Gou is a dark elf in Warhammer

As someone who always keeps a low profile, Italis walked out silently, or perhaps more accurately, he was pushed out. When he stopped and walked slowly to Finnubar, who was walking in a circle with his hands behind his back and steps steady, his figure seemed particularly calm.

He spoke in a low voice, his voice almost blending into the sea breeze.

"In a moment..." As he spoke, he raised his hand slightly, pointing to the dignitaries in luxurious clothes standing not far away, and then inadvertently turned to the cruise ship that had begun to turn.

The cruise ship was like a silent giant beast, slowly sailing towards the dock with an indomitable momentum. Its outline became larger as it approached, and its hull lines were as sharp as a knife, exuding a strong sense of deterrence, and even the surrounding sea water seemed to become submissive due to its arrival.

Finnubar was stunned at first, obviously not fully understanding Italis's intention, and a trace of confusion flashed across his eyes. But just a moment later, a look of enlightenment appeared on his face, and his eyes flashed, realizing something important.

"Sorry, I forgot."

He murmured to himself with a hint of relief in his tone. Then, he turned around nonchalantly and walked towards the supporters who had been waiting for a long time.

"In a moment, you can just bow and salute, you don't have to kneel."

Finnubar's words were clear and decisive, with an innate sense of authority, like an invisible baton that instantly solidified the air around him.

Aurelian, Asheris and Carlis stood aside, their eyes met, and they exchanged a slightly hesitant look. They all knew that today's meeting was unusual and far-reaching, and if they were not careful, it could lead to a series of unpredictable consequences.

After all, in the elf society, etiquette is not only a respect for others, but also a symbol of power. Any inappropriate behavior, any form of disrespect, will be regarded as a challenge and provocation, and the consequences may be irreversible.

Etiquette is an absolute science in the elven society.

Whether it is the Duruchi of Naggaroth, or the Asrai and Ainel of Athel Loren and Lauren Loren, etiquette is a compulsory course for every noble.

As the birthplace of the elves, Ulthuan carries thousands of years of culture and traditions, and its rituals are so complex and strict that they are unparalleled in their complexity and strictness.

In formal occasions, the Phoenix King is usually honored as "the Blessed Saint of Asuryan". This title carries a sacred mission and symbolizes infinite respect for fire and rebirth. In some religious occasions, especially those sacred holy days, the Phoenix King is praised as "the one reborn from the flame". He is the spokesperson of the incarnation of God, with dazzling brilliance that makes people unable to look directly at him. In some more formal occasions, the Phoenix King may also be called "the chosen one" or "the incarnation of the sacred fire that protects us."

There seem to be many names for the Phoenix King, but there are actually not many, only twenty-one in total.

Of course, these are just titles for the Phoenix King. Every official in the Phoenix Court also has a set of complex and strict titles and duties.

Making the mistake of addressing someone could mean being disrespectful or blatantly provocative, and could very likely lead to serious political turmoil.

In Marlene's words: "Sometimes the right words, when used at the right time, are as powerful as a sword, and in the right circumstances, they can be deadly."

These titles not only imply recognition of identity and status, but also numerous cumbersome etiquette requirements. These etiquettes are not only reflected in language and address, but also cover clothing, posture, and even standing position when meeting. In Asur society, correct etiquette means recognition of one's own identity and respect for power.

When meeting the Phoenix King, the White Lion Guards would always maintain an extremely cautious distance, neither too far nor too close. They kept enough distance to ensure that they would not hear whispers, but this distance was also close enough to allow them to rush to the throne quickly and protect the safety of the Phoenix King at any moment when the situation changed.

The subjects must always maintain a respectful attitude and distance, and no one may look directly at the Holy Face without permission. This is not only a respect for the identity of the Phoenix King, but also a submission to his supreme power. Whether it is a courtier or an envoy who is about to meet the Phoenix King, everyone knows that any disrespect, any moment of impoliteness, will lead to consequences that cannot be ignored.

Everyone needs to wait for the Phoenix King to speak. Before the Phoenix King speaks, no words are formal and no responses are allowed.

This is a silent command and an invisible rule.

Even high-ranking courtiers could only express their intentions when the Phoenix King nodded or spoke.

