"The tide has turned..."
Thranduil silently told herself that her pride made it impossible for her to endure this humiliating stalemate, and she knew that there was absolutely no way she could take Anna away today.
Any wishful thinking is foolish.
She didn't look at Anna again, as if it were just an insignificant stain.
The icy voice, like a cold spring striking a stone, clearly reached the ears of his two equally wary companions behind him:
"Walk."
There were no further explanations, no angry roars of resentment.
Three emerald green figures shot off like arrows, tearing through the remaining chaotic energy above the swamp. Without looking back, they sped away into the distance, quickly disappearing into the thick miasma, decisive and without a trace of lingering.
With the elves gone, the battlefield fell completely silent, leaving only mud, blood, and lingering magical aftershocks.
Ellen Ben then withdrew her gaze from the direction where the elf had disappeared, a sly smile curving her lips.
She ran her fair fingers across the spatial equipment at her waist, and a palm-sized coin, jet black yet containing flowing starlight, with dark red bloodstains on its edge, appeared in her palm.
This was the Star Moon Black Gold that Rita had taken from Grom when he was forcibly "teleported" back to the center of the battlefield by Rita's Time Magic Array and fell down in a sorry state.
She weighed the coin in her hand; it was priceless to the Star Moon Church, a coin that had absorbed the power of the Dragon Clan's star fortune, bringing her closer to completing her ascension ceremony.
Her gaze shifted to Alfonso, who was directing Kyle's squad in treating the wounded, her voice clear and crisp, carrying a hint of self-righteous demand:
"Hey Alfonso, I've got everyone safe and sound. Not a single one's missing, all alive and kicking, even your precious 'Chosen One' candidate Kyle was well taken care of. As agreed, shouldn't the payment be settled?"
She held up two fingers and waved them in front of Alfonso, her smile radiant yet brooking no refusal:
"Two of them. The two Star Moon Black Gold that your Holy Light Church's higher-ups had are now mine."
Alfonso had just cast a healing spell on an injured knight when he heard this and turned around.
A hint of helplessness appeared on his resolute face. The stains on his armor did not diminish his majesty, but he was clearly having a headache in the face of Ellen's "extortion".
“Eileen,” his voice was low and steady, with a hint of barely perceptible weariness, “it’s not that I don’t want to give it to you. I didn’t leave anyone at that Black Street stronghold.”
He paused, his gaze as sharp as ever:
"The person who was suspected of colluding with the traitor and controlling the Black Street stronghold escaped during our raid by using a pre-set teleportation array and a bunch of scapegoats. Naturally, he didn't get the Star Moon Black Gold he was holding."
Actually, things didn't have to be this complicated. Since Ellen knew that the traitors of the Holy Light Church possessed the Star Moon Black Gold, she could have simply told them their names.
But Ellen always played the riddle-taker for him, letting him figure it out himself.
"Oh?" Eileen raised an eyebrow, her red lips curving into a half-smile, her wine-red eyes full of mockery. "The renowned Commander Alfonso, leading the entire Holy Knights, can't even catch a rat hiding its head and tail? It seems the Holy Light Church has been feeding the troops too well lately, dulling Commander Alfonso's blade?"
She made sarcastic remarks without any restraint, clearly not surprised by the result, but she would never miss an opportunity to ridicule him.
Alfonso did not refute her, but simply looked at her calmly, without any dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Eileen gave a soft snort and didn't press the matter further.
With a flick of her wrist, she put away the blood-stained black gold star and moon coin, then gestured with her chin toward Mark:
"Little Mark, take that 'hot potato' to our esteemed commander."
Mark understood and immediately took the Bloodvine Heart, which emitted a faint dark red light and was wrapped in layers of animal hide, from Anna's hand.
Mark stepped forward and solemnly handed the bag to Alfonso.
Alfonso took the bag; it felt heavy in his hand, brimming with a powerful and violent life force. This was something that not only orcs would desire, but many others would too.
He weighed it in his mind for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"The Corrupted Vine Alliance will not let this go. The eldest prince has escaped back, and today's events, including news of your squad's cooperation with Kyle's squad to clean up the orcs and thwart their plans, will likely spread throughout the entire buffer zone very soon."
His gaze swept over the diverse appearances of the members of Mark's squad, especially the menacing [Pale Crown] atop Little M's head:
“Your features are too obvious. Your operations in the buffer zone will be extremely difficult. The Rotten Vine Alliance and other alarmed forces may launch a siege against you. This place is already a den of dragons and tigers for you.”
Eileen nodded and continued, her tone becoming serious:
"So, the plan has changed. Alfonso, aren't you and your men supposed to clear out those newly emerged undead lands in the Lor Swamp? Perfect, Mark and the others will go with you."
She pointed to Mark, Enzo, Monica, Anna, and the levitating little M.
"Let them temporarily be affiliated with your Thirteenth Holy Knights and follow you. With your prestigious name and the entire knightly order around, those lurking bugs will have some reservations and won't dare to openly launch a large-scale attack. Your large size will attract firepower, and clearing the land of the dead will also allow you to legitimately acquire resources."
Then, Elaine pointed to herself, her long hair fluttering in the swamp breeze: "As for me, I'm a small target and easy to move around. The Black Street connection isn't broken yet. Someone has to fill in the last piece of evidence and pull out the nail completely, that guy who escaped and the traitor within the Church of Holy Light. Leave this 'dirty work' to me."
A sly glint flashed in her eyes. To achieve legendary status, she could easily advance by collecting all the Star Moon Black Gold containing other faiths and astrological influences.
However, if she can unravel the mystery and uncover the rebels within the Church of Holy Light, her advancement ceremony will surely receive a reward from Heaven, including Holy Light.
She had made ample preparations for the reward bestowed by the Holy Light.
She personally came to the Lor Marsh to investigate clues for Alfonso!
Protecting Mark was just a side effect!
Alfonso remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over each member of Mark's team before finally settling on Ellen's face.
He nodded slowly, his voice steady and powerful:
"Sure. Just do your investigation and give me the names at the end!"
Alfonso didn't doubt Elaine because he knew what she wanted, and as one of his few friends, he could grant her wish.
Alfonso withdrew his gaze from the direction where Ellen had disappeared.
He has never been one for many words; actions speak louder than words.
He raised his hand, and the adjutant who had been waiting behind him immediately stepped forward, pounding his chest with his right fist: "Commander!"
“Settle them in.” Alfonso’s gaze swept over Mark’s squad, Kyle, and Ruby, whose injuries had been stabilized by his Holy Light. “Assign them to the ‘Grey Falcon’ squad.”
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