Chapter 34: Menas City

Chapter 34: Menas City

Let’s specially mention Iis, the lucky squad leader here.

Due to his successful protection of Airael during the expedition to the Tree People, he has been promoted to the rank of squad leader, overseeing a hundred warriors, which means he commands two smaller squads.

Above him is the captain, who leads five squad leaders, summing up to five hundred troops.

Now, the responsibility of protecting Airael falls on a unit of this size.

Captain Helus is a Ninth-level Warrior, just a step away from entering the Hero rank.

After talking about the Royal Palace Guards, we must now discuss the army accompanying Airael.

This army is a temporary recruitment totaling five thousand elves.

In the Elven Race, that’s half a legion, equivalent to a battalion.

A battalion consists of five companies, with each company further divided into two squads.

However, since this is a makeshift army, aside from the various officers, it’s mostly filled with rookies.

But even such a rookie force shouldn’t be underestimated.

You see, elves typically reach Fourth-level strength by adulthood.

With some effort, they can achieve Fifth-level, Sixth-level, or even higher.

Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that the commander of this battalion is a Tenth-level female knight.

In front of the Royal Palace Guards, Knight Sally rides proudly atop her tall mount, leading her entourage down the road.

Airael’s gaze conveniently shifts to Sally up ahead.

Gazing at this striking female general, Airael has to admit that she possesses a certain charm.

However, it no longer fascinates her that much.

Let’s not forget that her own gender is female now.

In recent days, she has encountered many handsome and beautiful individuals with various qualities, which has left her somewhat aesthetic fatigue.

While Sally, the valiant female general, catches her eye, it’s not that special; there’s no strong feeling there.

For this reason, Airael silently weeps in her heart.

What can she do? Her tools of the trade have been confiscated.

In her moment of sorrow, Airael averts her gaze, looking down to consciously think of other matters to shift her focus.

What she’s thinking about is none other than the war she’s about to join.

According to reports, Admiral Krul has already led an army of forty thousand from Silnas Island, heading towards the sea to establish the first defense line against the human army.

The army she’s currently with is tasked with assisting the few remaining forces at Silnas Island to guard against possible incursions by the human army.

Should Silnas Island fall to the humans, then Admiral Krul and his forty thousand troops would find their escape routes severed.

Thus, while their mission seems light, it holds significant importance.

You could say that in a war, every link in the chain is vital.

If any part goes wrong, the worst outcome would be a total loss.

Although Airael wishes to go to the front lines, she can only obey orders at this point.

For she had promised Linis to follow orders and not to interfere with command.

But this isn’t so bad; while the gains may not be as high as at the front, it is safer compared to the front lines.

Their party took over two days, arriving at the eastern port city of Menas by the afternoon of the third day.

Next, they will set sail from the port of Menas to Silnas Island, which lies across the sea.

Inside the palace, Airael stands on the balcony, looking down at the bustling elven city.

Menas is the most prosperous city of the Elves.

It serves as the commercial hub for the entire Elven Race.

Every day, a multitude of ships carrying all sorts of goods dock at or set sail from its port.

Even during wartime, this port city continues to function, processing vast amounts of goods daily.

After all, the human army is still quite far from here.

And precisely because it’s wartime, it’s the perfect opportunity for making money.

Those shrewd merchants won’t miss out on such a lucrative chance.

The composition of these merchants is quite complex, with various races present; even human merchants, currently at war with the Elves, can be seen mingling.

In short, for the sake of profits, these war profiteers are absolutely throwing caution to the wind.

“Your Majesty, what are you looking at?”

As Airael gazes deeply, Hela walks over to ask.

“This place is much more lively than the royal city.”

Airael glances back at Hela, replying.

“Your Majesty, do you like bustling scenes?”

Hela continues to inquire.

Airael shakes her head, then nods.

This leaves Hela quite puzzled.

Do you like it or not?

“While I prefer a bit of tranquility, lively scenes do have a knack for grabbing our attention, don’t they?”

Hela nods in agreement.

This makes perfect sense.

Watching lively scenes is almost an instinct shared by every creature.

“Hela, if you have something to say, go ahead.”

With her focus fully retrieved from below, Airael turns to Hela and says.

Hela must have come up to interrupt for a reason.

“Well, Your Majesty, tonight, Lord Mason of Menas is hosting a welcome banquet for you and Sir Sally. Will you be attending?”

“Since I’m one of the main characters, why wouldn’t I go? If I don’t attend, wouldn’t that be very disrespectful?”

Airael chuckles.

Speaking of which, it’s her first time attending such a noble feast.

She just hopes this upcoming banquet doesn’t disappoint her too much.

After all, she holds high expectations.

Finishing her words, Airael goes back inside.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you planning to keep watching?”

Hela asks as Airael steps away.

“I’ll get bored if I look at even the most bustling scene for too long.”

Airael responds, sitting on the grand bed.

If possible, she would prefer to stroll through the streets and experience the most prosperous city of the Elven Race.

But she doesn’t dare bring that up.

She fears Hela might outright refuse her and lecture her thoroughly.

Something like a queen must always be conscious of her safety; the streets are busy and unsafe, and so on.

Even if she were to go out, she would probably have the Royal Palace Guards clear a path for her.

In that case, there would be no bustling scenes to see.

Instead, she herself would become the so-called spectacle.

“Then Your Majesty, you should rest well; the evening’s banquet won’t be easy to handle.”

Seeing this, Hela also returns to the room.

“Mm!”

Airael lightly nods.

Hela doesn’t say anything more and walks straight out of Airael’s bedroom.

Outside her room, she advises Celia and Aurora, who are keeping watch at the door: “This is different from the royal city; you must stay alert and protect Her Majesty!”

“We’ll be careful, Lady Hela!” Celia responds.