*Vol.4 Chapter251 I’m Doing My Duties. 🦴
Several days had slipped by since the Emergency Session, and while the capital city of Tairal appeared peaceful on the surface, a web of intrigue simmered beneath. Multiple factions maneuvered in the shadows, each trying to decipher the intentions of the others, as the air grew thick with unspoken tension.
In the heart of the palace, Princess Hilda was slowly acclimating to her lavish yet stifling surroundings. The opulence of the royal abode was both a comfort and a cage. She rarely ventured outside, plagued by the fear that a chance encounter with the enigmatic Dark Elf would lead to complications she wasn't prepared to face. Yet, her heart was anchored by a desperate need to be near Quinus, whose mysterious charms had ensnared her mind and emotions. Convinced she was under some sort of enchantment, she yearned for the assistance of Duchess Leandra. With no way to reach out to her, Hilda found herself trapped in a cycle of waiting, hoping that the Duchess would sense her plight and make contact.
Meanwhile, in the temple’s cloistered halls, Lord Brice and Lord Gawain engaged in a grave discussion with Mother Astra, the High Priestess. The topic was unsettling: rumors of tampering with the sacred ritual of Balance and Favor had surfaced, sending ripples of alarm through the ranks of the faithful. Mother Astra's brow furrowed with disapproval as she listened to their concerns; the very thought of her precious rites being exploited was abhorrent to her.
In response, she took immediate action, deploying her most loyal priests and priestesses to guard the Idol with a fierce devotion. Yet hidden in the shadows was a treachery she could not foresee—one of her most trusted clerics, lured by the Duke and Viscount's insidious promises, had succumbed to corruption. In exchange for large sums of gold, he was set on a path of betrayal, poised to undermine the goddess’s ritual by using a large ether crystal on the Idol. It was only a matter of time before his treason would unravel the sacred Balance, with consequences that could echo throughout Tairal.
King Cyndre and Queen Rianna were having the time of their lives in the City of Lomar. Ever since Rya healed Rianna's body, which was poisoned by a strange toxin that attacked her womb, she was feeling randier than usual, and she and the king couldn't keep their hands off each other. Even though they were having fun, they both knew they needed to help their son gain the support to marry Rya. Rianna is required to confront her sister-in-law, Duchess Leandra, her poisoning attempt, and her possible collusion with the Duke. They planned to return to the capital for the ritual in two days.
Marquess Duval and Count Sebastian remained in the bustling capital, deeply engaged in strategic discussions with their allies. Duval, ever the cautious planner, was diligently preparing a measure aimed at expelling Rya from the Kingdom, contingent upon the success of their carefully orchestrated ritual. However, he remained acutely aware of the Duke's potential machinations; the Duke might very well attempt to leverage this precarious situation to enhance his own influence over the court. With the balance of power in jeopardy, Duval’s only recourse was to forge ahead with the hope of maintaining the support of most nobles and ministers aligned with his cause.
An additional layer of complexity arose from his responsibility to host Prince Zane of the Divine Three, a regal figure whose presence demanded both attention and respect. The foreign prince was accompanied by Sir Darius and a small cadre of White Knights, all of whom remained on high alert, prepared for any eventuality that might involve the elimination of the elusive Dark Elf and her followers. There was also a delicate concern regarding Hilda, the spirited relative who adamantly resisted her step-brother's feeble efforts to guide her to the Marquess's Manor. Frustrated with the ineffectiveness of traditional approaches, she resolved to pursue her own strategy in dealing with the threat posed by the Dark Elf.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Quinus and his steadfast companion, Johan, shared moments of levity with their loved ones amid the weight of their princely duties. Yet, as they enjoyed fleeting pleasures, they understood that their responsibilities to the kingdom loomed larger, especially with the arrival of their fathers in the capital approaching. Primarily, they needed to finalize a critical trade deal concerning the export of Nathaniel's surplus crops to the neighboring Kartoll Kingdom.
