The Moon Shadow clan’s banquet hall was similarly carved into the mountainside, but compared to the smaller secret chamber where Violet and the others had discussed important information, it was much larger, more spacious, and more grandiose.
On the surface, it didn’t seem particularly remarkable. However, upon entering, Violet realized that this hall extended nearly a third of the way into the mountain beneath their feet.
Even with magic runes providing support and assisting with the load-bearing, the Moon Shadow clan had erected a dozen massive pillars inside to maintain structural stability.
When they arrived, the other girls, including the dragon girl, were already seated around the dining table. Several members of the Moon Shadow clan, who appeared to be powerful magic generals, were serving dishes.
However, Esther and another high-ranking magic general were nowhere to be seen, likely busy elsewhere.
This was expected. Given Vanessa’s earlier description of the recent upheaval within the Moon Shadow clan, the key aides of the clan leader would be extremely busy and unable to constantly attend to the guests. Prioritizing the handling and accommodation of Violet’s group was already a significant gesture of respect.
“Despite having met once before, I can’t help but be impressed upon seeing you again, Miss Violet. The companions by your side are truly each more charming than the last, each with their own unique aura. Perhaps this is what they call ‘birds of a feather flock together’.”
“?”
Um, if you don’t know how to use idioms, you don’t have to force yourself. That sounds more like an insult...
Glancing at Minchen with a hint of exasperation, Violet said nothing and went straight to the seat reserved for her beside the dragon girl. After sitting down, she quietly exchanged a look with her pet.
Hmm, it seems nothing happened. That’s good.
“Miss Violet, you were gone for quite a while. If it weren’t for Xiao Guang reassuring us, we would have worried that something had happened.”
Theresa, sitting on the other side and feeling a bit nervous, greeted the master and disciple duo seated opposite before turning to Violet, expressing her concern affectionately.
Since Violet had mentioned earlier that they would be staying in the Moon Shadow clan’s territory for a while, Theresa had taken the opportunity to change out of her traveling clothes and into a more elegant, loose-fitting dress. The outfit, combined with her vibrant green hair, accentuated her youthful and lively beauty.
This natural, youthful aura was something that no amount of anti-aging treatments could replicate, and it was no wonder Minchen couldn’t help but praise her.
“There’s no way anything could happen here. We just had some complex discussions that took a bit longer than expected. Sorry for making you all worry.”
Violet reached out to caress the girl’s hair. Theresa blushed slightly and nodded, showing a shy smile. While others didn’t comment on their interaction, the Tree Spirit Tribe’s Berta, a great demon general of the Linwood clan who was waiting to start the meal beside Minchen, suddenly spoke up with uncharacteristic curiosity.
“If I may ask, what is the name of this young lady with the green hair? I feel a certain familiarity and kindness emanating from her. In fact, her hair color is quite similar to that of our clan. Could it be that...?”
“Hmm?”
Violet glanced at Theresa, and seeing her hesitate but not showing any signs of resistance, she turned to Berta and casually explained.
“More or less, Theresa is a hybrid, with three-quarters human blood and one-quarter tree spirit blood. It’s normal for Miss Berta, as a great general of the Tree Spirit Tribe, to feel familiar.”
“A hybrid?”
It seemed that Berta wasn’t entirely satisfied with this answer and pressed on.
“May I ask which bloodlines are mixed? ‘Tree Spirit’ is actually a very general term, with numerous branches numbering in the thousands. It’s akin to the relationship between the wolf clan and the Moon Shadow werewolves.”
“Does Miss Theresa know specifically which branch of the tree spirit she belongs to? To be honest, tree spirits with green hair are quite rare. As far as I know, they are mostly found in the Linwood clan to which I belong, or among the flower spirits, which are currently led by the chief.”
Oh? This question... it was rather interesting.
According to Theresa herself, her mother had told her that their lineage of tree spirit blood came from an ancient tribe called the Earth Sacrifices, which had disappeared with the fall of the gods and had been confirmed by Miss Violet from a certain Miss Goddess of Life.
But to be honest, the priestess never believed that a race would simply vanish due to such an event. It was survival of the fittest.
Unless there was an unavoidable catastrophe or the species was too outdated, most creatures that couldn’t adapt to the environment would gradually change during natural succession, evolving into forms more conducive to survival.
Therefore, it was very likely that the bloodline of the Earth Sacrifices had not truly disappeared or gone extinct but had gradually transformed into another group over thousands of years, losing the ability to communicate with the gods and becoming self-reliant.
Since Berta, of the Linwood clan, could sense the familiar aura from Theresa, did that mean there was indeed some commonality between their bloodlines?
In other words, was the Linwood clan actually the Earth Sacrifices, who had disappeared or severed their lineage?
It’s also possible that what Berta sensed wasn’t the aura of the same clan, but rather the pure life essence that Theresa, as a messenger of the Goddess of Life and nurturer of the Divine Tree, carried.
After all, as a group known to be closest to nature, many races within the Tree Spirit Tribe take on forms that are half-human and half-tree, or even directly embody the essence of trees.
Life and nature have always been intertwined, and the Tree Spirit Tribe once worshipped the Goddess of Earth. It’s quite normal for Berta, as one of the top members of the Linwood clan, to feel an affinity for the law of “life,” which represents half of Theresa’s bloodline.
Initially, Violet was considering whether to reveal more information or ask for Theresa’s opinion. However, the latter unexpectedly spoke up.
“I’m sorry, Miss Berta, but I’m not really sure which race I belong to. After all, I only have one-quarter of tree spirit blood, and I grew up in a remote village where everyone is a similar mix. People like me aren’t really that rare.”
Upon hearing this, the priestess couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised inwardly but didn’t interrupt. Theresa deliberately concealed the truth about the Earth Sacrifices...
This kind of rhetoric and action didn’t seem like something Theresa would come up with herself. Could it be that Sethlin taught her?
Perhaps the Goddess of Life doesn’t want the sacrificial clan to reappear? But... doesn’t she need believers?
Well, this was their own business. It was best not to interfere too much. Surely, Sethlin, as a genuine ancient deity, had her own considerations.
Since Theresa shut down the topic, even if Berta wanted to continue, there was no way to proceed. She could only nod regretfully.
Afterward, with the dishes served and the clan leader Vanessa, accompanied by two great generals, returning to the banquet hall after a brief separation, they welcomed Violet and her guests. The feast celebrating the return of the crown princess Novia began.
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