Chapter 234: The Seed Has Sprouted (23)

Bu Ye Gong.

Empress's government study.

"Upper-tier sun elves, the? of the sun god Osella?"

In front of numerous assistant clerks and trusted maidservants, Zhuo Ya indifferently exposed Brian's disguise.

Brian's face was calm, he gave a slight smile: "It seems Your Majesty knows quite a bit about the elves' situation."

As he spoke, he dispelled the secret magical disguise, revealing his true appearance.

Zhuo Ya responded with a blank expression: "I know very well the enemies of any empire."

"Does that include Weilan, Your Majesty?"

"Of course it includes Weilan."

"Then you should know the situation of Duke Weilan inside and out, and also know that this duke not only obtained legendary power, but has also made considerable achievements in the legendary realm."

Zhuo Ya knew the intentions of this upper-tier elf inside and out; she raised her hand to interrupt his speech.

"The Battle of Gaersas—because of your vile and shameless sneak attack, our nation lost thirty thousand brave soldiers."

"Not executing you on the spot is already merciful; stop beating around the bush with me. Speak plainly, elf."

Given the mutual hostility between the two nations, Brian did not relent either.

"Your Majesty, I believe Duke Weilan is a common enemy of our two nations; perhaps we should join forces slightly to eliminate him."

Zhuo Ya sneered: "Our nation will deal with Duke Weilan on its own, but we will never ally with the enemy!"

Brian immediately said: "Your Majesty, I think you should carefully consider my opinion; after all, from a geopolitical standpoint, if the Natural Alliance rises, it is actually greatly beneficial to our nation."

"Yet behind your nation, a strong enemy has suddenly appeared; perhaps the duke issued that so-called announcement, but consider this: if our troops continually pin down your forces on the western front, would he not seize this excellent opportunity to unite the Natural Alliance?"

"You should know, this does not violate his announcement, after all he did not cooperate with our nation; he merely seized the favorable international situation."

Zhuo Ya's pair of willow brows turned into sword brows: "Are you threatening me, sir?"

"No, merely stating a fact, Your Majesty."

Zhuo Ya then gave a cold smile: "Mr. Brian, you probably haven't read the duke's announcement in full."

"This supremely talented duke clearly stated that if our nation's western front is attacked, he will not stab us in the back, and is even willing to form an alliance with our nation to jointly oppose you elves."

"Weilan's strength may not be great, but it possesses not a few astonishingly powerful new weapons."

"The duke might seize your attack to unite the Natural Alliance, but our nation's allied forces with the Natural Alliance will surely inflict heavy blows upon you on the battlefield!"

"Even if we lose ten thousand, even a million soldiers because of this, we can still bear it; we could recover within twenty years, but if you elves lose a million people, you might not recover for centuries."

Brian listened silently, his brows unconsciously knotting into a shape resembling the Chinese character for "river", for he knew the empress was right.

But he is certainly not one who gives up easily.

After Zhuo Ya finished speaking, he suddenly said: "Your Majesty, if the Natural Alliance rises, the Glorious Empire may not necessarily be its match."

Zhuo Ya calmly smiled: "Whether they are a match or not cannot be decided by your words alone!"

"Alright, you tongue-waggling elf, get out before I lose my patience!"

The assistant clerks in the study all gave Brian cold looks; the guards at the study's door also turned their eyes, revealing hidden killing intent.

The hostility between the Glorious Empire and the Holy Elf Empire is not merely rhetorical; there is a blood debt behind it.

Brian felt a tremendous psychological pressure, yet he had not given up.

"Your Majesty, is this the view of the Lord of Light?"

"My view is my grandfather's view!"

"I doubt it."

Zhuo Ya's face instantly flared with anger: "Guards, take this troublemaking foreign race to the gallows!"

Before she could speak, her grandfather's words suddenly came to mind: "Don't rush, let him come see me."

Zhuo Ya startled: "Grandfather, the elves are the empire's true threat, greater than the threat of the Natural Alliance."

"I know, so you superficially drive him out of the palace to let people know we are not cooperating with the elves, but privately bring him to see me."