Over the next two days, Quinus, Johan, Eamon, Thaddeus, and Nathaniel convened in a series of intense meetings, each devoted to negotiating the terms of the lucrative agreement. Thaddeus and Eamon expressed satisfaction with the progress made, yet they understood that the finalization hinged on the approval of Queen Nefer Aquarius IV. It was she who held the authority to sign the treaty permitting the use of her kingdom’s strategically vital ports.
Upon receiving an inquiry by carrier pigeon, the Queen's interest was piqued; however, she insisted on consulting with key representatives of the Major Lords before she could commit her kingdom to such an arrangement. By the end of the third day, a response from her office came, and Baron Thaddeus prepared to embark southward, intent on securing a personal meeting to persuade her of the merits of the deal and its potential to benefit both kingdoms.
Baron Thaddeus and his loyal entourage departed from the bustling city at dawn, their sights set on the distant border separating the two kingdoms. With a firm grip on the reins and determination fueling his drive, Thaddeus could have urged his driver to hasten their journey, aiming to reach their destination in three weeks. However, the baron valued the well-being of his men and preferred a more measured pace, hoping they would arrive in four weeks, allowing time for rest and reflection along the way.
With the trade deal mostly squared away, Crown Prince Quinus and the astute Lord Johan diligently focused on their next ambitious endeavor: securing the kingdom’s engineers for a critical project in Edermines City. Guided by his commitment to progress, Quinus promised the town's Mayor the construction of a much-needed aqueduct to provide a reliable fresh water source. However, thorough research was essential, which required Quinus to assess the landscape meticulously to determine the best site for this infrastructure. Lord Johan, possessing a deep familiarity with the intricate geography of the Eder Hills Domain, eagerly spread out the maps before them, tracing potential routes with thoughtful deliberation. It didn’t take long before they identified a suitable location, but now the pressing challenge lay in securing the necessary funding and organizing the kingdom's engineers to undertake the construction. Quinus planned to initiate these arrangements promptly, but only after the upcoming ritual, which held significant importance for both him and the realm.
Johan was itching to dive into his illusion magic practice with Rya, but their enemies were on high alert and spies could be around every corner, so he settled for a few quick pointers instead. It was a small relief that she was willing to help, but he knew he had to wait for calmer times to really focus on honing the more advanced incantations with her. After all, the last thing he wanted was for anyone outside his close circle to discover that he was an Illusion Mage.
He was making strides with his Shadow Mimic spell, now able to cast it as easily a clicking his fingers. But Shadow Self? That was an entirely different beast. The memory of the forest incident—when he’d been forced to pull off an incredible feat to save his wife—still haunted him. Each failed attempt weighed heavily on his shoulders as he fought to replicate that desperate success.
The bright side? He could at least channel his mana effectively enough to invoke the incantation. However, his shadow clone was short-lived, vanishing after a mere fifteen seconds as the mana slipped through his fingers like sand. It infuriated him, but he couldn’t deny it was a step up from total failure. He needed that spell locked and loaded, ready for any future emergencies. Relying on luck simply wasn’t an option, not when his loved ones were on the line. Despite the setbacks, a flicker of confidence sparked within him—he was getting closer to protecting those he cared about.
Meanwhile, Tayna spent much of her time at the Dule family residence, nestled in the heart of the capital. She made appearances at the palace for lunch, eager to connect with Rya and strategize. With a keen eye on the intricate web of court politics, she was determined to forge alliances that could bolster both her and Rya’s standing among the nobles. Rya had to step into the spotlight, and Tayna was ready to help her gain the support she needed to navigate the swirling currents of power at the palace.
While the Crown Prince and Young Lord were working, Rya, Nieren, and Dalia spent time together in the palace. Yuliana would occasionally train her daughters in the way of the Green Word and then go to the training grounds. So Dalia and Nieren could release pent-up energy, or in Nieren's case, frustration.
