Chapter 58: Aeloria's secret request, Preparations to leave the city
Later that night Elton, Ramiro, and Zoro were each escorted to private guest rooms within the mansion. The Fanged Elf Tribe knew hospitality, but the stillness of these grand chambers only made the weight in Elton's chest heavier.
He sat at the edge of his bed, gaze distant, as his mind retraced the earlier conversation with Aeloria. The words repeated in his mind like a spell he couldn't shake.
Aeloria may have had status, but the true power rested in the hands of the Mortal Shedding Realm experts. Matriarch Sunflowria had reigned for almost three centuries, and yet rumors whispered of someone even older. A being from the time just after the Pocket World Migration. A secret so deep only the Matriarch and the two Grand Elders were allowed to know.
Elton clenched his fists. His path felt like it was no longer his own. He hadn't asked to get involved in tribal politics or bloodlines and yet, here he was.
A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in," he said with a sigh.
The door creaked open, revealing none other than Aeloria. She stepped inside with her usual grace and presence.
"Why are you here?" Elton asked, raising an eyebrow. "For you to actually lower yourself to visit someone like me."
Aeloria chuckled, a sly smile forming on her lips. "You really think so highly of me, huh? That I'm untouchable?" Her tone was teasing, laced with seductive amusement.
Elton looked away, slightly flustered. "That's not what I meant... just seems strange is all."
Her smile faded, replaced with seriousness. "I have one more request. But this one... I want kept secret."
Elton stared blankly. "You have another one?"
She nodded. "This one involves Shayleaf. I want you to watch over her. And more importantly, I want you to practice a special Elven cultivation method with her."
Elton tilted his head, caught off guard. "Watch over her? Sure, I can do that. But... a cultivation method?"
Aeloria nodded again, her eyes locking onto his. "This method syncs Ki and Magical essence in a symbiotic way. It will benefit both of you and in time, you may even inherit some of our racial traits and essence."
Elton furrowed his brow. "You keep dumping heavy stuff on me, and I just met your people not too long ago."
"I know," she admitted. "But the truth is, many of the tribes nobles wouldn't approve of this. Shayleaf and Shirleaf come from a special noble lineage. But Shayleaf's bloodline is more extraordinary. It is much Purer, and yet it continues to lie dormant within her as if suppressed."
Elton remained silent, absorbing every word.
"But there's hope," Aeloria continued. "I noticed something earlier. Shayleaf's connection to you is natural to a subconscious level. When she clings to you, her dormant bloodline stirs ever so slightly, but it's real."
Elton blinked. "Come to think of it, she did get attached to me unusually fast. Even Joe-Pine was shocked."
"Exactly," Aeloria said. "She doesn't do that with anyone else. That familiarity she feels... it may be the key."
Elton's inner voice growled in the back of his mind. "You fool, this is it. This is a divine opportunity. Take it."
Even so, Elton felt conflicted. He looked to Aeloria. "Alright, so how does the method work?"
She pulled out a leaf-like pamphlet covered in symbols, diagrams, and flowing Elven script. Elton read the basics and nodded along understanding the general method, But then his eyes widened.
"Advanced method... wait. This is a dual cultivation technique?"
Aeloria smirked. "Relax. That part is off-limits for now. I won't allow it unless you reach the Mortal Shedding Realm, and Shayleaf advances to at least Gold Tier 4. That's my bottom line."
Elton exhaled in disbelief, a dry laugh escaping him. "You really know how to drop bombs, huh?"
Aeloria turned to leave. "Rest well, Elton. May we have a prosperous future ahead of us."
The door closed. Silence returned. Elton leaned back in his chair, the pamphlet in his lap, staring up at the ceiling.
One name floated through his mind.
Christy.
He sighed.
The morning sun rose lazily over Whispering Haven City, casting light on the Fanged Elves' estate. Within, Elton, Ramiro, and Zoro had already started their day. After their showers and breakfast, they found themselves surrounded by Fanged Elves who had grown curious about the human trio. It was only a matter of time—such hospitality from Golden Lord Aeloria had raised more than a few pointed ears.
Ramiro, ever the loud one, was quick to charm with stories and banter. Elton, smoother and more charismatic, drew attention with the confident, refined way he spoke. Zoro? Mysterious as always. His quiet, piercing gaze and rare responses gave him an aura of danger that kept the Elves intrigued.
But the relaxed atmosphere didn't last long.
Outside the estate's gates, tension brewed. Two groups had arrived demanding audience with Golden Lord Aeloria. One bore the crest of Golden Lord Norg's faction, the other of Golden Lord Eddy's. Behind Norg's group was an unusual sight of guards from Brymia City, identifiable by their distinct armor and strange colored neck shackles.
