Aurelianne stood in the forest, immersed in its wondrous and natural atmosphere.

This world felt like a mystical realm, as natural as it was magical.

Bright sunlight filtered through the trees, sparsely falling on the lush green grass, while the soft, moist air carried the coolness of a spring rain.

A babbling stream constantly struck against rocks, creating crisp sounds.

Standing in the forest, one could even feel the gentle breeze passing through.

If Aurelianne hadn't known she had entered from outside, she might have thought this was a mysterious forest in the wilderness.

"The Forest Paradise?" she asked.

"This place was originally designed as a residence for the elves, to persuade them to cooperate with us," Cassandra explained calmly to Aurelianne.

"The researchers from the Mage City made theoretical predictions based on the magical wave patterns of an elven councilor."

"When elves are in a joyful mood, they produce large amounts of natural energy."

"This energy becomes the source of their magic, allowing them to grow and become stronger."

A gentle breeze blew by, and Cassandra brushed aside her windswept hair, gazing at the mysterious forest before her.

The elves seemed unaware of their presence, living happily in this place.

They played and frolicked with each other, slept when tired, drank dewdrops and stream water when thirsty, and picked fruits from trees when hungry.

Carefree and without worry.

"So, we experimentally extracted the natural energy produced by the elves through their 'joy'."

"The results were significant. The elves' natural energy can be stored and used as a power source."

Aurelianne was somewhat stunned.

Seeing her expression, Lady Cassandra's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Self-moving puppets, lamps that don't need magic to light up, even self-driving energy vehicles."

"Everything you see is powered by the 'energy' produced by these elves."

"What, did you think we were imprisoning the elves at first?"

Aurelianne finally reacted, feeling a bit embarrassed, her face slightly flushed.

Although she hadn't said it out loud, she indeed had such thoughts initially.

"What benefit would there be in imprisoning them?" Cassandra continued.

"They have no money, generate no profit, and harming them would incur the wrath of nature spirits."

"But once we make them happy, the 'natural energy' they don't need can be used by us."

Cassandra took a deep breath, seemingly also enjoying the fresh air from the lush forest.

The breeze kept blowing her hair, but Cassandra let it flutter freely as she spoke softly:

"This is a win-win situation."

Aurelianne opened her mouth, voicing her confusion:

"Don't they feel confined staying here all the time?"

"Confined?" Cassandra turned her head, looking at Aurelianne quizzically.

"My niece, why would you think that?"

"Our contract with the elves never stipulated that they must stay here permanently."

Aurelianne blinked, not quite understanding Cassandra's meaning.

Just then, the closed door behind them opened again.

Several elves, dressed in various styles of clothing, entered as if returning from shopping.

They carried bags filled with clothes and food, chatting and laughing as they entered the forest.

If Aurelianne hadn't seen their pointed ears, she might have thought they were some noble young ladies.

Upon entering, they noticed Cassandra, paused for a moment, then extended their hands in familiar greeting.

"Lady Cassandra, long time no see!"

"When did you return, my lady? Why didn't you tell us in advance?"

"I was hoping to go shopping with you, Lady Cassandra... How long will you be staying this time?"

Cassandra smiled, nodding in response to each of them.

After a brief chat, the elves headed deeper into the forest until they were out of sight.

This left Aurelianne with countless question marks floating above her head.

"They are absolutely free. They can come and go through this door as they please, leave the mansion, and visit the human city outside."

"Moreover, the family provides them with enough Jio each month to cover their expenses in this city."

"Now, do you still think they're not free?"

Aurelianne: "..."

She fell into complete silence.

"In our cooperation treaty with the elves, there is only one restriction on them."

"That is, to stay as happy as possible."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Cassandra smiled faintly, seeming pleased to be able to clear up Aurelianne's doubts.

"Only when they are happy can the Reiser family obtain large amounts of energy to continue subsequent research and inventions."

"Elves are the foundation of the Reiser family. How could we possibly harm them?"

Aurelianne felt a bit embarrassed, lowering her head shyly.

"I thought you were always doing something bad..."

Suddenly, a hand rested on Aurelianne's head, gently patting it.

Cassandra spoke in a soft tone:

"Child, don't always assume the worst in everything."

"But also, don't think everyone is entirely good."

"You should know that the world isn't black and white; it's a delicate shade of gray."

As if reminiscing about something, Cassandra sighed lightly.

"You are the princess of the empire; everything should be considered for the empire's benefit."

"I hope you remember, I was once a princess too."

With that, she didn't look at Aurelianne's silent expression anymore.

Turning around to walk outside, she called out to Aurelianne softly:

"Let's go out."

As they walked, Cassandra suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She narrowed her eyes, as if sensing something.

