Arlanda was a low-ranking elf. Even though she was a formidable assassin hero, she still occupied the lowest rung in the hierarchy of the Snow Elves.
Having been instilled with this concept of class hierarchy from a young age, Arlanda's tone carried respect whenever she spoke of the Royal Elves.
Yan Xing said to Arlanda, "You don't know much, but certainly more than I do. I have some business with Prince Elrado, so change your clothes and accompany me."
At that moment, the alchemy robot Laura opened a side room, which was a dressing room.
Arlanda had no idea why Yan Xing suddenly wanted to meet Prince Elrado, but the prospect of seeing her kin still filled her with joy as she walked into the side room.
Soon, Arlanda emerged wearing a different set of clothes.
The temperature had been dropping recently, and the persistent north winds of the past few days suggested a significant further decrease was likely.
The Eternal Domain had prepared winter clothes for its subjects.
As a member of the cabinet, Arlanda's attire was certainly different from that of ordinary subjects.
Moreover, this was a visit to the prince of the Snow Elf kingdom, a formal diplomatic activity, so her dress naturally couldn't be too casual.
Arlanda, having changed, wore black slim-fit pants and round-toe high heels, with a knitted turtleneck wool sweater and a fitted short blazer on top.
Around her neck hung a pentagram pendant, and on her wrist, she wore a ladies' watch.
Over this ensemble, she donned a woolen coat that matched her hair color.
Her pointed ear-tips peeked out from her hair, prompting Yan Xing to take out his phone and snap a photo.
"Very nice."
It was unclear whether Yan Xing was complimenting Arlanda or the outfit itself.
Arlanda, in her new clothes, felt somewhat self-conscious. She could tell the clothing was of high quality, and the tailored fit accentuated all her feminine features. This was quite different from the protective workwear she had previously worn. Even with the woolen coat on, it couldn't completely conceal her figure.
"Sir, do I really have to wear this outfit? And these shoes…" Wearing high heels, Arlanda felt as though she could topple over at any moment.
Yan Xing had Chui Chui scan the documents in his hand, planning to work on them en route.
He stood up from his seat, lit a cigarette, and walked outside.
He then said to Arlanda, "If you're hot, you can take off the coat. Usually, you can wear more comfortable shoes... Laura, pick out a few pairs of casual shoes for Arlanda. Let's go."
Having said that, Yan Xing had already stepped out the door. The alchemy robot Laura, accompanied by four robotic servants pulling several suitcases, exited the side room and handed a pair of flat shoes to Arlanda.
Arlanda quickly changed her shoes and then, carrying the high heels, hurried after Yan Xing's entourage.
Outside the Lord's Mansion, a convoy was on standby.
The carriage Yan Xing boarded was a large one drawn by four demonized horses.
At the forefront of the convoy rode Werewolf Raiders on chocobos, followed by ten modified trucks carrying military supplies and Werewolf Warriors. Bringing up the rear were human Cavalry mounted on chocobos.
An assembled squadron of Griffons was circling overhead.
Higher in the sky, a drone formation was ready to provide early warning for the convoy.
Yan Xing and Arlanda settled into the carriage.
The procession began to move slowly out of the city.
The smell of smoke inside the carriage made Arlanda cover her nose.
Yan Xing pinched the cigarette butt, extinguishing it, and tossed it out the window. "I'm sorry," he said apologetically to Arlanda. "I've been exhausted these past few days; it's become a habit to light one to perk myself up."
Arlanda could see Yan Xing's mental fatigue. She said, "You are the Lord; what you do is your prerogative. May I know why you are going to meet Prince Elrado?"
Yan Xing was unaware of the situation in Frostleaf City. Uncertain whether the Elves could hold Frostleaf City, he couldn't yet casually mention taking in the trapped Elf Great Army.
"Naturally, to discuss diplomatic relations. The Snow Elves are Thunderous Swamp's northern neighbors. Now that the Thunderous Swamp main road is open, it's natural to exchange goods and conduct trade. Your Snowland should have many local specialties not found in the south, right?"
Without the information Yan Xing possessed, Arlanda could never have imagined the desperate situation the Elf Great Army was facing.
Hearing Yan Xing wanted to do business with the Snow Elves, Arlanda actually gave it some serious thought.
Finally, she said, "I really can't think of any special products our Snowland has..."
Yan Xing yawned. "How could there be none? If there aren't any, it's only because you haven't discovered them yet. If I say there are, then there definitely are. I'm really sleepy; I'm going to take a nap. Wake me when we reach Blood Crown Mountain City."
Yan Xing closed his eyes. He hadn't slept for days and nights. Even though he used meditation to restore his energy, he was struggling to stay awake.
Arlanda said, "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you while you're asleep? It's just you and me here."
Yan Xing didn't answer; he fell asleep leaning against the carriage wall.
Arlanda sat across from Yan Xing, watching him. The image of her sister at the time of her death reappeared in her mind. For Arlanda, this was the best opportunity to kill Yan Xing and avenge her sister. Even though she was still wearing the anklet designed to suppress her, being this close should be enough for revenge. Arlanda just sat there...
After a while, she stood up, took off her coat, and gently draped it over Yan Xing.
Then Arlanda resettled in her seat, looking out the window.
The convoy was passing through the city gates, leaving Eternal Domain City.
"Sister, what should I do?"
Two lines of tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
「At this moment, on Gryphon Island in the real world, Tong Yitong was walking barefoot on the white sand.」
The crystal-clear seawater washed ashore again and again, erasing the line of footprints she left behind.
Continuous cries echoed from the sky.
Two Griffons circled overhead, fighting over and tearing at a large sea fish.
In the distance, on the sea, a patrol boat skimmed swiftly over the water.
The Griffon breeding project was still in its preparatory stages; much of the personnel and equipment had yet to arrive on the island.
As the project head, Chen Shi was currently flying all over the world.
As Yan Xing's representative, Tong Yitong's work was relatively light, but she still couldn't leave the island at will for the time being.
So, Tong Yitong was treating this time as a vacation, taking walks by the sea or going for flights on a Griffon.
She'd noticed that recently the Griffons seemed to be growing increasingly fond of her. Could it be because she carried his scent?
Thinking of Yan Xing, Tong Yitong's heart filled with sweetness. Although her relationship with Yan Xing had begun out of gratitude, once the seed of affection was planted, it quickly sprouted and grew. She hadn't seen him for some time. Where was he? What was he doing?
However, just as Tong Yitong was walking and daydreaming, three figures in diving suits suddenly rose from the water beside her.
They grabbed Tong Yitong, dragging her into the water before she had a chance to cry for help.
The Griffons in the sky dropped the sea fish, screeching battle cries as they dived. But by the time they reached the beach, all trace of Tong Yitong had vanished.
Yan Xing, who had just fallen asleep, suddenly snapped his eyes open.
He said to Arlanda, who was hastily wiping her tears, "I have some urgent matters to attend to. You go to Blood Crown Mountain City on your own. If Lady Karol arrives before I return... you are to represent me and accompany Lady Karol to meet Prince Elrado. Lady Karol will tell you what to do."
With that said, before Arlanda could respond, Yan Xing vanished from the carriage.
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