Gina took a half-step forward and said.
"If it’s not too much to ask, your majesty. Then... would you be willing to return the Elven Queen’s soul to her?"
The Spirit Queen’s eyes narrowed at this request, and she hummed curiously as she said.
’You’re quite the greedy girl, aren’t you~? I have not only granted you permission to tap into the powers of nature without cost to your mana, but I have also allowed you to have one of my daughters as your companion. And yet, you ask for more~?’
Gina’s cheeks reddened in slight embarrassment as she realised how entitled she was acting at this moment. The Queen was right about Gina asking for far too much. Right now, Gina had gained an ability that would allow her to control the wind without needing to ever consume mana again, and she had also gained a spirit as a companion - even though the spirit was a little bit of a bitch. [A/N: lol]
The fact that Gina was also asking the Spirit Queen to give the Elven Queen her soul back made it seem like Gina was ungrateful. But even though she seemed ungrateful, Gina just couldn’t overlook something like this! Not when she had a chance to do something about it!
Gina bowed her head to the Spirit Queen, and the Spirit Queen hummed in curious surprise as Gina spoke.
"I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask for this even after everything you’ve given me, and I know I must seem very selfish, but the elves have done a lot for me, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t at least try to return their Queen to them."
The Spirit Queen supported her head on one hand and gazed at Gina intensely as she considered her words. Gina honestly didn’t know if this would work, and if it didn’t, then Gina would simply accept that she at least tried. But Gina hoped that the Spirit Queen would be kind enough to help out. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the Spirit Queen finally spoke up.
’Well, I suppose giving back one measly soul is nothing serious for someone of my standing~ But if you desire to retrieve a soul, then don’t you think it is only right that you present something of equal value in exchange~?’
Gina blinked in slight shock when she heard this, and for the first time since the conversation started, Gina actually felt some hesitation enter her heart as she began to wonder what sort of offering the Spirit Queen would ask for. The Spirit Queen smiled mischievously as she easily sensed Gina’s nervousness, and she floated off the lotus bed and flashed forward faster than Gina could follow! The Spirit Queen grabbed Gina’s face in her hands before saying.
’Is it not only right that in exchange for one soul, I receive another one in return~? After all, much like the Elven Queen, you are quite the beauty yourself~’
Gina was ready to fight. There was an intense desperation that suddenly filled Gina’s body as she gazed into the deep blue eyes of the Spirit Queen, and Gina could feel her heart rate spiking as she realised what the Queen was asking for! Gina knew that she was no match for a literal immortal Queen of spirits, but that didn’t mean that she was going to just allow this bitch to take her soul that easily! Gina’s right hand tightened into a fist and she coudl feel her adrenaline pumping agressively as she waited for the right opportunity to attack, but before she could do anything else, the spirit, Ulyn, suddenly spoke up with a rebellious tone and an eye roll.
’Ugh, stop it mom. You’re always acting like some old school villain.’
The Spirit Queen’s face suddenly melted from the intense look it once had into a small smile, and Gina was shocked when the Spirit Queen suddenly began to laugh while floating away from Gina.
’Hahaha~ I’m sorry, Ulyn, but you must admit her reactions are entertaining~ Relax, Gina, I won’t be demanding you give me your soul as an offering~ Not even I am so heartless~ And besides, I can tell at a single glance that your soul belongs to another. It is already not your own to give, so it would be pointless to desire it~’
Gina released a breath she didn’t know she had been holding as the Spirit Queen floated back to the lotus bed and lay down again. Gina looked over at Ulyn to say thank you for the help, but Ulyn just huffed and turned away from Gina with a look of annoyance, and Gina felt her eyes twitch! It was obvious that the two of them weren’t going to get along at all! The Spirit Queen spoke up and drew Gina’s attention back to her.
’I possess many souls in my keep, Gina, therefore, I will not be needing a soul in offering~ But that does not mean I will simply give you what you desire without receiving something of value in return~’
Gina had already been smiling when the Spirit Queen said that she wouldn’t need a soul from her, but when the Spirit Queen said that she still needed something in offering, Gina’s smile dimmed as she wondered what the Queen would ask for. Honestly, Gina didn’t understand why the Queen couldn’t just give the soul to her. It was obvious that something like this wasn’t that big of a deal in the first place! The Spirit Queen had many souls, so why was she adamant on making things difficult for Gina!?
It was almost as though the Spirit Queen could hear Gina’s thoughts because she leaned forward and spoke with a smile.
’Ah, I am sure you are asking yourself why I am putting you through so much trouble when I could simply hand over the soul to you, are you not? Well the answer to that is quite simple~ I am doing this simply because it is what I wish to do~ Whether something is given freely or paid for is a matter decided by nature’s whim, and as a Queen under nature’s domain, I have the venerable right to enact my will upon anyone I wish to~ You will give me an offering of my choosing, and only after I am satisfied will you be granted what you wish~ Is that clear~?’
Gina closed her eyes as she realised that this was the best she could hope for. Right now, the Spirit Queen held all the power, so Gina couldn’t hope to try and negotiate any further, and the only thing she could do was to accept the Queen’s terms. Gina was just grateful that she didn’t have to give her own soul in exchange for the Elven Queen’s own. But Gina hoped that whatever the Spirit Queen asked for wouldn’t be too difficult to get.
....
Outside the Spirit Cave, the Lake of Remembrance was currently being ravaged by a massive twister that was spreading out from around Gina! The elf guards from all around Arandelle had run towards the garden once they saw the twister, and Farlow told them all to wait outside as he went in to see what was happening with Gina. Farlow walked into the garden calmly, and he frowned as he felt the intensity of the twister growing stronger as he approached Gina’s body. But the look on Farlow’s face slowly bled away into a look of shock as he realised something!
’I can’t sense any mana.’
Farlow could feel his heart skip a beat from the shock that he felt! There were many things that Farlow had expected when he first gave Gina this task. Farlow knew that telling any mage to become a complete sage in only a few days was unheard of, and he had already been expecting Gina to fail this task and then learn from those experiences in order to become a Sage at some other time! But never in his life did Farlow think that Gina would not only pass this task, but she would do it in less time than he had given her!