Chapter 73: Iselia

"... Mother."

"... Mother."

"MOTHER!"

Startled, Elaniel, the queen of the elves, woke up from her stupor and looked to her side. Elowyn, her beloved daughter, was calling out to her.

"W-what?" Elaniel mumbled, disoriented and still partly lost in her thoughts.

Elowyn sighed, her heart heavy with concern as she looked at her mother's reaction. Elaniel, the queen of the elves, appeared lost in thought, her gaze distant and preoccupied.

"You still have to make a decision on how to handle the survivors infected by Kaksan's Miasma, and what to do with the elders who wish to get back at the city," Elowyn gently reminded her mother.

"R-right"

Elowyn couldn't help but worry about her mother. Since the attack, Elaniel had been carrying a tremendous burden of guilt. She blamed herself for the tragedy that had unfolded in their once-peaceful city of Faerielight. Hundreds of innocent lives had been lost, and over a thousand of their soldiers had perished while bravely attempting to fend off the monstrous beast.

The destruction wrought by Kaksan's assault left Faerielight in ruins. The survivors, infected by the miasma, were in a perilous state, fighting to resist the corruption it wrought upon their bodies and minds.

The scars on the once lush and vibrant forest were immeasurable. Kaksan's destructive rampage had wreaked havoc beyond their ability to quantify, leaving the land wounded and the elves traumatized. Even though the malevolent beast had been eventually subjugated, the echoes of the fear it had instilled in them still lingered, an ever-present reminder of the horrors they had endured.

Elowyn's frustration swelled when she thought of the elders who had fled at the first sign of Kaksan's mana, only to now return and claim some sort of credit for the resolution of the situation. They had the audacity to lecture her mother, the queen, insinuating that without their initial escape, she wouldn't be seated on the throne. The audacity of these elders infuriated Elowyn, and her magical abilities responded to her surging emotions.

Sparks of fire gathered at her fingertips as her mana spiraled around her like a fiery tempest. She felt the heat and energy building within her, a reflection of her intense emotions and the burning determination to protect her people and her mother.

Although there were survivors thanks to Kaksan's twisted sadism, he had left his victims mutilated rather than outright killing them, giving them a chance to heal after the battle had ended. The poisoned black miasma he had unleashed still tainted the air, a constant reminder of the malevolence that had plagued their land.

Elowyn knew that their struggles were far from over, and the situation was still dire. But she was determined to stand firm and help her mother make the decisions that would lead their people to recovery and restoration. The fires in her heart represented not just anger but a resolute determination to heal their wounded land and to ensure justice for those who had suffered.

The absence of their hero, Adrian only added much burden on Elowyn.

He had left immediately after the battle was over, leaving Elowyn to take on the burden of being praised as their hero.

The people looked up to her with admiration and gratitude, their hopes lifted by the presence of a princess who had fought alongside them.

While she was accustomed to receiving attention as a princess, this level of adoration was something entirely different.

'Even though he seemed dangerous he was true to his words, he really did just come here to kill that beast' Elowyn thought contemplating what to reward Adrian in the future.

She had questions for Adrian, questions that she needed answers to. However, those questions would have to wait.

She couldn't leave the city at this critical juncture. Her mother needed her to help stabilize the situation and guide the city towards recovery.

The wounded land, the survivors, the lingering miasma—all required her immediate attention. The weight of her duties as a princess and as a hero pressed upon her, and she knew that she needed to be strong for her people.

Despite Elowyn's best efforts, the netizens were growing increasingly vocal in their complaints about the royal family's inability to erase the effects of the black miasma that still plagued the survivors.

It seemed like no matter how hard they worked, the solutions they had tried were only temporary, and the miasma's grip on the people remained. The netizens demanded answers and immediate relief for those suffering from its effects.

Elowyn and her mother considered seeking the help of the World Tree to provide a wellspring of energy and pure life force to the affected citizens.

However, the World Tree was currently preoccupied with restoring itself after the damage inflicted by Kaksan's miasma.

The tree's roots had been damaged, and while the barrier it once provided was slowly being repaired, it could only block mid to low-ranking monsters from entering the city.

The more formidable high-ranking monsters remained a looming threat, and with the city's scent still carrying the lingering aroma of blood, the danger was far from over.

Frustration and helplessness gnawed at Elowyn as she grappled with the magnitude of the situation. She knew that they needed a more sustainable solution, one that would not only heal the afflicted but also fortify the city against future threats.

"Your majesty, your highness" called out a royal guard

"Elder Rondil wishes to speak with you"

The middle-aged elf could only let out a sigh, realizing how difficult it was for the child to remain still.

He couldn't stay mad at her for long, so he patted her head affectionately.

"Look, I understand your boredom" her uncle began, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation.

"But the city isn't safe right now. We don't know what kind of monsters are still lingering here after the barrier broke down. And besides, do you want to get infested like those people in the emergency section?"

The child's eyes widened with fear, and she immediately pleaded "N-no!" as she grabbed his arms.

Her uncle couldn't resist her innocence and fear, so he reached down and ruffled her hair once more, flashing a comforting smile.

Together, they walked back to the camp, and he offered the little girl some candy, all while remaining oblivious to the true nature of the creature he was taking care of.

....

How can I reestablish contact with my father? It's a question that has plagued my thoughts for some time.

My current form may be small, but it is excellent. However, the village has become a gilded cage, and I suspect they will never allow me to leave.

The idea of killing them all has crossed my mind, especially considering that most of my strength has returned. I have a sense that there is no one left here who could truly challenge me.

As I grapple with these dark considerations, a voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Fael play with us"

A young boy, with his blonde hair catching the dappled sunlight, beckons me to join them in play.

The other children in the camp have devised games to cope with the somber reality surrounding us, playing house and engaging in simple, carefree pastimes.

But I give a cold, uncompromising "No" in response.

The boy's hopeful expression fades into disappointment, his eyes losing their luster. Yet, I feel nothing for him, nor for the other children.

To me, they are insignificant, their life forces lacking appeal, and their flesh offering no temptation. My own obsessions hold my focus as I contemplate my sinister goals.

As I considered my options for reestablishing contact with father, the idea of sending mana signals crosses my mind. It could be an effective method, but a creeping sense of foreboding holds me back.

I can't shake the feeling that something sinister may happen to me the moment I release my mana into the wild once more.

If there was one child I had a desire to possess, it would be that kid standing in the distance. The child was dressed in high-class elven fabrics and wore a flower crown on her head, which made it quite clear who she was.

"P-princess Iselia, is it really alright?"

"Yes."

The child she was talking to appeared truly delighted to receive some kind of healing flowers from the princess.

However, it was evident that the elven guards reprimanded the princess for offering such a high-class gift to a mere ailing child.

Even if the child experienced physical healing from the flower, I knew that my dark miasma would continue to seep through, ultimately taking the child's life along with the enhanced life force gained from the flower.

I couldn't conceal the sinister smile that crept across my face as I continued to watch the young princess.

Even though she was just a child at this moment, the reservoir of latent energy within her was nothing short of astonishing. Her future held the promise of tremendous potential.

'Ahh! I want it'

I yearned to inhabit her body, to take control of her life and her destiny.

'I'm sure father would like the pretty look of the princess'

'How should I kill her as painfully as possible?'