My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 62: Warning

"Are you sure that's what you saw?"

"Yes, your majesty, almost a fourth of the entire Kaksan Forest is plagued by a relentless black miasma. It devours the very life of the forest, although the process is gradual, the fact that it shows no sign of stopping is deeply concerning."

The man knelt before his queen his heart heavy with the weight of the dire situation he had uncovered. His once-steadfast composure wavered, and red-rimmed eyes threatened to spill tears.

The intense pressure emanating from the being before him was unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if his very blood had become a voice, compelling him to accept the undeniable truth that the being before him was an entity he could never hope to approach.

To this enigmatic sovereign, he must be obedient and offer unwavering praise. His entire existence seemed to scream out, commanding him to serve her, to devote himself entirely to her will.

As a mere, humble servant, he had been entrusted with the daunting task of unraveling the mysteries of the vast Kaksan Forest. Mana distortions had been incessantly emanating from a particular location within the forest, and his mission was to investigate this anomaly.

To his astonishment, he stumbled upon a chaotic battleground, and the presence of a being that even his own race, a race not easily intimidated, feared deeply.

This being had returned earlier than anticipated, casting a shadow of unease. The forest's rampant corruption, unlike anything he had ever seen, only added to the gravity of the situation.

Amidst the chaos, he had also discovered a gruesome mound of monster corpses, hidden at the heart of the unfathomable black miasma that had consumed the forest.

The servant's account of his findings painted a bleak picture, and he felt the gravity of the information he bore. In this moment of vulnerability, he continued to kneel, bound by his allegiance and the formidable presence of his queen.

The queen, seated regally with her legs crossed on the throne, leaned forward, her gaze locked onto the servant. "What about the elves living there?" she inquired, her tone measured and contemplative.

The servant hesitated for a moment, adjusting his posture.

"They are relatively unharmed, your majesty. Regrettably, I couldn't obtain a clear view due to the protective barrier of the world tree"

"However, I observed that the mana signatures of the monsters in the area disappeared after a brilliant purple flash, suggesting that they may have somehow triumphed over the creature that devastated the forest."

The queen nodded in acknowledgment. "I see. You may go now."

With a graceful wave of her hand, she indicated her servant to go, the servant underwent a swift transformation, his form morphing into several hundred bats that fluttered away, leaving the room behind. The door closed automatically, plunging the room into deeper obscurity. The queen, now alone in her throne room, allowed her eyes to glow an ominous blood-red as she contemplated the information at hand. Her thoughts, shrouded in an air of mystique, hinted at a looming plan or decision that bore great significance.

"Kaksan got unsealed, and a brilliant purple flash somehow erased him out of existence," the queen recounted with a wry smile, her gaze directed at her trusted adviser, Herton. "The elves are now in shambles, and the forest is slowly dying. Haha, what do you think I should do, Herton?"

Herton, an exceedingly handsome but elderly man, his hair an ethereal white, was clad in impeccable black attire. His striking blood-red eyes exuded wisdom and experience. He considered the queen's question carefully before responding, "I think it would be best to watch the situation for now, your majesty."

The queen's expression revealed a hint of impatience. "And why is that? Don't you think taking the entire forest and attacking the elves now would be a good move? I mean, what better chance than this, right?"

Herton, ever the voice of reason, elaborated, "It is as you said, but there are many unknowns in this situation. For one, we don't know why Kaksan was unsealed earlier than expected. Furthermore, the cause of that purple flash that eradicated Kaksan's existence remains a mystery. For all we know, the elves may be harboring some ancient relic capable of vanquishing a monster as formidable as Kaksan. Lastly..."

Before he could finish his thought, the queen interjected, "We don't know what moves the major powers of the continent will make in this situation, huh?"

Herton nodded in agreement, "It is as you said."

