Chapter 93: The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 93: The Calm Before the Storm

After introducing Crown, Duke Ogg turned to Airael and Axi and said, “I won’t introduce anyone else; I believe you already have a decent grasp of who they are.”

Airael nodded.

She had also formed a preliminary impression of Duke Ogg.

He seemed like a rather pragmatic guy.

The banquet then officially began.

The maids in the castle, upon receiving orders, began to bring in sumptuous dinners one after another, laying them out on the dining table.

An array of dishes combined with the mouth-watering aroma wafting through the air made it hard for anyone to resist licking their lips.

However, those present were not your average folks.

While they all felt an intense desire to devour the delicious food before them, they were all able to contain themselves, at least for the moment.

“Everyone, don’t hold back. This is just a small private banquet; there aren’t that many rules, so you don’t have to take them too seriously,” Duke Ogg said with a smile.

Though he said that, everyone else certainly wouldn’t take his words to heart.

Rules were rules, after all.

Then, under Duke Ogg’s lead, they started their meal.

During dinner, they all remained silent, savoring the satisfaction the delicious food brought them.

After the feast, everyone, now with full bellies, finally began to tackle tonight’s main topic.

Banquets, most importantly, still revolved around the latter half, the “meeting” part.

If no one cared about this “meeting,” there would be no point in showing up.

Under normal circumstances, Axi wouldn’t have cared, but this was different.

His current task required him to closely cooperate with nobles like Duke Ogg.

So even if he was unwilling, he had to come to the “meeting.”

Just watching Airael handle everything so effortlessly, Axi suddenly wondered why he had taken on such a task in the first place.

Though he was contributing to humanity, he originally just wanted to get rid of Airael.

However, the situation had flipped completely.

Airael adapted to this life quite well, while he was the one feeling out of place.

Talk about a complete turnaround!

And how could he possibly chase himself away?

After discussing some other trivial topics with Duke Ogg, Airael finally steered the conversation toward a matter of great concern for many people, herself and Axi included.

“Duke, are the Orcs truly retreating?”

Airael’s sudden question made the atmosphere in the dining room tense.

The issue of the Orcs was not a trivial matter.

Duke Ogg, not wanting to play the fool, replied, “Miss Ailia, based on the current intelligence, the Orcs are indeed in retreat.”

“If they really are retreating, does that mean we’ve won? Does this mean no more battles?” Airael remarked, feeling a bit speechless.

“Your understanding is correct, but that comes with one prerequisite: nothing else happens,” Duke Ogg continued to answer Airael’s questions.

As he spoke, he took a subtle glance at Crown.

However, Crown, having his own matters to consider, didn’t notice.

But Airael was sharp enough to catch that glance.

Her eyesight had always been excellent.

“Other matters?” Airael curiously inquired.

“Because unexpected events may occur, those are things Miss Ailia should be well aware of; they always happen when least expected,” Duke Ogg responded with a smile.

Airael observed his demeanor and then smilingly replied, “I’m fully aware of that. However, I’m not particularly fond of these unexpected happenings. What about you, Axi?”

Caught off guard by the sudden focus on him, Axi blinked dumbly and then, under everyone’s gaze, muttered, “Me too.”

A forced smile appeared on his face.

At that moment, he realized there was something off.

But since their conversation wasn’t very explicit, he couldn’t quite figure out what it meant.

It wasn’t just him; everyone else looked equally confused.

The only ones who seemed to understand were Airael and Duke Ogg.

“I certainly wouldn’t wish for any surprises either, but if they do happen, there’s nothing we can do. We can only face them; avoiding it won’t solve any problems,” Duke Ogg continued.

The repeated mention of “unexpected” events made everyone very curious.

What kind of surprises could possibly happen?

“I completely understand that,” Airael replied, then shifted the topic away from Duke Ogg, choosing to talk about something else.

Such as their previous battles.

Especially the one where Airael and Axi took down Sam and Sko.

Amidst the praises from Duke Ogg and the others, Airael and Axi enjoyed the evening.

As they left the castle on their way back, Airael glanced up at the western sky and sighed lightly.

Axi followed her gaze.

Noticing Airael’s expression, he frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Axi, this world is about to get chaotic!” Airael remarked to Axi.

“This world has always been unstable,” Axi chuckled.

Hearing his words, Airael couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s true, but it’s going to get even messier from here on out.”

With that, her smile turned into a bitter one.

If her judgment was correct, their Elven Race—especially she, the Elven Queen—would be at the center of the storm.

For a moment, Axi’s smile froze.

Then he looked at Airael and asked, “Ailia, what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing much. Just that our lives are likely going to become more colorful from here on!” Airael didn’t intend to elaborate further with Axi.

There was no point in explaining so much to him.

Despite his unusual background, the life he was going to lead was far removed from her world.

So, there was no need to pull him into it.

Moreover, she was an Elf while Axi was human.

Axi felt quite confused.

He wanted to ask more, but Airael had already taken big strides forward, clearly not intending to answer his questions any further.

Watching Airael walk away, Axi could only follow her, still perplexed.

After Airael and Axi departed, Duke Ogg held a private meeting with the remaining guests in the castle.

The content of the meeting remained unknown, but when they emerged, everyone’s expressions were serious.

Especially Crown’s.

After just hearing Duke Ogg’s words, he felt an immense weight added to his shoulders.