At first, the Forest Elves didn't want to acknowledge that Michael's strategy worked better, but they had to put their pride aside, and agree reluctantly.
Michael was quite happy about that – especially because he could feel that the Forest Elves' Links of Loyalty grew stronger. Despite their constant verbal fights and conflicts, Lilica and the others did not hold a grudge against him. Their only problem was that they didn't like to be told that they had been wrong.
They were too prideful of their skills and capabilities.
The firmness of the Link of Loyalty was not only an indicator of the increase in the Forest Elves' trust, or the fact that they could clearly tell that Michael cared about every single one of his subjects, his surroundings, and their health. It was also related to the respect Michael earned from them, his subjects, and even their Elders.