With the Phoenix flagship severely damaged and temporarily beyond repair, it had to rely on the Enterprise for propulsion. Teclis decided to stay on the Enterprise, and Ryan managed to clear a room for him to give him some privacy. However, Teclis didn't hide away in his quarters. Instead, he often stood on the deck, lost in thought, and no one dared to disturb the Archmage.
When Olica opened the door to find Teclis standing there, she wasn't surprised. Her expression was slightly displeased, but she stepped aside and let him in. "I was just about to tell you something too," she said with a mischievous smile.
Teclis remained at the door, hesitating. "Am I interrupting?" he asked.
"Well, not exactly... but you're not entirely welcome either," Olica replied, still smirking. "Ryan and Lady Suria have some time, but next time, you might want to pick a better time to visit."
"Teclis, come in," Ryan's voice came from inside the room. Teclis glanced at Olica again, noticing her playful and teasing expression. He sighed inwardly, still unable to understand how this dark elf had willingly chosen to serve as Ryan's maid—and how Ryan, of all people, had dared to accept her.
As Teclis entered, he saw Ryan sitting casually on the couch with a faint smile, while Suria looked a bit flustered. Today, Suria was dressed in a short-sleeved, white castle rose dress that highlighted her elegant and mature beauty. Her long, flawless legs were wrapped in silky gray velvet stockings, and she wore adorable bear slippers. Teclis couldn't help but feel that Suria seemed unusually tense.
But that wasn't his concern. Teclis greeted both of them, declining Ryan's offer for wine or tea, and got straight to the point. "Ryan, we are in a rather precarious situation. I'm still uncertain why the undead pirates attacked us, especially since they seemed to target me. But after confirming the presence of the Dark Elves, it's clear that we are all in great danger."
"Is it 'we' or just 'you'?" Ryan replied slowly. The Knight King was dressed in casual clothes—a simple white shirt and brown breeches, without even bothering to tie his leggings.
"Both," Teclis answered seriously. "The High Elves are guardians of the Great Vortex, Ryan. If anything happens to it, the entire world will fall under Chaos's shadow. I'm sure you understand that without the protection and assistance of the High Elves, humanity alone cannot stand against Chaos."
Ryan considered mentioning that his main goal on this journey was to acquire the Phoenix Fire Scroll, but he held back. It would sound too selfish given the circumstances. Instead, he nodded. "You're right."
"We don't know how the undead pirates allied with the Dark Elves, but it's likely driven by either a common goal or mutual benefit. Given that, it's not surprising they would form an alliance," Teclis continued. "That's why we must reach Ulthuan as quickly as possible and prepare for war. I've already sent word to my brother, and he'll come to meet us."
"As thorough as always," Ryan acknowledged. Teclis's ability to analyze situations and come up with the best solution was something Ryan admired but hadn't fully mastered yet. "Teclis, we've discussed this, and it seems like the attack was aimed primarily at you."
"Yes, we're all quite worried about you," Suria added, fidgeting slightly as she hugged a fluffy teddy bear. "It felt like an elaborate plot against you."
"No matter the reason, the attack has already happened. Now, my focus is on returning and ensuring Ulthuan is prepared for the coming conflict," Teclis said calmly. He glanced at Suria before remarking, "Your swordsmanship was quite impressive, Lady Suria. The finest Swordmasters of Hoeth would be hard-pressed to match your skill."
"Thank you, but that technique comes at a high cost. I won't be able to use it again for some time," Suria replied modestly. "Anyway, we're just relieved you're safe. If something had happened to you, we wouldn't know how to explain it to the High Elves."
Ryan's face tightened a bit. After all these days, the power he had transferred to Suria still hadn't fully replenished.
Dear wife, that move of yours really needs to be used more sparingly! You get the thrill, but I'm the one who has to bear the consequences!
