Chapter 272: Master and Servant (13)

The last time I came to Swan Lake Shore, it was winter weather.

This time I came to Swan Lake Shore, the weather was actually the same, and even a bit worse.

Dark clouds hung low, the cold wind howled, fine snowflakes drifted everywhere, all the plants by the lake had withered, and the whole world was bleak and gloomy.

Just like Duola's mood right now.

"Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, a year has passed."

I vaguely remember that in my childhood, time felt very slow—so slow that even a few minutes felt unbearable—but as I grew older and experienced more, time seemed to speed up.

It felt like just a blink, and a year had passed.

What's more strange is that, although a year has passed, I haven't changed, and the world seems unchanged as well.

It felt as if everything were eternal.

However, this numb mindset, as insensitive as rocks and trees in the mountains, quickly dissipated.

She discovered that she herself hadn't changed, the capital of the Elven Empire, Atelasen, had seen no major change, but Weilan's Mondania City had undergone a complete transformation.

A year ago, when she came here, she saw construction sites to the east and west, ugly like scars on the earth.

But after a year of coming back, the original scars had basically disappeared, turning into splendid buildings, and there were also many things she had never seen before.

However, at the edge of the bright city, many new 'scars' had sprouted.

Duola sighed with feeling: "Ah~ short-lived species are truly full of energy, bustling from morning to night, just like tireless spinning tops."

She somewhat envied the vitality of short-lived species, but at the same time deeply despised their short-sightedness and blindness.

As she was feeling this, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in her mind.

"Miss Duola, I thought you would never leave Atelasen again."

Atelasen is the capital of the Holy Elven Empire, meaning the City of Eternal Life.

Duola was slightly surprised, but then she realized: "This time I didn't carefully conceal myself; being found by him is normal."

So she began to locate his soul, intending to converse with him, but then she realized something was wrong.

"Huh~ How did your power increase so much?"

She remembered clearly that a year ago, the other's soul strength was Legendary 7, achieved only with a Legendary Hat, while the base was Legendary 3.

That was still impressive, but far inferior to hers.

But now she discovered that the other's soul strength had actually exceeded Legendary 12, leaving only a single step between them.

In just one year, it rose by five levels—this is practically like a dream.

"Your power?!"

The voice in her mind chuckled: "Didn't I tell you I possess an artifact that perceives truth? Why don't you believe me?"

Duola still didn't believe the artifact claim, of course, she also thought Luosen definitely had some very powerful things in his hands.

"Where are you now?"

"Go north about twenty kilometers; there is a hill with a steep peak. I built a small manor for snow-viewing on the summit."

Duola's mind moved, and she directly used the Infinite Phase Shift Technique.

In less than ten seconds, she stood at the manor's gate.

The door was originally closed, but as she arrived, it opened silently, and Duola walked inside.

Going past the side wall that blocked the view, she saw a very tranquil courtyard with a tall, still lush tree, and under the tree was a rain shelter.

Around the pavilion circled a faint ring of runes, blocking the cold wind and chill.

Luosen was half-reclining on a spacious warm chair, beside which stood a small fireplace, a small wooden table; the fire crackled, the wine pot above gave off a rich aroma, and the small wooden table held several fragrant dishes.

Duola hesitated a little, but still went in.

Her previous dealings told her that the Emperor of the Natural Empire was a very rational person who could well restrain his desires.

Because last time she noticed he had several thoughts, but he ultimately held back.

Luosen also indeed showed no big reaction; he didn't even open his eyes, merely shifted his body to the side and patted the soft chair beside him.

"Come, sit beside me."

Duola had lived over seven thousand years, no longer caring about etiquette, and facing the person who had once defeated her, she felt little arrogance.

Besides, there was no one else around, and she still had her magically conjured dress for cover, so she obeyed.

After lying down, she found she could sip warm wine, enjoy delicious dishes, and watch the snow fall in the mountains—it was actually quite pleasant.

"Your Majesty Luosen, you're quite leisurely."

Luosen, however, raised a hand and touched Duola's body, instantly dispelling her illusionary dress, then naturally stroked the smooth, warm silk.

Duola startled, her whole body trembling: "What are you doing?"

"Oh~~ don't be nervous; we're old friends after all—isn't being a bit intimate normal?"

"That's not normal at all!"

Luosen ignored her and countered: "Miss, you came to see me for a reason—just say it."

Seeing that Luosen showed no further action, and considering she was no match for him,

Duola could only endure this somewhat overstepping action.

