Chapter 423: 40. The Lustful One
“Oi oi, this is truly an unexpected welcome, truly unexpected.”
Expectations were dashed as the Prime of the Chuan Kingdom was not a subhuman race, but a white-haired old man in dark robes. He hunchbacked his way into the courtyard, even shorter than Lu An beside him, but still walked swiftly to the front, clasping his hands to greet Hela and the others behind her, including Tang Zeming Asuka, who looked to be about Lu Ming’s age.
Hela waved her hands with a smile, left and right, appearing benevolent as she observed, but she did not speak. Fisher intended to step forward, but Gouwen had already moved ahead to offer greetings, exchanging pleasantries and introducing members from both sides.
The old man in front was called Xiong, a native of the Chuan Kingdom, who had been the Prime for many years.
According to Gouwen’s introduction, elf factions generally do not invite humans to hold important positions, let alone the role of a country’s Prime. The reason, of course, relates to rank and status, but the crux of the matter is longevity.
Elves live for a very long time; the talents they need should not be fleeting like humans, who are as transient as morning dew. Therefore, elves in other factions prefer longevity races, the most famous being a nation named “Wutong” close to the World Tree, where the monarchs are a pair of twins, “Wu” and “Tong,” and their Prime is a Phoenix Race, which involves a tale from long ago.
When Fisher heard Gouwen’s explanation, he pressed further to learn that the current Phoenix Prime had been dismissed in favor of a different race, and the tale is as follows:
The rulers Wu and Tong were extremely violent and greatly enjoyed killing for entertainment. The Phoenix Prime had once counseled them, saying, “To treat the populace with violence is like cutting off one’s own limbs; it cannot stand.” However, the mythical beings disregarded this advice and pointed to the Phoenix Prime’s wings, laughingly asking, “Does a long-lived Phoenix like you still need legs to walk?”
Subsequently, they decreed that the Phoenix Prime could only fly using his wings and prohibited him from walking on his legs; otherwise, they would sever his legs. A few months later, whether to prove his prophecy or due to pent-up grievances, the Phoenix Prime died in melancholy, and the entire Phoenix Race was driven to the nation’s border, living among slaves.
To elves, this is an amusing joke told after drinking; to other races, it is a tragic ballad.
Unexpectedly, this anecdote has spread widely across the Tree Continent, though it carries different meanings depending on who recounts it.
Fisher, from the future, was momentarily speechless, knowing that one day, this great race would reach their limits of oppression and take a bold action: they would follow the dragon that had stolen the revered roots of the elves’ World Tree, leaving their homeland for a snow-covered place to take root and sprout anew, creating their own epic.
It seemed that discussions on the Tree Continent were completely left to Gouwen, as Hela chose to act merely as a sightseeing mascot, smiling and waving, which left Fisher puzzled. However, since she had ceased to tease him after learning he had turned over a new leaf, it was probably because she found such antics no longer entertaining?
Tang Zeming Asuka had been gazing in one direction. Fisher followed her line of sight and discovered that the figure hiding furtively in that direction was the previously named Deerfolk, Lu Ming. Once she sensed that both Fisher and Tang Zeming Asuka were looking at her, she quickly jumped back and vanished.
He intended to say something, but for some reason, he rapidly averted his gaze and said nothing.
At that moment, as Fisher turned his head, a fair hand gently rested on Tang Zeming Asuka’s shoulder. Hela had somehow appeared beside her. Startled, Tang Zeming Asuka nearly jumped up but was firmly held in place by Hela.
“Hela the Angel?”
“Mm-hmm, looking at that Deerfolk? Are you interested in subhumans?”
“No, I’m looking at the flowers in the basket on the tip of her stick. That flower seems similar to the materials used by angels to forge sacred objects.”
Tang Zeming Asuka initially wanted to mention that it was the material Fisher used for crafting magic, but remembering how he had hidden away previously, she refrained from saying so.
Hela nodded with a smile and said, “Very perceptive. That indeed is a forging material; it contains shards of the laws of fate.”
Seeing that Tang Zeming Asuka didn’t fully understand, Hela opted not to elaborate and instead cheerfully proposed, “If you’re interested in that, why not ask Fisher? He previously took a lot of such materials from Lord Salie.”
“Ah, that… let’s skip it.” Tang Zeming Asuka pursed her lips and ultimately declined.
Unexpectedly, Hela seemed to see through her thoughts, moved a little closer, and asked, “Is it because Fisher seems like he doesn’t want to acknowledge you?”
