Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

"His Majesty."

"Ok?"

"A secret message from the northern peninsula." As he spoke, Egileser bowed and respectfully held up the scroll with both hands.

Malekith reached out and took the scroll. He unfurled it, his gaze fixed on the few lines of writing. After a moment, his hand trembled slightly, then he slammed the scroll shut, wiping his face, which was contorted with pain and anguish, as if trying to erase his complex thoughts.

silence.

The air seemed to freeze, with only his heavy breathing echoing in the courtyard. Time ticked by, until Egileser keenly sensed something was wrong. He inwardly groaned, quietly bowed, and quickly retreated, not daring to linger any longer.

After a long while, Malekith slowly regained his composure and refocused his gaze. He lowered his head, unfurled the scroll again, and carefully examined the short contents.

Tyrandor met with Aris;

Aris proposed to meet with Malekith at the usual place in twenty days;
The relevant official correspondence and meeting reports were sent back with the returning vessel.

That was all, just three lines, yet it pierced my heart like a sharp sword. The scroll's contents were no ordinary letter, but rather a message sent back through magic—concise, cold, and unavoidable.

After closing the scroll, Malekith stood there, scratching his sparse hair with a frustrated and powerless expression, while deep in his mind, memories of his past with Aris surfaced uncontrollably.

Those memories were like rusty iron chains, link by link, dragging him firmly into an abyss of pain.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

He had imagined countless possible endings.

He had thought about Aris dying of old age, or Aris dying in battle, so that he would no longer have to face this name that caused him so much pain.

But fate did not grant his wish; Aris was still alive and waiting for him. Worse still, he took the initiative to request a meeting.

"The usual place," Malekith murmured to himself.

He knew perfectly well where Aris was referring to, and he knew even more clearly that this place was aimed at him. This wasn't a multiple-choice question; it was a mandatory one. He couldn't avoid it, and escaping it was never an option for him.

As for Dakota's attitude? It was already clearly stated at the moment of transition between the old and new governments fifty years ago.

Therefore, this is a personal matter, and ultimately only I can solve it.

Malekith took a deep breath, carefully tucking the scroll into his bosom as if to hold this heavy fate close to his heart. He turned around and nodded to the two generals, Kohein and Kadjoin, who were standing not far away.

The two immediately understood and followed suit.

Malekith then slowly stepped out of the courtyard.

He has returned, from Death Island back to Lorthorn.

The body of the tenth Phoenix King, Bel-Hathor, was placed in a tomb on Death Island. On his journey there and back, Malekith gained his own recognition, and the White Lion Guards, led by Kohain, chose to pledge their allegiance to him.

So now, Kohain and Kadjoin are inseparable, serving as his protective wings on either side, while the Phoenix Guard and the White Lion Guard naturally join his guard, like two steel barriers symbolizing different meanings, tightly surrounding him. Tirya and the Thorn Sisters, as maids, gently and meticulously take care of his travels and daily life.

It can be said that the buffs are fully stacked.

The Phoenix Guard represents Asuyan's will, the White Lion Guard symbolizes the Phoenix King's legitimacy, and the Thorn Sisters embody the love and protection of the goddess Elsa.

The three forces surrounding him made Malekith seem to be walking in a torrent of faith and symbolism.

As for the spellcaster group of Belanar and the Hossian system...

Upon returning to Lorthorn, he did not choose to reside in the Phoenix Royal Court, a symbol of power and glory. Though magnificent and solemn, its coldness and emptiness paled in comparison to the warmth of reality. He chose his nephew's residence. More precisely, his nephew's wife's residence.

His nephew is Prince Alasya, who inherited the bloodline of his half-brother; and his nephew's wife is Princess Alicia—Marlene's older sister.

Located in the noble district, this mansion boasts a spacious courtyard, scattered pavilions, and intricately carved railings and painted beams, exuding an air of antiquity and refinement. This mansion is not Alasia's original residence; rather, it was purchased and renovated by Marlene's father as part of her dowry. Alasia's true home is in the Kingdom of Kosqui, inland near the crater, the place where the Ty brothers lived as children.

However, these minor details were not important to Malekith.

Most importantly, here, in this long-lost warm atmosphere, he finally felt a forgotten taste—the feeling of home. Even if it was just a fleeting comfort, it was enough to allow him to temporarily unload the burden on his heart before the storm came, even if it was just a moment's respite.

However, as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, before his feet had even truly touched the street, he was blocked at the doorway.

It wasn't someone causing him trouble, nor was it an angry mob, nor an assassin lurking in the shadows, but... simply a traffic jam.

Yes, there was a traffic jam.

A convoy of trucks carrying construction waste blocked the narrow street, completely obstructing the entrances and exits. The heavy wheels creaked and groaned as they rolled over the cobblestones, and the panting and shouts of the horses mingled in the air, thankfully without any dust hitting us.

What can he do?
Lorthorn's street layout has always been this way. The Black Knights are working hard to manage traffic, their shouts rising and falling, but it will still take time. He can't exactly use magic to teleport the entire caravan away, can he?
He didn't step onto the street again until it was finally open to traffic.

Currently, nearly half of the aristocratic district has been requisitioned by Duruci. Abandoned residences that Bell-Eihol explored as a child, and even some mansions still in use by nobles, have been requisitioned. Government offices now stand there, with temporary dormitories, canteens, and warehouses scattered throughout. The former grandeur and tranquility have been replaced by order and the sound of hurried footsteps.

