ATPnovel Chapter 261: Protectors of the balance, not of nature.
Chapter 261: Protectors of the balance, not of nature.
Honestly, Ethan only took the risk of making that move because Arwen’s base loyalty was already absurdly high: eighty-five points.
It was one of the highest values he’d ever seen in his entire life. A woman loyal to the very core of her being.
Arwen wasn’t much shorter than he was; her eyes rested just a few centimeters below his own.
When he pulled her against him, her breasts—too large and too perfect to belong to a mere human, surpassing even those of Ophelia and Elena—mashed softly against his chest, their generous fullness squishing under the pressure of his hold.
The pillowy flesh molded around the contours of his torso, conforming to every line of his body as if made from the purest, warmest marshmallow.
The sensation was divine. Like embracing two warm silk pillows, with her puffy nipples pressing into his chest through the thin, pure fabric of her white dress.
The milky, creamy skin of her exposed cleavage glowed softly in the light, exuding a delicate floral scent that washed over his senses and clouded his thoughts.
"Oh~!" A gasp of surprise escaped Arwen’s pink lips, followed by a sweet, crystalline laugh that hummed softly against his chest.
[Arwen’s Opinion increased by 1 point]
[Arwen’s Loyalty increased by 1 point]
"My future husband... are you?" Her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement as she gazed up at him from beneath her long, fluttering lashes. "I don’t recall humans from this world being so receptive to other races..."
"The world has changed," Ethan replied, his fingers still resting on the gentle curve of her slender waist.
"And I’m not originally from this world. My home planet is being integrated by Estria so it can ascend to a higher level."
The instant those words reached her ears, Arwen’s eyes wavered, and the smile on her face faded, losing all the warmth it had carried just a moment before.
Ethan felt her heartbeat quicken against his chest, growing faster and heavier, and the somber shadow that crept across her features made it clear this was not a good thing.
"Are you okay?" Ethan asked, loosening his arms to give her space to step away from the embrace.
"I’m fine..." Arwen replied, forcing the same gentle smile as always back to her lips. "I was just surprised..."
Obviously, Ethan wasn’t fooled by that. His gaze drifted to a system notification that materialized before his eyes.
[You have received a new Quest: "Divine Contact"]
[Quest: Divine Contact
Description: Build a church or temple that Arwen can use to make contact with the goddess of life, the goddess of death, and the goddess of beauty.
A new mission will be assigned upon completion of this one.
Rewards: +5 Arwen’s favor and loyalty, +10 premium gacha tickets, +50 common gacha tickets, upgrade to your title ’Child of the Gods’]
Arwen shook her head softly, then turned her gaze back to him.
"You have a powerful aura of life within you... may I see its source?"
Ethan didn’t hesitate, pulling the Seed of Life from his system inventory.
In an instant, the shock on Arwen’s face deepened even further as a golden seed materialized in Ethan’s palm, radiating an aura of life so potent that the very air around them trembled gently.
She raised her delicate hands, cupping the seed, and with a slight flick of her slender fingers, sealed it within a glowing green orb of energy.
"So that’s why you summoned me... very well." Arwen seemed genuinely more at ease now that the seed was contained.
"Take me to where you want to plant it. Now that it’s been exposed to the outside world, we can’t delay too long."
Ethan nodded and motioned for her to follow, leading her through his mansion until they reached the wide main avenue, where they turned toward the eternal mountains.
Soon, the two were walking side by side, the gentle bustle of the city humming around them.
Arwen drew a great deal of attention wherever she went; her ethereal beauty and long, pointed ears caught curious glances from every corner, but neither of them paid any mind.
"You’ve created a very interesting city, my lord," Arwen said in a soft whisper, looking around with genuine curiosity.
"Yes," Ethan nodded. "Aren’t elves opposed to this kind of city? Since it cause harm to nature."
"Elves aren’t protectors of nature, my silly Lord," Arwen shook her head, letting out a crystal-clear laugh. "We are protectors of balance."
She stopped suddenly, extending her delicate hand toward a bird’s nest tucked among the branches of one of the many trees that lined the sidewalks of Goldenveil.
Three small, white eggs rested inside, along with a fourth—large and brown—which slowly rose into the air, drifting gently toward her.
It was the egg of a species that invaded other birds’ nests to lay its own, the hatchling emerging to kill the rightful chicks.
A parasitic species.
The egg settled gently into her open palm, resting there for a single breath before splitting open with a dry crack.
From within emerged a small, completely featherless bird, its pink skin shimmering faintly in the light.
In a single instant, the chick was already covered in feathers, its plumage spreading at an impossible speed.
When it stood up, it was already an adult.
When it spread its wings, ready to flap them for the first time, it was already an elderly bird.
When it finally completed its first wingbeat, it was already crumbling into gray dust.
In less than five seconds, an entire lifetime had flashed before Ethan’s eyes.
The elf woman leaned forward gently, blowing the ashes that rested in her palm, watching them drift back toward the nest.
They settled upon the three remaining eggs, infusing them with renewed vitality.
With a soft sigh, Arwen spoke again.
"Humans were created in the image of the One above all, builders of empires and weavers of history. The worthy and rightful protectors.
Dwarves were created by dragons, and from their divine forges and relentless flames is born the heart of this world, pulsing with life. They are the ones who keep our world warm.
Green skins were created by war, for their journey is one of endless death and violence, with the purpose of killing everything that lives and has ever lived. They are war incarnate.
Elves, on the other hand, were born of life and death, protectors of balance. We do not blindly protect nature; we simply do not want it to die because the balance has been disrupted.
If a species reproduces too much, it becomes a plague. If a forest grows too much, it needs to be burned.
Sometimes, nature’s protection lies in its own destruction, so that it can be reborn stronger."
Ethan listened to it all, though he couldn’t help letting out a soft chuckle at the way she had referred to humans.
"Legitimate protectors... I don’t think those are words that accurately describe humanity today," he said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Some are protectors, some are kind, some are rapists, and some are murderers," Arwen whispered. "That is free will. The blessing and the curse of life. The evil in some men’s hearts doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be good."
Ethan just nodded silently, resisting the urge to kiss those full, rosy lips.
He was curious to know what she would be like.