“Not that exactly, but… yes, it is.”
Tang Zeming Asuka wanted to argue, but under Hela’s smiling expression, she felt deflated, nodding bashfully.
Just as previously noted, Tang Zeming Asuka keenly sensed Fisher’s faint aloofness. This was not due to him disliking her; it felt more like an inherent barrier between two different levels of people. Even in her own world, “a reliable adult wouldn’t have much to discuss with an inexperienced high school student.”
She believed that the likely reason was her own immaturity and lack of any special abilities like the others in the team. She could not blame herself for it; there was nothing she could do about it. Her only option was to make sure not to cause any trouble.
“I just think they’re all impressive, and I feel a bit out of place, that’s all.”
Hela’s smile deepened upon hearing this, casting a quick glance at Fisher and Gouwen, who were talking to Xiong, and said to Tang Zeming Asuka, “Well, whether they are impressive or not is another matter. You, as a Trans, clearly have an interest in this world. Asking them questions is certainly within your reach! Finding a topic they are skilled in to discuss will easily close the distance, and you might learn a lot. I can divulge a bit about their interests.”
“Mikhail loves to create things, but he’s not chatty; Gouwen is interested in medicine and is quite friendly; as for Fisher, I’m not sure what he excels at, but it seems you’ve seen it before, and he’s very interested in subhumans, very, very interested! Talking to him about these might yield unexpected gains.”
“Interested in subhumans?” Tang Zeming Asuka’s expression shifted slightly as she secretly glanced at the serious-looking Fisher, seemingly unable to grasp the meaning.
“Ah, don’t misunderstand, it’s an academic interest.”
Hela emphasized the words “academic,” suggesting the concept was crucial. As she continued to speak, she casually pulled out a small tool from her pocket and placed it in Tang Zeming Asuka’s hand. Upon closer inspection, it was a carving knife identical to the one Fisher used for inscribing magic, and she added, “And this, a tool Fisher used before. I don’t know what it’s for, but I’ll give you one too. In any case, remember to start from what they are good at, and just be proactive, no need to be too reserved~”
Tang Zeming Asuka opened her mouth, gratefully gripping the carving knife Hela had handed her, but even amidst her gratitude, she felt somewhat insecure.
“Thank you, thank you, but I’ve never been good at anything. I’m a little worried, but really, thank you for telling me all this, Angel Hela.”
Hela shook her head with a smile, courteously responding, “You’re welcome. After all, we’re all grasshoppers tied to the same rope now. A harmonious atmosphere within the team is what I hope to see. Alright, off you go! Remember, subhumans will interest him.”
“Yes, I’ll remember. Thank you.”
Tang Zeming Asuka hid the carving knife and returned, while Hela stood still, her smile growing brighter, seemingly in a good mood.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lu Ming, who had returned from hiding behind the wall, and unlike Tang Zeming Asuka, who was peeking sneakily, she boldly whistled at Lu Ming.
“Sharp!”
Her whistle startled the little Deerfolk girl, making her jump away once more.
“Lord Shiran is here?”
Meanwhile, Fisher and Gouwen were not idle beside them. They had been talking for so long because they had just learned of a news: Lord Shiran from the neighboring kingdom had come to visit, yes, the one who had recently been reborn.
“Ah, yes, Lord Shiran arrived this morning. As per custom, elves who have just been reborn must visit nearby kin to announce this event, and this time is no exception. But no worries, the Holy Realm’s guests wishing the king a long life is a matter for all elves. Just wait a moment, and you can join me in seeing Duke Chuan; it’s sort of to help him out.”
After Xiong finished speaking, he sighed. Outside, Lu An had prepared the carriages for them, and he invited them to go to Duke Chuan’s palace to meet the two dignitaries.
Noticing Hela once again not showing any signs of movement, Gouwen could only take charge and agree to lead everyone to Duke Chuan’s palace. Thankfully, after getting in the carriage, Fisher asked another question.
“What do you mean by ‘helping out’? Is Duke Chuan in some kind of trouble?”
As Xiong boarded the carriage and heard Fisher’s question, he sighed and spoke softly.
“To be honest, Lord Shiran was once very violent, just like other elf lords. After this rebirth, his temperament has greatly changed; it’s said he’s far from what he used to be. The races under him can finally breathe again, but I only found out recently that although many of his bad habits have been corrected, he still retains one.”
