"You have no idea what that existence truly means..."


    "So, do you still think that one day I will be such a terrifying entity?"


    "I never thought you could, but the master says you will. While I don''t trust you, I unconditionally trust the master."


    The [Deception Apostle] stretched, then patted John''s shoulder and sighed.


    "In any case, the next time we meet, I hope you will have be strong enough."


    "I''d rather never see you again."


    "Don''t say that. I thought we were friends by now. Without me, wouldn''t your lifeck a bit of fun?"


    John''s response was silence.


    "Are you leaving now?"


    "Yes, it''s urgent, and I can''t dy. Goodbye."


    With that, the [Deception Apostle] turned and leapt into the abyss, giving John no chance to ask further questions.


    At this point, John didn''t care to ask more. Compared to these irrelevant matters, he was more concerned about Helena and the others.


    [Lust] was dead, and logically, the monster tide should have returned to normal. But such things could never be guaranteed, and he needed to check!


    After reconnecting, John immediately crushed the teleportation scroll. After a few seconds of casting, the scene before him had drastically changed.


    Looking at the elven habitat littered with corpses and the salty tang in the air, John frowned, his expression darkening.


    "Monsters... all monster corpses. But... where are the elves?"


    Not seeing any elven bodies was a good thing, but the problem was, John didn''t see anyone at all!


    Confirming Helena and the others'' statuses, he found they were all severely injured but at least still alive.


    The monster tide had receded, clearly over.


    "ria! Exiled Immortal!"


    "Lily! Helena!"


    "Where are you!"


    John called out repeatedly, his voice echoing through the forest, but there was no response.


    "All gone?"


    Seeing the pce sealed tightly by vines, John approached and knocked hard. In the next moment, the vines reacted swiftly, wrapping around John''s ankle, about to throw him away!


    At that moment, the vine''s controller seemed to sense something and released John. The vines covering the pce''s surface retreated into the ground.


    "Johnny!"


    Helena and Lily rushed out simultaneously, dragging their injured bodies into John''s embrace.


    "You''ve worked hard."


    Seeing Lily''s blood-stained little face, John couldn''t help but feel a pang of heartache.


    Unlike the previous major event, the goblin invasion, where they could retreat at any time to save themselves, this time they had no way out. If they had faltered, the entire elven race might have ceased to exist. Their bodies were thest line of defense.


    Even with ria and Qing joining, the battle''s tide wasn''t entirely turned.


    Especially Qing, if not for Exiled Immortal pulling him out of the monster tide at a crucial moment, he might have died again shortly after his resurrection.


    With no other options, ria had all the survivors hide in the pce, protectedyer byyer with vines, waiting for the disaster to end.


    Only after [Lust]''s death did the monsters regain their sanity, and the carnage drove them away by instinct.


    "Did... did we win?"


    ria''s eyes were red and wet as she looked pitifully at John. Hearing him say, "We won," her tears flowed uncontrobly, falling like a torrent.


    At that moment, ria also wanted to throw herself into John''s arms and share the joy of the moment.


    Unfortunately, with so many of her people around, she couldn''t let go of her pride.


    "John... thank you."


    "If it weren''t for the elven warriors fighting desperately, no amount of preparation on my part would have made a difference. This victory belongs to every one of us."


    "In theing days, the elven race will likely be incredibly busy."


    The habitat waspletely destroyed, with only the pce remaining intact.


    ria''s implication was that she couldn''t leave until the habitat was rebuilt.


    "This monster tide revolt has allowed us to eliminate arge number of monsters. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to expand our habitat. Your Majesty, if you permit, please let me lead our people to expand outward!"


    "The matter of expansion can be discussedter. For now, our priority is to rest and recover."


    ria immediately dismissed Elowen''s proposal, considering the bigger picture.


    However, John had a different perspective.


    "I actually think Elowen''s idea is good. The monster uprising likely affected more than just the elves. Although the losses were heavy, the casualties were minimal. This is an opportunity for the elves to expand outward.


    Rebuilding the habitat can be left to those withoutbat abilities. This is a chance that, if seized, could lead to the steady growth of elven power, eventually allowing us topletely control the forest."


    "But..."


    ria bit her lip, still hesitant.


    She understood John and Elowen''s thoughts, but after just experiencing a great battle, her people needed time to recover both physically and mentally.


    "Don''t hesitate anymore, ria. This experience should make you realize that standing still is a path to destruction.


    The decrease in poption and theck of high-levelbatants cannot be remedied by simply resting. More territory and more resources will lead to arger poption and stronger warriors!"


    Elowen also chimed in, "Your Majesty, I swear on my life that I will not disappoint you!"


    "...I understand. Elowen, once your injuries have healed, you may lead the first squad of warriors to expand outward. John, during this period, could you please stay with the elves and help them recover?"


    "Of course. I''ll stay until you''ve made your final decision, but don''t take too long."


    ...


    Destruction and renewal were proving true for the elves as well.


    After the great battle, much was left to be rebuilt.


    ria oversaw the reconstruction of their home, while Elowen led the elven warriors to expand outward, eradicating the remnants of goblins at the forest''s edge, annexing their territory, and establishing forward outposts and temporary bases.


    Although the poption issue couldn''t be resolved in a short time, the problem of insufficient habitat had already been addressed.


    Stepping out of the pce into the sunset, ria looked down at the smiling faces of her people.


    Though they had lost their homes, they had not lost hope.


    "Seeing this, you must be very pleased, right? It won''t be long before the elves are no longer the weak race they once were. They''ll stand up bravely against oppression and protect one another."


    John''s voice came from behind her, and ria turned, her eyes full of emotion.


    "I''m truly grateful I chose to let you stay that day. Without you, the elven race might have ceased to exist."


    "Without John, there might have been another yer. Actually, I''m the one who should be grateful. If I hadn''t insisted on staying, this beautiful scene before me would have nothing to do with me."


    "Are you leaving?"


    "My time is limited. I have less than two years left, so I must continue my journey to find a way to survive. ria, I''ve fulfilled my promise to you. What about you? Will you leave with me?"


    "I... I don''t know."


    ria lowered her head, unable to meet John''s eyes. She was afraid that if she looked into them, she would be lost, abandoning everything to leave with him.


    "The reconstruction of the elven habitat... it can''t bepleted in a short time. I''m worried that if I leave, and something happens to the elves..."


    "Sigh..."


    "John, I''m sorry..."


    "There''s nothing to apologize for. I''m just amazed at how smart I am, being able to predict this and prepare ordingly."


    "W-what?"


    ria looked up, puzzled, meeting John''s smiling gaze. "I don''t understand..."


    "You''ll understand soon enough. If it''s convenient, would youe outside with me?"