Death Notice Book 8: Chapter 17: The Lost Novices

Release Date: 2026-05-30 20:22:59

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“Wow, Sis Kelly, you’re amazing! I never knew Battle Qi Wings could be used as an attack skill, not just for hovering in the air.” A Female Elf, carrying the Beast King’s Hunting Bow on her back, watched with starry eyes full of admiration as Kelly walked out of the Arena. Excitedly, she offered a towel.

“Hmph. Martial Artists have few area-of-effect attack skills, and most are plain and unremarkable. If it weren’t to scare off those rats spying in the dark corners, I wouldn’t use such a flashy martial art. It obviously doesn’t match my low-key style.” Kelly shook her ponytail, lifting her chin slightly.

A few disguised apostles pretending to be Mercenaries around her turned their faces away, struggling not to laugh until it hurt inside. Their Deputy Leader was great, but her personality was proud, fiery, and absolutely had nothing to do with being low-key.

“Regiment Leader Kelly, did you notice them too?” A blonde Elf next to a mercenary raised his head to look in the direction Qin Lun left, asking with a smile.

This Elf had a handsome face like carved jade, red lips, and sword-like brows. He possessed not only the typical Elf’s good looks but also spoke with unusual calm and confidence. Although his clothes were as ordinary as those of the Mercenaries beside him, his movements carried the noble bearing of someone long accustomed to high status.

“Haha, most likely not a minor figure. Those robes aren’t something just anyone can wear,” Milleras chuckled, shaking his head softly. “The Elf beside him also showed him great respect, so he should be royalty. Royal members of the Elven Court are typically quite powerful. You sensed no threat, perhaps because he held no hostility.”

“Really? That explains why four Elven Rangers sought me for morning training at dawn. Was that King Testiel’s attempt to test us?” Kelly shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever. I can’t figure out you Elves and your strange thoughts anyway. We’re just passing through the Qiongda’er Forest!”

Milleras gave a bitter smile. Usually, it was humans accused of having sneaky intentions among Elves—how odd it felt reversed! Yet he dared not contradict Kelly. He had witnessed the Female Martial Artist’s fierceness several times first-hand.

Even as a Prince of the Sun Elves, praised as a genius in martial arts and archery, truly angering Kelly could spell trouble. That fearless, mighty woman might seize a chance to cover her face and then, as if nobody would recognize her, pound him hard!

Crucially, he was no match for her. Before departing the Cormanthor Forest, an Elven Ranger General leading the guard had cautioned him: Kelly seemed near the Legendary Rank, a true powerhouse within Faerûn who deserved due respect.

How on earth did she train so fiercely?! The blonde Elf mused quietly to himself. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to clarify his plans to avoid future beatings.

“Actually, upon reaching the Magic Cup Court, I requested aid from King Testiel. He never gave a direct answer. Today’s test might be his way of assessing the Cormanthor delegation’s strength before deciding whether to help us.”

“What? You told the Qiongda’er Elves about our mission!” Kelly’s eyes widened with anger, her willow-leaf brows sharpening. “You don’t trust our Mercenary Corps’ strength?”

“It’s not like that, Regiment Leader Kelly! Please let me explain…” Facing the furious, fierce woman, Milleras felt inwardly distressed yet pressed on. “The Qiongda’er Elves aren’t doing so well themselves right now. If they aid us now, they might gain our friendship on Evermeet someday. King Testiel is a shrewd ruler—he won’t betray us.”

“My concern isn’t that. It’s sharing our Mercenary Corps’ task with outsiders!” Kelly said expressionlessly, staring at the blonde Elf. “That breaches our original agreement.”

“This…” Large beads of sweat formed on Milleras’ forehead. He cast a pleading glance towards the other Mercenaries, regretful of not bringing more guards this morning.

“Kelly, Prince Milleras merely requested King Testiel’s aid. He didn’t involve other Mercenary Corps, which shouldn’t break our initial pact. Right, Prince Milleras?” A beautiful woman with a constant smile emerged from the Mercenaries, subtly signaling the blonde Elf.

“Yes, precisely! Exactly!” Milleras wiped away cold sweat, nodding repeatedly like a bird pecking feed. He strode off purposefully. “I’ll immediately go clarify things further with King Testiel!”

“Hmph! No wonder the Sun Elves are declining. Even their prince lacks backbone. I barely intimidated him, and he fled like a scared dog!” Kelly sneered, curling her lip disdainfully.

Her nearby companions twitched their lips helplessly. They couldn’t fault Milleras—anyone would react the same way. Within Lost, everyone feared this violent woman except their main Leader. Even other Deputy Leaders avoided her to skip a “training” beating via her excuse.

“Speaking of which, Robin, have you noticed any other Apostle teams within the Magic Cup Court these past days?” Kelly turned to the beautiful woman just moments ago.

“Not yet. But that’s unsurprising. Our arrival timing in Qiongda’er Forest approaches the theoretical Star Void calculation limit. Other teams entering the Toril World, provided they’re weaker than us and didn’t break normal Guidance Mission rules, probably can’t tie into our Main Plotline,” answered Robin sweetly, smiling as she spoke.

