Looking out the window and seeing Yggdrasil's towering walls fading into the distance, I smirked before eagerly shifting my attention back to the carriage.
"How long will it take us to arrive at the Northern Citadel?" Asked Elif as he summoned a bowl of lightning cherries and snacked on them.
"Roughly thirty minutes, your Highness." Replied Illumia as she and Marley sat opposite Elif.
The Northern Citadel is a city located near the edge of the Empire, and it is also one of the five most prominent cities in the Empire; it ties the Eastern Citadel, Southern Citadel, and Western Citadel for the largest city in the Empire, while Yggdrasil occupies fifth place. Its size is approximately one-million three-hundred and twenty-thousand kilometers in diameter, thirty-two percent bigger than Yggdrasil.
The four Citadels are incredibly vital cities, as each one was built on top of a center point of the Empire's strongest formation, and the loss or destruction of a central point would significantly weaken the Empire's formation. Yggdrasil is the core of the formation, and the loss of Yggdrasil would cause the formation to collapse instantly. However, if the enemies managed to make it all the way to Yggdrasil, the formation wasn't too much of a problem to begin with.
Nodding to Illumia, I just lazily rested with my eyes closed while occasionally eating a lightning cherry, and like that, thirty minutes passed by in a flash.
"Your Highness, we've arrived at the Northern Citadel." Announced Mandy from outside while eyeing the massive city in the distance with a slight yearning.
"Head to the RMA; we shall pick up Idonea before continuing to the Fairy Clan's domain." Replied Elif as he took a peek out the window before closing his eyes again.
It's not my first time being in the Northern Citadel; I've visited it a few times in the past as I was slightly curious about the RMA, and coincidentally, this is also the place where Illumia was stationed before becoming my personal maid.
Expanding my divine sense, I sweep the entire Citadel in search of Idonea, and lo and behold, I find her just outside of the RMA having some kind of altercation with a group of women who seem also to be a part of the RMA from their uniforms. By the time the carriage arrived before the RMA, Idonea and the group of women were on the verge of fighting, but the carriage's presence stopped that from happening.
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"Isn't that P-Prince E-Elif's carriage!?" Exclaimed one of the women in awe.
"It is!" Yelled another woman with respect while also hyperventilating.
"I-I can't believe it; this is unreal!" Exclaimed the last woman while eyeing the carriage with deep reverence.
Seeing His Highness's carriage, I ignored those annoying women and headed toward the carriage; however, when I did so, the leader of the three women appeared before me, which greatly angered me as I could not be wasting His Highness's valuable time.
"Move; I don't wish to waste my time with you." Said Idonea threateningly while frowning.
"Did I hear that right? Did you really speak to your senior sister that way!?" Questioned the woman while the other two surrounded Idonea, blocking off any path for her to escape.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood; otherwise, I would've made you regret what you said. Just a few moments ago, I couldn't help but notice that you were approaching Prince Elif's carriage. Who gave a weakling like you the courage to do such a thing!?" Added the woman angrily after Idonea didn't respond to her.
"Move; I won't ask again. You're wasting His Highness's valuable time." Ordered Idonea menacingly while putting her hand atop her sword hilt, actively displaying her intentions before the three women.
"I've never met someone so delusional. You? Wasting Prince Elif's time? Do you think you're his subordinate or something? I've tolerated enough of your disrespect, junior sister; I think It's time to teach you some manners!" Said the woman as she and the two other women attempted to pressure Idonea with their higher cultivation base, though before they could, the three were forced to the ground by an even more powerful pressure.
"I do not take kindly to those that threaten my followers; this is your only warning." Declared Elif calmly from inside the carriage while pressuring the three women to their knees.
Once again, ignoring those women, I walked directly past the kneeling leader and didn't even bother to pay her any mind as I continued heading toward His Highness's carriage.
"My apologies, your Highness." Said Idonea with a bow after entering the carriage.
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"It is fine; without my interference, those three would've been very difficult for you to deal with anyways and would've probably taken longer if I left you alone." Replied Elif casually while tossing a lighting cherry into his mouth.
"Ms. Illumia, Marley." Said Idonea while slightly bowing to Illumia before sitting beside Marley.
