Aeldara's voice was deep and urgent, barely suppressing her agitation.
She was no longer the slow-paced, stoic Captain of the Knights, but a fuse-lit bomb ready to explode at any moment.
Watching Aeldara's reaction, Lin Qingyue felt a surge of satisfaction.
See? My analytical skills have even shaken the aloof, expressionless Commander! I'm truly amazing!
She knew the weight of her words. After all, they directly implicated the Human Royal Family and dragged the world-unifying crisis into the light. How could such revelations not cause a stir?
"Let's go," Aeldara said tersely, turning to stride toward the Royal Palace's inner chambers. Her heavy armor seemed weightless now, each step radiating decisive authority.
Lin Xiyue, Su Wan, and Xia Lian hurried after her.
"Sis, your words just now really startled the Commander," Lin Xiyue whispered into Lin Qingyue's ear, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"It's good that she's scared; it means she's listening," Lin Qingyue said calmly. "At a time like this, being clear about the situation is better than hiding things. Otherwise, when disaster strikes, none of us will escape."
Su Wan remained silent, but her eyes now held a thoughtful glint. She could sense that Lin Qingyue's words weren't just speculation; they felt like intuition, a deep insight into the essence of the situation. This ability made Lin Qingyue somewhat enigmatic to her.
Xia Lian, now fully comprehending the gravity of the situation, her small face tight with tension, murmured under her breath, "Such a massive, complex dungeon... can we really solve it in just two weeks? Teacher Chen must have made a mistake..."
Instead of leading them back to the opulent grand hall they had been in earlier, Aeldara guided them deeper into the Royal Palace, down a tranquil, winding corridor. Beneath their feet lay a carpet of luminescent moss, soft as velvet, while the walls were woven from living Moonlight Vines, filling the air with a delicate, plant-like fragrance.
Finally, they stopped before a door carved from a single piece of Ancient Moonlight Wood.
The door bore no intricate carvings, only the wood's naturally beautiful grain, exuding a serene and refined elegance that had been stripped of all superficial embellishments.
Aeldara gently knocked on the door.
"Enter," a mature, slightly languid voice called from within—Her Majesty the Queen herself.
Aeldara pushed the door open and led Lin Qingyue and her four companions inside.
What greeted them wasn't the solemn study they had imagined, piled high with scrolls and magical instruments, but a warm, lived-in space.
There was no cold, imposing throne; instead, a wide, plush, curved chaise lounge draped with velvet cushions stood in its place.
Several uniquely shaped potted plants stretched their branches, their leaves shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow.
A massive desk carved from luminous wood lay casually strewn with ancient tomes and documents.
Nearby, an exquisite bone china teacup steamed gently, its clear, refreshing aroma filling the air.
But what truly captured Lin Qingyue's attention was the Elf Queen herself, reclining gracefully on the chaise lounge.
The queen had shed her ornate robes of state, symbols of her power, and now wore only a fitted emerald-green silk gown that perfectly accentuated her breathtaking curves.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, loosely bound with a simple Moonlight Vine hairband. Barefoot and curled languidly on a chaise lounge, she rested her cheek against one hand while holding a thick, antique-bound book in the other. Her posture radiated effortless elegance, like a Persian cat just awakened from a nap.
Damn, Lin Qingyue thought.
Holy crap! Her Majesty the Queen's casual mode is seriously lethal!
That figure, that aura, that lazy yet regal vibe—it's just... wow!
The queen on the throne was a sacred, inviolable monarch, beautiful yet radiating an aura of untouchable majesty.
But now, stripped of her monarchial severity, she exuded an irresistible, mature, and seductive charm.
No wonder the Human King's ancestors fell for her back in the day! Who could resist this?!
The queen lowered her book and slowly lifted her head, her wine-red eyes shimmering with liquid light.
Her gaze swept over Aeldara, then glided past Lin Xiyue and her companions.
When it finally settled on Lin Qingyue, the corners of her lips curved upward involuntarily, revealing a hint of amusement.
"Aeldara, back so soon? What urgent matter brings you here?"
The queen's voice remained cool and clear, yet it now sounded like honey-sweetened ice spring water, carrying a touch of warmth.
"Your Majesty," Aeldara knelt on one knee, her voice steady. "We have made a new discovery of critical importance that requires your immediate attention."
"Oh?" The queen raised an eyebrow, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of her chaise lounge, signaling her to continue.
Aeldara then relayed Lin Qingyue's deductions verbatim.
From the suspicious circumstances surrounding the Human Prince's alleged theft of the diary, to the timing of the Undead Race's unusual activity, and finally, the startling conclusion that a mastermind was manipulating these events to conceal the Dungeon Core.
As Aeldara spoke, Lin Qingyue could sense that while the queen's languid posture remained unchanged, her gaze gradually sharpened, as if piercing through layers of mist to pinpoint the heart of the matter.
She was no longer the dozing cat, but a graceful lioness, claws retracted, observing from the shadows.
