Chapter Sixty-Nine: He Doesn't Seem Like a Bad Person

In the depths of night, the night elves gathered outside the royal palace, torches in hand, surging furiously towards the pyre. Even the line of guards trying to hold them back was beginning to break apart.

"Burn them!"
"Burn them!"

The crowd roared with madness. Eve was plunged into despair, her face ashen and bloodless.

As Linley watched the night elves draw closer, he realized that if he remained silent, he would soon be burned alive. He raised his voice and asked, "Night elves, do you hate me?"

"Of course we do!"
"We're about to burn you alive!"

Their furious shouts rang out.

Linley pulled back his pale lips in a faint smile. "Then may I ask you, why do you hate me?"

"You deceived us with the monster!"
"You deliberately stirred up chaos in Verdant Emerald!"

The night elves responded one after another.

Linley shook his head. "No, that's not right!"

The night elves were thrown into an uproar. Many grew agitated—"How is it not right?"

"The monster is real. No one used it to deceive you."

Everyone was taken aback. In fact, it was true; the monster really did exist.

"My friends, the new king says I deceived you, that I brought chaos to your city—yet surely many of you wonder, could two young people really be capable of such things?"

Linley raised his voice. "He places all the blame on the two of us, but is that reasonable? Anyone with sense—do you truly believe the two of us could cause chaos on such a scale?"

The night elves found nothing to object to in these words. It was impossible for two people to bring about all the turmoil in Verdant Emerald.

That forest elf was only fourteen years old, after all. Fourteen was just a child, and the girl was also young; it was hard to believe these two could wield such influence.

Murmurs ran through the crowd. If not them, then where did the chaos come from?

"The chaos in Verdant Emerald came from that monster," Linley supplied the answer for them.

A sudden realization dawned on the night elves. Of course, the chaos was because of the monster—the monster's appearance had made them fearful, afraid that it would attack their city.

"But even if you didn't start the chaos, you created the Censure of the Twin Moons to set us against each other!"

Their hostility toward Linley had not lessened.

Linley smiled faintly. "The Censure of the Twin Moons was created by you."

The night elves flew into a rage. "That's a lie! You founded it!"

"No," Linley shook his head. "No one would trust a stranger. I was unknown to you—why would you take my word and form an organization? And how could it have gained over ten thousand members in a single day?"

Astonishment crossed their faces. The boy had voiced the very question many harbored—why had they trusted the mysterious boss?

"Let me tell you why!" Linley's voice was compelling. "Because it was what you desired all along. Even without me, you would have formed it yourselves."

"You longed to wash away five centuries of humiliation, to forge a new order. You hated the Censure of the Twin Moons, hated the schemers and the ambitious. You yearned for justice, for freedom—and I was merely a catalyst."

The night elves listened intently. Linley's arguments made sense, though something felt slightly off. Still, his words explained their doubts—if they had not longed for such an organization, how could so many have rallied behind him?

"Night elves, the reason I am bound here is not because of the new king's accusations, but because, like you, I am a rebel!"

Observing the crowd's growing acceptance, Linley cleared his throat and continued:

"Look—by binding me to the pyre, the new king has ignited your fury and diverted your attention. But think: does something not feel wrong? Why have you gathered here tonight?"

A great sobriety settled over many faces.

Linley called out, "You came here to wage a struggle like none before, united by lofty ideals!"

"And yet, once the new king tied the two of us to the pyre, you halted your advance!"

"I know you hate forest elves—you have every reason to. We have fought long wars, the chains of hatred have never been broken. But let me ask you—why cannot the wars cease?"

Some among them knew the answer, their eyes dropping in shame.

"Many of you are aware—the forest elves signed many treaties with you, and most were torn up by your own succession of kings."

"A people who break their word cannot win respect! Wars will never cease for such a reason!"

Linley's voice rang louder.

"There is but one thing that can end the war—the very thing you fight for today—a healthy, just succession for the Censure of the Twin Moons!"

"Night elves! The chief astrologer has failed! The new king stands alone! You are so close to victory—what reason have you to stop now?"

"With every moment you hesitate, the monster in Grand City continues to devour your kin. While your people face danger, you forget what matters most because of two forest elves!"

"Night elves! Do not be deceived by schemers! If you stop fighting now, you will never win respect!"

"You should not remain here—like that hero, you should shed blood for your kin! Advance, night elves! For your people, storm the royal palace!"

"This is a struggle for survival!"

"And a struggle for justice!"

"If you hate me, then all the more reason to fight—prove your resolve with victory!"

"No one can stand in your way! No excuse can bar your path!"

Linley's voice thundered, then softened. "As for me—I should await the end of your struggle, so that you may decide my fate."

The hearts of the night elves trembled. Their gazes toward Linley changed entirely.

He truly had no thought of fleeing!

But he was right—they had forgotten what mattered most. They should not let two forest elves halt their movement—this was the new king's plot!

"Damn it, the despicable new king has misled us!"

"He must be afraid of us—we must storm the palace!"

"We will take back our Censure of the Twin Moons!"

With high spirits, the night elves surged toward the palace. Many glanced back at Linley with far less hostility—he did not seem like a villain at all.

If not for his reminder, they would have been duped by the new king!

"Everyone, please wait!"

At that moment, a night elf stepped forward.

"I have a suggestion!"