The paladins’ actions knew no distinction between day and night. Much like Heroes who would imdiately set out to eradicate monsters upon hearing of their appearance, they were the sentinels of the human race in this world.
At that mont, a white dove fluttered its wings and landed on the roof of an elven tavern ahead of them. It stood quietly on the edge of the eaves, watching as Vieya and the two ssenger elves sped past. Tilting its head, it remained completely still, as though it were nothing more than one of the decorative ridge beasts built into the roof itself.
In the glow of the setting sun, the dove’s feathers reflected a layer of sheen, like a coating of orange-red syrup—serene, yet mysterious.
A white dove...
Vieya turned her head to look back at the eaves again, only to see that the dove had already flapped its wings and flown off, a few soft white feathers drifting down from the sky.
She had only ever seen thods capable of controlling mindless animals within the organization known as 【Ghost】. They had no offensive power, but as surveillance tools, they were exceptionally effective.
After thinking for a mont, she asked the elf beside her, “Do you elves have ways to control animals?”
“Yes,” the ssenger elf replied casually, as if answering the most ordinary question in the world.
Vieya froze.
The ssenger elf continued, “The head lineage of the 【Ba】 Clan—those elves are naturally far more attuned to all kinds of small animals than the rest of us. With training, they can master various forms of spirit-communication techniques. It’s the sa as Her Majesty the Queen’s 【Forest】 lineage, which is innately able to commune with all kinds of trees.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Vieya fell into deep thought. Back when she was still a Hero, she had already traveled across most of this land. So why had she never seen such things before?
What was it that caused these races—born with mysterious talents—to coincidentally fade into obscurity across cities and wilderness alike?
Was it because her reputation at the ti had been too overwhelming, so much so that no being dared provoke her except Flaviel, that evil dragon Demon King? Or was it that she herself had subconsciously ignored these things back then?
“What is it? Miss Vieya, are you also interested in these spirit-communication techniques?” the ssenger elf asked.
“No,” Vieya shook her head.
The ssenger elf did not pursue the topic further. They continued on until they reached the front of the palace complex and completed the handover with the elven guards on duty.
Then, on her way toward the grand hall, Vieya once again saw the silver-armored knight order arrayed neatly across the plaza. Under the setting sun, their presence surged like a tide of montum. At their head stood the captain she had seen that day—the one nad Miali.
“Hey, hey! By the Light God’s blessing, our esteed guest has finally arrived,” Miali called out, riding her horse and waving at Vieya. She held her helt under one arm, her smile brilliant.
Vieya paused for a mont, then ignored her and walked straight into the grand hall.
Behind her, Miali rolled her eyes. “By the Light God above, that monster girl really has a big attitude. Not even returning a greeting—so this is the contempt of the strong?”
At the end of it, she put her helt back on and added silently, “She could totally sit at the sa table as those ministers from the Royal Capital.”
In truth, Vieya had simply forgotten what Miali’s na and position were, and didn’t dare greet her rashly.
Inside the grand hall.
The Elven Queen Aislin Iluvita Moon still sat upright upon the throne. Below her, the elders of the elven race and several clan heads were seated on the left, while the three clerics led by Andehi sat on the right. It looked exactly like a monarch holding court, with ministers gathered to pay their respects.
But it was already afternoon, and the sun was about to set.
“Your Majesty, you seem quite familiar with Miss Vieya. Are you allies?” Bishop Andehi tried to steer the conversation toward sothing lighter.
Aislin did not take the bait, instead countering, “There is also an alliance treaty between our elven race and the Human Alliance. Yet among the group that invaded the elven race, there were fully two high-ranking figures from your alliance.”
“That is indeed a failure on the part of our Church and the Tribunal,” Bishop Andehi sighed faintly. “Which is precisely why we have co—to ensure such incidents never happen again.”
“If Your Majesty is not reassured, we can draft a new treaty and compensate the elven race for part of the losses suffered this ti.”
As his words fell, a series of footsteps sounded from outside the hall. Vieya stepped onto the red carpet and walked in.
In an instant, all discussion within the hall ca to an abrupt halt. The gazes of every elf and all three clerics fell upon her.
Aislin narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly as she looked at the suddenly appearing sli girl, then said softly,
“Swordmaster, your colleagues are currently discussing compensation matters. Since you’ve arrived at just the right ti, you may as well join the discussion. Mm... you can sit wherever you like.”
“Miss Vieya, the egg-hatching manual you asked us to collect last ti—we’ve brought it with us,” Bishop Andehi said.
On the left side, Clan Head Sul wore a strange expression and asked bluntly, “An egg-hatching manual? Miss Vieya, are you having a second child?”
Second child my ass!
I’m never having a second child in this lifeti!
“Ahem—don’t talk nonsense. I just happened to pick up a pig-dragon egg last ti and wanted to try hatching it. Uh... the Queen knows about this.”
Vieya coughed, not wanting to discuss such matters in public. She shot Aislin a look, urging her on, and said,
“Didn’t you say we were going to the death cell to interrogate the prisoner? Then let’s go together now. As for compensation, you can discuss that among yourselves. I’m just a monster girl—I don’t understand that stuff.”
“......”
Pig-dragon egg? What pig-dragon egg? Do I know about this? Did Vieya ever tell ? Or have I just been so busy these past few days that I forgot...?
Aislin was utterly confused. She didn’t understand what the sli girl was talking about, but she could clearly read the aning in her eyes: I’m in a hurry—help cover this up and change the subject!
With that in mind, Aislin nodded thoughtfully and went along with Vieya’s words.
“Swordmaster is a benefactor of our elven race. Then we shall do as she says—let us first go to the death cell and take a look at that captive.”
Hearing this, Bishop Andehi was sowhat surprised. The elven race truly was as detached from fa and profit as the stories claid—treating money like dirt. Instead of discussing compensation, they were taking them to see a prisoner?
Interesting.
Bishop Andehi stood up and bowed. “As you wish.”
......
The dungeon and the death cell of the Elven Royal Court were two different prisons, though they were built in the sa location. The death cell was guarded more strictly, extended deeper underground, and held only those sentenced to death.
In other words, to enter the death cell, one had to pass through the shallower dungeon first.
Vieya followed behind Aislin as they descended the long black-stone staircase.
Aislin’s aunt had been imprisoned on the deepest level of the dungeon—more than twenty years ago now.
She wondered whether, now that Aislin had beco the Elven Queen, she would release her aunt ahead of ti.
“I never expected such an ancient prison beneath the Elven Royal Court. The yin energy here is extrely heavy—bone-chillingly cold,” Bishop Andehi remarked as they walked. “If an ordinary person were imprisoned here, they probably wouldn’t last even half a month.”
“Anyone capable of committing a cri in the Elven Royal Court is no ordinary person,” Aislin said calmly, shaking her head as she led everyone down the spiraling stairs.
After an unknown amount of ti, they arrived before a massive stone door. Beyond it lay the death cell.
Two great elves in black robes stood guard before the door, their auras restrained yet profound.
“We pay our respects to Her Majesty the Queen,” the two great elves said, half-kneeling as they pressed a hand to their chests in salute.
“No need for formalities. Elders, please rise,” Aislin said with a shake of her head. “We are here this ti to handle the follow-up matters regarding that captive.”
The two great elves nodded and, together, pushed open the heavy stone door.
Rumble—
With °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the stone door opened, Aislin led the group deeper inside.
Vieya felt a bit regretful. She had originally hoped to catch a glimpse of what Aislin’s aunt looked like if they happened to pass by. But judging from the situation, it seed Aislin had no intention of giving everyone that opportunity.
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