Volume 6, Chapter 27 – The Administrator of Twilight Flower

With the tip of the [Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea] staff shining with a white radiance, a dignified young girl gradually materialized on the sole seat in the Twilight Palace’s library.

Her name was Dofi—

No, her name was Thanatos.

Her entire body was hidden beneath a night-colored cloak, with only strands of white hair slipping down from her neck. Although her figure was petite and exquisite, it exuded a terrifying pressure, as if what stood before one was a god descending upon the apex of the world, looking down on all living beings.

The girl’s gaze crossed the black desk carved with exquisite patterns, pointing directly at another mature woman kneeling on one knee before the desk.

A black gauze formal dress outlined the woman’s breathtaking body curves. The smooth, snow-white legs revealed beneath the gauze skirt were like vortexes possessing their own charm magic, drawing one’s gaze uncontrollably. Paired with the horns and ribbons tying up her light green twin tails, the woman looked like a demon queen born from the night, full of astonishing temptation and emitting a stinging danger.

This was, naturally, Erin Slate of Twilight Flower.

The [Remote Message] magic set up by the Eldest Princess on the Holy Tree was inscribed on the stone tablet at the base of the Holy Tree. It did not disappear with the disappearance of the previous Holy Tree. Thus, Fia could use [Remote Message] to notify Erin Slate to come to the Twilight Palace to find her before arriving in Blossom (i.e., at the previous teleportation point).

“Welcome, Lord Thanatos.”

Ugh…

Hearing this awkward name, Fia’s expression stiffened.

Although she had deliberately changed into Thanatos’s attire to appear, being addressed this way to her face by an acquaintance was still embarrassing.

Fia, whose expression was hidden in the shadows, couldn’t help but blush. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to be serious.

“Rise.”

“Thank you very much.”

As Erin Slate stood up, the black gauze dress shrouding her body trembled along with her. The glimpse of lustrous thigh inadvertently revealed between the skirt’s hem made Fia’s gaze linger for a moment. Erin Slate’s dress already exposed a lot of skin, not to mention her figure was staggeringly good, like a beauty walking out of a sculpture. Now that those long legs, which inspired fanciful thoughts, were covered in black stockings, Fia began to secretly curse Erin Slate’s future husband—his luck was so good it made one jealous enough to want to bury him in the ground.

I really want to sleep on Erin Slate’s lap.

Since she couldn’t see Fia’s expression hidden in the shadows and Fia hadn’t spoken, Erin Slate had to take the initiative to ask carefully.

“What are your orders, Lord Thanatos?”

“Mm—do you know of the Flame Owl Kingdom?”

“Flame Owl Kingdom? I am very sorry, your subordinate has never heard of this name.”

As expected. Even I haven’t seen the name Flame Owl Kingdom in various collection books, so it’s even more impossible for Erin Slate to know.

Fia sighed lightly. She took out the recording crystal and the golden longsword left by Davis from her spatial backpack. The two items made a crisp clatter on the table.

“The Flame Owl Kingdom was a human kingdom that existed nine thousand years ago. They believed in the Goddess of Life, the Corona God, and the God of Fire. The Goddess of Life is now worshipped by the Milcandis Holy Kingdom, but the other two gods have vanished into history like the Flame Owl Kingdom. I have never heard of them. What about you, Erin Slate?”

“Your subordinate is the same. Do you need me to investigate? We elves have always only believed in the Elf God. The Corona God and the God of Fire you mentioned are gods from the human side. If we investigate in human countries, we might gain something. Some isolated villages often believe in unknown gods and saints.”

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“It must be investigated. Finding traces of the gods is the primary task. Knowing that the Corona God and the God of Fire are not fabricated gods is also a gain.”

“I understand. Your subordinate will begin the investigation after returning.”

Erin Slate bowed respectfully to Fia. As the lace-trimmed collar swayed, the snow-white bosom and deep cleavage made Fia take another glance. This couldn’t be blamed on Fia’s poor self-control, but rather on Erin Slate being too charming. Although Fia had Claire and Anastasia, who had excellent figures, by her side, both were conservative dressers. They were completely unlike Erin Slate, who was like a bewitching fairy; her inadvertent movements seemed like deliberate seduction.

“May I ask what these two are…”

While Fia was still in a daze, Erin Slate had already looked at the recording crystal and the golden longsword on the table. The style of the golden longsword was exquisite and magnificent. Just from the winding patterns on the surface and the inlaid gems, one could tell it was a product completely different from the current era. Erin Slate had the title of Elf Sword Saint and was quite sensitive to swords.

