A figure in a long white dress floated across the Wind Forest. With a light touch of her toes on the treetops, she appeared more than ten meters away. Her long silver hair fluttered in the wind, making her look like an ethereal being.
"Hey! Isn't that Princess Irina?"
"Yes! It's Her Highness the Princess! After three years, the Princess has finally emerged from the cave!"
"The princess's beauty is as captivating as ever. Truly worthy of being the foremost among the younger generation of elves."
Soon, elves noticed the figure and bowed in respect. The younger elves couldn't hide their fervor. Three years had passed since Princess Irina returned to the Wind Forest, and this was the first time she had stepped out of the cave.
"Lady Helena, the princess has left the cave." Heidi, her face wrinkled, rushed into the cave, looking at Helena, who was gazing at the star map on the stone wall, with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "Is she trying to escape again?"
"Snar returned to the Wind Forest today, right?" Helena turned to Heidi and asked.
Heidi hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded. "Yes, he just arrived today. He should have already been to the princess."
"It seems he found out quite a bit during his trip to Luo Du. But I'm curious if he found that little one's whereabouts, and who she plans to settle scores with now?" Helena smiled, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"My lady, what should we do now?" Heidi looked at Helena nervously.
"I'll go take a look. Whoever Snar finds out, they're all my people. But it seems I underestimated his abilities." Helena said with a smile, waving her magic wand lightly as she disappeared from the cave.
"That bi**h, does she still want to settle scores later? She can't even protect herself, does she still think she's the elf princess she once was?" Heidi gritted her teeth, chanting a spell. She pointed her magic wand at the ground, and a cloud of black smoke rose up and disappeared from the cave.
…
In the territory of the Kroll family, a large area of forest was cleared away, and a magnificent white castle was built on the site. The noble Kroll people were escorted in and out of the castle, while some elves dressed simply were doing odd jobs. They were constantly being scolded and reprimanded by the Kroll family. They could only lower their heads and admit their mistakes, not daring to utter a single word in rebuttal.
Hubert is the patriarch of the Kroll family, a level 10 wood-type archmage. He made significant contributions during the racial war among the elves a century ago, and has also benefited greatly from Helena's series of reforms in recent decades. For example, he established the Kroll family in this rich and vast territory, and was granted a group of servants, becoming what is known as the top elves.
Furthermore, the powerful Hubert also oversees the elven penal code, holding a high position of authority within the elven race. In recent years, the elven penal code has become extremely severe, with even minor offenses by ordinary elves potentially resulting in imprisonment. Consequently, Hubert is also known in private as the Smiling Underworld King.
Meanwhile, in the Kroll family's castle, a banquet was underway. Hubert, dressed in a magnificent golden robe, reclined on the main seat, holding a jade cup in his hand, and watched with a smile the elves dancing gracefully to the music. Behind him, an elf gently fanned him with a cattail leaf, another carefully massaged his shoulders, and yet another knelt in front of him, occasionally placing a peeled grape in front of his mouth, her expression tense and focused, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Seated below were members of the Kroll family and the heads of families among the elves who were on good terms with Hubert. They drank wine and watched the dance, enjoying themselves leisurely and comfortably while being served by the other female elves.
"Hubert, get out here!"
Just then, a cold voice echoed throughout the Kroll family castle, clearly reaching the ears of every elf.
The music stopped abruptly, and the dancing elves halted, somewhat bewildered, heads bowed, too afraid to speak.
"Who dares to be so audacious as to address Lord Hubert by his name!"
"That's right! In the Elven race, anyone who dares to disrespect Lord Hubert should be locked up immediately!"
The people present were in a bad mood, and they all became angry and embarrassed. They shouted and prepared to arrest the person who was shouting and yelling.
"Irina…Princess?" Hubert was startled and sat up straight, looking towards the doorway. He was surprised and a little flustered.
"Irina... Princess?" Upon hearing this, the elves who had just stood up all changed their expressions, stopped in their tracks, and looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Princess Irina has been back in the Wind Forest for three years, but she has been in seclusion ever since. Everyone had almost forgotten about her existence. Unexpectedly, she suddenly came out of the cave today and came directly here, looking like she was there to interrogate them, which left them quite puzzled.
However, no one dared to utter another word about what had been said earlier. Her Highness the Princess's status and prestige among the elves were second only to the Queen and Lady Helena, so she was someone they dared not provoke.
"Princess Irina!" The young elves' eyes lit up with joy and excitement.
"I'll go see what Her Highness the Princess wants to see me about." Hubert quickly calmed down, stood up and walked towards the door. His square face was imposing without anger, but now a smile appeared on his face. However, those who knew him well felt that the smile was somewhat cold, because whenever Hubert showed this signature smile, it was when he was at his most cruel. This was the reason for his nickname 'Smiling Underworld King'.
"We'll go see too." the guests hesitated for a moment, then followed him out the door.
"Now that Her Highness the Princess has emerged from seclusion, is she planning to rebuild the Elven race? When will this end? I feel like I can't hold on much longer." As Hubert and the others left, the elf who had been kneeling on the ground peeling grapes for Hubert earlier sat down on the ground, her eyes slightly red, and said with a hint of despair.
"The Queen has not been involved in the affairs of the race for a long time. After Lady Helena appointed several ministers, she rarely interfered in the affairs of the race. Now these ministers no longer treat us as their own people, but as servants. Apart from the Elf Princess, I'm afraid no one can change this situation." A dancer covered her face and sobbed, a glaring whip mark on her raised arm.
"I'm afraid even Her Highness the Princess can't change this matter, and she probably won't care at all. Otherwise, she's been back in the Elven race for three years and hasn't said a word. This is probably our fate. We should have left the Wind Forest fifty years ago when we were allowed to leave." The tall elf who led the dance said with a somewhat gloomy expression.
Upon hearing this, all the elves lowered their heads, their mood instantly becoming extremely low.
...
"Can such elves still be called elves?" Irina stood atop the tallest tree in front of the castle, her expression icy as she looked down at the members of the Kroll family and the elves forced into servants. She had witnessed the elves being humiliated and insulted without any dignity.
"Hubert greets Your Highness the Princess. Please forgive my lack of formality. May I ask what Your Highness the Princess has summoned me for?" Hubert emerged from the castle, walking unhurriedly forward. He looked up at Irina and spoke with a slight smile, his tone frank.
"I've come today to take your dog's life."
Irina looked at Hubert with a serious expression and stretched out her right hand, conjuring a mage staff as tall as a person.