Tang Zeming Asuka returned, following Mikhail into the carriage. When she boarded, she glanced at Fisher, catching his attention, but when he looked back, she had already sat down obediently. Hela, smiling, climbed into the carriage without any pretense and began to look at the scenery outside.
Gouwen leaned forward a little, speaking softly. “What bad habit?”
Fisher also leaned in closer, the three of them gathering together, whispering conspiratorially as they listened to Xiong seriously say, “Lustful, and it’s not just a regular kind of lust. Ah, it’s quite beyond normal. You’ll understand when you go there. Anyway, Duke Chuan has been busy hosting him since this morning; now that you’re here, he can finally catch a breather.”
Lustful?
Fisher and Gouwen exchanged glances, both seemingly not fully understanding what the old man was implying, but soon enough, they would find out.
As previously mentioned, Duke Chuan’s palace stood at the base of that massive tree and appeared no different from the other wooden houses, but in terms of specifications and standards, they were vastly different. The number of steps, how many steps each level should have, and how many columns each house should possess all had strict requirements.
It seemed that the elves’ enshrined “rituals” had only left their mark here in this kingdom.
The carriage stopped in front of an extremely spacious square, before the main hall were numerous guards, one side wielding Chuan wood weapons, and the other using metal alternatives, symbolizing the conditions of the two nations.
Xiong quickly led Gouwen and the others toward the palace, and from a distance, Fisher seemed to hear a strange sound of music; it appeared to be produced by a kind of metal instrument, struck to produce sound, and overall sounded ethereal and elegant. Accompanied by the melodious music, Xiong brought Fisher and the group to the front of the hall, kneeling on the ground, loudly proclaiming,
“Lord Shiran, Duke Chuan, envoy from the Holy Realm, wishing the king a long life!”
The music within the hall came to an abrupt halt. Fisher raised his gaze toward the inside of the hall and saw two tables at the far end, one high and one low, where a young male elf was seated at the lower table.
He looked quite young, with a pair of exceedingly long ears on either side of his face adorned with metal ornaments. When he turned his head, the ornaments jingled; his long black hair was elegantly pinned up, restrained by a kind of hair crown, his expression calm, eyes light purple, and the rest was not much different from humans.
His aura was very distinct, likely around the sixteenth rank. After hearing Xiong’s words, he turned to glance briefly at Fisher, who stood beside Gouwen, then looked over everyone else, eventually landing on Hela, who stood behind everyone.
With just one look, Fisher recognized that the seemingly young elf was indeed the “Duke Chuan” that Xiong mentioned.
Thus, the one sitting in the main seat was…
Fisher shifted his gaze from the Chuan to the male elf sitting in the main seat. The elf appeared remarkably young, possibly looking only around twelve or thirteen in human years, quite beautiful, with black hair tied in a crown strikingly similar to Chuan’s. However, his complexion was slightly flushed as if he had drunk some wine.
That was the Lord Shiran of the neighboring kingdom.
He saw his long ears twitch slightly, nothing hanging off them, and thus making no crisp sound like Chuan’s. Taking a sip from the drink in his cup, the youthful face displayed a rather incongruous maturity. He burped and then stood up, raising his cup toward Xiong and Fisher, saying,
“Come in, but don’t stop, you all.” He glanced at the musicians seated beside him, saying, “Continue the music, continue the dance.”
Duke Chuan sighed beside him, waving his hand to the people below. Upon seeing this, they promptly nodded and replied, “Yes.”
Xiong, with his frail form, wiped the sweat from his brow and invited the people behind him to enter. Hela stepped forward, and the others unconsciously slowed their pace, following behind her. It was only when she finally realized that she had walked to the front that she became aware of it.
As Duke Chuan’s orders were given, the music within the palace resumed, and the large doors on both sides of the palace slowly opened, releasing a fragrance as countless subhumans appeared, some furry, some slimy, and others soft.
These female subhumans, whether wriggling, jumping, or strolling, slowly entered the center of the hall, all swaying their bodies to the music beside them.
Their attire, races, and ages varied significantly, but perhaps they shared one particular commonality: “extremely pronounced non-human characteristics.”
The Tapirfolk females swung their noses, while the Mantisfolk flicked their sickles and antennae. The Mothfolk spun in the air, flapping wings dusted with moth powder.
“Good! Good! Dance well!”
With Lord Shiran’s drunken cheers, the entire hall resembled a scene from hell.
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(End of Chapter)
