"Woo woo woo~" The dark elf, dressed in a typical high elf maid outfit—a simple style consisting of a white, ruffled apron over a plain white long dress—was restrained from any accidental exposure. Apart from the headscarf and the ribbon at the back, there were no extra decorations. Furious, the dark elf swung back and forth in the air, struggling. She had only intended to tidy up the villa and set a few defensive enchantments.
However, when she opened the door to the master bedroom, the Lady of the Lake was already sitting on the bed, smiling as she watched her. Without a moment's hesitation, the goddess raised her hand, casting a powerful holy light seal on her. Although Olica tried to resist, she soon discovered that the entire villa had already been imprinted with a massive magic formation by the Lady of the Lake. Despite her own strength, she was no match for it and ended up hanging from the hall's beam, completely immobilized.
Today, the beautiful elven Moon Goddess chose not to appear in her divine form but rather retained her elegant appearance as the Lady of the Lake. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall over the sofa. She wore a long, silken dress with a half-crescent moon design. The daring slit on the dress revealed her long, slender legs in semi-sheer pink and white stockings, accentuated by her ivory peep-toe heels, glistening under the villa's magical lights.
Her every gesture exuded an untouchable elegance mixed with a subtle allure and charm.
"Milady!" Ryan hurried in, concerned for Olica's well-being. Seeing him enter, the dark elf struggled harder, her long legs wrapped in opaque white tights kicking in the air as her hands and feet remained bound. Her embarrassment was obvious—this was the first time she had been humiliated since following Ryan.
"Enough, I didn't bully your Olica." The Lady of the Lake gave a faintly displeased look upon seeing Ryan's concern. "I'm only leaving her there for a while. I didn't harm her."
"Please, my Lady, let Olica down. What happened?" Sulia interjected, surprised but pleased to see the goddess in person. "Why put her in such a situation?"
"Hmph, she was preparing to cast protective spells everywhere, unaware that Hoeth Sword Masters are extremely sensitive to dark magic. She thought she was helping Ryan, but in reality, she was endangering him!" The goddess crossed her arms, explaining. "I had to teach her a lesson!"
"Woo woo woo!" Olica spun angrily in midair.
"Don't think I'm joking, Ryan." The Lady of the Lake's tone turned grave. "Lately, it's unusual for Asuryan to monitor all of Osuan actively. One wrong move, and it could lead to a catastrophe!"
"Then why are you here, Milady?" Ryan carefully lowered Olica with a psychic force, catching her as she muttered furiously, "Master! She just used this as an excuse to torment me!"
"For some unknown reason, Asuryan's seal restricting deities from entering the mortal realm has loosened. I'm the only one allowed to enter." The Lady of the Lake ignored Olica's glares, opening her fan delicately. "Asuryan certainly knows of my arrival but remains silent."
The fan bore the words: "The stars once obeyed our will."
"Welcome, Milady. You're more than welcome to stay with us." Sulia clasped her hand warmly, excited at the Lady's arrival. "Please, show us around Lothern!"
"What else would I be here for?" The goddess raised one of her elegant feet, lightly tapping Ryan's trousers. "Well, Ryan, do you welcome me?"
"Of course you're welcome. I wanted to discuss the upcoming plans." Ryan sighed, knowing she'd stir up trouble immediately upon arrival—it was typical of her.
"Just a simple welcome?" She tapped him on the head with her fan. "I took a risk coming here for you, and this is how you respond, as my chosen champion and betrothed?"
"Well, as my fiancée, you've already stirred up quite a storm. I'm more worried that your antics might jeopardize our plans before we succeed." Ryan turned to Olica, who nodded in furious agreement. "Exactly, Master."
Despite this, the Lady of the Lake's presence was vital to Ryan's mission, and he could hardly turn her away. Sulia was thrilled, while Olica, grumbling, went off to prepare dinner, leaving the goddess, Ryan, and Sulia to discuss their plans.
Ryan relayed his recent encounter with Fenuba, sharing his thoughts. "The issue is how to enter the inner city and reach the Flame Island's main temple in Asuryan's pyramid."
"The inner city and the main temple... I'll need some time to figure this out." The goddess reclined, crossing her legs, unconcerned that the high slit in her dress revealed her shapely, stockinged legs. "Ryan, you do realize you're playing with fire here. Don't think that your strength alone allows you to disregard Asuryan's domain. Inside his Phoenix Realm, a couple of divine spells could end both you and Fugen in seconds."
"I know. I need a solution." Ryan looked frustrated, knowing full well the peril but willing to face it for Saint Gilles.
"I'll need a week or two to work out a plan." She shook her head.
Ryan wasn't surprised. He chuckled, "Meeting Fenuba today, I finally understand why he's stayed in Lothern since his coronation."
"Fenuba is actually quite ambitious," the goddess noted as she smoothed her waterfall-like golden hair. "But he lacks the strength to match it. He's smart enough to rely on his childhood friends, Tyrion and Teclis, to support his rule. He also knows precisely where his power base lies."
"Who supports Fenuba?" Ryan asked.
