Appeal (Part Two)

The human kingdom on Hope Island had only just been established. Its new port and the city around it were mostly complete, but many details still needed work.

The magnificent, imposing Royal Palace in the forest was another matter entirely.

In scale and splendor, the Elven Royal Palace rivaled any proper palace on the mainland.

Its vast grounds and carefully chosen materials drew admiration from everyone who saw it.

Once the palace was built, Anion needed only to summon the Elves a few times for most of them to feel greater hope for the Elf Kingdom on the island—and greater awe of it.

More importantly, Prince Anion had personally ordered the mages to build the palace and had lent it divine power. That was why it was so grand, so beautiful, and completed so quickly.

The human city outside had been built the same way.

"Be careful. Prince Anion is meeting the tribal elders. Take this over!" In a secluded part of the Royal Palace stood the kitchens, which supplied food and fruit to the entire palace. More than a dozen Elven cooks used exquisite knife skills to carve fruit into beautiful shapes, while eight lovely Elven maids waited quietly before them.

When the first batch was ready, the head cook called the maids over and handed them the fruit.

"Don't worry, sir. This is our job. We'll deliver it carefully." Smiling, the maids took the platters and left.

The palace was immense. The king received his ministers in a hall at its center. Holding the fruit platters carefully in both hands, the maids filed into a long corridor and headed for the hall.

Inside, Anion sat high upon his throne, listening as his subordinates reported to him one by one.

He wore a simple black robe, yet golden light