But when Oldes’s pale green eyes met little Erin’s, the gentle smile on the old man’s face gradually faded.
His brow furrowed slightly as he carefully sized up little Erin, deep in thought, as if sensing something complex and troublesome.
Ithilien keenly noticed the change in Oldes’s expression. She gestured for Anvil to take little Erin aside to play, or to check on the banquet preparations.
Anvil froze, his mood turning somber as he glanced at Oldes’s solemn expression. Still, he nodded, squatting down to pick up little Erin.
"Come on, let’s go see what good food they have."
Little Erin obediently wrapped her arms around Anvil’s neck, but she couldn’t help but steal curious glances at Oldes.
Anvil left with little Erin, but a deep worry lingered in his eyes.
Ithilien watched them go until the father and daughter’s figures disappeared behind the yard of the mushroom house, only then turning to face Oldes.
"Wise Man Oldes, how... how bad is it?"
Oldes didn’t answer immediately. His brow remained tightly furrowed, as if he were carefully choosing his words. After a long moment, he slowly shook his head.
"It’s strange... In all my long years, I’ve seen countless Elf bloodlines and curses, but I’ve never encountered a situation like this."
"This child’s bloodline is very complex. I sense the purity and Spiritual Nature of the Moonlight Elf, the life force of the tree spirit—deeply rooted in nature and breathing in sync with the forest—and even a potential affinity for the night and secret powers, characteristic of the Zor Elves..."
"In Elf Society, these bloodlines often belong to different branches, or even opposing factions. It is rare for them to be mixed so intimately within a single individual. This, in itself, is an extremely unstable curse."
"And layered on top of this complex bloodline is that ancient withering curse."
Oldes sighed. "If this were just an ordinary withering curse, perhaps a Wise Man from the Sages’ Association skilled in Life Magic and purification rituals could find a way to remove it. But this child’s case..."
"The source of her Elf bloodline is mysterious; it likely comes from a higher-level Elf. The withering curse she bears is also quite unique. I’m sorry, but I am powerless to help."
"Higher-level?" Chen Yu repeated the term, his round body wobbling slightly.
’No wonder the little one’s Enchantment skills are so incredible.’
"That’s right."
Violet’s Spirit Body floated leisurely out from the grass. She crossed her arms, looking at Oldes with great interest.
"This child’s mother was no ordinary Elf. She most likely came from the Ancient Tree Council’s Divine Hall of Nature and served as a member of the clergy."
"I didn’t expect even you would be unable to solve it, though."
"The Divine Hall of Nature?" Oldes was startled at first, but a look of realization soon dawned on his face. He coughed lightly and muttered, "Those old fossils in the Ancient Tree Council barely learned any Blessing Magic, yet they’re all masters of Natural Curse Studies. And they just love using it on heretics..."
He was clearly not a fan of the Ancient Tree Council’s conservative and harsh ways.
"However, it’s not entirely hopeless..."
Chen Yu bounced a little and asked, "You have a way?"
Oldes coughed lightly and stroked his white beard, his tone becoming uncertain. "It’s not exactly a foolproof plan, but if someone could return to Silver Leaf City or the Eternal Song Forest, where the legacy of the Holy Oak is preserved, and manage to retrieve some Holy Oak Water..."
"Holy Oak Water?" Ithilien repeated softly, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"That’s right." Oldes nodded. "Holy Oak Water possesses a pure, natural power. Combined with some of the ancient Life Magic and rituals known to the Sages’ Association... we might just be able to purify the curse on her."