Glen had long anticipated the impending attack. How could he be unaware that the elven maiden had harbored animosity towards him from the very beginning? Nevertheless, it did not deter him from doing what he deemed right.

At such a tender age, she was rather imprudent, daring to launch an attack without first gauging the strength of both sides. No wonder she had been captured... Such thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Just as he was about to raise his hand to fend off the attack and teach her a lesson, her slender, elongated leg came to an abrupt halt.

Only a powerful gust of wind, carrying the distinctive fragrance of the forest, swept across Glen's visage.

Why did she stop?... Glen was filled with bewilderment. This was the first time the situation had deviated from his expectations.

He fixed his gaze intently on the elven maiden and beheld her in a state of absent-mindedness.

This deepened Glen's confusion. Just as he was about to test the waters, the maiden regained her senses and slowly retracted her leg.

"The forest here has informed me that you are innocent," Gotaya uttered a statement that left Glen utterly perplexed.

"The forest told you? I've lived here for so long, yet I've never heard it speak. Little girl, this is no laughing matter," Glen thought the young maiden was spouting sheer nonsense.

I've even cut down quite a number of trees. It's a wonder the forest doesn't hold it against me... he mused.

Gotaya seemed to take offense and retorted angrily, "I'm three hundred and forty-five years old! Don't address me as a little girl!"

"Ah, well..."

Glen was momentarily rendered speechless.

After a brief pause, he shifted the topic. "So, Miss Elf, what are your plans for the time being?"

Gotaya did not respond. Instead, she turned to face the pitch-black forest surrounding them, recollecting the sensation she had experienced moments ago.

It was precisely at the moment before she had launched an attack on Glen that she had sensed the will of the forest.

That feeling was truly extraordinary. She had only heard some of the elders recount tales of being in communication with the natural forest.

She had never anticipated that, despite never having succeeded in communicating with "Mother," she would have this first encounter here.

She yearned to establish contact with the will of this forest once more, so she closed her eyes.

However, all around her was now enveloped in silence, with no trace of any fluctuating will.

Frowning, Gotaya made several attempts. When all proved futile, she had no choice but to give up.

Glen had been observing her all along. When the maiden opened her eyes, he quipped, "Well, did you hear the call of the forest?"

Gotaya ignored him and instead leaped out of the cart and began walking back the way they had come.

"This is a human realm. An elf as conspicuous as you will soon be captured," Glen did not attempt to obstruct her but rather pointed out the likely consequence of her departure.

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Gotaya did not halt her steps.

Glen continued, "You'll be seized by those greedy individuals and presented to the nobles. Do you know what those nobles will do to you? Having lived for so long, you must have heard about it, right?

"They'll put a dog collar around your neck and lead you out during gatherings to display you to others. If you're fortunate enough to encounter a kind-hearted one, perhaps they'll provide you with some additional clothing. Otherwise... Hehe."

At this juncture, the elven maiden's pace noticeably faltered, and then she continued walking at a slower speed.

In fact, everything Glen had just said was fabricated on the spot. He was unsure whether there were any such cases, but the reality was bound to be even more brutal, as he could infer from what Old Cat had told him.

Seeing that Gotaya still intended to leave, Glen continued, "Some nobles don't actually capture you elves for amusement. It's said that they use you to make wine. Just imagine, one day, you're placed inside a wine jar. How pitiful that would be, especially if your relatives find you someday. Consider the look of despair on their faces. All of this will be the result of your current actions."

As soon as the last word fell, Gotaya came to a complete standstill and remained rooted to the spot for a considerable time.

After what seemed like an eternity to Glen, Gotaya slowly turned around and said in a quivering voice, "What on earth are you getting at?"

Glen smiled. "Don't misunderstand. I don't want my efforts to go to waste either. So, I'm offering you a piece of advice to prevent you from falling into the hands of others again."

These words displeased Gotaya. It was as if he was implying that she was weak.

However, Glen paid no heed. He simply offered his advice: "The Punk family has been so blatant in their capture of elves. The news is bound to reach the Saihi Kingdom. Even if it doesn't, your kin will surely seek the assistance of the Saihi Kingdom.

"I'm certain that a diplomatic mission will visit the Zane Kingdom soon. All you need to do is lie low until then."

Gotaya deliberated carefully. She had to admit that the analysis put forth by the human before her was quite reasonable.

"Then how should I go about hiding? You know, this is your human realm, and it's highly likely that I'll be discovered, isn't it?"

Glen was not surprised by her question and thus provided the answer he had already prepared. "Why do you think I brought you here?"

Gotaya was slightly taken aback. Then she heard Glen continue, "For some inexplicable reason, this place has become rather... peculiar. It's inhabited by numerous monsters and odd residents. From the information I've gathered, almost everyone who knows about this place avoids setting foot here. I believe that if you hide here, you should be able to elude those who are hunting you."

Upon hearing this, Gotaya instinctively cast a glance around. As Glen had said, it was indeed quite different.

As a forest elf, she possessed a more acute ability to sense the forest than other races.

From the moment she had entered this forest until now, she had not detected much similarity to "Mother."

Just now, there had been that strange manifestation of will, which made her realize that this forest was "alive."

For forest elves, this was welcome news, as the elders had always said that the will of the forest would not harm them.

"I'll trust you for now," Gotaya nodded. "Then, where should I stay?"

"How should I know?" Glen spread his hands.

"You don't know? You're asking me to hide here, yet you have no idea?" Gotaya widened her eyes and questioned him.

"Look, Miss Elf," Glen's gaze turned cold. "Am I your father? I saved you and even offered you advice. Not only do you not express gratitude, but you're also being rather impolite. Are all elves this lacking in manners? I'm starting to regret saving you. I should have just let others take you away as a plaything or to make wine with."

Glen had saved the elf out of compassion. Her current attitude was already irking him.

Upon hearing this admonition, Gotaya instinctively wanted to retort, but when she opened her mouth, she realized that she was indeed in the wrong.

She was not unaware of the principle of showing gratitude. However, her experiences over the past few days had made it impossible for her to have any favorable feelings towards any human.

Seeing that the elven maiden remained silent for an extended period, Glen let out a couple of scornful laughs. He turned around and prepared to drive the cart, deliberately saying aloud to himself, "If I had known that elves were like this, I wouldn't rescue any other elves from being bullied in the future."

It seemed that these words served as a reminder to Gotaya. Just as the deer-drawn cart was about to set off, she hastily said, "I... I realize I was wrong!"

Glen's hand paused. He turned back and asked, "What did you say? Speak up. I can't hear you."

Gotaya wrinkled her nose and gritted her teeth in frustration. But she could not sully the reputation of the forest elves, so she raised her voice and said, "I'm truly sorry, esteemed human sir! I should not have treated you so discourteously!"