Meanwhile, tens of thousands of kilometers east of the Holy Orthodox region lies the Twilight Glade Forest, famous for its immense expanse and feared by the entire Holy Orthodox population.
The forest, which covers 80% of eastern Holy Orthodoxy, has remained untouched by humans for thousands of years, contributing to its fearsome reputation.
Many myths surround this forest, claiming it harbors ancient monsters from over 7,000 years ago and other eerie creatures that only deepen the fear of the Holy Orthodox population.
Of course, most of these stories are just rumors. However, having been passed down for thousands of years, they have gained a certain level of belief.
***
"So, have you delivered the letter I wrote to the Saint of Holy Orthodoxy, Leyna?"
In a throne room that was unusually spacious and richly adorned, an extraordinarily beautiful woman sat on a magnificent throne encrusted with exquisite green emeralds, her silver hair cascading gracefully to her waist.
Dressed in a dark green gown that flowed elegantly yet failed to conceal her perfect, curvaceous figure, she resembled a nature goddess sent to bestow blessings upon the world. seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Her stunning dark green eyes and the crown of silver crystals she wore only enhanced her already mesmerizing allure.
Of course, what stood out most about her appearance were her long, pointed ears, which were distinctly different from those of humans or demons.
On the other hand, a few meters away, a woman draped in a green cloak that covered her entirely bowed her head respectfully.
"Your order to deliver the letter to the Saint of Holy Orthodoxy has been fulfilled. Given the time elapsed since the delivery, it should have arrived today," the woman in the green cloak, Leyna, replied with the utmost respect.
Upon hearing her words, the beautiful woman nodded and let out a small sigh, her previously indifferent gaze softening.
"Thank you for delivering the letter," she said gently.
Leyna shook her head while still bowing and replied, "There's no need to thank me, Your Majesty. After all, it is my duty to carry out your commands and my devotion to the Elven Kingdom."
The beautiful woman merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.
"By the way, Leyna," the beautiful woman said, her exquisite face showing curiosity, "since you've seen the outside world, could you describe it to me? Is it as beautiful as the ancient texts suggest?"
At this question, Leyna slowly rose to her feet, looked at the woman, and replied with a reverent expression, "Your Majesty, the outside world is indeed as breathtaking as the ancient texts describe. I felt an overwhelming sense of awe the first time I ventured outside, particularly when I beheld the towering mountains."
Leyna then went on to describe her entire journey, causing the beautiful woman to sigh with a trace of envy in her striking dark green eyes.
"I truly envy you, Leyna," she said with a tone that carried a hint of loneliness.
Leyna tried to respond but found herself at a loss for words, leaving the throne room enveloped in a brief, contemplative silence.
Regaining her graceful and majestic composure, the beautiful woman looked at Leyna and said, "By the way, Leyna, in the coming months, there will be several meetings regarding the arrival of 'the fated one.' Hence, I would like you to accompany me."
Leyna was taken aback by the request, her expression shifting slightly.
"Your Majesty, I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but may I ask you a question?" Leyna inquired, prompting a look of slight surprise from the woman.
"Of course, Leyna. Please, go ahead," the woman replied with a gentle nod.
With a hesitant expression, Leyna bit her lip, took a deep breath, and finally asked, "Your Majesty, is the Fated One truly the figure we, the Elven race, have been waiting for these 7,000 years?"
The beautiful woman appeared slightly surprised by the question but then gave a small nod, her expression calm yet tinged with seriousness.
"You're correct, Leyna. The fated one is indeed the figure we have awaited for 7,000 years," she replied succinctly and with a casual tone.
Leyna narrowed her eyes, took a deep breath, and continued with a skeptical tone, "However, Your Majesty, I must express my confusion. Don't you think waiting for 7,000 years is excessive? We've isolated ourselves from the outside world just for this moment, and that is—"
Before Leyna could finish, the beautiful woman interrupted with a sudden, cold tone.
"Leyna, stop!" The beautiful woman's eyes turned sharp and cold, her powerful aura radiating menace, causing Leyna to startle and tremble with fear.
Seeing her expression, Leyna realized she had made a serious mistake.
