Chương 38: We’ll Have to Kill the King

Ethan slowly opened his eyes. The sunlight filtered through the fabric of the tent, warm and reassuring. He turned onto his side and saw her: Renlin was sleeping beside him, her hand resting on his chest, her breathing steady, a faint smile curving her lips. Gently, he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Renlin half-opened her eyes.

"Good morning, human", she murmured.

"Good morning, elf". She smiled, still drowsy from sleep.

"It was wonderful". Ethan returned the smile.

"Yes. It was". Renlin caressed his face, her expression suddenly turning more serious.

"Were you sincere yesterday? Do you really not care about our differences? About the fact that we're incompatible…biologically, culturally, historically?" Ethan did not hesitate. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Yes. I don't care. I don't care if biology, culture, and history are against us. I can't suppress what I feel. And I don't want to". Renlin stared at him for a moment, then smiled and kissed him slowly on the lips. Felicity, Leah and Xia rode without stopping. The silhouette of the capital, Virelia, was now only a few days away.

"What if the legendary sword is already in the King's hands?" Leah asked, breaking the silence. Felicity turned toward Xia.

"Have you come up with a plan in case that's true?" Xia did not slow her horse.

"I hope it isn't", she replied calmly.

"But if it is, we won't have a choice". Leah frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"We'll have to kill the King", Xia continued in the same calm tone, "and anyone who tries to stop us". Leah's eyes widened.

"What?! Did I hear that right?"

"Yes, Leah. You heard perfectly", Felicity said, without the slightest hesitation. Neither of them added anything else. The horses continued galloping toward the capital. Deep beneath a cave, shrouded in darkness, Xarath sat upon the Goblin Chief's throne. His face was pale and gaunt, his breathing uneven. He coughed violently, spitting blood onto the stone floor. In front of him, the Goblin Chief knelt, trembling.

"Why are your pathetic treatments so slow?" Xarath growled.

"Why am I not getting better?!" The goblin spoke in an uncertain voice.

"We're doing everything we can…I'm counteracting the harmful magical particles with those of my goblins, but they possess very few of them…".

"I don't care!" Xarath exploded.

"Kill every last one of your damned goblins if you have to, but heal me. Now. Or I'll blow you apart. Is that clear?" The Goblin Chief nodded frantically.

"Y-yes, my lord". Xarath coughed again and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Now get out". The goblin rose to his feet and hurried away, leaving him alone on the throne, surrounded by silence and pain.