Chapter 70: A meeting with Aeloria and Royalin
The polished marble floor reflected the faint golden sunlight filtering through crystalline windows as the door opened. Aeloria stepped into the chamber, her presence regal and cold as winter mist yet vibrant with the pulse of deep, ancient magic. She walked without hurry, the hem of her robes gliding across the floor with quiet grace.
Elton, Royalin-Oak, and Olive-Oak swiftly rose to their feet.
"Duchess Nightbloom," Royalin-Oak said, placing a hand over his chest in the traditional Elven salute.
"Your Excellency," Olive-Oak followed, bowing deeply.
Elton hesitated, hearing their titles and feeling a strange mix of awe and understanding. Of course she was a duchess. With her power and influence, it was only natural.
"I'm doing very well, thank you… umm, Duchess Nightbloom," he said nervously.
Aeloria's gaze flicked toward him, and a small frown tugged at her lips.
"Just call me Mistress Aeloria," she said, her tone gentle but firm.
"Ah… alright. As you wish, Mistress Aeloria," he replied, unsure but compliant.
She gave a small, pleased smile.
Royalin-Oak and Olive-Oak exchanged stunned glances. That honor was rarely given in the Elven Kingdom, even to high nobles. The implications struck them hard—this young human boy might become someone far more important than they'd anticipated.
Elton felt a wave of discomfort stir within him.
Aeloria moved forward and folded her arms.
"Margrave Elton. I'm sure you have questions. You were unconscious for a week," she said, her voice becoming more serious. "Truthfully, I could have summoned you to my territory, but due to political constraints and the presence of multiple races here in Celebi Forest City, I had to act with discretion. Spies are everywhere."
She paused to let him absorb her words.
"Before I go further… How do you find Celebi Forest City?"
Elton thought for a moment before answering. "I think this place is incredibly beautiful. Magical, really. Especially in terms of its connection to nature. It seems like an ideal place to cultivate, especially for those who practice Nature Essence. The people are kind enough… though I can feel malice from some. I am a stranger to them, after all."
Royalin-Oak chuckled. "Huhuhu. Young man, you certainly have keen senses for your age, especially for a human."
Olive-Oak nodded in agreement.
Aeloria inclined her head. "Yes. You've sensed the underlying sentiment well. Even those aligned with me doubt your potential."
Suddenly, the room changed.
Aeloria's magical aura unfurled like a cloak of immense pressure, centering on Elton. The air thickened, and the floor trembled faintly beneath their feet. Elton's breathing grew ragged as he grit his teeth, body tense under the crushing weight.
Her voice was sharp and direct.
"Tell me, Elton. What is the name of your cultivation method?"
He blinked through sweat, shocked. "I… I practice the Bright Bla—"
"No. Not that one. The true one."
Her magic probed deeper. Elton felt it searching through him—through every layer of his spirit and technique.
Suddenly, memories surged.
His father's teachings.
Erica's cryptic training.
The voice—that constant, confident inner presence whispering truths and secrets.
Elton's eyes flared with blue and white light. Tiny sparks erupted along his arms and chest, shimmering against the oppressive aura.
He spoke clearly.
"I practice the White Lightning Star Sage Method."
Aeloria's eyes widened, and then a dreamy expression crossed her face. For a moment, she seemed lost in starlight.
"Yes… I can see it now," she whispered. "Just a bit more clearly…"
She stepped forward, face shining with fierce conviction.
"Elton—no, Margrave Elton Solman—in the future, I ask that you become the Grand Protector of the Fanged Elf Clan."
The room exploded in shock.
"Whaaat?! Duchess Nightbloom?!" Olive-Oak exclaimed.
"Your Excellency, what are you saying so suddenly?!" Royalin-Oak added.
Elton blinked, mind reeling. But even as the shock crashed over him, a calm settled in. He remembered something his inner voice had once said.
Your fate is larger than you know. Accept it, or be crushed by it.
He met Aeloria's gaze. She smiled knowingly.
"Yes, I may have great potential… but who knows where my limits truly lie? You, however, must focus. That method I gave you cultivate it seriously, and do it with Shayleaf. She'll be of true help to you."