Zhuo Ya's hand hidden in her sleeve instinctively clenched into a fist, yet she obediently replied: "Yes, grandfather."

She changed her order: ". Expel him from Bu Ye Gong!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A squad of guards entered the study and forcibly dragged Brian out.

Brian offered no resistance; he merely stared at Zhuo Ya with his blue‑gold‑patterned eyes, gazing and gazing, until a hint of a secret smile suddenly appeared on his face.

Zhuo Ya sensed that hidden smile, only feeling her heart greatly vexed.

But she still had to endure this vexation, quietly ordering her trusted maid to secretly arrange for the elf to meet her grandfather.

About an hour later, the trusted maid returned to report: "Your Majesty, the person has been taken into Shadowless Palace and is now holding a private audience with His Majesty."

The matter was crystal clear; in fact there was nothing to discuss, merely a question of route selection.

She chose to keep distance from foreign peoples, even if it let Duke Weilan seize the opportunity to rise, she also had to keep pressure on the elves.

But grandfather seemed to have a different idea.

He chose to keep distance from the elves on the surface to counter public opinion, while privately cooperating with them to gain benefits.

At first glance, this seems not to be a major problem.

At least looking thirty years ahead, there is no major problem.

But the times have changed now.

Zhuo Ya believes that in this day and age, if grandfather continues to do this, it is not only a serious problem, but he might even step into the strategic trap set by Duke Weilan!

The empire and the elves harbor deep hatred; the blood feud of the Gaersas Mountains remains unavenged.

Whether official or civilian, the elves are deeply hated.

At this moment, however, the two sides are secretly cooperating, plotting to exterminate their own kin; should the news leak to the populace, the prestige of the Glorious Imperial Family would plummet like an avalanche.

The imperial family's prestige will decline, the faith of the Radiant Divine Sect will surely follow suit, and thus the legitimacy of the Radiant Imperial Family's rule over the empire will waver.

Translate: "The imperial family's prestige declines, and the faith of the Radiant Divine Sect will surely fall with it, causing the legitimacy of the Radiant Imperial Family's rule over the empire to waver."

Check: The imperial family's prestige declines; the faith of the Radiant Divine Sect will surely also decline; and thus the legitimacy of the Radiant Imperial Family's rule over the empire will waver.

We'll output: 【61】 The imperial family's prestige declines, and the faith of the Radiant Divine Sect will surely fall with it, causing the legitimacy of the Radiant Imperial Family's rule over the empire to waver.

Perhaps Grandfather thinks that as long as he conceals the matter well enough and keeps it unknown, he can escape the moral judgment of the people.

Translate: "Perhaps Grandfather thinks that as long as he conceals the matter well enough and keeps it unknown, he can escape the moral judgment of the people."

We need to keep the term "Grandfather" as is. No glossary needed. So: 【62】 Perhaps Grandfather thinks that as long as he conceals the matter well enough and keeps it unknown, he can escape the moral judgment of the people.

But nowadays communication is highly developed, the number of mages is unprecedentedly large, and there are countless eyes spying in the dark. Most terrifyingly, Duke Weilan will certainly not stand by.

Translate: "But nowadays communications are highly developed, the number of mages is unprecedentedly large, and there are countless eyes spying in the dark. Most terrifying of all, Duke Weilan will certainly not stand by."

We need to use glossary: Duke Weilan. So: 【63】 But nowadays communications are highly developed, the number of mages is unprecedentedly large, and there are countless eyes spying in the dark. Most terrifying of all, Duke Weilan will certainly not stand by.

Zhuo Ya is absolutely certain that Duke Weilan is constantly watching them, and if she discovers their cooperation with the elves, she will surely find a way to gather evidence and then publicize it at an opportune moment.

Translate: "Zhuo Ya is absolutely certain that Duke Weilan is surely watching them closely at all times; once he discovers their cooperation with the Elves, he will definitely find a way to gather evidence and then publicize it at an opportune moment."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya, Duke Weilan, Elves. So: 【64】 Zhuo Ya is absolutely certain that Duke Weilan is surely watching them closely at all times; once he discovers their cooperation with the Elves, he will definitely find a way to gather evidence and then publicize it at an opportune moment.

