Chapter 194: Determination and the Deceiver

The Silver Mirror Maiden is a neutral-leaning dark elf and shadow deity.

This is actually quite unusual, as both the dark elf pantheon and the shadow pantheon have notoriously poor reputations.

Lolth and Shar frequently serve as villainous bosses and ultimate schemers in too many legends—and this is largely true.

Even though their eras have passed, the inertia of their peoples remains.

There are constant reports of dark elves surging to the surface world, seizing districts or causing chaos.

Or a region of the surface world plunges into shadow, becoming part of the Shadow Plane.

This is often the work of a dark elf deity/mother, or a shadow deity/lord.

Striving for more living space is their essence, but their methods are often extremely violent, and most are seen by surface dwellers as evil factions—though several are actually neutral or even benevolent, merely peripheral figures within their own camps.

If the Silver Mirror Maiden were merely a dark elf or shadow deity, this deal could never have been made from the start, as it would amount to betrayal of the surface world's people.

Precisely because she belongs to both, she also belongs to neither—creating space for negotiation.

Many shadow deities and dark elf deities wish for her demise; she is not only an outsider, but even an eyesore to certain deities—indeed, she fled the dark elf pantheon and fell into shadow.

Yet after experiencing certain events, she gained standing in the dark elf world due to her position in the Shadow Plane.

Those who are disloyal to one's own camp must be purged, but friendly figures from other camps can still be courted—this is the delicate and complex relationship.

She can eat from both sides on ordinary days, but recently, it seems she's being eaten by both.

"Wall climbers are popular in times of peace—they benefit from both sides—but when total war truly begins and you're forced to choose a side, you're often the first to be eliminated."

Or sacrificed as a banner, or removed as a threat—at least in the eyes of Shaliman and other intelligence personnel, the Mirror Maiden's situation is not good.

"If she were truly thriving, she wouldn't have planted a divine maiden in Mordothil, nor forcibly initiated a divine revelation to save the city. Frankly, repeatedly interfering for a city of this scale is undignified for a deity."

Whether her territory lies on the edge of the underworld (the Wall of Obstruction), or whether she must invest a divine maiden in this unstable region, or even personally intervene in the campaign—all these realities prove she is ostracized by the dark elf pantheon.

"Can she be trusted?" Dai Niya still hesitated; becoming a chosen one likely meant lifelong, even posthumous, binding.

Though this was a chance to leap forward in one step, it might also drag the kingdom into ruin due to her identity.

But "Shaliman" gave a calm reply.

"Li En said—well, a certain Oath Knight said—that no deity is trustworthy, not even benevolent ones. We shouldn't entrust our fate to outsiders."

To be precise, this deity's stance has always been tied to dark elves and the Shadow Realm; her interference in the surface world was merely a test.

If she encountered hardship and loss—sacrificing the power of a chosen one—to secure a safe withdrawal, it wouldn't be unacceptable.

Li En's stance was clear: deities are powerful figures to be used and bargained with, but faith and obedience? Not a chance.

This may stem from Sul's final memories—the battlefield encounter that nearly awakened Li En—or from his past-life Easterner's innate distrust of so-called deities.

Perhaps even from a soul-deep distrust of the deities themselves.

"But they are the most trustworthy allies we can possibly reach—other kingdoms are all watching us," Shaliman sighed; those qualified to make decisions right now are not us.

For some reason, other orc kingdoms harbor intense hostility toward the Kingdom of Atherin, and over the years have steadily encroached.

Under these circumstances, the royal family truly has little choice—at least this one is still a neutral deity, still willing to expend resources and power.

"My mother is still young," Dai Niya suddenly spoke.

She sighed, and in the end, revealed her judgment with a seemingly trivial, subtle remark.

If she truly gained the status of chosen one, she might gain potential immortality—but also likely lose her original stance; her heir to the throne might not be secure.

After pondering, Dai Niya sighed and made up her mind.

It seems there was never truly a choice to begin with; this is already a remarkably favorable turning point.

This is far better than being mysteriously married off to some prince or king—at least here, she gains the power and opportunity to control her own fate.

But now, Dai Niya still had not directly spoken with the dark elf divine maiden.

Chosen ones come in many tiers; benefits and treatment must be negotiated.

Waiting a while, appearing less eager, might secure better terms.

Yet in truth, she was desperate—she feared the Queen's sudden visit meant she had learned of Dai Niya's secret dealings with the Mirror Maiden and had come to interfere.

"I don't want to become a powerless political bargaining chip."

Recalling her mother's cold gaze when she looked at her privately, and the "daughter's marriage prospect album" in her mother's chamber, Dai Niya seemed to find her answer.