"""Ehh?!""" Elton, Royalin-Oak, and Olive-Oak cried out in perfect unison.
"Cultivation method?! Wait, M-m-madame Nightbloom, are you implying that Margrave Solman and Ms. Shayleaf, who is a pureblooded member of the Royal family, are to… dual cultivate?" Olive-Oak's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, clearly flustered and trying to speak for both himself and Royalin-Oak.
Aeloria gave him a measured glance, her expression calm as always. "No. I am not saying they will use the dual cultivation method. They will only be using the Elven Synchronization Method."
Olive-Oak stammered, "B-but that method still requires a level of intimacy and can still lead t—"
"Enough," Aeloria interrupted, her voice sharp enough to silence the rest of his words.
Royalin-Oak took the chance to speak next, his voice firmer and more composed. "Madame Nightbloom, I'm not quite understanding why something so sacred is being utilized in this manner. As much as I too am convinced of young Margrave Solman and his future capabilities, I can't completely say that I approve of such actions."
Elton stood silently, observing the tension in the air. He could sense the seriousness of the atmosphere and couldn't help but note the aura around Royalin-Oak. The man was teetering at the threshold of Gold Tier 5, with a foundation more solid than most. That alone gave him the right to speak against even someone as powerful as Aeloria Nightbloom.
Aeloria, however, simply looked toward Royalin with a small, knowing smile. "I will fill you in later. But for now, just know there is no issue. The prominent members of the Royal family have given their permission, and of course, Ms. Shayleaf herself is a completely willing participant."
The two fanged elves exchanged glances again, sighing in resignation. They could not refute her if Shayleaf was complicit and the Royal family were involved directly.
Aeloria added, her tone more diplomatic now, "Just know that this is more of an opportunity for our Fanged Elves—especially Shayleaf—and perhaps others as well, if things go in a certain direction. The Margrave will gain more benefits early on, but we will gain far more later."
Royalin-Oak exhaled and nodded solemnly. "Alright. If it's as you've said, then I will follow your arrangements."
Elton laughed a little under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Haha, so much pressure on my shoulders. To think the Fanged Elves believe in me this much."
"Yes," Aeloria said plainly. "We believe in you. And of course, we also have faith in your friends too."
She didn't say Zoro's name, but the mention caused her gaze to flicker just slightly, a subtle reminder that there was more she knew.
The conversation softened after that, drifting through various topics until Aeloria brought up something else.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be living in a villa located in my Dukedom," she said. "It's inside a pocket world resting on one of the three great Golden Tooth-like Branches. Each of the three Grand Noble families reside in those branches."
Elton blinked. "What about Zoro and Ramiro? Will they be coming to live there too?"
Aeloria shook her head. "No, or at least not for now. Eventually, depending on the circumstances, you three may be living together again or even be given individual housing. Regardless, you will still be able to meet and visit each other freely. Naturally, you'll need to stay vigilant."
"Very well," Elton replied with a nod.
As he turned to leave, Aeloria added nonchalantly, "Oh, and Shayleaf will be living with you from now on. It's best to begin synchronization tomorrow. See you soon."
Elton froze mid-step, eyes wide. He gave no response—just a stiff nod—before leaving the chamber.
The moment he was gone, Olive-Oak turned to Aeloria with a look of uneasy concern. Royalin-Oak crossed his arms and stared long at the woman he'd watched grow up.
"I've known you since you were a little girl," Royalin-Oak said. "And I've seen many of your strange, yet frighteningly accurate predictions come to pass. Eventually, like your father, I plan to retire after breaking through to Golden Lord. My son Olive will take over with Joe at his side. Then again… I probably won't be able to retire until all this madness plays out."
He sighed, heavy and burdened. "Now tell me plainly. What is it about that boy that convinced the Royal family to make such shocking moves thanks to your influence?"
Aeloria's expression didn't change. Her bright, charismatic smile bloomed like a moonflower in the night.
"I'll tell you everything."
And with those words, something unspoken passed between them. That night, both Royalin-Oak and Olive-Oak silently decided to bet everything on Elton Solman.
Whatever came next, they were all in.