21. Bold Enchantress, I see you don’t regard me highly!

Perspective of the Elf Saintess Izalis.

The foundation of order is truth, so Izalis did not use any lies to conceal her need to part ways with Oqulid; rather, she had genuinely received an “invitation” from Princess Adrel.

This is from the Kingdom of Rodland, from the silver-haired elves, and from the events occurring within this civilization. Naturally, the presence of non-silver-haired outsiders cannot be allowed to disrupt the kingdom’s “order.” After all, as the so-called “Saintess” of these silver-haired elves’ kingdom, Izalis’s current responsibility is to maintain the “order” here, ensuring that everything remains safe and stable, without gradually collapsing.

To this end, even when faced with some hostile silver-haired elves, for the sake of the stability of “order,” Izalis would choose to greet them with a smile. For instance… tonight.

At this moment, within the town led by the kingdom’s second princess, Adreel, and her teacher—the kingdom’s Sword Saint, Lord Ludwig—inside Princess Adreel’s palace, after dismissing all the servants, the long dining table before Izalis felt overly out of place compared to the hall where only she, Princess Adreel, and Sword Saint Ludwig were present. It made this so-called “dinner invitation” seem more like a dreary meeting, or perhaps… something else entirely…

“Saintess.”

After an unknown amount of time, following the sound of clinking cups, it was Princess Adreel who spoke first.

However, she did not pay any attention to the fact that “the Saintess hadn’t touched her utensils at all, merely watching from beginning to end.” After standing up and putting her gloves back on, her question was directed elsewhere.

“Your work today has been hard; I wonder… how are the townspeople reacting now?”

“The moment they saw me, they returned to ‘order.’ As for the rumors, I believe they will soon be dispelled on their own.”

“Just ‘an appearance’…”

Her voice gradually lowered. At this point, even if Izalis did not deliberately try to guess, she could easily see the “thoughts” hidden in the princess’s gaze. Moreover… at a time like today, the thoughts she had likely harbored for a long time were probably nearing the moment of release.

In the next moment, Izalis felt Adreel’s gaze, which had grown increasingly cold, sweep over her shoulder, and then she asked in a chilling tone.

“Saintess, where are your guards?”

“According to their status, they cannot accompany me, so… I let them leave and wait on their own.”

Such an answer seemed to trigger some switch. In the next moment, Princess Adreel raised her head, and certain “thoughts” in her gaze seemed to have already been decided.

“Teacher, please handle ‘that side.'”

“Understood.”

With the departure of the kingdom’s elven Sword Saint, Ludwig, Princess Adreel approached Izalis and made a gesture of “invitation.”

“Saintess, since you have no appetite, then… let us enjoy the moon tonight together.”

The words were not inappropriate, but… this action was an “invitation,” and perhaps… also a “threat.”

Outside the window, on the horizon, beneath the hazy night, the crescent moon hung like a hook.

The moment they accompanied Edraelle into the vast and empty halls of the palace, Izalis heard the dull thud of the princess’s boots coming to a stop.

Then, the girl’s cold voice echoed.

“Our elven kingdom of Rodland must be quite to your liking, Izalis.”

This was not something a princess would say, and at that moment, as Izalis looked on, the elf had already drawn her sword, the pure white blade shimmering in the moonlight against the night.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t waste your thoughts pretending to be our ‘Saint’ for so long, would you? Am I right? I wonder how I should address you now—sorceress? enchantress? Or will you choose your own fate, Izalis?”

“!”

As her gaze shifted, the familiar phrasing struck Izalis like a bolt.

“So it was you… Your Highness.”

The princess swung her sword down, trailing a glimmering light.

“For me, the elves of the Rodland kingdom represent ‘power.’ I won’t burden you with unnecessary details, but one thing is unshakeable: I must obtain this ‘power.’ However, long before I even considered how to handle my relationship with my elder sister and younger sister, your presence had already begun to siphon away the kingdom’s ‘power’… with your special ‘means’ and ‘strength,’ Izalis.”

Then, the sword’s tip pointed directly at Izalis.

“You are called ‘Saint,’ yet in truth, you restrict the thoughts of the elves, binding their attitudes. You have stolen this ‘power.’”

Looking again, Izalis could now see the cold smile and hatred reflected in the elf’s eyes.

“You are not a ‘Saint’ at all. Do you think… I wouldn’t notice?”

“!”

This time, Izalis could no longer maintain her composure!

“Hmph, no need to be surprised, Izalis. Elves are just like that. Foolish, ignorant old fools will waste their minds no matter how long they live; whether they can discern good from bad has nothing to do with age or experience.”

“…”

“At this point, even if you put aside the pretentious magic that keeps you afloat and kneel before me begging, I still wouldn’t—”

“Your Highness, I never expected… there truly exists such a thing… In every era, there are bound to be a few ‘extraordinary’ beings. I thought it would be Lord Oquilid, but I never expected you… Huh? In that case, why is Lord Oquilid…”

“Ch!”

The swing of the blade interrupted Izalis’s muttering to herself!

In her line of sight, Edraiel’s figure appeared in the blink of an eye, radiating unmasked disdain and malice!

“Have you finished your last words!? Don’t think I’ll listen to your nonsensical ramblings like some kind of charlatan!”

“!”

“This kingdom needs a saintess, but… it absolutely does not need a witch like you! The Sword Saint has already gone to deal with your guards, my lady saintess. I suggest… you make it quick! Lest you end up letting out some screams that are completely at odds with your current ‘elegance’!”

Izalis did not see a hint of hesitation in the eyes of the elf before her! So, all she could do was quickly retreat to avoid the assassination from this exceptional princess, who was not outmatched by any elf in either intellect or strength!

However, in the next moment, whether by accident or coincidence, the hastily retreating Izalis collided head-on with a maid who had rushed out from behind her!

The blade followed closely, but it was halted by the maid who had fallen on top of Izalis!

“Ch, maid, didn’t I warn you not to appear here tonight!?”

“Fine, if you don’t want to be implicated, then just roll to the side and close your eyes. Don’t see anything from now on! Otherwise, don’t blame me if I—”

This was Edraiel’s palace, and the entire town was under her management. Naturally… the elves working here as maids were all trusted confidants of the princess, and they would never disobey their master’s orders!

At the very least, this maid would never plead for mercy out of some misguided “good intentions.”

However, just as Izalis was making such judgments, the next moment brought her a sense of “surprise” and “bewilderment” for the first time.

Because…

In her line of sight, Edraiel’s expression gradually shifted to one of astonishment and tension!

The moment she recognized the maid’s face!

“Hiss… wait, I’ve never seen your face in the palace!”

“Who are you!?”

The unexpected happened in the next instant.