Raymond Morgenstern was Theodore's father, a High Elf hero of ancient times .

Few had bothered to remember that name these days . Most simply called him "Fatmond" due to his portly proportions and womanizing ways .

Of course, they would only use such a name behind his back . As the patriarch of the Morgenstern household, Raymond Morgenstern also held a seat in the council of High Elf Elders . Despite his notoriety, the Morgenstern family name had earned the old man a place in High Elf politics .

The old patriarch Raymond was overjoyed at Theodore's return, who was in fact Link in disguise . He decided to hold a huge banquet for his son, sending out invitation letters to every n.o.ble family in Andwar .

That night, everyone turned up at the Morgensterns' manor . The banquet had a lively start at first . However, it took on a different tone when Raymond began hitting on his female guests .

Link did not join him . He simply watched on coldly in a corner .

Eight High Elf elders had turned up for the banquet . They all held important positions in Andwar . However, their behaviors were no less disgraceful than Raymond himself that night . They each had a hand wrapped around the waist of a High Elf maiden on both sides . It would seem that decorum had gone out of the window for all of them .

A lot of young High Elves had also shown up for the event . Most of them had completely shaken off the facade of propriety that they had to maintain in front of the ordinary folk during the day . Some of them writhed and spasmed in a wild dance . Some sang at the top of their lungs till their voices went hoa.r.s.e . Some had already drunken themselves into a stupor . The place had descended into utter chaos .

The last 3000 years of prosperity and calcification of the High Elf's hierarchy had been a fertile ground for decadence in the upper cla.s.s of High Elf society, even back in the game world . Link was slightly surprised to see all of this in person .

That night, Raymond the old patriarch had even arranged for two beautiful High Elf maidens to be Link's dates . Seeing that it would be bad form for him to leave the party before everyone else, Link decided to sit in a corner and quietly study the High Elf Elders' every move while nursing his drink .

Soon enough, a foul smell filled the hall . Link's nostrils were a.s.saulted by a nauseating mix of vomit, urine and body odor that had wafted from the crowd of partying High Elves .

Link quickly rose from his seat and strode towards a nearby windowsill for some fresh air .

It is true that excellence can still be found among High Elf n.o.bility . Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to maintain their superiority over the other races in Firuman for so long, thought Link . However, peace and prosperity have made these people fat and indolent . The High Elf commoners are no better themselves . They have lived under the shelter of the World Tree for far too long, completely ignorant to the cruel realities of the outside world . Such a prosperous existence is obviously not without its faults . One might even argue that the world would be better off without the Isle of Dawn .

Link quietly sipped his wine . Originally, he had intended to minimize the effects of the realm fusion process . However, after seeing how low the High Elves had sunk, he decided to make the seamless fusion of the two realms his topmost priority . He could not care any less about the High Elves' survival at this point .

Just then, a voice sounded behind him . "Mr . Theodore, you don't seem to like it here . "

Link turned around and saw a female High Elf Magician . Judging from the Mana flow around her body, the Magician seemed to have Level-9 power . As a 40-year-old High Elf, this was quite an accomplishment .

After picking through the information that he had received from the innkeeper, Link soon found the female Magician's information . Her name was Seve Feathermoon, a magical prodigy of the Feathermoon household and a favorite daughter of the household's patriarch . She was also next in line to be the matriarch of the Feathermoon household .

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Seve," said Link with a small bow . He then gazed at the High Elf orgy currently going on in the middle of the hall . He said with a faint smile, "I find all this quite ironic . The Dark Elves of the Black Forest, the humans of Ferde, the Beastmen of the Golden Plains and even the Yabba people are all striving to forge a better future for themselves on the continent, while we High Elves seem to be going in the opposite direction . "

Seve retorted, "That's because we have been blessed with the World Tree . As a race loved by the realm, we are naturally accorded with special privileges . "

Seve retorted, "That's because we have been blessed with the World Tree . As a race loved by the realm, we are naturally accorded with special privileges . "

"Are you sure this is a blessing and not a 3000-year-old curse that has made us weak and flabby?" asked Link .

Seve frowned slightly . She had none of the arrogance of the other High Elves . As a Level-9 Magician, she was extremely intelligent and observant . A few seconds later, she asked, "Mr . Theodore, you've wandered about the continent for more than a year . You must have seen a lot during your travels . You are obviously more powerful, more experienced than me . Do you think there will be a s.h.i.+ft in the status quo on the continent?"

