My Celestial Ascension - Chapter 804: Hundred Flowers Restaurant

Chapter 804: Hundred Flowers Restaurant

Yuan and the others turned their heads the moment they sensed a new, radiant presence in the room. An elf with long silver hair tied into a neat ponytail stepped inside, her elegant dress swaying lightly with each step.

’Who is this girl? Is she someone related to Mireya and Sylvia?’ Yuan wondered, his gaze lingering on her with curiosity.

Without hesitation, Mireya spread her arms wide and pulled the girl into a warm embrace, holding her close for a few moments before letting go.

“You’ve grown so much since I last saw you, Elaris. You’re taller now… and even more beautiful,” Mireya said with a gentle chuckle.

Elaris Silverleaf—Mireya’s cousin—was the daughter of Elaine Moonshade, Valeryan’s elder sister, who had married into the Silverleaf household for love. Mireya had always been close to Elaris, something Yuan and the others could immediately tell from the warmth in their reunion.

“It’s been five years since you left, Big Sister Mireya. Of course, I’ve changed,” Elaris replied, puffing her cheeks in mock pride before her gaze drifted to Yuan and the others in the room.

The sight of so many strikingly handsome humans inside the palace piqued her curiosity—and unsettled her.

’Who are they? Why are they here? And why do they look so close to Big Sister Mireya and Big Sister Sylvia?’

Noticing the curiosity in her cousin’s eyes, Mireya stepped forward with a small smile.

“Everyone, this is my cousin, Elaris Silverleaf. She’s the daughter of my aunt—the elder sister of my late mother.”

After introducing her cousin, Mireya proceeded to introduce Yuan and the others. Elaris’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing that the man named Yuan—a human—was Mireya’s husband, and that most of the women here were his wives.

“T-This can’t be true… it’s impossible! How could you marry a human? This is… unbelievable!” Elaris stammered, her body trembling from disbelief.

Mireya spent the next few moments explaining, trying to calm her cousin down. Eventually, the two began chatting more personally, catching up after years apart.

“Let’s leave them alone for now—they must have a lot to talk about,” Sylvia suggested to Yuan and the others as she moved toward the door.

Yuan and the rest nodded and quietly left, giving Mireya and Elaris some privacy.

Sylvia led them through the palace to a lavish natural bath fed by a warm hot spring. The air was fragrant with mineral steam, and the water shimmered invitingly beneath the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.

This spring was considered sacred—normally reserved for the royal family alone—but certain exceptions allowed honored guests to enjoy it as well.

“I thought this would be the perfect place to relax after such a long day of work,” Sylvia said with a smile, slipping out of her clothes before easing herself into the soothing, heated water. “It will help clear our minds.”

“I was blown away by the massive pile of papers,” Lily complained as she slid into the hot spring, the steam curling gently around her shoulders. “And it’s all because of the council’s negligence over the years.”

“They’ve been neglecting the affairs of the kingdom for so long that I think Mireya should’ve just beheaded them all,” Valeria added with a sharp nod of agreement.

Sylvia, however, sighed heavily. “It’s not as simple as you think. If Mireya killed them all at once, the people would question her actions, and the situation could spiral into something far worse.”

“I agree,” Yuan said, nodding as he lowered himself onto the edge of the spring. “By publicly hanging those two traitors in the town square while letting the other elders off the hook—for now—Mireya set a clear example. It’s a strategic move to earn the people’s trust without unnecessary chaos.”

He leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. “If any of the remaining elders try something again, it will be their end. And this time, the public will support Mireya’s decision without question. No forgiveness for a second offense.”

“Nice observation, dear,” Angela said warmly, smiling at him as she sat next to Vanessa. The two women were getting along surprisingly well, chatting in low voices.

After their relaxing bath, they decided to venture through the streets of the Elven Kingdom, eager to take in the nation’s natural beauty. The scenery was breathtaking—homes built high atop massive, ancient trees, their wide branches supporting elegant wooden structures. Rope bridges connected the trees, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a layered city in the canopy.

As they walked, Yuan and the others quickly drew attention. Elves peeked from their windows, their eyes widening when they saw Sylvia among the group.

Sylvia was a well-known figure across the entire Beast Continent, famed for her unparalleled mastery of darkness magic and feared as one of the most powerful assassins alive. Seeing her walking through the kingdom was already noteworthy—but seeing her ’personally’ guiding a group of humans and demi-humans left many stunned.

Her presence was second only to the Queen herself; she was Mireya’s shadow, the blade that guarded her from the unseen dangers of the world. For someone of her status to play tour guide for outsiders was, to many elves, unthinkable.

“Look! That’s Lady Sylvia! But… what is she doing with those humans?”

