A Safeguard

"That's truly surprising."

After hearing Li Lin's story, even Nia couldn't hide her surprise.

"Although I had anticipated this, I didn't expect it to go so smoothly."

"A lot has probably happened to them too, although we don't know exactly what it is, but that's not something we need to worry about."

Although Li Lin was somewhat concerned, he wasn't worried. Whether the other party intended to honor the agreement or later reneged, he had already prepared countermeasures. The reason Li Lin dared to make this decision was precisely because of the covert confrontation between Kudel and Lalia, which made the current plan possible. If the two sides shook hands and made peace or intended to achieve their goals through less violent means, then Li Lin's plan would naturally fail.

"Maintain contact with the Maya and see what the Kudel army is planning. Don't let your guard down; they should know how cunning humans are. Don't assume that only the Dark Elf are the only truly ruthless species in this world."

Li Lin quickly gave Nia the order, then looked at Kalin, who was lounging lazily on the sofa, idly counting the decorations on the ceiling.

"Kalin, you'll be responsible for protecting that merchant. Although I don't think he's likely to get hurt, it's always better to be safe. Also, don't forget your identity, whether you consider yourself an elf or not. At least others see you as an elf, and I hope you're aware of that... I'll entrust those Dark Elf to you; you can decide how to handle them."

"That sounds interesting."

As Kalin spoke, she lightly jumped up from the sofa, frowned slightly, and then gave an amused smile.

"Perfect timing. I also want to see if the descendants of these guys are as powerful as their ancestors... This would be quite an interesting experience."

Where is Angela?

After explaining everything, Li Lin looked around the room again and found that Angela was nowhere to be seen. She wasn't in the bedroom, nor in the living room. So, with some curiosity and doubt, he asked Fina, who was sitting next to Nia learning magic.

"Ah, Miss Angela, she just said she wanted to go for a walk..."

"... She's alone?"

"Sister Mina originally wanted to come along, but Miss Angela wouldn't allow it, saying she was just going to wander around."

"..."

"... Is there a problem with this?"

"It's nothing. She'll find her way back someday anyway. Don't worry about it. You should continue your studies."

"Huh? Ah, um..."

Fina tilted her head in confusion at Li Lin's inexplicable words, but quickly refocused on her magic studies. Li Lin sat on the sofa for a while, still feeling uneasy. He knew very well that Angela always appeared arrogant and superior on the surface, though not omnipotent, she was close enough. However, some things are perhaps innate, and no matter how hard one tries, they cannot be changed.

I think I'll go for a walk too.

Thinking of this, Li Lin sighed helplessly and then walked out of the room.

Meanwhile, Angela wandered alone in the rear garden. Although the palace was heavily guarded, for a thousand-year-old Vampire Species, who could come and go freely even from a museum equipped with the latest infrared detection and laser anti-theft devices, such primitive and rudimentary security was utterly insignificant in her eyes. Angela could even brazenly walk past the guards without them noticing a thing. Although she still possessed a captivatingly beautiful appearance, when Vampire Species got serious, no one could see her unparalleled beauty unless she wanted to.

"Hmph, what a run-down slum."

Walking casually into the back garden, Angela bit her lip and complained bitterly. Her ability allowed her to move freely anywhere, but this also had its drawbacks—because of her unimpeded journey, Angela had long since lost track of where she was. She had even flown into the air to look around, but still had no clue. This made Angela somewhat anxious. Although she had completely rejected Kalin's sarcastic "Do you want your sister to lead the way?" when she left, it now seemed that the bitter consequences were not pleasant.

"This is so troublesome, I might as well just break through the wall and go through."

Gazing at the blooming flowers in the garden, Angela muttered to herself. She vented all her anger and resentment on these innocent blossoms. On the surface, Angela simply plucked a flower gracefully, but in the next instant, the once vibrant and delicate petals began to wither and turn black, the once lush stems became shriveled, and Angela squeezed it hard in her palm before throwing away a pile of almost invisible powder.