"Uhm?" Link was somewhat surprised by her question . He had a.s.sumed that Seve was just like every other High Elf he had come across . However, his perception of her had changed completely . He could see that this female High Elf Magician's magical education was not completely wasted on her .

He then said quietly, "I heard that the Lord of Ferde recently got his hands on a divine fragment and has become a Level-19 master with it not too long ago . "

Seve's wine gla.s.s slipped out of her hands, which were now trembling violently . Her eyes were wide with horror . The faint purple light in her eyes quivered slightly as she muttered, "The dragon lord now has Level-19 power . . . This is horrible! The Isle of Dawn is done for!"

For a long while now, the High Elves had mixed feelings about the Lord of Ferde .

He was hated by some . The High Elves always found that they ended up worse than the humans of Ferde every time they came into conflict with each other . Ferde's erosion of the High Elves' monopoly over the magical gear business had also left them in an economically dire position .

He was respected by some . The High Elves definitely would not have held him in high esteem at all if he had just been a Warrior . However, he was also a top-tier Magician . Someone who had beaten them at their game deserved at least some modic.u.m of respect from them .

He was also feared by the High Elves . Ferde had grown more powerful with each pa.s.sing day . There was no telling when Ferde would attain enough power to uproot the World Tree itself .

Ferde now had a Level-19 Magician capable of going toe-to-toe with the World Tree . How was a High Elf supposed to stay calm after hearing about this?

Ferde now had a Level-19 Magician capable of going toe-to-toe with the World Tree . How was a High Elf supposed to stay calm after hearing about this?

Seve was completely shaken by what she had just heard . She began pacing around, her footsteps unsteady . Then, she looked at Link and asked, "Mr . Theodore, are you sure about this?"

Link shrugged, "I don't see how I could be wrong about this . I didn't want to come back to the Isle of Dawn . Everyone's grown too soft here . However, one day, I was in the vicinity of Ferde when I saw a figure appear out of thin air a few thousand feet in the sky . When the Lord of Ferde appeared, the sky suddenly went dark . All the Mana in his surroundings were completely absorbed by him in an instant . I think he saw me back then . However, I could feel that I was nothing more than an insect beneath him . He probably thought I wasn't even worth his time . I take it you've read "The Heart of the Strong"? You must know what this all meant . "

"The Heart of the Strong" was an introductory guide on the power and psychological state of a master at each level . It was a must-read for every High Elf Magician in the Isle of Dawn . Link had come across this piece of information back in the game world .

Seve was stunned by this . She then began to mumble, "What should we do? What should we do? What should we do?"

After mumbling to herself for a while, she suddenly looked at Link, "Mr . Theodore, you decided to come back to the Isle of Dawn even after everything you saw . Does that mean you have a plan?"

Link smiled bitterly . "Not really . I only came back out of a sense of duty . . . "

Seeing Seve's despondent face, Link continued, "There is still a way out of this . If resistance is out of the question, the only thing we can do now is negotiate for peace with the Lord of Ferde . "

"Negotiate? Is that even possible? We're still enemies," said Seve in a low voice .

"Haven't you heard? Enemies don't stay enemies forever," said Link with a smile .

Seve was now in deep thought . A while later, she said to Link in a troubled tone, "This is serious . I need to discuss this with my father . "

"Haven't you heard? Enemies don't stay enemies forever," said Link with a smile .

Seve was now in deep thought . A while later, she said to Link in a troubled tone, "This is serious . I need to discuss this with my father . "

"As will I," said Link . He then added, "The High Elf Queen might have already been made aware of this development . She probably did not take it too well . "

"What makes you say that?" asked Seve, stopping in her tracks .

"I could feel an unknown dark energy flowing out of the royal palace . . . G.o.d knows what's going on in there right now . "

Link decided not to say anything further . The first seeds of suspicion had been planted in her .

Link now felt a bit better after seeing Seve hurry off . He had at first intended to observe the High Elves for a while before making his move . He did not expect to come across such an influential figure so soon .

Naturally, there was no way he would let such a perfect opportunity slip through his fingers .

Link decided not to linger around the hall any longer . Once outside the manor, he began making his way towards Andwar .

