Chapter 1007
(Unedited)
…
Inside a dungeon in a large manor in the outskirts of the Central Land, a figure lays on a damped ground only covered with straws. The dungeon's environment is stifling and the rotten egg smell is everywhere. Every now and then the sound of mȯȧning and gnashing of teeth could be heard.
The figure looks at the ceiling while her lifeless eyes slowly droop. She has been staying in this place for who knows how long and it has made her already give up on her existence.
The torture she had before has already stopped for a long time now and her wounds are already gone. She is bȧrėly conscious, bȧrėly living… bȧrėly dead.
She was once the proud queen standing beside the Grand Emperor of the High Elves. But it seems that her life as a queen was short-lived.
It all started about several thousand years ago when she discovered that something is wrong with the emperor. She tried to investigate and discovered something that she should not have. And because of this, she was caught, tortured, and drag to this dark place.
Ever since that day, she has lived her life in this place unable to die though she wanted to, and unable to live freely.
Her only consolation is her dream world and the ȧssurance that her daughter is safe. She is thankful that her daughter has grown to be very beautiful and charming, and that she is very sensible and kind.
She could not ask for more and is now very contented.
As she looks at the ceiling a silent prayer escaped her mouth and she slowly went to rest with a slight smile on her face.
…
She was a little kid at that time bȧrėly 8, and she got lost while walking. She suddenly discovered the dungeon and continued walking without any direction. She soon arrives in front of a cell and inside she saw a bloody figure.
The woman looks weak but she could clearly hear the chanting on her parched and dried lips.
"Lanise… Lanise… my baby… I'm sorry…"
She is saying this over and over until the guards found her and drag her out of the dungeon. She tried recalling where the dungeon is in her dreams but she did not find it no matter how hard she tried searching for it in the castle grounds.
That was until she bought the goggles.
Several months ago while searching for a way to enhance her artifact crafting, she stumbled upon a pair of goggles that an elven merchant is selling.
Since it comes from humans, it is considered a taboo item. However, her curiosity has gotten a hold of her and she did not hesitate to buy it for a hefty price.
With the goggle on hand, she discovered a whole new perspective and has marveled at the ingenious design and capability of the goggles.
She began experimenting and reverse engineering the goggles.
The woman did not tell her who she is but began telling her about the secret of the emperor. She did not want to believe it at first, but soon she discovered that they are all true.
Then for some reason, it seems that she was discovered and was chased.
Luckily she was able to escape and went to this safe place.
She slowly wipes away the sweat and tears on her face and slowly went back to bed.
"Mother… just wait for a little bit. I will come back… I will save you for sure." She muttered as she looks at the window looking at the bright night sky.
It was her first time enjoying the night sky.
She suddenly discovered that the darkness is slowly being chased by the golden rays of the sun.
"Ugh… I guess it's already morning." She muttered.
Lanise slowly rose up in bed and quickly changes her clothes. Today is the day that she would be going out of this place they called the hospital.
In the Elven Empire, those who are sick are executed immediately and would just resurrect with a healthy body. But in this place, they would try and study the sickness and try to cure it. Although it is unnecessary, yet for humans, it seems that they prefer such a thing to die over and over again.
Well, she would agree, dying is not a wonderful thing. The pain of death would still linger even after you got resurrected. It would haunt you even when you are awake and would prefer not to die like that again.
Plus the three days' time is a bit long. It's like taking a time leap and you have already missed 3 days of your life. In her own opinion, she could not get used to that experience. And it seems that most of the humans in the hospital shared the same opinion as to her.
As she walks outside, Lanise saw a few of those white-clothed female servants called nurses roaming around with their charts.
"Ah, Princess… You're going to be discharged today, right? Come this way…" one of the nurses noticed her and gestured for her to follow.
After some procedure, she is already discharged from the hospital and when she arrives in the lobby, she saw some familiar figures.
Those elves are her personal guards. Upon seeing them she is truly thankful that a lot of them were able to survive.
"You guys… did you… did you sign?" she asked.
"Yes, we cannot leave you here behind princess…"
"Hmm… Okay, let's try and blend with the humans for now. What about this place, have you guys checked it out yet?"
"Yes… This place… this place is different. Everything in here is new and unknown to us. It's like they are one with the forest, but is also far more advanced…"
Lanise is not more curious about this human civilization.
As the group walks out, she saw the tall buildings and the orderly flying artifacts in the air.
"This…" Lanise showed a dumbfounded look on her face.
But then it did not last long as excitement could be seen glowing in her eyes.
"Princess… princess…" one of her female guards called out.
"Ah… I'm sorry. This place… this place is like my holy land. This is what I wanted to see…" she said as she could get her eyes off the scenery in front of her.
"Well… we have a lot of time to do that later. But first, we still have to report to their town hall…" the female elven guard said.
Then the group walks to a tall young human wearing a combat suit while standing on the side.
"Hello, Princess Lanise El Ga… I am Lam Xi Wan, I and my team will be your group's escort from now on." The tall young man said.
The group got on several vehicles parked on the side of the road, which looks like black Humvees.
They soon left the hospital and directly went to the town's municipal hall.
…
Shin Jiao greeted the group inside his office. Inside the office, Nariz Gumal, Yemei Yin, Luna Halil, and Ji Ha-jun are present.
"Princess… I am happy that you decided to stay in our place for a while. As of now, the information you have provided us is very helpful, so in return, we would like to protect you from those people who will try to harm you." Ji Ha-jun said as he handed the group some documents.
The group is going to be settled in the town with their own manor residence.
It is not as luxurious as a palace, but it is comfortable enough for her to live a good life.
"Umn… Mister Shin… I have a request… You see… my mother. She… she is still in the capital. She has been imprisoned for many years…" Lanise said but then she began to sob.
On the side, Luna Halil's body suddenly turned stiff.
At least for her, she has a way to divert her mind. But she has seen many of those that are imprisoned in that place lost their minds due to the unending torture and depression. Yes, they are immortal, and yes they cannot die and could live forever in a cycle of never-ending resurrection.
But their minds… their minds could still be lost. Some called this the second death, the death of the mind.