Chapter 571 - The Council Will See You Now (1/2)

(Manami POV)

I was a little surprised that this Freasia elf did not actually lead us into a trap. Not like it would have mattered if she did though.

She brought us through the city streets, the elves watching us curiously as we passed by them. There were not gazes of hostility, but just genuine curiosity. I suppose the little scuffle we had with the guards was not publicized.

I did note that unlike the humans who basically treated males like servants or second class citizens, the male elves were at least treated normally. Like housewives if you will.

Not that it changes my opinions on them in any way though.

On the way there, a male elf had ran up to Freasia and bowed his head reverently, ”Elder Freasia, the council has gathered at your behest.”

”Unn… Thank you for the hard work. You may return to your duties.”

”Thank you, Elder.”

The elf scurried away out of sight quickly.

Freasia turned a corner and started walking towards the base of the tree where the largest building was built.

”Was there a need to stall for time?” Lian Li asked, a little displeased that we were made to walk around here to buy time for her.

”Oh, not at all. I just thought you two might appreciate the beauty of this city before we head there to talk about such stifling matters.”

Lian Li turned to me and made a face, mirroring my thoughts that we simply didn't care about this city at all.

It would be a different matter if Master was here with us though.

This little insect dared to question Master just now too, Master has been nothing but meticulous in teaching us, even in manners.

I remember how Master had sat us down and spent an entire day teaching us how we should prioritise in protecting ourselves over strangers!

Haaa… It's only been a day and I'm already missing Master already... But thinking about how much love He gave us last night though… Ufufufu~ I hope we can finish this fast and return to receive Master's affections again!

”Here we are. It may not mean much coming from me, but I sincerely hope we can come to an agreement to not have this city be destroyed.”

Lian Li smiled, ”That's simple. Give us the fruit and we would be on our way. I don't believe it's an unreasonable request.”

”Ufufufu~ It's exactly as my sister says.

The elf just smiled at us before gesturing towards the building, bidding us to enter.

Unsurprisingly, the building was made entirely out of wood, the entranceway featuring a high ceiling with two rows of guards standing on either side.

A red carpet was even laid out in the middle, leading towards a set of grand doors at the back of the hallway.

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes at all this unnecessarily grandiose architecture.

If it wasn't built to honor our most beloved Master, why bother to build it at all? If we ever decide to convert these people, this place is the first thing we will change.

The guards by the sides of the doors moved to open it when we got close, granting us access to an auditorium of sorts where a podium stood at the centre of the semi-circle.

Seated on raised chairs around the room were several elves that looked down at us as we entered, suggesting their society operated as an oligarchy of sorts.

”Elder Freasia, thank you for guiding these… Guests… Here…” The elven woman at the centre of the semi-circle greeted, eyeing us with a gaze that was definitely not welcoming.

I thought she might have been quite important but apparently she wasn't lying when she said she had no authority here. Unless that seat of hers meant something more.

Both Lian Li and I stepped up to the podium, both of us not especially happy to be gazed at from above by someone who wasn't Master.

Ara, ara? That reminds me of how Master was looking down at me last night while I was kneeling in between His legs. Ufufufu~ Master sure knows how to love us even in His female form~

”Now… Visitors from outside…” The woman called out, interrupting me from that pleasant memory. ”We have heard your… Request. You have to understand that such a matter is beyond our means to provide even under normal circ.u.mstances.”

Lian Li crossed her arms, ”You're telling me… That a big tree like this only bears one fruit every thousand years? What even is so special about the fruit? Talk about a waste of space.”

Several elves started making noises of outrage at Lian Li's words, a few of them slamming the table and throwing harsh words at her.

”How dare she?! Sacrilege!”

”Throw them out!”

”She dares speak ill of the sacred tree!”