The Monster King's Legacy

Chapter 82 A Message

"Master..." A female elf said, her expression level but hiding something beneath.

"Melian, you have a new mission." Ithil said, walking out of his own private bath built into the ground like a pool, within his own quarters within a large tree.

"Yes, master." Melian, the elven scout leader who had been maintaining contact with Lance said, handing him a towel which he tied around his waist.

"The war against the demons will soon reach its high point and the different races will have to come together for that time, even the weaker races. Before then, you will eliminate all of the pig's forces, we shouldn't be the ones to oppose the human." Ithil said as he walked into his private quarters to get dressed.

"As you command, master."

"The rest, I believe you know what to do."

"Yes master." Melian left soon after to carry out her duties.

She was to pay a visit to Lance to explain that what had happened was only a misunderstanding, and following that, the very force that approached Lance before was going to be eliminated. Ithil didn't deem it time for him to act openly yet, so the elven force serving under an elven elder would only be dealt with during their expedition.

Ithil who stood alone in his own private quarters arranged his collar, then separating from him, what appeared to be flowing wood started taking form beside him until an identical clone of him appeared.

"You know what to do." The real Ithil said, looking at his clone. The clone nodded, returning the same sentence to him. Ithil then sunk into the solid floor as though it was viscous liquid, slowly until he completely disappeared under, leaving no sign of entry at all.

"Time to get to business." The Ithil clone said, leaving the room.

...

The alliance of monsters had waited for several days following the threat left by the elves, for their return and potential conflict, but there had been no signs of them yet. It was rather strange and frustrating, fighting an enemy that you had no idea when they would be attacking. While Lance recalled the meeting, he could remember the elf looking quite eager to attack them but constraining himself well not to. He couldn't imagine such a person would want to wait any longer.

In anticipation of the conflict, the beastkin and orc leaders had even remained in the goblin camp, waiting. They were just as frustrated at the wastage of time by their opposition the elves, but then again, it would be a good tactic to wear down their minds.

With that, it came as a sudden jolt when a scout announced the approach of elves, coming towards them.

Just as planned, everyone got ready for battle, all the units gathering under mere minutes, fully equipped with their gear and weapons.

Lance and the other leaders and elders took the lead, standing at the frontline, waiting for their enemy to arrive. Not long after, a group of elves appeared from the trees, landing close to the gathered army of the coalition.

Seeing who it was at the front and the others with her, Lance was a little surprised, but still maintained caution as he was very much suspicious.

"Liriel." Lance said, looking at the head of the elven scouts they had met more times than he could count, and had built a rather friendly relationship with. Of course, this Liriel was Melian, this name was just an alias. "Why are you here?"

"Please, before you do anything, here me out." She stepped forward with her hands raised slightly into the air, her posture straight and composed. She was clad in the signature light armor of the elven rangers, her long silver hair draped over her shoulders. Even with the slightest of movements registered, all eyes focused on her.

Melian shook her head. "We don't know. But whatever it is, it has the high commanders uneasy."

Lance turned his attention fully to Melian for the first time. "Why tell us this now?" He said, still unable to fully understand the point of it all. There was no way a boos would fall after the battle had just begun, and not the demon lord at that.

"Because," she said, locking eyes with him, "you are already involved—whether you choose to be or not."

Ruzak's claws flexed slightly. "You mean to say that the demons will come for us regardless?"

"Yes." Melian's voice was firm. "The we once believed they would only target major kingdoms, but that assumption has proven false. Demon forces have been spotted probing outer territories farmlands, villages, and smaller settlements. It's total destruction they seek this time, not just control."

Gorvak let out a low growl. "So they're preparing to swallow the world whole."

Melian's expression remained grim. "It's a possibility. The plan is to send the strongest forces to charge the main attack while the rest hold off the smaller more scattered demon forces."

Another silence fell over the room, the weight of the conversation pressing down on them all.

Ruzak was the first to speak, his voice measured. "If this war is coming to us, then we must be prepared."

"We already are," Lance said, his fingers meeting as his hands stretched lightly. "We didn't band together just to wait for the world to decide our fate."

Melian nodded. "Then I trust you will stand ready." A brief pause followed, then she continued, her tone shifting slightly. "There is one more thing. A dragon was spotted a year ago. A powerful one we believe. Then, it vanished."

Lance's expression remained unreadable, but Ruzak and Gorvak both raised their brows.

"The dragon, Aelyndra," Ruzak murmured.

Melian nodded. "We don't know where the dragon is, but we all believe it can be a key factor in this war."

Gorvak scoffed. "And what, you expect us to find it?"

"No," Melian admitted. "But if the dragon reappears, you must be ready to act. We need to solicit its help and prepare for darker days ahead."

"Hmm."

"Mnn..."

A final silence settled over the room as the weight of her words sank in. Eventually, Lance rose from his seat, signaling the end of the discussion.

The leaders exchanged glances, each one understanding what needed to be done. The alliance of goblins, beastkin, and orcs had risen to protect themselves, but now, they stood at the edge of something much greater. At that moment, Lance thought back to the symbols he had seen in the ruins. Surely, when the time came for something to happen, it would follow up rapidly without a moment for those involved to take a break.