Chapter 92: Observe how the Dark Elves gained the support of the Elf King.

However, before moving the fruit, there were several things they needed to clarify.

“Eunomysis, how many days of preparation do we need? Or should we do it tonight? How thoroughly has the fruit been purified? Is it ready to be transplanted? Will there be any lasting effects after it’s moved to the main trunk? Also, if we move it, will that Dark Elf become more vigilant? Could that make it harder for me to purify and move the next fruit for you?”

The barrage of questions left the mother tree silent for quite some time.

“...Child... your concerns are entirely justified. We should indeed give this careful consideration.”

“When you were an Intermediate Mage, purifying a fruit took half a month. Now that you are a Senior Mage, you can finish in four days.”

“The transplanting process itself is simple. I can move the fruit directly through my root system without causing it any harm. The only thing we must ensure is that the fruit has been completely purified. Otherwise, the cub born from it will still be a Dark Elf.”

“As for whether it will arouse Efit’s suspicions... I’m afraid that is unavoidable...”

Shu Li’s ears twitched, and he frowned deeply.

“You mean... it would increase the risk, making this our one and only chance?”

Once they stole a fruit, the Dark Elves would be on their guard. It would be difficult for him to use the same trick again.

That Dark Elf named Efit was an exceptionally meticulous man. He took his work seriously and had keen eyes, sharp enough to spot even fruit growing in the most obscure corners.

Shu Li and the mother tree had worked for five years before they finally managed to conceal one little fruit, only for yesterday’s rainstorm to ruin all their efforts.

It was infuriating!

Besides, their goal was not merely this one fruit. They wanted to save all of them.

Having witnessed the cruelty and ruthlessness of the Dark Elves, Shu Li desperately wanted to keep the newborn Elf cubs from being driven down such an extreme path.

They should have been born in the Elven Kingdom, cherished and protected by their elders as they grew up free and happy. They should not have been forced to struggle in pain within Vanaku, a harsh land saturated with dark power.

While hiding high in the tree to purify the mother tree, Shu Li occasionally saw Dark Elves passing beneath him.

They reeked of violence and blood, just like Roald, who had once led pirates and necromancers into the Faerie Forest. One glance was enough to tell that they were dangerous.

Efit, however, was different.

His aura was comparatively peaceful, without any noticeable trace of violence or blood. If his appearance were changed, he would seem no different from a White Elf.

Of course, that was merely the impression Shu Li had formed from observing him. What Efit was truly like remained unknown.

Disguise was one of the Dark Elves’ specialties, after all.

“Sperien... if we are careful, nothing will happen. It is perfectly normal for a fruit to die before it matures. The Dark Elves do not care whether there is one fruit more or one fruit less.”

“No, Eunomysis. I want to minimize the risk.”

An idea surfaced in Shu Li’s mind, but he quickly rejected it.

“Let’s observe him for a few days before we seize an opportunity.”

He was determined to obtain the fruit he had been purifying. Under no circumstances would he allow it to fall into the Dark Elves’ hands.

He wanted to see whether Efit had merely neglected to report it today or intended never to report it at all.

If it was the latter, that would give them an advantage in their plan to “steal the fruit.”

“Very well.”

Wasting no more time, Shu Li flew swiftly out the window without even turning off the magic stone lamp and plunged straight into the mother tree’s trunk.

In the room opposite the mother tree, the Elven King stood before the window, his brows faintly furrowed.

Shu Li emerged at the tip of a branch on the mother tree’s offshoot and immediately sought cover among the leaves.

Vanaku was enjoying clear skies today.

Clear skies meant the blazing sun hung overhead, its scorching rays making exposed skin sting.

Even while sheltering in the leaves’ shade, Shu Li found the heat unbearably stifling. He took out his magic staff and briskly cast several purification spells on the trunk.

After purifying it five or six times in succession, he followed the branch upward and found the little fruit wrapped in leaves.

Seeing that a thin membrane still covered its surface, Shu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hang in there, little one.”

Soon. In another four days, they would move it. Given the current situation, they would save as many as they could.

Shu Li intensified his efforts and purified the little fruit. It grew fuller and smoother, so fresh and succulent that it looked ready to burst with juice.

