445 A Miracle
Selma Payne’s POV:
There was no farewell ceremony, no diplomatic rhetoric, and no one could even come to see me off. Just like that, we left the Elven Capital City unceremoniously.
The little elves who left with us didn’t cry or make a fuss. It was as if they had no reaction to their desolate old home or were about to set foot on a strange foreign land. However, their childish pretense was still too superficial. I could tell many children were forcefully suppressing their reluctance and apprehension, only suffering because they didn’t have anyone to rely on.
That was right. Most of these little elves were orphans. I didn’t know why the elves would choose these children. It wasn’t a coincidence, but I wasn’t in the mood to ask.
The leader of the exchange students was a little boy who looked familiar to me. He recognized me at first glance and greeted me politely.
“Hello, child. Do you know me?” I asked doubtfully.
The boy nodded shyly. “Perhaps you might not remember; you saved my classmate in the basement and me.”
Oh, I remember now.
“I’m glad to see you alive and kicking, child. The life that I had once saved is in good health. This undoubtedly gave me some comfort. I hope you enjoy your journey in the werewolf pack.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
With the Elven Capital City’s chaos, the elven race immediately became an anarchic state. Fortunately, the city-states had long become semi-autonomous, so the fall of the capital city did not cause much trouble for the huge Elf Forest.
For us, the only inconvenience was that the approval of the interim government was not so useful. Although it didn’t have much effect before, it was now properly a waste paper.
We had no choice but to accept the inspection and interrogation of every city-state we passed. Due to my status, these necessary procedures were reasonable. However, they severely slowed down our progress, so much so that we were still stuck in the western region even after spending the same amount of time as we came.
In the end, it was Chena City’s mayor who helped us.
The Lord, who valued his family more than anything else, did not participate in the chaotic storm of power struggle. He only sent someone to the capital to show his face. He had searched through countless books and professionals for his daughter’s health before finally pulling Sandora back from the brink of death.
At this moment, this little girl, who was so thin that she was only left with a handful of bones because of her illness, was playing with the exchange students. The Chena City’s mayor and I were drinking tea on the terrace. The clear laughter downstairs made people laugh.
“Although it’s not appropriate for me to say this, I think I have to apologize to you on behalf of the elves,” Chena City’s mayor said. “I know that you’re here to help out of goodwill. Although I didn’t participate in the battle of the capital, I know that they must have made a lot of jokes out of you and perhaps even caused you to suffer a lot of unfair treatment.”
I smiled and shook my head, not saying anything.
Chena City’s mayor helplessly sighed. “To be honest, I tried to avoid everything related to the capital because I had long expected that power would change one day. Anyone could become its slave, thinking they could control it and plunder everything, but history has long told us there will never be a final winner.”
I didn’t want to think about everything that happened in the Elven Capital CIty. I simply replied, “Perhaps, but this is your territory’s business. No matter what, I shouldn’t comment on it.”
“You’re still so detached. I’d heard about your behavior in the capital. With all due respect, it’s as if the word ‘avoid suspicion’ is written all over your face.”
“Is that so?” Thinking about what I’d done, it was a little obvious. But so what? It was better to avoid suspicions openly that always be the one to take the blame. The things I had to face had already made me physically and mentally tired, and I didn’t want to cause more trouble.
Besides, even if I made it so obvious, it turned out that I was still worrying for nothing. A diplomatic incident was nothing at all because worse things had already happened, and I could do nothing about it.
It would only make all my efforts seem laughable.
Seeing that I was in a bad mood, Chena City’s mayor said nothing more. Looking at his daughter’s cheerful back, he couldn’t help but lament, “I used to think that I was going to lose Sandora forever. Before you arrived, everyone told me that Sandora didn’t have long to live. Be it the doctors, the elven masters, or even the witch doctor I had secretly hired, they all shook their heads. It’s no exaggeration to say that I was already in despair then, and even resented the goddess. I thought I was a devout believer and had never done anything evil in my life, so why did the tragedy of my family being destroyed fall on me?
“Just when I was at my most desperate moment, you came. Please don’t misunderstand. This is not flattery. Just think of it as a single father’s heartfelt words. Because of you, Sandora could see the light of day again. I don’t know what other people think, but you are a miracle to Sandora and me.
Looking at the sincere expression on Chena’s face, I smiled helplessly. “So you’ve noticed.”
I thought I had covered it well, but I didn’t expect Chena City’s mayor to see through my world-weary mood so quickly.
“I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you. As a guest, I shouldn’t be rude in front of the host.”
