Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 330 Authority

In the heart of the sanctuary, preparations were in full swing for the grand celebration, but Canna's mind was anything but at ease. There was too much at stake, and now, with this unfolding chaos between the dark elves and the light elves, his usual good mood had been dampened.

"What... what?" Canna stammered, baffled at the response from the light elf elder. "What do you mean you didn't steal the kids? The dark elves started snatching them because they believed you were doing it first!" He sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Ugh! I've got a celebration to plan, let's get this sorted out quickly. Flora!"

At Canna's command, a red portal materialized, and from it emerged Flora, the ever-loyal guardian of the sanctuary, vines elegantly trailing behind her as she stepped forward and knelt in front of Canna.

"Secure this place," Canna ordered. "Use your vines to hide the village, we've already broken several of their wards coming in. And while you're at it, transfer all the light elves to the sanctuary. I want every nook and cranny of this village checked by our warriors."

Flora bowed her head. "As you wish, Canna-sama."

Turning to Noctis, Canna continued, "Noctis, inform Dravos, Astraeus, and the rest of the warriors in the sanctuary. I want them to raid the dark elves. They're all warriors, so I expect resistance. But I want them captured and brought back to the sanctuary unharmed. No casualties."

Noctis, perched on Canna's shoulder, nodded swiftly. "Understood, Master."

That day, two raids took place—one at the light elf village and one at the dark elf settlement. Both were swift and precise. The sanctuary warriors, led by Flora and the others, used their skills to knock out the defenders, ensuring that no lives were taken. The sanctuary troops moved efficiently, binding their targets in magical ropes and vines as they cleared out both villages.

Later that evening, in a large clearing deep within the sanctuary:

Bound by the vines of Sylvanar, both the elders and warriors of the light elves and dark elves were seated in neat rows. The magical vines were too strong to break, and with Sylvanar's protective magic coursing through them, resistance was futile. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and both sides glared at one another, but neither could move, let alone speak freely.

A crack of thunder echoed across the sky as a bolt of lightning struck the ground, and in an instant, Canna stood before them, his presence commanding. The air hummed with his power, and even the bravest among them couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Now," Canna began, folding his arms across his chest, "before you start shouting and cursing at each other, let me clear one thing up. Your children are literally right over there." He pointed toward a group of children playing in the distance—both dark elf and light elf children, along with human children and other races mingled together, laughing and chasing each other.

Tiberius halted immediately, the blade just a hair's breadth away from slicing through the elder's throat. A trickle of blood ran down the elder's neck from the shallow cut, and he trembled with fear.

Canna stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Speak out of turn again, and I won't stop him next time."

The light elf elder nodded shakily, his fear palpable. The other elves fell silent, the weight of Canna's authority sinking in. With the group subdued, Canna continued his line of questioning, growing increasingly frustrated by the conflicting stories and the bizarre timing of events.

Just then, Noctis's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Master, we've spotted four humans sneaking near the light elf territory."

"Show me," Canna ordered.

Noctis projected the image of four humans, dressed in grass-like camouflage, creeping near the edge of the elves' territory. They moved carefully, clearly trying to avoid detection.

Canna's eyes narrowed. "There's more to this than just an elf war. Something's not right here."

"Should I have them captured?" Noctis asked.

"Do it," Canna commanded. "Bind them and I'll be there shortly."

As he prepared to leave, Tiberius spoke up. "What about the prisoners, Canna-sama?"

"Unbind them," Canna said, his voice firm but calm. "Introduce them to the rules of the sanctuary. They'll sit out this fight while I figure out what's really going on. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the sooner we can get back to the celebration preparations."

With that, Canna turned and walked away, his thoughts now focused on the hidden players behind this conflict. The sanctuary would soon see peace again—one way or another.