"Rest assured, as long as I'm here, my brother won't misunderstand," Teclis replied, though he silently appreciated Lady Suria's attention to detail. Indeed, if something had happened to him, Tyrion would likely have launched a bloody campaign of vengeance, regardless of the target. "So, given the circumstances, can we assume that the alliance between the undead and the Dark Elves was meant to target us from the start? This was an assassination attempt?"
As he spoke, Teclis shifted his gaze from Ryan to Olica, who was standing behind him.
Ryan was about to respond when he felt a sudden weight on his back. Olica, giggling, jumped over the back of the sofa, wrapping her arms around Ryan's neck. She kicked off her high heels, her pale, silk-clad legs gently clinging to Ryan's waist. With a playful smile, the dark elf whispered, "Master, Lady Suria, and you too, Great Archmage of Hoeth—would you like to hear my thoughts on this?"
"Go ahead," Ryan replied, clasping one of Olica's small hands resting on his chest.
"Master, you've all been looking at this wrong," Olica teased, resting her chin on Ryan's right shoulder. "Do you know what would attract the Dark Elves the most?"
"What is it? The Phoenix Court? The White Tower of Hoeth? Lothern or the Great Vortex?" Ryan asked, while Teclis's pupils contracted as he immediately answered, "No, none of those. At least, they're not the Dark Elves' primary objective. What they've always coveted most in Ulthuan is the Sword of Khaine—the Widowmaker—on the Shrine of Khaine in the desolate islands of northern Ulthuan."
"The Sword of Khaine?" Ryan and Suria were confused, but Teclis felt he had just grasped something critical. "Are you saying...?"
"Exactly. And this recent attack—doesn't it send chills down your spine? Although it was a large-scale operation, they didn't send enough forces to truly deal with you, did they?" Olica continued, her voice laced with amusement. "No matter what, a Supreme Archmage like you wouldn't be that easy to eliminate, right? So why only send such a small force?"
"Because the real objective has already been achieved! They've distracted us," Teclis suddenly stood up but quickly sat down again, realizing how rude it was. "Of course! I missed something so simple. Whether this attack succeeded or failed, it was a win for the Dark Elves."
"A feint?" Ryan and Suria exchanged glances before turning back to Teclis, who now understood. "The Dark Elves' attack was a diversion. Their real goal was to draw High Elf forces away from Ulthuan."
Olica's amber eyes gleamed with intelligence before her expression returned to its usual satisfied smile as she lounged on Ryan's back.
"This appeared to be an assassination, but the real purpose was to pull Asur forces away from Ulthuan," Teclis quickly analyzed. "Yes, regardless of success or failure, Tyrion would have mobilized the army for revenge if I'd been harmed. Even if the attack failed, Asur forces would be drawn to Lothern to defend against a possible undead invasion. Either way, the Dark Elves and undead win!"
"So, should we inform the High Elf War Council immediately?" Ryan suggested.
"It's too late," Teclis finally showed a rare flash of emotion—frustration. "By now, the War Council will have already begun moving the main fleet south to Lothern. I know my brother and those in the War Council. Even if I tell them, they won't listen. And even if they did, the logistics of mobilizing armies aren't simple. The Asur's confederation politics prevent frequent orders from the War Council. The other kingdoms would see it as a violation of their autonomy."
"Damn it," Ryan muttered. He realized the Asur's pride wouldn't let them admit they'd been duped. He turned to the dark elf maid lounging on his back. "Olica, why didn't you tell us this earlier?"
"Because, Master, you've been spending all your time with the Lady," Olica pouted, a hint of playful bitterness in her tone. "I could barely find a moment to talk to you. And when I finally did, this so-called Supreme Archmage showed up."
"Ahem...," Teclis cleared his throat awkwardly.
"If you'd included me in your little game with the Lady yesterday, I would've told you much sooner," Olica teased, licking her lips. "And I could tell you much more too~."
"Ahem, ahem!" Teclis coughed even louder as Suria's face turned bright red. She quickly buried her face in her teddy bear, while Ryan looked equally embarrassed. "Olica, why are you saying this now?"
