Volume 6 Chapter 73
by Golden DragonVolume 6 + Chapter 73: The Vanishing Bard
“The ‘wind’ is… welcoming you, Xia Yi.”
Balan looked utterly incredulous, doubting whether he had heard correctly.
Under normal circumstances, the “wind” should not have allowed outsiders to set foot in the Elven Kingdom.
Yet, he had indeed heard the voice of the “wind,” and it was not rejecting Xia Yi.
He could not understand it, could not understand it at all…
“Balan, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Can you please act normal?”
Xia Yi felt that ever since Balan had entered the Elven Kingdom, he had been nothing but delirious, completely nonsensical.
“Who exactly is this ‘wind’ you keep talking about?”
“…You have received the ‘wind’s’ permission. You may enter the Elven Kingdom, Xia Yi.” Balan said in a complex tone.
“Huh??”
Xia Yi truly could not figure out what she had done.
Just moments ago, Balan had been resisting all outsiders entering the Elven Kingdom, and now he had suddenly changed his attitude.
She knew nothing about the “wind” that Balan spoke of, but judging from his demeanor, the “wind” seemed to hold a very high status among the elves, and the elves would obey its commands.
She vaguely recalled that Balan had mentioned something about the “wind” summoning all the elves on this land back to the Elven Kingdom.
“Xia Yi, release the bindings on me,” Balan said.
“No. What if you run away again?”
“I will not run away. The ‘wind’ has said that you may enter the Elven Kingdom, so I will lead you in.”
“Are you telling the truth this time?”
“I would never lie before the ‘wind.’”
“Where is the ‘wind’?”
“Everywhere.” Balan replied reverently.
Xia Yi was somewhat exasperated. Not only had Balan gone mad, but he had also turned into a riddler.
Oh well, keeping Balan tied up like this would indeed make it impossible for him to guide her.
Given the gap in their strength, as long as she remained vigilant, it would be nearly impossible for this bard to escape from her.
The ice chains binding the elven bard were undone.
“Let us go.”
Balan walked forward, genuinely leading the way for Xia Yi.
“Wait, Atiya is still behind us!” Xia Yi reminded him.
“The ‘wind’ does not welcome her into the Elven Kingdom.” Balan did not turn his head.
“No! Atiya is my companion. I must take her with me!”
“The ‘wind’ has already made its choice. No one may defy it…”
“I said stop!”
Very displeased, Xia Yi summoned an ice sword and held it suspended before Balan’s throat as a threat.
Anyone else in this situation would have been frightened.
But Balan was bizarre. He showed no fear whatsoever, instead maintaining an unnerving calm.
“Xia Yi, let me tell you this. The ‘wind’ only guided the elves in the direction to enter the Elven Kingdom. It did not grant us the ability to move freely through the thick fog. If I go back, I will be defying the ‘wind’s’ will. I would likely be stripped of even the qualification to return to the Elven Kingdom, let alone guide you any further. Are you certain you want to do this?”
“…”
Xia Yi gazed into Balan’s eyes. They did not look like those of someone lying. That devout gaze was nothing less than a believer professing his faith.
There was no choice.
The little princess sighed.
Still, she was not very worried about Atiya’s safety. Even the dragon messenger sent to the Elven Kingdom had managed to escape after encountering giants. Atiya, who was far, far stronger than that messenger, should have no trouble getting away unharmed.
From now on, she would have to follow Balan into the Elven Kingdom by herself.
“Balan, lead the way.” Xia Yi dismissed the ice sword.
“Yes.”
Balan nodded.
Xia Yi followed behind him, advancing through the thick fog.
It seemed that after the “wind’s” attitude had changed, she no longer sensed any danger nearby.
The once perilous thick fog had become safe.
After passing through a certain area, sunlight fell from the sky, dispersing the thick fog and opening up the view ahead.
The scenery that met her eyes surprised Xia Yi.
The sky was clear and cloudless. Small animals played in the lush, flower-filled forest. Birds chirped on the branches. Springs flowed, and fish swam joyfully in the water.
This vibrant, lively environment formed a stark contrast with the tranquil forest on the border of the Elven Kingdom.
“I have finally returned to my homeland…!”
Balan looked upon his homeland and made an exaggerated gesture.
He knelt on the ground, kissing the earth, feeling the breath of nature.
“We have now entered the Elven Kingdom, correct?” Xia Yi asked.
“Yes. The thick fog has dissipated,” Balan replied softly. “This is my homeland, the Elven Kingdom.”
Xia Yi understood now. That thick fog was not a natural phenomenon but likely a barrier-like existence deliberately set up, encircling the border of the Elven Kingdom to block outsiders while allowing only elves to pass.
Yet that did not explain why giants or even dragons had appeared within the thick fog.
She tried asking Balan about these questions, but he only said that he had simply followed the guidance of the “wind” to return to the Elven Kingdom and knew nothing beyond that.
“‘Oh wind, please let me hear your voice!’”
Balan raised his hands, as if communicating with something.
He seemed to hear something again, his expression changing as he muttered to himself.
“I understand, I understand!”
“Thank you for granting me a destination!”
“I will, I will. Please, let me return to nature’s embrace. Returning is the wish of every living being!”
A fanatic smile bloomed on Balan’s face, tears streaming from his eyes as he kept murmuring incomprehensible words.
Listening from the side, Xia Yi found it increasingly bizarre.
Could it be that the “wind” was guiding Balan to do something again?
Balan rose from the ground, took three steps, then knelt again and prostrated himself as if on a pilgrimage.
Xia Yi watched Balan intently, wanting to see what this bard would do next.
And so, Balan moved slowly until he reached a tree. This seemed to be the destination.
However, the tree looked utterly ordinary. Xia Yi could see nothing special about it.
“This is… my destination. I can finally return to nature.”
Balan walked up to the tree and spread his arms, as if embracing it or perhaps welcoming something.
A wind blew from nowhere, rustling the leaves like nature’s whisper.
The next moment, the tree emitted a dazzling green light, forcing Xia Yi to shield her eyes.
After a while, the green light faded. She opened her eyes again and saw a sight that made her hair stand on end.
Balan had… vanished into thin air? He was nowhere to be seen. In such a short time, there was no reason he could have escaped.
“No, no! He didn’t simply disappear. Balan’s presence is still here. He never left!”
[Translator’s Note: Please join the Gravity Tales’ Discord Server, if you want to hang out.]
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