Chapter 358 Red Coloured Soil
"Antares will declare war upon Cresundia soon. I believe that is the reason why the Demons have been reserved."
"I have heard quite a lot of human soldiers gather there. Are they planning to cripple the humans for good this time?" A hum resounded as the person behind the Sound Crystal thought to himself. "No. That is not possible. The humans wouldn't be so stupid to have such a big battle in a resourceful Kingdom. It would be a waste."
"You are just as paranoid as that damned Demon. While you have a valid concern, I am sorry I can't tell you anything, Father. Lysimork is the only place I can spy on. Everyone here is very tight-lipped, so I don't know anything about the situation in Verniculos."
"There is no need for you to apologize, Eryn. You have already done enough. Let's end the conversation here. We can't risk making them suspicious of you. Goodbye, my daughter."
"Goodbye, Father."
Eryn the Light Elf Princess looked at the dying light of her Sound Crystal with cold eyes. She stored the Relic and turned around to face the person who had been spending most of her time with her. It was a silver-haired Dark Elf whose beauty only Haletha could match. Like her, the Dark Elf was also a Princess.
"I would have thought you had gotten fond of me if not for your glare, Arieda. I have told you many times that I am Layland's slave. I can't do anything that harms you and every living Dark Elf. You don't need to always watch over me."
"Do you feel uncomfortable?"
"Yes!"
"That's the point, bimbo."
"What did you just call me?"
"Slutty airhead."
"Hey, that wasn't it!"
"Why did you even bother to ask if you knew it already?"
"Keuh…this insufferable brat!"
Such was a normal interaction between the two Princesses from the Elven Race. They didn't hate each other but they didn't like each other either. They always bickered whenever they were together which means most of the time since they had been spending their days together. As Arieda stated, it happened because she wanted to make Eryn uncomfortable.
"Why don't you give me some space for a moment?" Eryn begrudgingly asked as she walked through the hall of the Dark Elf's palace. "I need to pee."
"I can't let you do that."
"Are you telling me to wet my pants?"
"No. You will only trouble the servants." Arieda smirked. "I will accompany you."
"What a sick pervert."
Eryn grumbled under her breath in irritation which made Arieda's smile wider. Although Eryn didn't do much to her mother, she still hurt her mother. As a mother-loving daughter, she couldn't let that slide. She had refused Layland's offer to whip Eryn to her heart's content because she wasn't very fond of violence. However, it didn't mean that she could forgive people who had harmed the people around her easily.
She had refused that offer for this opportunity. Physical pain wouldn't last long, but mental distress would leave a long-lasting impression. Therefore, seeing the frustrated and humiliated Eryn as she emptied her bladder brought joy to her mind. Eryn seemed to notice her amusement as she looked up while gnashing her teeth in anger.
"Hmph!"
Eryn's snort puzzled Arieda and wiped the smirk off her face. She looked at the Light Elf Princess who was still doing her business inquiringly only to be met with a mischievous smile. A frown quickly formed on her face. The dynamic had shifted and she didn't like it. She was about to warn Eryn to not try something stupid when Eryn did just that.
"You know…adults need to do this business sometimes. Mmff..."
"W-What are you doing pervert?"
To Arieda's horror, Eryn was rubbing her nether region to evoke a sensuous feel that all adults knew well. Eryn had an intoxicated look in her eyes which explained why she no longer cared for her dignity. The scandalous scene made Eryn feel violated. She swore to hit Eryn later before immediately getting out of the toilet.
Bam!
As the door closed, Eryn lost her intoxicated look and sighed in relief. She had finally managed to get rid of the nuisance called Arieda. She had a quick giggle before scrunching her nose in distaste. As she thought carefully, ruining her image as a prim and proper Princess was not worth the satisfaction that she got from seeing Arieda so flustered.
She got up from her crouching position and used Magic on the water in the tub to clean herself. Quickly pulling up her pants, she put her hand on the doorknob to open the door. As the door was half opened, she could see Arieda's murderous eyes. Something hit her in the jaw and she was already on a Varadome by the time she regained her vision.
