Ryan thought carefully and realized that Teclis, as Lilith's First Chosen, really had a tough job.
Objectively speaking, did Lilith owe Teclis anything?
Not at all.
Lilith had been nothing but considerate when it came to Teclis. Not only had she bestowed upon him her final Epoch Artifact, the "Staff of the Moon," but she had also appointed him as her First Chosen in the mortal world. Additionally, through potions and a portion of her power, she had helped Teclis barely regain his health. In this respect, Lilith had done everything possible for Teclis.
It was similar to how Lilith treated Ryan—always supporting him unconditionally and giving him everything she could.
But just as Ryan often found himself speechless at the Lady of the Lake's endless schemes and mischief (until she was personally punished by the Emperor, after which she finally behaved), Teclis, as Lilith's First Chosen, was also constantly forced to go along with her endless whims. As her chosen representative and most trusted person in the mortal world, Teclis, despite being the High Loremaster, was often at her beck and call.
For instance, Teclis had been sent to the Old World three times in the past decade. While this might not seem like much to humans, for elves, it was akin to being sent on three long, unnecessary missions in a very short span of time.
Thus, Ryan could understand Teclis's frustration. When the High Elven phoenix flagship docked at Marienburg, every notable figure showed up, including the Emperor, the Knight King, the leaders of Marienburg, and both elves and dwarves. No one could deny that Teclis had made immense contributions to the Old World.
At the banquet, Ryan found a chance to speak privately with Teclis. Feeling a bit guilty about Teclis making yet another trip, Ryan said, "I'm sorry to trouble you again."
"It's fine. Since it's Lilith's request, I don't mind," Teclis said calmly, his expression unreadable. "But you must be mentally prepared—Ulthuan is not a welcoming place for humans. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"I know," Ryan sighed as they gazed at the misty moonlight together. "We'll need your cooperation for this matter as well."
"Where's Araloth?" Teclis leaned on Lilith's Moon Staff and looked around the banquet hall with his deadpan eyes. "And why is his daughter, Carona, here? Is Lilith still intent on carrying out her New World plan?"
"Araloth… well, he made a mistake. Lilith sent him on a penance expedition. He's probably in the Dark Lands or the Dragon Isles now," Ryan said awkwardly. "You know, I can summon Chaos demons, but Araloth didn't know that."
"Understandable, he's a pure warrior," Teclis responded without surprise. He poured a glass of elven fruit wine and handed it to Ryan. "You know, Lilith loves to walk among mortals. To demons, it's like watching the most delicious feast parade before their eyes. Once she appears, the demons will immediately smell her sweet scent and swarm toward her."
"I can protect her," Ryan assured. "My power can conceal Lilith's presence, and I can supply her with energy to allow her to walk freely among mortals for as long as she wishes. So, what's she been up to recently?"
"That's why Araloth's defeat was inevitable. If he had the potential to become a god, you're already a deity," Teclis said, frowning. "As for Lilith, I don't know exactly what she's doing lately. It seems she's preparing something deep within the inner ring of the Saphery Kingdom in Ulthuan."
Ryan thought for a moment and understood why the Lady of the Lake hadn't appeared for such a long time. Remembering that the agreed date was around late autumn, the time of the Lady's Day, he awkwardly changed the subject. "Maybe she's just busy."
Lilith and Asuryan represented two extremes among the gods. Lilith was proactive to a fault, while Asuryan was often inactive.
Teclis observed Ryan's state with some thought. The High Loremaster sighed inwardly, hoping Lilith hadn't bet on the wrong person this time. "Still, with Araloth gone, our chances have diminished slightly. And bringing that dark elf with you to Ulthuan will only make things harder. Why would you do that? Don't you know it's a provocation? I can't guarantee I'll convince my brother to accept it."
"Olica's identity is special," Ryan replied, glancing toward the corner of the banquet hall, where Olica stood. Dressed in a vintage High Elven afternoon garden princess gown, with a white silk headscarf and adorned with opal jewelry, she wore Lilith's Sunfire Amulet around her neck. Despite her outfit, Olica's voluptuous figure and seductive movements made her stand out. She could have easily been the center of attention, attracting countless gentlemen eager for a dance.
Yet, standing there, the dark elf remained unnoticed by anyone—humans, dwarves, and even the elves present. Even the court mages of Marienburg and Emperor Karl-Franz, deep in conversation, failed to notice her presence.
When Olica saw Ryan looking her way, she smiled sweetly and waved, asking if she should come over.
"This is the highest level of divine magic—The Pale Queen's Shadow of the Underworld," Teclis remarked. "I don't understand why she'd willingly serve you as a maid."
"Do you know her true identity?" Ryan asked, puzzled. "From what I've gathered, she's likely the First Chosen of the Pale Queen, favored by the god-king of the elven underworld pantheon."
"A mere favored one couldn't use the Pale Queen's highest-level divine magic," Teclis said, squinting at Ryan. "Has Lilith ever taught anyone her New World magic?"
"So, Olica is the Pale Queen herself?!" Ryan's expression shifted.
"Not quite," Teclis shook his head. He noticed Olica approaching and stopped the conversation. "Never mind, some things she'll tell you when she's ready."
"Why so mysterious? Can't you just explain things clearly?" Ryan felt a bit frustrated by Teclis's tendency to speak in riddles.
"Mortals shouldn't gossip about gods. They're fickle and unpredictable," Teclis replied. "The Pale Queen is the god-king of the underworld pantheon. We Asur worship the celestial pantheon. Even I rarely talk about this, but you—you talk about gods all the time. It makes sense, though, since you're one of them."
