Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 363 - 9: So Lewd

"That’s enough. Don’t blame Faticia. I don’t feel I was deliberately influenced. In fact, I requested this from the very beginning; she was simply carrying out my orders."

The Wind Law Queen clasped her hands behind her back and blinked. "After all, I have my own secrets. I can’t let Lord Eilvette know everything, can I?"

’Her own information channels, huh...’

Eilvette wasn’t surprised. To outsiders, the current queen seemed far too young—nothing more than a naive puppet, ignorant of the ways of the world.

But the Grand Law Officer knew Ailorus was a remarkably precocious young lady. Her demeanor was at once innocent and artless, yet utterly impeccable. She already carried herself with the air of a true monarch.

’And it’s not as if I’m some treacherous minister. A capable monarch like her is exactly what I had hoped for.’

Eilvette sighed and said:

"If I weren’t so terribly busy, a matter of this importance should have been my responsibility."

"It’s alright. Faticia is a wonderful teacher, and I enjoy her lessons very much."

Ailorus twirled a braid by her shoulder with her finger, walked to the edge of the pavilion, and looked out at the garden filled with exotic flowers and strange plants, taking a deep breath.

The Elf Maiden’s pretty cheeks were illuminated by the sunlight, making her look even more delicate and radiant.

Eilvette thought for a moment and said:

"The troops we intend to hire from Duke Qinghui have arrived in the Yuanshi Territory. Xavier has made contact with him and conducted preliminary talks."

Hearing this, Ailorus immediately turned her head, her bright, emerald eyes shimmering with expectant light:

"Oh? What did he say? Is Duke Qinghui willing to aid us?"

"I presented our conditions. Only Duke Qinghui himself may come, bringing only his direct lineage troops, and the number of Yonglan Knights must be limited."

Ailorus interlocked her fingers, stretched her arms, and sighed:

"That’s a bit much. It’s like pouring cold water on someone. Why must we impose restrictions? Ah, I know... This is for the sake of being cautious, right?"

Eilvette said, "My apologies, Your Majesty, but this is our bottom line. If Duke Qinghui were to bring his key commanders as well, the Central Royal Court would struggle to restrain them."

The Elf Maiden blinked. "So, did Duke Qinghui agree?"

"He proposed a counteroffer."

Eilvette took a step forward, took out a terminal, and relayed the contents of the meeting to the Wind Law Queen.

To put it bluntly, Westheid’s demand was that he did not want to come as Mercenaries. Instead, he wanted the Thousand Laws Royal Court to recognize the Qinghui Army as allies, treating his reinforcements as a force with standing equal to the Royal Court’s own.

In short, he wants a legitimate mandate.

After listening, Ailorus tapped her chin with a slender, pale finger and asked:

"What would be the implications of that?"

Eilvette replied calmly, "The payment Mercenaries require is concrete. The reward an ally desires is intangible, and much heavier."

"A debt of gratitude is the hardest to repay. From this, we can see that Duke Qinghui is no simple character. He has a huge appetite; mere wealth will not satisfy him. He seeks something deeper—be it territory, authority, or something else entirely. We must be on guard."

Ailorus clapped her hands together and shook her head. "Why must you always assume the worst of others? I agree that treating a friend who is so willing to help us as a mere mercenary is a bit too harsh."

The Grand Law Officer was silent for a moment before looking at the Wind Law Queen with an unwavering gaze and replying:

"Your Majesty, it is not that I am prejudiced. Everything I do is to protect the Grand Ensemble. The Thousand Laws Royal Court has always remained isolated precisely to avoid contact with the outside world. Our harmony and inclusion should be limited to the Land of Rhythm, because the Divine Ancestor only wove the ensemble for the Land of Rhythm. Once the outside world gets too involved, there will be far, far too many discordant notes."

"The Land of Rhythm, our peace and tranquility, is actually quite fragile. It cannot withstand the kind of hardships other nations face."

"Are there so few discordant notes right now?"

Ailorus’s question left Eilvette speechless.