He walked along the street, his gaze sweeping over everything without making a sound, until he stopped in front of the Emerald Sea Palace. That palace, which once symbolized beauty and luxury, had also been requisitioned and turned into the offices of the military system, becoming the headquarters of Tariendan, and had long lost its former tranquility.

Malekith glanced at it from afar, without stepping inside, and turned to walk towards the Phoenix Royal Court.

"I need to see the emblem." Upon arriving at the Phoenix Royal Court, he suddenly stopped, his gaze solemn, and turned to look at Kohaiin beside him.

Kohai nodded, took a step forward, and led the way, like a silent beacon, guiding the group toward the Heraldry.

Due to the change of power and the turbulent situation, the once bustling Phoenix Royal Court was now deserted. The procession walked a long way without seeing a single person. On both sides of the road, the once meticulously manicured gardens were now overgrown with weeds and shrubs, and the remaining petals in the flowerbeds fluttered in the wind like a quiet, fading lament.

The entire atmosphere was shrouded in an indescribable sense of desolation and silence.

"Your Majesty, should I arrange for maintenance?" Ke Haiyin asked in a low voice.

Having lived in the Phoenix Royal Court for a long time, as the captain of the White Lions, he knew that these details were not trivial matters. In the current turbulent situation, he could coordinate the relevant matters to ensure that this place, which symbolized royal power, would at least not appear so dilapidated.

“Not for now,” Malekith replied casually, his tone flat. But as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Kohein, his expression carrying a deep meaning. “I’m giving you a task: take stock of the cultural relics and valuables in the royal court, then pack them up. You know who to contact to coordinate with.”

“Your Majesty…” Kohein paused slightly, glancing at Malekith before looking towards the distant mountains. His gaze lingered for a moment between the empty courtyard and the distant stone walls before he finally sighed softly and nodded heavily.

He understood why Malekith had made this arrangement; it wasn't a simple inventory, but a precautionary measure, a resolute determination to prepare for the worst before the storm even arrived.

“You need to take this seriously, it’s very important, especially for Darkus.” After giving his instructions, Malekith paused slightly, then suddenly a smile appeared on his lips as he continued, half-teasing and half-sarcastic, “When he comes back, give him the list. Remember, take it seriously! Don’t say I didn’t warn you, or he’ll really yell at you.”

Ke Haiyin paused for a moment, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him, but he didn't say much. He simply nodded vigorously, solemnly keeping this entrustment in his heart.

After speaking, Malekith stopped and started walking again, his boots making a crisp, lonely sound on the stone slabs.

The so-called Heraldry, though called a heraldry, is actually not very large; it's just a two-story building. The first floor is mainly used for daily office work, while the second floor is used to store heraldry and documents.

Despite its small size, this place is extremely important. Every emblem and symbol of bloodline, from kingdoms to cities, from families to armies, is recorded here.

The first floor was somewhat dusty, clearly untouched for a long time. But it was evident that the staff member in charge had diligently arranged all the items neatly before leaving, like a farewell before departing, a pre-holiday arrangement, or a silent ritual.

Malekith glanced at it briefly before heading straight to the second floor. His footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, emphasizing the silence of the place. Following the instructions, he arrived at the area where the records of the Kingdom of Nagarris were kept, reached down a heavy scroll, and slowly began to peruse it.

It would have been better if I hadn't looked at it; once I did, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Between the pages are the crests of various families.

That was a symbol of past glory and honor.

The Anar family, the Moranin family... some have been lost to the annals of history, turned to dust; others continue, though barely surviving, they are still burning brightly.

And some... such as the Helban and Mogar families.

His finger hovered over the page with the Annar family crest. The emblem wasn't ornate, but it weighed heavily on his chest, making his breathing slow and causing a surge of inner conflict within him.

After staring for a long time, he finally looked up and beckoned Ke Haiyin, who was standing outside the bookshelf waiting for him, to come over.

Where is the best tailor in Lorthorn?

“Your Majesty, back at the Phoenix Royal Court…” Ke Haiyin started with a dark joke, then composed himself and answered solemnly, “I’ve dealt with him before and know where he is now.”

“This is very important to me.” Malekith’s tone suddenly became serious, and every word carried undeniable weight.

"I'll send someone to confirm." Ke Haiyin immediately bowed respectfully.

Malekith gazed at it for a long time, so long that every line and every color on the emblem was etched into the depths of his mind, as if he wanted to seal the emblem forever in his memory. His gaze lingered on the emblem, as if trying to pierce through time and return to that long-gone era. Only when his eyes could no longer remain indifferent did he take a deep breath and slowly close the scroll.

He then turned and left the Heraldry.

He had no intention of wandering around the Phoenix Royal Court; this palace, bearing countless glories and shadows, was nothing more than a cold shell to him. His purpose in coming was simple and clear: to see the emblems and confirm that the heavy history was still there.

Now that his goal has been achieved, there is no need for him to stay.

As he stepped out of the vast Phoenix Royal Court, his footsteps echoed across the empty stone path. The towering stone pillars, the magnificent golden dome, and the silently standing statues all seemed like soulless shells, leaving only empty majesty. A chilly breeze swept through the corridor, ruffling the edges of his robes and making the loneliness in his heart all the more pronounced.

He didn't linger, heading straight for the Emerald Sea Palace. Unlike before, when he only passed by the outside, this time he stepped over the courtyard steps and entered the interior. (End of Chapter)