Wizard: I'm leveling up by AFK in another world

Ella bit her lower lip tightly, trying her best to suppress the inexplicable panic in her heart.

Everything Elian said was true; the forest did indeed save them.

But the strange changes that happened to the Silver Moon Sapling that day, and the various powers it displayed that were different from those of the Father God, still lingered in Ella's heart like a dark cloud.

"Your Highness's decision is naturally for the future of the Silver Tree Elves."

Elian smiled slightly, seemingly unaware of Ella's perfunctory attitude.

"Those wanderers who left were probably heading to the Emerald Barrier," he said. "That's what I'm most worried about."

"Do you think they can't get there?"

"No, I'm worried about Kellan." A deep concern appeared between Elian's brows.

"Kellan is a great Silvermoon Knight, that's for sure. But he's too proud and very stubborn."

"I have heard that he has rallied most of the kingdom's remaining troops over the past year and led them to reclaim much lost territory. Knowing him as I do, these victories have probably seriously affected his judgment."

"Now that spring has arrived, I am very worried that he will think everything is ready and lead his army to attack the starship camp and launch a decisive battle against the wizards, which would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock."

Upon hearing this, Ella immediately became anxious.

"So what should we do? Just stand by and watch so many people go to their deaths?"

"Of course not! I've already sent Fran to persuade Kellan to abandon the attack. He was Kellan's former subordinate, I believe he can convince him."

Ella was still worried: "But you just said that Kelland is very stubborn... Can Fran really do it?"

"Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate." Elian sighed deeply. "I sent my token with Fran. If Kellan is willing to temporarily abandon the attack, I will lead everyone to join his ranks and rebuild the kingdom together."

"In this situation, I will not object to whoever wants to become the new Elf King, as long as he can unite everyone and take it upon himself to revitalize the Elf race..."

Hearing Ellian's words, Ella's doubts lessened somewhat.

Over the past year, she felt that Elian was becoming more and more of a stranger.

Looking back now, perhaps I was just being too sensitive and had unwarranted prejudices against the changes brought about by the Silver Moon Tree.

"Your Highness is wise." Ella lowered her head, offering her heartfelt respect to Elian.

"Go ahead and get busy, Ella. Go and gather food and other supplies for me," Elian said with a smile. "We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

Ella accepted the order and left.

Elian watched her retreating figure, then turned to look at the towering Silvermoon Tree in the distance.

"Complete change requires sacrifice..." he murmured.

……

……

The heavy sound of bugles echoed over the fortress, lingering for a long time.

The city gates were opened wide, and the army set out.

Kellan rode on the back of a silver unicorn, leading the army.

He wore a mithril helmet engraved with tree branch patterns, and his visor was pushed up to reveal his cold and stern face.

The roadside was crowded with elven commoners from the Emerald Screen.

The vast majority of eligible personnel joined the army, while the rest were busy maintaining operations in the rear.

Those who came to see them off were all elderly people and children of humble strength, who were also relatives of the soldiers. They held clusters of white moonflowers and offered their only hope.

As Kellan and his Silvermoon Knights passed by, people threw flower petals into the air.

Pure white petals fluttered down onto the knights' armor, like snowflakes falling on a sunny spring day.

"May the Father God protect you! Drive the evil invaders out of our home!" An elderly woman with gray hair clutched the amulet to her chest, her eyes already brimming with tears.

"Commander Kellan, we must cut off all those wizards' heads!" Several half-grown elven children waved sharpened wooden sticks as they ran alongside the army.

Kelland nodded slightly, acknowledging the people on both sides.

He could feel the fervor and expectation in the eyes of these people, and this power rose up his spine, making his fighting spirit burn to its peak.

The devastating defeat at the Bridge of Sighs, the fall of the Royal Court, the warning from Faran...

All the distracting thoughts that had been swirling in his mind these past few days were crushed by the overwhelming cheers before him.

Fifty thousand fully armed elven soldiers marched out of the fortress in perfect unison.

The army marched for two full days.

Over the past two days, they have traversed vast swathes of land that had once fallen, and the sights along the way have only boosted the spirits' morale.

"Vice Commander."

A fast horse galloped from the front, and the travel-worn knight suddenly pulled on the reins in front of Kellan, causing the horse's front hooves to rise high.

The knight-errant dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"Thirty miles ahead, we will enter the Ironblood Continent. There will be a canyon, the last natural barrier leading to the starship camp," the ranger reported. "We have carefully searched the high points on both sides of the canyon and explored the dense forest at the bottom."

Kelland asked, "Have you found the enemy's ambush? How many puppets are there?"

"Reporting to you, sir, there were no ambushes." The ranger's face was full of doubt. "Nothing at all. We found a lot of signs of habitation halfway up the mountain. There were campfires, tents, and fences."

"After reconnaissance, the troops stationed here will withdraw in no more than half a day."

Upon hearing this, Kelland frowned.

This canyon has a treacherous terrain, making it an excellent location for ambush or defense.

The wizards could cause the elven army a great deal of trouble simply by placing their mages on the cliffs on both sides and using the metal golems to guard the valley floor.

But the other side actually gave up such a strategic location?

The adjutant rode up to Kellan.

"Your Excellency, apart from that canyon, this area is flat and there are no better ambush positions."

"The wizards abandoned the canyon most likely because they discovered the size of our army, realized they were no match for us, and retreated to their base to hold out."

"Those positions that were temporarily vacated are evidence of this."

Kelland pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Continue to expand the reconnaissance area. Have the mages with griffins take to the air to monitor all magical fluctuations within a fifty-mile radius. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."

"Yes, sir!" The knight mounted his horse and galloped away once more.

Kellan drew his longsword and pointed it at the canyon ahead.

"All troops, accelerate! Cross the canyon! Don't give those cowards a chance to breathe!"

The 50,000-strong army swept across the canyon like a surging tide, without any hindrance.

Nothing happened. The celestial mages and earthly wandering knights reported that they had not found anything unusual.

Kelland was somewhat dazed; victory seemed so close.

The next day, the vanguard of the elven army arrived at a vast wasteland.

Kellan rode on his unicorn and came to a raised mound.

At the edge of the wasteland, a massive, suffocating metal mountain stretched out.

Even though he had seen countless images of the wizard starship before, seeing it in person still made Kellan's heart skip a beat.

Nearly half of this colossal creature is buried underground, while the exposed portion still reaches a height of hundreds of meters.

Its dark black metal shell is covered with all sorts of strange structures, exuding an aura that is out of place in this world.

Even the Father God could not completely defeat it.

Kellan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

The future of the Silver Tree Spirits will be decided here!