Once such a situation arises, it will be a devastating blow to the prestige of the Radiant Imperial Family! At that point, the Natural Alliance will unite against them out of shared hatred, and the Radiant Nations will also turn away from them! "No!"

Translate: "Once such a situation arises, it will be a devastating blow to the prestige of the Radiant Imperial Family! At that point, the Natural Alliance will unite against them out of shared hatred, and the Radiant Nations will also turn away from them! "No!""

(meta)

"I cannot stand by and watch Grandfather make a grave mistake!"

Translate: ""I cannot stand by and watch Grandfather make a grave mistake!""

We need to keep quotes. So: 【66】 "I cannot stand by and watch Grandfather make a grave mistake!"

Zhuo Ya could not stay still; she quickly left through the back door of the study and hurried toward her grandfather's Shadowless Palace.

Translate: "Zhuo Ya could not stay still; she quickly left through the back door of the study and hurried toward her grandfather's Shadowless Palace."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya. "無影宮" -> Shadowless Palace. So: 【67】 Zhuo Ya could not stay still; she quickly left through the back door of the study and hurried toward her grandfather's Shadowless Palace.

The Everlasting Palace is extremely huge; she ran for over a quarter of an hour before reaching its grounds.

Translate: "Bu Ye Gong is immensely large; she ran for over a quarter of an hour before reaching the grounds."

We need glossary: Bu Ye Gong. So: 【68】 Bu Ye Gong is immensely large; she ran for over a quarter of an hour before reaching the grounds.

When she reached the entrance of the Shadowless Palace, she saw her grandfather personally escorting Elf Brian to the palace gate, the two chatting and laughing.

Translate: "When she reached the entrance of the Shadowless Palace, she saw her grandfather personally escorting the Elf Brian to the palace gate, the two chatting and laughing."

He immediately went in secret to meet Ailin and handed her a meticulously crafted legendary artifact.

Zhuo Ya's eyes narrowed: "Grandfather is really too careless."

Translate: "Zhuo Ya's eyes narrowed: 'Grandfather is really too careless.'"

We need to keep colon? Chinese uses colon after "凝". We'll translate as colon. So: 【70】 Zhuo Ya's eyes narrowed: "Grandfather is really too careless."

Even if this is the Shadowless Palace, it must be well hidden!

Translate: "Even though this is the Shadowless Palace, it must still be hidden well!"

We need to keep exclamation. So: 【71】 Even though this is the Shadowless Palace, it must still be hidden well!

She also saw her grandfather's face lit with a very cheerful smile, a smile she hadn't seen from him in a long time, and Brian also wore a smile.

Translate: "She also saw her grandfather's face lit with a very cheerful smile, a smile she hadn't seen from him in a long time, and Brian also wore a smile."

Soon, they saw each other.

Translate: "Soon, both parties saw each other."

So: 【73】 Soon, both parties saw each other.

Zhuo Ya saw that her grandfather's smile vanished the moment he saw her, while the elf's smile grew even richer, even hinting at a faint mockery.

Translate: "Zhuo Ya saw that the moment her grandfather saw her, his smile faded, while the Elf's smile grew even richer, even tinged with a hint of mockery."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya, Elf. So: 【74】 Zhuo Ya saw that the moment her grandfather saw her, his smile faded, while the Elf's smile grew even richer, even tinged with a hint of mockery.

He seemed to be saying, "Look, you're just a steward, yet you still want to be the master—how ridiculous."

Translate: "He seemed to be saying: 'Look, you're just a steward, yet you still want to be the master's master—how laughable.'"

We need to keep quotes. So: 【75】 He seemed to be saying: "Look, you're just a steward, yet you still want to be the master's master—how laughable."

Zhuo Ya did not want the elf to become too pleased, so she made herself appear as calm as possible.

Translate: "Zhuo Ya did not want the Elf to become too pleased, so she made herself appear as calm as possible."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya, Elf. So: 【76】 Zhuo Ya did not want the Elf to become too pleased, so she made herself appear as calm as possible.

After waiting for the elf to be sent away, she heard her grandfather's voice.

Translate: "After waiting for the Elf to be sent away, she heard her grandfather's voice."

