It was morning, and Ari was alarmed by the presence of Saryll. Although she was an Archmage, her senses would only activate in the face of hostility. As such, the Elf Queen could sneak in together with Earl without her notice.
In the bed, everyone was sound asleep. Ari gently caressed the cute sleeping faces of Earl and Aria.
"Mhmm..."
A pleasant moan escaped the elf girl's lips.
Ari pulled the sleeping Earl into her embrace and hugged him like a doll.
The shuffling sounds awakened Saryll in the process. And so, the confrontation between the two ladies began.
"Umu?"
"Saryll. What are you doing in my house?" Ari asked calmly.
"Ah." Saryll was in a daze. Memories from last night came back to her, and along with it came a pink blush on her cheeks. She had thoughtlessly followed Earl home after their intense session. Unwilling to separate from him. Her eyes trailed to the sight that lay before her.
Aria's sleeping figure, clad in risque underwear. Earl's peaceful slumbering face, his face comfortably sunken in Ari's full breasts. And lastly, Ari, also in racy, sexy underwear.
This was... strange.
An unimaginable thought was planted in Saryll's mind, which she quickly brushed off.
However, since her thoughtless actions led her this far, she might as well commit to it.
"Pardon my intrusion. I had private matters to discuss with Earl. It was a rather... important matter."
"In that attire?" Ari narrowed her eyes. Before her was the majestic Queen of the elves, who was currently half-naked. The only article of clothing that remained on her body was a thin piece of negligee.
"Earl and I have a close relationship with clear boundaries. We have a great amount of respect for each other. As his mother, you should know of the good man that Earl is." Saryll tried to bullshit, but of course, there was no way Ari would buy any of it. In the first place, she already knew of Earl's illicit relationship with Saryll.
Ari sighed. "I ask that you be more mindful of your actions. I don't want any negative rumours to be associated with Earl."
"We have the same interests in mind. Just like you, I also wish the best for Earl. This won't happen again."
"Then, please return to your post Saryll. I won't be seeing you off."
Saryll returned to the palace. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long time in a daze. That was the first time she had ever been kicked out of a house.
But more than that, incomprehensible thoughts ran through her mind without stopping.
The lingering scent in the room. Ari's sexy appearance. Her sudden pregnancy. Earl's intimate relationship with her. Could all these clues be leading to something?
'I thought I sneaked into Earl's room? Why was she sleeping there with Lily while looking like that?'
'I must be overthinking. Earl's engagement ceremony with Alea is almost here; I should focus on that.'
In another place.
It was a snowy expanse. White everywhere one's eyes extended, accompanied by elaborate mountain peaks.
This was one of the forbidden regions in the Great Continent. The Land of Eternal Winter. Here, there was snow year-round. It was a landscape that was challenging to even the most experienced adventurers.
Yet, a small population inhabited this place. They call themself Dragonbloods, believed to be descended from dragons. Few people know of the Dragonbloods, and fewer know of their might. Their strength could be comparable to the people from the Island of Strength.
To survive in this harsh environment, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle.
At this time, a particular Dragonblood tribe was in the process of migrating. A robust old man led them. His body was covered in battle scars, and an oversized fur coat covered him from the cold. Behind him, his tribesman followed closely behind. They all donned similar attires consisting of a fur coat and some kind of head covering. In addition, each adult had a fully grown wolf accompanying them.
These wolves are Sub-Zero Wolves, some of the strongest wolves around. Capable of invoking ice elemental magic and monstrous physical strength on top of that. But for the purposes of the Dragonblood tribe, these wolves are used as bag carriers.
The snow was intense on this day, and the chief had to navigate the terrain carefully. They did not want to agitate any sleeping monsters.
However, there was something that caught the eye of the chief. A lone woman was flying through the skies.
She was covered in an intricate black robe. Her face was shown, and her black hair freely flowed with the snow. A bright purple halo was seated on top of her head. She was like a goddess.
Then, their gazes met, and she approached them.
At her sudden approach, the chief's men readied their weapons. Their sense of danger was heightened to the max at this unknown individual.
"Greetings. You all must be the Dragonblood tribe." Her calm voice rang before them.
"Indeed we are. How can we help you, foreigner from afar?"
"I've come for the Great Dragon Lord. Is he around?"
"!!!"
"Foreigner. The Great Dragon Lord is not someone that can be sought out."
"I see, so he's around." Ari smiled mysteriously. "Thank you for your cooperation."
Her halo expanded, and she disappeared with a sharp sound. Then, as if a miracle descended, the heavy snow vanished along with the mysterious lady's presence.
The Dragonblood tribe was shocked by this feat. She had done them a huge favour by stopping this snow that was capable of killing inexperienced adventurers from sheer coldness alone.
Then, her voice rang from afar.
"One year from now, a floating island will visit. If your youths wish to learn from me, please prepare accordingly."