Her gaze, like that of a venomous snake, darted towards the nearby darkness.

"As a guest, do you need to sneak around when you arrive?"

Aurelianne was puzzled, but as Cassandra's words fell, a drop of inky blackness began to ooze out from the shadows.

The black shadow expanded, like rippling water, growing into the shape of a creature.

It was a one-eyed crow with only a single eye.

It giggled with an indescribable, wicked charm.

This suddenly stunned Cassandra.

She couldn't quite understand.

Why would a crow appear here?

Aurelianne, however, recognized the crow and exclaimed in surprise, covering her mouth.

"It's... it's Teacher's crow!"

"Teacher?"

Cassandra turned back to look at Aurelianne.

She naturally knew who Aurelianne's teacher was.

It could only be that one person...

Suddenly, greenery sprouted, and countless vines intertwined on the ground, rising up.

They seemed to form the shape of a wooden person.

The crow flapped its wings and perched on the wooden person's shoulder.

Suddenly, the wooden figure moved.

Its two hands stiffly came together, then opened.

As if applauding.

Then, the vines on the wooden figure's head gradually receded.

Revealing a somewhat gaunt face.

He smiled, his lips curling upwards, and spoke to Lady Cassandra.

"Well said, Lady Cassandra."

Aurelianne recognized the newcomer and was utterly surprised.

"Tea... Teacher!?"

Even she hadn't noticed when Viktor had entered.

Lady Cassandra coldly looked at Viktor.

"So it is you, Viktor..."

"What do you mean by appearing here?"

"Are you trying to prove to me that you have the ability to bypass all the guards of the Reiser family?"

Viktor smiled, the wooden body gradually transforming into a coat draped over him.

"Don't be too excited, my lady."

"That's not what I meant."

As the coat fluttered in the breeze, Viktor's body seemed to have completely transformed.

He put his hands back into the pockets of his coat, smiling confidently:

"I just wanted to tell you that none of you can beat me, that's all."

Cassandra took a deep breath, glaring at Viktor.

Aurelianne stepped forward and grabbed Lady Cassandra's hand.

"Aunt, don't..."

"What Teacher said is true."

Cassandra looked down at her.

"So what? I am Cassandra, once a princess of the empire! The decision-maker of the Reiser family!"

"Am I supposed to stand by and watch him act so arrogantly on Reiser family territory?"

She turned her head back to look at Viktor.

"Viktor, what makes you so confident?"

Viktor's gaze was extremely calm, with a hint of helplessness mixed in.

"There's something I once told your son Jace."

"I think this phrase can also be given to you."

He made no extra movement, only the emblem of three broken human heads on his chest flashed a bright blue.

"Call me Councilor, Lady Cassandra."

Cassandra was slightly stunned, not quite understanding Viktor's meaning.

But she merely blinked.

Suddenly, she seemed to appear in another world.

Everything around her disappeared.

Aurelianne, the door, the surrounding forest, even the ground beneath her feet.

It seemed to be replaced by a barren, withered land.

Raging flames suddenly rose up, as if about to completely devour the sky.

Cassandra abruptly raised her head, because she sensed a certain crisis.

In an instant, she was stunned.

Before her appeared a monster.

It was a monster that humans absolutely could not contend with, like a world-destroying behemoth.

It dragged its volcano-like body, moving slowly.

Step by step, it trod upon the sea of fire, its body flowing with extremely high-temperature lava.

Its eyes were blood-red, seemingly surging with intense angry flames.

As if in the next moment, it could incinerate all things.

The sky-high flames and the sight of ashes everywhere made even Cassandra, who had been through countless battles, feel an extremely terrifying pressure and shock.

At this moment, she was already sweating profusely, her body stiff, only able to watch as that world-destroying colossal beast continued to walk on this withered land.

As if burning everything.

"Is this... natural energy?"

Cassandra had dealt with elves for a long time and was very sensitive to natural energy.

That towering angry beast with flames constantly rising around it.

It seemed like...

A collective embodiment of natural energy.

If such energy could be used by the Reiser family.

Perhaps, it could directly support the energy consumption of the city of Tiebo for over a hundred years!

But at this moment, Viktor's figure walked out of the flames, step by step.

The fire seemed to have no effect on him.

"How is this possible..."

Cassandra stared blankly at Viktor.

The moment Viktor appeared, she sensed it.

This vast natural energy.

It was coming from Viktor.

This made her unable to understand, and even somewhat unable to accept.

And under the aura of fire, Viktor's coat kept swaying, gradually becoming longer.

Red patterns covered the entire garment, like a scarlet flame.

He stood quietly on top of that fiery beast's head, looking down at Cassandra:

"What?"

"Are you not convinced?"