"Let me apologize again for the earlier treatment, dear guests of the human race.... But I believe that when you hear my story, you will understand the reasons why we act the way we act, and by that time your anger will perhaps subside." The white-bearded gnome bowed and said in a serious voice.
After the previous event, Xie Feng and his group followed the white-bearded gnome and the red-bearded gnome for several minutes until they finally arrived at the place they were currently at; a s.p.a.cious, simple, and clean house. Surprisingly it was not a house that Xie Feng and the rest had to duck through to enter, it was just a normal house but with slightly more appropriately sized objects for the gnomes" body size such as lower chairs, less wide beds, less large tables, etc.
Although along the way the white-bearded gnome tried to apologize several times for his previous behavior, it was impossible for mere words to appease Xie Feng"s anger completely. After all, he and his party had been attacked twice in a row by two spells powerful enough to kill them all, guaranteeing them a free trip back to the resurrection point of Eminentis City.
Of course, the white-bearded gnome could also feel Xie Feng"s anger, but he could do nothing about it but smile bitterly. He believed that after the young man in front of him knew the reasons behind his att.i.tude, perhaps he would put himself in his place a little; appeasing his anger even a little.
"Story?" Xie Feng had a smile that wasn"t a smile as he replied in a mocking voice. "I wonder what kind of backstory would allow me to forgive two people who attacked me and my group for no reason. Come on, I"m all ears."
The white-bearded gnome nodded but then shook his head and said quickly, "By the way, we haven"t introduced ourselves yet.... Allow me, my name is Slekpnir, the leader of the gnome race. The person next to me is called Daroock, the greatest artifact maker of all time!"
Xie Feng was a little surprised. In fact, gnomes didn"t excel too much at anything, and although the little gnome girl Emir said they were the best in the magic that wasn"t true either. However, there was one thing that gnomes excelled at more than any race that had ever existed; artifact crafting! Dwarves were good at building constructions, they were also good at blacksmithing and had great physical strength; elves were good at archery, magic, and knowledge about nature aside from their long lives. Each race had its own advantages. But Xie Feng was surprised that the white-bearded gnome, Slekpnir, dared to say that the red-bearded gnome, Daroock was the best artifact maker in history; this was a very big implication! It was no different than saying that Daroock had surpa.s.sed even the ancestors of the gnome race!
"My name is Shiva and these are my teammates Rainbow b.u.t.terfly, Feng Yao....." Xie Feng introduced himself and introduced the rest. Although he was still angry with the two gnomes in front of him, Xie Feng was not closed-minded; he would judge after listening to the gnome elder whether being attacked was justified or not.
Slekpnir nodded. He looked at his daughter, little Emir who was sitting at the table, and said in a serious voice: "Emir, you should go outside and play. Remember not to leave the mountain without my permission!"
Little Emir, who knew she had done something wrong by running away earlier, nodded obediently and after bidding farewell to Xie Feng and the rest she silently departed.
After the little girl left, Elder Slekpnir finally sighed and with a complicated look began to speak slowly:
"Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the Adastreia Continent was an extremely peaceful world. Wars did not exist, food was plentiful so hunger was non-existent, adults worked hard and children strove to learn in order to follow in their parents" footsteps. A peaceful world, like a fairy tale."
Xie Feng and the rest could hear the longing in the voice of the gnome race elder; his eyes were slightly unfocused, almost as if he were there, catching a glimpse of the children playing with smiles on their faces.
"The humans, the elves, the dwarves, the hobbits, the dragons, and us gnomes.... All races lived in harmony. Sometimes we had our differences but it was nothing too serious, like any normal problem that arises due to different customs.... Shiva, you, who are human, should know how difficult harmony and coexistence really is, shouldn"t you?" Slekpnir asked.
Xie Feng nodded without even thinking about it. Of course, he knew.
