The meeting was about to begin, and they were certain it would go well. When both sides met, they spoke calmly. Elithia sat on her throne on the other side of the hall, a small ice statue of Elaris resting beside her. In front of her stood a young dark elf who appeared to be about nineteen years old. Black spiral lines marked the right side of his face.
This was Sairao, using a body created from the sacrifice of seven thousand dark elves, along with half of the additional sacrifices Elithia had sent him. Everything was proceeding according to what her queen had planned. Volhit stood at her side, watching the alliance function just as smoothly as she had envisioned.
'I expected nothing less from the only person who understands me.'
Sylwen, Elithia's childhood friend and the one who had accompanied Malik in the attack on the base the previous day, observed the meeting with high expectations. With the death of that innocent princess, she still believed in the words her queen had spoken to her at the last moment before they separated. She knew this because she had been there, watching that beautiful massacre unfold. The only thing she disliked slightly was that the cuts had not been perfectly executed. Well, it wasn't her fault if they lacked precision in their cutting skills.
'Speaking of cuts…'
She glanced at Volhit beside her. Without a doubt, he was perfect for her—but it was a pity he always rejected her because of his loyalty to the queen. His magic was ideal for cutting, creating such clean and flawless slices.
'I wish he were mine… what a shame.'
"I don't like him much. He's taking too many toys that could be mine."
"Try not to talk too much and ruin the negotiation, Sylwen."
"As always, so cold with me."
Sairao wanted more sacrifices. His current body was still not stable enough. Seven thousand dark elves had been used, along with half of those Elithia later sent, but there were still flaws. Minor instabilities in mana circulation. Brief moments when the black lines on his face expanded slightly, as if something inside wanted to break free.
"That's why I need more sacrifices, Elithia."
"Calling me by my name as if I… whatever. As long as you do a good job, I can provide more. But in return, give me that locator mage of yours."
She had no intention of strengthening Sairao out of generosity. Every sacrifice sent was calculated. Every body delivered was a piece moved toward a greater objective. Sairao would serve as the primary blade against Elaris. While he demanded more elves to perfect his body, Elithia fed that need because she knew the stronger he became, the greater the chance of eliminating her sister in open war. Both Volhit and Sylwen understood this.
"If you give me enough sacrifices to complete Circle Eight, I might consider it."
They did not particularly appreciate Sairao's attitude. Even though the negotiation had been progressing well—with both sides offering information and exchanging important pieces on the board they had created—his demeanor was sincerely irritating. Elithia maintained a neutral expression; frankly, she had found it more entertaining to speak with Valdir than with this so-called god.
"Fine. We can discuss that later. For now, the agreement is simple: I give you more sacrifices in exchange for direct participation in the main offensive."
"I also agree to that."
Sairao would enter the battlefield when Elaris appeared. The more he helped her win battles, the more sacrifices he would receive.
To Sairao's right, several dark elves knelt. Among them were Valdir and two others in hooded cloaks—one very tall, the other somewhat shorter.
"Excellent. With that settled, perhaps it would be good to negotiate about—"
A thunderous crash echoed outside the castle, shaking everything within. Elithia carefully rose from her throne while Sairao looked out the window. A second tremor interrupted any chance of continuing the meeting; the sheer amount of magic being released made everyone instantly recognize who it was.
"Cavirieth."
Malik, hidden behind a pillar, nodded to Elithia. With a wave of her hand, he vanished to confront the enemy who had opposed him for so many years. Without a doubt, today would be Cavirieth's end—though perhaps this was merely another distraction.
"Today I end you, rat."
Watching her uncle disappear, Elithia noticed other smaller tremors occurring. This was no ordinary attack—it felt like a large-scale assault.
'How did they get in without being detected by the barrier or the hidden guards?'
Since the invasion by that golden-haired boy, her primary strategy had been to reinforce the castle's defenses by creating corrupted elf guards enhanced by the World Tree's rotten shell power.
"They're coming through the center."
"Where? Sairao, send your guards to where they are."
"You heard her."
"Yes, sir."
Sairao showed no irritation at the interruption and remained calm. The black lines on his face shifted slightly. Only Valdir stayed at his side. Moving independently, Sairao headed in a direction alone with Valdir accompanying him.
Elithia did not stop him. If the attack was happening now, someone had anticipated the plan. That meant there had been a leak of information—but who would be foolish enough to betray her?
'Someone betraying me should be impossible.'
Volhit received a message from the location where the prisoners were supposed to be transported. It seemed the voice was about to say more, but it was cut off.
"Someone betrayed us, my queen. It seems our trap was discovered."
Sylwen tilted her head slightly. If someone had attacked before the trap was completed, it meant the plan had been read. She saw Elithia's irritation and Volhit moving to stand guard beside the queen.
'Who could it have been?'
Shaking her head, she joined Volhit in standing guard, while high above them three figures stood on the castle roof, preparing to enter—Enrico, Elaris, and Kai. Their faces were serious, as Elaris herself had told them to take this seriously before the attack began.
'The time has come, sister.'