While Yun Zhe was learning how to use the headhunter's axe and various common knowledge about orcs from Jerok, the elf princess Ginanasti also rushed into Donic City.
Elven soldiers were entering the city, and even the well-trained elven army was experiencing some congestion. However, upon seeing Ginnausti's white tiger, all the soldiers made way for her, allowing her to move quickly through the city. This wasn't because the soldiers were captivated by the elven princess's beauty, but because the white tiger knight held immense prestige among the elves, compelling them to willingly clear a path.
Gina Nasty quickly found her brother Tandras, who was receiving guests. This news piqued the princess's interest. She crept closer to the closed door, drew her dagger, and gently pried open the door a crack to peek inside.
Inside the room, Tandras sat on a chair on a high platform, beside an elderly man in white robes. Below the platform, several generals surrounded two small figures, two Aruru. They were talking in hushed tones, which Ginanasti couldn't quite make out. Then she heard her brother's deep voice.
"I have a question: if you attack humans, and they retaliate against your country, what will you do?"
“Um, well…we are mercenaries. Although mercenaries are not protected, their countries are protected…” one of the Aruru people, wearing a loose, brown robe, answered cautiously. The way he spoke was more like reciting someone’s words than answering.
Tandras frowned. Indeed, there was no precedent for retaliating against a mercenary's country or region for their actions. However, in most cases, it wasn't that people didn't want to retaliate, but rather that no mercenary would openly tell the truth. Furthermore, even if they couldn't hide their race and homeland, the targets mercenaries provoke rarely had the ability to destroy a country or a duchy.
But your newly established nation of the Aruru people doesn't seem so difficult to destroy... Even if they're starving and going crazy, this behavior is still hard to understand.
The elves were very supportive of the Aluru people finally becoming conscious, uniting, and moving towards establishing a nation. This was because the vast majority of the Aluru people were descendants of humans and elves, even though the origins of these descendants often involved violence and sin. Deep down, the elves felt more compassion for the Aluru people.
"Poet, regarding your suggestion, we..."
The door was flung open, and just as Tandras was about to erupt in anger, he saw his sister walk into the hall.
Tandras waved his hand, and the generals in the room relaxed.
"My dear sister, is something important?"
“It’s very important, and we need to talk about it privately. Oh, by the way, poet, wait here for a moment.”
Tandras looked at his sister with suspicion. She was never mysterious and was usually quite direct in her words and actions. This was the first time she had been so secretive.
Everyone left, leaving only the two Aruru. Ginna Stiti glanced quickly at the two Aruru; the poet's clothes, which seemed to have been found somewhere, were clearly ill-fitting. The Aruru beside him, however, wore leather armor that fit properly, but it was so worn that it looked like it was about to fall apart.
Gina Nasti withdrew her gaze and briefly recounted her conversation with Yun Zhe that day to Tandras.
Tandras was shocked by what he heard; he had never imagined there was such a way to solve the problem.
But would the humans willingly become vassals of the elves? Besides, they are currently out of troops and supplies. Scouts report that the Duke has at least ten thousand men, and judging from my sister's words, the enemy will be even greater…
The Aruru, who was called the poet, stood awkwardly below the stage, at a loss for what to do. He watched as two elves on the platform were rapidly conversing in Elvish in hushed tones. He couldn't make out their conversation clearly, only catching a few words like Donic, vassal, and Yunzhe.
"Wait, Yun Zhe... that name sounds familiar," the poet murmured, looking down at the image of the Aruru man with a crossbow in one hand and a sword in the other. "Could it be Yun Zhe?"
The poet felt a surge of anticipation. He rubbed his slender fingers together, his eyes filled with expectation as he looked at the two people on the stage. He wanted to ask the female elf if this Yun Zhe was the Yun Zhe he was thinking of.
The poet's gaze aroused the female elf's alertness. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with suspicion at the eager anticipation and shy embarrassment in his eyes. They were currently discussing introducing the two Aruru to Yun Zhe and his companions. The poet's reaction made it hard not to suspect that he had overheard their conversation.
"What do you want to say?" Gina Nasti stopped talking and asked condescendingly.
The poet blushed, then stammered, "Your Highness, I'd like to ask if this Yun Zhe is an Aluru person, since I just heard the name Yun Zhe..."
The elf's eyes lit up. "What, do you know an Aluru named Yun Zhe?"
The poet blushed even more and nodded. "He is my savior." He then drew the short sword from behind him. "This sword was given to me by him."
After the poet finished speaking, another Aruru seemed to remember something as well. He looked at the poet and asked, "Is it the one from the forest that night?"
The poet nodded repeatedly and sheathed his sword.
The elf relaxed her narrowed eyes, exchanged a glance with her brother, jumped off the platform, and walked to the poet.
“That’s right, the Yun Zhe I met was also an Aruru. If I’m not mistaken, we’re talking about the same person. But… Poet, tell me the story of this Yun Zhe. How did he save you?”
Gina Nasty revealed her alluring smile for the first time.
The poet took a step back, scratched his head, and slowly recounted his encounter with Yun Zhe.
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