When Aeldara finished her report, a brief silence fell over the room.
Lin Qingyue's heart pounded. She knew her theory was bold, even scandalous.
But she believed that the Queen's wisdom would allow her to grasp the crucial point.
The Queen didn't immediately offer her opinion. Instead, she gently stroked the book's cover with her fingertip, her gaze deep and inscrutable.
"Your hypothesis... is quite intriguing," the Queen finally said, her gaze shifting past Aeldara to focus directly on Lin Qingyue. Her wine-red eyes glimmered with appreciation.
"If things truly are as you suspect, then this game... is far grander than I initially imagined."
Lin Qingyue breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems Her Majesty the Queen is wise enough to grasp the truth with a single hint. Unlike some others who require everything spelled out.
"Your Majesty, how likely do you think this possibility is?" Aeldara couldn't help but ask.
The Queen sighed softly, a hint of weariness flickering in her eyes.
"I've always believed that the Human King, though greedy, wasn't foolish enough to provoke a full-scale war with my people over a few scandalous tales from his ancestors," the Queen said, her tone flat. "But his son... Alex... he's certainly a restless one."
"Still, risking so much just for a few 'interesting' Magic Image tomes doesn't quite add up."
The Queen's gaze fell on Lin Qingyue once more, repeating her earlier point, but with a hint of amusement.
"The theft was a pretense. The real goal was to have the contents 'discovered'."
"And the Undead Race... after a century of dormancy, their sudden resurgence is indeed suspicious."
The Queen slowly straightened up, her languid aura instantly vanishing.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed the heavy ancient tome toward the bookshelf. As if it had sprouted wings, the book glided silently across half the room, slotting precisely into its designated space.
Barefoot, she stepped down from the chaise lounge and walked lightly to the window, gazing out at the radiant moonlight.
"They are the purest destructive force in this world, the sworn enemies of order. Yet they are not mindless beasts; they too understand how to seek advantage and avoid harm."
"If someone is truly manipulating them from behind, using them to sow chaos, then that person... or that faction, harbors grand ambitions."
A new solemnity crept into the queen's voice.
"Thank you for providing this information." The queen turned and gave a slight nod to Lin Qingyue and her companions. "This offers us a fresh perspective on our investigation into the undead's unusual movements."
"Though we haven't yet located the 'Dungeon Core' you mentioned, at least we now have a clear direction to pursue."
A glint of wisdom sparkled in the queen's eyes. "I will immediately convene the Mage Council to re-examine all recent reports of unusual Undead Race activity and intensify surveillance of the Human Royal Family."
"As for you..." The queen's gaze locked onto Lin Qingyue once more, her smile deepening, even playfully winking.
"Since you've come here seeking the 'Core,' our goals are, in a way, aligned."
"Aeldara, are you willing to continue traveling with them?" the queen asked, turning her gaze to Aeldara.
"This subordinate is willing!" Aeldara replied without hesitation, her voice firm and resolute.
Lin Qingyue inwardly cheered.
Excellent! With Aeldara, a powerful ally, our safety just skyrocketed.
Plus, she's someone we already know, which will make communication much easier.
"Very good," the queen nodded in satisfaction. "Then you shall continue following this lead to investigate the Undead Race's anomalies. I will instruct Silvermoon City to provide you with their full cooperation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lin Qingyue and her companions said in unison.
"You're welcome," the queen waved her hand dismissively as she returned to her lounge chair, settling back with her usual elegant, languid charm.
She paused, then added, "However, you must be cautious. If someone is orchestrating events from the shadows, this game will not be simple."
"Especially Prince Alex. If he was manipulated once, he could easily be used again."
Lin Qingyue's heart clenched.
Her Majesty the Queen is right. That bratty Prince Alex might be a ticking time bomb. I'll have to be extra cautious around him from now on.
"Alright, you may withdraw and prepare," the Queen said, settling back behind her desk. "Aeldara, remain. I have some matters to discuss with you privately."
"As you command, Your Majesty," Aeldara replied, dropping to one knee again.
Lin Qingyue and her three companions bowed and retreated from the study, leaving the Queen and Aeldara inside to continue their discussion.
As soon as they were out of the study, Lin Xiyue let out a relieved sigh.
"Whew, Her Majesty the Queen usually seems less imposing, but her aura is still so overwhelming," Lin Xiyue said, patting her chest. "I felt even more nervous here than in the grand hall."
"That's because this is her personal space, so what you sensed was her truest aura," Su Wan explained, a hint of envy in her eyes. "It's the confidence of someone who completely controls everything."
Xia Lian, however, seemed preoccupied, still mulling over the Queen's earlier words.
"So, there's someone pulling strings behind the Undead Race..." Xia Lian murmured to herself. "This world is just too complicated."
Lin Qingyue's spirits soared.
It seems we're on the right track, she mused inwardly. Undead Race, Dungeon Core, mastermind—the plot is getting more and more intriguing.