"I'm only a demigod at best," Ryan grumbled.
"A demigod is still a god," Teclis glanced at Carona, who was standing beside Fulgrim. "Your brother is powerful, but replacing Araloth with him won't make things easier for us."
"Do you mean Fulgrim isn't as strong as Araloth?" Ryan sensed there was more to Teclis's words.
"It's not about strength. Araloth is the Chosen Champion of Isha, who in turn is one of the most important deities in the celestial pantheon. His status is crucial," Teclis explained, gazing at the night sky. "You don't have that. Neither does Fulgrim."
"Just like before, you're always looking to use every available resource," Ryan teased.
"Master~" Olica walked up to Ryan, taking his arm and pressing her soft curves against him. "Master, look how many people are trying to please your lady~"
"Hahaha! Well, Sulia is popular, and that's a good thing," Ryan laughed heartily. Since the banquet had begun, Sulia had been the center of attention, and Ryan had stayed back, letting her enjoy the spotlight.
In the distance, Emperor Karl-Franz was engaged in a serious conversation with Grand Duke Schultz, who wore a smile.
"Master, look over there—Mr. Adabay is here too," Olica said meaningfully. "Don't you have any thoughts about that?"
"Hahaha, what could I possibly be thinking?" Ryan glanced at Adabay, who was trying to chat with Carona, making a show of courting the Wood Elf princess. He chuckled to himself.
Adabay was a speculator, and Ryan had heard rumors about him—a man who loved to pursue noble ladies and was a disposable pawn in Schultz's hands.
While Ryan had been away on his great expedition to Eight Peaks Mountain, Adabay had reportedly shown up at his court, trying to woo Sulia with gifts and flattery. Schultz had told Ryan that Adabay had a taste for noblewomen.
Some people probably thought Ryan was foolish for not getting rid of Adabay.
But in reality, if Ryan acted against him now, that would be the foolish move.
With Adabay's cunning and intelligence, had he ever left any evidence? Had he exposed any of his thoughts?
No, not a word. The boldest thing Adabay had ever said was, "I'd like to have dinner with Lady Sulia."
Could that be considered evidence? At least a thousand Bretonnian nobles had said that. Excluding female nobles, at least five hundred men had made that remark. Even in Marienburg's councils, a hundred merchants had said the same. Oliver and Hadrian had also said it. Should Ryan find an excuse to kill them all?
Moreover, Adabay had
not only showered Ryan with gifts but had also offered help in times of difficulty. On the surface, his actions seemed impeccable. If Ryan moved against him, what would the excuse be? Suspicion without evidence? Or just a gut feeling?
If that were the case, Ryan should have killed Hadrian immediately when he sent Olica as a gift.
Could Ryan really justify killing someone on suspicion alone? That wouldn't even qualify as self-defense—it would be lunacy, based on wild imagination. Would there be anyone left willing to work with Ryan afterward? Would anyone dare extend an olive branch if a compliment to Sulia resulted in a death sentence?
That would only prove to the world that this Knight King was a real fool, unfit to rule.
Ryan chuckled to himself at the thought. Indeed, people often become what they most despise. Those who hate authority are the ones who become obsessed with it once they hold power.
If others can touch, why can't I?
Ryan's approach was simply to tell Schultz, "You've used that rag long enough; time to replace it."
Schultz's response had been equally simple: "Wait for the right moment" and "It'll take time to find a suitable replacement."
"Ryan? There you are. Hello, Lord Teclis," Sulia finally escaped the attention of the wealthy merchants and local nobles, as well as a crowd of noble ladies. "Why are you hiding here? The Emperor was looking for you earlier."
"What does the Emperor want with me?" Ryan chuckled.
"He said that His Majesty King Ryan is his confidant and dearest friend, but now he's lost you," Sulia smiled playfully as she took Ryan's other arm.
"Well, it's good that he lost me," Ryan said meaningfully. "We're allies first, friends second. We're monarchs first, then individuals. If he's lost me, so be it; the alliance won't be lost."
"Let's rest for a bit. In three days, we'll set off for Ulthuan," Teclis closed his eyes, seeing Ryan surrounded by his wife and maid, which reminded him of his aunt and his once-admired goddess, Lilith.
He suddenly had a premonition—Ryan and Tyrion would inevitably clash.
Inevitably.
Three days later, just off the coast of Marienburg, guided by the High Elven phoenix flagship, Ryan and his party boarded the ironclad ships Enterprise and Saint Sophia, embarking on their journey to Ulthuan.
Thick smoke billowed from Enterprise's smokestack as the steam boilers worked at full capacity. Standing on deck, Ryan gazed at the vast ocean, feeling the scorching summer sun.
For the next month and a half, at least, he would be at sea.
Though the ironclads weren't as fast as the High Elven phoenix ships, they exuded a sense of strength and stability, especially with the three-barreled obsidian cannons mounted on Enterprise. As Ryan ran his hand over the blackened cannon, he felt a deep sense of reassurance.
"How does it feel, Your Majesty? Our dwarven craftsmanship—fair prices, high quality. You can feel the difference now," Little Sorgelin Ironhammer asked, joining Ryan on the voyage to Ulthuan. "What do you think of traveling in a dwarven ironclad?"
"It's fast—almost too fast, like it's urging me to rush!" Ryan laughed. "An ironclad is perfect for this journey to Ulthuan."
"Hahaha!"
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]