Chapter 245: Chapter 243: But Then Again
Upon returning from the ruins, the two immediately engaged in preparations once more.
The third-tier speed run earned them a substantial amount of Magic Crystals again.
Given that the significant contribution this time went to Hilia’s Scroll, they divided the spoils as well as the costs equally.
Aside from splitting the Intermediate Magic Crystals, Elina took two Advanced Magic Crystals for herself and gave one to Hilia. As for the most precious Tier Four silk materials, they were all secured by Hilia.
Elina was quite sensible; she knew that without Hilia, she wouldn’t have had it so easy.
Many Elves had learned Forest Silk and Steel Wood Spike, with a few participating in the strategy session.
Hilia could find someone to replace her, but Elina couldn’t find anyone to replace Hilia.
Hence, she decided to follow Hilia, letting Hilia take the major share while she contented herself with the small ones, yet still reaping considerable benefits.
This was what one might call learning by association.
While Hilia was drawing the Scroll, Elina opted to purchase potions, specifically picking out the expensive ones that might be useful during their quest.
While the two of them were immersing themselves, focusing wholly on conquering the ruins, on the other hand, at the Royal Mercenary Corps Camp.
Pascal returned with a broad smile, running into Emilia, who was surprised and asked, "What makes my dear brother so happy? Where have you been these past few days instead of tackling the ancient ruins?"
Pascal was in such a good mood that he even spoke kindly to Emilia, "I went to do something important, to confirm something."
Emilia secretly smiled to herself, but outwardly remained expressionless, feigning curiosity as she asked, "Confirm what?"
Pascal chuckled, "It’s a secret. If you want to know, find out for yourself."
Emilia also laughed pleasantly, saying, "I’d love to, too, but I haven’t had that much free time lately, been busy with the ruins,"
Pascal waved his hand, unconcerned, "How easy do you think conquering ancient ruins is, especially one of such high difficulty?"
Emilia nodded, "Normally, that’s true. However, every time we enter the ruins, we see the central tower’s level in the castle getting higher each day, already comes close to the light at the top of the tower, which is making me anxious."
Pascal paused, shocked, "What did you say?"
Emilia said, "During your absence these past days, those two Elf maidens reached as high as the eighth level of the tower in one go, only a step away from full completion."
After she spoke, Emilia secretly laughed.
Outwardly, she put on a look of helpless admiration.
Seeing her expression, Pascal frowned, "Emilia, don’t rush to admire them; after all, they’re ’Elves.’ If two Elves conquer the ruins in our Ista Empire, isn’t that a travesty?"
Emilia chuckled, "What else can we do? Stop others from conquering?"
Of course, stopping them wasn’t an option.
Major Empires and races have agreements concerning ancient ruins, not prohibiting inter-race exploration.
Because quite a few ruins require racial-specific skills to solve specific challenges, such as the current castle maze, only the Elf Blessing can temporarily suppress the curse.
Could you truly prohibit Elves from exploring such a ruin?
If you did, everyone would leave, and who would then care for the exploring mercenaries?
This situation isn’t unique to this ruin; many ruins have similar circumstances.
Instead of prohibition, it’s better to make agreements, exploring according to one’s ability.
Emilia said calmly, "Even if they succeed, according to the agreement, this ruin belongs to our Ista Empire. They can take everything obtained during their conquest but are prohibited from taking the key that controls the ruins. I won’t allow the ruin’s key to getting lost, rest assured."
Pascal opened his mouth, itching to tell Emilia that the elf named ’Hilia,’ who shared her name with the Holy Court’s candidate Holy Daughter, was, in fact, the candidate Holy Daughter. But to reveal it so plainly seemed like a loss to him.
Yet, not telling seemed wrong too.
If it were purely an Elf team, it wouldn’t matter.
But of the people in the winning team, one is a human in disguise, who’s also a candidate Holy Daughter.
Wouldn’t this be a betrayal to the Elves?
After wrestling with his thoughts for a long time, Pascal ultimately didn’t say it—since Emilia didn’t seem inclined to pay.
Pascal remained hesitant.
He wavered between exposing Hilia or pretending not to know.
According to intelligence from Southern Border City, that Elf maiden belongs to the Elf Royal Family, not being particularly discreet about her traces in human territories.
In all this... is there something being secretly plotted between the Holy Court and the Elf Race?
That possibility worried Pascal.
If he exposed Hilia only to discover her accompanying Elina to conquer the ruins was actually a high-level directive from the Holy Court, he could forget about inheriting the Empire; he might not even have territory left.
But what if there was no directive?
After all, they’re here too.
If the Holy Court did have any moves, the Royal Family should also be informed.
If there was no directive from the Holy Court, purely Hilia’s individual action to collaborate with the Elf Race in conquering human ruins, handing over the conquest marker, it might be trivial for ordinary people, but for a candidate Holy Daughter, it’s anything but.
It could very well be a diplomatic incident that shames the Holy Court.
Hmm... shaming the Holy Court isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Royal Family either.
Undermining their influence would indirectly enhance the Ista Royal Family’s control over the Empire, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Yet Pascal didn’t dare to gamble.
No matter how much he felt the latter likelihood was greater, he still hesitated.
After deliberating for a long time, Pascal devised a compromise approach.
"Offer a high price to purchase the certificate they hold and see if they’re willing to sell. If they refuse, it would suggest secret communications between the Holy Court and the Elf Race; if they sell, it quite likely indicates Hilia’s personal action. At that point, I could summon the City Lord to testify, exposing her and reducing the Holy Court’s influence."
If he could make the Holy Court lose face and its authority diminish through some means, his influence in the Royal Family would undoubtedly increase.
Even the Holy Court couldn’t touch him for such exposure!
Having decided in his mind, Pascal looked at the sky, deciding to visit first thing in the morning.
...
The next day.
Hilia emerged from her tent, breathing in the fresh air outside, preparing for Meditation. She suddenly spotted an iron rooster outside.
Pascal extended a greeting warmly, "Hello, Miss Xilia, I have something I’d like to discuss with you. Would you be available?"
After confirming Hilia as the candidate Holy Daughter, Pascal treated her as an equal. In his view, he was akin to a candidate Emperor—though his chances of becoming Emperor Ista were hundreds of times lower than Hilia’s chance of becoming a Holy Daughter.
Hilia had no desire to deal with the penny-pinching, trouble-making iron rooster, coolly responding, "I’m sorry, I’m busy. Get your sister to talk to us if there’s something."
Emilia was generous with money, and Hilia was happy to be friends with her.
As for Pascal, forget it.
A prince haggling over a few Gold Coins with people—what nonsense!
"I’d like to offer 500 Gold Coins to buy the relic certificate from you."
"... However, that said, we’re also very happy to discuss with Lord Pascal. Please come in, please have a seat!"
