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Chapter 109 Dark History
Chapter 109 Dark History
Guen poured out a little chestnut wine and smeared it under his nose. The fragrant and spicy aroma of the fruit wine brought joy and excitement to his brain.
He stepped out from the square table, head held high.
"Elu was founded in the 294th year of the Black Mist Calendar, which is 80 years ago."
"In reality, its existence predates this number by a considerable margin, almost equal to the lifespan of the Bewitching Ravens, though back then everyone was used to calling them elite Mistbreakers."
"After the fall of Gransol Fortress, Nora was shrouded in gloom."
"Can we really fight against the Black Mist?" "Nora is finished," similar questions were constantly being raised.
"Before Lord Dunakaron's final blow, those who steadfastly believed the Black Mist would eventually be driven away rallied around the Bewitching Raven, including my father!"
"They did not complain or curse the gods or fate."
"They chose to fight!"
“I’ve only ever seen my father in portraits. When I was four, a man took me from my mother’s arms and pinched my ears with his rough fingers,” Gunn gently pinched my long, elven-like pointed ears. “He said I had beautiful ears, just like that fool.”
"I remember that day, my mother cried until her voice was hoarse."
"The bastard, the crow, recounted every single observable detail of my father's death to my mother.
"Old man, you're stronger than me, so you must live on," these were the father's last words, and they were for Bewitching Raven.
"What a rotten man, he couldn't even remember his children and wife on his deathbed."
An abrupt sound interrupted.
"Since Lord Gunn has allowed the interruption, then please allow me to interject. Your train of thought is jumping around a bit too much. We are discussing matters concerning Ellu, Nan'an, and Suiyue, and we do not need to hear about the past of the Palka family."
Gunn looked at the person who spoke; it was Kaphni's deputy.
"I can understand the frustration and confusion of the Bamboo Moon Witch Society, because you do not have a history comparable to that of Erlu, and perhaps you, like me, lacked fatherly or motherly love during your upbringing."
"I request the Chief Elder to halt this irrelevant discourse and get everything back on track."
"El Lu's history is far more coherent than you think. Now, shut your mouth and sit back down!"
Gunn roared, and the surging magic caused the square table in front of the Bamboo Moon Witches to make a "crackling" hum.
He ignored the on-site guards who instinctively stepped forward to stand guard and continued to recite his memory aloud.
"When I was 12 years old, I found the Bewitching Raven and believed that in order to avoid the tragedy that happened in Angze in 282, we needed people with lofty beliefs who were willing to give everything to defeat the Black Mist."
With his chin resting on his hand, Slatur, leaning back in his soft chair, wore a serious expression on his usually honest face.
"They must be elite, but also the most fervent warriors!"
The voice grew louder and louder: "They should be as bright as candlelight, tearing through the black fog and illuminating the way forward!"
"Two years later, Elu was established."
Gunn proudly raised his head and placed his hands on his chest.
"The creators, Raven, and Gunn Palka."
Information about Ellu has never been blocked, but few people have carefully looked through and learned about its dusty past.
The rustling sounds in the council chamber were filled with surprise.
The lifespan curse brought by the black mist made many of the "new generation" born after the founding of Eldr only realize at this time that it was Gunn who conceived the entire structure of Eldr for the Ravens.
He was only 14 years old that year.
Compared to elves of the same age, Gunn is more precocious and intelligent, and his involvement in magic gives him limitless learning ability.
But he didn't.
In order to fully unleash the fighting power of the Raven, he became the manager of the Deer, quietly managing this violent organization that at its peak had 500 people.
Compared to his father, who neglected his family, he had more time with his family, including the orphans and widows of El Lu.
Having known what he wanted since he was very young, Guen easily grasped all the chips in his life and never let go of them after that.
Aside from the talent he squandered, he has always been a winner.
Beneath the rugged exterior of the deer, stories shrouded in the mists of distant history are revealed.
Guen deliberately walked to the square table of the Bamboo Moon Witch Society.
"Now it's time to talk about the 'privilege' of viewing the Eurasian deer as a symbol of uncontrollability and danger."
"That was the year 281 of the Black Mist Calendar, nearly 100 years ago —"
Slatu Anze abandoned his languid demeanor and sat up straight.
The elderly tribal leaders, their eyes unfocused and lost in thought, followed Gunn's voice and fell into reminiscence.
"The [Dark Tide of Demise] has broken out in the sea area corresponding to the port of Chireka in Anze. Most of the information is top secret — don't worry, the name can be revealed."