’Compared to the arrival of outside reinforcements, the Thousand Laws Royal Court is already being pinned down and brutally ravaged by Demons. Next to these Celestial God’s Shadows, who commit every possible act of desecration, a mere band of human reinforcements is nothing.’

’At a time like this, are we still going to put on a brave face?! Enough is enough! We look like clowns!’

"There have always been many discordant notes, haven’t there? In the Royal Court right now, the Grand Ensemble has been completely torn apart. What difference would a few more notes make?"

The Wind Law Queen walked to the flowerbeds by the pavilion and leaned down to smell the fragrant blossoms. Her dazzling golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her graceful, budding figure a picture of moving beauty.

Then, Ailorus looked up and smiled.

Her smile was still pure and bright, enough to cleanse the soul and warm the heart just by looking at it.

"So, Lord Eilvette, do you agree? All major military and political affairs are currently in your hands. You make the decision."

After hearing his Monarch’s question, the tall, stern Elf replied,

"If you approve, the Thousand Laws Royal Court can form an alliance with the Qinghui Territory. A pact of mutual defense, mutual watchfulness, and mutual support, in exchange for their aid."

"Alright. I grant my permission."

Ailorus nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Since Your Majesty is in agreement, we can sign the treaty now. I will draft a suitable document, and I will ask for Your Majesty’s signature when it is ready."

"Ah, of course. No problem."

"Then, I shall take my leave."

After Eilvette had left, Ailorus went over to Faticia’s side. The petite Elf Maiden stood on her tiptoes and gently patted the back of the beautiful, long, violet-haired Elf, comforting her:

"There, there, don’t be afraid anymore. Lord Eilvette isn’t a bad person. He just doesn’t know how to talk to people, so he comes off as very strict."

"Your Majesty..."

Faticia wanted to say more but stopped herself. To the Wind Law Queen, the Grand Law Officer might be considered loyal, but when it came to holding others accountable, he was truly merciless.

"Oh, right, there’s still some time before my training. Can you tell me more stories about Duke Qinghui?"

At the queen’s urging, Faticia had no choice but to reluctantly resume the projection.

"Hee hee... He’s so handsome."

Ailorus’s child-like, innocent eyes sparkled as she rested her chin on her interlocked fingers, admiring Westheid on the projection with great relish.

"How can there be someone so good-looking among humans? Or is everyone with the Holy Spirit Bloodline like this?"

Faticia wiped the moisture from her eyes and shook her head.

"As far as I know, that’s not the case. It’s just that Duke Qinghui, as a descendant of the Pure Holy Spirit, is rather special."

Seeing the Wind Law Queen’s burgeoning interest in Westheid, the purple-haired Elf groaned inwardly. Eilvette had just warned her; she couldn’t get drawn in any deeper and do something to anger the Grand Law Officer.

So she paused for a moment and said.

"Your Majesty, while Duke Qinghui may be outstanding in his public image and on matters of great principle, his personal conduct... is less than praiseworthy."

Ailorus tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"

Faticia then recounted, with some embellishment, the widely publicized stories about Westheid, such as the "King of the Wheel" incident.

Ailorus’s pure, bright eyes blinked:

"Is it really that exaggerated? I may be young, but I’m not a child who knows nothing. Faticia, don’t lie to me. How could any human male be that... capable?"

"From the way you describe it, wouldn’t that make him like a wild beast?"

Faticia hurriedly said, "He is a beast. Imperial Citizens already view strong desires as a virtue, and Duke Qinghui is a prime example among them."

"A beast, huh..."

Ailorus looked at the still-playing projection. Westheid’s smile was brilliant and perfect, a sight she could not easily imagine even in her dreams.

The Wind Law Queen truly couldn’t imagine that such a man could be as the rumors claimed... possessing the savagery and wantonness of a beast.

"Hmph... How vulgar."

Ailorus crossed her arms and huffed, but her expression wasn’t one of anger or disgust. Instead, the corners of her lips turned up slightly in a smile.