Chapter 550: Not What It Looks Like

"What direction does His Majesty plan to take, Your Majesty?" General Marquis Hendrick inquired respectfully with a solemn look. 

"You should have heard about the New Capital Plan. Now that the Cataclysm has erupted, my husband will be pushing forward with this plan, concentrating the empire's population and power towards a single point."

General Marquis Hendrick was surprised by Elizabeth's words before he asked, "What about the rest of the empire? And here in the west, Your Majesty? With the new capital so far away, would it not be a problem if the Western Frontier cannot receive timely reinforcements?" 

"The Great Wall is the foundation that safeguards humanity. You will continue to defend the Western Frontier as your duty requires you to, while we will take away every civilian, every elf, and gather towards to the World Tree. In return, we will send every troop and every expert your way." Elizabeth 

General Marquis Hendrick quickly furrowed his brows and queried, "His Majesty intends to take the families away from the soldiers guarding the Great Wall?"

"With the current threats of the Cataclysm and Wildlands, the civilians as they are now will only get in the way here. However, the condition surrounding the World Tree will help them improve their strengths swiftly. Once they are ready, we will send them back. But for now, their manpower is needed for the megacity's construction," Elizabeth explained. 

"Understood, Your Majesty." General Marquis Hendrick nodded before he suddenly thought of something and asked, "What will happen to the current capital?"

"The current capital turned into the empire's central mining city and governed by Duchess Amelia. Only blacksmiths, miners, and personnel in administrative positions will remain behind in the city. The rest will head to the Grassland Region to contribute to the megacity's construction along with the surrounding cities' populations."

Once the General Marquis heard this, he was immediately taken aback. However, it only lasted a moment before he felt his body tremble with anticipation.

"This is probably the largest-scale movement in the history of the Crawford Empire since the founding of the Great Wall…" General Marquis Hendrick said with an emotional sigh. "Something like this would not even be possible if not for…"

"The elves." Elizabeth nodded.

Without the elve's wood ability, they would not be able to cultivate enough crops to keep up with the people's food consumption required on the trip and endeavor.

In fact, the plan would not even be considered if they did not have the elves on their side.

"Just thinking about the future of the Crawford Empire gets my blood boiling." General Marquis Hendrick clenched his fist before lamented about himself, "However, I'm not sure if my strength is adequate to continue leading the Great Wall's defense against the Wildlands' threats."

He was feeling the pressure from everyone else's improvement except for his own. He felt like he was falling behind and eventually be left in the dust.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth did not appear concerned when General Marquis Hendrick brought up the matter.

"6-Star Ranked Awakener, huh? This does seem a little low for the hero of the west, who has been defending the Western Frontier for decades, to have…" Elizabeth softly muttered after she inspected General Marquis Hendrick's cultivation.

After General Marquis Hendrick overheard the Queen's words, he lowered his head in shame, "I am embarrassed for my inadequacies, Your Majesty."

"Don't be." Elizabeth shook her head before she took out a luxurious jade box from her Interspatial Ring, "I intended to gift you this later, but it doesn't matter for it to happen sooner."

"This is...!?" General Marquis Hendrick accepted the gift from the Queen before he opened the jade box and trembled with shock, "These are Heavenly Crystals?!" 

"Yes. Well, to be not exact, we call them Transcendent Crystals now--Transcendent Wind Crystals, that is. We were fortunate enough to discover five in the mines." 

"You intend to give them all to me, Your Majesty? How can I accept all of them? Just one or two is good enough for me," General Marquis Hendrick spoke humbly. 

After all, each Transcendent Crystal represents a chance to reach Transcendence--and the Queen gave out five just like that?

Nevertheless, Elizabeth shook her head and said, "No, it is my husband's wish--as well as mine, that you have them. Your service in defending the west and loyalty towards the empire all these years cannot go unrewarded. Take it. You deserve it."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty! I will not let your gift go to waste! I will quickly reach Transcendence to better safeguard the empire!" General Marquis Hendrick vowed on one knee. 

"En, I believe you can do it." Elizabeth nodded.

Shortly after, she asked, "Who leads the elven tribe? Take me to see that person. I will need to discuss with the person about what I mentioned earlier."

"Yes, Your Majesty! The one currently leading the elven tribe is their Supreme Elder, Marquis Haldir. However, there are also the 12 Elders of the High Council, and the two princesses of the royal elf family; Third Princess Thessalia and Fifth Princess Faelyn." General Marquis Hendrick proceeded to explain before offering, "I will lead you to them at once."

"Alright." Elizabeth nodded before following the General Marquis and headed towards the Elder Tree shortly after.

...

Meanwhile, Leon reopened his eyes back inside the Worldspace before they flickered, "Did it work?"

He shifted his glance to Duna and Lumi's body and quickly discovered their perfect state without a trace of damage. 

Shortly after, Leon reached out his hands and began inspecting their cold but delicate arms without a trace of warmth. 

When vengeful spirits and ghosts reach the Corporeal Realm and rebuild their bodies, they only create a physical vessel to nurture their souls. 

It was not like they were coming back to life, although their physical vessels are most often closely resembling their former selves. 

As such, Duna and Lumi's supple arms still felt nice and cool to the touch. 

But while Leon enjoyed his 'inspection,' his eyes suddenly locked onto Duna's cold gaze staring right back at him.

He froze immediately.

"Ahem, this is not what it looks like." Leon coughed and tried to explain himself.