Chapter 108: Saint Valen

Saint-Valen, capital of the Victoria Kingdom.

Looking out the carriage window, Lin Lei saw that Saint-Valen was built around a mountain, with most of its architecture consisting of red Gothic structures. As the headquarters of the Human Alliance, the city hosted a vast number of foreigners, and its architectural style clearly reflected a spirit of passion and inclusiveness.

However, what drew Lin Lei’s attention most were the many glistening, golden churches; there seemed to be one on nearly every street. Saint-Valen was also known as the Holy City or the City of Sacred Light, a place of pilgrimage for all Paladins.

Centuries ago, the Forest Elves taught magic to humanity. Following that, some mages began to perceive a brand-new will within that magic—a power flowing with golden radiance. They discovered the "Sacred Light," a revelation that ignited a religious movement. It grew stronger day by day, eventually leading to the founding of Saint-Valen and the Victoria Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived."

After the escort party entered the royal palace, Lin Lei slowly stepped down from the carriage. He spotted someone standing ahead.

"You look a bit familiar!"

"Indeed... I feel the same about you." Lin Wen replied calmly.

Lin Lei’s eyes widened. "Brother, why are you here?"

"I am representing our father at the Alliance conference," Lin Wen answered. Since the Night Elves had received an invitation, the Forest Elves naturally had as well.

"Let me take you to rest first," Lin Wen said. He then remembered the young girl beside him and introduced her to Lin Lei: "This is Princess Vivian of Victoria."

The blonde, blue-eyed girl bowed to Lin Lei. "Welcome, Your Majesty the Supreme King."

Lin Lei stared straight at her—specifically, at the two long pigtails behind her head—before his gaze swept down over her face.

"Hmm..." Lin Lei remarked to the girl, "I bet you must be a tsundere!"

Based on his experience, blonde hair, twin tails, and a flat chest were the standard hallmarks of a tsundere.

Vivian did not know what "tsundere" meant, but that didn't stop her from feeling offended. "What is the meaning of that?" she began to demand, but Lin Wen placed a hand on her shoulder. "Vivian, let us lead the way."

"...Yes, Your Highness."

Vivian’s anger vanished instantly, and she nodded with a crimson face.

Lin Lei’s eyes twinkled; this was going to be interesting.

After the Night Elves were settled, Princess Vivian departed, as she was busy arranging the evening’s banquet. With her gone and Lin Wen present, Hera felt that Lin Lei no longer required her protection.

"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I will go back to practicing cultivation," Hera asked.

"Go, go!" Lin Lei waved his hand, well aware of Hera’s eagerness for cultivation. Even before he had become the Supreme King, Hera had been clamoring to practice it. Lin Lei had ordered the royal mages to bring the source materials to the Night Elf palace for Hera to organize a research team. He had originally assumed that since the physiques of the two elven races were similar, it would be easy for the Night Elves to cultivate, but he had been far too optimistic—Hera had made little progress so far. If it was this difficult for the Night Elves, it would be even harder for other races to follow suit.

"Weren't you injured?" Lin Wen asked Lin Lei after Hera left. He had heard that Lin Lei had been assassinated on the road and suffered a knee injury, but he seemed fully healed now. "Did that Star Mage treat you?"

"No, no." Lin Lei waved his hand and recounted the events of the journey.

Lin Wen’s brows furrowed as he listened; someone impersonating Lin Lei was a bad omen.

"By the way, brother," Lin Lei said, not dwelling on the matter as he let a mischievous thought cross his mind. "You seem very close with that princess. When did you two meet?"

Lin Wen looked at him coldly. "I have known her since the day she was born."

Lin Wen had once studied in the Sky City alongside Vivian’s parents, and they had a decent friendship. When Vivian was born, they had invited Lin Wen to perform her baptism.

"You went to the Sky City!" Lin Lei was astonished. He had heard that Lin Wen studied in the Snow City, but he hadn't realized he had also spent time in the Sky City. "Just how old are you?"

"..."

Lin Wen did not answer the question, knowing Lin Lei was up to no good. "Don't try to scheme against me. I have no interest in that little girl."

Taking the opportunity, Lin Wen warned Lin Lei, "Elves and humans have different perceptions of time. You shouldn't get too close to them." He spoke from deep experience; Lin Wen had only spent four years in the Sky City. To him, those four years were a mere blink of an eye, but for those humans, it had been a significant part of their youth, and to this day, several of them still harbored feelings for him.

At that moment, on the streets of Saint-Valen, the gazes of passersby were drawn to two figures cloaked in black. Although there were many foreigners in Saint-Valen, these black-clad individuals still stirred suspicion.

The two made their way into a bookstore.

"Shopkeeper, do you have a novel here where the protagonist is named Mark?"

"Mark?"

The bookstore owner had been highly wary of these two, but as soon as the name "Mark" was mentioned, his guard vanished.

"Are you referring to the protagonist of the 'A Heart-Touching Novel' series? The Great Druid?" the owner confirmed.

"Yes, yes—and to think it's a series!"

"This is the one. Shopkeeper, hurry and get us a set."

The Primeval Elves were delighted. A smile spread across the bookstore owner's face; they were kindred spirits, which explained the black cloaks. These books were not suitable for sale in public, so the owner turned and retrieved them from a dim corner.

"You truly are connoisseurs. This series is incredibly practical. Three hundred gold coins in total." He placed the books on the counter.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, a female voice rang out from outside. A female figure in black walked in. "Time is almost up. We have to go."

"Alright."

The two male druids in black quickly handed over the gold coins, tucked the books away, and followed their companion out.

"What did you just buy?" the female elf asked on the way.

"You’ve probably never heard of it."

"It's that book the one named Xiwei talked about..." the two male elves said.

"Ah, I know that one!" The female elf was excited. She had heard of those books; two days ago, she had seen them in her mentor’s cave. Her mentor, usually cold and distant, had suddenly become gentle and even offered to groom her fur while she was in her leopard form—she had never seen him so tender before. If the mentor became that gentle, it had to be a good book!

"You managed to get them? Can you let me see?"

"We'll show you after the mission is over. We’ll get scolded if we slack off now!"

"That's right, the Demigod is still watching us!"

The elven druids were somewhat troubled. They had thought they would have a peaceful time after Beli left, but to their surprise, the Demigod had decided to carry out the plan personally—and that plan was truly despicable.

"I never imagined there would be such a despicable plan."

"I was honestly terrified."

The Primeval Elves chatted as they slowly vanished into the crowd.