Chapter 327: A Request from the Elven King
Inside the newly opened dessert shop, the air was filled with a sickly sweet aroma.
Rhodes and Serie sat by the window. In front of Serie was an exquisite cake, somewhat similar to a pancake from Rhodes's later era, drizzled with honey, with a cake-like base underneath.
The elf lady tasted it in small bites with a fork. Judging by her slightly narrowed eyes and the upward curve of her mouth, the taste must be good.
Soon, the last bite of cake disappeared between her lips.
Serie looked at the empty plate with a reluctant expression, like a cat that hadn't eaten enough, her eyes still glued to the dish.
Rhodes took in her expression and immediately raised his hand to signal the waiter. "Excuse me, another order of the same cake, please."
But when the cake arrived, Serie unexpectedly shook her head. "No need."
Rhodes looked at her in surprise. "What is wrong? Don't you like it?"
Serie frowned, wearing an expression woven from restraint and conflict, and whispered, "It is not that I dislike it... Good things cannot be enjoyed too much at once. One must save the feeling for next time to maintain the liking."
This was a small habit of hers. In her long life, she always liked to save delicious things to enjoy slowly rather than finishing them all at once; otherwise, the days ahead would be hard to endure.
Hearing this, Rhodes laughed. "Is that so? In that case..." He reached out and naturally moved the untouched cake directly in front of him. "Then I won't be polite."
"Mmph..."
Although the cake had been taken away, someone's gaze clearly remained on it. Serie's beautiful golden eyes widened instantly, following the cake closely as if Rhodes had snatched away her beloved treasure. A wronged expression even appeared on her small face.
Rhodes deliberately ignored her resentful gaze. Picking up a fork, he slowly cut off a piece, put it in his mouth, and purposely let out a satisfied sigh. "Mmm... truly delicious!"
Serie turned her face away angrily, but she couldn't help stealing glances at the tempting little cake from the corner of her eye.
After teasing her a bit, Rhodes knew when to stop.
He cut another piece of cake, held it on the fork, and brought it to Serie's lips. "Alright, stop struggling. Eat if you like it. No need to fuss over a piece of cake. If you like it, we can come again tomorrow, the day after, every day."
The sweet aroma was right under her nose, symbolizing the start of some sin, and the devil's whisper echoed in her ear.
Serie looked at the cake by her lips, then at Rhodes, struggling internally for a moment.
Finally, her craving for sweets and her agreement with Rhodes's words conquered her strange persistence.
She opened her mouth slightly and ate the cake from Rhodes's hand, licking even the honey clean.
The sweet taste melted on her taste buds, making her narrow her eyes unconsciously. Her previous petty mood vanished instantly.
Seeing her like this, Rhodes smiled even more deeply and continued feeding her.
After finishing the dessert, the two didn't leave immediately. Instead, they ordered two cups of black tea, enjoying the leisurely time.
At this moment, Serie's gaze turned to the window. The street was crowded. Aside from the human majority, quite a few figures of other races could be seen.
There were mages in iconic robes holding staffs, and burly warriors in heavy armor. The aura on each of them could barely be called powerful.
At least for most people, their strength was already considered top-tier.
"There are indeed... many more people," Serie said softly.
This surge in numbers of various races, all possessing decent strength, was not a common sight in the past.
Rhodes followed her gaze and nodded. "Mn. Seeing it with my own eyes, there are indeed quite a few more."
Serie took a sip of black tea, a flash of sharpness in her eyes. "We need to be careful during this time."
Although the two could use simple concealment magic to hide from others' sight, against these mages with certain strength, the effect of such magic was minimal.
"I know," Rhodes responded. "Since we left the Magic Association, my detection magic has been maintained at maximum range. Within a five-kilometer radius, any energy fluctuations carrying obvious hostility or abnormal power cannot escape my perception."
"Detection alone isn't enough," Serie said seriously. "Defensive magic must be ready at all times too. You... have used all the Holy Swords on that seal."
She didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear.
Without the personal protection of Athos, in Serie's eyes, Rhodes might be in a relatively weak period, inevitably attracting some desperate individuals.
