Chapter Forty-Two: Teresta

For this reason, a simple title of nobility rarely attracts the attention of elves; if you seek their respect, you must prove your strength. Yet, the elves of Quel'Thalas at present are proud, but have not yet developed the extreme, radical traits that will come after the Scourge's destruction.

In the future, when Arthas and his Death Knights trample Silvermoon City and destroy the Sunwell, nearly ninety percent of the high elven population will perish. The survivors, deprived of their source of power, will be threatened by magical addiction. The abrupt fall from grace and existential crisis will twist the blood elves into stubborn, fanatical, and rigid beings, utterly deaf to outside opinions.

In the Ghostlands, even when facing both Dar'Khan and the threat of magical addiction, the high elves still wage war against the Amani trolls. Unable to defend both east and west, they suffer a crushing defeat. Later, thanks to the help of the Banshee Queen, Sylvanas sends troops to assist the elves in purging undead from the kingdom, finally eliminating Dar'Khan's forces. She then introduces the elves of Quel'Thalas to the Horde, allowing the blood elves' lives to improve somewhat.

This time, the royal family offered only an empty reward and a useless golden medal; the sole benefit was that, in the king's name, Patrick's deeds were brought to the attention of the elves.

Patrick showed no outward expression as he put away the medal and the letter. "Thank His Majesty for the praise. Clearing out the trolls is every elf's duty. Ambassador Thalysta, thank you for coming from afar."

Thalysta nodded slightly. "You deserve such praise. Now all of Silvermoon is abuzz with stories of your achievements in the Forest of Life."

After a brief pause, Thalysta continued, "This time, I am here at the Sun Sanctuary because Master Selvor, the chief of the Academy, has appointed me as a permanent resident at the Sunspire."

"Oh?" Patrick felt a twinge of anxiety. A permanent appointment here—did the royal family intend to quietly exert their influence upon him?

"Then, welcome to the team." Patrick's face remained impassive, but inwardly he was calculating his next steps.

Now the royal family had found a way into the Sunspire, likely seeking to increase their voice in the Sun Sanctuary. If he did not possess overwhelming strength, he feared he would become mediocre and slowly lose his initiative.

Honestly, Patrick disliked the voting system. Once you lost the votes, you lost the power to act.

Because voting does not equate to truth. What one must choose is a road to success, a path toward truth—not one determined by ballots. Sitting in the Silvermoon Council and voting together, what emerges is the road chosen by the majority of elves, not necessarily the road that leads to success.

The most important concept for elven society should be that common elves have a path for advancement, that lower clans or ordinary elves have their own rights and opportunities. These rights and opportunities should not only be expressed through voting, but also through the ability of talented, arcane-gifted elves to contribute to the kingdom.

Instead, as it stands, lower clans are largely neglected, their paths to advancement blocked, all resources monopolized by the council. Gradually, the strata of Silvermoon City begin to solidify; the lower classes know only pleasure, and the nation loses its drive to progress.

Patrick recalled that in his previous life, the star-spangled banner boasted the strongest democracy, yet democracy has little to do with ballots. What democracy opposes is the stagnation of social strata, which makes people lose motivation and hope for advancement.

Still, one must admit that the voting system does solve a problem—it allows certain luminaries to be chosen early in life, as with Antonidas in Dalaran.

But such mechanisms are not universally applicable. The Silvermoon Council has held power for many years, slowly elevating its own factions through voting, monopolizing all avenues for elven advancement. Those who benefit from this system are mostly wealthy and powerful highborn clans, while lower clans have no hope of promotion, and the people's lives grow decadent—an obvious outcome.

If the royal family's presence in the Sunspire grows, then the factors influencing decisions there will fall under their control. This was something Patrick could not ignore; he had to prepare for the future.

Watching Thalysta depart, Patrick fell into deep thought. The royal family was not to be underestimated. The saying goes: "People grow wiser with age, trees grow strange with age." Those ancient ones, having lived for thousands of years, are more cunning than any old demon.

Patrick turned to Alleria and Sylvanas, seeking their opinions. "What do you think of Thalysta's permanent appointment at the Sunspire?"

"It seems the royal family is moving quickly. Perhaps His Majesty Anasterian has taken an interest in you. To draw the king's attention is a tremendous honor," Sylvanas remarked with a knowing smile.

"The royal family is beginning to extend its reach, but the choice still lies in your hands," Alleria advised, hinting gently.

Patrick knew the Windrunners were among the great clans of Quel'Thalas, with some voice in the Silvermoon Council, though unable to participate in governance.

"The royal faction is probing, but so am I. Times have changed; I can't make decisions as freely as before." Patrick felt weary—the endless dealings with so many old foxes were truly exhausting.

Patrick realized he needed to hasten his own advancement. Azeroth is a world of extraordinary power; authority and influence are always rooted in the foundation of such power. Powerless authority is meaningless.

…………………………

Autumn had deepened; the temperature in the Ghostlands had fallen sharply, and the cold northern wind howled outside. The Ever Song Forest was warmed by the Sunwell, springlike year-round, with even rainfall controlled artificially. Now, in the Ghostlands at night, elves' breath and words formed white mist in the air, a sign that winter was coming.

Thalysta returned to her assigned quarters, resting there with her companions for a while.

"Ambassador Thalysta, has the mission been accomplished?" asked an elf. Many elves, finding this remote land uncomfortable, hoped to complete their task and return to Silvermoon City to enjoy its prosperity.

Thalysta replied, "I have delivered the letter and medal to Patrick Cabron, the mage, but I must remain as the Academy's ambassador and take up permanent residence at the Sunspire."

On hearing this, another elf asked in surprise, "Ah? Mage Thalysta, if you must stay as the Academy's ambassador, do we also need to remain at the Sun Sanctuary?"

"No, you may use the Sunspire's teleportation chamber to return directly to Silvermoon City. You don't need to stay here."

Upon receiving Thalysta's answer, many elves breathed a sigh of relief. Thalysta understood well; after growing accustomed to Silvermoon's luxurious life, few would wish to linger here.

It is easy to move from frugality to luxury, but hard to return from luxury to frugality.