Book 11: Chapter 19: Mastashia

“Haha!” Seeing Qin Lun’s unease, the tall and athletic female Elf burst into laughter like silver bells again. She had none of the usual reserve or shyness of female Elves. “I never expected Firal Moonlight, whom Milleras described as cunning as a fox, to have such a cute side.”

“Did that kid Milleras send you?” Qin Lun pretended to be angry and waved his hand.

“Hehe, Your Highness, I already told you. I am a Harper, not someone else’s subordinate. I only follow the guidance of my heart in everything I do.” Mastashia laughed and waved her hand, pointing at the agitated Inferno Hound. “You should probably recall your hunting partner back to the pet paradise. It seems impatient with this environment.”

“You still haven’t said why you were following us?” Qin Lun was very alert and did not immediately recall Cerberus.

“A few months ago, the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission arrived at Evermeet, and the Anke Elf Court in the central part of the continent is integrating the Winter Forest and Thornwood. Though the effects of these events are still unfolding, some high-ranking members of various Sapient Races who are aware of the situation have linked them together. They realize that the Elves of Faerûn are about to undergo another major transformation.”

Mastashia said seriously, “We don’t know if this change will be beneficial for all the Sapient Races on the continent. Although the Harpers Alliance is known as the continent’s interferers, we ourselves understand that before the great wheel of history, no matter what we do, we cannot stop its pace.”

“Our only hope is to try to guide this change toward a positive direction. You, Firal Moonlight—although Your Highness is not the leader of the Ancient Path Diplomatic Mission, according to some intelligence, we found that you are also a key member of the mission.”

“Moreover, you also have great influence over the future Gleaming Moon Court. We hope that by understanding you and everything around you, we can predict the future direction of the Gleaming Moon Court. Will it trigger the Sixth Crown War between the Sun Court of the Sun Elves and the Gleaming Moon Court of the Moon Elves?”

“So you expect me to mediate between the Sun Court and the Gleaming Moon Court.” Qin Lun’s eyes gleamed, and he immediately understood. He sneered and said, “Unfortunately, the ideals of the Harpers Alliance do not represent my will. I’m afraid it will be very difficult for you to ‘guide’ me.”

His insight was incredibly sharp. Although Mastashia had said a lot, it did not affect his judgment at all. The main point of Mastashia’s words was not whether the Harpers Alliance wanted to understand him, but Qin Lun’s Plot Identity.

He was a key member of the Ancient Path Diplomatic Mission and also the Saophila Elf Prince of the future Gleaming Moon Court. He was a life-and-death companion of the Sun Elf Prince Milleras and one of the important inheritors acknowledged by the Anker Elf King.

If the Sun Elves and Moon Elves were to become severely opposed in the future, he would be the best person to mediate. The purpose of the Harpers Alliance was to maintain the balance of the continent and eliminate evil. And war, no matter the reason, was clearly the greatest evil that disrupted the continent’s balance.

Since Qin Lun was such an important balancing point, it made sense that Mastashia would specifically come to Baldur’s Gate to search for clues about him.

“In fact, about a month before you showed up, I had already been to the Death Lands. Do you know why?” Mastashia did not mind Qin Lun’s cold and distant attitude and continued speaking on her own.

“You wanted to find me? No, that’s not right. You wanted to find Iristin!” Qin Lun frowned in thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up.

Qin Lun had returned to the Shattered Starry Sky months ago. No matter how much influence the Harpers Alliance had in Faerûn, they could not possibly find any trace of him. So the only reason Mastashia came to the Death Lands must have been to find Iristin.

“You really are as terrifyingly smart as Milleras said.” Mastashia stared at him deeply and continued with a smile, “I don’t know what happened to you back then or why you suddenly disappeared in Baldur’s Gate, leaving me and a few other Harpers without any clues.”

“However, as time passed, we found that there might be another person who could partially replace your influence—that’s the other Moon Elf from the diplomatic mission, Iristin Moonfall…”

“If you came to the Death Lands a month ago, then…” Qin Lun’s face suddenly turned pale, and his expression darkened as if it were dripping water.

Harpers were a group of idealistic lunatics. They were not ordinary mercenaries hired by Sif and would not consider mission risks from a personal safety perspective. Since Mastashia had come to the Death Lands to find Iristin, she must have ventured deep into the swamp.

Judging by her roundabout words now, she clearly had not found the Elven Druid.

Qin Lun’s combat strength might not be inferior to this Highland Elf, but every Harper, especially those who were Rangers or Bards by profession, were masters of adventure. Their field exploration experience was certainly better than his, especially in the unique geographical environment of the Death Lands.

“Don’t worry. Although I couldn’t find Iristin, I still found some clues. They might not be dead yet. However, the longer it takes, the smaller their chance of survival becomes.” Mastashia said earnestly.

Qin Lun’s expression improved a lot, and his eyes returned to calm. He did not immediately ask Mastashia for clues about Iristin. Instead, he looked indifferently at the Highland Elf and asked, “Do you have anything that proves you’re a Harper?”