"The latest news: my master has accelerated his return; at the latest he'll be back in two years. Moreover, he won't come alone, but will bring two equally powerful companions."

Luosen, one hand caressing warm jade, the other lifting warm wine, took a pleasant sip and smiled: "Three powerful gods? Interesting."

Powerful gods not only possess great strength, but also hold some very powerful assets, naturally not to be underestimated.

But having said that, he also has many special skills at his disposal.

Moreover, for his special skills, there's no difference between one god and three gods.

Thus he remained relaxed.

Duola frowned at this: "What do you mean? This is no small matter!"

She originally still had confidence to resist, but now she was almost desperate; as a result, this mortal emperor actually didn't take it seriously at all.

The wine was somewhat strong, making Luosen curl the corners of his mouth: "Want to try? The newly released Mondania ice‑fire liquor has a great taste."

Duola wasn't in the mood to drink; seeing Luosen's hand still wandering all over her body, she grew increasingly irritated and grabbed his hand.

"Luosen, stop fooling around, I want to talk serious business with you!"

Luosen's face finally showed a hint of seriousness: "I have a countermeasure, but if you want to know, you have to drink a few cups with me."

Duola startled, also quite curious, hesitated a moment, then agreed, took the wine and drank a sip.

As it entered her stomach, the spiciness made her cough repeatedly; immediately after, she felt a heat flow down her belly, turning into a ball of fire that coursed throughout her body.

At first she thought it was the effect of the strong liquor, but a few seconds later Duola felt something was wrong, and her face changed color.

"This isn't wine! It's medicine! You drugged me!"

"Hahaha~~ Exactly, it's medicine!"

Luosen laughed loudly, his face full of the petty satisfaction of a scheme succeeded.

He actually could subdue the moon goddess by many means, but tricking her into drinking wine was the least effort, haha.

Duola felt a strange power wriggling inside her, making her whole body sore and weak, even unable to gather her magical power, so she could only slump helplessly onto the warm chair.

Duola's heart pounded: "Is this poison? Are you trying to kill me!"

Luosen shook his head: "It's not poison, and not entirely medicine either, because it does nothing to me."

Duola had also realized that, since Luosen kept drinking and showed no abnormality, otherwise she wouldn't have drunk it.

After sipping a few mouthfuls of wine and eating some side dishes, Luosen smiled narrowly: "The effect will last half an hour."

"Half an hour later, you will be both the apostle of the Lord of Truth and my apostle."

"If a situation arises where the two sides conflict, you will ultimately still have to obey me."

Duola was shocked, immediately thinking of a possibility.

She asked repeatedly:

"You've deciphered the secret of the Tree of Life's branch, right? You truly possess the artifact that perceives truth?"

Luosen didn't answer but countered: "You really want to know?"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

Luosen then leaned close to her ear and whispered his condition.

As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of this noble high‑Elves majesty widened suddenly.

"You might as well just kill me!"

Luosen didn't press her either, just waited patiently.

About half an hour later, he thought, his magical power circulated, and using a magical incantation he repeated his condition.

Duola found herself obeying his words to the letter, as if her body were not her own but Luosen's.

Luosen narrowed his eyes, enjoying the clumsy service of the high‑Elves moon goddess, and couldn't help laughing loudly.

"Miss Duola, see, you still end up having to listen to me."

With those words, Duola found she had slightly regained control of her body, and she was both angry and astonished: "I don't understand!"

Luosen then used a magical incantation to lift the control over her, and said: "I don't like forcing people; if you serve me willingly, I'll tell you."

Duola shook her head: "No, De Rui Tan has an obsessive‑compulsive pursuit of perfection; once he discovers I'm imperfect, he'll decisively abandon me."

Luosen smiled: "Don't worry, if it's broken I can fix it, and I can fix it so that De Rui Tan won't notice."

Duola had nothing to say, remained silent for a while, then said: "Luosen, you're really a bastard!"

She had misjudged him, underestimated his ability, overestimated his morality.

Now, this guy is not her ally but her new nightmare! A nightmare is a nightmare because there is no choice.

Thus, she could only actively climb up and sit on Luosen's lap.

After her diligent service, Luosen was satisfied.

"I have completely deciphered the secret of the Tree of Life's branch, and I have also freed you entirely from De Rui Tan's control."

"Of course, to avoid detection by De Rui Tan, I still retain his control channel, so you can still sense his controlling intent, but as long as you're unwilling, he cannot force you."

Duola lay limp beside Luosen, the more she listened the more unbelievable it seemed; she roughly knew he used a method similar to that of Elves fruit.

