Game of the World Tree

In the end, Selena didn’t return alongside every chosen ones that volunteered but rather, she only selected a few lucky ones to join her resistance group.

Why? It is none other than simply because it would put a huge target upon them if she had brought so many people back, and they might have even be caught by the humans first before entering the city!

The Oakhand leader whose very familiar with how humans operates, knew that their enemies would definitely be on high alert after the players caused such chaos and commotion in Maple Leaf City.

While Maple Leaf City is the central hub of the Borderlord’s territory, it still experiences a significant influx of visitors even in winter. However, at this crucial moment, if a group of a hundred individuals were to enter the city, they would undoubtedly face rigorous scrutiny.

Nonetheless, the players were not in a hurry.

The questline【Oakhand 】involves successfully joining the organization, with a reward of 1000 contribution points.

For players who are at the top of Iron-ranking, although this reward is somewhat attractive, it is not really that big.

Moreover, joining the organization is just the beginning…the subsequent rewards for rekindling faith and rescuing other captured elven slaves are all counted separately.

In other words, this questline will be a long-term endeavor.

Therefore, players aren’t in a hurry.

As for the method of joining the organization…

There’s always another way!

And… isn’t there another questline?

【Secrets of the God of Despair】

Just hearing about it gives a sense of major news!

Maple Leaf City.

In a certain tavern located in a civilian area of the city.

A guard sat at the bar with his companion, drinking watered-down ale and gossiping about the recent happenings within the city.

“Did you hear? A few days ago, it seems like several blackmarket companies in the commercial district was scammed! They even say that several silver-ranked experts died!”

“Wow, really?”

“I’m not entirely sure but I heard some companies have even declared bankruptcy…Gods, I really don’t know what’s happening recently.”

“Damn! So who did it? I bet they’re really powerful to pull off this kind of stunt…”

“Heard it was some nobles from the south…”

“Southern nobles were the culprits? Good! I’ve always found those blackmarket goons annoying—never respecting us city guards and not abiding by our rules at all. Hmph, they should have been taken care of long ago! Once I make it big, I’ll show them who’s the boss and demand a half-elf slave from them to warm my bed every day!”

“Hush… Keep it down. Don’t you know those blackmarket goons are protected by the Lord? The Count has shares in their business. Otherwise…why would they be so arrogant?”

Upon hearing his companion’s words, the guard quickly gestured for caution.

“My Lord!”

His companion’s expression shifted, swiftly concealing his mouth. Once he was certain no one had heard them, he released a quiet exhale of relief.

After speaking, the guard, while sipping the tasteless liquor, surveyed the entire tavern with his piercing blue eyes.

“Hey…”

He nudged his old buddy.

“What’s up?”

His companion hiccupped, asking in confusion.

“Don’t you think… there have been quite a few outsiders in the town recently?”

The guard’s gaze surveyed some unfamiliar faces in the tavern, asking in a low voice.

“Huh? People from outside…? Hiccup…Well, isn’t the Borderlord organizing an auction soon? Many elven slaves will be auctioned… Hiccup…look…Hic, it’s normal for outsiders to come!”

“Is that so…”

The guard’s brow furrowed as he rubbed his head, the aftertaste of watered-down ale still lingering on his mouth.

In that moment, he suddenly noticed a group of people huddled in the corner of the tavern in his peripheral vision.

Those hooded individuals were all huddled in the corner, speaking fervently to some excited residents…

Seeing these people, the guard shook his head:

“Ah, these guys…are back at it again.”

“Eternal Lord above, I wonder what the Borderlord is thinking…Why does he allow the Church of Despair to spread its teachings within our territory? Aren’t they afraid of invoking the wrath of the Eternal Church?”

“If I remember correctly, the church doesn’t list the God of Despair in their orthodox canon, so these guys don’t have the right to preach their faith.”

He muttered under his breath whilst sipping his drink.

Upon catching his words, his companion nonchalantly took a hearty gulp of his ale and remarked, “Hiccup…brother, why even bother? The Borderlord hasn’t said much, and us guards don’t really care either way…”

“And…”

A pause lingered as his companion continued, “What the Church of Despair says isn’t all falsehood anyway…They speak of an impending great disaster…Just look at these past months with all the monster waves and strange phenomena happening one after another, who knows, hiccup… perhaps troubled times are truly coming!”

“What Church of Despair? What phenomena? What great disaster?”

Amidst their casual conversation, a curious voice unexpectedly interjected from behind them.

Turning swiftly, their gaze fell upon a young man clad in the attire of a mercenary.

With red hair, an unfamiliar visage, and worn-out equipment resembling a salvaged gear from a garbage dump, the young man seemed a complete broke wandering mercenary.

His wide-eyed stare brimming with curiosity, send an involuntary shiver down the spines of the two.

Where did this wandering mercenary come from? Could he be a sick person?

“Hey, hey… two elder bros, what’s up… I’m just curious! Just curious! Tell me about it.”

The young man chuckled, pulling out a water pouch from his pocket and handing it to the two guards.

A rich aroma of alcohol wafted through the air.

So fragrant!

Instantly, the eyes of the two guards widened in surprise.

Instinctively, they leaned in, noses subtly twitching as their gaze honed in on the water pouch in the young man’s hand.

What kind of drink is this?

They gulped down mouthfuls of saliva, their reactions revealing a blend of curiosity and thirst.

At that a moment, they felt their mugs of ale lost their appeal.

“Hehehe…this is a little local specialty from my hometown. Here, have a taste, have a taste! In exchange you can tell me about that God of Despair and that Great Disaster you’re talking about…”

The young man smiled.

The two guards exchanged glances before accepting the wine bag.

In a swift motion, they downed the drink in one gulp, then proceeded to pour out a generous amount of the offered wine.

“What kind of wine is this?!”

With a gleam in their eyes, the two guards exclaimed joyfully, savoring the warmth and mellowness of the transparent liquid with each sip.

“It’s called… um… let’s call it An… no, let’s call it Erguotou!” ¹

“Er Guo..Tou? What a strange name…”

The two guards furrowed their brows.

Nevertheless, their spirits were lifted.

“Good liquor! Although the taste is different, even a bit peculiar, it’s stimulating enough! I like it!”

“So, my esteemed elder brothers, enlighten this curious younger brother of yours about this so called, God of Despair and that impending great disaster you’re talking about…”

A smile played on the young man’s lips, showcasing a set of pristine white teeth.

The two guards eased into the conversation, gradually unveiling what they knew:

“A few years ago, a church organization suddenly appeared in the territory. Rumor has it they have dealings with some major nobles in Maple Leaf County. They are quite mysterious, but they possess advanced healing techniques, so they’ve developed rapidly within Maple Leaf.”

“However, there are also rumors that they are forces of the evil gods. But… the Lord hasn’t intervened yet, and the Eternal Church has not prohibited their activities either.”

The two guards exchanged information, one after another.

— 295 —

【 CHURCH OF DESPAIR 】

¹ 二锅头 – Èrguōtóu is a strong, colourless liquor distilled from sorghum (so called because it is distilled twice)

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