"Many of you may still remember your family elders preparing for war and being called upon to go to Angze."
"The century of peace we enjoy today is the beginning of the end of the receding tide of destruction."
"At the cost of the three most outstanding geniuses of that era, Nora achieved victory—this was also Nora's only major victory in directly repelling the Black Mist since the Black Mist Era."
"On the front lines, the Fogbreakers discovered for the first time special gods and demons that could quickly master high-level magic through imitation and learning, as well as a plague that could spread through the mind."
A restless commotion arose in the council chamber.
Information about the black mist and gods and demons has always been held by people with specific expertise.
Even if they become elders and know secrets unknown to ordinary people, they refuse to discuss them in public.
Today, Gunn is like a caretaker guarding the gates of a forbidden library, recounting secrets hidden behind those doors.
Why hasn't the chief elder stopped it yet?
"The terror of the spiritual plague-like gods and demons led the chiefs of Solitz at the time to make a decision: to grant Elu the highest priority to intervene in all matters related to the black mist and gods and demons, so as to cut off the transmission path in case of emergency."
Gunn suppressed his emotions as he faced the countless gazes in the council chamber.
"What some of you see as privilege is actually a fast track to your demise."
"Even a powerful being like the Bewitching Raven cannot escape attacks from mental deities. For a long time, the Deer's contingency plan for dealing with them consisted of only one simple measure."
Gunn paused, then took a deep breath.
"Those who are elderly, frail, injured, or seriously ill, or those who submit an application in advance for self-sacrifice in relation to spiritual deities and demons, will be given priority for entry."
The council chamber was completely silent.
"Elu has a wealth of experience, but he is not omnipotent. When faced with ever-changing spiritual gods and demons whose forms are unpredictable, he can only confirm the characteristics of his opponent by sacrificing himself."
"Information provided by professionals is accurate enough and irreplaceable."
"Back then, 8% of the total population of El Lu filled out the application forms, and I, being the youngest among them, personally filled out the priority order for them."
"I need to comprehensively assess each person's physical condition, family circumstances, and age to determine the most appropriate order of execution for each individual."
.
"Yes, that's the privilege they enjoy."
"Do the members of the Bamboo Moon Witch Guild like this privilege?"
Kaphni's deputy received a signal and stood up.
"The Bamboo Moon Witch will respect the great spirit of sacrifice of the martyrs of Erlu and has never denied their noble act of standing up countless times."
However, times have changed, and today's El-Lu is a completely different organization from the El-Lu described by Lord Gunn.
"We have reason to believe that it has spiraled out of control and deteriorated, and that His Excellency Gunn is confusing the two and personally tarnishing the achievements of our forefathers."
"That unchecked, abused violence—"
"Empty and powerless accusations, 'privilege' and 'violence,' repeated over and over again."
Gunn's rebuke, delivered with a powerful voice, interrupted Kaphni's second-in-command's practiced and rote speech.
He didn't roar, but his voice was as majestic as a lion's.
"A delicate flower growing up under a century of peace fantasizes that bloodshed is violence and headhunting is cruelty. All of this is nothing more than the enlightenment literature imagined by a child who lacks understanding and is far removed from the front lines, hiding in the cradle sucking on a pacifier."
"The fact that El Lu has been able to be questioned and attacked at will for so long without anyone paying the price is enough to show that you have never seen real violence."
"I would like to elaborate further on Ellu's 'violence,' but according to confidentiality regulations, I must remain silent."
"I want to tell you about the instances where El-Deer used far more brutal and bloody violence to protect Nora, but we must remain silent."
"I want their achievements to be known by everyone, but this is a serious violation of regulations."
"The initial rules were set by me and Huoya, and those who joined Elu agreed and understood them, voluntarily giving up fame and fortune."
"There are no heroes here. They could have shone brightly in Nora, but they died silently in the black mist!"
The second-in-command swallowed hard, and at Kaphni's prompting, braced himself and tried to interrupt Gunn's spellcasting.
"Sit down! It's not your place to speak, you bloodless coward!"
"Let me reveal why Elkeson isn't monitored."
"Because no one can keep up with El-Lu's pace, no one can risk their life with us time and time again without falling behind."
"Those who first monitored Erlu all became Erlu themselves!"
Seeing that her deputy was completely suppressed by Gunn's aura, Kaphni stood up herself and walked to the square table to meet his gaze.
"The sentimental charade should end now. Your rambling and irrelevant arguments cannot change the fact that you condoned Nan'an Suiyue's violent acts and that your lax vetting process allowed evil spirits to enter."
