Volume 5 Chapter 142
by Need_More_SleepVolume 5 + Chapter 142: Xia Yi Is An Idiot
There truly wasn’t a single elf present in the hall.
This was extremely unusual.
The elves were highly respected internationally, almost like ambassadors of peace. They had never missed such events.
Xia Yi’s first thought had been that they were late.
But Tia’s reply completely denied that assumption.
“The Elven Kingdom has undergone a major upheaval,” Tia said.
Xia Yi frowned. “Weren’t the elves always stable internally? Did something go wrong?”
“…I don’t know.”
Tia shook her head.
“To be precise, the elves have chosen to isolate themselves. No information has been released, and the reason behind this decision is unknown.”
“The elves would do something like that?”
“The human race has always had close ties with them, especially in trade. But recently, the Elven Kingdom unilaterally cut off all contact with us, including normal trade exchanges.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Xia Yi said. “That kind of behavior usually signals impending war.”
“Exactly. At first, I thought there might be some misunderstanding, so I sent people to investigate. What we found was unexpected, the elves have sealed their country and refuse all external contact.”
“That’s not like them,” Xia Yi said.
Among the higher races, the only nation that had ever truly isolated itself was the dragon clan.
Even then, it wasn’t entirely by choice, other nations had chosen to reject them.
If not for the anti-vampire war, the dragons might still be isolated in the north.
But the elves were different.
They had always been eager to form alliances and even aspired to become leaders of international opinion.
For such a race to suddenly close its borders, it was incomprehensible.
“They’ve remained isolated up to now, so they won’t attend the coronation,” Tia explained. “Even nations closely allied with them have tried to make contact, but the Elven Kingdom has cut off all communication.”
Xia Yi understood now.
No one knew what was happening inside, but something major had definitely occurred.
The Elf King had followed his policies for years, so such a sudden reversal was deeply suspicious.
“Eve…”
Xia Yi murmured the name unconsciously, recalling the gray-haired elf princess often dismissed as merely decorative.
She found herself concerned about Eve.
Although there was that irritating elven general Kennedy, she still had a favorable impression of Eve, after all, Eve had helped her before.
Deep down, she didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
“Xia Yi, are you close with Princess Eve?” Tia suddenly asked.
“Not really. She helped me before, and I think she’s easier to talk to than most elves,” Xia Yi explained. “She’s… different.”
“Oh? Different, you say…”
“What about it?”
“…It may not be nice to say this behind her back, but my intuition tells me something is off about Princess Eve,” Tia said, her gaze shifting slightly. “She’s unlike a typical princess, more like a doll lacking personal desire, simply acting on orders, indifferent to most things.”
“…Is that so?”
Xia Yi was surprised, since when had Tia become so perceptive?
Thinking about it, Eve really had never shown strong desires…
She always seemed to be merely fulfilling duties, without even much enthusiasm for them.
“Tia, then what do you think of me now?” Xia Yi asked cautiously.
“… ”
Tia fell silent.
Xia Yi thought she might avoid answering, perhaps to prevent awkwardness…
But then Tia suddenly said.
“Xia Yi is an idiot.”
“…Eh!?”
…
…
Their conversation came to an end.
Xia Yi actually wanted to talk longer.
But as the Human Knight King, Tia had duties to attend to and couldn’t stay away from her subordinates for too long, so she left first.
Xia Yi felt a little disappointed.
“I hope Eve will be alright…”
As she walked back toward the hall, she muttered to herself.
But then she noticed something strange.
It should have been daytime, so why had it suddenly grown dark outside, as if it were night?
The empty corridor became eerily oppressive, as if unseen darkness was writhing in hidden corners, slowly gathering toward her.
…Was someone targeting her?
Xia Yi was startled.
Who would dare do such a thing in the fox palace, on a day like this?
With so many representatives present, causing trouble now would be incredibly risky.
Still, she figured staying in the corridor would make her vulnerable, so the silver-haired girl moved quickly to leave.
Whoosh!
A black figure lunged straight at her.
Reacting instantly, Xia Yi grabbed it midair, her fingers met a soft, squishy texture.
Looking closely, she was surprised.
“Squeak! Squeak!”
A plump black ball wriggled happily in her hands.
Little Black!?
Xia Yi recognized it immediately.
It was Miu Miu’s magical pet, a clever little creature.
They had even traveled together for a time when escaping the Crimson Empire.
“Little Black, why are you here?” Xia Yi asked.
“Squeak squeak!”
The one-eyed, chubby black creature flapped its tiny wings, clearly expressing joy at seeing her again.
Though she couldn’t understand it, its presence meant…
Suddenly, Xia Yi felt someone embrace her from behind, a voice whispering teasingly into her ear.
“Hi~ did you miss me~?”
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