"G-Greetings," Ophelia's formal salutation cut through the air, drawing Lunaria's attention. Gradually, Lunaria's gaze shifted towards Ophelia, her eyes locking onto the figure before her. A jolt of surprise reverberated through her as she recognized the face.
A surge of memory flooded Lunaria's mind, the recollection of encountering Ophelia in the internet cafe resurfacing with gravity.
The pieces fell into place, and a stern resolve settled within Lunaria. She began to regard those linked to Luke as more than acquaintances; they were her solemn kin, a connection forged by a shared association.
Meeting Luke had imparted a sense of gravitas to Lunaria's perspective. In its wake, she perceived a profound significance in the connections they had made. The internet cafe was no longer just a place of convenience; it became a nexus of fates intertwined. Each individual tied to that place now held a solemn place in Lunaria's heart, linked not just by coincidence, but by the weight of destiny itself.
The day before, during the breakfast conversation between Luke and Lunaria, Luke had shared with her that it was both her and Ophelia who had enabled the upgrade of the internet cafe.
With this upgrade, substantial positive changes were anticipated, ensuring a heightened experience for customers. In that moment, Lunaria made an unspoken expression of gratitude towards Ophelia in her heart, recognizing her invaluable contribution to the endeavor.
Yet, the enigma remained: why did Ophelia's presence stir such disquiet within her? The captivating woman before her possessed a striking allure, exuding confidence in both physique and speech.
Nevertheless, despite Lunaria's own enchanting qualities, she couldn't shake a sense of Ophelia's superiority, however slight. Intriguingly, a veil of confusion cloaked her whenever conversations transpired between Ophelia and Luke, leaving her to ponder the underlying enigma of her disquiet. The source of this unease eluded her understanding, like a riddle waiting to be unraveled.
Suppressing her contemplations, Lunaria directed her focus outward, relinquishing the hold of her pervasive magical energy that had gripped the very air. At last, a serene calm enveloped the surroundings, granting respite to all present. Simultaneously, she gestured to her father, signaling him to cease his actions as well.
Observing Ophelia's presence, Lunaria acknowledged the princess standing before her. A faint smile graced her lips as she spoke, "You're here too. So you're a princess all along, huh. As we share a connection to 'that person,' consider me a friend, an ally."
"An honor it is. Please address me as Ophelia, my elf friend," Ophelia's response flowed freely, devoid of hesitation. The mention of 'that person' resonated within her, forging an unspoken understanding with Lunaria.
Chuckling softly, Lunaria reciprocated, "Haha, then you can simply call me Lunaria." Having mentioned the person that changed their very lives, they found themselves on common ground. As they were close to age, technically in human years, they easily got along.
Engaging in conversation, they disregarded the wide-eyed onlookers, delving into discussion with an ease that blurred the curious gazes of others.
A realization dawned upon the powerhouses as they recognized Ophelia's instrumental role in their escape from the dire situation. Deep within their hearts, they held a silent gratitude, acknowledging her pivotal contribution.
Despite their formidable strength, the specter of mortality loomed large over them. Having lived through ages and attained the highest of statuses, the prospect of death remained a formidable adversary they were in no hurry to face.
A collective sigh of relief escaped them as they witnessed the ease in which Lunaria and Ophelia conversed. The weight of tension lessened, replaced by a sense of security.
Even the king, taken aback by his daughter's unreserved nature, found himself offering silent applause. The prospect of establishing a friendship with a powerhouse was undoubtedly a valuable outcome.
Amid the unfolding conversation, Ophelia's words flowed onward. She mentioned her own venture to 'that place,' though she couldn't enter as it was close. Lunaria, in response, offered an explanation, providing context to the situation at hand. As their discussion deepened, they exchanged thoughts and stories, engaged in a prolonged exchange that seemed to stretch beyond time.
Their enthusiasm grew palpable when the topic shifted to 'that person,' igniting a spark of excitement within them. Words flowed freely, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and emotions, a tangible connection forged through their conversations.