Nieren was dealing with a mix of emotions. Her first issue was getting trained for the Green Word, which was bringing up PTSD from when she was younger, and failing to reach her mother's expectations. Nieren didn't think she could become a good Green Word Warrior or Priestess, and her mother would become sad for thinking she was a terrible mother. Nieren hated seeing her mother depressed and would feel worse than she already did. Her second issue was the growing feelings for Quinus. She thought it was an innocent curiosity and nothing more, but as time passed, she started having dreams about the handsome Prince.
Dreams like the two of them going on an adventure together or exploring a dungeon together, and then her dream would take a turn towards the naughtier side, and she would wake up all hot and bothered. She thought that if she didn't touch herself, the thoughts and dreams would disappear. But it was only getting worse, and she was beginning to worry if she had caught some weird curse. She could have asked her mother, but that would have been way too embarrassing, and she decided to deal with herself, especially when she was surprised by actually connecting with a plant by using a basic Green Word spell.
It was like a lightbulb went off in her head. If she could connect with a plant, maybe she could also find a spell in a Light Mage's grimoire to help her with her problem. Unfortunately, she couldn't just steal a grimoire and try to copy the spell. Plus, she was unfamiliar with casting spells. Nieren needed Rya to teach her how to use Light Magic, but her sister hadn't come across any tomes, books, or grimoires that contained Light Magic. Nieren had to be careful and patient. She had to wait until Rya got hold of a Light Magic book.
So, Nieren sparred with Rya and Dalia to relieve stress and release her pent-up "sexual" frustration.
Rya aimed to uncover the Duke's plan by secretly dispatching four golems to spy on him, the Prime Minister, and a few of his allies. To avoid the half-naked attire of Ironside, she outfitted the golems in proper clothing and altered their appearance, ensuring they lacked the usual elven ears and featured more human-like characteristics. This way, no one would suspect they were anything other than living beings, despite their identical looks.
And once her golems were out and about, she focused on the blood contact the Meredydd family had in their vault. Quinus didn't lie about them having a small crate of it. The crate looked creepy when Quin brought Rya into the Royal vault. While the crate measured two feet by two feet, its exterior looked Dominican and reminded her of the bio-mechanical style of H.R. Giger.
The black box was decorated with runes and etched pictures of dragons. The top had a huge silver dragon or demon eye, which reminded her of the Eye of Sauron, except the pupil wasn't burning fire and wasn't glowing. When Quinus placed his hand on the lid, the eye turned bright green, and then four latches were unlocked.
Rya was surprised when she looked inside and saw around two hundred blood contracts.
'Jesus H. Crist!... Quin wasn't joking,' Rya thought as she pulled one page out of the crate and held it up to the light.
Quinus stood next to her and was waiting to see if she noticed anything strange about the contract.
And Rya's eyes slowly scanned the page, and she also used her Seer Stone to see if there was something to explain the origins of how these things and how they were created. Ever since she transformed into a Dark Elf, she's been able to see things that are invisible to the human eye, and it's like she can see ethereal, spirit, or cosmic energies. On top of that, she can read dead languages, and if she examines an artifact, she can see how mana is connected throughout the item. Sometimes, she can improve them to work better, especially magical items. But with the blood contracts, Rya was having trouble figuring out how they were made, and she didn't know how potent they were. It worried her, and she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Any luck finding something out?" Quinus asked as he waited for Rya's verdict.
Rya shook her head. "No. I can't determine how these things are made or where they originated... It's a little worrisome that I can see how everything else works in this world, but blood contracts, and I can't get an idea of their power either. I can't see a link or a pathway of the internal workings, like when I look at artifacts or enchantments."
"Hmm...," Quinus rubbed his chin before an idea popped into his head. "I'm not sure if this is a possibility, but what if the blood contracts are based on a whole different concept?"
Rya stopped channeling her mana through the Seer Stone, and she looked over to Quinus with a puzzled look.
"What do you mean?"
Quinus hesitated to speak because it was only a theory, but it wasn't out of the realm of possibility.
"Well, maybe you can only see how things work with mana," Quinus said as he scratched his head and tried to find the right words.
"But I can see ether as well. So, why can I see that but not with these contracts?" Rya asked with a raised brow.
