In the dimly lit cave, beneath the Tree of Life with its thousands of delicate branches hanging down, a white-clad elf sat cross-legged. A wisp of pale green light rose from her body and connected with the Tree of Life behind her.
Among the tender green heart-shaped leaves, fireflies gathered together, forming a rotating curtain of light around her. The shimmering green light shone on her exquisite face, and the small golden moon between her brows seemed to be glowing. Her expression was relaxed and natural, as if she had become one with the Tree of Life.
The entire cave was exceptionally quiet, it seemed as if one could hear even the fireflies fluttering their wings.
"Your Highness Irina." Just then, the cave door opened a little to the side, and Phyllis squeezed in from the side and ran towards the tree.
The tender green branches brushed against her body, and this time they did not hinder her much, but it still took her a lot of effort to reach the Tree of Life.
"Bean Sprout, what's wrong this time?" Irina asked calmly without opening her eyes.
"Your Highness…new news has come from Luo Du, but it seems that Snar won't be able to return for the time being…" Phyllis said softly, her expression somewhat gloomy, and a faint red welt could be seen on her neck, as if she had been whipped.
"Hmm?" Irina suddenly opened her eyes, the green light above her head vanished instantly, and the fireflies surrounding her scattered and flew upwards.
"Who did this?" Irina's gaze first fell on Phyllis's neck, lingering on the bloodstain for a moment, before she looked into Phyllis's eyes and asked.
"Your Highness, I'm fine..." Phyllis covered her neck in a panic, shaking her head repeatedly, her eyes darting around.
"What happened on Snar's side?" Irina asked instead of pressing for details.
"Snar was attacked by an unidentified demon and suffered some injuries. He is currently recuperating at the Luo Du Embassy. He is not in life-threatening danger, but his right leg is injured and he cannot get out of bed yet, so he may not be able to return in time." Phyllis said with some concern.
"After all these years, someone is finally provoking me again? These people always blame the demons, they really haven't improved at all." Irina looked towards the cave entrance, a mocking smile on her face. She slowly stood up, and the branches of the Tree of Life rustled as they parted to the sides, as if kneeling in front their queen, making way for a path.
"Your Highness, Phyllis is alright. I... I accidentally bumped into something..." Phyllis said anxiously, looking at Irina walking towards the door.
"Then let whatever bumped into you take responsibility." Irina said calmly. The stone door slowly slid to the side and opened completely. She stood at the cave entrance, looking out into the forest, her gaze finally settling on a huge tree that several people could encircle. With a hint of command, she said, "Will you come out yourself, or do I have to let you out?"
The forest was quiet under the moonlight, with only the occasional sound of insects.
"Very good." Irina's expression remained calm as she slowly raised her right hand, then suddenly clenched it into a fist.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, a gash exploded in the middle of the tree, and a black figure pierced through it, flying towards her. The person's throat was locked in mid-air about five centimeters away, leaving it hanging there.
This was an elderly female elf, somewhat hunched over, dressed in a black robe that covered her entire body. She had a long, hooked nose and looked like an old witch. Her face, covered in blood, was filled with terror. She looked at the calm Irina, her gaze instinctively trying to dodge, but her neck was firmly locked, and she couldn't move at all.
"I remember you, the black dog that followed behind that old witch Helena, and then you, the one who bit the Bean Sprout, right?" Irina looked at the old woman, her brows slightly furrowed, and asked calmly.
"You are not allowed to insult Lady Helena!" Heidi shouted angrily at Irina, her eyes filled with madness, as if she wanted to die with Irina!
"Helena is a little puppy, and you, old dog, if you don't like it, bite me." Irina said, still raising her left hand and smiling.
"You shameless harlot who disgraces my elven race, how dare you insult the esteemed Lady Helena! You are a disgrace to the elven race! You should be nailed to the Tree of Life!" Heidi shouted somewhat frantically, glaring at Irina with gritted teeth, her expression as if she wanted to tear her apart.
"You're talking nonsense! Your Highness... Your Highness is the pride of the Elven race, an idol of the younger generation!" Phyllis exclaimed, looking anxiously at Irina's back from inside the cave.
"Noisy." Irina frowned slightly, raised her right hand, but then stopped in mid-air.
"Hmph, you sinner imprisoned under the Tree of Life, do you dare to hit me?" Heidi, who was initially flustered, looked at Irina's stopped hand and revealed a smug look on her face, and her gaze towards Irina became more contemptuous.
"I was afraid of getting my hands dirty." Irina withdrew her left hand as well.
Just then, a bright green branch shot out from the cave, bypassing Irina, and slapped Heidi hard across the face with a loud crack.
Heidi's body flew out as if struck by a heavy hammer, crashing into a tree with a thud, causing the massive tree, as thick as a person's embrace, to shake violently.
"When the truth is revealed, you will be despised by all your people. Even if you are eloquent, let's see how many mouths you have to defend yourself." Heidi landed on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood and several black teeth. Half of her face was swollen, and a bright red mark looked rather frightening. Her gaze as she looked up at Irina was filled with madness.
"I, Irina, have lived a life of integrity and have no regrets. Why should I explain myself to others?" Irina's expression was calm as she looked up at the bright moon in the sky. Her gaze turned cold, and her voice grew colder as well. "Just because I am not leaving the cave does not mean I cannot leave. Tell Helena that if Snar cannot stand in front of me unharmed within seven days, she can expect to collect the corpses of all the juniors she has nominated over the years."
After speaking, Irina turned and walked into the cave.
Heidi watched Irina's retreating figure, her expression gradually turning to horror and fear, her body even trembling uncontrollably.
"Also, I don't usually kill dogs, but if I do, it's very cruel, even I'm afraid of myself." Irina paused for a moment, the stone door slowly closed behind her, and everything returned to silence.
"I…Irina…" Heidi's breathing became rapid. Endless fear and cold seemed to engulf her. Although she didn't know how many bones in her body were broken, but the fear still supported her as she crawled into the forest, wanting to get away from this terrible cave…