Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
“You… you’ve already become Legendary?” Adenasi’s voice was dry, as if her throat was stuffed with sand.
“That’s right, you don’t believe me?” Xi Wei waved the greatsword in his hand. “How about I swing a sword at you and you can try it out?”
“Heh heh… then, let’s not bother.” Adenasi shrank her neck. Looking at the boundless energy of the Holy Sword, she feared she would turn to ash if struck by one. However, with the King of Winter becoming a Legendary, the elves would gain a powerful ally. With the King of Winter’s help, perhaps the Emerald Forest could be saved, and the Elven Empress wouldn’t have to sacrifice herself!
At this thought, Adenasi’s mood became incredibly excited. She rose from her seat, knelt on one knee, and pleaded almost desperately, “Your Majesty Winter, please send troops to save the Emerald Forest, save Her Majesty the Empress. For this, I am willing… willing to become your slave!”
The former Adenasi, having been betrayed and humiliated countless times by humans, had returned to the Emerald Forest with all her might and, after receiving a blessing, had overdrawn her life to become a powerful warrior. For her, such a promise was already extremely heavy. She was willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the elves and the Empress, be it her life or her dignity.
“There’s no need for you to become my slave; I have enough slaves,” Xi Wei shook his head, stroking his chin as he sized up the Elf Elder with interest. “However, the kitchen in Winter City is short a vegetable washer, and I’m sure you’d be perfect for the job! You’re a Sword Dance Master, so you must be very skilled at cutting vegetables, right?”
“…You are correct, I, I am indeed very skilled at cutting vegetables…” Adenasi’s fingers trembled, but they were hidden beneath her tattered cloak. Let alone cutting vegetables. As long as the King of Winter was willing to send troops, she would even be willing to clean the latrines in Winter City.
“Then, without further ado, let’s set off now!” Xi Wei stood up amidst Adenasi’s astonished gaze. “The situation in the Emerald Forest is very dangerous. I’ll go ahead first, then set up a teleportation array to transport my army. You’ll lead the way!”
“You? A teleportation array?” How could a teleportation array be built in such a short time? Adenasi was unaware that, just moments ago, Xi Wei had removed the Resurrection Crystal from Winter City. It wasn’t a temporary resurrection crystal, but the general resurrection crystal for the Players. Xi Wei planned to place the Resurrection Crystal in the Emerald Forest, and then have the Players commit suicide to simulate teleportation. This was a measure born out of necessity. The Wintery Empire was poor, lacked the technology to build teleportation arrays, and didn’t have the Magic Crystals needed for their construction. They could only resort to this crude system-based method.
System: ???
“Don’t worry about how it’s built; that’s a secret of our Wintery Empire. Are you going or not? If you’re too late and the Elven Empress is killed, don’t blame me!”
“Oh, oh.” Adenasi stood up in a daze, her head spinning. She felt as if she was gradually losing control.
“That’s right!” Xi Wei suddenly remembered something and asked, “The Elven Empress has a Vena Holy Garment, correct?”
“Yes…” Adenasi nodded. She wondered how the King of Winter knew about this. The Empress rarely wore the Vena Holy Garment because it tended to reveal too much.
“That’s good.” Xi Wei smiled slightly. As the saying goes, “may all receive their due.” He had given one Vena Holy Garment to his main wife, so he should give one to Ruo Yi, his concubine. Although Ruo Yi outwardly seemed indifferent, she might still feel a little jealous sometimes. This time, in aid of the Elven Empress, the Vena Holy Garment and Adenasi, the vegetable cutter, would serve as their thank-you gifts.
“Loli, Ruo Yi, stand beside me.” Xi Wei called out, and the two maids immediately complied, standing close to his left and right. Then, Xi Wei looked at Sakura and Xing Hai, looking serious as he instructed, “Sakura, transform into my appearance and stay in Winter Fort. While I’m away, Clemon will assist you in handling the empire’s affairs. I’ve already informed him of your identity… Xing Hai!”
“Ooh! Present!” The mermaid lady, who had been lost in thought, snapped to attention, saluted crisply, and widened her round eyes.
“I’m entrusting the protection of Winter City to you and Sark! I believe in you! Remember to relay the information about my departure to Nina, You Ye, and Bai Yao!”
“Your command is my duty, Your Majesty. I guarantee to complete the mission!” Xing Hai stood ramrod straight. Having grown human legs, she had adapted to moving outside the “fish tank” in less than a day.
“Very good, I believe you.” Xi Wei turned, reached out, and grabbed Adenasi’s shoulder. “Now, imagine the place you want to arrive at. It must be safe and hidden. I will then tear open space to teleport based on your imagination. If we end up on the battlefield, you’re on your own!”
Tearing open space for teleportation was a necessary ability for all Legendary-grade existences. However, the teleportation distance was not as far as a teleportation array. It often required multiple spatial jumps, and large-scale teleportation was impossible, with ten people usually being the limit. Adenasi nodded solemnly. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest and closed her eyes to meditate. Images began to flicker in her mind. Next to the Life Spring, in front of the Oakwood Guardians, the palace of the Elven Royal Court—none of these seemed to be the safest places. A month had passed, and she had no idea what the Emerald Forest had become. She could only vaguely sense from the Empress and herself that Her Majesty the Empress had not yet died. Since the Empress was still alive, it meant the elves were still surviving.
Finally, Adenasi locked her memory onto a golden light. It was beneath the World Tree, at the broken roots. This was the wound beneath the World Tree’s crown, and the most hidden and safest place in the entire Emerald Forest. Originally, Adenasi would never have brought any non-elf existence there. However, Xi Wei’s power and sincerity made her completely abandon these prejudices. The elves had become like this; what was there left to hide?
“Are you sure it’s here?” Xi Wei saw the same image through Adenasi. Adenasi did not open her eyes; she nodded solemnly.
“Good.” Xi Wei extended one hand forward, his five fingers forming a blade-like shape. A gleaming silver rule of light lit up at his fingertips, and then his palm cut downwards.
“Buzz—!” Space was torn. A distorted silver portal gradually opened before them. A massive suction force generated within the portal. Xi Wei retracted his hand, embracing Loli and Ruo Yi in his arms with one on each side, then kicked Adenasi’s backside.
“Go!” Before she could even cry out, Adenasi, having lost her balance, disappeared into the portal. Xi Wei followed closely behind.
“Darling, wait for me! Dragon milk!” Connie rushed out, staggering with a pile of milk bottles, and threw the large pile of dragon milk into the portal just before the spatial gate closed. “This is all our reserve. Master, you must drink it all…” Looking at the space that had returned to normal, Connie muttered softly, a hint of reluctance appearing on her soft, pretty face. Hearing that the Undead Emperor had joined the battle, she obediently did not ask to go along, but quietly ran to a nearby room to make dragon milk. Even if she couldn’t be by Xi Wei’s side, at least she could let Xi Wei drink sweet dragon milk. This was Connie’s last act of defiance.
