Chapter 126 Last Minute Guest

-- POV Freya --

The sun was beginning to set and the sky was turning a fiery red as we all searched the tree and the surrounding area. This had been going on for two hours but so far we hadn't found anything interesting and the more time passed, the more patience I lost.

*Nothing, still nothing !*

The tree was huge and up close even more magnificent. Its trunk seemed to be carved out of glass as pure as crystal, with patterns that were nothing in particular but undeniably beautiful. Its long branches fell over the lake and each of its leaves shone like a white jewel that we could not find anywhere else. A thin layer of water slid along its structure, giving it the impression of being in motion, making the patterns on its trunk move like a dance.

For hours we had searched in vain for what it might be hiding, but nothing caught our eye. Trioa and Nella had searched the area from the sky, Ralph and Liz had searched the clearing from top to bottom, Caipy and Nina had even climbed up its branches as high as possible, but nothing had been found.

*Damn it !*

Even using my Analysis ability I couldn't get anywhere, which made me wonder about the effectiveness of this skill. Everything I could see was strangely ordinary and the information about it didn't help me either.

[ Syn Forest Water Tree - allows water element users to never run out of mana (MP) while in close proximity ]

While Emilia, Thorunn and Luna also searched in every corner, I had even tried to feel the mana but I could not feel anything. Everything was strange, there should have been something, a clue, indications, smells but there was absolutely nothing. On the island, apart from a stretch of grass around the tree, everything seemed perfectly normal, which irritated me to no end.

"That's enough for today ! We'll continue the search tomorrow, for now let's make a fire and eat ! Right after that we'll go rest."

"Right now !"

My voice was as cold as usual, and perhaps even a little more scathing because our search had turned up nothing. I was thinking as fast as I could and still, I couldn't find any solution. I kept seeing in my mind's eye the moment Titania had pointed out the place and my fangs couldn't help but snap in annoyance.

[Onee-san, it's the first day, perhaps the conditions are not yet required to be able to reveal the secret hidden in this place]

*I thought about it too, but again we're going in blind...tsk*

[Why not try to absorb it ?]

*And risk having its secrets disappear with it ? No thanks I'm good. Besides, I'm not even sure I could absorb a big one like that....thing."

While I was thinking about a thousand things at once, I started to get the food out of my storage space and create an ice table and chairs for us to eat. Ice beds wouldn't be very comfortable so the plan was for us to sleep on the soft grass under the stars.

While I was doing all this, I was looking around at my soldiers. The Lieutenants were among themselves, while the Commanders were among themselves. It was easy to see that the second-in-command of my 10 best female warriors only had a professional relationship with them. The Lieutenants admired their leaders far too much to dare have a friendly relationship, at least for the time being.

Emilia and Naia were together and while I observed them, from the gesture of the fox, I guessed that their relation had changed. Persea, Ynir and Caipy took care of the fire while Nixia, Ralph, Thorunn and Luna prepared the meal thanks to the ingredients that I had brought back. The only one who wasn't there yet was Trioa, who was flying over the tree one last time as the last of the day's light faded.

Suddenly, as I sat on an ice throne, an unfamiliar and almost imperceptible smell entered my nostrils. The scent, which I thought I had smelled somewhere before, was accompanied by the sounds of distant footsteps trying to be discreet. Neither the Commanders nor the Lieutenants seemed to have noticed anything, which made me note in the corner of my mind to make them work on it.

*Kira...*

[Yes, I noticed that too.]

As I stood up, the Commanders beside me looked at me and were about to come towards me, but with a quick wave of my hand I told them not to say anything. The sounds were coming from a few miles south as if someone had been following us and now that all my senses were focused in that direction, I was sure of it.

*It seems to be a not very tall person, rather good at being discreet but not enough for me. Her steps are light but hesitant and not very precise, I wonder who it could be.*

[Let's go get her then]

Without warning, I instantly disappeared from the clearing as I dashed south to catch this mysterious presence. I felt that it was not very powerful, but to follow us here without my noticing it, I had to do it at an incredible distance. Did she know where we were going ? And how ?