“Ahem,” Fia came back to her senses. “This is proof that the Flame Owl Kingdom existed. I met the owner of this sword in the Weeping Mountains. He claimed to be the last King of the Flame Owl Kingdom and the Holy Son chosen by the Corona God. However, he was deceived by the Corona God and discovered that his own existence was the cause of Darkborn sickness. So he chose to rebel against the Corona God. In the end, he was no match for the Corona God’s supporters and was forced to become an undead. He asked me to kill him. This is the weapon he left behind.”

Speaking of this, Fia watched for changes in Erin Slate’s eyes. Most people in Twilight Flower had Darkborn sickness. It was precisely because of Darkborn sickness that they had a past they couldn’t bear to look back on, and the Eldest Princess had the opportunity to gain their loyalty. Erin Slate had once gone mad because of Darkborn sickness. Now that she brought up the cause of Darkborn sickness, the reaction should be intense.

To Fia’s surprise, Erin Slate’s expression did change, but only to the extent of frowning, feeling doubt and surprise. There was not much urgency.

“There has never been a reasonable explanation for the cause of Darkborn sickness. It always breaks out in clusters and ends without warning. Even intimate contact with people suffering from Darkborn sickness does not guarantee infection… Lord Thanatos says that person found the cause of Darkborn sickness. Such important intelligence should have spread across the continent long ago, yet your subordinate has never heard similar rumors.”

“That is because the news was blocked by the gods. Darkborn sickness is related to Holy Sons. Some Holy Sons are visitors from another world. They contradict the rules that maintain the world’s operation. Their very existence destroys the covenants set by the gods. People contract Darkborn sickness because they stay beside such people. Just like throwing a stone into a pool, the ripples created by the stone affect the leaves on the water surface. The water surface is the rules maintaining the world’s operation, and the leaves are the people living on the rules. This is the claim of the Holy Son named Davis.”

Erin Slate frowned, not agreeing with Davis’s view.

“But if that’s the case, the number of Darkborn sickness patients doesn’t match the locations where Holy Sons appear. Take us for example. No Holy Son has appeared in the history of the Silvar Kingdom, yet I and others who once lived in Blossom contracted Darkborn sickness. This is likely just a guess derived by that Holy Son based on accidental events. The facts should not be so.”

No, I am a person from another world.

Fia hesitated, not saying these words out loud. First, she had already told those around her that her soul contained things that didn’t belong to this world. Second, she couldn’t be sure now if she really just lost her memory, or if an external soul was inhabiting the Eldest Princess’s body. If the Eldest Princess was indeed a native of this world, saying it would seem superfluous.

Better change the subject.

Just as Fia was thinking this, Erin Slate pondered and continued from where she left off.

“But after all, there are existences like Miss Claire. We can’t be sure that people from other worlds will definitely become Holy Sons. They might also deliberately hide their identities and blend into the crowd to protect themselves, in which case we wouldn’t notice.”

She realized this possibility so quickly?

As expected of Erin Slate, the right hand chosen by the Eldest Princess.

Fia asked tentatively.

“If you found this group of people, Erin Slate, what would you plan to do?”

“Capture them and turn them to our use.” A smile appeared on Erin Slate’s exquisitely beautiful face. “Lord Thanatos possesses the ability to cure Darkborn sickness. People suffering from Darkborn sickness cannot survive without you. If we can obtain the source that causes people to contract Darkborn sickness, we can artificially create family servants who are absolutely obedient to you. Of course, we would only keep capable individuals; we cannot waste your painstaking efforts.”

No, no, that’s way too cruel. Deliberately putting people in danger and then saving them from fire and water to win their hearts—which story’s villain is this?

But Erin Slate couldn’t be blamed for this. This world was cruel in itself. If one lacked strength but wanted everything, the only outcome would be becoming a plaything for others. Stepping over others’ corpses to achieve one’s goals was the rule of the World Tree Continent. Moreover, Twilight Flower itself had contact with a large number of shady fields. It could only be said that Erin Slate’s thinking was very much in line with the common sense of the World Tree Continent.

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“No, I forbid this practice, Erin Slate,” Fia waved her hand, warning sternly. “If I were the one who caused you to contract Darkborn sickness back then, what would you think? I understand your heart for the organization, but you must measure your actions—”

“Your subordinate would feel honored.”

Before Fia could finish, Erin Slate bowed her head deeply. Her lovely profile was filled with heartfelt joy. Her shoulders and the hem of her skirt trembled slightly, as if excited for her past self.

“If that was the only way to gain your trust, your subordinate would rejoice that you chose me. You gave me the opportunity to see my father’s true face. If not for Darkborn sickness, I would never have known that there would be a day when my father would abandon me as a burden. I would only be able to live muddled in a false world like a poor wretch, knowing nothing. Working together with colleagues for the same goal as I do today, led by a shrewd leader like you—such a fulfilling life gives me great satisfaction.”

This is too exaggerated, right?