We need glossary: Elf. So: 【77】 After waiting for the Elf to be sent away, she heard her grandfather's voice.

"Zhuo Ya, why did you come running over so hastily?"

Translate: ""Zhuo Ya, why did you come running over so hastily?""

So: 【78】 "Zhuo Ya, why did you come running over so hastily?"

His voice was cold, completely lacking the former

Translate: "His voice was cold, completely lacking the past kindness, as if he were speaking to a stranger."

So: 【79】 His voice was cold, completely lacking the past kindness, as if he were speaking to a stranger.

Zhuo Ya immediately realized that her grandfather's kindness had been earned through her obedience, and that once she began to defy this exalted imperial sovereign, he would instantly forget all familial ties and don a cold mask of power.

Translate: "Zhuo Ya immediately realized that her grandfather's kindness had been earned through her obedience, and that once she began to defy this exalted imperial sovereign, he would instantly forget all familial ties and don a cold mask of power."

(meta)

At this point, her best response is to continue being obedient.

Translate: "At this point, her best response is to continue being obedient."

So: 【81】 At this point, her best response is to continue being obedient.

But Zhuo Ya had reigned as Empress for forty years, her will unyielding; even facing her grandfather, she found it hard to lower her head.

Translate: "But Zhuo Ya had reigned as empress for forty years, her will unyielding; even facing her grandfather, she found it hard to lower her head."

(meta)

"Grandfather, are you planning to cooperate with the elves?"

Translate: ""Grandfather, do you intend to cooperate with the Elves?""

We need glossary: Elves. So: 【83】 "Grandfather, do you intend to cooperate with the Elves?"

"Don't worry about this; I'll handle it myself."

Translate: ""This is none of your concern; I will handle it myself.""

So: 【84】 "This is none of your concern; I will handle it myself."

Zhuo Ya looked left and right, seeing no one around, she lowered her voice and asked: "Grandfather, doing this is too risky; if it leaks, it will bring great disaster!"

Translate: "Zhuo Ya looked left and right, saw no one around, and immediately lowered her voice to ask: 'Grandfather, doing this is too risky; if it leaks, it will bring huge consequences!'"

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya. So: 【85】 Zhuo Ya looked left and right, saw no one around, and immediately lowered her voice to ask: "Grandfather, doing this is too risky; if it leaks, it will bring huge consequences!"

The Lord of Light's face instantly darkened: "Zhuo Ya, didn't you hear me clearly? This is none of your business!"

Translate: "The Lord of Light's face instantly darkened: 'Zhuo Ya, didn't you hear me clearly? This is none of your business!'"

(meta)

"Grandfather!" Zhuo Ya whispered, struggling to suppress her irritation.

Translate: ""Grandfather!" Zhuo Ya whispered, striving to suppress her irritation."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya. So: 【87】 "Grandfather!" Zhuo Ya whispered, striving to suppress her irritation.

The Lord of Light coldly stared at his granddaughter: "How dare you think you are the master of this empire?"

Translate: "The Lord of Light coldly stared at his granddaughter: 'How dare you think you are the master of this empire?'"

We need glossary: Lord of Light. So: 【88】 The Lord of Light coldly stared at his granddaughter: "How dare you think you are the master of this empire?"

Zhuo Ya felt a chill run through her, and immediately lowered her head: "No, grandfather, I just want to explain my viewpoint to you."

Translate: "Zhuo Ya felt a chill run through her body and immediately lowered her head: 'No, grandfather, I merely wish to present my view.'"

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya. So: 【89】 Zhuo Ya felt a chill run through her body and immediately lowered her head: "No, grandfather, I merely wish to present my view."

"I already know your opinion; Brian has told me."

Translate: ""I already know your view; Brian has already told me.""

We need glossary: Brian. So: 【90】 "I already know your view; Brian has already told me."

"I now tell you clearly: our human race can have only one master!"

Translate: ""I now tell you clearly: our human race can have only one master!""

(meta)

"As long as I live, that master must be me!"

Translate: ""As long as I live, that master must be me!""

So: 【92】 "As long as I live, that master must be me!"