Within seconds, I found myself perched on top of a tree, right above this mysterious person. My aura was concealed and despite my incredible strength, I could now control my body to make it silent even at high speeds. I had been discreet and she hadn't spotted me yet as I calmly watched her.

*Ara ara~*

Before me stood a half-human with small horns and a thin tail ending in an arrow shape. She had wavy hair, reaching a little past her shoulders of a very light pink color exactly like the eyes of Gaya's mare, Pearl. Her eyes were light red and her skin as pink as her hair made her red and black clothes stand out. The young woman was quite small and as she hid behind a tree looking in the direction of our camp, she was shaking.

[Is she one of the soldiers ? She doesn't look very dangerous.]

*I don't know, but I definitely smelled that unique fruity smell at the Elysium festival. Let's go find out*

With a simple graceful leap, I landed discreetly behind her back before crossing my arms and approaching her ear to whisper.

"Can you explain to me what you're doing here ?"

"Oh me ? Well I'm looking to see if a group of people have set up near the....aaaaaah"

The girl didn't look very smart and had practically explained her plan to me before she turned and screamed. At that moment I didn't know whether to feel desperate for her and pity her or laugh. Of course my face betrayed neither emotion and as she looked up at me her body began to shake like a dead leaf.

"Y-y-y-your Highness ?"

*Oh~ so she's part of Elysium. Let's see !*

While the young half-human who had fallen on the ground, trembling and not daring to move, I took the opportunity to analyze her. I wanted to have her main information before anything else and then understand what she could do here.

____

[ Lynn

Race: Succubus

Age: 20

Element: Aphrodisiac Illusion

Lvl 5/10

HP : 2 000 / 2 000 MP : 500 / 500

Strength : 40

Defense : 35

Agility : 30

Stamina : 35

Speed : 70 ]

____

*Oh, that's what I thought from her appearance, but I didn't know there were succubus here. Plus, she's 20 but doesn't look her age at all*

[A succ...what ? What exactly is that ?]

*Uumh...I'll explain later*

As I looked at young Lynn, I could see the fear in her eyes, a tetanizing fear that prevented her from speaking. Since she couldn't do it, it was me who raised my cold, commanding voice, and this time without whispering.

"What are you doing here ? Aren't you part of Elysium ? I don't think I've allowed anyone other than my Commanders and Lieutenants to follow me !"

The young succubus trembled and closed her eyes, still unable to respond. Just as I was about to grab her, a voice I knew well echoed through the trees a few feet away.

"Lynn !"

It was Nixia who had arrived where we were, followed by the other nine Commanders. For the first time I could see the black-scaled lamia with an expression other than a frown. She seemed to know the young Lynn and as she came up to us, she bowed and stood between me and our new guest.

"Your Highness, please forgive her behavior, I don't know why Lynn came all the way here but please let me talk to her ! If you want to punish her, I will take full responsibility !"

Nixia had her head down and wouldn't look me in the eye as she waited for my answer. I still didn't know why she was acting like this, she, who was always silent and bossy but the most important thing right now was to know who this succubus was.

"Is she one of your soldiers ? How come she's here ?"

"Y-Yes, and I...I don't know, your Highness."

Nixia wasn't shaking but seemed frightened not for herself but for her soldier who was behind her, still panicked and shaking. The other Commanders were watching the scene and like me seemed surprised at their friend's attitude. For the first time, they saw her really worried for a reason we all didn't know. The atmosphere had suddenly become tense and made me feel like the bad guy.

"Sigh...Nixia it's okay. I'm not going to do anything to hurt her and I'm not going to punish her for what she did, right now I want an explanation."

Even though my voice was cold and my face intimidating, I didn't want to ignore the feelings of one of my most loyal warriors. I was the Empress, but I was no longer in my Empire, and this expedition with this group made me feel closer to them. On the other hand, Nixia was willing to take responsibility for her actions, and even though as a Commander that was normal, I could not ignore this more than honorable gesture.