"Ah…my haw ih hihlocatie!" (Ah, my jaw is dislocated!)
Her hand quickly rubbed her sore jaw before she cast a Healing Spell on it. When she no longer felt the pain, she assessed her surroundings properly. Riding a Varadome with Arieda, they were traversing through the Amizanima Forest. She couldn't tell where they were but could tell where they were going.
"Have they arrived?"
Arieda didn't answer her question, but she knew the answer; the Light Elves who came to pick up the last batch of the Dark Elf traitors had come. She had planned it with her father, so it was nothing to be surprised about. It was her job to deceive her father. It was the only reason why Layland had spared her.
When they arrived at the spot, 70 Dark Elves and 26 Light Elves looked at them with utter bafflement on their faces. Their eyes darted toward her, pinning her with a look of betrayal. Responding to their gaze, she scoffed in amusement. A battle quickly ensued and blood soon soiled the ground.
Everything went by in a flash. She didn't count how many Elves she had killed but she could vividly remember the feeling of cutting through them. It wasn't her first time cutting her kin, but it felt different. Her blade now held the will that she owned. She could confidently say that she swung her sword for her sake now.
"Weren't you a little too excited cutting the Dark Elves? These bastards might be traitors, but I am sure you had a hidden intention."
Eryn pulled herself out of her musing at the remark of one of the Guardians. Her grip on her sword tightened, but she didn't let her emotions take the better of her. She turned around and faced the Guardian with a small smile. The said Guardian scoffed mockingly before spitting beside her. She wanted to punch the Guardian but reigned herself. Considering what she had done to them a few months ago, what the Guardian did was understandable.
"Hey. Were you being disrespectful to the Queen's vassal?"
"P-Princess?"
Eryn's eyes widened when she heard what Arieda said. Arieda didn't sound very pleased saying that, but she was sure Arieda was defending her. Of course, she knew Arieda would prank her later as payment, but the gesture still touched her. She returned her gaze to the Guardian and met his defiant look. A wry smile appeared on her face as she knew what Arieda would do.
Bam!
"P-Princess…!?"
"Didn't I tell you to apologize?"
"You didn't say anything though!"
Bam!
"Ah! I am sorry! I am sorry! Please, don't take my life!"
"Don't worry. I am just going to rid you of your teeth."
"No!"
The shenanigan lasted for a few seconds. After it, they returned with an unconscious toothless Dark Elf. It was everyone's first time seeing the kind-hearted Princess behave that ruthlessly yet no one said a thing. It was quite off-putting seeing their Princess stand up for the Princess of their mortal enemy, but it was still understandable.
Eryn had been helping them ever since she stayed here. The hiding rebels were exterminated thanks to her. It would have taken them a long time if she didn't help them locate the rebels. She fought alongside them and also fooled her father for their sake. She had betrayed her people for the people that would only throw dirt at her.
It was a tragic fate that was already enough to pay for her past mistakes. Then again, what did she do wrong? She was simply listening to her father's order; she didn't know what she was doing. She was but a victim of her father's ambition.
"Ah, Master is calling." Unaware of the pitying gaze the Guardians sent to her, Eryn fished out her Sound Crystal. "This is Eryn speaking."
[Summarize the situation in 1600 words.]
Everyone froze as they heard the voice that came out of the Sound Crystal. It was slightly heavier but they were sure it was Layland's voice. Of course, the lowered pitch was not the reason why they froze. Layland's voice possessed an authority that made them want to bow even without his telling them.
Layland had gotten stronger again. Everyone's hearts beat as they thought about how strong Layland had become. They had witnessed his brilliance in the war and his domineering defiance as he faced God. He was so awe-inspiring that everyone couldn't help but adore him.
[I see. The preparation is ready. Antares will attack Cresundia tomorrow, so tell Haletha to declare war on Lithandrel tomorrow. Fret not; we will win.]
Without any more explanation, Layland ended the call after he heard all the details from Eryn. Just like how he had made them when they heard his voice, he left them wide-eyed by what he said.
No one had heard even the slightest rumour that Lysimork was going to have a war with the Light Elf Empire.