459 A Discussion in the Hidden Room, The King of Duendes Decision and The Good News (1/2)
Day ▊▊ - ▊▊:▊▊ ▊▊ - Secret Room, Stone Fortress, Eastern Mountain
Inside the Stone Fortress, several small hidden passages connected the Throne Room, Meeting Room, The Room of Knowledge, and the Armory. These passages were hard to see as the entrances were not only small to fit a Duende but were concealed with various layers of protection.
At the end of these passages, a hidden room could be found. It was a place that only the royals of the Duendes in the Eastern Mountain, and their close and trusted aides knew. Right now, there were four people inside the hidden room. The Rey and Reina of Eastern Mountain, Morana, and the Heneral Merio.
Morana, who had just arrived back here in the fortress, had to report to the king and queen about what had happened. She did not accompany Mei and the others just to assist as a guide. The royal aide was there to observe the members of their group individually.
Furthermore, she was not just an aide, by role, she was a person trained to fight, and protect the queen when necessary. She was a calm person and serious about her work. Even during the time they were surrounded by the Tikbalangs, she was not totally startled and still took the chance to observe everyone closer.
Her report was not really that urgent and was scheduled during nightfall. However, the situation when the group returned made the king call her to report. After all, everyone in the Stone Fortress witnessed the guards dragging the captured Tikbalangs. It would not be surprising if they were just some regular Tikbalangs. However, it became a huge issue when the captured ones were known to be the strongest and most unruly of the Tikabalang Tribes that gathered around the fortress.
That was something that not even the whole fortress working together would be able to do at all. And more than that, all three golden hairs were taken away from the mane of each Tikbalangs. While this would not grant the capturer their loyalty, it guaranteed their absolute obedience.
The king needed to address the situation. Of course, they would not make Mei return the golden hair strands from the Tikbalangs. However, he needed to know what really had happened.
Morana reported everything from the start. She told the details from when they went out of the Stone Fortress, the time they browsed the items on stalls in the trade area, the attention they gathered as they walked around, Mei and the other's disappearance, and lastly, when they encountered the brigands.
The whole report sounded fine and normal, except for the two last parts.
Mei' and the others vanishing in the way Morana described was quite astonishing. While they heard of some individuals stealing in the Trade Area as the security was quite lax, something like this was never heard before.
This was one thing the king worried about when he sent guards to be with them. In fact, the number of guards around Mei's group at that time was more than the number that was guarding the safety of the whole trade area. This was the particular reason no one in the Trade Area tried to mess with their group despite the great number of people there.
However, it seemed that the worry was unnecessary. Hearing how Mei dealt with the Tikbalangs in a blink of an eye, the king managed to feel relieved about Mark volunteering to deal with the threat in the Kingdom of Sylphs. The wife was strong and talented, what more of the husband?
Furthermore, according to Morana's observation, their whole group was ready to fight rather than flee during the time they were surrounded. Even the little girls was not an exception. Furthermore, there was also that blob of reddish-black slime that appeared out of nowhere and released Miasma to cancel the illusion of the Tikbalangs.
”In my assessment, this group of humans is not to be looked down upon.” Morana gave her thought. ”Even though some of them are Blood Demons, as their leader claimed, the abilities they have shown so far are not among what they should have as people belonging to that race. Furthermore, we have yet to see what the other members could do aside from Miss Mei, Miss Amihan, and Miss Aephelia.”
”This meant that they can be best as allies and the worst as enemies. There are a lot of unknown factors to them, but it did not matter as long as they are on our side.”
King Hieromano surmised.
”Yes, my Rey.”
Morana affirmed.
”How about you, my dear wife?” The king of Duendes turned to his queen. ”Did our unfilial daughter told you anything?”
Those words, however, caused the king to receive a heavy glare from the queen.
”I already told you multiple times to stop calling our daughter that. Continue, and you will also lose a wife.”
Queen Malabinia said with a serious expression. She was not joking at all, which made Heiromano reconsider his thoughts. Still, he could not get over the fact that Felenia left the Kingdom and eloped with that womanizer.
The king had great plans for his daughter. Tying her knots with the current general that was loyal to the throne and was hounding achievements was already good. However, she fell in love with someone else. It could have been fine if the person was someone from their kingdom. However, Teremillio was not. The worst thing was that...
Teremillio was a 9th Prince of the Kingdom of the Black Duendes to the south. Although their race was not totally evil, they were known for their wicked tendencies.
As for the Duendes of the Stone Fortress, they were not total enemies with the Black Duendes. In colors, they were categorized as the Brown Duendes, that specialized with earth magic. Even if that was the case, the Brown Duendes did not like the Black ones like how they were hated by the White Duendes.
Heiromano sighed.
Seeing that, Malabinia reminded the king.
”Remember that Teremillio saved your daughter from harm. Without him, we won't even have her anymore. You kept pushing her to the point of leaving. Don't ever think that I have already forgiven you for that.”
Those words did not only struck Hieromano but also Merio, who was in front of them. He was the supposed husband of Felenia before until Teremillio appeared out of nowhere. Thinking about the queen said, his hate for Teremillio lowered a bit. He was just overwhelmed to see them together for the first time after dozens of years.
”I apologize.” The king sighed. ”I mean it. Although I can't say that I will accept that bastard.”
”That is fine enough.”
The queen seemed to be satisfied with how dismayed the king looked.
”Then, did our daughter say anything?”
Hieromano went back to the topic.
”There is.” Malabinia nodded. ”Currently, Teremillio formed a Tribe of different races and had other wives besides our daughter.”
”That bastard!”
The king made an outburst and stood up.
”Shut up.”
The queen glared fiercely.
”...”
Heiromano fell silent and slowly sat down.
”I'll continue,” Malabinia said. ”Their tribe right now is working with humans for safety. Remember what had happened when the King of Sylphs sent people to investigate what is happening in the Mortal World? It seemed that it is affected Spirit and Elemental Races in there, losing some of their abilities, primarily, making themselves invisible to the eyes of Mortals or being able to enter their home trees. That is why our daughter is with these humans.”