What's even more bizarre is that if one is honored to dine with the Phoenix King, the entire banquet will follow a strict ritual: all the ministers must wait until the Phoenix King starts eating before they can start their own meals. Moreover, no one is allowed to use chopsticks until the holy meal is over - this makes the courtiers often wolf down their food during the meal, or eat secretly in advance to avoid starving during the long ceremony.

Over the course of Asur history, there have been numerous attempts to assassinate the Phoenix King, all of which have been blamed on Malekith and the Cult of Hedonism.

The word "blame" carries with it a certain ineffable spirituality, which has caused many intelligent beings to involuntarily doubt - is this just an excuse to cover up a deeper conspiracy?

The power struggles in the palace are never as simple as they seem on the surface. The hidden motives may be the real driving force behind the palace infighting.

"What's wrong?" Finnubar looked at Asheris beside him with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Ashley shrugged, her eyes slightly complicated, as if she was weighing her words in her mind.

"This……"

She paused, her tone somewhat helpless, before finally continuing, "It's a little different than I expected."

She looked into the distance, at the lagoon and the cruise ship. She felt a little confused and a little unpredictable.

"I don't know what it was like before, but this is the way it is now." Finnubar smiled and shook his head. There was a hint of relaxation in his tone, and a sense of relief in the face of a complicated situation.

Aurelian's brows were furrowed. She was about to respond, but she stopped short when she opened her mouth. She felt a faint but clear energy fluctuation. Her eyes turned from Finnubar to behind him, and her eyes froze instantly.

As her gaze shifted, the Asur soldiers standing nearby were suddenly shaken violently, and their movements became stiff, as if they saw something they shouldn't have seen, an existence that didn't belong here.

Finnubar looked back and suddenly, in the distance, Malekith and Daqius appeared in his sight, standing side by side, holding hands, giving people a subtle sense of shock, and even more strangely, there was an indescribable sense of harmony.

At that moment, time stood still and the air became heavy.

The two's untimely appearance seemed both abrupt and inconsistent with Asul's style.

"This is really not an ideal way to make an appearance." Daxus muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice as he pulled his hand out of Malekith's iron hand, took a half step back, and a look of disgust appeared on his face.

He thought his brain had definitely crashed the last moment, and Malekith had crashed as well. If he reached out, would Malekith pull him? He didn't enjoy this sudden "close contact", and he didn't like this overly "dramatic" way of appearing.

"Really, I don't know if it's my problem or yours..." He complained in a low voice, with a hint of joking and helplessness in his tone, and then he looked serious.

After he and Malekith put on the brass ring, they unlocked different abilities, his being similar to that of the Flash, with extremely fast speeds, and he could almost travel through the flow of time.

This is also the reason why he was able to avoid Aris's direct shot to the face.

But he can't move long distances and run like the Flash.

But Malekith is different. He can choose a target location at will and teleport himself there.

There is no way to tell the difference between the two. They have tried it when they were free. As long as Malekith fails in the first attack, he will have no way to deal with Dacus. The same is true in reverse. Malekith teleports, and Dacus runs.

You chase me and I chase you.

Run.

Seeing Malekith and Daxus suddenly appear, the Asur nobles and great wizards were stunned for a moment, as if they were shocked by the way these two appeared. Then, as if they had received a silent command, they immediately bowed and saluted under the leadership of Finnubar.

The movements were uniform and in perfect harmony. The entire scene was pulled by some invisible force in an instant. The etiquette and dignity of the Asur nobles were solemnly demonstrated at this moment.

Then, the Asur soldiers further away also bowed and saluted in unison as if a mechanism was automatically triggered. Their movements were smooth and swift, like a carefully rehearsed ceremony, unified and orderly.

Daxus extended his hand and greeted Finnubar and his party. His smile was kind and casual, and that was it...

He wanted to go up and give Finnubar a big hug, after all, Finnubar was the MVP of the second stage! But he knew that he couldn't be so direct, as his and Malekith's identities had already made everything more complicated.

Etiquette, especially in such a formal setting, was a constraint that could not be ignored. He could not just walk over, exchange pleasantries with Finubar, let Finubar introduce these new faces to him, and leave Malekith alone.

Is this reasonable? Is this sensible?
However, the embarrassing thing was that after waiting for a long time, Malekith still did not move, as if he was in some kind of confusion and bewilderment. He stood there, completely unresponsive, as if the system had malfunctioned and could not receive any signals from the outside world, and the whole person seemed to have crashed.