Forget about other races, coexistence, and harmony was difficult to even among the humanity itself. On planet Earth the countries were separated by borders, each one had its own rules and if anyone broke them they were immediately punished. Even though they were all human, they fought over who could have one more piece of land as if the one they had was not enough. Human history was riddled with wars and the history books were practically written in the blood of people who sacrificed themselves to try, somehow, to fight for a better dawn.
"So, imagine how hard it could be for so many races to coexist in harmony, without wars..." Slekpnir had a complex smile and continued, "However, on the Adastreia Continent it was possible. It was possible because of the existence of two powerful clans. These two clans were the ones who safeguarded the Adastreia Continent from possible invasions from other continents, and they were also the ones who ensured the peace that all our ancestors were able to enjoy.... One of these clans was called the Bright Light Clan and the other clan was called the Starless Night Clan in the past."
"Wait a moment." Xie Feng frowned and interrupted. "Bright Light Clan and Starless Night Clan? I don"t think something like that is recorded anywhere."
"History can be changed very easily, boy." Slekpnir smiled and explained, "Only those who lived back then can know the truth and we can only believe what our own eyes see. The paper can be written by a five years old kid."
Seeing that Xie Feng was speechless on the matter, the Slekpnir gnome continued, "Unfortunately, the times of peace could not last forever.... For no apparent reason, the Bright Light Clan and the Starless Night Clan began to fight each other. Their powers that were at the G.o.d and Saint rank was so great that the earth shook and the seas roared for years.... Until finally, one winner proudly rose above the other. The Bright Light Clan won... But the price they paid in return was semi-annihilation, only one girl survived by mere fortune... That girl is the Protector G.o.ddess of the Adastreia Continent!"
(A/N: The Protector G.o.ddess was formerly called G.o.ddess of Creation, but let"s call her like this to prevent confusion).
Xie Feng was so surprised that his eyes widened in disbelief. Before, he had heard many stories about the great power of the Protector G.o.ddess; an existence with the strength of a Saint, capable of keeping powerful beasts like the Light Saint Dragon at bay. Even after arriving on Adastreia Continent after leaving the Beginner"s Village Xie Feng continued to hear about her. But not even in his wildest dreams did he expect such a development!
But Slekpnir"s story had only begun.
"I see you"re a little surprised." The old gnome smiled. "But I wonder what your reaction will be when you learn that in reality, the Starless Night Clan still exists."
"What?" Indeed, Xie Feng was even more surprised. "If the Bright Light Clan defeated, how can the Starless Night Clan still exist?"
Xie Feng"s surprise was understandable; after all, why on earth would the Bright Light Clan let their enemies, who brought them practically to the brink of absolute annihilation, escape? It didn"t make sense!
Slekpnir wore a sad smile, and the gnome"s eyes flashed with a hint of sorrow as he narrated, "In the past, they were called the Starless Night Clan because they controlled the element of darkness as their main source of power.... Now, they are known as Moon Devil Clan."
!
Xie Feng"s pupils contracted to the size of a needle when he heard this. However, the reactions of Xie Yao and Gu Qianxue, who had also taken the trouble to study the history of this world, were completely different; they both turned pale as a terrifying thought crossed their minds, unable to believe it.... No, instead of saying that they couldn"t believe it, it was more correct to say that neither of them wanted to believe it.
"I see you realized what my words imply, young friends." Slekpnir nodded with a sad smile and continued, "The Starless Night Clan, one of the clans that for countless millennia bled to protect this world, is now considered by mankind to be an evil and demonic clan!"
...
Finally, the two beauties covered their mouths and their eyes widened at the new revelation.
Xie Feng"s mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but he, shocked beyond words, did not know what to say or how to react to the new information he had just obtained.
Mankind was a despicable race, and Xie Feng had known that for a long time. But apparently, he still underestimated just how disgusting people"s minds could be.... To dare to hunt and attack those who protected and nurtured you for so long, to dare to call those who protected your children evil.... How selfish did you have to be?