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.

The bound elves stared, wide-eyed, disbelief etched across their faces. They had spent so much time filled with hatred and rage, assuming the worst, that seeing their children playing peacefully together felt like a surreal dream.

"They’re just children," Canna continued, his voice softening for a moment. "Without your hate, they’re just kids. Now let’s move on from the children. Khavi, son of Varcas Shadegrip, if I got your name right, claimed that the light elves were the ones who started stealing children first. Meanwhile, the light elf elder here insists it was you dark elves. Which one is it?"

He turned toward the dark elf warrior, Khavi, who was hoisted up by Sylvanar’s vines. The warrior looked bruised but determined.

"Two nights ago," Khavi began, his voice gruff, "three of our children went missing—two girls and a boy. We found traces of strong mana at the last place they were seen. Mana that could only come from you light elves!" He glared toward the bound light elves, his eyes full of anger.

"You insufferable fool!" one of the light elf elders shouted, his face red with rage. "Your small, barbaric mind can’t comprehend—"

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Before the elder could finish his insult, the vines around him tightened, cutting off his words. He gasped, struggling for breath as Canna shot him a cold, dangerous look.

"Do not speak unless spoken to," Canna said, his voice devoid of emotion.

The elder wheezed as the vines loosened slightly, giving him enough air to breathe again. However, his expression of defiance faded as he realized how close he had come to losing his life.

The elder tried to regain some composure, but Canna wasn’t done. "You do not have authority over me, elder," Canna said in a low, dangerous voice. "You might want to remember that before you speak to me again. Tiberius, slice his head clean off."

Without hesitation, Tiberius stepped forward, his massive greatsword gleaming in the fading light. The elder’s face drained of color as the reality of Canna’s words sunk in. The other elves began to squirm in their bindings, but the vines quickly silenced their protests.

Tiberius raised his greatsword high, its blade glinting as he aimed for the elder’s neck.

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"Stop," Canna said, just as the blade began to descend.

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.