Book 11: Chapter 64: Audience

After exploring the enormous palace for most of the day, everyone in the group except the four women, including Qin Lun, felt utterly exhausted. Yet, Iristin and the others seemed even more energetic. It turned out women are indeed different from men.

“Are Laini and Miss Linda here too?” Qin Lun stopped the skipping Emily.

“Yes, they moved in two days ago,” Emily answered without hesitation.

After receiving Annasilia’s invitation at noon two days prior, Laini and Linda had gone straight to the palace with the Female Knight. Qin Lun and his companions, however, waited two more days at the inn for a response from the Silverymoon City Lord. They were finally escorted into the Palace of the High by the Silver Guards on the very day of the celebration.

Lady Hope was probably still a little angry over Qin Lun’s blackmail during the crisis; otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited this long to invite him into the palace. Mastashia, who entered the palace with Qin Lun, was unusually quiet now. She seemed to have figured something out and no longer pressed Qin Lun about the clues he’d gotten at the farm that night.

“When will your mother receive me?” Qin Lun asked Emily with a smile.

“Please forgive me, Prince Firal! Because of the grand celebration tonight, she is unable to get away. She probably won’t have time to see you until after noon,” Emily replied somewhat stiffly.

Qin Lun nodded slightly. The girl didn’t yet know of her teacher’s fate. From her behavior, it seemed the Zhentarim assassin pretending to be Angelo hadn’t entered the palace. He guessed they wouldn’t appear until the very last moment.

Talk of official business finally ended the four women’s playful mood after running around the palace. They asked Emily to lead them to the guest chambers for a temporary rest.

The room prepared for visitors in the Palace of the High was luxurious and extravagant, almost one hundred pings (close to three hundred square meters). Tall-backed chairs cushioned with brown wind fox fur complemented a low table made of redblood wood.

Before the grand, ornate fireplace stood a bronze charcoal brazier. Exquisitely patterned tapestries hung everywhere in the room. Behind the desk and table stood two rows of elegant, antique bookshelves filled entirely with hardcover books.

After the guide servant exited, Qin Lun flopped onto the soft large bed. The fragrant herbal plant arrangement on the bedside table filled the air with an intoxicating scent. He quickly relaxed and fell into a deep sleep.

Knock-knock-knock… Qin Lun, unsure how long he’d slept, was soon awakened by a steady knocking at the door. A young maid there informed him the Silverymoon City Lord was finally ready to receive him.

Before the Noble Hall stood two Unicorn statues. Each stood on its hind legs, their front hooves meeting mid-air, creating a uniquely styled archway. Behind the arch lay silver steps. At their end, barely visible through the distance, was something resembling a chaise longue used as a throne.

The throne was entirely silver-white, adorned with raised carvings inlaid with many jades and gemstones. Yet it didn’t feel excessively opulent, carrying instead a stately, ancient beauty.

Qin Lun ascended the steps. His companions were not with him for this audience; perhaps they hadn’t even been informed of it.

Before the Silver Throne stood a tall, gracefully full-figured woman. Seeing Qin Lun climb the steps, the woman remained silent for a moment, closely observing the silver-haired Elf.

Smiling, Qin Lun met her gaze openly, studying the highest ruler of Silverymoon.

Diverging from the palace’s lavish style, Elastor’s personal attire appeared simple. Her smooth, silky golden hair was pulled back with a copper band, falling like satin over her shoulders. The distinct pointed ears of a Half-elf showed at her temples.

Her face wasn’t classically beautiful but held a mature, charming quality. Willowy brows and almond-shaped eyes diminished her aura as City Lord, replacing it with a hint of motherly warmth.

Time had left faint traces on Elastor’s face. Though she had borne many children, the well-preserved Lady Hope looked remarkably young upon first glance.

She wore a white Mage’s robe with exquisite lace and the star-and-moon royal crest embroidered at the cuffs. Her impressive form arched the white robe’s front high, the V-neck revealing hints of pale, smooth, rounded curves, drawing Qin Lun’s gaze momentarily.

Compared to beauties like Iristin or Idria, Qin Lun had to admit this “Lady Hope” possessed a far more acute, almost deadly temptation, stirring every man’s possessiveness—like a tempting, sweet, juicy peach.

“Prince Firal, welcome to Silverymoon!” After a pause, a faint smile finally touched Elastor’s charming face. A sweet voice reached Qin Lun’s ears. “Please forgive my neglect these past two days!”

“You are too polite. It is I who arrived uninvited and felt compelled to resort to blackmail due to certain circumstances. I truly feel ashamed.” Qin Lun placed a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.

