Chapter 298: Mysterious Figure

This sudden action caught Ranunculus’s attention, making him raise an eyebrow.

Just as he was about to speak, Marzana lifted off her hood, revealing her features.

The old elf seemed pleasantly surprised, "I did not expect that you would have an elf in your midst, Ms. Aurelia—-"

"I’m back, Sir Ranun." The elven girl said, not letting him finish his words.

Ranunculus immediately squinted his eyes, feeling something amiss.

The elven girl before him had something in her voice.

Pride.

And it was not simple arrogance nor confidence.

It was a kind of pride that could only be sensed within those elves with the holiest of bloodlines.

An instant was all it took for Ranunculus to recognize the girl before him.

"I humbly beg your pardon for my oversight, Lady Marzana. I did not recognize you at first glance. It has been many years since we last had the honor of your presence. Your return is most welcome."

He said as he immediately stood up with an apologetic expression on his face.

Marzana gave a subtle glance towards Aurelia before looking at the emissary straight in the eye, "I wish to see my mother. Would it be possible?"

"That would be quite difficult..."

A peculiar expression crossed Ranunculus’s face as he continued, "You know the routine, Your Highness. Before the sun sets, it is inappropriate to address the queen in a manner that implies personal feelings. However, I can arrange an appointment for you. I believe Her Majesty will have some free time in about three days."

’I need to buy as much time as possible...’

Marzana’s eyes subtly wandered all over the place as she was immersed in her thoughts.

She knew that the old elf would reject her using various excuses.

’He’d always been like that.’

No matter how much time had passed, everything was still vivid in her memory.

Ranunculus was one of the people who had always looked at her like she was a defective good of some sort.

’It’s amazing he could keep up that respectful expression of his. It must be because of Aurelia... Hah, to think he would give more respect to them while I, a royal blood, was not even recognized.’

Marzana could not help but laugh bitterly in her mind.

’Had it been my brothers and sisters, he would never have made such an ’oversight’.’

Nevertheless, she focused her mind on her goal: buying time.

"But I want to see her now!"

Her shout caused the old elf to frown involuntarily, ’How dare this halfling talk back to me?’

Ranunculus’s mind was occupied by his bias against Marzana to the point that he was not able to notice her strange behavior.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness. It’s just that... Huh/"

Just as he recovered his composure and was about to speak, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him.

Ranunculus braced a hand against the long table for support as the world began to spin before his eyes.

The sudden turn of events put everyone on high alert.

Observing the old elf, who was moving like he was drunk, they could not help but feel tense.

The Exemplar squad instinctively grasped the scabbards of their sheathed swords, while the others moved just as quickly, hands hovering over or resting on their weapons and staffs.

Thud—-

In the next moment, Ranunculus slumped on the chair as he completely lost consciousness.

—-

Silence permeated the entire hall as everyone’s ears were filled with their own heartbeats.

"You’re here."

A voice suddenly sounded from behind them, sending chills down their spine.

In an instant, everyone moved to surround the Midas siblings with weapons drawn, their eyes fixed on the source of the voice, alert and tense.

Aurelia, Auryn, and Patti tried to keep themselves as calm as possible.

However, the only thing they saw was the furnished walls and the luxurious interior of the hall that showcased the beauty of elven craftsmanship.

"You’re all quite good, I must say."

"!!!"

Hearing the voice behind them once again, everyone turned their heads.

In the seat where Ranunculus had slumped unconscious moments earlier, a hooded figure now sat in his place, only his groomed silver beard visible, his posture relaxed.

"Who are you?" Aurelia spoke, ready to use her gift the moment the figure before them showed even a bit of malice.

The figure rose slowly to his feet and offered a deep, measured bow toward Marzana. "I, Trunk, offer my most humble greetings to the second daughter and youngest child of Her Majesty the Queen. It has been far too long since I last had the honor of meeting you, Princess Marzana le Floralith."

As Marzana received the figure’s respectful greeting, a feeling of curiosity bloomed in her mind, ’Who is this person? He sounds quite old...’

Just as she was about to open her mouth and ask, the figure looked back at Aurelia as a confused expression appeared on his face.

"Hmm, there seems to be someone missing in your midst based on the information you sent us..."

Aurelia replied half a beat later, "Yes. We encountered some difficulties on the way, so our leader would arrive a little later."

"It must be in the Sagrada Dragona..."

The figure muttered to himself before taking something out of his pocket and handing it over to her, "We need all the help we can get. Please contact your leader as soon as possible. This letter contains all the information you’ll need."

Aurelia silently took the letter from the figure.

"I’ll have to get going now. I offer you my sincerest gratitude. Thank you for helping our homeland."

"Wait—"

Just as Marzana called out, they all noticed that the figure seemed to have vanished already.

"Remember to keep everything secret, as we have already confirmed, there are traitors in our midst. Continue the mission under the agreed pretense. They may already be on high alert, given that they are aware reinforcements were expected."

Only the figure’s old and husky voice was left echoing around the hall.