Chapter 73: Heart-to-Heart with Linis and Domiya

Chapter 73: Heart-to-Heart with Linis and Domiya

After Linis left, Airael shook her head and sighed.

She wasn’t sure how much of an effect her words had on Linis.

She just felt that the hope wasn’t very high.

Linis gave her a conservative vibe, making Airael think that persuading her to break from tradition wouldn’t be easy.

But even if the chances were slim, shouldn’t she give it a shot? What if it actually worked!

This was the most effective method Airael had come up with at the moment.

At least she had to try.

While Airael was still pondering this, Hela walked in and said, “Your Majesty, it’s time for lunch!”

Upon hearing this, Airael smiled and replied, “I know.”

Then she got up to have lunch.

For now, that matter was pushed to the back of her mind.

After all, she was pregnant.

She needed to maintain a good routine and adjust her mood; she couldn’t let worries linger for too long.

Meanwhile, Linis, who left Avalon Royal Palace, didn’t head back to the Life Temple but walked towards the west side of the city.

Her destination was obvious.

The Magic Research Institute.

Domiya looked at Linis sitting in front of her, surprised, and said, “Well, look who it is! Linis, what brings you to my place today?”

Domiya was genuinely curious.

It was rare for her to come looking for Linis.

Even when there was something to discuss, she usually sent someone to notify Linis or summoned her to the Life Temple for talks.

“I had nothing to do at the Life Temple, so I thought I’d come visit you,” Linis replied.

“That doesn’t sound like you at all. Did handing the power back to our Queen make you decide to kick back and relax?” Domiya observed Linis with a scrutinizing gaze.

“I’m still young!” Linis retorted, a hint of indignation on her face.

Domiya laughed right away: “Haha—! If you had said that a thousand years ago, I might have believed it, but now? Just don’t deny your age.”

“So what? From my perspective on longevity, I’m still quite young!” Linis countered.

On this point, Domiya nodded noncommittally: “True, considering our long lifespans, we are indeed still quite young.”

Linis was satisfied with Domiya’s response and then her expression turned serious as she said, “Domiya, I came here today mainly to have a heart-to-heart with you.”

“A heart-to-heart with me?!” Domiya’s expression changed slightly.

“I haven’t done anything against the teachings lately! I’ve just been here diligently researching magical equipment. If that counts as going against tradition, we should have a word with the Queen about it. Besides, this task was assigned to me by Her Majesty!”

After saying this, Domiya looked at Linis with an aggrieved expression.

And let’s not forget, you’ve broken the rules too, haven’t you? Otherwise, how could the Queen have come to be?

Of course, Domiya wasn’t foolish enough to voice that thought.

“I didn’t say you’ve violated any teachings.”

Seeing Domiya’s anxious demeanor, Linis couldn’t help but laugh. Did she really seem that intimidating?

“What are you here for, then? You’re saying you want to chat, and it gave me quite a fright. Pfft, not that I’m scared of you; I was just standing my ground.”

Watching Domiya acting all jumpy, Linis shook her head and said, “Alright, Domiya, I want to formally clarify that I’m here just to have a genuine talk with you, not to cause any trouble.”

“What do we even have to talk about?”

Upon hearing this, Domiya muttered under her breath.

Even though Linis had promised her, she still felt uneasy.

“I want to discuss the future of the Elven Race with you; this topic should pique your interest!”

Linis smiled, looking at Domiya.

Although Domiya had been oblivious to worldly matters before, ever since Linis invited her to be the Queen’s teacher, she noticed Domiya had changed.

Her actions were impossible to hide from Linis.

Domiya’s expression shifted again, her demeanor turning serious as she asked Linis, “Linis, what exactly do you want to do?”

Today, Linis was acting unusually!

“I told you I mean no harm. The reason I came here is mainly due to a conversation I had with Her Majesty earlier, which inspired me to have this heart-to-heart with you.”

“What did you discuss with Her Majesty?”

“Have you been keeping up with the happenings in the royal city lately?”

“No, my team and I have been busy here, barely able to catch a breath, let alone worry about other things.”

“In these past few days, I’ve been carefully preparing a matchmaking event in the royal city, inviting hundreds of Elves.”

“Oh! A matchmaking event? How’s that going?”

Linis replied, her expression flat.

“The results are quite disappointing.”

Linis shook her head, feeling quite down about it.

“Completely normal.”

Listening to Domiya’s evaluation, Linis smiled wryly, finally comforting herself with, “But at least I’ve gained some insight!”

“Don’t worry, the population issue isn’t something the Elven Race can solve overnight. There’s no need to stress over it too much.”

Linis’s expression improved as she looked at Domiya and said, “After learning about this, Her Majesty suggested an idea to me.”

“What idea?”

Domiya perked up with curiosity.

After all, Airael was known for having many innovative ideas.

“She said we could create a potion to help Elves conceive. Do you know what that implies?”

“I know!”

Domiya nodded, then scrutinized Linis: “But that idea is quite reminiscent of you.”

Linis ignored Domiya’s comment and continued, “She also said that some ancient traditions need to be updated.”

“Linis, you’ve been thinking about doing the same, haven’t you?”

Domiya looked at Linis.

From the circumstances surrounding Airael’s birth, Domiya sensed that beneath Linis’s conservative exterior lay a rebellious heart.

Linis didn’t answer Domiya.

An awkward silence settled in the room.

After a while, Linis finally spoke, “I have thought about it, but I can’t even imagine the consequences of such actions.”

Airael’s birth could be swept under the rug, but if Airael took action, the changes it could bring to the Elven Race were unimaginable.

The traditions of the Elven Race had been upheld for countless years, passed down through generations—those who didn’t follow them faced exile, becoming wandering Dark Elves.

Even though Airael only intended to tweak some of the teachings, one must consider the principle of consequences.

If these traditions are unreasonable, do the others not become unreasonable as well?

Don’t think that no one dares to question them; the world is never short of those itching for a challenge and brave enough to take it on.