Chapter 675 - 357: Strife and Tyranny (Part 2)

Southwest of Olamis Lake.

"Okay, we'll wait for Irabien's confirmation, and then it won't be too late for us to head over." With that, Elf Queen Bessany, accompanied by several high-tier ranger leaders, continued forward with the detector.

It wasn't even two minutes when the communication crystal stone at Bessany's waist vibrated again.

"Your Majesty, it seems Mr. Irabien might have actually tracked down Slax."

"Or perhaps he didn't, and that's why he's calling." Another elf ranger chuckled lightly.

No wonder he thought so, after all, capturing Slax had yet to be successful.

Bessany didn't partake in the discussion, instead, she took out the communication crystal stone and listened by infusing a trace of spiritual power.

But within just a few seconds, her expression visibly flushed, and even her tall and graceful figure slightly trembled, evidently due to emotional agitation.

This left the several elf ranger generals behind her looking at each other in astonishment.

One must know that Her Majesty the Queen usually faces everything with a calm demeanor.

Only after Bessany set down the communication crystal stone and took a deep breath did her visage return to its usual serenity, saying, "Irabien has sent word that 'King of Poison Vines' Slax has been successfully killed."

"What!"

A few elf ranger generals widened their eyes, almost speaking in unison, showing expressions of shock and disbelief.

It was then they understood why Queen Bessany lost composure a moment ago.

This news was indeed astounding!

Meanwhile, the two elf warriors still probing ahead were stunned.

'King of Poison Vines' Slax has been killed?

Then what's the point of their exploration?

"Was it Mr. Irabien and his friend who killed him together?" An elf ranger general couldn't help but ask.

"No, it was a human powerhouse named Raine who killed him alone." Bessany shook her head, saying, "Enough of that, let's head over right away. He has been an enormous help to us, it would be disrespectful to delay our guest further."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Chirp~" As an elf ranger general blew a whistle, a squad of elite horned eagle beasts quickly flew into the sky.

"Right at the southern side of Olamis Lake, not far east from us." Bessany lightly tapped her toe, gracefully leaping onto the saddle of a horned eagle beast.

....

Within Slax's secret lair.

"Great! I'll notify Her Majesty the Queen immediately!"

"Mr. Raine, how did you do it?" Great Druid Irabien couldn't resist asking, even though he knew it was somewhat presumptuous given his current relationship with Raine.

"Perhaps because I happened to discern Slax's illusion," Raine smiled and simply explained.

"Mr. Raine, Her Majesty Bessany is on her way here. They're near Olamis Lake and should arrive in about five minutes." At this point, Irabien, who had intended to continue asking questions, felt the vibration of the communication crystal stone.

Meanwhile, Ilgerina's expression seemed somewhat unnatural after hearing the news. She stepped forward, holding Leonore's hand and looking at Raine, saying, "Successfully killing Slax means things are sorted, so I should be going."

Upon hearing this, Raine was initially taken aback, but upon seeing Ilgerina's expression, he instantly realized something.

Though the Harpers Alliance doesn't care about race or beliefs, elves are not the Harpers Alliance.

Overall, most elves are generally unfriendly towards Drow Elves, with situations like Great Druid Irabien being rare.

"Ilgerina, where do you intend to go?"

"The Talin Association President Osber was also killed by your Mr. Raine, so I plan to visit the Underdark for a while and check on my people. I've heard that the Urein Empire is further strengthening its military actions in the Underdark."

"Well, take care of yourself," Leonore gently patted Ilgerina's hand, offering comfort.

"By the way, Lady Ilgerina, if you happen across any news about the legendary black dragon, please let me know," Raine suddenly thought that the Underdark was the black dragon's favorite environment, and maybe Ilgerina's channels might yield information.

"Legendary Black Dragon?" Ilgerina asked somewhat puzzled, glancing at Raine, but soon nodded, saying, "No problem, though if there's nothing, please understand Mr. Raine."

"Of course." Raine smiled and nodded.

....

Two minutes after Ilgerina left, the cave entrance echoed with the cries and fluttering wings of horned eagle beasts.

Before long, a cold yet alluring elf woman, crowned and in the lead, walked in with several elf generals clad in armor woven with golden patterns.

Noticing the massive corpse of 'King of Poison Vines' Slax, their expressions changed.

"Mr. Raine, this is Queen Bessany of our kind." Upon seeing the crowned elf woman appear, Great Druid Irabien warmly introduced.

"Your Majesty, this is Mr. Raine who dealt with the 'King of Poison Vines' Slax, relieving the Elf Forest of a formidable threat."

Queen Bessany offered a faint smile to Raine, saying:

"Mr. Raine, I'm deeply sorry you arrived at the Elf Forest, and I couldn't greet you promptly."

"Please do stay awhile longer so we can properly extend our hospitality."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Raine lightly bowed with a smile.

"This is Princess Leonore, the eldest princess of Soladin Kingdom, and Mr. Raine's fiancée," Irabien continued enthusiastically.

"Princess Leonore's elegance is remarkable," Bessany observed Leonore with admiration.

"Thank you, Your Majesty is truly the one who dazzles the crowd." Leonore held her magic staff against her chest, offering a slight bow in salute.

"This is Ms. Lilith, Mr. Raine's..." Irabien suddenly faltered in his introduction.

He intended to say she was Mr. Raine's woman, but quickly realized that didn't make sense; Leonore is the fiancée, so Lilith as Raine's woman couldn't be right.

Indeed, a woman's words can be misleading!

"Maid, I'm Mr. Raine's maid," Lilith volunteered, "Your Majesty, from afar I thought it was a projection of the Moon Goddess."

Just as Bessany was about to say something, suddenly, the communication crystals of Bessany, Leonore, and Great Druid Irabien began vibrating.

Hm?

"The Urein Empire is announcing a celebration on the first of next month and invites kings and major force leaders across the continent to attend the Emperor of the Empire Talos III's ascension ceremony." Leonore recited the content aloud.

"Indeed, Talos III finally took this step, and it seems the continent might fall into warfare soon." Elf Queen Bessany sighed.

At this tone, Raine raised an eyebrow, asking, "Your Majesty, did you foresee this?"

"Yes, the Talos Clan... Since Talos I, they've been striving to ascend to demigod status, and after three generations, it's finally realized in Talos III's hands."

"But how does ascending to demigod status relate to the continent falling into warfare?"

"It's quite interconnected, as this delves into a secret. It's known that progressing from legendary peak to demigod requires accumulating divinity, but to progress further as a demigod, one needs to acquire divine format."

"A thousand years ago, there's a legend of a powerful priest named Bane, who, while exploring ancient ruins with teammates, encountered an ancient death god."

"It's said the ancient death god, weary of millennia of judging souls, proactively split his divine positions and shared them with Bane and his teammates. However, due to human greed, everyone desires to seize all divine positions, leading to intense infighting."

"The ultimate outcome was that both Bane and his teammates, though acquiring divine positions, were severely injured and disappeared... After years of silence, recently, the Black Fist Church worshipping Bane has become increasingly active."

"And Bane's divine positions happen to be discord and tyranny."

....