Translator: CinderTL
"Three months, huh?"
Roland strolled through the academy's dimly lit corridors, his fingers unconsciously stroking his smooth chin.
The fading sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns across his contemplative face.
"Judging by the commission's details, the Mistland isn't far from the capitals of the River Domain Nations."
"If the merchants and nobles join forces, they might eliminate the Wolf King in less than three months."
Recalling the rumors he'd gathered about the Mistland, Roland's brow furrowed slightly.
While he couldn't yet confirm whether the region's eerie mist stemmed from abnormal Magic Element activity, even the most treacherous environments shouldn't pose a significant threat to true transcendents.
"Since the merchants have the Shadow Veil Organization, composed of transcendent professionals, the Noble Faction must also have transcendent professionals under their command."
"Even if these individuals can't match powerhouses like Graham, their numerical advantage should overwhelm the Wolf King, regardless of its true strength."
Suddenly, a flash of insight lit Roland's eyes.
"Both factions are holding back, pushing the difficult task onto Graham. Perhaps they're conserving their strength, or perhaps it's some kind of political maneuvering we don't yet understand."
But the lack of information left him with only preliminary conclusions.
Shaking his head, Roland made his decision the moment he stepped out of the academy gates.
In the twilight, he boarded the waiting ferry, the shimmering waves reflecting his thoughtful expression.
"Once I understand the true intentions of both factions, completing this commission should be a piece of cake."
As the oars sliced through the water, he gazed at the distant, gradually brightening lights.
"Avril might be able to uncover the Chamber of Commerce's plans. As for the Noble Faction..."
Lost in thought, the small boat slowly drifted toward the residence Colin had arranged for him.
Meanwhile, as Roland and Graham were conversing in the Council Hall, a tense conversation was unfolding within the house where Roland was staying.
Avril leaned languidly against the window, her long brown hair shimmering in the sunlight.
She twirled a cold, gleaming dagger between her fingers, her usual lively smile replaced by a chilling indifference.
The sharp blade flashed with a piercing, cold light as she flicked her wrist, its edge brushing deliberately, yet seemingly casually, against the poet's slender neck.
"Galvis."
Her voice was colder than the blade itself.
"Are you here to arrest me?"
The bard continued to polish the harp cradled in his arms, seemingly oblivious to the imminent threat.
"Of course not, Lady Avril."
His long fingers brushed across the strings, eliciting a cascade of clear, resonant notes.
"You know I'm just a half-elf. I have no right to interfere in the affairs of you high elves."
"A half-elf?"
Avril's eyes narrowed abruptly, and she flicked her wrist sharply.
A flash of cold light erupted as the dagger shot through the air.
With a thud, it buried itself deep into the oak table.
The blade trembled violently, emitting a grating, teeth-grinding hum.
"A half-elf would never be accepted as an apprentice by Master Vesna, let alone be favored by the Goddess Shuni!"
Her voice dripped with icy contempt.
But Galvis remained unfazed. He calmly retrieved a jar of animal grease from the side and began meticulously conditioning the harp strings.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a sharp line of light and shadow between the two figures.
The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the lingering resonance of the harp strings, which still trembled faintly in the air.
After meticulously polishing the last string, Galvis dramatically wiped away nonexistent sweat before turning to meet Avril's piercing gaze.
"As you can see..."
The poet gently touched his ears, which were shaped between those of an elf and a human, their pointed tips curving into rounded arcs.
"This cannot be faked."
He carefully placed the harp on a velvet cloth, his movements as tender as if cradling an infant.
"As for why I'm here, it was purely coincidental. Teacher Vesna assigned me a task, saying that only upon its completion could I truly become a bard. But in truth..."
Seeing Avril's gaze remain icy, Galvis raised his hands in a wry smile.
The linen sleeves slid down, revealing his slender, almost fragile arms.
"I had already embarked on my journey before you left Eversong Forest. I only learned of your situation from fellow half-elves I encountered along the way."
He deliberately shook his seemingly harmless arms, his voice tinged with helpless sincerity.
"With my meager skills, what threat could I possibly pose to you?"
Avril's brow furrowed slightly before she took a silent step forward, her slender fingers closing around the dagger's hilt.
Clang!
She wrenched the blade from the wooden table.
"If that's the case, leave this place by tomorrow." Her icy voice left no room for argument. "I never want to see your repulsive face again."
"Hey! That's not fair!" Sensing the killing intent had lessened, Galvis secretly exhaled in relief, feigning casual protest. "As a poet, I have the right—"
A flash of cold light.
A wisp of brown hair drifted slowly to the ground.
Feeling the sudden chill on his scalp, Galvis swallowed hard, forcing out the rest of his sentence in a trembling voice:
"—to choose my destination."
Avril had already sheathed her dagger, now casually stroking the blade's edge with her fingertips, as if the fleeting flash of steel had nothing to do with her.
"Indeed, my current status gives me no authority to command you."
She slowly raised her gaze, her pupils seeming to freeze over with frost.
"But I could end your life in the next second. You should know I have the power to do that."
"I-I think..."
The poet wisely changed the subject, his voice slightly dry with tension as he reverted to formal address.
"What you should truly be concerned about isn't me. Before you arrived at the port, I personally witnessed members of the Morning Star Family disembarking from a Black Shell Trading Company ship."
"Morning Star?"
Avril's pupils constricted sharply. The name scraped against her nerves like a dull blade.
"What were they doing here?"
"That..."
Galvis subtly retreated until his back pressed against the cold stone wall, barely managing to steady his trembling voice.
"I'm not entirely sure of their specific motives."
"However, the person only brought two attendants, so it's unlikely they were targeting you."
Seeing Avril's murderous aura slightly dissipate, the poet seized the opportunity to suggest.
"Still, given my position, I might be able to investigate their intentions for you. Of course..."
Seeing that Avril's attention had successfully shifted away from him, the poet slowly began to speak.
"On the condition that you trust me."
Perhaps there was some merit to his proposal, as the atmosphere in the room gradually relaxed.
After a moment, Avril finally sheathed her sharp dagger.
"You must know the consequences of deceiving me, right?"
"Of course! Of course!"
Galvis felt like he had been granted a reprieve, but the forced smile he managed to squeeze out was more pitiful than tears.
"How could I dare deceive the Valkyrie of the Silver Moon Guard?"
The mention of the Silver Moon Guard made Avril's eyes freeze.
"Captain Mela... how is she?"
"The situation isn't good."
Galvis observed Avril's darkening expression.
"Ever since your dealings with the Drow Elf were exposed, the Council sentenced her to fifty years of confinement."
Crack!
The corner of the table splintered beneath Avril's palm, and her surging killing intent pressed down on the poet's throat like a tangible force, nearly suffocating him.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness,
Creak—the heavy wooden door slowly swung open.
A massive silhouette stood backlit in the doorway.
(End of the Chapter)
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