Alchemist of Forbidden Arcane

Seeing Sebiel and Lily, fourteen Elves stood up and saluted. Among them were several quite attractive female Elves, two of whom particularly caught my attention: one with red hair, dressed sensually with a long sword on her back, and another with blue hair, wearing a military uniform but with a gentle demeanor.

However, the other Elf warriors remained motionless, letting me know that I was not a welcome guest.

"Brother, everyone, this is Baron Avanti Radell, a comrade who has come specifically from the Empire to assist us in battle."

A barely perceptible hint of hostility flickered in the Elder's eyes; he merely nodded his head as a welcome. I responded with a cold smile. This action immediately provoked several young warriors, who stood up and drew their swords.

"Are you rebelling?"

Sebiel spoke calmly, but his eyes blazed with electric light, and the surrounding air was immediately sucked dry, making it difficult for me to breathe. The few warriors who had drawn their swords were completely suppressed by his terrifying aura, and it also made me realize that Sebiel's magical power far exceeded anything I could imagine, quite possibly reaching the legendary Archmage level.

Archmages, the strongest mages capable of using ultimate magic, are legendary. In our Vorust Empire, there are only two such powerful mages, and in the neighboring Gaia Imperial Kingdom, there is only one. I never expected to encounter such a figure here; this place truly lives up to its reputation as the homeland of the magical Elf race.

"Sebiel, Lily, please sit down with the Baron first."

At the Elder's signal, Sebiel sat at his side, while Lily and I could only sit at the end of the table. Sebiel offered me an apologetic, helpless smile, and I smiled and nodded, indicating I understood.

"Lily, what exactly happened? Where is Shinro? Wasn't he with you? I instructed you to go to the Empire to ask the First Prince for troops; how did the Baron end up here instead?"

It dawned on me: this Elder was ostensibly asking the Empire for troops, but in reality, he intended to marry off his daughter, Lily, to our country's First Prince.

The Vorust Empire has three princes. My family has always supported the Second Prince, but the First Prince is on good terms with the Holy Elf, so it's no wonder the Elder was hostile towards me.

Seeing Lily's distressed expression, I couldn't help but feel angry. I am, after all, the protagonist of this story, why should I endure the temper of these minor characters?

"Lily, let me explain."

Just as I was about to speak, the Elder gestured, cutting me off.

"I apologize, Baron Avanti Radell, although you are our guest, you still have no right to speak. This is a rule passed down through our tribe; please understand."

"What a joke. As Lily's master, do I not have the right to speak for my own servant?"

At these words, all the Elves present changed their expressions. The Elder's eyes, in particular, shot out a chilling killing intent. Below him, Sebiel froze, unsure how to react, and the other Elders and warriors clutched their weapons, awaiting a single command to strike me down on the spot.

The Holy Elf had not formed contracts with humans for a thousand years, because most of these contracts were master-servant contracts, giving humans a high degree of control over Elves, and thus causing humiliation to the Elf race.

I sneered and gently placed my left hand on the table, channeling my magic into the magic-light particle. A black, unnatural light immediately enveloped the entire room.

The Elder, being cunning in his old age, knew this was not the time for a power struggle and thus had to swallow his pride. With a gesture from him, the others also calmed down. As he glared angrily at Lily, I extended my right hand under the table and clasped her trembling small hand.

"Then, Baron Avanti Radell, please explain what happened."

"Another joke, my esteemed Elder. Did you invite me here to win a battle, or to explain this and that?"

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, but I remained confident that I could subdue these idiotic Elves, for I held an undeniably winning hand.

"Elder and all respectable Elves, I truly don't understand why you are so fixated on whether it is the First Prince and the Golden Winged Lion Regiment, or Avanti and the Black Dragon Knights who came here. To rescue you, I traveled thousands of miles, risking my life to come to this godforsaken place. But what did I get in return? Only disdain for my passion!"

After my scathing rebuke, the foolish Elves were speechless, exchanging glances.

It was Sebiel who had the sense to stand up and mediate the moment he saw things going awry.

"Baron, please calm down. Our people did not mean to disrespect you."

"Elder Sebiel, I am very calm; it is you who are not. Please look at their behavior just now. As an envoy of the Empire, they dared to draw their swords on me, which is sufficient grounds for declaring war on my country. Lily is my woman, yet they ignored me when I rebuked her. These two points alone have caused immense humiliation to my nation, and to my Radell family.

You want the right to speak? Fine! Am I qualified to speak, having repelled the Orcs three times? Do I have the right to speak, with my family's hundred thousand troops?

Lily, I have kept my promise and come here, but they simply won't accept me. You can stay here and wait for death with them, but please forgive me, I cannot accompany you."

Ignoring their shock and astonishment, I strode out of the meeting room amidst the pleas of Sebiel and Lily to stay.