-1649- The alliance between the two race

////Going to upload more in the next few days, then stop for a week for my final exams.////

At this moment, it seems that the meeting between both parties has already started.

The Sylphs and Cait Sith accompanying their respective lords are both enthusiastically discussing, each trying to secure the alliance while maximizing their own interests and benefits, resulting in a continuous argument.

In contrast, the two leaders sitting in the middle remain silent, exuding a sense of calm confidence.

Sitting among the Sylphs is a mature woman with a tall frame for a female Sylph and long, glossy, dark green hair that borders on black, meticulously cut straight at the ends. Besides her snow-white skin, she possesses narrow eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips, embodying a sharp, refined beauty.

She wears a layered, kimono-style coat, with a long katana strapped to her waist. Her snow-white bare feet are adorned with deep red geta (wooden sandals), adding to her allure and evoking a distinct Japanese elegance—unforgettable at first sight.

She is the Sylphs' leader, a player who consistently receives about eighty percent of votes each month in leadership elections, holding her position as leader for a long time—Sakuya.

Across from Sakuya sits a petite girl.

The girl appears youthful, with golden, wavy hair and a pair of triangular ears sticking out from both sides of her head. She wears a combat outfit resembling a one-piece swimsuit that daringly exposes her tanned skin. Equipped with claw weapons on both sides of her waist, she has a long, striped tail extending from her outfit's lower back.

Despite her appearance, by ALO standards, she is an undeniable beauty on par with Sakuya. Unlike Sakuya's mature allure, she embodies a cute and innocent charm.

She is the leader of the Cait Sith, and like Sakuya, she commands overwhelming popularity, maintaining her leadership for a considerable time—Alicia Rue.

Both leaders are rare beauties, and in a game world with limited female players, their appeal speaks volumes. It's easy to imagine the admiration they receive.

Thanks to this, both leaders hold immense popularity and command overwhelming support in their respective territories, winning votes each month and retaining their leadership.

Of course, they're no mere pretty faces. Both have managed their territories skillfully, and their player skills are impressive. Despite being burdened with governance, they rank among the top ten players in their respective races—making them perfect examples of beauty, strength, and intelligence.

Given their positions as leaders, they are naturally familiar with each other, especially in light of the friendship between the Sylphs and Cait Sith.

In fact, Sakuya and Alicia are good friends, with a close relationship that enabled this alliance.

Yet, as leaders, they each have to prioritize their race's interests. Even though they had already privately agreed to an alliance and determined the terms and agreement, for fairness, they needed to conduct an official meeting with their respective race's upper echelons present, allowing their people to voice opinions. Secretly forming an alliance without consulting others would surely lead to dissatisfaction among their followers.

Thus, although the decision was already made in private, to avoid internal strife, following protocol was necessary.

For this reason, neither Sakuya nor Alicia spoke up; they let their entourage voice their opinions freely, one meditating with closed eyes while the other played with her nails, each assuming a composed, authoritative demeanor.

Until...

"Alright, that's enough arguing."

Seeing the timing was right, Sakuya opened her eyes and interrupted the debate.

"Whatever the case, an alliance between our two races is necessary. If we ignore other concerns, just the Salamanders' actions alone have made it essential. In their pursuit of the World Tree, they have openly been hunting players of our two races. If we don't unite to resist the Salamanders, as the two races closest to their territory, we will be weakened under their attacks."

Sakuya laid out her reasoning.

Alicia immediately agreed.

"Indeed, if the Salamanders continue unchecked, aside from everything else, if they manage to seize the World Tree with resources taken from us and reincarnate as Alf, then ALO would fall under Salamander domination, leaving us little chance to rise."

Alicia's words left the Sylphs and Cait Sith in silence.

Clearly, everyone understood the weight of this.

Thus, the alliance seemed inevitable.

However, the specifics of the alliance were another matter.

"An alliance between the Sylphs and Cait Sith is something we don't oppose."

"However, is our alliance solely to counter the Salamanders?"

"That would only check the Salamanders without bringing substantial benefits to us."

"If we're forming an alliance, it should aim for a greater objective."

"Yes, such as mutual assistance in conquering the World Tree."

"Agreed, that would be a long-term plan."

"After all, we've both attempted to conquer the World Tree but failed."

"With that in mind, we should unite for the future."

"Exactly."

Voices of agreement started to arise within both factions.

Unbeknownst to them, this was exactly what Sakuya and Alicia had been waiting for.

They had already decided to form an alliance not only to balance against the Salamanders but also to conquer the World Tree together.

The issue was…

"Can we really cooperate to conquer the World Tree?"

A Sylph voiced their doubts.

"I also find it unlikely."

A Cait Sith echoed.

The rest exchanged uncertain glances, frowning.

The reason was simple: it conflicted with the very nature of the conquest.

No one knew if reaching the top of the World Tree would allow every race to reincarnate as Alf.

If reaching it enabled all races to reincarnate, that would be ideal. But if only one race could reincarnate, what then?

Let's not forget, this world encouraged racial conflicts. If multiple races attempted the World Tree, it's likely only one side could succeed.

With that in mind, no one would want to hand over such an opportunity to another. Cooperation would be a fool's dream.

However, Sakuya and Alicia had already discussed this issue.

"How about this?" Sakuya spoke as if reciting a prepared line. "If both races can reincarnate as Alf, that would be ideal. But if only one can succeed, the successful side will assist the other in the next conquest. How does that sound?"

"That's great," Alicia clapped in agreement. "Even if only one race reincarnates, once the mission ends, the game won't stop. After the World Tree is conquered, a new final quest will surely be introduced. At that time, the successful race can assist the other in conquering that quest."

Upon hearing this, the Sylphs and Cait Sith pondered before nodding.

"This will work."

"Yes."

"This is good."

"We don't object."

One by one, they expressed agreement.

Sakuya and Alicia exchanged a subtle smile.

"Then, from this moment forward, the Sylphs and Cait Sith..."

Sakuya stood, ready to officially declare the alliance.

But at that moment...

"Something's wrong!"

Alicia's ears twitched slightly before her face changed, and she stood up.

"A player group is approaching!"

With one sentence, everyone's expression in the room changed.