A Fanged Elf officer intercepted them, brows furrowed. "What business do factions of two Lords and Brymia guards have showing up here uninvited?"
Golden Lord Eddy's representative, a beastman with rough scaled features, stepped forward calmly. "We do not come with Lord Norg's people, though what we speak of may concern them. It is urgent."
Before the Elf could respond, Norg's representative—a tall, dark-skinned Goblin Demonkin raised his voice. "We demand an audience with Golden Lord Aeloria! What we bring is of utmost importance!"
His voice echoed across the estate, stirring attention from within and around. The Elf's glare sharpened, but just as he prepared to respond, a message flickered into his mind via transmission spell. He sighed, annoyed, then stepped aside.
"Madame Aeloria grants your request. Follow me."
Inside the mansion, in a quiet room, Joe-Pine's expression had darkened.
"They're not here for tea," he muttered. "This is factional pressure. Whispering Haven isn't unified despite appearances."
He looked to Elton, Ramiro, and Zoro. "Lay low for now. This smells like trouble."
Ramiro groaned, throwing his head back. "This crap again..."
Zoro remained silent, but his fingers tapped restlessly on the hilts of his katanas.
Elton sighed, sensing that they are once again being dragged into something troublesome or perhaps its the opposite .
That's when Shayleaf burst in, panting lightly while grabbing Elton by the arm.
"Elton! Come now. Aunt Aeloria says to use the emergency passage. She and the others will follow later."
Joe-Pine nodded. "Don't question it. Go."
The trio followed Shayleaf swiftly through the mansion. Deep within, they reached a hidden elevator where Shirleaf, Luno-Oak, and Dino-Oak were waiting. Wordlessly, they entered and descended to the second basement floor.
There, they traveled through a maze of stone halls until reaching what looked like a solid wall.
Shayleaf produced a pendant woven from her enchanted plantlike dress. She infused it with her magic and pressed it against the wall.
The Fanged Elf symbol glowed, and with a low rumble, the wall receded to reveal a massive hidden elevator.
The group was stunned.
Shirleaf smirked. "We call it the Deep Path. An abyss-like tunnel system spanning beneath and beyond the city. Few know of its existence. It's dangerous… but almost impossible to trace from above."
They descended further into the unknown.
Back in the mansion, inside Aeloria's grand hall, the meeting had already begun.
Tension gripped the air. Aeloria sat on her throne, silent and unreadable. Representatives of Norg and Eddy's factions stood flanked by Brymia City guards.
The same Fanged Elf officer stood in his place.
"Are you betraying the pact?" he growled. "We agreed on neutrality."
Norg's goblin-like representative shrugged. "Can't be helped. Those human children are suspicious."
Golden Lord Eddy's representative cut in, his voice measured. "They've disappeared. Last seen with Fanged Elf members. Lord Eddy sees a bit of value in them… especially with the dimensional gate spreading."
The Fanged Elf flared. "We've honored our word! Days of peaceful interaction don't end in betrayal!"
Norg's representative smirked. "Oh? Then swear upon the Grand Heavenly Will that you speak truth."
The Elf's aura burst forth—a blazing Gold Tier 1 presence. "You dare insult us here?!"
Norg's envoy laughed as he releases his own Gold Tier 1 aura and so too did his faction release their own auras at Silver tier 5 and below. The Brymia guards joined in, the strongest among them a Peak Silver Tier 5 Echoing Tribe warrior from the Longbi Clan.
Golden Lord Eddy's beastman representative stayed calm, blanketing his group in his own Gold Tier 1 aura.
"I won't take part in this pissing match."
Then—
BOOM!
Seraphiel stepped forward from Aeloria's side, her rapier drawn and pointed at Norg's man. Her aura exploded—shaking the walls.
He flinched, eyes wide. "You wouldn't dare!"
She stepped forward, but Aeloria clapped once.
"Enough."
At that moment, a communication talisman glowed in Golden Lord Eddy's representative's hand. He listened, then turned pale.
"They've been spotted escaping the city. Orders are to pursue immediately."
Golden Lord Norg's goblin snapped upright. "We'll take our leave, then."
The Brymia guards moved with haste.
But before leaving, Norg's man glanced back. "You Fanged Elves won't interfere, will you?"
The Elf Officer glared. "We won't block your path. But we're coming along to ensure fair treatment."
"Tch. Whatever." The goblin sneered, throwing Seraphiel a final lustful glance before departing.
Once they were gone, Aeloria spoke softly.
"Continue as planned, Rowaniel."
The Elf officer bowed, a thin smile on his lips. "As you command, my lady."