The obvious praise made Fia embarrassed. However, what she didn’t know was that Erin Slate had an even more important point she hadn’t said, and couldn’t say. Only the fanaticism revealed in her golden eyes when she occasionally looked at Fia gave a glimpse of it.

Although embarrassing, as a boss, I should feel happy and encourage Erin Slate at this time, right?

Fia was a bit unsure. She had to choose to say some polite words, nodding lightly with feigned joy.

“You never disappoint me. I give this to you. Inside the recording crystal is the process of my battle with Davis. Davis had the name of Sword King in his own world. The swordsmanship he used is completely different from ours. Take it back and watch it; perhaps you will gain some insight.”

“You… you want to give it to me?”

Perhaps it was Fia’s illusion, but she felt that for a moment just now, ecstasy flashed in Erin Slate’s eyes.

So Erin Slate likes sword-related things this much. Speaking of which, the sword Erin Slate uses now is also a gift from the Eldest Princess. Except for bathing, I haven’t seen Erin Slate take it off.

“Mm. Remember not to spread it. You can tell others about the swordsmanship, but you cannot show the crystal to others.”

“Thank you very much! I will keep your instructions firmly in mind!”

With unprecedented surprise, Erin Slate stepped forward very formally. She carefully took the recording crystal with both hands, then retreated step by step to her previous position. Her solemn appearance was like receiving some kind of certificate. Her slender, snow-white fingers gently stroked the crystal’s surface, reminiscent of a lover’s caress. Fia even felt that if she weren’t sitting here getting in the way, Erin Slate might rub the crystal against her cheek, her face full of delight.

Obsessed with swordsmanship to this extent?

Fia sighed inwardly. In the future, I should collect more things related to swordsmanship and give them to Erin Slate. Erin Slate has always been investigating intelligence for me, running up and down. I have hardly given Erin Slate a decent gift. Even as a boss, I should reward when a reward is due. This trip back to Blossom wasn’t in vain.

“Hehehe… it was given to me by Lord Thanatos…”

“Ahem, Erin Slate, how is the search for clues about the gods going?”

“Ah! Our people have already followed your instructions, going deep into surrounding countries and the Southern Continent. But our racial characteristics are too obvious. To investigate effective information without arousing suspicion requires enough time. So… so currently there is no news.”

By the end, Erin Slate’s voice was so small it was almost inaudible. She lowered her head deeply in shame, her forehead almost parallel to the ground.

“No news yet…”

Without knowing the location of the gods, there was naturally no way to start. Fia frowned slightly. Erin Slate mistook this reaction for Fia being dissatisfied with her inefficiency, so she hurriedly and fearfully explained.

“B-But our people found out that The Sovereign has been kidnapping commoners and nobles on a large scale in the Silvar Kingdom and Cold Night recently. The targets are regardless of gender and race, with no discernible pattern. Kidnappings and disappearances were originally common in Blossom, so our people didn’t notice. It was Renee who witnessed a kidnapping, chased the perpetrator, discovered the kidnapper was a Darkborn, and pried this intelligence from the Darkborn’s mouth. Since that Darkborn was of a very low rank, we couldn’t get more useful intelligence from him, only knowing that their kidnapping was to complete the second step of The Sovereign’s plan.”

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Prying intelligence from a Darkborn’s mouth probably involved both mental magic and physical torture. Fia could roughly guess the process. The greatest meaning of Twilight Flower’s existence was to gather intelligence, so they were experts at getting what they wanted from tough nuts.

“Hmm…”

Fia’s contemplation made Erin Slate tremble with fear. She raised her eyes to quietly observe the thinking Fia, her fearful appearance no different from a prisoner awaiting sentencing. It wasn’t until Fia finished pondering without getting angry that Erin Slate tremblingly straightened her back.

“Did that Darkborn say the specific purpose of the kidnapping, or where they were taking the people?”

“Renee found out that they were taking the people to southern Cold Night. More than one Darkborn is doing this; there are many in other places too. Your subordinate tried to summarize the recent missing persons reports to find common ground, but there was too much invalid information covering up what we wanted.”

Southern Cold Night… isn’t that the Fire Cat Tribe’s territory?

Fia immediately thought of asking Nola to search for Darkborn in her territory. However, on second thought, it was difficult to find someone even in the orderly Blossom, let alone the chaotic Cold Night. Cold Night was a place where one had to travel in groups even when going out at night; public security was extremely poor.

This feeling of knowing the enemy was making moves but not knowing exactly what they were doing was truly unpleasant.

Fia took a deep breath, dispelling the unease in her chest.

“Continue investigating—no, how many members are currently on standby in Blossom?”

“Less than ten. Those originally used to monitor Prince Schain’s movements have all been assigned to new jobs. Twilight Flower does not keep idle people. Even these people on standby have just returned from outside to report their work.”

I’m not asking about the organization’s situation; I want manpower.

Fia sighed inwardly.

