Chapter 604 - 602: Of Course, Leave This to Me!

Ista border.

Melina is leading many Tier Four and above captains of the Law Enforcement Knight Order, along with Benovia and Vanessa, in a meeting.

"Regarding the pollution, we have extensive experience in dealing with it. Based on Miss Benovia’s request, we have preliminarily devised an array that can keep the pollution contained within a certain area. This array is inspired by the Golden Apple Stone Forest. Although it’s not as effective, it can temporarily restrain the pollution."

A scholar is reporting.

Benovia’s eyes light up.

"Thank you for your hard work, sir. You are a pioneer in fighting pollution and a hero of Ista!"

Melina and many captains have strange expressions, looking at Benovia who is lavish with praise, and the reporting scholar.

Everyone present knows Benovia’s identity, and the scholar, listening to her praise, is embarrassed.

With such praise, one might think he had become some great hero.

But in this fight against pollution, if Benovia denies she’s a ’big hero,’ nobody dares to claim that title.

Melina laughs, "Once the array is completed, Benovia will finally be relieved from the continuous cleansing work."

Benovia nods, "Though I’ve already thought of how to reduce the workload these days, having the restraining array will surely be much better."

She looks at Melina and says, "Ms. Melina, by then, I may need the Law Enforcement Knight Order’s help to go to the Star Spirit Forbidden Land and check if there is any chain reaction of pollution there."

"Alright, I’ll go with you then." Melina nods.

Benovia is startled, and she quickly shakes her head.

"No, it’s better for you to stay here, Ms. Melina, to prevent any trouble from the Elf Race."

"We’re not planning on entering their territory. What would they dare to do? If they dare to come in, let them taste the iron cavalry of the Law Enforcement Knight Order!"

Melina dismissively waves it off.

Benovia still refuses, "No, just some people will do. A Tier Six Mage entering the Star Spirit Forbidden Land may trigger a reaction from the Star Spirit Tree. Unless necessary, it’s best not to go in."

"Is that so?" Melina frowns slightly, "I remember going in a few times, and it seemed like there was no problem."

"Anyway, thank you, Ms. Melina, but I only need a few people, preferably Tier Four or Tier Five, scholars who know the secrets of the Star Spirit Tree."

"Alright." Melina doesn’t insist, only reminding her, "Be careful; there might be remnants of cult bases inside the Star Spirit Forbidden Land. If found, don’t act rashly. Wait until it’s understood, then let the Law Enforcement Knight Order take action, understood?"

"Mm, thank you, Ms. Melina."

Melina nods and looks at the others, "There is another matter I need to discuss with all of you."

Melina’s expression slowly becomes strange, "There’s news from the Elf Race that Hilia has appeared in her own identity. I need to discuss with you how we should respond."

Benovia is taken aback, "She... isn’t she fond of disguises? How can she appear under her real name, so boldly?"

Melina smiles faintly, "Even if exposed, it’s no big deal. Given what Hilia is doing right now, the Elf Race wouldn’t dare do anything to her."

Everyone is curious.

"Did Miss Hilia do something to make the Elf Race not dare to act?"

Vanessa is also curious.

Hilia did not tell her what she did in Mandela Town, nor did she tell anyone at all.

So, unless someone specifically reports it, she wouldn’t know either.

Melina clears her throat, "Outside the Elf Forest, in a place called ’Mandela Town,’ Hilia performed a grand purification ritual. During the ritual, she was discovered by travelers from our empire... or perhaps she did it deliberately.

"In any case, under her purification, the entire Mandela Town’s pollution was brought under control. They don’t have to worry about the effects of pollution for a while and have become the first town in the Elf Empire to recover from pollution and resume normal life."

"What?"

Everyone was shocked.

Benovia’s eyes light up, "As expected of Hilia, she easily accomplished what we couldn’t."

Vanessa furrows her brow, somewhat worried, "Purifying the entire town’s ailments, can she handle it? It’s too reckless."

Others, however, think from the perspective of Ista and the Holy Court:

"Hilia now has the highest reputation among the prospective Holy Daughters. Perhaps most ordinary people and mages don’t know her identity, but the upper echelons of the Elf Race certainly do."

"With this purification ritual, the entire world might learn she is the next Holy Daughter of the Holy Court."

"By acting this way, she may be in danger. The Elf Royal Court might try to assassinate her, despite public opinion pressure."

"Too kind, the arrogant Elf Race shouldn’t be helped for free. At least it should be done after negotiations between the Holy Court and the Elf Royal Court."

"..."

Many discussions erupted, and Melina remained silent, just listening to everyone.

After a long while, she cleared her throat, halting the discussions.

She glanced around the conference room, speaking calmly, "Enough idle chatter. A message from the Holy Master has arrived, asking us, being on the front line, to promptly devise a response strategy."

"The Holy Master has three directives: first, protect Hilia, ensuring her safety; second, use this issue diplomatically to pressure the Elf Royal Court; third, apply pressure to the borders of the Elf Race."

"The second point is not our concern. Our main tasks are to execute the first and third points, and the third point requires discussion amongst us here on how to proceed."

Speaking this, Melina paused and glanced around the conference room again, saying lightly, "As for the first point, we need to send someone to protect Hilia secretly, and that person can’t be too weak."

Everyone looked at each other, with Tier Four mages having no ideas.

A moment later, a Tier Five mage raised his hand, "Ms. Melina, should I go to protect Miss Hilia secretly?"

Melina looked at him and then shook her head after a moment, "I think you might not be able to defeat Hilia."

Tier Five Mage: "..."

He was a bit unconvinced and was about to speak when Melina said, "The gap between Tier Four and Tier Five isn’t as large as that between Tier Three and Tier Four. And Hilia, when she was Tier Three, could independently thwart Tier Four cultists. Do you think she would lose to a Tier Five mage now at Tier Four?"

Everyone nodded.

Hilia’s battle achievements are evident, and the image of Letes City’s lighthouse being blown away has spread throughout the high-tier mage circle in Ista.

"Therefore," Melina smiled, "The task of protecting Hilia falls to none other than myself."

Everyone: "???"

Benovia quietly rolled her eyes.

So you had planned to do this all along, then why mention it?

She suddenly recalled Melina wanting to accompany her to the Star Spirit Forbidden Land earlier and couldn’t help but mutter secretly.

"Had I agreed then, could you still go protect Hilia now?"