"I, too, want this city and this nation to endure."

For public and private reasons, she refused to let go of this opportunity.

But thinking of her future—perhaps wrestling with a deity in cunning and strategy—she sighed again.

She needed more allies, more trustworthy people.

"If Heroine Laina were here, it would be better."

Heroine Laina was the strongest person Dai Niya had ever met; in some sense, even regarded as the reincarnation of the former Hero.

Perhaps Dai Niya also saw her father's shadow in her.

". Could he, too, become my hero? Like the father in a fairy tale?"

Unbidden, a man's shadow flickered before her eyes.

". No no no, why am I thinking of him? He can't possibly be compared to my father!"

Dai Niya sharply slapped her reddened cheeks, angry at her own weakness.

". Wait, this isn't an illusion."

She opened her mouth wide, staring at the man who shouldn't be underground, utterly stunned.

"I really didn't come down on purpose to run into you," Li En said, speaking a great truth, which sparked laughter and earned him a glare from the Princess.

"Ah, a friend," said Miss Lana, suddenly pointing at the Princess.

"How am I here? Uh, tourism? No—why can't I be here?!"

Li En was the most surprised; he had merely felt like it, bringing the little one to acclimate to the battlefield.

Continuing downward was merely to survey the underground ruins—and yet he encountered the Princess's party again.

【61】 He noticed the Princess's knights gave him slight nods, seemingly pleased to see him meet the Princess again, their smiles hinting at something.

【62】 "I really didn't come down on purpose to run into you," Li En said a blunt truth—only to provoke laughter and a glare from the Princess.

【63】 "Ah, a friend," Lana suddenly pointed at the Princess.

【64】 "No way! Does she still have memories?!" Li En broke into a cold sweat—Lana shouldn't have met Dai Niya before!

【65】 "Yes, a friend. Little Lana, hello," Dai Niya cheerfully responded to the little one.

【66】 Who doesn't love this pure, adorable little sister?

Where Li En didn't notice, Miss Lana and Dai Niya had indeed met at Miss Shaliman's home.

They had somehow taken to each other, as if they were close friends from a past life.

Watching the friendly interaction between the two "girls," Li En broke out in cold sweat—he regretted coming down so willingly for the first time.

He knew that Miss Lana still bore traces of being Heroine Laina—if Dai Niya saw them…

"Li En!!"

And before he knew it, the snake woman, whom he hadn't seen in ages, rushed forward and embraced him, rubbing her cheek against him repeatedly.

She seemed half-asleep, her eyes dazed, face still foggy from waking—and this warmth made Li En feel even more guilty.

"Ah, Li En?!"

The next moment, fully awake, she realized she wasn't dreaming and quickly let go.

Li En himself, under the gaze of all those eyes, felt numb.

"Sister, aren't you letting go a bit late now? Everyone here knows we're together."

"Hmm, we're betrothed? Then it's fine."

"But Dai Niya, why are you glaring at me? I never meant to steal you away from your family."

Looking at Dai Niya before him and Miss Shaliman, who shyly stepped back, Li En sighed.

"Miss Shaliman, it's been a long time." Some things, after all, must be faced.

"Quick, quick fulfill my contract—propose now!" But the snake, at this moment, would never miss an opportunity to cause chaos.

Li En shook his head and firmly refused—he had only just formed a bond with the Purple Rose, and now he was supposed to propose to her relative? He wasn't that much of a scoundrel! At least, not yet!

"I'm disappearing—then you'll be stuck with a broken contract and misfortune descending upon you!" the snake hissed, tongue flicking.

"No, you won't—you still have time, you still have entertainment to watch, you won't leave." Li En had seen through it all.

He helplessly looked up at the sky—might as well delay it one day at a time.

Soon after, he received news—a message regarding the alliance contract with the Mirror Maiden.

Through it, he learned of Dai Niya's hesitation and unease.

". This isn't very good, is it? Are there other options?" Becoming a divine vessel—if the deity trusted or valued her, she might even become truly immortal. It sounded like a good thing.

But Li En saw Dai Niya's hesitation and unease.

He didn't fully understand that becoming a chosen one meant surrendering one's soul—meant that even in death, one might be dragged from the grave to serve as an immortal. But he saw her resistance.

She didn't want it.

Yet she had no choice.

"Snake, is there a way to deceive the deity? A way to make her a chosen one, yet allow her to break the contract anytime?"

"There is—but it's expensive," the cheerful snake replied, flicking its tail—he had waited too long for this moment.

If you can't foresee, you can't plan? Nonsense—just arrange someone else.

"Name your price," Li En growled, each word forced through clenched teeth.

(End of Chapter)