“Robin, are you implying that… if we idle here for a few more days, we could bump into other Apostle teams?” Kelly frowned thoughtfully, unconsciously flexing her fingers.”Truly, Milleras deserved a beating after all.”

“Kelly, no worries. The Elf Prince remains quite wise. Without your intimidation, he wouldn’t recklessly invite random Mercenaries into the Sun Elf delegation either.” Robin covered her mouth with a light laugh.

“Forget it! You’re leading the novice group anyway. Big Sis Kelly washes her hands of this—call me when trouble appears!” Kelly tossed her ponytail and marched off with forceful strides, leaving Robin behind with a helpless sigh full of ruefulness.

…

I despise such low-probability nonsense! I despise Martial Artists!

Ever since confirming the female Mercenary was Kelly, Qin Lun had hurried to his room, repeatedly rubbing his temples.

Kelly once mentioned she served as Deputy Commander of Lost’s core sub-unit. Through gradually understanding Lost Team, Qin Lun knew this “core sub-unit” was actually Lost’s key Novice Group. Moreover, Kelly held another role—Deputy Leader of Lost’s main team itself.

True to Lost’s culture valuing unity, it made sense they cycled the main team’s Deputy Leaders to oversee the Novice Group—ensuring elite novices developed safely while keeping the group loyal to central command.

One Third Order individual, two or three Second Order elites, plus mostly low-tier members—this Lost Novice group remained within a Mid-Magic World’s power scale. Granted, if Fortress Team barely touched the lower edge, Lost’s with Kelly ranked clearly nearer the Mid-Magic limit.

Qin Lun’s headache didn’t stem solely from familiarity with Kelly. He worried terribly about the formidable female warrior jeopardizing Fortress Team’s mission prospects.

As Deputy Leader of a major team, Kelly’s strength commanded respect—undoubtedly, she ranked at least Third Order, likely peak level within that tier! What troubled Qin Lun most was her combat occupation—Martial Artist remained his personal bane.

Memories lingered vividly of the “Kung Fu Girl” Menro’s inhuman combat prowess displayed in the Metropolis Domination War. Martial Artists thrived through endurance battles and wild “comeback” spirit; their unpredictable battle-mad personalities acted like kryptonite against schemers like Qin Lun.

Based solely on Kelly’s abilities, he firmly believed she could “knock out” the entire Fortress Team single-handedly beneath her metaphorical skirts—no teammates required.

“It’s definite Lost’s novice group arrived before us into the Magic Cup Court. Our Guidance Mission completion minimized time use to theoretical extremes. They likely entered the Quest World before Fortress Team, starting somewhere other than Magic Cup Court!” Qin Lun tapped his fingers rhythmically on his desk. “If that’s true… perhaps they’re merely passing Qiongda’er Forest? Maybe they’ll leave peacefully without intersecting with us—better wait them out patiently.”

Belonging to the Order Front Apostle Alliance within Devil’s Horn allied territory, Lost Team held strong ties to Moonlit Elf clan lineages; many members possessed Elven Bloodline. Observing personnel makeup at the Arena, Qin Lun concluded: through Shattered Starry Sky arrangements, they arrived embedded within an Elf faction via mercenary identity.

Ank Forest? Mir Forest further west? Farther north in Supreme Forest? Or perhaps Sun Elves originating from Cormanthor? Suddenly a thought struck Qin Lun. Could the hidden variation in the Main Plotline relate to them?! Could bypass normal Star Void guidance lead here early? Encountering another major plot branch instead?

Reaching this inference finally darkened Qin Lun’s expression. Hestood abruptly from his chair.”No! Must locate Iristin for answers—immediately!”

…

Guided by Elf guards, Qin Lun arrived swiftly at the Elven Druid’s chambers.

“Firal, you’ve come looking for me?” Iristin stared in surprise at the Elven Hunter arriving so early.

“You… Iristin?” Facing the elegant Elf maiden before him, Qin Lun blinked uncertainly.

His confusion was forgivable. Without her wild appearance—no straw cloak or antlered hat, face paint vanished—the transformed Iristin stood breathtaking! A cascade of shoulder-length silver hair glowed against a flower crown, features exquisitely framed beneath glowing silver patterns shimmering upon silk gown fabric. She resembled an ethereal fairy untouched by worldly concerns.

“Didn’t recognize me?” Iristin spun playfully before Qin Lun, lifting her gown’s edge.

“Ahem, Iristin. I came seeking information,” Qin Lun cleared his throat seriously.”Are there any visiting Mercenary bands or envoys from other Elven Courts within the capital?”

“Hmm… neither King Testiel nor Coris informed me of any such matters. Still, I can guess… likely the Sun Elf delegation hailing from Cormanthor’s forests.” Iristin lowered her lovely brows slightly; a soft sigh escaped her lips.”The Sun Elves publicly pursue rebuilding Sun Court on Evermeet—that ambition holds no secrecy…”

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