"Wow!" Luca exclaid, looking back and forth between the two Unos who were wearing different clothes, but most definitely looked like clones.
The golden-eyed cadet suddenly understood why Prince Eren beca obsessed with such an ability.
More than that, seeing it like this just gave so much credibility to the story Princess Kira had shared with them.
No wonder that Elven Princess managed to infiltrate the stronghold of the Orcs!
"Prince Elior, are you actually able to maintain that form for a long ti?"
The Elven Prince responded in his usual voice at first.
"Yes, I’m not exactly sure what happened, and I’ve been aning to test this since earlier, but now that I seem to have been cured from that affliction, I can hold it in for longer."
He moved forward while speaking.
Except when he continued, it wasn’t his own voice that ca out.
It was Sir Uno’s.
"In fact, I’m also noticing that I’m able to polymorph with much greater ease and to a greater extent. Thank you. Thank you so much."
"This wouldn’t have been possible if not for your help."
He was absolutely sincere. It was why he was more than willing to show them all the cards they had always kept hidden.
Sure, they didn’t hide his bloodline ability and told them about it earlier, but in his case, seeing always proved to be a different kind of experience.
Several people jolted in surprise, while Luca kept shaking his head, saying it was all good. After all, the Elven Prince also worked hard by practically hanging on as he was being revived and "examined" (cough, cough).
Prince Elior bowed, and Luca thought maybe he could just explain what really happened to the recovering patient next ti.
"Um, actually, ancient records stated that our ancestors who possessed the sa bloodline ability could even alter their attire to match the target."
"Sounded like a tall tale to . But as embarrassing as that was, I actually tried. Unfortunately, as a branch mber who shouldn’t even have this ability in the first place, I had never succeeded in doing it." shrugged the Elven Prince.
"It could have co in handy, too. Because when we were out there gambling while I pretended to be an adult, we always had to bring a change of clothes similar to those worn by the people we planned on imitating."
"What? Gambling?!" Princess Kira blurted out, scandalized.
Prince Elior looked embarrassed about it, but in truth, the Princess had a different concern.
She couldn’t believe that soone could make money gambling when she simply kept losing wealth because of certain demonic arcade machines!
Could it be possible that her Bunbun was lucky?!
Gasp!
But just as she was about to verify the truth, her eyes widened.
She leaned forward.
And sniffed. Then realized sothing important.
"Your scent," she said slowly. "It’s still the sa!"
Ada, who had been standing beside her, nearly lost balance because Princess Kira had suddenly grabbed her arm as though anchoring herself to reality.
The loyal Orcish aide hesitated but forced herself to ask because she knew that look.
It was the sa look she had whenever she spoke about Prince Silarion’s tale.
So how could she deny the Princess this particular mont?
"Princess... what does His Highness sll like to you?"
"Floral soap!" Kira announced proudly.
Rahil choked.
He physically had to look away because he couldn’t comprehend how Elior, of all beings, could possibly sll like floral soap.
His laughter almost slipped out.
But it died imdiately.
Because the elven Prince smiled gently at his fiancée.
"I’m glad you’re able to differentiate between the scents."
Rahil stopped breathing for a full second.
This day, really.
It was as if the heavens decided he needed to go on one hell of a ride today.
Wasn’t it enough to experience several death-defying monts? Did they still need to add googly eyes into the mix?
Why?!
Unfortunately for him, the heavens elected not to respond. Instead, soone chid in.
"Is it very distinct?" Ollie asked, leaning forward and making an exaggerated sniffing gesture. "Because I don’t think I sll anything."
"It shouldn’t be," Elior replied calmly, finally shifting back into his original form.
"Ideally, those who can polymorph shouldn’t even retain a noticeable scent. It would be counterproductive to the ability. However, historical accounts suggest that Orcs had been capable of detecting the most subtle of differences."
The Elven Prince once again looked over at his fiancée and actually felt great about the fact that she could tell.
That even when he didn’t feel like himself, soone would be able to tell.
She’d be able to tell.
He folded his hands loosely.
"Honestly, that also played a big part in how we survived. Humans couldn’t tell the difference."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But regrettably for us, after earning a modest amount of money through our nightly stints, we had to stop. One day, I just suddenly collapsed."
The mood shifted instantly.
"That was when we accepted sothing was truly wrong with my body. I was in denial at first. I thought I was simply exhausted. But it beca increasingly difficult to maintain my abilities. I could still do it, but not for the sa duration."
Prince Elior grimaced at the mory. It happened years ago but even now it still felt unpleasant to rember.
"As Rahil ntioned earlier, searching for a cure led us nowhere. Eventually, I stopped looking for a solution and instead focused on delaying what seed inevitable."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"And that was when we heard about House Kyros. Specifically, Duke Leander, who was rumored to have managed his own condition for many years."
He looked like he wanted to continue.
But he stopped.
His eyes shifted toward Luca, almost imploring, as though uncertain how much of the next part should be spoken aloud.
The room felt heavy again.
Surprisingly, the golden-eyed being who was really so different from before caught the hesitation imdiately.
"It’s okay," Luca said with a warm smile. "They know about . So you can say it."
The Elven Prince stared before nodding.
Safe to say, Prince Elior did just as he was told.
It was just that, even when they all believed they already knew part of the story...
There were still things capable of surprising them.
Like how intense it really was on planet Kyros when Prince Elior and Rahil finally made it.
And how they were all surprised to learn that it wasn’t really the Duke who was ill but his precious son.
Then again, it wasn’t like they imdiately learned of such truths because it actually took them a solid two years before managing to finally enter the manor.
To be specific, two years and a whole lot of luck.
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