"If I cannot become that master, whether the human race is great or weak has nothing to do with me!"

Translate: ""If I cannot become that master, whether the human race thrives or declines has nothing to do with me!""

So: 【93】 "If I cannot become that master, whether the human race thrives or declines has nothing to do with me!"

"Do you understand, my granddaughter?"

Translate: ""Do you understand, my granddaughter?""

So: 【94】 "Do you understand, my granddaughter?"

"Understood, grandfather."

Translate: ""Understood, grandfather.""

So: 【95】 "Understood, grandfather."

"Very well, continue managing the empire for me."

Translate: ""Very well, continue managing the empire for me.""

So: 【96】 "Very well, continue managing the empire for me."

Having said that, the Lord of Light turned and returned to the Shadowless Palace, leaving the empire's empress alone at the palace gates.

Translate: "Having said that, the Lord of Light turned and returned to the Shadowless Palace, leaving the empire's empress all alone at the palace gates."

We need glossary: Lord of Light, Shadowless Palace, Empress. So: 【97】 Having said that, the Lord of Light turned and returned to the Shadowless Palace, leaving the empire's empress all alone at the palace gates.

At that moment, it was four in the afternoon; the sun slanted westward, casting a faintly reddish light upon the empress, drawing a long shadow.

Translate: "It was four o'clock in the afternoon; the slanting sun cast a faintly dusky light upon the empress, drawing a long shadow."

We need glossary: Empress. So: 【98】 It was four o'clock in the afternoon; the slanting sun cast a faintly dusky light upon the empress, drawing a long shadow.

The empress stood there for a long while before turning and leaving.

Translate: "The empress stood still for a long while before turning and leaving."

So: 【99】 The empress stood still for a long while before turning and leaving.

As she turned, she lowered her gaze; her dark, ink-like pupils became unfathomably deep, and deep within her soul, a thought arose.

Translate: "As she turned, she lowered her gaze; her dark, ink-like pupils became unfathomably deep, and in the deepest part of her soul, a thought arose."

We need glossary: none. So: 【100】 As she turned, she lowered her gaze; her dark, ink-like pupils became unfathomably deep, and in the deepest part of her soul, a thought arose.

"The empire's current glory is something I forged through forty years of effort!"

Translate: ""The empire's current glory is something I forged through forty years of effort!""

So: 【101】 "The empire's current glory is something I forged through forty years of effort!"

"I cannot stand by and watch my grandfather destroy all of this!"

Translate: ""I cannot stand by and watch Grandfather destroy all of this!""

So: 【102】 "I cannot stand by and watch Grandfather destroy all of this!"

"Perhaps doing this would make Brian smile even more triumphantly and play into Duke Weilan's schemes, but if my grandfather can cooperate with foreign peoples, why can't I seek aid from my own kin?"

Translate: ""Perhaps doing this will make Brian even more pleased and play right into Duke Weilan's scheme, but since Grandfather can cooperate with other races, why can't I seek aid from my own kind?""

We need glossary: Brian, Duke Weilan. So: 【103】 "Perhaps doing this will make Brian even more pleased and play right into Duke Weilan's scheme, but since Grandfather can cooperate with other races, why can't I seek aid from my own kind?"

Having ruled the empire for forty years, she naturally had her own absolute confidants; among them was her cousin Ailin, who resided far away in Weilan.

Translate: "Having ruled the empire for forty years, she naturally had her own absolute confidants; among them was her cousin Ailin, who resided far away in Weilan."

(meta)

That night at ten o'clock, through a secret passage known only to her and Ailin, she conveyed her decision.

Translate: "That night at ten o'clock, through a secret passage known only to her and Ailin, she conveyed her decision."

We need glossary: Ailin. So: 【105】 That night at ten o'clock, through a secret passage known only to her and Ailin, she conveyed her decision.

Upon receiving the news, Ailin immediately used a secret communication device to contact Luo Sen discreetly.

Translate: "Upon receiving the news, Ailin immediately used a secret communication artifact to contact Luo Sen discreetly."

We need glossary: Ailin, Luo Sen. So: 【106】 Upon receiving the news, Ailin immediately used a secret communication artifact to contact Luo Sen discreetly.