Dacus's eyebrows slightly raised, and a look of disdain appeared in his eyes. He knew Malekith's feelings very well, similar to Ye Gong's love for dragons, and Da Gong's curiosity? Usually, he was very good at talking, and he looked very relaxed, opening and closing his mouth: "My rebellious ministers." But at this moment, he was really standing in front of the rebellious ministers, and he was so stiff that he didn't know how to react.

A typical talker.

He sighed softly, stretched out his hand, and knocked on Malekith's side wrapped in heavy armor without any courtesy, making a series of crisp sounds.

Malekith's body shook slightly, as if the knocking sound brought him back to reality from his confusion.

"Hey, big brother, move, don't just stand there." Dacus urged in a low voice, with a hint of helpless teasing in his tone, "Don't just stand there, go interact with your rebellious subjects."

His voice was teasing, but mixed with some kind of anxiety that was difficult to conceal. This situation was not what he expected. Malekith did not move, causing the whole scene to fall into an awkward stagnation, and he also felt a little uncomfortable, and more importantly, Malekith's mentality.

The teasing urging was like a sharp sword, gently slicing through the depths of Malekith's heart, stirring up a subtle wave. That feeling was very strange, with a hint of uneasiness and self-doubt. He had always claimed that he had control over the rebellious ministers, and it seemed that everything was under his control.

However, when these rebellious ministers actually stood before him, he was at a loss, his heart full of hesitation and vacillation.

He recalled his first official meeting with Finnubar, when they met at the Black Tower of Nagarond. The tension and subtle collision between them was unforgettable. At that time, he had already realized the subtle relationship between himself and Finnubar, but it was not obvious enough, and he did not have the clarity and awareness he has now.

Now, the position has become clearer, the relationship between him and Finnubar has become complicated and subtle, and the tension hidden deep in his heart has become stronger.

He looked at Finnubar, and countless ways of responding emerged in his mind. He wanted to face it with a calm attitude, and he also wanted to overwhelm the other party with an overwhelming attitude, but these thoughts slipped away like quicksand.

In the end, he still chose a gentle but firm approach and took that step.

His steps were steady and silent, and each step seemed to carry some invisible weight, and each step resonated with some indescribable emotion deep in his heart. The hilt of the Yangyan Sword flickered in his hand, and as he moved forward, the light reflected on the hilt seemed to constantly emphasize his determination, as if this sword was not only a weapon, but also a symbol of his inner tenacity, a way for him to express his determination through action.

At this moment, he is more aware than ever that the significance of each step is not only for personal glory, but also for the responsibilities and challenges that come with it. Every decision he makes may affect everything around him, and the consequences of these choices will continue to weave into a dense web.

He is now woven by the past, and the future...

As he walked, his heartbeat began to speed up, not because of fear or repressed tension, but because of a strange illusion. This feeling seemed to be intertwined with some kind of fate, as if an inevitable confrontation was waiting ahead.

Finally, he stopped and stood in front of Finnubar. The air became more solemn, and the surrounding scene seemed to become blurred at this moment, except for the two of them who became unusually clear in this space.

The world suddenly became quiet, all sounds were suppressed, and only the existence of each other became more distinct.

Malekith stretched out his right hand, the iron hand was full of strength and determination, as if every fingertip was conveying some firm belief deep in his heart - this was not just a simple meeting etiquette, but his way of showing his attitude, and his deep recognition and acknowledgement of Finnubar.

He did not choose to look down from a high position, but hoped to show his attitude at this moment through this sincere action: he is not an untouchable king, nor a high-ranking existence, nor a tyrant, but an ordinary person with complex emotions.

Finubar looked at Malekith's outstretched hand, his eyes slightly condensed. Obviously, Malekith's actions were not as strong and domineering as he had expected, but instead had a hint of calmness and sincerity.

This surprised him, but he couldn't help but feel some inexplicable emotions in his heart. Malekith's actions obviously exceeded the complex and contradictory image of Malekith in his mind. This calm and mature temperament touched him to some extent.

He did not immediately extend his hand in response, but lowered his head slightly, with a slight emotional fluctuation in his eyes, responding to the emotions conveyed by Malekith in a silent way.

