DING!
A notification popped up in his vision, showing a half-opaque window with the words plastered in both bold and italics: {Lady Farren has Returned.}
This came from his shadow back in the Elven Kingdom. He left it there, guarding a certain red marked tree with a simple mail-box installed right next to it.
He told the Elves to put a letter inside this mailbox to inform him of Lady Farren's return. And just a few seconds ago, his shadow saw an Elf drop a leaf scroll inside.
Sure enough, it informed him of the news he'd been waiting for all this time.
He pumped his hands, excitement curling the corner of his mouth.
After all, Lady Farren's return didn't just signal a new business venture for the Reborn company, but it was also a nascent step in his mission to find the second Antique.
According to Basteine, the fiery red Draconian Zovirru's butler, the second Mythical Beast bone was owned by quite a peculiar character. To say he was whimsical was putting it mildly.
This Draconian didn't want money, fame, nor power in exchange for this Antique. Many had tried to pry the priceless curio from their hands through many lavish efforts: like gifting him a pile of Sand Dollars, showering him with priceless ornate jewelry and art masterpieces, and many more of the like. Yet, according to the rumors, he denied them all.
It seemed that this mighty Beastfolk was quite the opposite to popular Draconian stereotypes. He didn't want decadent gifts. No, he just wanted to meet with the Elves—plain and simple.
But for some reason, the Elves had been rejecting his attempts.
Michael didn't know why, but he was intending to find out. And with Darkwood and Mithril Artifact Compound Bow as leverage, he had a much higher chance than any to figure out the reason for their cavalier attitude.
Maybe, he just might be able to fulfill Draconian's wishes and reward him with the Antique itself.
Who knows if it was even possible, but a man can dream.
"Hmm… you're not cheating on me, are you?"
Princess Octavia's words immediately brought him out of his reverie.
"What?"
"I can see that look on your face. It's the same face you made when I offered you a hundred million Sand Dollars for the filters.
Surely, you aren't postponing my filters so that you can create filters for those other filthy marine mammals."
Octavia's tentacles crossed together with reproach, her skin turning into a jealous green.
He immediately raised his hand to clear his innocence. "No, no! It has nothing to do with Mermen, I swear!"
She looked at him, still trying to decide if he was treacherous or not. He gave her his signature amiable smile. Surely, a knave wouldn't be this charismatic, right?
Unfortunately though, it seemed she wasn't as gullible as his mother. She would have immediately forgiven him. But Princess Octavia just glared at him.
Now that it came to this, Michael used his secret tactic.
"ALL HAIL PRINCESSS OCTAVIA!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing in the waters.
As soon as the citizens of the Sunken Ship heard his praiseful words, they immediately echoed his sentiment with a cacophony of cheering, shouting, and tail slapping.
Princess Octavia immediately turned towards her citizens, opening her arms and basking in all the glory.
It was only a second later that she broke out of her self-serving stupor, realizing that she had been tricked!
She quickly turned back to face Michael, but he was already gone.
…
…
…
Michael ascended from the shadows, finding himself in the breezy ambiance of the Elven forest.
"Whew… that was close."
Contrary to the all-encompassing dark blue hue of the Mermen lake, the Elven forest was filled with bright greenery, shimmering sunlight, and… the cacophonous sounds of leaves rustling from activity.
He immediately sensed multiple living beings in his vicinity.
Thankfully, the gargantuan acacia trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving large shades in the ground for him to hide on.
Hiding inside an alcove underneath the tree's girthy roots, Michael piloted his invisible Drone to fly towards the sounds of activity.
It wasn't long before he saw a sparsely grouped Elven guards patrolling the area. Their bows were drawn taut, with an arrow already lodged for an easy shot.
They masterfully scurried atop the massive maze of protruding roots from the giant trees and barely eked out a sound. If it wasn't for his incredible senses, he wouldn't have even heard them coming. That's weird. The security wasn't this strict when I last came here.
Using his 15 Mini Drones, he spread them out in a large diameter and noticed other groups of leaf and vine-armored Elves patrolling the forest with serious looks on their faces.
Spurred on by curiosity, he released his stealthy shadow and let his presence be known.
A branch snapped, making the Elves turn towards his location.
He stepped forward, making sure to keep his hands free.
For a brief, tense second, the Elves drew their arrows and pointed at him.
But in the next second, an Elf shouted and raised his hand. His eyes shined with recognition. "Wait! He's a guest of Lady Farren!"
Immediately, the Elven guards dropped their bows and returned their arrows to their quiver.
The male guardian Elf then approached Michael with a courtly bow. "Our apologies, Sir Keo. We didn't expect to see you here. We had guides waiting for you at the entrance. Were they not there?"
Michael scratched his head. "I guess we must have passed each other."
The male Elf didn't question it any further and gestured to Michael to follow him. "Let me lead you to our village, lest there be another case of mistaken identity."
They walked forwards, with Michael noticing the increasing frequency of Elven guards stationed as they got near the village.
"Why all the security?"
The Elf pursed his lips. "We've had a bad case of ill-natured vandals lately, desecrating our trees with all sorts of carvings. But worry not, it will not trouble you during your stay."