As if seeing through Fia’s thoughts, Erin Slate said solemnly.

“If Lord Thanatos needs manpower, your subordinate can transfer some people whose work is less important right now and have them prioritize the tasks you arrange. Excluding core members, there are about a hundred people. This is the maximum number without affecting existing work.”

“Only a hundred people… forget it, something is better than nothing. Select capable individuals from them to accompany me to Cold Night. I’ve been active in southern Cold Night recently; maybe we’ll gain something.”

“Accompany… accompany you together?!” For some reason, Erin Slate lost her voice slightly, her mouth opening wide. Her breathing quickened, and her body leaned forward slightly. “May I ask… can I go with you too?”

“You can, but you are the Captain-General of the Royal Guard, Erin Slate. Will there be no problems in the Royal Castle after you leave?”

“Absolutely no problem! I will arrange everything, and my deputy can take over my work!”

Erin Slate spoke very fast, her urgent mood palpable, her face full of hope. She reminded Fia of a puppy wagging its tail desperately, wanting to go out with its owner.

Since coming to the World Tree Continent, she hadn’t acted outside with Erin Slate yet. The target of this operation was The Sovereign. Bringing Erin Slate, who often disrupted The Sovereign’s resurrection rituals with the Eldest Princess in the past, might make it easier to get the answers she wanted.

More importantly, Erin Slate’s frank performance now made it hard to refuse.

Fia sighed as if she had no choice, smiling and nodding.

“Alright, you come with me. But don’t reveal our purpose to anyone. In the eyes of outsiders, I’m going to Cold Night to find gods and help Tilulu become king, having nothing to do with The Sovereign.”

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“Naturally! Lord Thanatos and Her Highness Dofilia are two different people!”

Suddenly, as if remembering something, a blush appeared on Erin Slate’s face, and her hand movements became fidgety.

“Is there something you haven’t done? Before leaving, I need to go to the Forbidden Library in the Holy Tree. During this time, you can do your own things as you please—is two hours enough?”

“Enough! I… I want to take a bath and change into clothes befitting you…”

By the end, Erin Slate glanced at Fia shyly.

Confused, Fia waved her hand.

“You may go. Remember to tell Colita I was here.”

“Yes, I will obey your orders.”

Even if you didn’t order me to tell Colita, I would definitely tell her the happy news of traveling with you.

Answering in her heart, Erin Slate suppressed her jubilant excitement. Shoulders trembling, she bowed deeply to Fia.

She had long heard from Anastasia about Fia sleeping together with everyone in the carriage. At that time, she could only cover her mouth and smile charmingly while regretting in her heart why she hadn’t switched places with Anastasia. Now that the opportunity had fallen on her head, if she didn’t happily show off to Colita, she would be letting down Colita as a rival.

What does Lord Fia, who is usually so cold and can only be watched from afar, feel like when hugged…? Even just thinking about the delicate skin and warm body temperature, Erin Slate’s throat emitted a high-pitched sound of uncontrollable joy. If she could bury her nose in Her Highness’s jet-black, soft hair and deeply inhale the elegant fragrance of the flower on the high peak, she would definitely be so excited she could hardly control her soaring heart all night. Not to mention she could see Her Highness’s sleeping face up close, and even touch her lustrous, gorgeous red lips and cute chest when Her Highness wasn’t paying attention…

Thinking of this, a numbing sensation like an electric current shot through Erin Slate’s spine. The soul-stirring, wonderful feeling almost made her body go limp. When she came back to her senses, she was the only one left in the library. Fia had left at some point.

I lost my composure!

Like having a bucket of ice water poured over her head, her nerves cooled instantly, and her expression quickly returned to seriousness. However, when she noticed the recording crystal she was clutching tightly in her hand, which had become warm, her expression was gradually dyed with fanatical love again.

She held the recording crystal with her lustrous, snow-white hands, holding it up to the goose-yellow crystal lamp shining on the vaulted ceiling. In a trance, she seemed to see this crystal turn into a sun hanging high above her head, shining so brightly she couldn’t open her eyes.

“Ah… Lord Thanatos, if only you belonged to me alone, how wonderful that would be…”

After a sigh full of regret and melancholy, Erin Slate carefully put away the recording crystal. She didn’t care about the swordsmanship inside the crystal; she simply liked the things Fia gave her. Just like her sword and the horn decoration on her head, as long as it was something Fia gave her, she treasured it.

At least when Colita showed off, “This is the candy Lord Thanatos shared with me,” she wouldn’t be choked into silence. As a maid serving Fia, Colita naturally had an advantage over her.

Now, or rather next, I will use the “sleeping together” event to make Colita regret it and get even closer to Lord Thanatos!

Making up her mind, Erin Slate left the deep corridor with light steps, like the evening breeze brushing over the wilderness.