The queen, perceptive and strategic in her thinking, considered the broader implications of the situation. "I guess that's to be expected. Even I can sense the mana disturbance in the forest, so I'm sure those two brats have noticed it as well. Plus, the fact that the forest is within their 'claimed' borders... those two must be deciding how to handle the forest now, huh."

"Did either of them make a move?" the queen inquired.

Herton answered, "The emperor seems to be taking his time, your majesty, as there have been no particular movements from the empire as of yet."

The queen raised an eyebrow in response. "Hmm? That's surprising. I thought that snake-like brat would have already made a move the moment he heard about what happened in the forest. After all, he has always wanted the forest and the elves to become part of the empire. That brat's greed knows no bounds, how unlike him. And what about the pope?"

Herton continued, "Although the Holy Kingdom likely received news of what transpired, I believe the pope won't have the opportunity to intervene in the forest matter. The rising Kou dynasty on their eastern front is currently exerting immense pressure, demanding the return of the Shalkin Plains."

"So, a war might break out soon, huh? Truly, humans are such violent creatures," the queen remarked, her voice laced with a hint of resignation.

Herton, ever attentive to his queen's wishes, responded, "Indeed, your majesty. The prospect of war is never far from their minds."

The queen contemplated the unfolding events for a moment before making a decisive decision.

"So the only one we should be watching out for right now is the empire... Herton, gather four of the shades and instruct them to investigate the nature of the purple flash in the forest"

"Charlotte and Peter should proceed to the forest to conduct their investigation. Provide them with this letter; I'm certain that once the queen of the elves reads it, they will be granted permission to enter their territory"

"As for Mary and Oberick, I want them to remain in the empire and keep a watchful eye on their activities."

Herton nodded and replied, "As you wish, your majesty. I will see to it immediately."

The queen watched as Herton left her presence, her crimson eyes scanning the chamber with a sharp, calculating gaze. Her thoughts danced in the dimly lit room, and she remained ever vigilant.

"You can come out now, Calissia," the queen's voice resonated with an air of authority and confidence.

Suddenly, a silver light descended upon the room, radiating a silvery white hue. A woman with resplendent silver hair materialized, her beauty rivaling the queen herself as she sat regally on her throne.

"You found out, huh? Was I that obvious?" Calissia, the goddess of the elves, spoke with an air of casual amusement and a light-hearted laugh.

The queen's crimson eyes narrowed, but she retained her composure. "You sure have a lot of courage visiting me in my domain."

Calissia waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, please, don't be such a bloody cheapskate. What's wrong with a friend visiting?"

"I'm having trouble remembering treating you as a friend, miss long ears."

Calissia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, now you're insulting me? Is this how you treat a goddess? And these ears of mine are what make me beautiful; a blood-sucking leech like you wouldn't understand," she retorted with a hint of playful defiance.

The queen regarded Calissia with a perplexed expression. She was aware that this divine visitation had more to it than mere casual banter. Gods held immense power, but they were bound by the laws of causality when interacting with the mortal world. Even the form Calissia currently took was only a fragment of her true self. The queen could easily extinguish her existence with a mere thought.

Sensing the queen's latent bloodlust, Calissia grew alarmed and adopted a more serious demeanor. The pressure emanating from those glowing crimson eyes seemed to pierce her very soul.

'Progenitor vampires really are troublesome mortals,' the goddess pondered, 'but I suppose they're better than those arrogant dragons.'

"I just came here to warn you," Calissia finally declared.

"Warn me?" The queen's laughter resonated through the room. "Hahaha, do you think I'm afraid of the gods, Miss Long Ears?" Suddenly, intense pressure descended upon the area, and the queen's blood-red eyes seemed to control Calissia's very essence, forcing her to kneel.

"Fucking bitch, at least let me finish!" Calissia screamed in frustration, struggling to explain her purpose. The pressure lifted, and Calissia continued "Still as violent as ever, yet you comment about humans being the violent race."

The queen remained stoic, her crimson gaze unwavering as she awaited Calissia's warning, her regal demeanor undisturbed by the goddess's presence.