“Hehe, we Harpers are used to working alone. Many of us do spy work that you might look down on. We don’t have the word ‘Harper’ carved on our foreheads. Besides frequently changing codes, many people don’t carry obvious identity markers.” Mastashia smiled and said, “But you’re in luck. I happen to have a small item on me that can prove my identity.”

Mastashia raised her hand and tossed a small object. It drew a silver arc in the moonlight and landed in Qin Lun’s palm.

Qin Lun looked closely and saw that the small item was a uniquely shaped harp-shaped pin. On the vertical line in the middle of the “W” shape was engraved a small Mithril Unicorn. Its obsidian diamond eye reflected a captivating rainbow hue in the moonlight.

Harper Pin (Accessory-type treasure, information incomplete): A precious magical item, its quality at least Dark Gold or above. It indicates that the wearer is a highly respected and trusted member of the Harpers. It can make the wearer immune to certain magical attacks. Most owners carry it with them at all times and almost never give it to unfamiliar outsiders. Compared to its precious material value, most Harpers who own it regard it as a medal of honor.

This Highland Elf before him was actually a Harper Master! Qin Lun raised an eyebrow. Milleras had discussed the Harpers organization with him before. The so-called Harper Master was not a professional rank but an honorary title among members of the Harpers Alliance.

Only those Harpers who had performed outstandingly in certain major events would be given this honorific by other members. In the eyes of Apostles, these major events were at least Legendary Plots, or even Epic Plots—all of them historical plots at the national or regional level.

“Please forgive my earlier rudeness, respected Harper Master!” Qin Lun waved his hand to recall the Inferno Hound, revealed a bright smile, tossed the Harper Pin back, bowed, and said respectfully with a smile, “Firal Moonlight, at your service!”

“Hoho, you changed your attitude really fast!” Mastashia put her hands on her hips and laughed heartily, her ample bosom heaving dramatically. “I’ve never seen anyone show such respect to a Harper. Others usually avoid us like the plague!”

Qin Lun’s eyelids twitched, but since he needed her help now, he had to play along and smile.

“Ahem… Master Mastashia, saving people is urgent now. What do you think…”

“So you don’t mind if I follow you for this period, right?” Mastashia tilted her head and asked.

“Of course, it is Firal’s honor!” Qin Lun’s smile was as warm as a spring breeze, making Mastashia feel that the previous face he showed was just an illusion.

“Just a bit fake!” Mastashia muttered under her breath, then waved her hand magnanimously and said, “Then let’s go. We need to find Iristin’s whereabouts as soon as possible.”

Qin Lun turned without hesitation and led the way toward their camp.

The battle that started as a hunting game had taken a lot of time. The sky was beginning to brighten at the horizon, and dawn would soon arrive.

“Master Mastashia, since you found traces of Iristin last time, do you have any idea about her current situation?” After walking for a while, Qin Lun cautiously probed.

“Just call me Mastashia directly. Hearing you talk like this makes me a bit uncomfortable!” Mastashia sighed, then asked, “How much do you know about the Death Lands?”

“Just some rumors!” Qin Lun shrugged and admitted frankly.

“If you don’t know much, it’s too troublesome to explain.” Mastashia frowned and thought for a moment, then continued, “Based on observations of some remaining traces, I judged that Iristin and that Female Knight of Loviatar had gone through several fierce battles. Their opponents should have been large-sized Sapient creatures.”

Qin Lun nodded. This clue was the same as what Sif had said before. The exploration team was attacked by Trolls. The Old Butler Mason was captured, and most of the mercenaries were killed or injured. He and Iristin got separated, and he alone escaped to Baldur’s Gate.

“I followed the battle traces they left behind and searched deep in the Death Lands for two whole weeks. At the last trace, I stopped and had to return to Baldur’s Gate.” When Mastashia said this, her expression showed some helplessness.

“Why?” Qin Lun asked curiously. Harpers didn’t seem like the kind of smart people who would retreat when things got difficult.

“As long as there’s a possibility of completing the task, I’m not afraid of danger. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to die for nothing. What good would that do for the mission?” Mastashia rolled her eyes and continued, “I returned to Baldur’s Gate to wait for a few companions. Unfortunately, the powerful Harpers in this area were temporarily absent, and the weaker ones couldn’t go to the Death Lands.”

“And just while I was waiting, you suddenly showed up alive and kicking, as if you had been buried underground before!” Mastashia pursed her lips, clearly holding a grudge for not being able to dig Qin Lun out of Baldur’s Gate earlier.

Qin Lun gave a bitter smile. From what happened a few days ago, he really did pop out from underground.

“Then… the last traces you found, were there any notable clues?” Qin Lun asked anxiously.

“Yes. To evade their pursuers, they entered the most dangerous forbidden zone in the Death Lands!” Mastashia’s expression finally turned serious. She thought carefully and said, “If I went into that place alone with my strength, my chances of survival would be less than ten percent. Since there were two of them, I said they might have a twenty percent chance.”