Chapter 80
Chapter 80: The Fin of Ghazalia
The great palace was shaped with large trees leaning against each other . Pure water surrounded the roots of the trees . This was the most majestic and nature-friendly entity in the Elf Kingdom . The so-called Hanging Gardens .
It was the heart of the kingdom . The throne room was even more stunning and breathtaking . The whole surroundings were engulfed with beauty . Then, a voice leaked from the throne room .
「…Is that woman keeping herself quiet . Answer me, Valianne . 」
The somber voice belonged to the master of the palace and the guardian of the throne . That voice came out of Fin Lagias’ mouth . A low-pitched voice that showed authority as if he governed the whole bottom of the earth . Fin Lagias was an elf with a sculptural beauty, but this old elf had his face covered with wrinkles and scars .
「Yes . The princess . No . Eldith never leaves the Tower . 」
Valianne nodded low as she answered to Lagias’ question . Lagias put his hand around his chin as if he were immersed on his thoughts . No one could tell what those thin eyes were thinking .
Valianne lowered her head deeply so that the Fin wouldn’t see the cold sweat dripping on her chest . In fact, that wasn’t exactly the truth . The princess was no longer just sitting quietly in that Tower . She was no longer wasting her time . Valianne felt tremendous joy hidden in her heart . It was wonderful that the princess finally found a purpose to move forward with her life .
Nevertheless . One of the princess’ main problems had been resolved . The will to live . However, there was another problem . That problem was the old elf who sat down on the throne and gazed at everyone with mysterious eyes .
Fin Lagias .
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「Isn’t that great, Fin? She won’t pose as a problem if she remains quiet . 」
One member of the faction that put Lagias on the throne opened his mouth . That so-called faction was the one who eradicated Eldith’s father and gave the title of Fin to Lagias . To Valianne, this wicked civil officer manipulated the Fin as he pleased along with other members of that faction . A power in the shadows that pulled the main strings .
“What did that officer want now?” Valianne thought . That wicked elf was just rotten and wooden gimmick that just wanted to impress the Fin . Disgusting . Valianne slightly distorted her lips .
「Hmm…How is that great, huh? 」
A strong voice echoed in the whole throne room . It seemed that the Fin was upset and irritated about something . His tone was harsh and cold, without any lingering feelings .
That treacherous officer swallowed his saliva immediately and involuntarily . He couldn’t even reply to the Fin’s indecipherable words . The face of Lagias covered in scars and wrinkles was distorted as if he was heated . The Fin continued with his speech .
「No problem, you say? Can’t you see how serious the whole situation is? There’s a voice in the depths of my heart that tells me that nothing good will come in the future . Not only that woman, but everything else as well . It seems that you lack expertise . If you are this incompetent, then it’s better for you to die here . 」
Right after speaking with a strong loud voice, the civil officer who was in front of the Fin fell immediately into the ground .
“Somehow, this situation is a little bit strange . ” Valianne thought that after witnessing the Fin’s rage fall on his subject . Then, an eerie laugh . A dry laugh echoed through the trees . Lagias’ dark laugh blotted the large room . He continued .
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「No . It’s not that you lack expertise, but it’s your ears that are rotten . We can’t live peacefully anymore, not today . And tomorrow, the day when we get our food, is over as well . Moreover, the demon beasts are overflowing, and we elves cannot turn our backs on the disorder of the world . 」
The elves who surrounded and served the Fin closed their mouths .
Certainly, it was true that our sentinel elves confirmed the presence of many demon beasts in the nearby forests quite recently . Adding to that was the conflict between the human nations that brought the Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia into their affairs .
However, it was certain that many elves, including Valianne, were somehow skeptical about the Fin’s latest words .
How much of it was the truth? How far was he willing to lie for the sake of his desires? This old elf, named Lagias, was an enigma . No other elves could read his thoughts nor movements .
At first, it was the faction of elves, which led the coup d’état, that carried duties on behalf of the title of Fin . However, when this old elf got the title and power of the Fin upon killing his brother, he started to wave Ghazalia’s foundation as if the nature itself had changed entirely .
No one knew this old elf, Lagias’ true essence . That was the main reason why Valianne and the other elves feared him so much .
Was the other Fins supposed to be like this? Who knows, there was no elf alive who aided many Fins for several generations .
「The grace of the forest, which we have received from yesterday, isn’t a proof that we’ll receive it again today . Actually, coming back to the first topic . That woman, Edith, is dangerous . Many elves still worship that woman . 」
Lagias sat causally on the throne as he continued with his dialogue .
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There wasn’t anyone who could oppose the words thrown out in the air from the spine-chilling low voice .
「Insects that wither the plants must die immediately . It is all for the sake of Ghazalia, for the sake of every elf who lives in this land, and far beyond . 」
Valianne couldn’t understand those words .
“He said that it was all for the sake of elves . For our survival . However, I can’t get around with it . Since ancient times, elves have built their stronghold deep in the forest, and have held a harmonious life with the spirits . ” Valianne thought .
She continued to think . “We are guarded by the spirits, and we were never swayed by wars . Moreover, there was no record of a catastrophe in our land . It seems that the demon beasts are wandering around in the surrounding forests, but none dared to attack Ghazalia so far . ”
Today was a little unstimulating day for Valianne, who commanded the elf soldiers . Despite her rank in the Elf Kingdom, Valianne thought that peace was by no means bad .
On the other hand, Valianne thought that Lagias’ actions were calling for a disaster .
Suddenly, he joined hands with a human nation and suppressed the Heraldic humans who the elves had previously formed an alliance . What did that act mean?
It was strange for a Fin to leave the forest and be friends with the humans . After all, this behavior wasn’t suitable of a Fin . “This old elf is completely absorbed by humans . ” Valianne swirled confusingly in her mind .
Elves had pride and certain restrictions . There was peace in Ghazalia now because the elves protected it and received the blessing of the spirits . Naturally, only ruin and chaos awaited them if someone broke that harmony .
“Yes, the princess is our only savior . ” Valianne murmured in her heart . The great fin that once built peace for hundreds of years . Only the princess, yes, as the only daughter of the great fin and loved by the spirits, could rule Ghazalia truthfully .
「Valianne . 」
Valianne’s spine quivered tremendously when she heard the cold-sounding voice that called her name .
It was amazing that this person’s voice was the one darkening Valianne’s heart . She slowly opened her eyes and raised her face to respond to the words .
In front of Valianne stood the face of the old elf who grinned impishly .
「Keep your eyes on that woman . If there is any movement from her, then let her be . She can “dance” with me if she likes . I don’t mind it . 」
“Was that a joke or his real intentions? I couldn’t decipher his words . ”
No matter what the old elf said, Valianne could only lower her head in accordance without showing any facial expression .