"Now then, let's continue north toward the edge of the Empire's territory." Announced Elif as he released the pressure on the three women before closing his eyes again.
Another reason why I visited the Northern Citadel multiple times was so Marley and Idonea could get acquainted with each other; since they're both my followers, I'd prefer if they were on amicable terms.
'However, now that I think about it, Marley and Idonea both have family problems, and it's all because of their Fathers. Marley was banished from her family, while Idonea practically escaped from her home. Hmm, quite the coincidence.' Thought Elif as he slightly opened one eye and stared at Marley and Idonea, who were sitting next to each other, in interest before once again closing his eyes.
Nearly another thirty minutes passed before the edge of the Empire's territory entered the range of my divine sense; a few moments later, the carriage was now hovering above the edge of the Empire.
Looking out the window, I gaze upon an incredible and unique forest called 'The Roots of the Realm Tree'. It's a forest that encircles the entire Empire, a natural protective formation, so to speak. The Forest is said to date all the way back to the Primordial epoch, and its very existence has deterred many enemies from attacking us during that time; it's believed that without the forest, we Elves would've been in a situation similar to the Angels.
'Roots of the Realm Tree. I've done some research on the Realm Tree, yet surprisingly, I couldn't find much on it. All I know is the Realm Tree is a sentient being and is said to reside somewhere in the Immortal Elven Empire. However, from the small amount of information I've gathered on it, locating such a tree shouldn't be hard as it's said never to stop growing, and considering its age, I couldn't even begin to imagine the monstrous size of such a tree.' Thought Elif as his eyes twinkled in curiosity, fascinated by the concept of a Realm Tree.
"Let us depart. Destination, Fairy Clan's domain." Said Elif as he leaned back while slightly smiling in excitement.
With my command, Zulo and Zala let out two loud yet beautiful neighs before continuing north, officially leaving the Elven Empire's territory.
However, having not attempted to conceal my activities, I knew it wouldn't take long for the OverRealm to learn of my actions, yet I wasn't concerned; if anything, I welcomed the attention.
'It doesn't matter how many of those so-called supreme geniuses and heavenly prodigies oppose me; they will all crumble before my might, as no being is my equal.' Thought Elif as his excited smile morphed into an incredibly prideful and arrogant smirk while the pure and powerful intent deep within his very being trembled as if agreeing with his statement.
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Somewhere unbelievably far away from Elif, a particular conversation was taking place in a red-light district of a lively and bustling city.
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"Prince Ivan, we've just gotten word that the Crown Prince of the Immortal Elven Empire has left the Empire and is believed to be attending a birthday celebration at the Divine Fairy Clan." Announced a man wearing luxury clothes respectfully as he bowed before a young human male that was being attended by several beautiful women of various races wearing skimpy clothing.
"Ho, now that is something worth my time. I was quite annoyed that Royal Father had ordered me to search for an Angel that was rumored to have appeared not too far away from our Heavenly Empire; however, it seems like heaven is on my side. Not only can I acquire an Angel slave, but I'll also get the opportunity to be the first person among the younger generation to defeat another member of an Immortal Hegemony." Declared Ivan while the women licked and rubbed their voluptuous bodies against Ivan, much to his satisfaction.
"I recommend being extra cautious when confronting Prince Elif, Prince Ivan. If his strength is anything like he displayed during the Elven Empire's Noble Tournament six years ago, he'll be a force to be reckoned with." Advised the luxurious man while still bowing, though his words seemed to slightly irk Ivan.
"Don't compare me to my brothers and sisters; I'm not like those trash. Besides, I hope Prince Elif can give me a challenge; it's been years since I've ever faced a worthy challenger the same age as me." Stated Ivan with a frown of annoyance.
"Now leave; I want to enjoy the rest of my day here before we continue hunting down this rumored Angel." Ordered Ivan as he yanked down the bra of a beast woman, revealing her hard pink nipple before sucking on them.
"~~Ahh~~, Master Ivan." Moaned the Beast woman seductively.
"Understood, Prince Ivan." Replied the luxurious man before turning around and leaving as the sound of moaning intensified.
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Elven Legacy (Chapter 109: Mandy's Heavenly Tribulation!) at [patreon.com/Ozonelayer691]