After ravaging and destroying a life, the little girl's anger subsided slightly, and she regained her usual mood, intending to see if there was any way to find her and Li Lin's room again. Of course, asking the guards would be a very simple and convenient method, but for Angela, exposing her weaknesses to inferior humans was something she absolutely did not want to do. If she were to do it, she would definitely kill the person to silence them.

Just as Angela was about to leave the garden, a figure approached, which startled Angela slightly. She then hid in the shadows, curiously watching the visitor.

It was clearly a palace woman, dressed as a servant, carrying a water jug as she entered the garden. Judging from her appearance, she was probably in charge of tending the flowers. Angela, hidden in the shadows, watched this scene with great interest. She smelled the sweet scent of virgin blood. Although the girl wasn't particularly beautiful, she possessed a natural innocence.

"Hi, Lola, why are you alone today?"

A passing guard greeted the girl, and the maid, called Lola, looked up and smiled.

"Ah, hello, officer."

"That's rare. Don't you usually come to tend the garden with Miss? What's wrong today?"

"Ah, the Grand Mage seems to be in a bad mood today. He's locked himself in his room the whole time, and Miss is very worried, so..."

"That high-ranking court sorcerer, it's quite rare to find something that upsets him..."

The guard and maid exchanged a few casual words before leaving the garden to continue their work. Angela, hidden in the shadows, frowned. She wasn't unaware of what Li Lin had said about the old mage, and now it seemed this maid had some connection to him.

"Hoo hoo hoo, it's always better to have more insurance. In order for Master's plan to proceed smoothly, it seems that I have no choice but to take some action."

Angela chuckled softly to herself, then stepped out of the shadows and quietly greeted the maid who had her back to her.

"Good afternoon."

"Why?"

Hearing the sudden voice behind her, the maid turned around in surprise, then froze on the spot. To her, Angela, who appeared before her, was as beautiful and holy as a goddess; her bright silver hair and beautiful ruby-like eyes were rare sights in her life. But the girl standing before her, smiling and speaking softly, was more beautiful than anything around her. Her noble and magnificent demeanor immediately made the maid lower her head. She looked at the ground uneasily and responded nervously, not having time to wonder how this girl had appeared.

"Hello, esteemed lady. May I ask who you are...?"

"I am just a passerby."

Angela took a few steps forward and came to the maid. She reached out a hand and placed it on the maid's cheek, gently lifting her chin. It was gentle, yet she forced the maid to look at her.

"The flowers here are so beautiful that they caught my eye, which is why I came here to admire them. Are you taking care of all these flowers?"

"Ah, ah... no, this is what Miss is responsible for taking care of; I'm just helping out."

The maid wanted to lower her head, an instinctive fear driving her to avoid looking into those beautiful red eyes. But her body seemed to have completely broken free of her control. Looking directly into those eyes, the maid felt as if her very soul was being sucked in. The woman before her was simply too beautiful; her gentle, melodious voice easily disarmed the maid's defenses, and her gaze began to unfocus and become hazy.

"Miss, she..."

"I also love flowers. May I have the honor of meeting that young lady?"

"Of course... that's natural..."

"Very good, good boy..."

Angela gently stroked the maid's cheek, then leaned close to her ear and whispered something. The maid's gaze became even more unfocused; she felt her body had completely lost its strength, as if she was only standing there because of the beautiful girl before her. She even wanted to throw herself into the girl's arms, willingly accepting whatever this beautiful young lady wanted to do to her.

"I hope you'll remember what I said. Is there a problem?"

"No... Your Excellency... Everything... is as you wish..."

The light in the little maid's eyes gradually faded.

What are you doing, Angela?

Just then, the air around them began to vibrate, and then Li Lin stepped out of the portal. He looked at Angela helplessly, clearly at a loss for what to do about her actions.

Are you hungry?

"Half of it is to supplement nutrition."

Angela revealed a sly smile.

"And the other half... is for you, Master."

Then, her snow-white, sharp canine teeth easily pierced the little maid's neck.