Harpers (V)

Faced with the scorching heat and the threat of death, Abier gritted her teeth, her mind flashing back and forth between her declaration when she joined the Harpers and the image of Li Cha's surrender.

But without a doubt, she wavered and was no longer as resolute as before.

"Don't worry, I won't let you reveal any information about the Harpers."

"Then, what exactly do you want?"

The Elf spoke tremulously, as if she had already considered the worst-case scenario.

Keosius simply said in a flat tone, "' Twilight Blade ' Rhea, Half-elf Paladin from Serenia, do you know anything about her?"

Why did you ask her that?

Upon hearing the name, Abier frowned slightly. She never expected that the "Twilight Blade," who had caused such a stir in the kingdom, would be connected to the Red Dragon in front of her.

To be honest, Abier didn't have a good impression of this Half-elf, even though she was related to her by blood.

Rhea is at the center of the power struggle between the Elven Queen and the Council of Elders, causing considerable turmoil in the usually stable Serenia. Some conservative Elf elders even called her a "lowly bastard" and a "thief who tries to steal power."

The reason is simple—the Queen wanted her trusted subordinate, who had human blood, to receive the supreme blessing of the Elf Goddess and become a powerful Moonlight Blessed. This undoubtedly broke the sacred tradition of the High Elf, and thus met with fierce resistance from the Council of Elders, even showing signs of starting a rebellion.

Keosius grew impatient with the Elf's hesitation.

"Do you think this is a request? You have absolutely no other choice."

The Red Dragon gripped the Elf again with its claws and slowly applied force, the intense pressure making it hard for her to breathe.

"Wait. I... I know."

Rhea's whereabouts were not classified information, and she had long been dissatisfied with the turmoil in the Kingdom of Serenia. Under the pressure of survival, Abier still chose to reveal the truth.

"She is in Serenia, now a general under the king. That's all I know. It's true, I haven't been back to my hometown for a long time, and even this little information I have comes from hearsay from my own people."

The Red Dragon then released its grip, carelessly tossing the bruised and battered Elf to the ground.

This Elf is still young and weak, making it difficult for him to access Serenia's secrets. He is not of much use to Serenia, but he may be used as leverage to blackmail the Elven Kingdom.

After all, following the several Crown Wars of the previous era, the Elf who once ruled the continent had long since weakened, and for them, with their sparse population, every citizen was a precious asset.

"Take her back and let her live."

Keosius casually gave the order.

"I actually survived."

Abier found it hard to believe that the Red Dragon really didn't want anything; it had only asked about the most basic things.

It seems the information provided by the Northern Nobles may not be true—at least in the eyes of the Elf, this Red Dragon is not the kind of incorrigible, cruel, and evil creature.

"Well..."

But when she thought of Li Cha's betrayal, she sighed heavily, feeling extremely pained and conflicted, with no way to vent her complex emotions.

The Tiefling Guard escorted the Elf back to her dark, damp cell, where she would apparently spend a long time.

"That 'old acquaintance' has probably already entered the realm of legend."

"Keosius said to himself."

When they first met, the Half-elf Paladin had already broken through the level 20 barrier and was capable of slaying Red Dragon on his own, while he was just a Wyrmling whose life was hanging by a thread. Under the Paladin's scrutinizing gaze, he fled in panic and looked extremely disheveled.

Now that he is about to rule the entire the North, he needs to make plans for the south.

Keosius still remembered the humiliation he had suffered. Although he was not fond of his cheap Dragon Mother, the Red Dragon still wanted to make this Half-elf who had once made him flee pay a price. More importantly, she had something that the Red Dragon coveted.

According to the storyline he remembered, after traveling to various countries, eliminating evil and making the name "Twilight Blade" known throughout the continent, Rhea took the final step to become a legendary Paladin. She then accepted the Queen's decree to return to the Elven Kingdom, and after quelling the rebellion of the Council of Elders, she was granted divine favor.

In the future "Darkmoon Cataclysm", she will play an even more important role, and is jokingly referred to by players as "Elven Dragon Aotian".

Thinking of this, Keosius exhaled a breath of hot Sulfur Scent air.

"Tsk, the power of the the North is still too weak. If it fails to unify the country in four years, it will probably be difficult to weather the Demon Invasion of Anzeta, let alone take over the vast South."

Just then, the Tiefling Guard reported again at the door.

"Your Majesty, Lord Mezhuolash has arrived."

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Mezhuolash entered the hall with practiced ease and knelt before the throne.

"I have followed your orders and instructed the ' Nocturne ' unit to conduct a thorough investigation. We have found twelve spies from the Harpers within the country. After interrogation, their so-called organization has shown considerable interest in us, and it is possible that more people will infiltrate the kingdom in the future to carry out small-scale espionage activities. What do you think of these people?"

"Let them tell us what they know, and lock them up. There's no need to break ties with the Harpers."

Keosius grinned and gave a cold laugh.

"When the kingdom's territory is vast enough, they will remove me from the list of so-called 'evil organizations.' They might even try to win us over, and these people can become our bargaining chips for future compensation."

"Yes, Master."

Keosius narrowed his eyes slightly and continued:

"Mezhuolash, as you know, I am about to fall into a long slumber. When I awaken, I hope to see a complete intelligence network both within and outside the kingdom, rather than the current haphazard and ineffective one."

I won't let you down.

Mezhuolash answered calmly.

Now he has escaped the predicament of being a fugitive and has long since moved on from the deep-seated hatred of his people. Now he only wants the ever-expanding monster Embers of the Burned Kingdom to thrive and for his people to gain more benefits from it.

The Tiefling hold a rather special position in the Embers of the Burned Kingdom. They are present in the Tiefling City Defense Army in various places, which is quite a good job.

Because among the former loyal followers of the Ember Nest, they were numerous enough and far more composed than the brutal Goblin and Ogre, but this also made many of the followers resentful of Tiefling.

You should know that those chaotic and disorderly Goblin Kobold can only guard the barren Storm Highlands, and some unfortunate families are even assigned to guard the Ice Plains. They yearn for the cushy job of guarding the rich cities.

"Let's go back."

"Yes."

Mezhuolash then took his leave.