"Esteemed Lord of Winterhold, it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I come bearing a command from my king, seeking to exchange the Crown of the Ancient Mage." The speaker was a young man clad in a luxurious robe, exuding both elegance and grandeur. A scar traversed his handsome visage, yet it did not diminish his allure; rather, it added a hint of rugged masculinity.
After bidding farewell to the Barbarian King and Aishi, the Winterhold Forest welcomed yet another visitor.
He was a man capable of captivating countless maidens—youthful and handsome, effortlessly charismatic and affluent, his striking features perpetually adorned with a charming and courteous smile.
Accompanied by a well-disciplined army, he remained polite and humble even in the presence of the enigmatic Lord of Winterhold, as if addressing not a master of magical beasts, poised to erase him from existence with ease, but a kindred spirit encountered at a social gathering.
It was evident that this troop of soldiers differed greatly from the famed warband led by the girl named Lax, for although they exerted every effort to suppress their apprehension, Xiao Mu Yu could still discern their underlying fear of the high-level magical beasts encircling them.
Only two individuals in the entire company maintained an air of composure: the man at the forefront, who called himself Chimu, and a woman wielding a spear, with a colossal boomerang strapped to her back.
Clad in lightweight armor that deviated from conventional designs, she wore a garment that swayed gently with the wind, revealing her enticingly long legs beneath a flowing skirt. Her upper body was barely covered, showcasing a captivating décolletage that was both alluring and intimidating; her attire resembled not armor but rather a daring bodice.
Yet, far from projecting a sense of frivolity, the suit radiated an aura of sanctity and inviolability.
Xiao Mu Yu subtly averted his gaze; he sensed a faint threat emanating from the woman. Such an impression could not arise from a mere ornamental figure, thus it was clear that her confident demeanor stemmed from her prowess.
Daring to don such minimal protection, she evidently held complete faith in her own abilities, believing that thick armor was unnecessary in combat.
"I understand your purpose," Xiao Mu Yu stated coolly, "Did you bring the Night Demon Crystal?"
"Of course," Chimu replied, bowing slightly and flashing a charming smile as he produced a light blue diamond-shaped crystal from his spatial ring and presented it to Xiao Mu Yu. "Here is the Night Demon Crystal; I implore you to authenticate it."
"Ah, I see. I shall exchange the Crown of the Ancient Mage for it." Xiao Mu Yu accepted the crystal, placing it into his robe without verifying its authenticity.
Clearly, more than one person harbored doubts about this exchange.
"Sir, do you not wish to verify the authenticity of the crystal?" the woman behind Chimu, who had been keenly observing the proceedings, could not resist inquiring.
"Ah... it is unnecessary. I am familiar with the appearance of the Night Demon Crystal, and this one appears genuine," Xiao Mu Yu replied nonchalantly.
"Are you not concerned that we might present a counterfeit?" The woman's enchanting eyes widened in surprise.
"In Demacia, a military force of your size would never pass through without an official announcement, let alone stride boldly into Winterhold Forest. If you were not part of Demacia's army, you would likely have been eradicated before even nearing the woods," Xiao Mu Yu analyzed coldly. "Therefore, it is undeniable that you are indeed a legion of Demacia."
"Since when did Demacia's army gain such a reputation for reliability that you would accept it without question?" she posed a rather impolite query, to which Chimu could only respond with a wry smile, saying nothing.
It seemed this woman was not of Demacian origin; rather, she appeared to be an external ally brought by Chimu. Perhaps she feared that I might engage in underhanded dealings?
Xiao Mu Yu cast a fleeting glance at Chimu and stated, "If you head east from here, these beasts can reach the nearest city in just three days."
His frigid words and indifferent tone heightened the tension among the soldiers, who gripped their weapons tightly, beads of sweat forming on their brows. They stood rigid, as if such tension could provide a semblance of safety amid the surrounding magical beasts.
Chimu smiled wanly; even he could not stand idly by while his subjects faced unwarranted calamity. The Lord of Winterhold was cold and fearsome, a presence capable of subduing high-level magical beasts and claiming the throne.
"Ha... how intriguing," the woman remarked with a playful laugh. "I suddenly find this otherwise mundane journey to be quite fascinating."
Yet Xiao Mu Yu chose to ignore their reactions, turning instead towards the entrance of the temple, where a massive stone stood in a daze. It seemed oblivious to its situation, remaining stationary until Xiao Mu Yu gently placed his right hand upon it. At that, the stone emitted a confused "humming" sound, lowering its head to gaze at him.
Without the clamor of thunder or the brilliance of lightning, the stone gradually dissipated, much like a sandcastle eroded by the wind, leaving behind a faintly glowing blue energy core hovering in its place.
Xiao Mu Yu silently collected the energy core and handed it to Chimu before turning to re-enter the temple without uttering a word of invitation to stay, the implication of dismissal unmistakable.
"Well then, we shall part ways here," Chimu elegantly bowed to Xiao Mu Yu's retreating figure, adding, "I hope to return your hospitality in Mapleleaf Snow next time."
He then turned to depart.
"Ha... interesting fellow," the beautiful woman chuckled while shaking her head. "I have a feeling we shall meet again before long, Silent One. I am Sivir; do not forget my name when next we cross paths."
Waving goodbye to Xiao Mu Yu, the woman named Sivir laughed heartily as she walked away.
...
"Esteemed Lady Sivir, what are your thoughts on this visit to Winterhold?" Chimu inquired with a smile as they strolled along the woodland path.
"Ha... Your Highness, the Second Prince, I must say, the two thousand gold coins you spent to invite me were most worthwhile. You see, that formidable man displayed three distinct murderous intents during our encounter; deeds of murder and plunder are not to be taken lightly," Sivir said, raising a slender finger with a smile.
"Ah... as for my opinion, it is evident that he is a cold man, perhaps even a madman. However, beneath that icy exterior lies a gentle heart," Sivir continued with a grin. "I distinctly sensed his hesitation when he chose to eliminate his subordinate, yet in the end, he did strike. Do you know why?"
"When a person personally destroys something of great significance to them, the only possibility is that there exists something even more important that requires their protection," Akagi remarked with a courteous smile. "Clearly, his murderous intent stemmed from a reluctance to slay that golem. Fortunately, with your formidable presence, Lady Shivier, he was deterred; otherwise, I fear Akagi would not have emerged from this forest today."
"Ha ha... It is merely a matter of using someone's wealth to avert disaster. Since I have accepted your commission, it is only natural that I ensure your safety," Shivier replied with a calm smile.
"I had some concerns about how this newly ascended ruler, a mere human commanding a horde of beasts, might impact the imperial situation. However, I now feel reassured," Akagi stated with a grin. "A person with emotions possesses a fatal flaw; as long as I can identify this weakness, he poses no threat. What truly concerns me is if he is genuinely devoid of compassion—then we would find ourselves in a predicament."
"Have you discovered his weakness?" Shivier inquired.
Akagi smiled without responding, the setting sun elongating the shadow of this handsome man, rendering him somewhat eerie and formidable amidst the encircling trees.