"So what do we do now? Are we really going to swear fealty to him?"
Erin asked, her voice filled with reluctance.
"We'll stay for now and see how things develop."
Sylvia rubbed her temples; her mind was currently a tangled mess.
"At least we are safe here. Though that man is overbearing, he doesn't seem bloodthirsty."
To prove her point, Lina took Sylvia on a tour of their "high-end cell."
When Sylvia saw the flush toilet that whisked away waste with a gentle press of a button, and the showerhead that poured out hot water with just a turn of a knob, she was completely stunned.
"This... this is also that man's invention?"
Sylvia looked at her dust-covered, disheveled reflection in the mirror, then at the showerhead emitting curls of steam, her expression complex.
"Your Majesty, do you... want to take a bath first?"
Lina suggested in a low voice.
Sylvia gave a cold snort:
"Hmph, nothing more than clever tricks and decadent gadgets for hedonists."
But her body honestly walked into the bathroom.
As the warm water poured down from above, washing away the bloodstains and fatigue, Sylvia couldn't help but let out a comfortable sigh.
This feeling... was simply wonderful.
It was ten thousand times more comfortable than using Cleaning Spells or soaking in cold springs.
Just as she was enjoying this rare moment of relaxation, the bathroom door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
"Who is it?!"
Sylvia turned pale with fright, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself and curling into a corner.
Wu Liang walked in brazenly, holding a set of clean silk nightgowns and a soft bath towel.
"Ah—! You rogue! Get out!"
Sylvia screamed, her pretty face turning beet red.
Although the bathroom was filled with steam and he couldn't see clearly, the looming, perfect silhouette—carved like white jade—still made Wu Liang feel a wave of dry heat in his throat.
"Stop shouting, I'm just here to bring you a change of clothes."
Wu Liang's gaze swept over her body unscrupulously, marveling in his mind.
As expected of the Elf Queen, this figure and skin are simply the best of the best.
He placed the clothes on the rack by the door but didn't leave immediately; instead, he began to admire the view with great interest.
He saw her snow-white back trembling slightly from shame and anger, saw the water droplets sliding down the graceful curves of her back to disappear into deeper shadows, and saw her beautiful legs that appeared exceptionally long and straight through the steam... "If you don't get out, I'll..."
Sylvia was mortified, yet she couldn't bring herself to voice any threat.
Because she knew that here, any threat was hollow and powerless.
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving."
Wu Liang smiled and finally exited the bathroom, even thoughtfully closing the door for her.
Outside the door, Wu Liang leaned against the wall, reminiscing about the erotic scene he had just witnessed, a fire burning in his heart.
However, he was in no hurry.
Dealing with an arrogant queen like this required more than just force.
A physical conquest was far less satisfying than a spiritual one.
He wanted her to willingly open everything up to him.
After a while, Sylvia, having changed into the purple silk slip nightgown, walked out of the bathroom with a flushed face.
The thin silk clung to her body, perfectly outlining her exquisite curves. Her wet golden hair draped casually over her shoulders, making her look less like a majestic queen and more languid and charming.
A flash of admiration sparked in Wu Liang's eyes.
"Have a seat, Your Majesty."
Wu Liang pointed to the sofa in the room.
"Let's talk business."
Sylvia looked at him warily and sat in the corner furthest from him.
"I have nothing to talk to you about."
"No, you do."
Wu Liang didn't approach; instead, he took out a thick notebook from his coat.
"I am very interested in your Elven magic. Especially your nature and life magic."
"In exchange, I can teach you some more interesting things."
As he spoke, Wu Liang picked up a quill and wrote a line of strange symbols on a piece of white paper on the table.
E=mc²
"What is this?"
Sylvia frowned; she had never seen such a rune.
"This is the way we humans understand the world; we call it science."
Wu Liang began his lesson.
He didn't talk about anything too profound, starting only with basic mathematics and physics.
From the law of conservation of energy to the chemical equation for photosynthesis.
At first, Sylvia scoffed at this, thinking it was just human nonsense.
But as she listened, her expression changed.
She was shocked to find that the so-called science from Wu Liang's mouth could perfectly explain many magical phenomena that she knew happened but didn't know why!
For example, why do plants need sunlight and water to grow?
Wu Liang explained it clearly using the theory of photosynthesis.
For example, why does a Fireball Spell produce light and heat?
Wu Liang used the theory of energy conversion and release to give her a sudden realization.
This man had opened a door to a new world for her!
For the first time, she discovered that the underlying logic of the world was not some ethereal elemental will, but a series of cold formulas that could be calculated and verified!
This shock was even greater than the impact of that cannon shot earlier in the day!
She looked at the man talking eloquently, and her gaze unconsciously shifted from initial hostility and caution to inquiry, curiosity, and even... a hint of admiration.
This man not only possessed world-destroying martial force but also had such terrifyingly vast knowledge!
Just what kind of existence was he?
[Ding! Detected target 'Sylvia Moonshadow' has developed feelings of admiration for the Host. Defense of will is loosening. Submissiveness +5%!]
[Ding! Side quest triggered: Reach deep mana resonance with the Elf Queen.]
[Quest Description: Through knowledge and power, completely conquer the Elf Queen's heart and perform a deep fusion at the level of soul and mana.]
[Quest Reward: Elven Supreme Secret Art "Hymn of Life," World Tree Seed x1, All-element Magic Resistance +50%.]
Hearing the system's prompt, the corners of Wu Liang's mouth curled up imperceptibly.
The fish has taken the bait.
Without realizing it, the moon outside the window had risen to mid-sky.
Wu Liang closed the notebook, stood up, and stretched.
"That's enough for today."
He looked at the queen opposite him, who was still in a daze, and issued an invitation.
"Your Majesty, would you be interested in accompanying me to the castle tower to admire the moon?"
Sylvia instinctively wanted to refuse.
But the words that came out were: "Alright."
She also wanted to know just how many more secrets this mysterious man was hiding.
The two of them, one after the other, climbed the highest tower of Tiee Fortress.
A gentle evening breeze blew, fluttering Sylvia's golden hair and her purple skirt.