A Huge Wave of Elves Is About to Arrive

Tina's gaze was frank and clear, without a trace of guilt.

Because she meant what she said.

Kang De was extremely vigilant and guarded, and he could handle any probe or trick with ease. But this straightforward, aboveboard request, made without any ulterior motive, caught him off guard.

The princess went on, "I'll do as you say and won't act willfully. You can send me back at any time, and I won't question your decision. Knight Cleveland will protect me, and I can help too. Though it's a little boastful of me to say so, I've learned a great deal from exploring ancient scripts and secrets of antiquity..."

She looked earnestly at Kang De. "Can't I come?"

Kang De didn't know how to refuse.

She had already gone that far.

Especially since, earlier that day, the princess had given him all her potions without hesitation and lent him several priceless enchanted items. That alone was a huge favor—and especially now, the princess never mentioned it, but Kang De couldn't let himself forget it.

...Forget it. Tomorrow, I'll take her on a casual stroll around the island and tire this pampered princess half to death. The day after that, she won't be able to get out of bed, and then I can investigate the Black Beasts' abnormal behavior.

With that thought, he nodded. "All right, but you must do as I say."

Tina broke into a delighted smile, her eyes full of joy.

Such a pure, beautiful smile could melt a man's heart of stone.

The princess fluttered like a butterfly, guiding Kang De through simple dance steps as they circled the brilliant bonfire. The captain went to Lady Bedela, bowed, and invited her to dance. She hesitated, then held out her hand and accepted. With the captain taking the lead, the officers, including the first mate, first navigator, medical officer, and master craftsman, also extended invitations to several of Tina's maids.

As for the lower-ranking sailors, they could only stare helplessly, feeling somewhat lonely.

More than a dozen sailors, however, were having a thoroughly fulfilling time.

Inside a tent, they were watching something wonderful from another world.

"...What's that sound?"

Several sailors returning from relieving themselves suddenly stopped as they passed a tent. Some kind of indescribable sound seemed to be coming from inside. They exchanged astonished looks.

Where had a woman come from?

Grins crept onto the faces of these men who feared nothing, and they charged into the tent.

"Having fun... Huh? What are you doing?"

Low growls and negotiations followed, and the men soon reached an understanding.

Some time later, the men emerged from the tent looking satisfied and flushed. They returned to the feast and told their companions in hushed, mysterious tones about the enviable things they had seen and heard.

A few sailors slipped over to the tent out of curiosity.

Gradually, people throughout the camp began moving about.

Some returned, while others didn't. Those who did return looked at Kang De with newfound admiration and a desire to ingratiate themselves with him. Somehow, Kang De had gained a little recognition among the Goth People.

The sailors' logic was simple.

When someone possessed something exceedingly rare that they badly wanted, the first thought of these men, who spent their days making a living at sea and had seen their share of intrigue, ugliness, and evil, was to swindle, trick, rob, or steal it from him.

But if the person who possessed the treasure was rich and could easily smash their heads in, they would respect him, acknowledge him, and try to curry favor with him-especially if he was generous.

Whatever the weak did was wrong, and whatever the strong did was right.

That was the way of the world.

But Kang De didn't care about such trifles. He was dancing a simple, dull dance with the princess.

At that moment, he had to admit that the reason he had found dancing boring before was that no stunningly beautiful girl had ever been willing to dance with him... That was the only reason.

Now, though... Nice. Really nice.

The princess danced with him.

She said nothing and asked nothing. She didn't inquire about his origins or try to get any information out of him. She asked nothing at all, simply dancing quietly and gracefully as she watched him with a smile.

And so Kang De felt very happy and at ease.

Because the princess asked nothing, he didn't have to devote all his attention to guarding himself and thinking things through, or worry that he might accidentally reveal a secret... That was very, very good.

He felt very much at ease.

Tonight was the most unforgettable night he had spent since transmigrating.

The Wings of Wayne.

The sound of someone coughing up blood rang out.

"Master!"

"Captain... I'm all right."

The aged voice carried a hint of pain. "This meditation has brought new results. For some reason, the terrifying, immense danger I sensed has become clearer than it was yesterday..."

