Prime Originator

In the Great Hall's main area, King Erendriel gazed down at the elf general from the second floor's edge at the end of the vine staircase.

"General Paeris, do you know what grave sins you have committed?" King Erendriel questioned with solemnity.

'Grave sins?' 

The two elders were puzzled.

The High Elves were not so rigid and pedantic that they would punish someone according to the old laws for bringing harm to the Great Forest if it were done in the best interest of the tribe's survival.

Of course, they were them, and the Elf King was the Elf King. They could not be sure that their thoughts aligned with the Elf King.

Even so, after a short moment, they vaguely understood what King Erendriel intended to do and chose to remain silent. 

Supreme Elder Haldir and the rest of the Elders exited the council meeting room shortly after.

The elf general, Paeris Gilvalur, had some misgivings meeting King Erendriel. But after seeing Supreme Elder Haldir, his heart became calm and steady like still water.

"No, I do not, Your Majesty." General Paeris answered calmly.

"Oh?" 

King Erendriel wrinkled his brows slightly.

With General Paeris' character, King Erendriel was sure that the general would accept all consequences for burning the forest. 

"I did not expect you of all people have forgotten the tribe's laws? Do you need me to reiterate it for you to remember?" King Erendriel asked. 

Supreme Elder Haldir frowned, not understanding what King Erendriel was planning. The old law was a joke in comparison to the tribe's survival. 

What was this person trying to do?

"No need, Your Majesty. He, who willfully harms the forest, sacred home of the elves, in any way, shall be punishable by death." General Paeris said calmly.

King Erendriel nodded.

"Since you know, then you do not need me to tell you what is going to happen to you, right? Can you hear it? The angry cries of the tribesmen below? We need to appease them before it gets out of control."

"This is getting ridiculous! You want to put to death one of our tribe's finest warriors over such a stupid reason? There are more important things at stake here!" Supreme Elder Haldir growled, unable to watch the farce any longer. 

King Erendriel glanced back at Supreme Elder Haldir calmly and said, "What do you mean stupid reason? I am just enforcing the law." 

"To hell with the law! Can the law be more important than the tribe's survival? Have you not seen what lies outside the Great Forest?!" Supreme Elder Haldir snarled. 

By now, the six Elders within the Great Hall seemed to have understood what was really happening. 

General Paeris was one of the Supreme Elder's staunchest supporters! 

The Elf King was trying to weaken the Supreme Elder's influence within the tribe by removing the Supreme Elder's supporters!

But why would King Erendriel try to do this now? Was he crazy?! Has he forgotten the Supreme Elder was a Seeking Insight-level Transcendent?!

However, King Erendriel should be that stupid. 

He must have something up his sleeve to have the courage to challenge the Supreme Elder's authority.

The Elders pondered silently, not in a hurry to choose sides.

At the same time, the six remaining Elders returned from the frontlines, entering the Great Hall, and stumbled upon the scene before them. 

"What is going on here?" One of the Elders asked with a frown. 

"Ah, the remaining Elders have all arrived at the right time. Since we are all here, let just commence with the meeting right here and now." King Erendriel stated after seeing the six Elders arrived.

Shortly after, King Erendriel calmly said, "Does Supreme Elder Haldir care to explain why you were so respectful to a human prince, who is not even a Transcendent when you, yourself is a respectable Seeking Insight-level Transcendent? Exactly what did you negotiate with the humans?"

The twelve Elders wore surprised looks and turned towards Supreme Elder Haldir questioningly. 

"If you understand Prince Leon's strength and talents, you will also show him the same respect I do. For our people to have a place within the Human Domain, I have pledged our tribe's allegiance to the Crawford Empire." Supreme Elder Haldir said calmly.

The twelve Elders immediately frowned.

"Hmph! As I suspected. You submitted to the human's ruling! I did not agree with this decision! You were supposed to negotiate an alliance of equals for the tribe! What absurd negotiation is this?!" King Erendriel barked furiously.

At the same time, the twelve Elders frowned.

They were all High Elves, who enjoyed lavishly high statuses within the tribe. What would also become of them once they move to the Human Domain to live under the ruling of humans? 

"How is the strength of the Human Domain, Supreme—" An Elder inquired, only to be interrupted by King Erendriel's rage.

"I am a king! How can I live under the rule of humans? What would become of my status in the Human Domain? This is preposterous to the extreme!"

Supreme Elder Haldir frowned and said solemnly, "You are a king, but don't forget who put you on that throne! Since I can make you king, I can also strip that status away from you!"

"Do you think I am still the same I was years ago? I refuse to live in your shadows further!" King Erendriel roared.

King Erendriel snapped his fingers, shattering the green jewel found on the ring of his index finger before launching a sneak attack on the Supreme Elder!

Boom!

Caught unprepared, Supreme Elder Haldir was immediately sent flying back into the council meeting room by the force of King Erendriel's powerful punch!

At the same time, King Erendriel stamped his feet and lunged forward, chasing after the Supreme Elder, not intending to give the Supreme Elder any chance to recover and retaliate!

"Supreme Elder!" 

General Paeris shot to his feet in alarm.

"Have you gone mad, King Erendriel?! How dare you launch a sneak attack on the Supreme Elder!" One of the Elders barked, intending to pursue after the enraged Elf King.

However, he was stopped by another Elder, who patted his shoulders.

"Why are you stopping me? We need to stop them! This is not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves!"

"Can't you sense it? King Erendriel's cultivation is rising at an alarming rate!" 

The Elder frowned.