Chapter 17: The Labyrinth City and a Dragon’s Resolve

The Elf Queen gave Theodore a subtle nod of approval with her eyes.

Then, she softly inquired, “But wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

Theresia leaped to her feet, her voice firm and righteous.

“Elves and dragons are family! We shouldn’t be strangers to each other! Besides, I also bear responsibility for today’s events, and my conscience is truly aching right now!”

“I beg you! Please, let us help!”

“Oh, my, my. If you put it that way, it would seem rather insincere of me to refuse any further.”

The Elf Queen then gently asked, “Have you ever heard of the Labyrinth City, Montoire?”

Theresia nodded. It was a metropolis built atop an enormous labyrinth, which was, in fact, the original name of Montoire itself.

This labyrinth was ancient, its origins tracing back to the era of the Giant Dynasty.

The entire labyrinth was influenced by a mysterious magical force, creating a unique ecosystem where the monstrous creatures seemed endless yet maintained a perfectly balanced population.

The labyrinth itself would produce items akin to treasure chests, luring intruders to explore. These chests indeed held treasures, some originating from the labyrinth, others from the adventurers and monsters who had perished within its depths.

Even the monsters inside would evolve with changes in the ecosystem. For instance, as adventurers grew in number, mimic monsters, previously nonexistent, began to appear.

“An artifact was lost there. Although our elven tribe has searched countless times, we’ve unfortunately always returned empty-handed due to certain peculiar circumstances.”

Theodore cautiously inquired, “Those peculiar reasons are…?”

The Elf Queen propped her chin on one hand and explained, “That labyrinth is actually connected to the legacy of the last Dwarf Empire. However, due to its myriad traps and countless magical mechanisms, a full exploration would require significant official power from my side. Yet, it lies within human territory.”

“Moreover, the legacy of the Dwarf Empire remains incredibly tempting to humans, dragons, dwarves, and elves alike, capable of directly enhancing a race’s power. Well, you’re both clever enough to understand the mutual constraints between races, making official exploration by any one party extremely difficult.”

The Elf Queen’s explanation was remarkably direct. Theresia and Theodore could only sigh, lamenting the dirtiness of politics.

“So, can we help? After all, we’re considered part of the dragon race, aren’t we?”

“But you aren’t quite seen as an official force. Well, it’s just an attempt anyway, and it’s not that easy to find. Just casually explore while you’re there for fun.”

The Elf Queen spoke with profound meaning, “Above all, do not, under any circumstances, take it too seriously~”

Theresia’s eyes were already brimming with fighting spirit. Once her estrus period concluded, she vowed to either find that artifact or die trying!

“Yes, yes, understood, Your Majesty. Leave this matter to us. We will surely deliver a satisfactory answer!”

Hearing Theresia’s words, a brilliant smile blossomed on the Elf Queen’s face, her slender fingers gently tapping on her chair.

“That’s wonderful! Your enthusiastic help truly touches me.”

The Elf Queen added fuel to Theresia’s fighting spirit. “I happen to have a piece of Silent Crystal in my treasury. Take it and use it.”

Theresia asked in shock, “Is that truly alright?”

The Elf Queen nodded as a matter of course. “Of course. Family doesn’t stand on ceremony, after all.”

Theresia straightened her back and declared, “Loyalty! I will brave any danger to find that artifact for you!”

Theresia, however, completely missed the look of amusement on the Elf Queen’s face.

****

Upon returning to the Appraisal Office, Amira was nowhere to be seen.

The receptionist elf mentioned that she had been a bit tired today and had gone back to rest.

Recalling Amira’s swift change of expression earlier, Theodore found it understandable.

The Appraisal Office resumed its normal operations, systematically appraising the items Theresia had brought.

The process was incredibly tedious. A large group of elf appraisers bustled about, making the idle Theresia and Theodore conspicuously out of place.

Theodore wished to have a romantic date with Theresia to mend their somewhat strained emotions, but Theresia, stimulated by the recent events, had no such inclination.

Her sole thought now was to endure, endure, and endure some more.

For these three days, she intended to guard her items vigilantly and safely transport them back!

Items like the Silent Crystal, which were difficult to acquire in a short time, were immediately placed into her spatial ring after appraisal.

‘Since we’re idle anyway, why don’t we contact the Old Patriarch?’ Theodore thought, then suggested to Theresia.

Theresia asked, puzzled, “Seek him out?”

“Yes. Although the Elf Queen has been kind to us, it’s still better to seek the Old Patriarch’s opinion on such an important matter. He is, after all, very knowledgeable.”

Given that they were in elven territory, Theodore spoke very tactfully. However, Theresia understood perfectly. Everything they had heard so far was the Elf Queen’s own account. Who knew if this ancient being, who had lived for countless years, was trying to trick them, two mere youngsters?

To deal with an ‘old timer’ who might be thousands of years old, the best approach was to find another ‘old timer’ of similar age, or even tens of thousands of years old.

Only an old timer could defeat an old timer.

“You’re right. We should ask him.”

Theresia and Theodore found a hotel not far from the Appraisal Office, where they could quickly return if needed, booked a room, and then contacted the Old Patriarch who was far away on Trial Island, explaining the situation to him.

“I see. Oh, what she said is all true.”

The Old Patriarch’s affirmative answer boosted Theresia’s enthusiasm. She asked darkly, “Old Dragon, why have I never heard you mention holding back such a secret?”

“I’ve held back more secrets than the number of fish you’ve eaten. My only wish was for you to quickly lay dragon eggs and strengthen the black dragon clan. Not causing trouble is already good enough.”

The Old Patriarch retorted unceremoniously, then sighed, “In the end, she still managed to trick a dragon.”

Theresia asked, bewildered, “What do you mean?”

“What do you mean? You blasted her daughter away and poked a hole in her World Tree, and you still expect her to be warm-hearted enough to help you? Are you her elven ancestor?”

The Old Patriarch grumbled, “Use your human-obsessed brain to figure out why she’d still want to find dragons to explore that labyrinth, even knowing their nature.”

‘I used to be human myself,’ Theresia grumbled indignantly in her thoughts, then began to ponder.

Theodore, however, provided the answer first. “Is it because there’s some connection between dragons and that labyrinth?”

The Old Patriarch looked at Theodore, regretting, “It’s a pity you weren’t born a dragon.”