The expression on Saint Eustacia’s face shifted noticeably with Seraphina’s words, moving from initial confusion and incomprehension to contemplation of the difference between “herself” and the “Saintess.”
Then a look of sudden realization appeared as she grasped the key to the matter.
“Thank you! Seraphina… Teacher!” Saint Eustacia’s voice carried a trace of excitement. “I understand now!”
She even used the address “Teacher” somewhat abruptly, then turned and rushed out of the place at an urgent speed.
This wind-like, restless manner was completely different from the steady image of the Saintess she usually presented, making one unable to help but worry.
Erasia reminded her:
“Your Highness, she just used magic to record every word you said.”
Seraphina thought back and indeed hadn’t seen Saint Eustacia pick up a pen, but the other’s strength was there for all to see, so recording a conversation with magic was simple enough.
“Forget it, let her record it. If it can truly help her figure some things out, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Afterward Seraphina also left the side hall, her heart still concerned about Lina.
It seemed she hadn’t seen her for a very long time…
Lina’s residence was already completely different from before.
She was no longer the former maid, but a figure of considerable weight in the Demon King’s Castle, her treatment and specifications nearly on par with Erasia’s.
Seraphina knocked on the door, and Lina’s voice came from inside: “Come in.”
Pushing the door open, Seraphina saw Lina bent over the desk writing rapidly, several sheets of paper covered in handwriting scattered across the surface.
“Seraphina? What brings you here?” Seeing that the visitor was Seraphina, Lina immediately set down her pen and stood up.
“Nothing particular. I just came to see you.” Seraphina walked over to the desk, her gaze sweeping across those notes. “And also… to check on your condition. What are you writing?”
Lina followed her gaze, her expression calm yet resolute. “I’m recording every detail I can think of about the past as thoroughly as possible. Even if they’re only vague fragments, they might prove useful in the future.”
Seraphina looked at those words.
Rather than handwriting, they were more like keys about to unlock the truth, the blood and tears upon them unchanged in the slightest.
Her heart couldn’t help tightening. “No, Lina. Recalling things in such detail is too painful for you.”
She worried this would make Lina repeatedly immerse herself in the pain.
“It’s nothing.” Lina shook her head. “As long as I can take revenge, I can do anything. This little pain is nothing.”
“Sigh.” Seraphina let out a breath and reached out to rest a hand on Lina’s shoulder. “Don’t push yourself too hard. Anything at all, as long as you can talk about it, you can tell me. Don’t keep it bottled up alone. We’re in this together, remember?”
“Mm, I know. But when necessary, I also hope to be allowed to resolve those problems by myself.”
This sentence didn’t surprise Seraphina in the least.
After all, no matter what, it was ultimately Lina’s own matter, and letting her resolve it herself was of course best.
“Alright, I promise you. Then… about the revenge plan.” Seraphina cut to the main topic. “When do you intend to start? Do you have any concrete ideas?”
Lina considered for a moment and said: “I want to find my teacher first. If he’s still alive… he would definitely know more of the inside story, and the clues would be clearer. As for the timing of everything… any time is fine, as long as preparations are sufficient!”
“Finding your teacher… that is indeed a key point.” Seraphina expressed agreement, and at the same time she was relieved that Lina could still maintain the most basic calm under these circumstances rather than completely breaking down. “I understand. I’ll have the Giantwing Demons and Flame Demons focus on gathering information around the old Debisge site and the surrounding areas. Can you describe your teacher’s features in more detail?”
“Mm… let me think.” Lina stirred the vague yet familiar figure in her memory. “He… isn’t human.”
Seraphina cried out in surprise. “He isn’t human?!” Her eyes widened from the shock. “Then what is he? A demon?”
“No. He should be an elf. A male elf.” Lina shook her head as she recalled.
“Male elf…” Seraphina murmured the words again, knowledge of the elf race flashing through her mind.
She knew that male elves were scarce while females were numerous, and precisely because of that, male elves were usually protected extremely well.
“How could they possibly let a male elf… travel that far? That’s far too unreasonable!” She pressed further. “Are you certain?”
Lina nodded with extreme certainty; that memory was etched into her bones. “Certain! I’ll never forget his appearance for the rest of my life. Pointed long ears, and he taught nature magic. Absolutely no mistake!”
This clue made Seraphina’s spirit lift at once.
If it was an elf… she immediately thought of Astreya!
The elf population was already small, and the whereabouts of every elf were surely recorded within the clan.
Astreya held a high position among the elves; she might know something!
A flame of hope ignited in her chest.
Previously she hadn’t even known where to start, but now there was a target!
“Lina, I know an elf on the human side. She might know something! Wait for my news!”
With that, Seraphina turned and left the room at a quick pace.
Coming into the corridor, she spoke toward the empty air: “Erasia!”
Before the words finished, a faint flutter of wings sounded.
A small group of bats appeared out of nowhere, then converged, and Erasia’s figure already stood before Seraphina.
“Your Highness.”
Seraphina’s speech was extremely rapid. “I need to make several arrangements. Take note.”
“Yes.”
“First, have the Giantwing Demons and Flame Demons collect all information related to Debisge! At the same time, use the Giantwing Demons’ trade network to secretly inquire about a male elf!”
“Second, I need a method to contact the Elf Queen!”
“Third.” Seraphina drew a deep breath. “Take me to Movira.”
Erasia answered cleanly. “Understood. However… Her Majesty is right behind you. I’ll go carry out the first two orders first.” Her gaze fell behind Seraphina.
“Behind?” Seraphina froze, then quickly turned around and crashed straight into a familiar cool-scented embrace.
Movira had somehow appeared silently.
She reached out to steady the nearly falling Seraphina and looked down at the anxious face in her arms.
“Looking for me in such a hurry… what happened?”
Seraphina grabbed Movira’s sleeve and tilted her face up slightly. “Sister! It’s a clue about Lina’s teacher. The other party is very likely a male elf! We must contact the Elf Queen and Astreya immediately!”
“Ah…” Movira said with a slight tone of disappointment. “And here I thought you were going to throw yourself into my arms of your own accord.”
“Ah ah ah? No, what exactly are you disappointed about?! Hurry up and handle the important matter!”
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