Chapter 596 - 594: Is the Elf King Coming?

Bang!

The cannonball was successfully launched, shooting fiercely into the sky, only to leisurely fall to the ground much later.

Hilia, with a pale face, used her magic staff as a crutch and simultaneously condensed a highly adhesive ice layer on the ground to avoid collapsing.

Hilia’s appearance could not be concealed nor hidden.

Soon, people from the nearby elven camp arrived swiftly by her side.

Hai Wei’er, at the forefront, reached out to support Hilia, "Miss Xi, how are you? Are you alright?"

As she spoke, she felt a sense of relief.

At last, she had seen Hilia in such a state.

She had thought Hilia was a fountain of magic power, never to run dry.

Not just her, but the other rushing elves shared similar thoughts.

If Hilia returned with the same complexion as usual, they would have started doubting themselves.

Of course, if they knew Hilia’s pale face was not due to excessive magic consumption, but because of her fear of heights and speed, their expressions would have been different.

Supporting herself on Hai Wei’er, Hilia took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself.

She shook her head: "No, no problem, thank you."

Hai Wei’er replied: "No need to thank, it’s us who should be thankful to you."

Another elf said: "Lord Aiman has been waiting for Miss Xi in the camp for quite some time; please allow us to escort you there to rest."

Hilia nodded: "Then please, lead the way."

The situation underground was almost thoroughly investigated as Hilia learned from Rose, and her main purpose in the Elf Forest remained to obtain the Heart of the Magic Puppet of life element. This matter could only be approached gradually, so Hilia was in no rush, opting to enjoy some food and drink for the time being.

It was uncertain whether the camp leader had informed the Elf Royal City, whether Elina or those Elf Elders were aware.

Hilia thought about it, then shook her head.

Forget it, better not to dwell on it.

The more she thought, the more nauseous she felt.

Speaking of which, having spent nearly a day below, she wondered what the situation outside was like now.

Hilia wanted to contact Benovia and Vanessa, but feared drawing attention from the Elf Race, so she contained her thoughts and followed Hai Wei’er and the others to the camp, entering a tent they had cleared and designated for guests.

Around the tent were numerous machines and various research samples brought up from underground.

The center had been cleared to place a dining table.

When Hilia arrived, the dining table was already laden with many specialties of the Elf Race.

After Hilia entered, Aiman and a person seeming to be a Tier Six Mage approached warmly, "Welcome back safely, Miss Xi."

He looked at an elf beside him and introduced, "This is Elder Louis, a Forest Purification Officer from the Elf Royal City."

Hilia nodded slightly, "Hello, Elder Louis, my name is Xi."

Louis nodded, "Hello."

He displayed a puzzled expression.

He had a feeling he had heard Hilia’s name somewhere before.

Perhaps overheard during someone’s casual conversation?

He shook his head slightly.

Maybe it wasn’t important enough to remember.

As a Forest Purification Officer, his recent tasks were so heavy that his hair had turned as green as the forest, with streaks of white.

Besides that, he appeared more aged than other elves.

"Miss Xi, I’m very curious about what happened below. Can you tell me about the events under the pollution source? It is crucial to our ability to solve this major disaster. Please don’t hold back," Louis said politely.

Hilia nodded, "Not much, I was curious and snuck into the pollution source, where I encountered a demon attack..."

Hilia’s activities inside were simple: go in, encounter demons, resolve, encounter a demon tide, battle, retreat.

That was it.

As for where Rose went, what he did, or discovered, that was the work of the Gods, nothing to do with Hilia!

Hilia didn’t know either!

Hilia thought to herself.

Hearing Hilia’s story, Louis seemed thoughtful and nodded, "Understood, thank you for your selfless contribution, Miss Xi. Without you, the demons might have surged up with the pollution to reach the surface."

Aiman added, "Indeed, Miss Xi’s attack significantly reduced the demons by more than half; the remaining ones can be gradually cleared by us, posing no significant threat."

Hilia shook her head: "No, you’re wrong; the number of demons I killed is only a tiny fraction of their total."

Louis was slightly taken aback: "Are you sure?"

Hilia nodded, "Yes, I can sense there are many demons. Due to the underground pollution, which may have existed for hundreds of years, I have no idea how many demons were born."

Louis nodded seriously, "Understood, I will report this accurately to the Elf King."

He sighed, "I’m afraid we might need the help of someone blessed by the Gods."

Hilia felt a stir, "Elina?"

Louis nodded, curious, "You know her."

"Yes, I’ve worked with her before,"

Hilia replied casually.

Aiman said, "Elder Louis, Miss Xi has been continuously fighting inside for over ten hours and is very tired. Let’s let her eat something and rest first, then we can talk later."

"Sure, I was too hasty, Miss Xi, please sit."

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

The elven cuisine was excellent; here, all were Tier Two to Tier Six Mages. Naturally, the elf chefs were also highly skilled, possibly powerful mages themselves.

Hilia ate to her heart’s content and complied with their request to move to a specially cleared tent for her to rest.

Before she went in to rest, Louis said, "By the way, Miss Xi, I’ve just reported your achievements to the Elf King. It shouldn’t be long before he comes with Elina. Please rest a while, and we’ll take you to meet the Elf King later."

"Okay."

Hilia replied casually.

But in her mind, she thought—

Meet the Elf King? Spare me, I don’t want to go.

The bodyguard the Elf King assigned to Elina is so loathed; this Elf King isn’t likely to be a good person.

If he comes, he’ll definitely bring many Tier Six Mages as guards.

By then, it won’t be easy to leave.

So—

Hilia prayed to the Gods: "Lord Rose, help me, I want to rest for a bit. If they come, remind me so I can escape ahead of time."

Rose looked at her amusedly and nodded, "Alright."

With a sigh of relief, Hilia contentedly leaped onto the wooden bed made especially for her by the elves, comfortably closing her eyes to sleep... oh no, to meditate.