At this moment, an invisible bridge was built between the two people's hearts, and they were both showing themselves in the most authentic way.

After a while, Finnubar slowly reached out and held Malekith's iron hand. His fingers touched the hard surface of the armor, as if he was holding a strong part of Malekith, and this contact also made the two people's eyes meet at this moment.

At that moment, the distance between them was shortened and they reached an unspoken consensus with each other - this was not only a polite handshake, but also a deep connection between them in the long historical process.

It's Asur and Duruchi...

"You did very well." Malekith spoke, his voice calm and low, with a hint of recognition. These simple words were like warm sunshine shining through the haze, slowly spreading into the hearts of the two.

After saying this, the tension in his heart was also released at this moment. He knew that no matter what happened next, he had taken the most crucial step. Whether it was to meet the enemy or accept the challenge, this recognition from Finnubar represented a new beginning.

"You did a great job." Watching all this, Daxus nodded and said silently in his heart.

In his eyes, Malekith has taken the most difficult step, from being hesitant and uneasy at the beginning to being firm and calm now.

Under his continued influence, Malekith seemed to have returned to a nearly normal state. The Malekith, who had once been too obsessed with power and control, began to show a more complex and rational side of his heart.

The deep self-doubt and fear of the future were gradually replaced by a new cognition. Malekith realized that he did not need to be the tyrant who oppressed everyone, and he did not need to have absolute control over everything.

Even though he now possesses powerful military force and prestige, if he still holds on to a violent and oppressive mindset, then no matter how many kingdoms or ministers he has, he will ultimately not be able to escape the fate of loneliness and failure.

What the elves need is balance and harmony. In this case, the image of a tyrant is bound to conflict with their core values. If you want to be a true leader, you must get rid of the mentality of oppressing others and seek a more wise and inclusive path.

Just like Darkius usually does, instead of like when he was in Naggaroth, he played the good guy and Darkius played the bad guy.

Times have changed again. Ulthuan does not need a tyrant, the elves do not need a tyrant, and the world does not need a tyrant.

If you don't change...

The appearance of Daxus was like a glimmer of light, illuminating his way forward and guiding the direction forward.

He was no longer in a rush to define himself, nor was he anxious about every decision he made in the future. The responsibilities and expectations that once oppressed him were now becoming clearer and more controllable. He began to understand that a true king is not one who suppresses everyone, but one who can create a situation of symbiosis and development in silence.

The image of "tyrant" gradually faded from Malekith's label, replaced by a deeper thought: what he wants to do is to create a more rational and open future. This future is not a world dominated by power and violence, but a society full of wisdom and understanding, a world that can accommodate multiple voices, conflicts and harmony.

The historic moment finally ended, and the scene gradually freed itself from the heavy atmosphere and entered the stage of greetings.

Dacus came over and gave Finnubar a thumbs up with a sly smile, then he gave Finnubar a big hug without hesitation. This move was relaxed and intimate, bringing a touch of inappropriate enthusiasm to this formal occasion, but it also appropriately broke the stiff situation.

"Is everything going well?" Dacus' voice was relaxed and warm, and he seemed to be completely unaware of the subtle changes in the atmosphere. His eyes were full of curiosity and concern, and he was using this way to express his expectations for the future and his sense of control over the situation.

"Of course." After they separated, Finnubar smiled heartily, with a familiar sense of ease and confidence in his eyes. His words dispelled the solemn atmosphere around them, making the people present feel a little warm and relaxed.

"That's good." Dacus nodded with a smile, then turned to Italis standing beside him and nodded gently. Then he turned to the Asur nobles and signaled Finnubar to start introducing these important nobles, great wizards and officers.

When the greetings gradually ended and the atmosphere began to become more natural, Malekith walked towards the ranks of the Asur army in a proper manner. Although his heart was still full of fluctuations, his eyes were sharp as torches as he scanned the soldiers who stood upright.

The soldiers of Asur looked at him with complicated eyes - this formidable witch king was like an insurmountable mountain in front of them. When Malekith raised his arms to salute them, they also responded with a solemn sword salute under the leadership of the officers.

Although there were no words, at this moment, a silent respect and awe filled the air.

Then, according to the agreement with Dacius, Malekith walked towards the wall of the Emerald Gate and walked towards the majestic porch. (End of this chapter)