Glen waited for an extended period, and when no further sound reverberated in his mind, he cast another glance at the colossal cadaver before him, then turned and departed, hefting the greatsword upon his shoulder.
Owing to the constricted space of the corridor, Glen encountered no small amount of difficulty in extricating the greatsword from the ruins.
Upon returning to the surface, he discovered that everyone was present, indicating that they had already removed all that could be removed.
Several individuals, who had been grinning inanely while clutching gems, immediately composed their features, set aside their items, and approached with obsequious expressions the instant Glen made his appearance.
Glen paid no heed to their sycophancy. Instead, he turned back and first extracted the vermilion greatsword from the chasm.
At the sight of this resplendently beautiful greatsword, all present gasped in astonishment, their eyes and mouths agape.
"Glen! What is this?! Where did you procure it?!" Leaves exclaimed, bouncing up and down beside the greatsword, her hand stretching out in eager anticipation of a touch.
"This is... a magnificent sword!" Mushroom, after a moment of deliberation, elucidated earnestly to Leaves.
Glen placed the vermilion greatsword to one side, allowing the two young maidens to admire it, while he addressed the others.
"I have thoroughly explored the remaining portions of the subterranean ruins. All potential perils have been eliminated. You are to divide the tasks among yourselves and descend to retrieve all items of value. I have marked the chambers where precious items are concealed..."
Subsequently, Glen provided a general account of the layout of the subsequent ruins and the nature of his markings.
Just as he was on the verge of commanding the group to commence their labor, Leaves approached and queried,"Glen, ought we not to partake of a meal first?"
These words elicited grateful glances from the group towards Leaves.
Having toiled for an extended duration, they were already famished.
It was this very reminder that made Glen aware of his own hunger.
It seemed he had skipped breakfast as well.
"Very well, then let us satiate our appetites before resuming our work."
...
In the Royal Capital.
In the Saint Ating District.
Within a sumptuous villa.
A noble maiden of exquisite beauty was arranging her tresses before a dressing mirror.
Suddenly, her fingers arrested their motion ever so slightly.
The next instant, the sumptuous chamber vanished, and the noble maiden found herself in a void. After a few seconds, all reverted to normal.
Her delicate brows knitted in a frown, and with a slender finger, she tapped her chin, murmuring to herself,"How peculiar. Why did it perish so abruptly?"
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Scarcely had the words left her lips when the voice of a maidservant drifted in from outside the chamber.
"Miss Elia, your friends have arrived and are awaiting your presence."
The noble maiden, Elia, pushed open the door, gracing all with a smile of such radiance that it could ensnare the hearts of countless youths, both male and female."Come, we must not keep my friends waiting overlong."
The maidservant outside maintained her head bowed, too timid to meet her mistress's gaze. Even so, the mellifluous timbre of Elia's voice quickened the maidservant's pulse.
"Y - yes, miss. I shall lead the way," stammered the maidservant.
Observing the maidservant's discomfiture, Elia's smile broadened.
This was her abode, and ordinarily, she would not require a maidservant to guide her. However, today, her mother was hosting a ball, and the grand hall was thronged with people.
To avoid disturbance, the maidservant would chart a route devoid of passers - by to lead Elia to the location where her friends awaited.
As they traversed the corridor, the murmur of voices and the strains of music from the hall were faintly audible.
Upon passing a balcony overlooking the hall, Elia halted in her tracks.
The maidservant, ever - vigilant of her mistress's movements, heard the footsteps cease behind her and, in turn, stopped and turned, inquiring with trepidation,"What is amiss, Miss Elia?"
Elia's eyes closed, and for a moment, she did not respond. After a brief interval, her ethereal voice sounded,"What is this melody? Why have I never heard it before? It is as if I am transported to another realm."
The maidservant listened for a moment, then replied with a smile,"This is a new composition by Master Dengomei,'The Ugly Duckling', penned for a story. It is quite natural that you have not heard it, miss."
"A story?" Elia's curiosity was piqued."I have long heard that Master Dengomei has refrained from producing new works for an extended period, rumored to have intended to abandon composition altogether. I am astonished that he would take up the pen anew for a story. What manner of story could possess such allure?"
The maidservant, seemingly well - informed on the matter, replied after a moment of careful consideration,"It is said to be a novel genre of tales for children, known as fairy tales, crafted by a scribe from a remote hamlet in Batsey. Initially, the stories circulated solely within that locale. Subsequently, due to the demon incursion, the tales spread gradually alongside the refugees.'The Ugly Duckling' is one among this collection."
Upon hearing this, Elia's countenance betrayed keen interest."See to it that you procure the complete collection of these fairy tales and deliver them to my chamber, along with a record of Master Dengomei's new composition."
The maidservant readily assented, and the two continued on their way.
After rounding several corners, a chamber illuminated by a warm, orange - hued light came into view ahead.
The sounds of laughter and conversation emanated from within.
As Elia entered the chamber, all eyes turned in her direction.
The chamber was expansive, scarcely smaller than the grand hall where the ball was being held.
A dozen or so individuals, all young and attired in the height of opulence, their bearing bespeaking their exalted status, were present.
"I humbly apologize, everyone, for keeping you waiting," Elia intoned, executing a graceful curtsy to those within the chamber.
The instant she made her entrance, all in the room were momentarily transfixed. Only after her voice faded did some react, belatedly and with a hint of awkwardness.
"To behold the fair Miss Elia, we would wait an eternity," one declared.
"Miss Elia, your charm remains undiminished. We were quite spellbound just now, ha ha..." another chimed in.
"Miss Elia, I earnestly beseech you to honor me with a dance," yet another entreated.
Confronted with the effusive enthusiasm of the gathering, Elia remained composed, responding with courtesy to each individual, ensuring that none present felt slighted.
"Miss Elia, I was most delighted with the gift you bestowed upon me on my birthday. Thus, I have taken great care to prepare the finest gift for you this time. I am certain you will adore it," asserted a young man with golden locks. At his words, the others fell silent, for he was the most exalted in rank present - His Highness Prince Gal, the fourth prince of the kingdom.
"I am equally pleased that His Highness the Prince has taken a liking to the birthday gift I presented. Likewise, I am most eager to see what gift His Highness has in store for me," Elia responded.
Every gesture and expression of Elia sent the hearts of all present aflutter, with Prince Gal, standing closest, feeling the effect most keenly.
Even the merest smile from the maiden before him kindled an insatiable possessiveness within him. He yearned to embrace her, yet he exerted every effort to restrain himself, dreading to commit an impropriety.
The prospect of incurring her disfavor was his greatest dread.
A shrewd glint danced in Elia's eyes. Aware of the need to exercise restraint in her allure towards the prince, she deftly shifted her attention to the others the next instant.