Chapter 45: Will Auntie Show Up Again?
After quite a while, Arthur regained his composure and said, “Ailia, I understand now. I’ll carefully consider what you said next.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Airael smiled with clear relief.
Since Arthur understood, she no longer worried too much. Whether to act or not was entirely up to him.
“Now, let’s continue discussing this operation.” Noticing Airael’s smile, Arthur also chuckled.
Airael looked at him.
“Since you’ve provided two people, I’ll find two more to join us. This way, with a four-person team, we can move without attracting too much attention while also looking out for each other.”
Airael nodded and then asked, “Do you have anyone in mind?”
“I already do. You’re somewhat familiar with these two. They have a few minor quirks, but overall, their abilities are quite good.”
Airael immediately thought of them.
Though she’d been in the army for some time, she didn’t know that many capable individuals in Arthur’s legion.
Her thoughts turned to just those two capable ones.
“It seems you trust their abilities as well, so let’s go with them!”
Arthur continued speaking while looking at Airael.
“Sounds good!”
Airael nodded.
Then Airael and Arthur split up to take action.
Arthur went to find his people, while Airael returned to look for Celia and Aurora.
Both explained this operation to their respective partners.
Although both groups acted simultaneously, Arthur completed his part of the task first.
Sal and Haren were soldiers in the army, and as their commander, Arthur’s words were orders.
Military orders are absolute; soldiers cannot refuse what their commander says.
Moreover, this mission didn’t sound too difficult.
In contrast, while Celia and Aurora would listen to Airael, they were quite reluctant about this operation.
They had come to protect Airael and gain some experience, not to serve humans.
To persuade them to wholeheartedly participate in this mission and prevent any lack of effort, Airael had to earnestly appeal with both emotion and reason.
Inside the tent.
Airael looked at the two stubborn gals and said softly, “Alright, I will share my true thoughts about this mission! The real goal isn’t just to help the Machia Republic and humanity; it’s more about our own safety. The dwarves’ new weapons aren’t a threat only to humans; they pose a great risk to us Elven folk as well.
Think about it: if humans crack the dwarves’ technology, obtain these new weapons, and equip their armies en masse, while we Elves remain unaware of how to deal with such weapons, then if war reaches us, we would be caught completely off guard and suffer significant losses.”
Airael spoke carefully, glancing outside now and then, fearing any eavesdroppers.
The identities of the three Elves must remain a secret.
Celia and Aurora were shocked at her words.
They hadn’t considered this before and were unaware that Airael held such thoughts in secret.
Soon, both hung their heads in guilt.
“You don’t need to feel that way. I understand how you feel, and what I just shared is meant to encourage you to take this mission seriously. The benefits from this operation won’t only go to humans, but to us as well.”
“Miss, we will definitely take this mission seriously from now on.”
Celia looked up at Airael, earnest in her commitment.
“Celia, I’ll leave the rest to you and Aurora.”
With that, Airael shifted her gaze from Celia to Aurora.
Aurora remained silent but nodded vigorously at Airael.
As Airael explained the deeper meaning of this mission to Celia and Aurora, on the other side, Arthur assigned a new task to Sal and Haren.
“Sal, during this operation, I hope you and Haren can take extra care of your comrades.”
“Comrades? Are there others joining this operation?” Sal asked.
“Yes!”
Arthur nodded, “Celia and Aurora, Ailia’s companions, will also participate. They are both exceptionally strong warriors and won’t slow you down. But since they are girls, I’d like for you to look out for them during the mission.”
“Understood, Commander!”
Sal replied promptly.
“Great, I won’t disturb you anymore. Prepare well; we set off tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
By the time Arthur returned, Airael had completed her conversation with Celia and Aurora.
“How did it go?”
After returning, Arthur asked Airael, who was sitting idly on a chair.
“Are you doubting my abilities and authority?”
In response to Arthur’s question, Airael retorted somewhat indignantly.
“So, Celia and Aurora agreed?”
“Of course, they listen to me very well.”
“That eases my mind. Rest assured, I’ve instructed Sal and Haren to look out for them.”
Airael furrowed her brows.
“What’s wrong? Why the sudden glum expression?”
Arthur inquired curiously.
“Arthur, you really don’t have to do that. While Celia and Aurora are girls, their resolve is just as strong as any man’s.”
“I know that, but girls are girls—sometimes it can be inconvenient, and they’ll need some care.”
With that said, Airael didn’t press further.
Because the reality was indeed as Arthur had described.
Just when the topic of inconvenience arose, Airael suddenly remembered that her aunt should be making her timely visit.
So, would her aunt arrive on schedule this time too?
Airael felt a mix of anxiety.
Ever since she confirmed that her primary task was motherhood, her nerves always flared up before her aunt’s visits.
She hoped to become pregnant, but the Elven race’s shockingly low birthrate kept hitting her hopes down.
Plus, she still had some fear regarding childbirth.
After all, it’s supposed to be extremely painful!
And considering her previous life as a boy, she had never experienced anything like this—yet now she was expected to be a mother?
“Ailia, what are you thinking about?”
Seeing Airael zoned out, Arthur waved a hand in front of her and asked.
“Nothing!”
Airael shook her head and then said, “Arthur, I accept your good intentions on behalf of Celia and Aurora. And thank you for your concern for them.”