But how he used it, and why it could break De Rui Tan's control, she didn't know.

She had no idea.

"You're not a mortal, you're a god, right?"

Since she was willing to guess that, Luosen naturally gladly went along with her speculation.

"Yes, I am the elemental incarnation of a true god in the mortal world; my true form possesses supreme power."

"I really like playing games; I love all kinds of games."

"I most enjoy watching opponents, smug and self‑assured, jumping about before my eyes until they think they're about to win, then I slap them down with a palm."

"That shift from ecstasy to despair is especially, especially fun."

This time, Duola completely believed it.

She didn't know how to describe her feelings; it was complex, but mainly awe.

Her will to resist was also completely gone, leaving only obedience.

"Supreme power—is it Legend 19?"

Luosen shook his head: "A bit higher."

If you're going to boast, you naturally have to boast big.

Duola was startled, her hair standing on end: "Oh~ you were joking with me like this a year ago, right?"

Exactly, interesting, right?

Duola thought to say "Interesting my ass," but of course she didn't dare say it, and instead she fawned: "Interesting."

Luosen could naturally see her insincerity, and couldn't help laughing again, hahaha.

He secretly thought: "The upper elves are indeed used to being dogs. After changing masters, they adapt quickly."

From a societal development perspective, this master-servant relation is naturally far behind the current era, but for the master it's extremely enjoyable.

Imagine, such a beautiful, nearly perfect being, also the most noble Moon Goddess Majesty of hundreds of millions of elves, fawns over him like a pug wagging its tail—oh no, should be wagging its butt begging for pity—that taste is ten times sweeter than the finest wine in the world.

"The taste of absolute power is truly fascinating."

Couldn't help but think: "Am I like De Rui Tan, turning the Natural Empire into my elf race?"

As long as one is willing to spend time and effort, this is completely doable.

But this thought, after turning a bit, was dispelled by him.

"The reason power is sweet is not because of power itself, but because of the process of conquest."

"If I turned all of humanity into my pugs, the world would have no meaning at all."

But no matter what, conquering the Moon Goddess still lets him enjoy immensely.

One interest aroused, he again had the Elf Majesty handle affairs, while the other could only carefully hide her dissatisfaction and fully comply.

Afterwards, Luosen lay lazily and said: "Miss Duola, I am not the same as De Rui Tan."

Duola didn't speak, but her heart was full of resentment: "Indeed not the same, you're much worse than him, almost tearing me apart."

Luosen seemed unaware of her thoughts, leisurely said: "De Rui Tan treats mortals as tools to consume, while I treat mortals as flowers in a garden."

"I will devote effort to cultivate each flower; if it grows well, like Your Majesty such a delicate flower, I will give it more care. If it grows poorly, I will not be harsh."

"Because I deeply know, there is no such thing as 'perfect' in the world."

"All things are incomplete, having both strengths and weaknesses."

"Roses are beautiful, yet easily withered by wind and frost. Wildflowers are inconspicuous, yet their vitality is extremely tenacious."

"If someone pursues perfection, the essence is to regard oneself as the supreme creator, deciding the world's direction with one's own aesthetic; essentially it is still pursuing absolute power."

"In my view, this person is both arrogant and ignorant, and moreover boring."

"So, if you wholeheartedly assist me in managing this beautiful mortal garden, I will not only help you, but also help the elves free themselves from the so-called Lord of Truth."

Duola listened quietly; at first she listened casually, but gradually she listened attentively.

She immediately thought of the Natural Empire he founded, from which she could clearly see he was not lying.

This made her already slight dissatisfaction almost completely dissipate.

"Master, what should I do afterwards?"

"Of course, return to Atelasen and continue as the Moon Goddess Majesty of the elves."

"But... but I am no longer perfect now."

"Simple."

After Luosen's manipulations, he restored it to its original state, then said: "I'll give you a secret channel later; we can stay in touch anytime."

"If you encounter danger, you can also summon me for help; I will come to rescue you immediately."

Duola let out a big sigh of relief, her heart no longer fearful.

She naturally began to serve her new master.

"Master, there's also a small matter."

She recounted the matter of the Oselra School's Golden Warrior seeking revenge.

After Luosen finished listening, he laughed hahaha: "Interesting~ truly interesting~ we can have fun again."

Seeing this, Duola couldn't help but secretly think: "This great one's temperament is somewhat like that of the legendary witch."

Luosen, through the pre-set secret information channel, learned her thought, and secretly chuckled: "I just want you to think that way."

(End of chapter)