"That's because ether goes hand in hand with mana, right?... We use liquid ether to forge some of the best magical weapons and armor. Plus, monsters consume ether to become stronger and makes their mana vein denser and more powerful," Quinus explained.
Rya's eyes opened wide when she realized what Quinus was saying.
'And labyrinths turn mana into ether!.... Wait a minute,' Rya thought as an idea came to mind.
"You're right!... But... What would have made them that way?" Rya asked, and Quinus shrugged.
"I don't know... But there are other forces in this world, like negative energy. Also, there's something I remember hearing about when I was a kid hanging around other children. They mentioned a rumor about blood magic being forbidden... I thought it was nothing but a legend or a scary story, but maybe there's something to it. What do you think?" Quinus asked Rya.
"Blood magic?... Wait?... Is there necromancy in this world?" Rya asked, and Quinus shook his head.
"I haven't heard of anything like that... Just rumors that say that blood magic is a cursed magic whose origins are unknown... Maybe it originated from witches or demons, I'm not sure," Quinus said.
Rya thought it over, and the more she thought about it, the more she believed it might have something to do with blood contracts.
"Hmm, this is becoming more complicated than I first hoped. We'll have to keep an eye out for blood magic and witches. But if Yuliana doesn't know much about it, then I think it's safe to say it's a rare occurrence. Or maybe we need to speak with an older elf or find an ancient book with the answers," Rya suggested.
Quinus agreed with Rya. He knew of a few mages and scholars in the kingdom who specialized in magical history. So, he thought it wouldn't be too difficult to ask a few if they knew about blood magic. Plus, there was a small section within the Royal Library that had books on dead languages. Maybe Rya would have some luck there.
"I have a few friends who might know something. So, I'll ask around and let you know what I find out," Quinus said.
"Alright... That's a good start... And we should find out if necromancy is a thing. I mean, the blood eclipse of the twin moons makes the dead become the undead. It was so freaky to see zombies and skeletons of the Black Rose Mercenaries... Anyway, if we have everything in this fantasy world, including dragons and labyrinths, then there must be necromancy... But I'm sure it's a practice that is frowned upon," Rya said, and Quinus nodded.
"Yes, but Dark Elves are frowned upon... And they are rare species, right?... Are they as evil as the stories say?" Quinus asked, and Rya paused.
'Well... I was a human before I transformed. So, technically, I'm not a genuine dark elf in the cultured sense. But I don't think Yoona or the rest of the Dark Elves are evil per se... Damn... I haven't thought about them in a long time... I wonder what happened after I got teleported?...' Rya had a slight sense of worry in her chest.
Rya was lost in her thoughts until she noticed Quinus staring at her.
"Huh?... What?" Rya asked, and Quinus blushed a bit.
"Uh... You look adorable right now... I mean... I was wondering what you were thinking about. You seemed distracted," Quinus said, and Rya sighed.
"Sorry, I was just remembering a past I've been trying to forget... I don't think the Dark Elves are evil like those stupid stories. But I can't really say much about it since I'm not a real dark elf," Rya said, and Quinus nodded his head.
"Well... Hopefully, they are reasonable beings," Quinus said, standing up and stretching. "Anyway, I have some work to finish... Are you going to hang here for a while?" He asked.
Rya glances at the page one last time before putting it back in the dark box.
"No... There's nothing else I can glean from this," Rya said, standing up.
"Alright then... Let's get a snack before I get back to my duties," Quinus said.
Rya smirked at Quinus, "Hey... How did you not notice how ominous these blood contracts were, especially when they were being stored in something like this box?" Rya asked, holding the box in her hand.
Quinus smirked at her before looking around the rest of the Royal Vault. Rya followed his eyes and noticed all the other items in the Royal Vault.
"Well... It's not the only strange object down here... Take the Bloodstone Orb over there, for example... Or the cultus armor that was made of human flesh and bone... Not to mention the other things that are more dangerous than a couple of contracts..." Quinus said as he pointed out a few of the creepiest items.