If it had not been a fruit nurturing an Elf cub, Shu Li might have been unable to resist taking a couple of bites.

Little Fairies were utterly powerless against fruit.

Once the purification was complete, Shu Li stroked the little fruit. Instead of returning home as he usually did after finishing his work, he moved to another branch and carefully concealed himself behind the leaves.

He was waiting for Efit.

The weather was sweltering. After lying there for a while, Shu Li was drenched in sweat and parched with thirst. He simply could not imagine how the Dark Elves endured such an awful environment.

Had Ang Orachiri, the man who betrayed the Elven Kingdom ten thousand years ago, been out of his mind when he chose to settle here?

Even a lackey of the God of Darkness ought to seek some benefit for his own people!

And what about the Dark Elf cubs?

If they thought there were too many to raise properly, they could give them back to the White Elves!

The Elven Kingdom was rich in resources and vast in territory. The elders treasured and protected Elf cubs. No number would ever be too many!

Whenever the Fairy cubs visited the Elven Kingdom, the Elves adored them so much they practically wanted to cuddle every last one bald.

If the mother tree ever bore new Elf cubs, there was no telling how thoroughly they would be spoiled.

Just as Shu Li was simmering with indignation, the Dark Elf he had been waiting for appeared.

He immediately reined in his wandering thoughts and concentrated on observing the Dark Elf below.

Perhaps because their blue-gray skin absorbed heat easily, Dark Elves favored hooded cloaks that covered them from head to toe, leaving only their dark red eyes exposed.

Efit was tall and slender. His hooded cloak was of mediocre quality and had evidently been worn for a long time, judging by the badly frayed hem.

He raised his head and dutifully counted the fruit. Once he finished, he took out a notebook, recorded the number, and marked how long each fruit had been growing.

After completing the record, he put away his notebook and pen and left without looking back.

Shu Li stared after him in bewilderment.

“Eunomysis, how many fruits did he record?”

“One hundred and eleven. He did not include our little fruit.”

There was a hint of delight in the mother tree’s voice.

Shu Li fell into thought. Given Efit’s scrupulous nature, why would he deliberately overlook the little fruit they had hidden?

If Shu Li and the mother tree did not move it, the little fruit would eventually grow into a large one. Once it increased in size, there would be no hiding it.

Was Efit not worried that the discrepancy in his report would get him into trouble with his superior?

In the worst case, he might even lose his job.

Shu Li did not want another Dark Elf taking over the fruit-counting duties.

Efit might be rigid and methodical, but his working hours were fixed, making it easy for Shu Li to time his visits and purify the mother tree.

If a different Dark Elf replaced him, Shu Li would have to learn that person’s schedule all over again. It would be an enormous nuisance.

Once Efit had gone far enough, Shu Li asked the mother tree to continue monitoring his every move. Then he entered the trunk and followed the root system’s spatial tunnel back to the courtyard for the Elf cubs.

He was half an hour later than usual. Yawning repeatedly, he rubbed his eyes, waved to the mother tree, and flew unsteadily back to his room. After washing up perfunctorily, he climbed into bed and went to sleep.

Standing at the window of another room, the Elven King finally relaxed his tightly furrowed brow when he saw the Little Fairy return safely.

When the light in the room opposite went out, he remained there for a while before turning away.

Shu Li had thought his concern for the little fruit would keep him awake. Instead, the moment his head touched the bed, he slept straight through until morning.

After restoring his original power and changing the size of his body, he began his daily lessons as usual.

Over the following days, he studied diligently by day and traveled to the Dark Elves’ territory at night to purify the mother tree’s offshoot and the little fruit. He also continued observing Efit in secret.

Combined with the information the mother tree relayed to him, his observations confirmed that Efit excluded the little fruit from his count for five consecutive days. After completing his counting duties, he would shut himself inside his room and devote himself to potion experiments.

He was an exceptionally gifted potion maker.

The potions he produced were in such great demand among the Dark Elves that the supply could never keep up.

One potion in particular could disguise their appearance. After drinking it, a Dark Elf’s skin color would change, making it more convenient for them to travel outside their territory.

Dark Elves were hardly a welcome people on the continent.