Due to the presence of the World Tree, the city of Andwar had quite a thriving nightlife . Even though it was already nightfall, the streets still bustled with life .

Link decided to take the opportunity to observe the World Tree up close . He finally stopped at the courtyard of a small inn called "the Light of the Lunar G.o.d" and began feeling the World Tree's power .

In spite of the breadth of its power, the World Tree was still a magical construct . This was his chance to see how powerful it really was for himself .

Raymond Morgenstern was Theodores father, a High Elf hero of ancient times . Few had bothered to remember that name these days . Most simply called him Fatmond due to his portly proportions and womanizing ways . Of course, they would only use such a name behind his back . As the patriarch of the Morgenstern household, Raymond Morgenstern also held a seat in the council of High Elf Elders . Despite his notoriety, the Morgenstern family name had earned the old man a place in High Elf politics . The old patriarch Raymond was overjoyed at Theodores return, who was in fact Link in disguise . He decided to hold a huge banquet for his son, sending out invitation letters to every n.o.ble family in Andwar . That night, everyone turned up at the Morgensterns manor . The banquet had a lively start at first . However, it took on a different tone when Raymond began hitting on his female guests . Link did not join him . He simply watched on coldly in a corner . Eight High Elf elders had turned up for the banquet . They all held important positions in Andwar . However, their behaviors were no less disgraceful than Raymond himself that night . They each had a hand wrapped around the waist of a High Elf maiden on both sides . It would seem that decorum had gone out of the window for all of them . A lot of young High Elves had also shown up for the event . Most of them had completely shaken off the facade of propriety that they had to maintain in front of the ordinary folk during the day . Some of them writhed and spasmed in a wild dance . Some sang at the top of their lungs till their voices went hoa.r.s.e . Some had already drunken themselves into a stupor . The place had descended into utter chaos . The last 3000 years of prosperity and calcification of the High Elfs hierarchy had been a fertile ground for decadence in the upper cla.s.s of High Elf society, even back in the game world . Link was slightly surprised to see all of this in person . That night, Raymond the old patriarch had even arranged for two beautiful High Elf maidens to be Links dates . Seeing that it would be bad form for him to leave the party before everyone else, Link decided to sit in a corner and quietly study the High Elf Elders every move while nursing his drink . Soon enough, a foul smell filled the hall . Links nostrils were a.s.saulted by a nauseating mix of vomit, urine and body odor that had wafted from the crowd of partying High Elves . Link quickly rose from his seat and strode towards a nearby windowsill for some fresh air . It is true that excellence can still be found among High Elf n.o.bility . Otherwise, they wouldnt have been able to maintain their superiority over the other races in Firuman for so long, thought Link . However, peace and prosperity have made these people fat and indolent . The High Elf commoners are no better themselves . They have lived under the shelter of the World Tree for far too long, completely ignorant to the cruel realities of the outside world . Such a prosperous existence is obviously not without its faults . One might even argue that the world would be better off without the Isle of Dawn . Link quietly sipped his wine . Originally, he had intended to minimize the effects of the realm fusion process . However, after seeing how low the High Elves had sunk, he decided to make the seamless fusion of the two realms his topmost priority . He could not care any less about the High Elves survival at this point . Just then, a voice sounded behind him . Mr . Theodore, you dont seem to like it here . Link turned around and saw a female High Elf Magician . Judging from the Mana flow around her body, the Magician seemed to have Level-9 power . As a 40-year-old High Elf, this was quite an accomplishment . After picking through the information that he had received from the innkeeper, Link soon found the female Magicians information . Her name was Seve Feathermoon, a magical prodigy of the Feathermoon household and a favorite daughter of the households patriarch . She was also next in line to be the matriarch of the Feathermoon household . A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Seve, said Link with a small bow . He then gazed at the High Elf orgy currently going on in the middle of the hall . He said with a faint smile, I find all this quite ironic . The Dark Elves of the Black Forest, the humans of Ferde, the Beastmen of the Golden Plains and even the Yabba people are all striving to forge a better future for themselves on the continent, while we High Elves seem to be going in the opposite direction . Seve retorted, Thats because we have been blessed with the World Tree . As a race loved by the realm, we are naturally accorded with special privileges . Are you sure this is a blessing and not a 3000-year-old curse that has made us weak and flabby? asked Link . Seve frowned slightly . She had none of the arrogance of the other High Elves . As a Level-9 Magician, she was extremely intelligent and observant . A few seconds later, she asked, Mr . Theodore, youve wandered about the continent for more than a year . You must have seen a lot during your travels . You are obviously more powerful, more experienced than me . Do you think there will be a s.h.i.