Rya was so focused on the blood contacts that she had tunnel vision when she came down here. She didn't even notice the other stuff.
'Damn... I didn't even notice how many items are stored in this room...' Rya thought as she saw the massive vault. Most items looked normal, like chests full of gold, silver, or jewels. And most of the swords and armor looked normal, but there was a whole bunch of weird stuff, especially the cultus armor.
"I guess you're more acclimated to this world than me... Haah... I guess I shouldn't be as wary of every new thing that comes my way," Rya said, and Quinus patted her shoulder.
"Hey, I get it... I had a similar thought when my father brought me down here for the first time... I'm just glad we had media with weird fantasy stories like this world. If not, I would probably be panicking or freaking out right now," Quinus said as he led her out of the room.
"So, you don't think it's weird that magic exists or that monsters and demons exist out there?"
"I would be lying if I said I was cool with all of it. But after two decades, you just kind of accept it... Plus, it will be weird once I've lived longer in this world than back on Earth... But I still have a decade living before that happens," Quinus said.
'Shit... Quin's right... At some point, I will live on this planet longer than I did back on Earth... I wonder if I will ever get the opportunity to return to Earth?... It's probably better not to think about it... Especially since there's no way back to Earth,' Rya thought as Quinus guided her up the stairs.
They closed the vault door behind them, and Quinus led Rya up to their bedroom. Quinus ordered some sandwiches and juice for them, and they had a little picnic in their room.
"So, are you ready for the ritual tomorrow?" Quinus asked, and Rya nodded.
"Yeah... I could only hear Duval mentioning something about using an ether crystal on the idol... Your uncle is as cunning as you said," Rya mentioned as she grabbed a sandwich.
Quinus nodded his head, "Yeah... He's been quieter than I'm used to... And that worries me... Hopefully, he hasn't done anything stupid while we've been away..." Quinus said, and Rya shrugged her shoulders.
Rya leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Well... I have R9 keeping an eye on his manor, so if anything goes down, we should be the first to know,” she said, a sly smile creeping across her lips. Quinus shook his head, a playful smirk forming as he replied, “Haah, you are such a devious woman, Rya…”
“Oh, please,” Rya retorted, a hint of laughter in her voice. “Like you have any room to talk. You’re just as devious as—” Her words were cut short as Quinus’s hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, his touch electrifying against her skin.
Rya’s breath hitched, and warmth flooded her cheeks. “Oh, my... It seems like a certain naughty girl doesn’t have her panties on,” Quinus teased, his voice low and sultry as his fingers traced the soft contours of her wet slit.
She felt flustered yet exhilarated, trying to contain her reactions. Just as she opened her mouth to protest, to assert that there were more pressing matters at hand, Quin slid a finger inside her, causing a soft, involuntary moan to escape her lips.
“Mmm…” Rya bit her lip, struggling to suppress the sound despite the wave of pleasure washing over her. Her hips seemed to have a mind of their own, rocking against his hand, begging for more.
"Such a devious woman," Quinus whispered in her ear.
Rya felt her cheeks flush with warmth as she glanced at Quinus, a hint of playful embarrassment in her voice. "Y-You mentioned you needed to get to work... Augh!... You have to finish your duties before our ritual tomorrow, right?" She looked at him expectantly, reminding him of their obligations even as a smile tugged at her lips.
Quinus, however, met her gaze with a cheeky grin that hinted at mischief. "Aren't I already completing my duties?" he murmured, dropping down to kneel before her. With a teasing glint in his eye, he leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin as he pressed a gentle kiss to her most intimate spot.
Rya instinctively leaned back in her chair, her heart racing as she opened her legs a fraction wider to give him better access. A guilty thrill coursed through her; she recalled how he had playfully ripped her undergarments the last time they made love. Rya smiled to herself as she recalled the teasing words Quinus had playfully tossed her way earlier. "He says I'm naughty for not wearing panties," she mused, her cheeks warming at the memory. It had all started after breakfast when, in a moment of playful mischief, he had playfully ripped her underwear away, leaving her both surprised and exhilarated. Today, feeling a bit lazy and adventurous, she had chosen to embrace the freedom of going without.
