Chapter 15: The Empress’s Benevolent Cruelty

Within a palace in the Elven Imperial City, the Elf Empress was currently receiving a report from her subordinates regarding Lola.

“The princess has been located. She is currently using transfer magic with all her might to teleport towards Avasilon. We plan to intercept her at her next teleportation point and assist her return.”

As the daughter of the Elf Empress, Lola naturally possessed numerous life-saving artifacts. Thus, Theresia’s attack inflicted not even the slightest harm upon her, though it did blast her to a distant, faraway land.

It was a distance that would require Lola to perform over a dozen long-distance teleportation spells to return to Avasilon.

Determined to exchange contact information with the black dragon before it vanished completely, Lola was now attempting to cast spells with the speed of someone who had practiced for over a century, while guzzling mana potions as if she were a bottomless bucket.

Consequently, the highly-trained Royal Elven Guard had to completely revise their understanding of the mischievous princess, and thus, reconsider their interception plans.

“Her Royal Highness is truly a peerless genius! Even the Grand Master was moved to exclaim that few in elven history have ever mastered teleportation magic to such an exquisite degree at her age.”

Listening to her attendant’s praise, the Elf Empress remained expressionless.

‘Is she a peerless genius? She’s clearly just lusting after that black dragon!’

‘Forget it… she is my child, after all.’

“Hoo~”

The Elf Empress exhaled softly, a gentle smile slowly blossoming on her face. “Then, intercept her at the next teleportation point.”

The attendant bowed their head and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. We will bring the princess back immediately.”

“There’s no need for that,” the Elf Empress interjected, cutting off her attendant. Her gaze, calm and serene, met the attendant’s bewildered expression as she asked, “Hasn’t Lola always felt that Avasilon restricted her talents, which even the World Tree couldn’t contain, and wished to venture out for experience?”

“Before, I considered it merely a child’s fancy. Now, however, it seems she might have been right all along. Observe, on her very first outing, she has already displayed unparalleled talent in transfer magic.”

“Heh, if she spends more time outside, I believe surpassing me will merely be a matter of time. However, if she is to gain experience, relying on external aid will only suppress the eruption of her potential.”

“Intercept her at the next teleportation point. I’ve arranged a few surprises for her. For true experience, one must understand that this world is not solely comprised of goodwill.”

The Elf Empress cupped her cheek, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “A true powerhouse isn’t someone who is perpetually strong and unchallenged, but one who, after enduring immense setbacks and failures, can still rise from nothing and grow powerful. Don’t you agree?”

That radiant, captivating smile sent a chill down the attendant’s spine. They pondered for a moment before asking, “Um, that is true, but wouldn’t such an experience be somewhat dangerous for the princess?”

“Dangerous? Where can one gain experience without danger? Without hardship, there is no progress; without failure, how can there be success?” The Elf Empress paused, then a brilliant smile bloomed across her face as she declared, “If she doesn’t encounter setbacks and tribulations, then we shall create them. I will personally arrange everything, hehe.”

The Elf Empress’s laughter sounded hollow and chilling.

“After being forced to endure hardship, I believe she will understand just how unfilial it is to arbitrarily heap a massive workload upon her own mother.”

Though the Elven Capital enjoyed eternal spring, the attendant couldn’t help but feel a profound chill.

****

“Mhm, I understand. Alright, I’ll leave it to you to handle. You’re clear on my requirements, aren’t you? *Sigh*.”

On Trial Island, at the site of the camaraderie event, dragons of various colors were vigorously engaged in construction work.

Old Patriarch, positioned a short distance away from the site, was receiving an ultra-long-distance communication magic call.

After ending the call, Old Patriarch scratched his dragon scales. So, Theresia had gone to Avasilon for appraisal; it truly was a good place. If he genuinely wished to interfere, that would indeed be the last place he’d consider, as it was simply too far.

However, he hadn’t actually intended to stop her! This dragon’s persecution complex was quite intense. Moreover, she had fallen into that woman’s hands. *Sigh*, what a troublesome situation.

He had initially believed that with his tens of thousands of years of accumulated wisdom, he could plan for every contingency. He never expected there to be another master at play.

Theresia consistently did things that surpassed his expectations and made his scalp tingle. Even if this was a test from the Dragon God, wasn’t it too cruel for an old dragon like him, who was over ten thousand years old?

‘Should I go?’

