The rulers leaving had already recovered their spies and citizens who had been imprisoned here in Verdant Spire.
The exchanges happened quietly in the background with minimal fuss as attendants guided freed prisoners toward their different respective rides.
Including Ragna, whom I had ntally scolded Elara for arresting in the first place, my thoughts sharp and protective as I watched the red-haired warrior rejoin her group with a stiff nod in my direction.
Renard, Izra, and Seraphina only waved casually from the entrance of the grand hall before anyone departed, their figures shimring for a brief mont before they teleported away in a soft ripple of air that left behind only faint traces of sparkling light fading into the warm daylight.
Izra, whom I had thought was like a pal to after our earlier interactions, seed to be glaring at with dark, narrowed eyes as she vanished.
For hurting Renard during that brief clash in the Higher Realm, I guess.
She seems to worship the guy completely, her protective stance clear even in that final glance.
Dynamis walked with heavy, deliberate steps toward a giant flying... thing waiting patiently in the open clearing at the bottom of the wide vine-covered stairs.
It was green and massive, its body covered in thick, scaled hide that shimred like polished jade under the sunlight.
It was also having sothing like a broad beak that blended seamlessly together with its green body, giving it an almost draconic yet distinctly ogre-like appearance.
{Answer: that is a type of Earth Drake, Master}
I heard drakes were kind of like dragons, so...
Its arms were kind of webbed to its powerful legs, creating wide, leathery wings like those of a bat stretched taut over sturdy bones.
The mbranes were pulsing faintly with each slow breath the creature took.
Actually, the beast was majestic in its own raw way, making realize again with a quiet internal jolt; I was in another world, huh?
One where such creatures existed as natural mounts for rulers.
"As agreed," Dynamis turned to with stern dark eyes, her burly arms crossed over her broad chest as she stood beside the massive green flyer, "You will visit Goliathens first?"
This girl... She’s too uptight.
Was she trying to prove sothing to soone?
Her posture rigid and unyielding as if every word carried the weight of her entire kingdom.
"Yes, I will co there next week with a companion," I replied to her, keeping my tone even while eting her gaze directly, "You’ll show how beautiful your land is?"
"Will do."
She, along with Ragna, so pretty, more slender but still large ogre with smooth depth red skin and delicate horns, and another burly ogre whose muscles rippled under his rough hide, all climbed onto their ride.
The giant green beast spread its webbed wings with a powerful whoosh of air that stirred the nearby flowers and grass, then launched itself upward with a deep, resonant flap that echoed off the surrounding ironwood trunks.
As for Mótsognir; he nearly sexually harassed as he passed, his thick hand coming this close to grabbing my ass in a playful but bold swipe, his bushy reddish-brown beard twitching with a grin.
But Sakura entered a serious verbal argunt with him, her sharp amber eyes flashing as she stepped between us with her kiseru pipe raised like a warning.
"Rember, Steelwood is next!" He bood as he made his way to the winged unicorns that were harnessed to a fancy sleigh.
The sleigh itself was crafted from polished dark wood inlaid with glowing runes and silver filigree.
Its runners were curved elegantly like frozen waves, pulled by four majestic winged unicorns whose coats glead pure white with manes flowing like liquid silver.
It’s massive feathered wings were folded neatly against their flanks while their horns spiraled upward in perfect symtry,l.
And the entire contraption was hovering slightly above the soft grass of the park-like clearing.
Pfft.
So he was Santa Claus now?
The image almost made snort out loud as I watched him clamber aboard with surprising agility for his round fra.
I nodded as he and his entourage flew away, the winged unicorns beating their powerful wings and lifting the sleigh smoothly into the bright sky, leaving behind a trail of sparkling motes that slowly dissipated.
As for the Elven empress; she paid a short, graceful glance, stopping just before entering the ornate chariot tied to large deep green bison-like beasts with bat wings.
The chariot itself was a masterpiece of elven craftsmanship — slender golden fras carved with flowing leaf patterns, sheer silken canopies fluttering in the breeze, and wheels that seed to hover just above the ground on cushions of soft light.
The bison-like beasts stood tall and proud, their deep green hides rippling with muscle, massive bat-like wings folded against their sides, and curved horns adorned with delicate silver chains.
{Master, those are Chthonic Lamassi.}
Chthonic Lamassi, Bat-winged bisons, I only hear the sa thing.
"We never got to speak together, Benjamin Mark," the Elf’s soft womanly voice carried clearly across the short distance, warm and inviting as she stood beside the chariot.
Her long elegant ears twitched slightly while her light green hair swayed in its neat ponytail and delicate glasses perched on her nose. "I am more interested in you after all I have heard and seen. Please, I await your arrival in Amaranthyst."
I bowed a little in respect and agreent, my body dipping forward smoothly while keeping my eyes lowered for a respectful mont.
Then she stepped into the chariot and flew away too, the bison-beasts spreading their bat wings with a powerful surge that sent a gust of wind rippling across the clearing.
Wait, was I suddenly being regarded with so kind of respect?
Because I fought with Renard in that higher realm and ca back in one piece?
What a contrast it is to the forr eting, where I was stripped off of my clothes, mocked openly and called a woman in n’s clothing, and treated like a pet passed around for amusent...
W-Wait, only Titania did those things to !
The mory brought a small, wry twist to my lips as I shook my head lightly.
Anyway, Belladova, the Elf’s na, seems like a nice lady.
At least, we won’t start out on a bad leg... I hope, her gentle glance lingering in my mind as her chariot disappeared into the distance.
Looking elsewhere, I saw a large red bird--the largest thing I had seen in this world, only slightly larger than Auralis (I think maybe Auralis can adjust her size when needed, though):
Its feathers blazed like living flas in shades of crimson and gold, its wings spanning wide enough to cast temporary shadows over the park-like clearing.
And its eyes were glowing with ancient intelligence as it perched regally on a specially grown platform of intertwined branches.
Was this what they called...?
{Affirmative: this is a Phoenix, a fire elental bird that has been in existence for millions of years.}
Eh?!
Such a being is Sakura’s ride?!
Sakura’s pride sure knows no limits.
I wondered, as I watched the woman approach the majestic creature with effortless grace, her pink hair catching the sunlight while she stroked one claw along its fiery plumage.
Ah, Titania’s ride was a cute small carriage, tied to a pretty purple horse straight out of a kid’s cartoon.
Its mane was flowing in soft pastel waves and its hooves sparkling with tiny stars.
The carriage itself painted in vibrant hues with whimsical carvings of butterflies and flowers.
Almost as if it stepped out of a children’s storybook.
The animation style was even different from our own.
{Master, this is a novel.}
***
Well, now that all the leaders were gone... I had a lot of questions to ask the queens that remained.
Sakura was now standing next to Elara as if they’ve been friends for years.
And heck, they looked so lovely, together in that mont: their contrasts only made it more striking, where Sakura was all pink Shishi-no-su energy with her sharp amber eyes and elegant pipe.
And Elara was all dark gothic forest-dweller with muscles, her stance strong and grounded like the ancient trees surrounding us.
So cool!
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