Village Head's Debauchery
chapter-1137

If Mira became startled and attempted to leave quickly, it would confirm the Sovereigness hadn't sent her. But if she stayed for some reason, it would validate his suspicions.

Mira's expression briefly showed realization before she replied firmly, "You don't need to worry. I've made sure to delay their arrival, so we have fifteen more minutes alone."

"No, that won't do. How we became so powerful isn't something that can be explained quickly. Besides, we still have many questions about what you've just said," Orion replied, shaking his head in refusal.

"How about this: I'll meet with the Sovereigness and request a personal meeting with you to continue this conversation." His interest had shifted from her true motives to unravelling the mysteries of the Voidheart.

Explaining how they became powerful was common knowledge in Paradise. Since he intended to assimilate the residents of the Pocket Dimension into Paradise, he didn't mind revealing this information in advance.

"Yes, I have many questions as well. Besides, I'm certain the Sovereigness would agree to an official meeting between us. Learning how we became powerful could benefit the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled," Fifi added.

Hearing their response, Mira lowered her head, biting her lip in thought. After a few seconds of silence, hesitation clouded her expression.

"No, it's too dangerous. I'll be in trouble if the Sovereigness finds out I came to meet you alone. Just say you overheard the term 'Voidheart' during your travels and are curious about it. I'm sure she'll lead you to me; this way, it won't be as direct," Mira replied, shaking her head and explaining her plan.

Orion frowned, wondering if his assumptions were wrong and if Mira had snuck in alone. He pushed the thought aside.

"Alright, I don't see any issue with doing it that way as long as we meet," Orion responded, nodding.

Mira exhaled in relief. "Due to time constraints, I can't stay much longer, but I hope we meet again soon to continue where we left off. I'll take my leave now," she said, bowing slightly.

With that, Mira turned and swiftly exited the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

After a minute of silence, Fifi spoke up. "From her explanation, it seems like the inhabitants of the Pocket Dimension are capable of producing their own Vylkr energy, and the Deathplague is a direct consequence of this phenomenon," she said, her tone serious.

They hadn't encountered any Vylkr vines since entering the Pocket Dimension. The closest thing to possessing Vylkr energy was the tainted and the forces residing within it. Mira's astonishing explanation had answered many of their lingering questions.

"I was thinking the same. We will piece everything together soon," Orion responded, breaking from his contemplation.

He turned toward Fifi after noticing her silence.

"Is there something else on your mind?" he asked, his tone curious.

Fifi nodded firmly and replied, "I've been thinking: if tree nymphs are required to return and stay within their tree after a certain amount of time, where do the ice and rock nymphs reside?"

Orion furrowed his brow. "We'll save that question for later. I'm curious about it, too," he responded decisively.

He had been so focused on establishing a connection with the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled and the dangers they might face that he had almost overlooked the small details.

Fifi nodded in agreement.

Within a large vaulted chamber, with a high arched ceiling supported by thick, giant pillars adorned with colourful curtains, murals, and paintings across every corner of the walls, a large round table stood at the centre of the hall. Around it were six nymphs seated in six heavy, high-backed chairs.

A large lantern hung from the ceiling, illuminating the chamber and the six nymphs below. These were Sovereigness Nadia and the High Advisors of the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled. Nadia had just finished explaining to her high advisors the information Mayril had given her and what she had learned about Orion and Fifi. The air was tense as the Advisors absorbed her words, each lost in their own thoughts.

After several minutes, the silence was abruptly broken.

"King Izak will surely be more cautious after this failed assassination attempt, so we need to figure out another way to ensure he is killed, leaving the Tidal Depths Kingdom without a ruler. Apart from that, Knight Mayril must be punished for such a grievous offence," said a water nymph with pale white upper skin and beige lower skin, dressed in a long, beige flowing gown. Her voice was edged with anger and coldness.

Her name was Tahira, the fifth-seat high advisor.

"How can she be punished when she didn't do anything wrong? Although she made a few errors in judgment, like not sending someone to inform us first, it can be easily forgiven due to the circumstances. Besides, would it have been better if they had followed the remaining forces?" replied a tree nymph with dark upper and amber lower skin tone, dressed in a long, flowing dress with blossom designs that concealed her entire figure. She frowned as she spoke.

Her name was Elindra, the fourth-seat high advisor.

"I understand what you're saying, but do you think it's proper for her to continue freely after this? There must be some form of punishment to prevent others from repeating such actions. Otherwise, they may keep bringing unknown individuals, thinking they are aiding the Bastion," Tahira countered.

"Enough! There will be no punishment for Knight Mayril, aside from a few restrictions, which will serve as a warning to others," Nadia interjected firmly, silencing the discussion.

Then she added, "I called you all to hear your suggestions on how we can subdue the mysterious arrivals if they threaten the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled and also to figure out where they came from."

"Are they survivors from other forces?" asked a tree nymph with vibrant golden-yellow upper skin and brown lower skin, dressed in a pale golden-yellow flowing gown like the others.

Her name was Faelara, the third-seat high advisor.

"That isn't possible. As we all know, the few remaining Bastions were destroyed several years ago, and for them to have survived alone until now without contacting other forces is

impossible," Nadia replied, shaking her head.

"Then, if they're neither from another territory nor sent by the Harbingers, they couldn't have just appeared out of thin air," Faelara responded, a deep frown forming on her face.

"We still aren't certain whether the Harbingers sent them, and considering our unique circumstances, we also can't rule out the possibility that they did appear out of thin air," Nadia responded.

When she finished speaking, a sudden silence enveloped the room once more.

"If that's the case, we should send them to the Abyssal Grove to properly gauge their strength so that we can prepare for any sudden attacks during and after their stay," suggested a rock nymph with pale grey upper skin and light green lower skin, dressed in a light green flowing gown embroidered with mountain and ocean designs.

A white veil covered her head, and her eyes narrowed as she pondered the situation.

Her name was Livia, the second-seat high advisor.

After learning that the mysterious arrivals had a horde of tainted beings protecting them, they were apprehensive about approaching them carelessly. But they also didn't want to let the matter linger for long.

"Or do you have something else planned?" Livia asked, focusing her gaze on Nadia.

Nadia nodded in response. "Yes, I have something planned. If their words are truthful and intentions are vile, things will play out as I've foreseen. However, if it fails, we'll know they are lying, and then we'll lead them into the Abyssal Grove," she said.

Nadia shifted her gaze toward the rock nymph seated beside her.

"What are your thoughts on this, Gladra?" she asked, her tone curious as she awaited the

response.

The rock nymph, Gladra, was the first-seat high advisor.

However, Gladra shook her head in response. "I'm just as confused and bewildered as the rest

of you. While I believe the best course of action is to send them to the Abyssal Grove, I also think it's wise to wait and gauge their intentions," she said, her voice tinged with weariness but still carrying an edge.

"Our sisters have been wailing in pain for a long time, and we are all reaching our limits."

Nadia nodded. "King Izak wouldn't hesitate to retaliate, even with the arrival of these mysterious individuals. So, it's best we send scouts around the territory to watch for any strange gatherings of tainted hordes or bizarre sightings that could endanger the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled," she said, igniting a ripple of responses from the others as they discussed ways to handle the sudden circumstances.

They could sense the winds changing, realizing that the sea was stirring up for another storm.

And to avoid being swept away by its impact, like the forces before them, they knew they needed to be prepared.