As she lay back, Rya reveled in the sensation of Quinus's kisses trailing softly against her skin, sending tingling down her spine. His lips moved with a patient exploration, drawing her in deeper with every gentle caress against her lower lips. "Mm," she sighed, the sound escaping her lips almost reverently.
Lost in the moment, Rya couldn't help but reflect on the joys of being a woman and the intoxicating sensations that came with it. Just then, Quinus's fingers found her clit, and a jolt of pleasure shot through her. "Ah!" She cried out in surprise, her body arching slightly at the intensity of the sensation.
Quinus chuckled, and the low rumble of his voice sent another shiver through her.
"Oooh, God... Quin... That feels sooo good..." Rya moaned softly, her words barely escaping her lips as she surrendered to the sensations coursing through her.
With each gentle touch, her body responded eagerly; warmth enveloped her, and beads of sweat began to form on her skin, glistening in the light. She could feel the wetness pooling between her thighs, a testament to her arousal.
"Oooh!" Rya gasped as she reached the peak of ecstasy, her ecstatic moan echoing in the quiet room. Waves of bliss surged through her, and her juices flowed freely, pooling onto the floor beneath her.
"Mmm, you taste so sweet, my naughty elf," Quinus whispered in her ear as his mouth came closer to hers.
He kissed her passionately, and she returned the kiss. Their tongues fought for dominance.
"Mm," She moaned, tasting herself on his lips.
She felt his cock pressing against her.
'He's not going to let me rest until he takes me,' Rya thought and grinned at the idea of him taking her again.
'H-He's been taking me every day since we came to the capital... It's like he wants to make sure I become pregnant... But I'm an elf now... I don't think it's possible anymore...'
Rya smiled at the thought and pushed his trousers down.
'I guess it wouldn't hurt to try again...'
Quinus smirked, and his hand grabbed her left breast.
"You want more?" Quinus asked.
Rya smiled and nodded her head, "Yes,"
Quinus nodded and slid his hard cock into her wet pussy.
"Ah!" Rya moaned, feeling him filling her.
Quinus pulled her leg up, making her turn a bit in her chair, and began thrusting.
"Ah! Ah!" Rya moaned, enjoying the feeling of him moving in and out of her.
'H-He's so fucking good... He knows how to hit the spot I love the most... And his cock feels so good inside me... H-He's making me lose my mind...'
She could feel her climax approaching.
"Oh, God... Oh, God... Oh, God..."
Quinus grinned at her as he knew how to please his fiancée.
Rya's mind went blank, and she could only moan.
"AH!"
She came, her body shuddering, her juices squirting on his cock.
"Shit... I'm cumming, Babe... Fuck..." Quinus said as he slammed into her harder.
Rya felt his seed filling her.
'H-He came inside me again... Fuck!... I love this feeling...'
Quinus pulled his cock out and kissed her deeply.
"Mm," Rya moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They made out for a few minutes, their bodies pressed against each other. Once they came down from their orgasms, they separated and started cleaning themselves up before Quinus had to leave for his duties.
"I have a meeting with the general soon... I'll see you later tonight, Babe," Quinus said.
Rya frowned, not liking her mate leaving her.
'I hate this!... But I can't become the clingy girlfriend type of girl...'
Rya smiled at him.
"Alright, have a good day, and I'll see you tonight, Babe," she said as she straightened up her dress.
Quinus smiled, then kissed her forehead.
"Be safe, Love," He said and walked out of the room.
Rya sat in her chair and sighed.
'I wonder what Nieren and Dalia are doing today... Maybe we can go to the library? Or perhaps do something else... Maybe I'll ask them later,' Rya thought about the two of them. She didn't want to leave the palace grounds until they got all the political crap out of the way.
'Well, might as well do some magic training and meditation. I haven't done any of that in a while... It could help pass the time.'
With that, she opened the doors and walked down the hall to her room so she could focus on her mana flow and her magic.
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