“Why is she showing our kingdom to filthy humans and demi-humans?”

“More importantly, how did they convince her to do it?”

“Well… those women are surprisingly beautiful for humans…”

“And that man—he’s so handsome!”

The whispers spread like wildfire, following Yuan and his group as they explored. Curiosity, confusion, and even a touch of admiration swirled among the watching elves.

Yuan and the others ignored the murmurs, focusing instead on the unique way of life here—so vastly different from the kingdoms and empires of the Human Continent.

Shortly, they came across a well-known establishment and decided it was the perfect time to try some authentic elven cuisine. Having already immersed themselves in the kingdom’s culture, they were now eager to taste its food.

“This is one of the most famous restaurants in our kingdom,” Sylvia explained with a soft smile as they approached. “Most elves love to dine here, but since the prices are quite high, they usually only come on special occasions.”

As soon as Sylvia stepped inside, a beautiful woman—clearly the owner—personally came forward to greet her. “Lady Sylvia, welcome to the Hundred Flowers Restaurant. Oh… it seems you’ve brought some rather unique guests with you today,” she remarked, her tone warm but her eyes flickering curiously toward Yuan and the others.

“Table for all of us, please,” Sylvia requested, her voice calm but courteous.

“Right away,” the owner replied with a radiant smile. “Please, follow me. I know just the perfect place where you can enjoy your meal without being disturbed by the other customers.”

She led them up a spiral staircase into a private dining room. The moment they stepped inside, a refreshing breeze greeted them. The restaurant, built between the trunks of two colossal trees, offered breathtaking views of the surrounding forest canopy from its high windows.

“How is the room? Is it to your liking, Lady Sylvia?” the owner asked, though her gaze lingered once more on Yuan and his companions.

“It’s perfect,” Sylvia replied with a straight, businesslike tone. “Now, give me the menu.”

The owner promptly handed it over. Without hesitation, Sylvia began reciting a long list of dishes—many of which were her personal favorites. The owner’s hand worked quickly, jotting down each item, and by the end, she looked as if she’d nearly exhausted her notepad.

Once the order was complete, the owner said cheerfully, “I’ll have the chefs begin preparing everything at once. In the meantime, please enjoy our complimentary welcome drinks.”

Moments later, servers entered carrying elegant glasses filled with a fragrant, sparkling beverage along with small trays of colorful snacks. This special service was exclusive to those who booked the restaurant’s private rooms.

Before long, the door opened again—this time to nearly ten servers, each carrying two dishes at a time. They moved with precision, placing the food neatly across the massive dining table before returning to fetch the rest. Plate after plate arrived, each one a work of art, until the entire table was filled with the finest elven delicacies.

“Please enjoy your meal before it gets cold,” the owner said warmly. “If you need anything, simply use the communication device on the wall.” She gave a graceful bow and quietly left, allowing them to dine in peace.

The view from the private room was stunning—the towering trees, the golden sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the bustling yet harmonious life of the elven city below. Surrounded by such beauty and an array of exquisite dishes, Yuan and the others couldn’t help but savor both the food and the scenery in equal measure.

Some time later, after finishing every last dish on the table, Yuan paid for their meal. The group stepped out of the restaurant, their relaxed mood fading almost instantly at the sight before them.

A huge commotion had erupted in the streets. Many elves stood frozen in place, their gazes locked on the sky, expressions pale with fear. The air was heavy with unease, and faint gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Massive, fast-moving shadows swept across the ground. Yuan instinctively looked up—his eyes narrowing as he spotted nearly twenty enormous Wyverns circling high above the kingdom. Upon their backs were several demihuman riders, each clad in battle gear.

The Wyverns themselves were colossal creatures, their wings casting wide, shifting patches of darkness over the city. Every beat of their wings radiated a crushing presence that made the air feel heavier. To the elves, these predators of the sky were the stuff of nightmares.

“Those are the Wyvern Riders of the Dragon Blood Tribe…” Sylvia muttered, her eyes narrowing, a dangerous glint in them. Her tone carried both recognition and concern. “What are they doing here… in our kingdom?”

“Are they here to cause trouble?” Anna Grace asked, tilting her head slightly, though her tone betrayed the tension she felt.

“I doubt it,” Sylvia replied with a slow shake of her head, her expression hardening. “Considering their current conflict, they’re more likely here to push for an alliance with our kingdom.”

She paused for a moment, her voice dropping lower, almost like a warning. “Let’s return to the palace immediately. I have a bad feeling… they’re here to force Mireya into accepting their terms.”

Without another word, Sylvia grabbed Yuan’s arm firmly and began leading him through the crowd at a brisk pace, the rest of the group quickly following.

Above them, the Wyverns continued to circle, their riders watching the city like hawks.