"Lothern's noble elves spent a thousand years to ensure the ascension of a locally born Phoenix King. Over a thousand years of bribes, loans, court intrigues, impeachments, at least seventy political maneuvers, and a dozen public duels—all for a consensus to find a Phoenix King who could steer Osuan out of its decline."
"The Age of Exploration that Fenuba launched?" Sulia pointed out. "The high elves realized that they couldn't keep declining like this."
"The six-hour workday policy," Sulia added with a sigh, "certainly raised public happiness and satisfaction, but it also skyrocketed labor costs and created massive unemployment and industry shifts. Even the curtains in the Phoenix King's palace are made from silk produced in Nuer."
Ryan gave his wife a delighted kiss, pleased that his teachings were sinking in.
"Haha~ Smart as always, Sulia. The Asur know they can't live off their legacy forever. Fenuba's brought them global markets and raw materials." The Lady of the Lake nodded approvingly. "And that's why he was elected. Osuan needed fresh, young allies. Fenuba's advantage is being that lucky break."
She shot Ryan a teasing look, her green eyes gleaming over her fan. "Like Davout."
Ryan rolled his eyes, knowing the matter with Davout wasn't entirely her fault. They had planned to establish a "Grail Guard" to inspire serfs with the chance to be blessed by the Grail, thus invigorating them and pressuring the nobles into action.
"It's not the situation Fenuba wanted; he's stuck, unable to leave Osuan and unable to control the Phoenix Court." Ryan mused, "Tyrion and Teclis are wielding all the military and political power."
Ryan understood that it was an age-old struggle between the crown and the council, one that played out time and again.
For high elves, true unity was exceptionally difficult.
War could bring them together, but outside of it, high elves cherished autonomy and democracy. Elven lords, once established, found themselves surrounded by rebellious noble subordinates, often with armies several times the size of their lord's due to the militia system. High elf nobles, fixated on bloodlines and destiny, held deep-seated family pride.
Elven merchants were well-armed traders, monopolizing markets and often resisting their lords. And dealing with the multitude of elven organizations, guilds, and temples could be more daunting than facing an enemy.
"Most challenging of all, the Asur despise violence as a solution, preferring negotiation, political maneuvering, alliances, and marriages. Dueling is only a last resort." The Lady of the Lake chuckled, "If you let Olica solve it, she'd just say to kill everyone who disagrees. But in Osuan, murder could get a prince exiled, so it can take centuries to subdue a kingdom's forces."
"Fenuba has it tough," Ryan sighed. High elf nature made unity elusive.
"Prepare yourselves. Tyrion's war council meetings won't proceed as quickly as you'd like," the Lady remarked casually. "You'll have to wait."
Ryan sighed heavily. Elves were in no hurry and seldom died of old age. They aged gracefully but often faced a warrior's fate, with few living long lives in a dark world of ceaseless conflict.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the villa door. The Lady of the Lake gestured to Ryan to answer it, pulling Sulia along. "Come on, Sulia, let's check out the master bedroom. Tonight, we're sharing it. Ryan, the guest room is all yours!"
With Sulia following the Lady, Olica in the kitchen, Ryan opened the door.
An elven attendant stood there holding several rolls of toilet
paper. Maintaining a respectful stance, he spoke courteously. "Your Majesty, we have brought you toilet paper. This is for cleaning after... relieving oneself. Would you like a demonstration on how to use it?"
"...No, I know how," Ryan replied, barely restraining his irritation as he took the rolls and prepared to close the door.
"Please wait, Your Majesty!" The attendant insisted. "Let me finish, Your Majesty."
"Alright. Go on," Ryan said, holding back his annoyance.
"One sheet is all you need each time. Just one sheet!" The elf handed him a sign in human language reading, "Please conserve paper!"
Ryan felt his blood boil.
This is for Saint Gilles!
For Saint Gilles!
Everyone loves Saint Gilles!
Ryan forced a smile. "Thank you. Yes, please conserve paper, Asur."
"Would you also like a demonstration on how to use the toilet?" the attendant asked.
"No, thank you." Ryan barely held back from tossing him into Lothern's bay.
"Very well, enjoy your stay!"
After sunset, deep in Lothern's darkened palace, only a lone mirror shimmered. In it, the armored figure of Malekith, Witch King of Naggaroth, floated.
"Have you confirmed it?" he asked.
"Yes, the humans were invited by the false Phoenix Court. They arrived with two ironclad ships and a band of dwarves. They look like those little bearded men," the shadows whispered.
"Dwarves? How could they set foot in Osuan?" Malekith's surprise was palpable. "Yes, dwarves. They're in the foreign quarter, working on repairs."
"Strange. These humans must have influence. It's been ages since dwarves set foot here." Malekith's voice held an unusual tone, yet the shadow dared not comment, knowing the Witch King's temperament.
"Leave the humans and dwarves be." Malekith commanded, "Your task is to track the false court's army movements and convey all to our temporary allies."
"Understood, Your Majesty." Despite their reservations about working with the undead, the Druchii had learned obedience over millennia.
"And prepare yourselves," Malekith ordered. "My mother's ritual is ready. We await only our allies' distraction of the vortex."
"And then the Keeper and an entire legion shall descend! I shall reward you with honor and a higher rank."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
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