Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2864: 1568: Questions in the Grand Hall (2)

Prince Chasing Shadow kept up his deferential stance, voicing his thoughts without a moment's pause.

Once he finished, he planned to question something further, yet after careful deliberation, he bit back his words.

“You’re wondering why I chose to aid the Emperor of the Human Race, right?”

The Dark Half-Elf Queen quickly detected his uncertainty and subtly lifted her eyebrows.

“Nothing gets past My Queen.”

Prince Chasing Shadow lowered his head, nearly touching the dark boots of the Dark Half-Elf Queen, and gave a firm nod.

“No particular motive exists; it’s simply my intrigue over how far this unexpected Otherworldly Lord might advance in the Outer Region.”

The Dark Half-Elf Queen gave a casual shrug while remarking indifferently, “This guy has seized command of the Human Clan’s Saint Night Kingdom, smartly avoiding violation of my vow to the Saint Night Royal Family, yet he’s truly sparked my curiosity.”

“Truly, few can draw My Queen’s attention, not even the peak princes and nobles from the Ten Thousand Clans’ top forces.”

Though Prince Chasing Shadow felt deep admiration inside, bewilderment remained etched on his resolute features. Once more, he appeared poised to speak but held back, before stating, “My Queen, it looks like the Emperor of the Human Race is starting to question your true identity.”

“Chasing Shadow, you’re curious about that sudden question I dropped at the close, aren’t you?”

Gazing down at him, the Dark Half-Elf Queen offered a subtle smile, “The Emperor of the Human Race is sharp-minded, far from average. Even without my hint, he’d have noticed soon enough, much like how you’ve ramped up vigilance here independently.”

“Pardon me, My Queen; I merely aimed to protect you!”

Prince Chasing Shadow, who had started to rise, quickly bent his head low once more, his body shaking.

“If I meant to punish you, would you still be here? I’m just advising greater caution moving forward.”

In her relaxed drawl, the Dark Half-Elf Queen continued, “It’s no big deal if the Emperor of the Human Race picks up on it, but should those devious frauds, the Light Elves, catch wind, war will erupt swiftly. I hold no fear of the Light Elves, yet I refuse to hand them the upper hand.”

“Regarding that Emperor of the Human Race, it’s preferable to sow a deliberate seed of suspicion rather than let him uncover it alone, leaving his prior beliefs in question.”

“Keep in mind, be it ally or enemy, always keep some room to maneuver.”

At these words, Prince Chasing Shadow nodded in deep reflection, eyes lighting up with realization, “Your Majesty speaks wisdom; I was shortsighted. So it was all part of Your Majesty’s calculated design. All remains under your control.”

“Enough, flattery doesn’t suit you—don’t try playing a part that isn’t yours.”

The Dark Half-Elf Queen flicked her hand dismissively, “Recall why I came here; prepare that item without delay, for those crafty Light Elves are already showing signs of movement.”

“Fear not, My Queen; that black tear the Light Half-Elf Princess delivered recently has at last broken the final restraint.”

Prince Chasing Shadow saluted with hand to chest, his tone brimming with assurance.

“Good, time grows short—I must depart.”

Rising to her feet, the Dark Half-Elf Queen was encircled by spectral silhouettes of masked guards in black, emerging ghost-like from the gloom, offering reverent attendance.

These black-clad guards exuded a crushing aura of dread, oppressively horrifying, twisting the grand hall’s space into chaotic vortexes of shadow as if infinite coils spun in void; even the half-step Tier 7 Prince Chasing Shadow seemed insignificant as a mere insect before them.

Moments later, in a flash, the Dark Half-Elf Queen and her guards vanished from view.

In her departure, the Dark Half-Elf Queen’s subtly pointed ears stretched longer amid the shadows, her lingering words reverberating through the hall like fragments.

“Hehe, I do look forward a bit to the Emperor of the Human Race’s upcoming actions. Let’s hope he doesn’t let me down.”

…

“Saintess Madam, my gratitude for your support; it ensured our trip went flawlessly.”

At Ice Stone City’s primary entrance, Leo Ray inclined his head toward Terray.

Before venturing from Dark Half-Elf lands to other second-tier influences, Leo Ray’s initial duty was returning Terray safely to the Moon Palace.

“Your Majesty flatters me; my aid was minimal at best.”

Terray beamed and gestured lightly, then creased her fine brows slightly, adding, “Yet I sense an odd familiarity with the Dark Half-Elf Queen, like we’ve crossed paths before, though I can’t pinpoint it.”

“Oh? You’ve encountered her prior, Saintess Madam? Where could that be? Perhaps in the Dark Elf Kingdom?”

Upon hearing Terray’s words that aligned partially with his own doubts, Leo Ray promptly asked further.

“Sorry, Your Majesty, her features were too indistinct to identify. It’s merely a hunch of mine,”

After furrowing her brows in thought for a bit, Terray shook her head in resignation and explained, “Perhaps I glimpsed her at a Dark Half-Elf Kingdom festival; at that time, I was completely absorbed in my priestly responsibilities, paying little heed to anything else. It could have been then that the Dark Half-Elf Queen slipped in unnoticed, brushing past without my awareness.”

“Got it, then kindly wait for my positive updates, Saintess Madam.”

Noting the puzzled expression on Terray’s pale visage, Leo Ray simply gave a soft smile.

“Your Majesty, confronting the Throne Corridor won’t be straightforward. Although the second-tier powers are deeply resentful toward them, each has their own agendas, reluctant to lead the charge. Rallying these fragmented groups quickly appears quite challenging.”

Terray’s face filled with worry once more as she nodded toward Leo Ray.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already factored in all that.”

Leo Ray kept his subtle smile as he observed her heading back to the Moon Palace.

Next, under the veil of darkness, Leo Ray, together with Lila and Hollis, made visits to multiple second-tier power territories in a row.

Thanks to the solid ties between these territories’ rulers and Lila along with Hollis, Leo Ray secured their collaboration effortlessly with their help.

As night had advanced, Leo Ray’s group stayed over in Ice Stone City until daybreak prior to pressing on.

“Your Majesty, the upcoming powers are tough nuts to crack; despite enduring the Throne Corridor’s oppression like others, convincing them won’t come easily.”

Inside Ice Stone City’s Command Hall, Lila frowned deeply while indicating a wide seaside zone on the magic sandbox, adding, “In particular, those shoal Fishmen are sly beings.”

Once Lila finished, Hollis nodded too, his forehead creased.

Back in the day, amid routine trades within the Throne Corridor alliance, these shoal Fishmen often used tricky tactics to come out ahead, irking numerous factions.

“Your Majesty, maybe we bypass them; they’re not reliable at all, and the Broken Wing King views them with hostility, treating them like foes. Without their output of specific water attribute heavenly treasures, the Broken Wing King would have eradicated them long ago.”

Hollis inclined his head to Leo Ray, advising, “Interacting with such types always feels off-putting.”

“On the contrary, that’s precisely why we must visit them.”

Leo Ray replied with a faint grin, “The foe of my foe is my ally, right? If they prioritize gains above all, they make perfect partners to deal with.”

With those words, Leo Ray signaled Elder Bing, and amid a burst of azure glow, Ice Stone City materialized on an expansive, barren shoreline.

Yet, what unfolded next stunned them all.