"T-Thank you, your Highness !"

As the lamia slid to the ground to get out of my way, I approached the young Lynn again. The closer I got, the more she trembled, and at that moment rather than a succubus, the young woman looked like a frightened little animal.

"Lynn, isn't it ? What are you doing here ?"

I looked at her from my full height as I asked my question, and as she looked at Nixia, who smiled at her to encourage her, her little voice came out of her mouth. It was weak, as shaky as her body but distinct enough for me to understand.

"Em-Empress, I...I heard you...were going to the forest of...Syn to find the elemental tree and...and I thought I'd follow you to see it with my...my own eyes. Forgive me !"

From the tone of her voice and the glint in her eye, it was easy to guess that she wasn't telling the whole story. As I frowned slightly, I stared intently into her eyes as my demonic aura exited my body slightly. At that moment, Lynn realized that she had to talk and hurriedly told me everything.

"I heard about this tree that matches a tale of my people and...and I thought I could help you ! It...it just so happens that before I got to Elysium, I was planning to go there but...but I got lost in the swamp."

[A tale ?]

I wanted to know more so without further ado I asked her what I wanted to know. The night was now upon us, deep and dark, and the moon's rays were now falling on us as they made their way through the trees.

"You used the term elemental tree, why ? And what is this tale about ? Make it short."

"I...elemental tree is the term used for the four in the tale and..it tells the story of a little girl dressing each one in a golden cloak to reveal their secrets your Highness."

As Lynn finished her short story, I could feel the flapping of someone's wings in the distance. It was Nella the harpy who landed beside us a few seconds later with a panicked look on her face without even knowing what was going on.

"Y-your Highness, under the light of the moon the tree began to glow and thousands of butterflies began to fly around it !"

The words of the young Lieutenant made me instantly get up and run without a word to the place where our camp was. Her words struck me because the first time I had come near the tree it was night and full of butterflies of light surrounded it giving me the feeling of a fairy place.

*Why didn't I think of this before ?*

[What ?]

*Did you hear what that succubus girl said ? I don't know where this tale comes from yet, but those butterflies are clearly not there for nothing. It sounds like some kind of riddle, but I think I've solved it thanks to Lynn.*

Within seconds I was back in the clearing where the hypnotized Lieutenants were waiting. The moon and stars reflected on the dark water and as the white rays of the night star fell on the tree, the golden butterflies twinkled.

*Kira that's it ! *

[What is it, onee-san ?]

As I spread my wings under the starry night and flew towards the tree, everything now seemed more logical. If we hadn't found anything during the day it was because we had to wait until nightfall and for a very good reason.

*These butterflies are actually mana that probably belongs to this tree. I didn't realize it at the time because I didn't have the ability yet, but now I know for sure. You have to use it to find out what it's hiding ! Which means...*

[...that only a being capable of manipulating mana can do so. In other words, you.]

*Exactly !*

____

FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age : 0 years old / Mentally : 25 years old

Sex : Female

Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult

Race : Imperial Demon

Titles : Blessed by Titania, Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.

Dragon tamer

Ruthless slayer

Level : 36/70

Exp needed for next level: 16 600 / 37 000

HP : 120 000 / 120 000 MP : 60 000 / 60 000

Strength: 500

Defense : 500

Agility : 506

Endurance: 503

Speed : 502

Intelligence: 500

Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 0

Married to : Gaya

Daughter : Shiro

Empire (menu)

Subordinates: 1239

Humans killed: 153

Souls: 2/3

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)

- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)

- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 5)

Defense - Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

Pain Resistance (lvl 4)

Attack/Defense - Domain of the Ice Empress "frozen wrath" (lvl 2) - (under condition)

Others - Humanoid form

- Ice creation (Lvl 6)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Analysis

- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique

- Telepathy

Detection and control of mana (lvl 5)

Master of souls (lvl 1)

Passives - Commander (lvl max)

- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]