Teldrasil

Finally, we arrived at Teldrasil, the royal capital of Xinteland, a massive city built within a vast forest.

Teldrasil was the most magnificent city Ronan had seen since arriving in this world, with a permanent population exceeding one hundred thousand and towering city walls ten meters high and four meters wide.

A wide moat had been dug around the city, stocked with fierce piranhas. The only way to enter the city was via the steel drawbridges on either side.

Xinteland was divided into an inner and outer city. The outer city was the gathering place for foreigners and common folk, and the barracks for the Xinteland guards were also built there. The walls of the inner city were shorter than those of the outer city, only seven meters high.

At the center of the inner city was the Xinteland Royal Palace, surrounded by the most luxurious commercial and residential districts.

Likewise, with Thursma leading the way, Ronan and his party passed through without any obstruction. Thursma's objective was clear: straight to the Royal Palace.

Ronan, who had intended to part ways and explore the city, was informed that the Queen wished to see him. Ronan had no choice but to accompany them to the palace.

After bidding a reluctant farewell to Ronan, Daisy, led by Belicha and Thursma, headed to the Queen's chambers. Ronan and his group were led to a side hall to wait, as the Queen would summon him after finishing her affairs.

Thinking he might not see Daisy again, Ronan felt a slight sense of unease. However, their statuses were vastly different – she, a princess of a kingdom; he, merely the leader of a mercenary band.

Ronan and his subordinates were well taken care of. Maidservants brought Ronan new clothes, served him a bath, and even shaved and styled his hair. After all, the Queen was about to summon him, and he couldn't appear too disheveled.

Cleaned up, Ronan was then guided to the dining hall in the side hall. The kitchen had prepared a lavish feast, including steak, roast lamb, various desserts, and Xinteland's unique Hundred Fruits Wine.

Eating the fragrant roast lamb and drinking the sweet fruit wine, Ronan couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered. This reception made him feel somewhat overwhelmed, and he couldn't help but wonder if the Queen was planning to discard him after using him, and this was essentially his last meal.

Not to mention Ronan and his group who were feasting, Daisy, after a long journey under Thursma's guidance, finally arrived at the Queen's chambers. Standing before the door, Daisy couldn't help but feel a little nervous. After all, she had been taken away from Xinteland by Dorodamenro since childhood and had never met her mother.

If Dorodamenro hadn't suddenly told her to go to Xinteland to find her mother this time, she would have always thought she was from a single-parent family.

Thinking of Dorodamenro, Daisy felt a surge of sadness. After all, she would never see that gentle man again.

Arriving at the door, Thursma stood aside without moving, while Belicha directly led Daisy inside.

Behind a desk piled high with documents, facing the main entrance, sat a woman with pointed ears, emerald green hair, a cold and beautiful face, and a tall figure that could be felt even while seated. She was the Queen of Xinteland – Serena Silvermoon.

Hearing the door open, Serena raised her head. The moment she saw Daisy, her cold and beautiful face softened. She beckoned Daisy to come closer.

At the moment of their meeting, the power flowing from their bloodline made Daisy no longer afraid. Moreover, Serena didn't seem as cold-hearted as the rumors suggested.

As Daisy sat beside Serena and was taken by the hand, Belicha spoke.

"Your Majesty, the Princess has arrived! The warriors who escorted the Princess have also been arranged in the side hall and await your summons at any time."

"You still don't know how to read the mood, teacher."

A clear, cold voice came from Serena's lips. However, Serena didn't even glance at Belicha, only looking at Daisy gently. She held Daisy's hand with one hand and gently caressed Daisy's face with the other.

Belicha smiled, unfastened a bundle from his back, and placed it on Serena's desk. Unwrapping it, he revealed Dorodamenro's twin swords.

"Your Majesty, these are Dorodamenro's last belongings!"

"Father's belongings." Daisy couldn't help but feel sad again upon seeing them.

Serena came back to her senses, withdrew her hands from Daisy, and slightly drew the swords from their scabbards, revealing the inscriptions on the blades. Serena gently ran her hand over them, feeling the edges of the carvings.

"I personally carved these back then. I never thought I'd see them again under such circumstances."

"He fought bravely and lived up to the name of a warrior."

"Heh, that's precisely what attracted me to him back then. Why didn't he listen to me and return to Xinteland?"

Serena said softly with a light laugh.

"No matter what his considerations were back then, it's all in the past. Princess, you have returned to Xinteland."

"Yes, there's no need to dwell on the past. Belicha, Xibella still has much to learn to become a qualified princess. Teach her as you taught me back then, and you two are already familiar with each other."

"This old servant is deeply honored!"

"However, Xibella will be staying with me tonight. I have many things to discuss with her."

"Then this old servant shall take his leave."

"Go. And have the mercenary leader who escorted Xibella come here to see me."

Nodding, Belicha pushed the door open and left. Serena then took Daisy's hand again and started chatting, mostly asking about her life over the years and about Dorodamenro.

Once outside, Belicha said to Thursma, who was standing by, "Go find Ronan. The Queen wishes to summon him."

"The Queen wants to summon him here?" Thursma asked with a look of surprise.

"Don't try to guess the Queen's thoughts. Hurry up and go."

"I just thought the Queen would publicly reward him at tomorrow's court session." Thursma replied before turning and heading towards the side hall. Belicha shook his head and left in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Ronan, who was nearly falling asleep from boredom, finally saw Thursma. Wearing a soft silk robe, Ronan, who was accustomed to cold armor, still felt a little unaccustomed to it. However, it was indeed more comfortable than rough cloth clothes and armor lining.

When Thursma arrived, Ronan was lying on a lounge chair, eating fruit and enjoying a long-lost feeling. His subordinates were sparring in pairs.

"Commander Ronan, please come with me. The Queen wishes to summon you."

Ronan immediately flipped over and stood up from the lounge chair. He patted his robe, smoothed out the wrinkles, and said to Thursma:

"Lead the way, Captain Thursma."

Ronan then followed Thursma through the long palace complex, traveling for nearly twenty minutes before reaching their destination. There were many guards along the way, but besides the guards, Ronan hadn't seen a single male servant so far, and all the guards were Elves.

Arriving at the door of Serena's chambers, Thursma knocked and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Commander Ronan has arrived!"

A clear, cold voice immediately came from inside.

"Mm, let him in."