Chapter 117. Briefing
Li Wen was completely immersed in surprise of a different kind. She hadn’t expected that the high elf she had chanced upon was a member of this kingdom’s royal family, nor that the seemingly frail individual was the legendary Princess Victoria.
Victoria, unaware that she had become a legend, looked at Li Wen and said with a slight smile, “I didn’t expect to meet you again here, strange young lady.”
“You know each other?” Marymana asked, surprised.
“No,” Li Wen replied, not wanting any connection with the royal family of the Kingdom of Arthur, especially Princess Victoria.
“We met briefly on the way to Mitreton College,” Victoria explained, her gaze still lingering on Li Wen from time to time.
Her gaze was not malicious, but Li Wen didn’t particularly like it.
“I’m going to check on Harik.”
Moria spoke then, realizing that the conversation had gone beyond his scope as a foreigner.
Although Arthur was a great nation that believed in Glor, and the current Queen had undergone the ritual of Glor’s baptism and was a devout believer, as the Eldest Son of the Holy See, it was not problematic for him to overhear some internal matters of the kingdom’s royal family. However, some things were simply not appropriate.
“And who is this?”
The princess’s gaze landed on Moria at the opportune moment. Moria, the Eldest Son of the Holy See, was clearly not a person with no presence. Even if he said nothing, his mere presence was enough to attract attention.
“This is Moria,” Selwin said, pausing briefly as if realizing his description was too brief. He added, “A Holy See Knight worthy of respect.”
The Holy See?
Victoria’s eyes shifted slightly. She looked Moria up and down, her pure golden pupils revealing interest and a hint of something else. “So that’s how it is. I’ve never met a Holy See Knight before.”
“Greetings, Your Highness,” Moria replied, neither servile nor overbearing. “I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”
With that, he left the room.
Li Wen also stood up, exchanged a glance with Marymana, and said, “I’ve said all I can,” before leaving.
There was no significant reaction from the others to their departure.
Selwin poured more tea for the princess and her attendants and casually remarked, “It’s rather unusual for Highness Victoria to leave the Holy White Hall and visit Leicester alone.”
“I just wanted to relax and see the outside world. And I’m not alone; Lance has been following me all along, not a moment apart.”
Victoria picked up the small, exquisite teacup and took a sip. She closed her eyes in comfort, her two pointed elf ears twitching slightly.
She returned to the present and said regretfully, “It’s a shame I couldn’t meet Mr. Echiborne on this trip. That’s a bit of a regret.”
“The Guild Master is attending a magical society seminar in Sigfrin. If Your Highness really wants to meet him, you only need to wait a short while.”
How long was a short while for a high elf? A year? Two years?
Marymana really wanted the conversation to get back on track. Victoria must have come all the way from the capital for an important reason, not as a flimsy excuse as “relaxing.” Perhaps this matter was related to the “Sage Ovum Sheath” that Li Wen had mentioned earlier.
“Personally, I don’t have any objections, but after being out for too long, my mother would surely worry,” Victoria said with a light laugh, changing the subject and looking at Marymana. “I wonder if Master Goudmell is well.”
Is it finally coming? Marymana’s spirits lifted.
“My teacher is well and is currently on the Ozta in Talanis. Would Your Highness be interested in visiting?”
“That’s good,” Victoria said, her slender fingers gently stroking the teacup. “As for visiting, I’ll have to wait until I have time later… Actually, before I left, my mother entrusted me with an important item to bring back to the palace. While it’s not necessary, since it’s my mother’s order, I must do my best to fulfill it.”
Marymana and Selwin held their breath.
“Have you heard of the ‘Sage Ovum Sheath’?” Victoria asked calmly, her golden eyes devoid of any unnecessary emotion.
*
Li Wen walked out of the tea room and, as expected, saw Moria as soon as she turned her head.
“Is everything Miss Mephistopheles said true?”
“You can choose not to believe it,” Li Wen replied casually. She had cast her bait, and even if it involved using Marymana, the harm caused by not saying anything might be greater than the potential harm of saying it. She had simply chosen a suitable time to speak.
Moria shook his head. “I’m not referring to that… Even with the slightest possibility, I would choose to believe Miss Mephistopheles. I mean, is everything for Miss Mephistopheles finished?”
Li Wen was speechless. She couldn’t understand the reason behind the Eldest Son of the Holy See saying this. Was it to please her? That was impossible.
Analyzing his personality and character…
“Because you can’t afford to gamble?”
“Yes, I can’t afford to gamble,” Moria said earnestly. “If my momentary hesitation or delay causes unnecessary pain or death, that is not what I wish to see.”
“Are you going to wade into this muddy water?”
Li Wen understood his implied meaning, and it was not surprising, fitting his character perfectly.
Moria nodded slightly. “That’s why I wanted to ask Miss Mephistopheles if your matters are finished. If they are not, you can continue to deal with them. If they are finished, then I can only apologize and say that my return to Canaan may have to be delayed.”
Is that so? That would be wonderful.
Li Wen hoped Moria would be delayed as long as possible, preferably living in Leicester and not interfering with her affairs.
But this was clearly unrealistic. Once this matter was over, Moria would likely insist on taking her back to Canaan.
“During these days, Miss Mephistopheles…”
“Just call me Mephistopheles.”
Calling her “Miss” repeatedly, although Li Wen didn’t particularly care, still felt somewhat off.
Moria paused and rephrased, “Then, during these days, Mephistopheles… if you have nothing else to do, please stay by my side.”
Hearing this, Li Wen said expressionlessly, “Does the cultivation of the Holy See include restricting other people’s personal freedom?”
“Not at all,” Moria said softly. “I just feel… that the matter of the ‘Sage Ovum Sheath’ is far more complicated than it seems.”
