Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The densest darkness fell upon the Frozen Fortress and the Ocean of Acids, serving as the curtain of a stage for the new Prince of Demons. Roars of pain, wrath, hate and bloodthirst were still echoing in the void. They sounded like a melody of chaos and slaughter that was written in the Dark Dialect to pay tributes to Gonheim for ascending the throne.
On another level of abyss, at the certain of the desert where countless strange spectres had died, stood an enormous palace that was made of many gigantic bones. On the top of the palace, an illusionary monster in black cloak was floating and looking in the direction of the ocean of acids. Its face was so dry and withered that there was only the skin left, but flames were vaguely burning inside the pale, hollow eyes.
The interaction between the Scarlet Plain and the Abyssal Stomach was over, and Gonheim did not do anything else. For him, fighting Lucien, Natasha and Malfurion at this moment was meaningless. Having just swallowed the ‘core’ of the former Prince of Demons, he had received the grace and ‘feedback’ of the abyss and successfully reached the peak of legendary. Now was the time for him to stabilize himself. Starting a reckless battle would only give an opportunity to the other Demon Lords who were covetous.
Seeing that he had already advanced, Lucien did not intend to break into the Frozen Fortress, either, partly because the Demogorgon of Darkness was close to demigod, and partly because what was behind the scheme forced him to be prudent. Also, the change of Prince of Demons was not a threat to the Congress for now, unless the elvish queen had been completely inclined to the abyss, which was absolutely impossible. It wasn’t a problem to work with and take advantage of those people, but nobody would ever forge a long-term alliance with the murderous and treacherous demons.
The cold, dark ocean and the iced fortress disappeared in the sky, and the Scarlet Plain was back to normal, except for the broken and burning corpses of demons on the ground.
Looking at what was left of the Sovereign of Blood, who failed to carry out effective defense due to the affection of the Sword of Truth, Malfurion was lost for words for a long time. The Arrow of Nature that suddenly shot out of the altar made him understand a lot of things. He felt very complicated.
“So, the Demogorgon of Darkness was behind everything. I wonder how he won the trust of the Prince of Demons…” Putting back the Shield of Truth which had cracks on the surface, Natasha looked at the sky which had turned blue after the dust was cleared by ‘Eternal Blaze’. The pure sunlight was particularly comfortable.
Lucien shook his head in amusement. “There’s no way I can tell what’s on the chaotic demons’ mind. Perhaps, Gonheim found the weakness in the heart of the Prince of Demons. However, what we should be wary of is the clue behind this incident. It seems that Viken had really secretly spread the way to become a demigod to the legends that he carefully selected. As a result, it’s not hard to imagine that the situation will be extremely complicated due to the intense competitions. Countless schemes and slaughter must be brewing at this moment.”
Perhaps, some legendary sorcerers within the Congress had received it!
Their conversation was not conducted through telepathic bond but openly, informing Malfurion of the information.
“Yes. The arrangement of the altar, the pollution of the elvish tree, and the corruption of elves are similar to the transformation circles inside the Realm of Gates. However, what if it wasn’t done by Pope Viken but by Monster Viken?” Said Natasha with a smile. She had learnt everything about the Realm of Gates from Lucien.
After a long silence, Malfurion suddenly opened his mouth. “Are you suggesting that the queen cooperated with the Demogorgon of Darkness, conspired against the Prince of Demons, and transformed her status with his scheme?”
“That should be the case.” Lucien nodded without offering any comment. He looked around, only to discover that most of the remains of the Sovereign of Blood and the Prince of Demons had lost activity under ‘Eternal Blaze’. He could only pick a few pieces that could be used as experiment materials.
On their way back to the abyssal gap, Natasha said in the telepathic bond, “The elvish queen must be planning to become a demigod. Would she pose a threat to the Congress and the kingdom?”
If she was a potential danger, she should be dealt with as soon as possible!
“The elvish queen must’ve transformed her status and grasped the tricks in it. However, to become a demigod in Viken’s way, one has to reap the power of faith. Considering the population of elves, her only choice is to expand. However, it is easier for her to succeed through nature’s feedback and natural divine powers, which are closer to her essence. Also, the Congress is more powerful than the sea clans. It’s not hard to predict which direction of expansion she will choose.” Lucien analyzed.
Natasha nodded. “The sea clans have only one top legend, and the Congress has four. As long as the elvish queen’s mind is not blinded by negative feelings, she will certainly make the right choice. Besides, the ocean is a part of nature, and a very large one, for that matter. However, after the elvish queen does become a demigod, would she still retain the partnership with us?”
