He was planning to search for the other Angels while trying to find a way to locate the Divine Chalice that he desperately needs, but that plan was out of the window now, as Naela, came to deliver the good news.
Rex was now inside the advanced teleportation formation spot, waiting in silence.
His presence made the guards guarding the area nervous.
I didn't expect Gistella to know about the Divine Chalice. She must've overheard that.
Even though Rex was excited to know Naela had an idea of the Divine Chalice's location, he was then confused—about how Naela knew he was searching for that specific item. After a light pressure, she confessed that Gistella told her about it.
Since he didn't recall telling Gistella about it, she must've overheard it from his conversation.
Rex did ask Flunra about the Divine Chalice.
"Guess I should thank Gistella for doing this, who would've thought the Dark Elves managed to get their hands on the Divine Chalice..." Rex mused—a slight disbelief, in his tone. He was expecting the Divine Chalice to be the hardest to find, but it fell to his lap instead.
Due to the sudden event, Rex decided to postpone his Angel-hunting mission.
Now that he had the third item, one more to go so he would be healing the Countess first.
A moment later, the teleportation formation gushed with energy before a figure appeared.
It was Naela, she was informing the Dark Elf Kingdom of Rex's visit.
As a small condition—completely coming from her not the Dark Elf Kingdom, she requested Rex to come take and take the Divine Chalice personally. Considering Naela's status, it was not a problem for Rex.
Kyran had done incredible work in the last several days, so he agreed with Naela's condition.
She was, after all, Kyran's fiance.
"Your Majesty, they are ready for you now..." Naela approached and said.
Upon hearing this—Rex donned a simple black combat suit layered with his royal cloak—and also his golden fingerguards on his right hand nodded and walked leisurely to the center. His hands crossed as he waited for the formation to be activated.
Standing beside Rex, Naela turned and bowed again, "Thank you for granting my condition"
"No need to be formal with me, you're not an outsider," Rex replied nonchalantly.
Naela blushed when she heard this and then nodded in understanding.
Just as the formation lit up, however, her eyes widened, remembering something, "I forgot to mention this, but Her Majesty will be there. She was visiting Madam Qonvale who fell ill—and she had been staying there—for days already. General Theodas wanted to inform you of Her Majesty's visit, but he was told not to by Her Majesty specifically"
Rex was surprised when he heard this, but he nodded as the two got teleported.
Upon arriving in the Dark Elf Kingdom, there was a royal procession.
It was a pompous welcoming, thick with the Dark Elves' traditions with their night mounts.
Guards, and elite guards alike, lined up before him—creating a path covered with a royal red carpet. in the background, several mounted elite guards blew traditional horns, blaring deep and heavy sounds into the air, trembling the hearts.
Looking to the side, Rex saw General Theodas accompanied by several high nobles.
All of them stepped forward to welcome Rex, and escort him to a prepared carriage.
From the crest carved on the sides of the carriage, it was not a normal carriage either, it was the King's carriage—a gesture of immense honor and respect. Considering what Kyran did to them, Rex was not surprised by the grand reception.
An apologetic reception, so they wanted me to pardon them by giving me the Divine Chalice.
Rex had already known the purpose of this invitation.
Surely, King Jorik had worked with Naela to bring him here and settle their recent problem.
Or maybe it was Naela's idea, either way, I'm not burdened by it.
Upon reaching the castle—King Jorik had already awaited him in front of the entrance with his wife accompanying him. Rex came out of the carriage with Naela—and headed towards the pair with strong strides.
"My Honored Emperor, welcome, it's a great pleasure to be in your presence" He greeted.
Rex summoned the High Dark Affinities he purchased, and gave it to the Awakened, he didn't say anything—and only told them to absorb the orbs. After that—he also bought each one of the Awakend another High Elemental Affinity depending on their natural element.
All of them could feel something within changed, and they could also see dark mana now.
"Go back to the city, and train. Ask Linthia to assign you High Dark Stones. I expect all of you to reach the eighth-rank realm, in your new dark element in a week. With the Second Breath, your new talent in dark elements, and resources... I accept no excuses" Rex added.
Just like that, the Awakened disappeared, heading back to the city presumably.
"Evelyn is a good Empress—she already has loyal followers," Rex mused lightly—but then he shook his head and went back to the banquet. It ended at midnight and Rex was now in wait for the Divine Chalice to be prepared and brought to him.
He was sitting in a separate room with Naela and a noblewoman called Iris beside him.
She was the Marchioness-equivalent in the Dark Elf Kingdom's nobility rank, and because of the mutation in her bloodline that made her a Moon Dark Elf, her skin was more bluish rather than ashy like normal Dark Elves, and her eyes were also the same color but brighter.
Iris was the one who was pouring his drinks and tending to any of his needs.
"How long will it be until the Divine Chalice would be ready?" Rex asked, glancing at Iris.
Upon hearing this, Iris replied, her voice was somewhat soothing to hear, "The Divine Chalice is sensitive to the changes in energy, and could easily break. It would take an hour to prepare the proper containment before Your Majesty could bring it away"
"Do you want me to inform them to make haste?" She asked, tilting her head a little.
Rex shook his head, "No need, I'll wait"
"Oh, Naela, where is Qonvale's house? I'll pay it a visit before going back" He added.
Naela then replied, "I'll guide you to her house after the Divine Chalice"
After that brief exchange, the room returned to its silence again.
But Iris, seated on a black ottoman, not wanting to bore Rex as he had to wait for the Divine Chalice, leaned towards him, strands of her dark blue hair falling to one side, "Your Majesty, you look tired" She said softly.
Rex nodded, "Yes, I had to fight an annoying Lunar Bee-corrupted falcon this morning"
"How strong is it to trouble you?" She asked again.
Pondering for a moment, he replied, "Early tenth-rank realm, it recently broke through"
"Wow! Your Majesty didn't even think it was a big deal, so cool" She flattered cheerfully.
Her presence was radiating with positive energy.
Rex waved his hand, thinking it as nothing, but then with a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes—Iris asked, in a spirited tone, "May I hold your arm? I know a traditional massage Your Majesty would surely enjoy while waiting"
Having nothing else to do, Rex gave her his arm without much thought.
Iris then held Rex's arm carefully and could feel the weight and power radiating from it.
Not wanting to give a bad one—Iris focused and chanted a spell inaudible before she began blowing pale blue smoke, onto Rex's arm. Her beautiful slender fingers then—began to work their magic, massaging his right arm with expert precision and even his fingers.
Receiving this gentle but firm massage—Rex was surprised as it felt incredibly good.
It felt like being under the moonlight, but better. It must've been a moon-related spell.
As the massage continued, Iris changed to the other arm.
She had done all of this under Naela's sharp look, eyeing her with a questioning gaze.
"Your Majesty, shall I massage your head too?" Iris asked gently.
Upon hearing this, Rex nodded and let her do what she wanted, her fingers were like magic itself, anything they touched was healed from stress and stiffness. But then—as Rex was in the middle of enjoying the message, Iris leaned and whispered to his ears.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say..." She muttered lightly.
Rex, who was drowned in the message asked, "Say it, Iris, before the Divine Chalice came"
"But first, can Your Majesty tell Naela to leave...?"