Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Ming Datiss’s Past
"Chief Grand Mage Jilannis Galanord?" Ron repeated the name. "But that’s not right. The news I heard was that this Grand Mage was still alive during the empire’s final days."
"That evil empire had countless ways to make the dead continue to serve," Liya said, completely unsurprised. "She’s definitely alive. She might even be hiding in some corner to this day."
"But her Spellbook vanished along with the Grip of the Vast Wave after that battle. No one knows where they went."
Ron silently took out the Weaving Introduction. "Actually, they weren’t lost. Please, take a look at this."
For the first time, the former Elven longbowman’s calm gaze wavered.
"The Weaving Introduction? Did you rob Jilannis Galanord’s grave?"
"It’s not like that, Mom. Let us explain," Aive said, placing a reassuring hand on Liya, who had grown agitated. "It’s a long story..."
"Then let’s talk somewhere else—Daniel, bring the food upstairs when it’s ready!" Liya gestured for the group to follow her.
Her husband’s reply came from the kitchen.
"We can talk here. There’s Sound Insulation Magic, so no outsiders will hear us." Liya led them to a room that had been enchanted by one of her comrades from the war. After she pressed a few buttons, a solid wood round table and several chairs slowly rose from the floor.
"This place is usually only occupied when the City-State Alliance holds meetings in Rose City. Otherwise, it’s empty," Liya said. "So, tell me, how did you obtain these two items?"
"It started with us robbing a grave—though not Jilannis Galanord’s. It belonged to a genius who was supposedly long ’dead’: Saran Laine..."
Liya listened quietly as they told their story, offering no comment. She only spoke after they had finished.
"Ming Datiss. I know him."
"Huh?!" Aive’s eyes widened. "You’ve never mentioned him to me!"
"Because there wasn’t much to tell," Liya said with a frown. "After the Hailan Empire fell, we in the resistance still had to hunt down imperial remnants from time to time, but we also had to start planning for our own futures."
"Three kingdoms were established on the ruins of the Hailan Empire. The queen of the Gem Flower Kingdom, the one I joined, issued a decree establishing academies to encourage us to receive a more traditional education, one different from the Hailan Empire’s. Ming Datiss was a student there as well."
"Was he also in the resistance?"
"No, just an ordinary person. The kind who sides with whoever’s winning—you find them everywhere." Liya’s expression turned strange as she recalled Ming Datiss from their student days. "But that guy... there was always something a little off about him."
"He did well in his studies and was skilled in both theory and practice, but even for an Elf, he was taciturn. A very withdrawn person."
"But at some point, he started to become more talkative. He began frequently attending parties and various events, but with only one purpose: to promote the benefits and advantages of the Hailan Empire."
"The Hailan Empire brought untold suffering to the Elves and other races. That kind of talk only earned him our isolation and contempt. But he just became more and more unhinged, until it got to the point where he was brought before a court and sentenced to exile. I never expected he’d become active over here. And from what you’re saying, it sounds like his arguments are actually popular?"
"The slave owners in Carolina love it, at least. They’re in cahoots with him now," Ron said.
"I suppose that’s the weakness of the short-lived races. The scar heals, and they forget the pain," Silvia said, leaning back in her chair and playing with her nails.
"Unbelievable... simply unbelievable!" Liya knocked on the table. "It seems I need to look up some old friends. How can we let something like this happen?"
"According to my intelligence, the old Alliance is full of internal divisions now. I’d advise against it," Ron said quickly. "For now, they’ve only put Ming Datiss forward as the one to stick his neck out. They clearly don’t want to blow things out of proportion and make the situation irreversible."
"If it really comes to an open confrontation, it won’t necessarily be a good thing."
"Sigh," Liya let out a long breath. "I never would have imagined... never."
"You have a point. Upending the whole board helps no one. Ask whatever other questions you have, and I’ll answer as best I can. I only hope you can nip the conspiracy of Ming Datiss and the masterminds behind him in the bud."
"That’s one of our goals as well. On that topic, I wanted to ask you about someone: does the name Saran Laine mean anything to you?"
"A prodigy who died young. That’s all," Liya said, shaking her head. "If you hadn’t told me, that’s what I would still believe."
"Who could have imagined he’d plant a secret enclave, a hidden time bomb, in such a faraway place? It’s a good thing he didn’t succeed. Otherwise, our rebellion might have been delayed for years."
"I could have lived with the rest, but most importantly, I might never have met Daniel."
"That would have been my greatest loss, darling." Right on cue, Daniel walked in, leading a few servers carrying trays laden with fine food and wine. "Everyone, come and try our house specials! You’re always roughing it out in the wilds. It’s not often you get to Rose City, so you can’t go neglecting your stomachs!"
"So, you’re planning to take down Carolina first, and then continue exploring the Delusional Land?"
Once the servers had left, Daniel, who had now heard Ron’s story, sat down as well. "That won’t be easy, I’m afraid. And besides, won’t that just give Ming Datiss an opening to exploit?"
"You’ve found two powerful Magic Items, but who knows what he’s managed to collect?"
"You don’t have to worry about that, Dad," Aive said with a smile. "Those Gemstones are just keys. As long as we hold the lock, it’s meaningless even if he gets the other five."
"Four," Victoria said. "One fell into the Elemental Plane."
"But you can’t let your guard down," Liya said seriously. "He almost certainly has more information than you do. That’s not a risk you can afford to take."
"But if Carolina keeps interfering, it will be very difficult for the kids," Daniel said after a moment’s thought. "I think that idea of yours—having goblins and Adventurers harass Carolina—is a pretty good one."
"Their main strength lies with their assassins and Slave Hunters. Faced with a massive goblin assault, they’ll certainly be overwhelmed. Just be careful. If they ask the City-State Alliance for support, you’ll be the ones at a disadvantage."
"Aren’t you a member of the Rose Council, Daniel?" Liya asked, looking at her husband. "Couldn’t you make a suggestion to ensure the other city-states stand idly by?"
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