Luo Sen was waiting.

Translate: "Luo Sen was waiting."

We need glossary: Luo Sen. So: 【107】 Luo Sen was waiting.

He immediately went in secret to meet Ailin and handed her a meticulously crafted legendary artifact.

Translate: "He immediately went in secret to meet Ailin and handed her a meticulously crafted legendary artifact."

(meta)

"Give it secretly to Her Majesty and tell her that everything needed to ascend to legendary status, including the secret arts for hidden power, is all inside this artifact."

Translate: ""Give it secretly to Her Majesty and tell her that everything needed to ascend to legendary status, including the secret arts for hidden power, is all inside this artifact.""

(meta)

The artifact is single-use, foolproof to operate, crafted specifically for the empress's situation—only she can use it—so he does not worry about knowledge leaking.

Translate: "The artifact is single-use, foolproof to operate, crafted specifically for the empress's situation and unusable by anyone else, so he does not worry about knowledge leakage."

We need glossary: Empress. So: 【110】 The artifact is single-use, foolproof to operate, crafted specifically for the empress's situation and unusable by anyone else, so he does not worry about knowledge leakage.

"Also tell Her Majesty that, for the common good of the human race, if she needs my help, I will give it my all!"

Translate: ""Also tell Her Majesty that, for the common benefit of humanity, if she needs my help, I will surely give it my all!""

We need glossary: Her Majesty. So: 【111】 "Also tell Her Majesty that, for the common benefit of humanity, if she needs my help, I will surely give it my all!"

Ailin left with a solemn expression.

Translate: "Ailin left with a solemn expression."

We need glossary: Ailin. So: 【112】 Ailin left with a solemn expression.

Luo Sen watched her depart, thinking to himself: "How quickly the seed has sprouted!"

Translate: "Luo Sen watched her depart, thinking to himself: 'How quickly the seed has sprouted!'"

We need glossary: Luo Sen. So: 【113】 Luo Sen watched her depart, thinking to himself: "How quickly the seed has sprouted!"

When he planted the seed, he knew it would surely sprout; it was only a matter of time.

Translate: "When he planted the seed, he knew it would surely sprout; it was only a matter of time."

We need glossary: Luo Sen. So: 【114】 When he planted the seed, he knew it would surely sprout; it was only a matter of time.

Because one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.

Translate: "Because one mountain cannot hold two tigers."

So: 【115】 Because one mountain cannot hold two tigers.

But the fact that it sprouted so quickly shows that Zhuo Ya has long harbored dissatisfaction toward the Lord of Light; she simply lacked the resolve to rebel.

Translate: "But the fact that it sprouted so quickly shows that Zhuo Ya has long harbored dissatisfaction toward the Lord of Light; she simply lacked the resolve to rebel until now."

We need glossary: Zhuo Ya, Lord of Light. So: 【116】 But the fact that it sprouted so quickly shows that Zhuo Ya has long harbored dissatisfaction toward the Lord of Light; she simply lacked the resolve to rebel until now.

"I just don't know when it will bear fruit."

Translate: ""I just don't know when it will bear fruit.""

So: 【117】 "I just don't know when it will bear fruit."

To be honest, letting the empress truly hold power is not entirely a good thing.

Translate: "To be honest, letting the empress truly hold power is not entirely a good thing."

We need glossary: Empress. So: 【118】 To be honest, letting the empress truly hold power is not entirely a good thing.

Because Empress Zhuo Ya is truly a person of great talent and strategy.

Translate: "Because Empress Zhuo Ya is truly a person of great talent and strategy."

We need glossary: Empress, Zhuo Ya. So: 【119】 Because Empress Zhuo Ya is truly a person of great talent and strategy.

After the hermaphrodite rises to power, the future Natural Alliance will definitely have one more very troublesome opponent.

But a troublesome opponent is much stronger than an opponent with absolutely no scruples.

"Now, I will just quietly await the day when the result comes out, hmm~ I can almost go see the Heavenly Father of Divine Might."

This old rival of the Lord of Radiance should also come out of retirement, lest the Lord of Radiance keeps staring at himself without letting go.

(End of chapter)