With cold sweat seeping through her green cloak, she bowed her head and said timidly, "Your Majesty, please forgive my impudence."
The beautiful woman remained silent, her cold, indifferent gaze intensifying Leyna's fear until she began to tremble uncontrollably and fall down.
"Your Majesty! I truly apologize! Please forgive me!" Leyna prostrated herself, repeatedly banging her forehead hard against the throne room floor, staining it with a pool of blood.
Observing the scene, the beautiful woman quickly softened her sharp gaze, letting out a small sigh and shaking her head.
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"Very well, I forgive you this time," she said with an indifferent tone. "But please ensure this does not happen again, Leyna."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!" Leyna exclaimed, rising to her feet and bowing repeatedly, her pale face still reflecting her fear.
The beautiful woman gave a slight nod and waved her hand. "You may go and attend to your wounds, Leyna."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I request permission to take my leave," Leyna replied respectfully before turning to exit the throne room, her body still trembling with fear.
Watching Leyna's back gradually disappear, the beautiful woman sighed deeply and shook her head.
"It seems the arrival of the Fated One has indeed caused a profound upheaval among the Elven race," she murmured with a cold expression. "However, I cannot allow this disruption to persist unchecked. After all, the Fated One is our only hope for mending the wounds inflicted upon our Elven race by the 7,000-year war against the Evil God."
Her expression grew increasingly serious as she turned her gaze toward the large window on the left side of the throne room. There, her gaze was drawn to an enormous and striking tree that seemed to reach the sky.
The tree's size was truly breathtaking, but its grandeur was marred by a troubling sight. Black liquid, spreading in a ghastly pattern, continued to erode the giant tree's trunk, causing its once-majestic vitality to slowly wane, a process discernible even to the naked eye.
Seeing this, the woman clenched her fists and murmured, "I hope the fated one arrives soon. If not, the world tree may wither away, and with it, our Elven race might face extinction."
...
A few days later...
"Ugh..."
In the morning, Leon's peaceful expression abruptly turned pale as he felt a sharp impact to his stomach that left him gasping for breath, accompanied by a sensation of being bound from his side.
With considerable effort, Leon slowly opened his eyes and glanced down, discovering Fiona peacefully sleeping on his stomach with a contented smile.
Turning his head slightly, he noticed that Stella had somehow managed to be beside him, tightly hugging his arm while her small right foot rested on his leg.
Seeing this, Leon felt his mouth twitch in mild exasperation before letting out a resigned sigh.
"Hey, these two little girls always show up in my room in the morning," Leon muttered with a resigned, slightly helpless gaze as he stared at the ceiling.
Though their constant presence and tendency to fall asleep on him sometimes bothered Leon, he knew he could never bring himself to scold them.
After all, he cherished them dearly.
Shaking his head slightly, Leon glanced at Stella sleeping soundly beside him and muttered, "This little girl has truly changed."
It had been over three days since he brought Stella to the palace, and he was astonished at how quickly time had passed.
Recalling her nervous and awkward expression when she first arrived, he couldn't help but smile at the memory.
"Well, she's certainly improved since then, and her health has fully recovered," Leon added, nodding with satisfaction.
Although he had healed all her wounds with his hero technique, her frail body, weakened by malnutrition, was a different challenge that his technique couldn't address.
Fortunately, after just over three days of treatment, she had fully restored her health and developed a truly remarkable appearance, despite her young age.
Snapping out of his reverie, Leon gently pinched Fiona's chubby, bun-like cheeks and carefully shifted her to his side.
He then slowly and cautiously freed himself from Stella's tight embrace, finally being able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Phew! If these two little girls keep sleeping like this every morning, I might just suffocate," Leon murmured with a slight chuckle.
Ever since Stella arrived at the palace, she had become increasingly attached to him, much like Fiona had been—a resemblance that was both endearing and exhausting.
Shaking his head slightly, Leon quickly headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Ten minutes later, he emerged with a refreshed expression and walked to the other end of the room to make coffee.
Once the coffee was ready, he brought it to the sofa and settled in, savoring his brief moment of relaxation.
Feeling more at ease, Leon closed his eyes and touched his forehead with his index and middle fingers, whispering, "Miranda, can you hear me?"