Rhodes understood her concern. He put down his teacup, reached out to hold her small hand resting on the table, and comforted her. "Do not worry. I am not a Holy Sword Wielder who relies on Holy Swords. Do not forget, essentially, I am a mage. I used Holy Swords before only because they were convenient in certain situations."
His tone carried absolute confidence. "Even without Holy Swords, I am still the strongest mage in this world, bar none."
Hearing Rhodes say this, Serie's tense heart relaxed slightly.
Indeed, she should have confidence in Rhodes.
Just then, Rhodes seemed to sense something and suddenly laughed.
"What is it?" Serie noticed the change immediately.
"I sensed the aura of... an old friend." Rhodes replied. He didn't hide it deliberately; instead, he released a trace of his own unique aura, transmitting it clearly.
Sure enough, before long, a figure appeared at the entrance of the dessert shop.
It was an elven man with dark green hair. He wore simple traveler's clothes. His face was somewhat weathered, but the aura around him was extremely powerful.
"Kraft?" Serie recognized him at a glance, surprise flashing in her eyes.
She hadn't expected to see her kinsman here.
Kraft naturally locked onto Rhodes and Serie's position immediately.
His gaze met Rhodes's, and a smile tinged with emotion appeared on his lips as he walked into the shop.
"Long time no see, Lord Rhodes. And Serie."
"Indeed, long time no see, Kraft." Rhodes responded with a smile. Simultaneously, he cast a spell, and an invisible soundproof barrier instantly enveloped the area around the three.
After nodding to the two, Kraft sat down in the chair opposite them.
His gaze fell on Rhodes, carrying extremely complex emotions. "When I first heard the news that the God-slayer Rhodes was still alive, I treated it as complete nonsense."
"After all, a thousand years is a considerable time even for us elves, let alone humans."
"But as rumors of your reappearance and deeds grew, I had to start believing this incredible fact." He looked at Rhodes. "Seeing you still alive, I am genuinely happy."
Kraft spoke with utter sincerity, without a hint of falsehood. Both Rhodes and Serie could feel it.
The scenes of the Mythical Era were still vivid in their minds. Now that a thousand years had passed, only the three of them remained from those days. How could one not feel emotional?
Rhodes explained simply, "By a stroke of luck, I created a magic capable of extending my existence and survived until now." He paused, considering the potential ripples, and added specifically, "However, this magic has many restrictions. Only I can use it."
Hearing this, Kraft nodded in understanding. There was no greed or probing on his face, only pure gratification. "I see."
As an elf, he naturally had no interest in Rhodes's immortality magic. After all, his race was inherently immortal; there was no need to use magic to achieve it.
Kraft even said with a teasing tone, "Those fellows who heard you were alive and coveted immortality magic must be utterly disappointed."
Serie snorted from the side and interjected, "Even if Rhodes were willing to tell them, they might not understand, nor would they believe it."
Hearing Serie say this, Kraft's smile faded, and his expression became slightly serious as he looked at Rhodes. "Lord Rhodes, apart from confirming the news about you, I came to warn you."
"This city, and even the entire continent, is unsettled because of your return. Especially now that the city is flooded with people of unknown identities. It is hard not to suspect how many of them are here for you—or rather, for the possibility you represent. Please be careful."
Rhodes nodded. "Thank you for the reminder. I will be mindful."
Kraft pondered for a moment, seeming unsure how to start, but finally said, "Actually, I also came with a request entrusted by the Elven King... I wish to implore Lord Rhodes for help."
"Oh? What does His Majesty the Elven King need my help with?" Rhodes was curious, and Serie also cast a look of attention.
"The King hopes... to ask you to create a magic for the elven race."
"What type of magic?" Rhodes asked.
Kraft looked at Rhodes and said, word by word, "A magic that can... allow our elven race to successfully conceive offspring with other races."
"Pfft—Cough! Cough! Cough!"
As soon as Kraft finished speaking, Serie, sitting opposite him, suddenly sprayed the black tea she had just sipped all over the place. She choked and coughed repeatedly, her pretty face flushing crimson instantly.
She stared wide-eyed at Kraft in disbelief, as if she had heard the most absurd thing in the world.
Beside her, Rhodes's expression also became extremely strange.
He subconsciously glanced at Serie, who was still coughing beside him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
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