The Patriarch fell into deep contemplation. While going would be safer, more convenient, and leave no hidden dangers… the Patriarch placed the remote communication magic artifact into his spatial ring, a Zen-like expression appearing on his face.

‘So tired. Forget it. She brought it upon herself. Young ones should be allowed to roam freely and experience the world’s malice.’

Subsequently, he swayed his dragon tail, leisurely making his way towards the camaraderie gathering.

****

At this moment, within the Elven Imperial City palace, Theresia and Theodore were seated at a table, two steaming cups of fragrant hot tea placed before them.

Indeed, the dragon and the human had been invited for tea. The commotion they caused had been too great. Less than a minute after the incident, the entire appraisal institute was surrounded by the Elven Royal Guard.

They had then been taken away. Since then, they had been left in limbo, though it didn’t seem as if they were facing a harsh judgment.

However, more than the uncertain future, Theodore was concerned about the dragon beside him, who appeared on the verge of a breakdown.

The black dragon had already shed her skin, transforming into a grey dragon, and lay weakly sprawled on the table, seemingly having lost all hope for the future.

Evidently, when the black dragon had made her move, her ancestral temper had completely devoured her intellect, leaving her utterly oblivious to the other party’s identity. She had initially hoped to leverage the power of elven scholars, but now, not ending up in an elven prison was already a stroke of luck.

“Theresia, you needn’t be so pessimistic. Since they are still treating us with courtesy, it proves they have no intention of souring relations with us. Therefore, we still have a chance. Moreover,”

Theodore puffed out his chest and grasped Theresia’s small hand, his gaze firm as he declared, “You still have me, Theresia! I am your fallback, am I not? Please trust me, I will definitely help you successfully overcome this trial! Rest assured!”

Theodore’s voice was resolute and powerful; he felt he had demonstrated a man’s responsibility and courage.

However, Theodore’s words only made things worse. Upon hearing him, Theresia’s mind was instantly flooded with the eight characters: ‘Fallback activated, feminized and dominated.’

She had merely transformed into a grey dragon before; now, her entire dragon soul seemed to be spewing out of her mouth.

Theodore was greatly alarmed and utterly bewildered, deeply reflecting on what exactly had gone wrong with his earlier words.

As Theodore pondered deeply, an elegant and graceful elven lady slowly walked in. She was like an older Lola, her demeanor more mature and alluring compared to Lola’s innocent purity.

Upon seeing the elven lady, the attendant elves on either side bowed their heads in greeting. Theodore, too, immediately helped Theresia to her feet.

Her emerald eyes reflected the human-dragon pair of Theodore and Theresia. A captivating smile slightly curved her lips as she spoke in a voice as clear as an oriole’s, “Noble guests from Dragon Island, welcome to the Elven Capital, Avasilon. I am the Elf Empress of this realm.”

Theodore pressed Theresia’s head down, bowing with her to the Elf Empress. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Though others referred to them as guests, the two of them were still implicated in an incident. The Elf Empress, however, showed no signs of treating them as criminals. “There’s no need for formalities. Please, be seated.”

“Understood.” Theodore first settled Theresia properly into her seat, then sat down himself, awaiting the Elf Empress to take her place at the head of the table.

The Elf Empress spoke softly, “Theodore, Theresia, first, I extend my apologies for your ordeal on Dragon Island. You entrusted us with so many precious and rare materials, believing in the reliability of the Elven Capital, only for a tragedy to occur due to the foolish actions of a royal family member.”

“This tragedy has, moreover, caused secondary harm to both the Elven Capital and our respective parties. As the administrator of the Elven Capital, and as a mother, my responsibility in this matter is undeniable.”

The Elf Empress’s immediate self-implication made Theodore somewhat uncomfortable. While the incident’s origin was indeed Lola’s mistake, for a venerable Empress to humble herself so profoundly, and with their lives in her hands, he found it difficult to pursue the matter further.

Theodore flattered, “You are constantly busy with countless affairs, and today’s incident was indeed sudden. It is understandable, completely understandable. If anything, we too were at fault; we were a bit too impulsive and, ah, caused trouble for your esteemed princess…”

“That was merely a trifle,” the Elf Empress interrupted before Theodore could finish his sentence.

Theodore asked uncertainly, “Um, a trifle?”

“Indeed,” the Elf Empress affirmed with a nod. “A trifle, compared to completely destroying the appraisal institute, piercing through the World Tree, and inciting public panic.”

‘Excellent, she’s definitely the biological mother.’