Chapter 917: Elf Reaction (Part II)

"Your Majesty, according to reliable intelligence, the so-called Great Arcanists of the humans have been meeting frequently in secret recently, as if preparing for some major event.

"Furthermore, many Secret Magic Eyes have appeared within Seventon City recently; even the embassy district where we are located is frequently being watched.

"In addition, our negotiations with the Seven Towers regarding the release of prisoners of war have remained at a stalemate. The other side is very aggressive and completely unwilling to make concessions; it seems they never intended to reach a settlement."

As Atelan finished his report, his mood, which had already returned to calm, became agitated once more. He lowered his head, observing the Crown King sitting on the throne above like a god with the corner of his eye, hoping for more conversation with him.

Yilisier Mianwang had long been accustomed to the little thoughts of the young Elf below and did not take offense, asking with a calm expression:

"Then, does Minister Atelan think the Netherese might be planning something?"

"Your Majesty, I believe the Netherese plan might be the upcoming New Year Festival. In the past, the Netherese have never held a New Year Festival in an official capacity. Furthermore, according to reliable intelligence, the Netherese are preparing to bestow rewards upon the humans who were victorious in the previous Plane conflicts during the festival. Their refusal to exchange prisoners at this time may be part of that plan."

"Then do you have any suggestions?" Yilisier asked, still unhurried.

Below, Atelan was even more agitated to hear the Crown King actually asking for his advice. A trace of fanaticism revealed itself in his eyes. Following the preparations he had made in advance, he immediately said:

"Your Majesty, I believe the first thing we must do is demand the return of the prisoners, even if a temporary concession is necessary, to prevent the Netherese from actually using them for something.

"Secondly, we must exert pressure on them to make them recognize their place. However, under the current, strangely tense situation, it is not advisable to be too coercive. I believe we could renegotiate the ten-year trade agreement between our two countries.

"Additionally, we can provide more support to the pro-Elf factions within Netheril to achieve a certain degree of division and checks and balances!"

"Understood. You may proceed as you see fit; Cormanthor will always be your strongest backing!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Atelan felt a surge of joy and was about to say more, but he heard a "You may withdraw" from above, and the surrounding scene rapidly faded away.

By the time he regained his senses, the surroundings had returned to the appearance of his Study in the embassy district. Atelan sighed softly, seemingly unsatisfied, but soon pulled himself together.

He pushed open the door and walked rapidly outside.

……

Meanwhile, far away in Cormanthor, Crown King Yilisier was far less composed than Ambassador Atelan had seen. After interrupting the communication, he immediately summoned Faluo, and upon meeting, asked quite bluntly:

"Lord Faluo, do you have results from your investigation into the 【Change】 mentioned in the Oracle of the Main God? Or is it that despite all the resources and convenience Cormanthor has provided, you have gained nothing?"

"Your Majesty, please do not be angry."

Faluo bowed slightly and then said: "This involves an Oracle and affects the future of the Elf race, so we must be cautious. Although we have not yet determined what the true change is, we have already found clues!"

"Oh? And what are those clues?" Yilisier asked curiously.

He suspected that the anomalies reported by Ambassador Atelan just now might be related to the 【Change】 mentioned in the Main God's Oracle, which was why he had summoned Faluo, but now Faluo's words seemed to negate his suspicion.

Facing the Crown King's inquiry, Faluo only smiled slightly and did not answer directly: "Your Majesty, one must not be too impatient. You must know that variables always exist in the future. As long as the true change cannot be determined for a single day, then no amount of clues has any value.

"It is not that I am unwilling to tell Your Majesty, but if I speak now and too many people know, it might create an influence that hinders our continued search for the true change!"

"Even I cannot be told?" Yilisier's expression immediately turned gloomy.

Faluo felt a slight tremor inside, but still acted as if he hadn't seen it, said "Your Majesty, please forgive me," and then remained silent, as if asking—is there anything else?

As a High Mage and also the leader of a High Mage organization spanning multiple countries, his status was, to a certain extent, not inferior to Yilisier Mianwang.

It was just that High Mages also had varying strengths, and organization members had their own national allegiances and kinship bonds, so in terms of actual authority, Faluo was still somewhat inferior to Yilisier.

This was also the reason why the Crown King summoned him and he had to come, rather than the Crown King going to see him!

Facing the silent Faluo, Yilisier was first furious, but then he laughed. This laugh was like a spring breeze melting the winter ice, slightly easing the rigid atmosphere.

"Since Lord Faluo does not wish to say, then I will not ask. However, an unexpected situation has occurred in Netheril that might involve Cormanthor, and I need your help!"

Following this, Yilisier recounted the situation previously mentioned by Ambassador Atelan to Faluo.

After listening, Faluo frowned slightly, as if thinking of something, and immediately agreed, "Your Majesty, I will contact you once there are results."

Yilisier nodded, and after Faluo left, he let out a cold snort, his figure disappearing from the throne.

……

The anomalies in Seventon were not only noticed by Cormanthor; Yierlan and Ilfarun had also noticed them.

Of course, Yierlan was increasingly leaning toward Cormanthor, so even if they hadn't noticed it themselves, it was not difficult to perceive it through Cormanthor.

And for Ilfarun, every move of their ally, Netheril, was almost entirely under their observation.

In the New City District, south of the Great Arena, a new Trade District had been built after the Snow Melting Competition. Of course, along with the Trade District, a brand-new embassy district had been built, slightly smaller than the embassy district next to the Seven Cities Council in the north.

At present, only the Ilfarun Embassy, which was unwilling to be near the Cormanthor Embassy, was located here.

As the plenipotentiary ambassador stationed with their ally, Ambassador Lucien had a Permission Level slightly different from other ambassadors; he could contact Eilintar directly.

When necessary, he could even speak directly with the Crown King.

This time, although he did not contact the Crown King, he did contact a very important Consultant to the Crown King and expressed his concerns to this Consultant—

"Our ally seems to have some plan they are hiding from us!"

"Do not worry. As long as Cormanthor exists, Netheril will always be our firmest ally. There is no need to pry too much, lest it damage the tacit understanding between allies."

Lucien agreed with the instructions from above, but at the same time, he felt that the Crown King's Consultant had not personally come to Seventon and did not have an intuitive Perception of the abnormal atmosphere here.

Lucien smelled something unusual; he sensed danger, so even with the instructions from above, he prepared to continue his investigation, though his methods might be slightly more subtle.