The more highly people revered White Elves, the more they scorned Dark Elves.

If Dark Elves wished to travel across the continent without suffering discrimination, they had to disguise themselves and alter their appearance.

Efit’s potions provided them with that convenience.

After hearing the information conveyed by the mother tree, Shu Li finally understood why Efit’s aura carried so little violence and blood. He had no need to compete with the other Dark Elves for resources. Through his intelligence and talent, he had earned considerable wealth for himself.

It just went to show that knowledge was power and wealth, no matter where you were.

Besides researching potions, Efit occasionally served as an instructor to the Dark Elf cubs, doing everything he could to provide them with a decent learning environment.

Although the other Dark Elves often mocked him, he never changed his ways.

The more Shu Li watched him, the less Efit seemed like a Dark Elf. The idea in Shu Li’s mind grew steadily stronger.

He could not decide whether to carry out that unrealistic plan.

Why was it unrealistic?

Because the risk was far too great. If anything went wrong, Shu Li himself might fall into danger and never make it back to the Elven Kingdom.

But if he succeeded, stealing the fruit from then on would be effortless.

“What are you thinking about?”

The Elven King’s gentle voice suddenly sounded beside him. Shu Li snapped back to his senses, astonished to discover that he had actually let his mind wander during a lesson.

“I-I’m sorry!” He rose and lowered his head, apologizing to the Elven King.

The Elven King set down his book and stroked Shu Li’s head. “Have you encountered a difficult problem?”

“No...” Shu Li denied it immediately. Yet when he raised his head and met the Elven King’s all-seeing green eyes, he hesitated before answering honestly, “Yes. I’ve run into a serious problem recently.”

“Oh? Tell me about it. Perhaps I can offer you some useful advice,” the Elven King said kindly.

Shu Li sat back down, his brow furrowed with indecision. “Well... suppose taking a small risk would allow you to accomplish something of immense benefit to the kingdom and its people. Would you do it?”

The Elven King asked, “Would this ‘small risk’ endanger your life?”

Shu Li shook his head. “It might. Or it might not.”

As long as he moved quickly enough and slipped into the mother tree’s spatial tunnel, he could escape disaster. But acting again afterward would probably become far more difficult.

The Elven King asked another question. “What exactly is this deed that would benefit the kingdom and its people?”

Shu Li pressed his lips together before answering, “Ensuring the survival of the race!”

The Elven King regarded the solemn expression on the ten-year-old child’s face and gave him a definite answer. “If it were me, I would do it, no matter how great the cost.”

Shu Li’s eyes widened slightly. “Even if the cost were your life?”

“Yes, even if it were my life,” the Elven King murmured. “I am the king. I bear the responsibility of ensuring our people flourish. As long as there is even the faintest hope, I will pursue it with everything I have.”

Shu Li involuntarily clenched his fists. “Then I’ll—”

The Elven King extended a hand and touched a finger to the center of his forehead. “You are still young. You should not bear such a heavy responsibility.”

“But...” Shu Li opened his mouth, only to leave the words unspoken.

The Elven King had helped him so much that Shu Li wanted to ease his burdens and worries. Shu Li possessed little of his own, and there were very few things he was capable of doing.

Besides, he was now a Senior Mage. He was no longer the helpless little cub who could do nothing against the Dark Elves.

Seeing the little fellow staring stubbornly at him, the Elven King sighed almost imperceptibly. His slender finger tapped the little flower crown on Shu Li’s head, which had transformed into a hair clip.

Shu Li raised a hand and touched the flower crown in confusion, only half understanding.

What did the king mean by that gesture?

That evening, Shu Li lay on his stomach in bed reading, though his thoughts remained fixed on their conversation earlier that day. Every so often, he reached up and touched the hair clip on his head.

Suddenly, he sprang upright and clapped his hands in excitement.

That was it!

The little flower crown possessed the special ability to summon the king.

By tapping it, the king had been hinting that Shu Li could ask him for help if he encountered trouble.

In other words, the king supported him in doing what he wanted to do.

Shu Li put away his book and hurried out of his room to find the mother tree.

“Eunomysis, I want to negotiate with Efit!”

“???”