“Even though the odds of success and the potential dangers of this path are ignored, by the time she gathers enough power of faith for her advancement, arcana must’ve been developed to the point that it can afford a real path to the demigod level which carries no risks!” Lucien sounded calm and confident.
Natasha smiled and did not ask more. Then, she became solemn. “In such an age of conflict and rapid development, I cannot be content with turning into a legendary knight. I need to work harder!”
Then, she clenched her fist. “I’ll certainly catch up to you and restore our roles back to normal!”
Lucien smiled back at her with obvious ‘provocation’.
……
Hardly had they returned to Nature’s Residence when Lucien, Natasha and Malfurion heard the beautiful and clear voice of the elvish queen. Two honorable guests, thank you for your contributions to the elves. You’ve found the real culprit, Lankshear, and vindicated Ferragond. Please come to meet me in the Royal Palace.”
Lucien and Natasha looked at each other and both sensed the elvish queen’s kindness. In the meantime, they paid close attention to the defense of the place, ready to return to ‘Atomic Universe’ at the first anomaly.
Malfurion flew in the lead in silence. It was not until they reached the palaces on the top of the elvish tree that he looked better.
The palaces were exquisite but not extravagant. Atlant, Jurisian, Felipe, Heidi and the other sorcerers had been seated.
Ferragond did not join in, using his wound as an excuse. However, after his feelings of hate were unveiled and eliminated, his hostility against humans had been weakened. ‘Nature’s Abhorrence’ would probably turn into ‘Nature’s Protection’.
Aglaea, the elvish queen, was still wearing the dress made of green leaves. She rose with a smile, “Allow me to express my gratitude on behalf of all elves.”
Seeing that her slim figure was more or less blurry, Lucien and Natasha secretly nodded. She had indeed completed the status transformation. Since she was unable to control the new status perfectly, she looked somewhat abnormal. However, the fact that she revealed the abnormality openly suggested her attitude of honesty and cooperation.
“Mr. Evans, Mr. Forman, here are two fruits of the elvish tree. You must take them. Even the most precious gift cannot compare to the gratitude in our heart.” Said the elvish queen to Lucien and Atlant, before she brought out two green boxes made of twigs. Vague fragrance could be smelled from inside. After only one sniff, Lucien already felt that all the pores on his body had been opened.
Arcelion and Malfurion opened their mouth, subconsciously trying to stop it, because it took a very long time for the elvish tree to yield fruits, and it could yield few at a time. Also, the fruits had a lot of usages. There were only three of them left in the royal treasury, and two of them had been given away!
However, both of them contained their urge. Whatever was behind the incident, it was true that the sorcerers of the Congress ‘saved’ the elves.
Lucien politely accepted the box and thanked the queen. With the fruits of the elvish tree as well as the Fountain of Youth, it would be possible for him to establish a ritual that Natasha and he could use at the same time!
After the two legendary sorcerers accepted their gifts, and the other sorcerers received different gifts from Iristine, the elvish queen smiled again, “Mr. Evans, we were never able to learn the updates of arcana development until the Stroop forest was covered by ‘Arcana Voice’. Many elves are quite interested in it.”
The innovative program that did not disagree with the elves’ daily life was quite popular among them.
“It’s my honor.” Replied Lucien with a smile, who had guessed where the elvish queen was getting at.
Aglaea nodded her head. “We the elves are never a stubborn, conservative people, and we have been learning the advantages of other civilizations. Therefore, I will not forbid their interest in arcana and magic. On the contrary, I would like them to study in Allyn. In doing so, we will really learn arcana and eliminate our misunderstanding about human beings.”
“Your Majesty, we can learn from each other. You can select a party of elves to come to study arcana or magic in Allyn, and we can choose some humans to study natural divine powers in the Stroop forest, or let the sorcerers who are interested in elves’ naturally-endowed abilities to live in the forest.” Lucien thought for a moment and proposed in amusement. Was it some sort of exchange of international students?
Thinking for a moment, Aglaea said with a delightful smile. “What an excellent suggestion. Iristine, you will go to study in Allyn on behalf of the Elvish Court.”
“Me?” Iristine was more or less stunned.
Aglaea’s smile was gone. She said solemnly, “Although you are a druid, it’s not a bad thing for you to learn arcana. It will help you better understand the secrets of nature.”
In the telepathic bond, Natasha smiled. “It seems that the elvish queen intends to deepen the cooperation with the Congress.”
A hostage to us. Lucien was quite satisfied with that. He rose and asked, “Your Majesty, the elves boast a long history and much knowledge. So, I would like to ask you if you know any place where I can obtain legendary space-time materials?”
It was the second purpose of his trip.