Elastor paused slightly. Her gaze rested on Qin Lun’s face again, lapsing into a brief silence. They stood looking at each other until, suddenly, they shared a faint, understanding smile.

“You are the most outstanding young man I’ve met in the last ten years. No wonder King Thanequalas granted you the prince-title,” Elastor said, smiling. “I was very upset by your actions, but now that you’re so blunt and straightforward, my anger finds no outlet. Tell me, how should I punish you?”

“You jest!” Qin Lun replied with perfect courtesy. “My methods, though unseemly, stemmed from sound intentions. Besides, the decision for an alliance rests always with you and King Thanequalas. Why trouble yourself over mere tricks played by a junior?”

“Such a little rascal!” Elastor shot Qin Lun a look, thick with implication. The anger in the Silverymoon City Lord’s heart dissipated slightly. She lost her stiffness, leaning back onto the throne, propping her chin on one hand. Her expression was languid as she spoke. “Alright, tell me in detail what you found at that farm. No tricks this time!”

Qin Lun glanced at the Silver Guards standing by the throne hall’s walls. When Elastor waved them away, he lowered his voice and recounted the events of that night, presenting his and Hill’s deductions fully.

In truth, since Elastor had summoned him here, it meant she’d already agreed to his request and would formally introduce his Plot Identity during the celebration. If Qin Lun remained evasive now, it risked her good will and hindered the alliance.

“Is Angelo dead? Can you be certain?” Hearing the news of the Mage’s death, even with Elastor’s mental fortitude, her composure faltered for a split second.

“I faced life and death with Mage Angelo. Though I could only restore his remains to about fifty or sixty percent of their original form, I am confident I could not mistake his identity,” Qin Lun stated gravely. “Moreover, given who he was, it made him highly exploitable by the Zhentarim.”

“A sigh… this is my fault. I never anticipated involving even Angelo, Emily’s teacher.” Weariness crept into Elastor’s expression. She waved her hand dismissively. “Firal, your information is valuable. If the Zhentarim truly orchestrated such a scheme, the defenses I set earlier will likely be useless. Utterly vexing!”

“Do you require our assistance tonight?” Qin Lun asked cautiously.

“No need. If I, as Silverymoon City Lord, cannot handle such a small matter with intelligence in hand, you’d be sorely disappointed, wouldn’t you?” Elastor looked at him with a faintly mocking smile.

“I dare not think so. Then I will await your good news,” Qin Lun said, lowering his gaze, the picture of meekness.

“Enough acting! There may be some commotion. I’ll assign you a squad of guards. Please stay put; the palace has many magic traps. If you find an arrow in your backside later, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Elastor made a light joke, before adding seriously, “Also… please don’t mention Angelo to Emily until this matter is concluded.”

“Certainly. I wouldn’t be so inconsiderate!” Qin Lun agreed immediately.

The Silverymoon City Lord conversed a while longer with him. After finding that the silver-haired Elf divulged all pertinent information, she finally waved a hand, signaling he could leave.

…

“Qin Lun, met Elastor Silverhand yet?” Hill’s voice sounded in the Team Channel once Qin Lun returned to his quarters.

“Yes, it’s done,” Qin Lun replied with a smile. “The Silverymoon City Lord proves as broad-minded as the rumors say. She holds no grudge over my earlier offense. While she doesn’t fully trust us yet, she seems free of lingering resentment.”

“Did she request our help?” Rand asked from the channel, interest palpable.

“No. Exactly as we expected—she refuses to risk the Elf Prince of Thanequalas,” Qin Lun stated calmly. “However, she did assign a squad of Silver Guards. When necessary, they can guide you. If you manage to kill one or two of Zhentarim’s High Rank leaders or Legendary Powerhouses, that’ll be pure luck for both of you.”

As the sun dipped westward, the Palace of the High grew lively. Guests and attendants poured in increasingly. Groups of distinguished visitors entered through the grand archway into the reception hall. Elastor had transformed this hall—usually for meetings — into a banquet venue.

Across Silverymoon’s many corners, at the same time, people started dancing round campfires, drinking, and reveling with abandon. The Silverymoon Celebration was a traditional festival celebrating the harvest. Every year during this specific period, the entire city cheered wildly overnight until early the next day’s dawn.

“Qin Lun, can you see the Zhentarim assassin disguised as Angelo?”

Qin Lun leaned over the battlements within a Palace of the High tower’s bell chamber. From his vantage point, he could see every visitor entering or leaving the palace below.

“No.” Qin Lun frowned slightly. Unexpectedly, the imposter playing Angelo never appeared within his view. It seemed almost as though the Zhentarim might have abandoned their plot.