"Anyway, Master, the truth is that for the Dark Elves,
they all believe the Sword of Khaine will grant them the power to destroy their cousins," Olica continued, brushing off the awkwardness as she nuzzled her head against Ryan's neck. "For them, reclaiming Ulthuan starts with seizing the Sword of Khaine. But I'll tell you a little secret."
Everyone's attention was focused on Olica as she finally revealed, in a sweet, teasing voice, "Our Witch King is overestimating himself. The Sword of Khaine will only grant power to someone Khaine favors. Not just anyone who gets their hands on it will become an invincible Elario. Yet the Witch King always believes he can be the one."
"And in reality?" Ryan asked, intrigued.
"In reality, Khaine has no interest in the Witch King. He's too cold, too rational. Khaine doesn't like that. He favors warriors who are passionate, emotional, and reckless—someone like the good Archmage's brother, for example, who's both handsome and fierce," Olica giggled. "The God of Murder despises logic and loves hot-headed warriors who revel in the art of slaughter. Master, you're far too rational for his taste."
"And what about Angron?" Ryan pressed, curious.
"That one's too ugly. Khaine wouldn't be interested," Olica replied nonchalantly. "Besides, I said Khaine loves refined killing arts, not mindless brute force. Fugen, your brother, might be more to his liking—except he's also too calm and calculating."
"Understood," Teclis concluded. "Thank you for the warning. I'll relay this information to the War Council at once."
"Hmph! If it weren't for my Master, I wouldn't have bothered telling you," Olica grumbled. "Now that you've got what you came for, you can leave. You're interrupting my playtime with Master, Teclis!"
"Olica!" Suria, flushed with embarrassment, buried her face deeper into her teddy bear while Ryan awkwardly chimed in, "Olica, this isn't the time for—"
"No, it's fine," Teclis interrupted, coughing again. He suddenly felt as though he'd seen this scene before.
Wait a minute! Isn't this just like that time I walked in on my brother with the Everqueen and her handmaiden, Estrynar? The thought made Teclis uncomfortable, and he quickly rose to his feet. "I won't bother you any longer."
After Teclis left, Ryan pulled Olica into his lap and kissed her cheek. "Olica, are you still hiding something? Tell me everything!"
"Master has to kiss me again, but this time here!" Olica pointed to her lips.
After a passionate Bretonnian kiss, Olica finally whispered, "Master, I've already told you that Khaine has no interest in the Witch King. But there is a powerful deity who admires him greatly."
"Who is it?"
"You'll have to include me in your games with the Lady next time, and then I'll tell you," Olica purred teasingly.
"Olica, you and Ryan can play on your own!" Suria, blushing furiously, playfully hit both Ryan and Olica with her teddy bear. "Leave me out of it."
"We'll see about that!"
---
More than a week later, the combined human-High Elf fleet finally reached the waters off the coast of Ulthuan.
There, the High Elf fleet awaited them, ready to escort them ashore.
Leading the welcoming party was none other than the Warden of the War Council, Tyrion himself, standing proudly at the prow of one of the Phoenix ships.
As the Phoenix ships approached, Tyrion boarded the Enterprise. It was his first time seeing a Dwarven ironclad, and he was intrigued, itching to draw the Sunfang to test the strength of the obsidian cannons. But Teclis and the others had already arrived to greet him.
"You've worked hard, Teclis," Tyrion said, his posture straight and his presence commanding. With his chiseled features and aura of strength, he instantly became the center of attention. "And to the humans, welcome to Ulthuan, the home of the Asur. It is a rare honor for you to set foot on this sacred land. Remember, this is your privilege, and I trust you will respect our laws and traditions."
"Welcome, King Ryan of Bretonnia, and you as well, Lord Fugen."
"Welcome to Ulthuan. Whatever you see from now on, don't be surprised."
Ryan and Fugen exchanged glances, both wearing the same practiced diplomatic smile.
"Heh."
"Of course not."
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