The exchange between them held an air of cryptic vagueness, captivating the curiosity of those around them. The deliberate omission of specific names and details imbued their words with an alluring mystique, amplifying the sense of enigma surrounding their conversation.
"I'll meet you there tomorrow," Ophelia's words carried a promise, sealing their intent for another encounter.
"Very well. However, let us address the present situation first. Father, please," Lunaria responded, her tone underscored by a sense of responsibility.
Concluding her discussion with Ophelia, Lunaria turned her attention to her father, calling out to him.
Raelor couldn't help but feel a touch of contentment, witnessing his spirited daughter finally forging a connection with a friend. He had patiently anticipated the arrival of her daughter's friend, a time he recognized as significant to her.
Lunaria's words finally prompted him to conclude their affairs, and he readily complied. Their lingering in that space will finally come to an end once they wrapped up their matters.
"Ahem," Raelor's voice rang out with formality, addressing King Luminaire. "I am here to extend my apologies for the considerable disturbance caused by my daughter's recent breakthrough."
He expressed his hope that this incident wouldn't strain the amicable relations between humans and elves. Despite the potential for misconceptions, he emphasized that his daughter harbored no malicious intentions. He described her as merely a spirited kid, seen through the lens of a fond parent.
As his words hung in the air, the incredulous thoughts of those present echoed almost in unison. The notion of considering a rank 7 individual as a mere "kid" seemed preposterous, a sentiment shared by many who heard Raelor's words.
"I understand. There's no issue," the king responded with a dignified grace, his demeanor unwavering.
Subsequently, the king shifted his gaze toward the group of powerhouses, his words resonating with a measured authority.
"As you all can observe, the prodigious individual responsible for the transformative magical phenomenon is not a citizen of my kingdom. I trust this clarifies matters for you." With those words, the lingering inquiries that had swirled among the powerhouses were finally laid to rest.
"If any of you seek to delve further into the details concerning this prodigious individual, I encourage you to direct your inquiries to our esteemed elf companion," the king's unexpected directive left the powerhouses feeling a chill down their spines.
The prospect of questioning escalated no further as apprehension gripped them. The idea of invoking the wrath of the elves, with potentially fatal consequences, loomed in their minds, quelling any remaining curiosity.
Their covert mission had revolved around extracting information about the prodigious individual and, if feasible, enticing them back to their homeland through tempting offers. Furthermore, the powerhouses were entrusted with the role of discreet observers, keeping vigilant watch in case the genius posed any threat to their nation.
However, their plans had swiftly crumbled, for the prodigious figure was none other than an elf—an inclusive and harmonious race.
This revelation shattered their preconceived notions, for elves were renowned for their peace-loving nature. The sight of an elf within a bustling city was an anomaly, an occurrence that's uncommon that it left them baffled as to the purpose behind this presence within the confines of a modest kingdom.
The truth revealed, the air was thick with the realization of misunderstanding. One of the powerhouses, displaying audacity, hastily addressed the gathering. "It appears this was all a case of misunderstanding. My apologies to all. Urgent matters await me in my kingdom. I must depart." With hurried steps, he exited, his feigned haste a thinly veiled excuse.
His actions set an amusing precedent, sparking a cascade of exaggerated justifications from the others. Like a domino effect, a series of outlandish excuses unfolded, each one echoing a similar urgency.
One by one, including even the formidable Rank 7 powerhouse from the empire, they followed suit, leaving the scene. The pressing need to report their findings and the unforeseen complications to their respective domains spurred their hurried exits.
At last, only two father-daughter duos remained within the meeting room, their presence permeating the now tranquil space.
Engaging in conversation, they exchanged thoughts and stories, sharing a semblance of camaraderie that had unfolded amidst the chaos. As the minutes passed, they wove words of courtesy and goodwill, wrapping their interactions in an aura of mutual respect. With the conclusion of their discourse, the time came to part ways.
With nods and warm smiles, they exchanged final pleasantries, bidding each other farewell. Amidst the echoes of their parting words, the meeting room embraced silence once more, the memory of their encounters etched into its walls.