World Tree Core Area, a35 underground base.

At the end of the corridor filled with cold light, there is a hall built with dark glass. At this moment, many personnel are busy responding to information transmitted from various nodes and channels, among them are both Elves and humans. In the center of the hall on a white flower-shaped throne, a blonde woman with a veil sits elegantly. Her brows and eyes are gentle, yet now they carry an unending sorrow that evokes pity in others.

As a songstress, Evelyn's talent is undoubtedly top-notch. She was once the fastest rising songstress in the Federation, but she has been stuck at the Full Moon Level, remaining at the doorstep of a Sunshine-level Songstress. This long period of stagnation eventually led many to disappointment, and they gave up and left.

In truth, Evelyn doesn't have much ambition. In the years when Ores' fame was at its peak, she was happy to step aside for this junior. However, as a representative of the Landisvas Family and one of the few strongest songstresses in the Federation, she couldn't avoid some responsibilities.

Especially after Ores disappeared, the Elf Faction urgently needed a songstress to support the situation. Looking across the Federation, only Evelyn was the most suitable. Although she was stuck at the threshold of a Sunshine-level Songstress, even so, there were still no other songstresses who could surpass her. Besides, the Landisvas Family has a long history of intermarrying with the Elves, with close ties, being a longstanding family of human-elf hybrids.

For various reasons, Evelyn sat once again in the most important position at the Federal Center. Relying on her name and ability, she indeed stabilized the chaotic emotions within the Federation in the post-war years. If everything developed smoothly, perhaps the situation could be maintained like this.

But things never go as one wishes. The current Federation is not the same as the peaceful era of the past, but is in a period of turmoil and rapid change. A gentle songstress like Evelyn naturally cannot win over hearts, whether among the upper-level factions engaged in intense struggles or the ordinary residents anxious for a change in their living conditions, none can tolerate the current situation continuing.

Before, there were no options, but once a songstress equally strong and decisive like Prin Coco appeared, a lot of factional forces began to abandon Evelyn and turn to the other side.

Unless Evelyn can overcome her mental barriers and break through to the Sunlit Level, it's only then she can stabilize the situation again.

Can I do it? At some point, Evelyn had asked herself this question.

The answer is probably no. Thanks to the prestige of the Landisvas Family, she grew up in a wonderful and peaceful environment. She is accustomed to a life like a forest princess in a fairy tale. Her kindness, gentleness, patience, humility, and tranquility all stem from this.

She doesn't like disputes, nor does she want to have conflicts with others. If someone has to lose and admit defeat, she would rather that the wounded person be herself, not others.

Such a character, if she is forced to overcome her mental barriers and implement thunderous measures, it would likely require a complete distortion and transformation of the character she has built over decades, something she cannot do, and she doesn't wish for too many people to sacrifice and perish because of her.

"Let me out." Dust Crystal said after a long time, opening her weary eyes.

Facing Evelyn's words, the personnel standing around couldn't bear it. While they could perhaps surrender without much consequence, if Evelyn were captured by the other side, she would face lifelong imprisonment, never enjoying freedom again, and if they were more malicious, they might torture the songstress, leading to her early demise.

"No." An Elf Maid knelt before her.

"Your Highness, you must not go out now, you cannot surrender easily."

"The major families of the Elf Faction have yet to express their position. As long as we unite them, we might not be without a fighting chance. There are also forces from other star regions of the Federation, they won't sit idly by. Miss Hexia from the south, and Lord Blanchi from the Western Star Region, were both your students. They would never abandon you."

Her words received agreement from many around her, and at this moment, they all urged Evelyn to reconsider.

"Please consider carefully, Lady Evelyn."

"It's still too early to give up."

"This is the Twin Trees Star Domain, the homeland of Lady Isenisha, the Fourth Fleet is stationed here. Even the other side won't dare to go too far, we still have hope for a comeback."

"The residents of the World Tree stand with you. Your identity and lineage are as noble as that of Isenisha, not to be easily humiliated."

"Princess Evelyn..."

Under the persistent persuasion of the crowd, Evelyn fell silent once more, returning to a state of quiet, yet she looked at the scene around her with some sigh.

If only I were a bit stronger...

As time ticked by, with the troops on the ground marching into the World Tree area, various resistance battles began to sporadically arise. The local Elf Factions started organizing people to hinder the movements of these troops.

Under the magnificent canopy of the World Tree, numerous shuttlecraft soared back and forth, while skirmishes occurred in the sky from time to time. They were either members of the Transcendent Faction supporting the 'Volcano Queen' Prin Coco or members from the original Transcendent Faction residing in the World Tree. Neither side used firearms or cannons intentionally, to avoid damaging this sacred place of the Federation.

Suddenly, a violet-red lightning bolt sliced through the dense foliage, ripping downward from the high firmament, tearing through the trees along its path, erupting in a blinding flash, and then two figures in the sky parted.