Chapter 1071, The Queen

Translator: Silavin

 

Before Fiery and the others arrived at this palace, a group of beautiful Elf maids had already been waiting at its entrance, poised and expectant.

 

Upon arriving, the entire party dismounted from their Unicorns in a single fluid motion, as if rehearsed. Their expressions were grave and solemn. Every trace of the earlier banter and easy laughter were gone.

 

The beautiful maids, seeing this, hurried forward to receive them. Their gazes were flickering between Qin Yichen and Mei Ler with open curiosity, as though silently puzzling over why these High Rank Elves would bring two Foreigners to attend the banquet.

 

For only those of the highest standing within the Elf Race had the privilege of attending such a gathering.

 

“Could that be Sister Mei Ler?”

 

The moment they caught sight of the alluring robes draped across Mei Ler’s figure, a flame of undisguised admiration ignited in the eyes of the maids. Regardless of Race, females had never been known to resist the pull of beautiful clothing and ornaments.

 

“Honoured guests, this way, please.”

 

Even so, there were protocols here. None of them dared to be discourteous. The maids fell into formation and led Fiery and his companions of High Rank Elves towards the interior of the palace.

 

Guided by the maids, the group passed through the long corridor at the palace’s entrance and stepped inside. What greeted them was something closer to an enchanted garden than a hall. Waterfalls cascading down stone formations, rare and exotic flora spread across every surface. The whole scene was utterly breathtaking.

 

After roughly a quarter of an hour’s walk, the group finally arrived before a grand and lavish hall.

 

Within the hall, dozens of banquet tables had been arranged, each laden with Treasured Wonders, exotic fruits, and numerous varieties of fine wine. All fragrances mingling into something irresistibly intoxicating.

 

“Honoured guests, please be seated first.”

 

At the end of the hall, the Elf maids bowed and withdrew, taking their positions outside the doors.

 

“In a moment, you will meet the Elf Queen. But remember this, you must not be discourteous under any circumstances. If you are, then even I will not be able to protect you.”

 

Fiery pulled Qin Yichen aside and issued the warning once more with an expression of genuine worry. He then led the group towards one of the arranged seatings.

 

At that table, the several old men Qin Yichen had encountered before were already seated, and they greeted him with smiles and easy nods.

 

Qin Yichen returned a measured nod, then settled himself and Little Ling’er into a seat at one of the more outer tables.

 

Using his eyes, he swept the hall in a calm and systematic manner.

 

He noticed that Fiery and the other High Rank Elves occupied the dozen or so tables near the hall’s entrance, while the central seating and the positions furthest inside remained completely empty. No one was sitting there.

 

This did not seem particularly strange. The Elf Race operated under a rigid hierarchy. As expected, those central seats were undoubtedly reserved for the Elders, while the positions at the very front could only belong to the Royal Family.

 

…

 

Deep within the Elf palace, behind sealed doors, several figures were gathered within a private room.

 

“How is it?” An Elder whose pale robes bled into the surrounding shadow spoke in a low, cold voice, his features obscured by darkness.

 

“Elder, the matter you instructed us to attend to has been settled.” Another Elder answered with careful deference.

 

“If this goes the same way as what happened with Avril, none of you need to bother returning!” From within the shadow, that cold voice sliced through.

 

“Elder, rest assured, this time there is absolutely no margin for failure. When the moment comes, they will all come to you on bended knees.” The Elder who had spoken stiffened, then replied in a rush of hasty assurances.

 

“*Hmph!* It better be so!” The figure in the shadow still carried a current of barely suppressed fury in his tone. The others surrounding him did not dare interject, pressing down hasty nods instead.

 

“One more thing, what of those Races you were instructed to contact?” As though something had surfaced in his mind, the Elder abruptly questioned.

 

“The Blood Beastmen have already agreed to it, but the other Races have yet to respond…” One person hesitated briefly, then answered honestly.

 

*Hmph!* A cold snort of obvious displeasure.

 

“Even so, once the Elder’s matter is achieved, the Demonic Tiger Race and the Three Fanged Sky Wolf Race will certainly come around.”

 

The one who had spoken before quickly added his reassurance.

 

“Promise them more. This cannot be allowed to fail. I still require their strength.” The Elder shook his head, his voice low and ominous.

 

“Yes!”

 

The group answered in unison, then rose and retreated from the room.

 

“*Hmph!* You were born into Nobility. But now, it is finally my turn to rise.”

 

Alone in the dimness of the private room, the Elder’s face twisted into an expression that sent a chill through the very air, the contortion of something long-suppressed finally breaking through its restraints.

 

Had any other Elf overheard that exchange, it would have shaken the entire palace to its foundations. The Blood Beastmen Race, the Demonic Tiger Race, the Three Fanged Sky Wolf Race, all were notoriously bloodthirsty Races. They were natural enemies of the peace-loving Elf Race. Yet, within the very halls of the Elf palace, someone was secretly weaving a conspiracy with all three of them.

 

…

 

Back in the great hall, the gathering swelled with every passing moment. Even those old figures who were rarely seen in ordinary times had emerged to claim their places at the banquet tables.

 

Every figure seated in that hall was a person of distinction within the Elf Race. Qin Yichen noted, with some interest, that he and Mei Ler were not the only people from Foreign Races present. Several others had also been included.

 

[They must be representatives of Races with embassies recognised by the Elf Race]

 

“The Queen has arrived!”

 

From the far end of the hall, a clear and carrying announcement rang out. In an instant, the low murmur of conversation fell to absolute silence, and every gaze turned towards the depths of the hall.

 

Even many of the Deacons rarely had the opportunity to see the Elf Queen. For Foreigners, merely glimpsing the Elf Queen in person was considered an honour beyond measure.

 

Beneath the weight of countless reverent gazes, a graceful silhouette emerged slowly into view.

 

She wore robes of deep violet, and the figure beneath them was abundantly curved and perfectly proportioned. Yet unlike Mei Ler’s allure, which inspired other kinds of thoughts, this woman’s beauty carried an untouchable sanctity about it, a purity that made profane thoughts impossible to form.

 

Around her, a faint invisible radiance seemed to emanate from within, making her appear as though she had stepped directly out of a divine temple.

 

Every person present lowered their head and offered a bow of deep, solemn reverence.

 

Qin Yichen’s gaze passed over that near-flawless figure before settling on the face of extraordinary beauty that crowned it. Even by his standard of experience, his heart pounded with involuntary force.

 

This presence carried something entirely distinct from the women beside him, sanctity, nobility, grace, a regal composure that was felt rather than simply observed.

 

This commanding aura, without any deliberate effort, instilled in the beholder a feeling of genuine, earnest veneration.

 

She was the reigning Queen of the Elf Race, Irene.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

As that elegant figure made her entrance, the High Rank Elves throughout the hall dropped to a half-kneel, their voices rising in a unified expression of reverence and devotion.

 

[So this is the Queen of the Elf Race.]

 

Under Fiery’s guidance, Qin Yichen also lowered himself to one knee, then slowly drew his gaze back and let the thought settle quietly within him.