+ft in the status quo on the continent? Uhm? Link was somewhat surprised by her question . He had a.s.sumed that Seve was just like every other High Elf he had come across . However, his perception of her had changed completely . He could see that this female High Elf Magicians magical education was not completely wasted on her . He then said quietly, I heard that the Lord of Ferde recently got his hands on a divine fragment and has become a Level-19 master with it not too long ago . Seves wine gla.s.s slipped out of her hands, which were now trembling violently . Her eyes were wide with horror . The faint purple light in her eyes quivered slightly as she muttered, The dragon lord now has Level-19 power . This is horrible! The Isle of Dawn is done for! For a long while now, the High Elves had mixed feelings about the Lord of Ferde . He was hated by some . The High Elves always found that they ended up worse than the humans of Ferde every time they came into conflict with each other . Ferdes erosion of the High Elves monopoly over the magical gear business had also left them in an economically dire position . He was respected by some . The High Elves definitely would not have held him in high esteem at all if he had just been a Warrior . However, he was also a top-tier Magician . Someone who had beaten them at their game deserved at least some modic.u.m of respect from them . He was also feared by the High Elves . Ferde had grown more powerful with each pa.s.sing day . There was no telling when Ferde would attain enough power to uproot the World Tree itself . Ferde now had a Level-19 Magician capable of going toe-to-toe with the World Tree . How was a High Elf supposed to stay calm after hearing about this? Seve was completely shaken by what she had just heard . She began pacing around, her footsteps unsteady . Then, she looked at Link and asked, Mr . Theodore, are you sure about this? Link shrugged, I dont see how I could be wrong about this . I didnt want to come back to the Isle of Dawn . Everyones grown too soft here . However, one day, I was in the vicinity of Ferde when I saw a figure appear out of thin air a few thousand feet in the sky . When the Lord of Ferde appeared, the sky suddenly went dark . All the Mana in his surroundings were completely absorbed by him in an instant . I think he saw me back then . However, I could feel that I was nothing more than an insect beneath him . He probably thought I wasnt even worth his time . I take it youve read The Heart of the Strong? You must know what this all meant . The Heart of the Strong was an introductory guide on the power and psychological state of a master at each level . It was a must-read for every High Elf Magician in the Isle of Dawn . Link had come across this piece of information back in the game world . Seve was stunned by this . She then began to mumble, What should we do? What should we do? What should we do? After mumbling to herself for a while, she suddenly looked at Link, Mr . Theodore, you decided to come back to the Isle of Dawn even after everything you saw . Does that mean you have a plan? Link smiled bitterly . Not really . I only came back out of a sense of duty . Seeing Seves despondent face, Link continued, There is still a way out of this . If resistance is out of the question, the only thing we can do now is negotiate for peace with the Lord of Ferde . Negotiate? Is that even possible? Were still enemies, said Seve in a low voice . Havent you heard? Enemies dont stay enemies forever, said Link with a smile . Seve was now in deep thought . A while later, she said to Link in a troubled tone, This is serious . I need to discuss this with my father . As will I, said Link . He then added, The High Elf Queen might have already been made aware of this development . She probably did not take it too well . What makes you say that? asked Seve, stopping in her tracks . I could feel an unknown dark energy flowing out of the royal palace . G.o.d knows whats going on in there right now . Link decided not to say anything further . The first seeds of suspicion had been planted in her . Link now felt a bit better after seeing Seve hurry off . He had at first intended to observe the High Elves for a while before making his move . He did not expect to come across such an influential figure so soon . Naturally, there was no way he would let such a perfect opportunity slip through his fingers . Link decided not to linger around the hall any longer . Once outside the manor, he began making his way towards Andwar . Due to the presence of the World Tree, the city of Andwar had quite a thriving nightlife . Even though it was already nightfall, the streets still bustled with life . Link decided to take the opportunity to observe the World Tree up close . He finally stopped at the courtyard of a small inn called the Light of the Lunar G.o.d and began feeling the World Trees power . In spite of the breadth of its power, the World Tree was still a magical construct . This was his chance to see how powerful it really was for himself .