"In other words, something must be happening in the Holy Seal Archipelago, causing the threat to the Dusk Moon Dynasty to gradually take concrete form. That means the Goth People must have found something on the islands, something that poses a tremendous threat to the elven race..."

"So... I propose that the Wings of Wayne set sail for the Holy Seal Archipelago at full speed immediately, slaughter every human on the islands with our arrows and spells, and stamp out this damned danger before it can grow!"

The captain still seemed wary of the taboo surrounding the Holy Seal Archipelago. "But..."

"We can't hesitate any longer, Captain!"

The elven master said sharply, "Although the Holy Seal Archipelago is forbidden to our people, the survival and future of our race are at stake. An elf must step forward!"

"Look back through our history: the first elf to leave the forest, the first elf to set sail, the first elf to use the power of nature for destruction and killing, all the way to the great dynasty of today. Our armies and warships keep the whole world in awe, and the entire continent is our treasury and back garden. All of it came from elves throughout history who stepped forward, defied taboos, and acted with resolve."

"And now it's our turn!"

At this point, the elven magister softened his tone. "That is how history is made."

After a silence, the captain made one last effort. "Perhaps we should report this news..."

"There's no time," the master said. "We're too far out at sea to contact the Admiralty, and I lack the ability to fly back. If the Wings of Wayne returns and the Goth People take the opportunity to flee in the meantime, we will have committed a grave crime against our entire race."

"There is only one path, Captain... I hope you understand."

A very long time passed.

"I understand."

"I'll gather the crew and announce that we're setting sail."

The elven capital ship, which had been wandering outside the forbidden waters, sounded a long, melodious horn.

Amid the surging roar of the waves, the elven captain stood on the command platform and addressed the sailors standing silently before him. This was an elven tradition; they were very fond of eloquence and speeches.

"Gentlemen, by the authority granted to me by Her Majesty the Empress, I hereby declare that the Wings of Wayne is entering battle readiness."

The sails were raised, the anchor was lifted, and the wind howled.

"There is no need to conceal it, no need for deception. Our destination is the forbidden waters..."

The master of the armory and his assistants inspected the sealed weapons... Inside moistureproof weapon chests, the longbows were all kept in prime condition.

"We will defy the ancient precepts and set foot on those legendary islands. This goes against tradition, but true courage is not clinging to the rules of the past. It is breaking them decisively at the right moment!"

The magical attack platform underwent its final inspection and had its parts replaced.

"That is what we must do, and it is what countless heroes have done before us."

The ballistae moved into position.

"Our race lives so long that most of our people have grown carefree and undisciplined. But the greatness of a race does not require every member to be great. It takes only one great leader and a few of the bravest people to be the first to do the right thing, and they can inspire the entire nation to march forward!"

The catapults moved into position.

Wind and waves rose over the sea, tearing at the captain's voice.

"Without a doubt, you are those brave souls. A perilous abyss may lie ahead, but our deeds will surely become part of the songs passed down through the ages, remembered and sung by the Empress and our fellow elves!"

"I promise you!"

"When we have completed our mission and returned home, I will present an account of each person's merits to the Empress and the council. Bards will sing our names, beautiful maidens will place garlands upon our heads, and the doors of Dusk Moon City's high society will open to each and every one of us!"

He waved his arm and roared, "For the Empress!"

Amid the answering shouts, the mighty elven capital ship cleaved through the heavy waves and sailed toward the forbidden waters, like an ebony saber slashing toward the Holy Seal Archipelago.

Thunder rolled across the sky, and thick, dark clouds gathered once more.

At that very moment, the Goth People were clearing up and arranging the night watch. Those taking their turn to rest fell asleep with satisfied smiles, while Kang De returned home, whistling and in a very, very good mood.

No one knew that, far away on the horizon, a mighty elven warship was sailing resolutely toward the Holy Seal Archipelago, into the raging wind and rain.

Humans and elves were about to meet.

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PS1: Second update. I finally managed to update early. That's about six thousand Chinese characters today. Time to hurry off to sleep. Oh, right, votes, please!

PS2: I caught up on the Yu Zhong and Mica Team drama today. Fucking exciting.