Chapter 1301: Wallace’s Plan

"Careful?" Wade frowned as he heard Wallace’s warning.

"Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying they’re your enemies."

Wallace quickly shook his head.

"In fact, from what you’ve told me, they’re probably some of your best allies right now. If they’re helping you plant the World Tree branches and working together with your shelters, then there’s no reason for you to treat them differently."

Reese relaxed slightly.

"Then why are you warning us?"

"Because things can change."

Wallace looked at him seriously.

"The elves may be friendly right now. They may be willing to trade with you, help defend your shelters, and even share resources. But you shouldn’t assume that things will always remain this way."

Reese remained silent.

Wallace continued walking slowly through the store as he spoke.

"In some worlds I’ve visited, the relationship between the elves and the World Tree is much deeper than most people realize. The World Tree isn’t simply an ancient tree that they worship. Their entire race is closely connected to it."

He paused.

"And when the World Tree acknowledges a Queen, the situation can become very different."

"A Queen?"

Reese’s expression became curious.

Wallace nodded.

"An Elven Queen or something equal to that... When the World Tree recognizes someone as its Queen, the elves can become much more united around her."

"That doesn’t sound bad."

"It isn’t."

Wallace shrugged.

"At least, not at first."

He looked toward Reese.

"The problem comes when they start believing that the World Tree belongs exclusively to them."

Reese’s expression became more serious.

Wallace continued, "Right now, your elves probably have no reason to separate themselves from the rest of your survivors. They’re dealing with an Apocalypse just like everyone else, and working with your shelters gives them access to resources, protection, and a stable place to live."

"But if a Queen is acknowledged?"

"They might start thinking differently."

Wallace’s voice became quieter.

"They could become more protective of the World Tree branches. They might start restricting who is allowed to approach them or take resources from them. At first, it could be something small, like refusing to share certain materials."

He paused briefly.

"Then they could begin making decisions without consulting the other races. Eventually, they might decide that the elves should have their own territory and that the World Tree should belong only to them."

Wade’s expression darkened.

"You’re saying they could rebel?"

"They could."

Wallace nodded.

"But I’m not saying they definitely will."

He looked at the two of them.

"That’s the important part. Don’t go back and start treating every elf like a potential enemy just because I warned you."

Reese nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"Good."

Wallace smiled faintly.

"I’m only telling you to keep your eyes open. The elves may remain your allies for a very long time, and there’s nothing wrong with trusting them as long as they’re trustworthy."

He glanced toward the crystal tree sculpture again.

"But if the World Tree ever acknowledges a Queen, pay attention to what happens afterward."

Reese thought about it for a moment before nodding. He seemed to have recalled how the elves had started to slowly change before, and it was mentioned by a few Foreign Survivors.

"We’ll remember that."

Wallace seemed satisfied with the answer.

"That’s all I’m asking."

He then turned his attention back toward the sculpture.

"Still, this explains why you have World Tree branches available."

Adrian, who had been quietly listening to the conversation while continuing his work, finally spoke.

"Most of the World Tree materials I use come from trading with the elves."

Wallace looked at him.

"So you have a direct connection with them?"

"Sometimes. There were some of them visiting me for various crafts... I can obtain leaves, branches, and other stuff from the World Tree because of that..."

Adrian proudly said, as he knew that it was something he could truly brag about.

Wallace didn’t doubt it either, so he just continued examining the Mana-Conserving Tree again.

The sculpture suddenly seemed much more valuable now that he knew where its material had come from.

"How many sculptures have you made using World Tree wood?"

"Not many."

Adrian shook his head.

"It’s difficult to obtain enough of it."

Wallace nodded.

"I can understand that."

He carefully placed the sculpture back where it had been.

Then he looked around the store once more.

The conversation about the elves had certainly changed his thoughts about the place, but it hadn’t reduced his interest in Adrian’s sculptures. If anything, it had made him even more interested.

World Tree wood was an extremely valuable material, and Adrian was apparently capable of turning it into specialized equipment that could provide permanent effects over a large area.

For someone like Wallace, who traveled between different Apocalypses, that was incredibly useful.

The Codebreakers could use these sculptures on their ships, in their shelters, and even in their temporary bases whenever they traveled to dangerous regions.

Wallace couldn’t help but smile.

"Adrian. If you make any more sculptures using World Tree materials, let me know."

Adrian looked at him for a moment.

"You’re interested? Well... I have a lot of customers for such items. So you have to expect premium prices..."

Wallace nodded without hesitation.

"Then, let’s talk about this one."

Adrian looked at him for a moment before finally giving a faint smile.

"Five hundred Stable Power Cores."

Wallace’s eyes immediately widened.

"Five hundred?"

Adrian sighed and nodded... "Can’t you give me a discount since I purchased so many?"

"Fair enough... I’ll do it for 450..."

"Fine. I’ll take it."

Time passed quickly.

After finishing his business in Blue Haven, Wallace spent some time familiarizing himself with the ship he had purchased from Vasco and securing the sculptures he had bought from Adrian.

The Mana-Conserving Tree was especially valuable. Its ability to reduce energy consumption and stabilize energy flow would be extremely useful for the Codebreakers.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay any longer.

The portal that would take him back to the Demon Lair was about to reopen.

"Looks like it’s time."

Wallace made his way back through the wilderness, quickly returning to the Demon Lair.

Several hours later, the familiar landscape appeared before him.

Wallace stopped near the entrance and checked his communicator.

Soon, the portal’s energy was already gathering...

But as he thought that he would be able to leave peacefully, he heard a loud roar coming from the other side of the portal!

"T-this..."