Gunn laughed heartily.
"On the contrary, there was no lax vetting process. Suiyue and Nan'an are exactly the people we, Erlu, need."
"Suiyue is like me back then, but I'm not referring to wisdom, but rather passion and impulsiveness, doing things even when you know they're impossible."
"Nan'an is like the Bewitching Raven back then. If we are willing to give him more tacit approval, rather than just subtle hints, he has the ability and is absolutely willing to kill all the Bamboo Moon Witches on the scene."
Kaphne said in a low voice, displeased, "You are openly spreading hate speech."
"Without law enforcement authority, amidst the chaotic backdrop of a city-wide manhunt for the mimicking gods and demons, the Bamboo Moon Witch has recklessly expanded her operations and repeatedly disrupted Erlu's plans. They deserve to die."
Kaphne spread her arms to the elders in the council chamber, then turned to the chief elder to show Gunn’s incomprehensibility.
"Watch your words. You are speaking to the Senate, offending the entire Bamboo Moon Witch Society, and actively creating a rift."
"I've been careful enough!" Gunn roared in anger. "If I hadn't been more restrained, I should have made it clear to the Twin Crowns when I visited Southampton that you're all a bunch of scoundrels!"
"Guen, silence." The chief elder forced a silence. "You've overstepped your bounds; this is a serious personal attack."
The power of loud voices swept across the entire arena.
Gunn completely ignored the Chief Elder's awkward attempt to mediate. For the first time since becoming the Raven's logistics and butler, he abandoned his usual affable and respectable demeanor.
He has something to say.
He has to say it!
"The one who truly divided Soliz was the Bamboo Moon Witch Society."
"Shortly after the founding of Elu, the first Bamboo Moon Witch Ravenna received the three major schools of spiritualism, alchemy, and puppetry, as well as twelve lost spells, from her sage teacher."
"The great war of 282 left Solitz and Onze severely weakened, with a massive number of mages perishing in the Dark Tide of Demise, nearly wiping out an entire generation of elites. It should have been time to rebuild."
"The orphan, Ravenna, who had no one to rely on, did not nurture the next generation of sages like her teacher did. Instead, she used knowledge as a bargaining chip to select exceptionally talented witches and form the Bamboo Moon Witch Society."
Using the slogan "She nurtures elites," and "We need more heroes," they rallied high-ranking witches to demand greater power, ultimately securing a seat in the Senate under the name of the Bamboo Moon Witches' Guild.
"If that were all, it would be fine, using the excuse of 'preserving the flame of civilization' to openly emphasize that witches shouldn't go to the front lines, hahahahahahahaha."
"How dare someone like this accuse Erlu of excessive violence and abusing his privileges?"
The chief elder gave up trying to stop them, and the three of them sensed Gunn's resolute determination.
A person who can openly discuss the disbandment of El Clásico has no concern for what will happen after today.
He just wanted to vent.
Kaphne realized what Gunn was about to do and sternly accused, "Does the Palka family want to oppose the Valentine family?!"
"Justice should be irreconcilably opposed to evil, just like the deer and the black mist!"
Gunn stopped looking at her and arrogantly floated into the sky, overlooking the entire scene from the best viewpoint.
"Kaphne Valentine, you are even more shameless than the previous president!"
"Not only did they defend the witches' decision not to go to the front lines, but they also single-handedly built the Bamboo Moon Witch Society's bloodline trading kingdom. By winning over and brainwashing witches with outstanding talents, they forced nobles and magical families who longed for the continuation of high-quality magical bloodlines to acknowledge your status, thereby consolidating your seats in the Senate."
"I asked Nanan if he had ever seen such a despicable person as Kaphni in the Gray Star Calendar."
"This wise and experienced hero was speechless, saying he couldn't believe that someone could be so short-sighted and selfish in this moment of life and death, surrounded by black fog!"
"A century of peace has numbed the senses of some people. Those of you who have never set foot in the black fog have lost the ability to judge the situation."
"When we first learned that this deal could be so successful that both the host and guests were delighted, Crazy Raven and I were as shocked as if we were facing a god or a demon for the first time."
"I don't understand the changes in Solitz's thinking today. Perhaps I'm too old, too old to understand everything that's changing."
"Now that things have come to the point of the Elu disbanding, perhaps none of this is something I should worry about anymore—I'm tired, and so is the Bewitching Raven. Worrying only wastes our energy. We only want to use our limited energy to fight against gods and demons, rather than persecute our own kind and fight for our own benefit."