions. If you stay longer, more elves will become curious about our conversation.

What I mean is, from my position, I should not let you stay here much longer.”

Looking at the beautiful face of the Elf Queen, Yang Yu smiled,

”I’ve nearly finished asking what I wanted to know, and I roughly understand why the Elf Clan is reluctant to send troops to assist Wansheng Country. For the final question: what exactly is the relationship between the elves and the goddess?”

Although he knew he was unlikely to get a direct answer about the relationship between the elves and goddess just like that, Yang Yu decided to give it a try, only to have his hopes dashed soon after.

”The answer to your question can be found on the first page of the ’Chronicles’ that you hold in your hands.”