novelraw Chapter 44
Chapter 44
44. Full of Suspicions
Perhaps Nordlin was a witch's illusion, and as everyone knew, witches liked women. So Meng Lian had reason to suspect that men in this world were just decorations, and girls liking girls was the norm.
But even so, when Meng Lian heard that Aurora's fiancée was also a Silver Dragon, she almost lost her composure.
Wasn't that a bit too explosive?
"The story between us is long and complicated. I can't explain it all in a few words. We were betrothed when we were very young, and I've now reached marrying age, so I want to travel to the Sky City to fulfill our engagement."
When mentioning her fiancée, a faint smile appeared on Aurora's face.
"So you want us to escort you through the Far Shore to reach the Sky City?"
"Yes. Upon completion, I'll pay you one hundred gold coins as reward."
How much?
Meng Lian's lips twitched at those words. She glanced at Carolingian, who turned her head away with a guilty expression, whistling nonchalantly.
"Since our destination is the Sky City anyway, let's just consider it traveling together."
Hearing that their destination was also the Sky City, a trace of confusion flickered across Aurora's face, but she didn't show it.
Aurora arranged a guest room for them. Seeing the soft, large bed, Meng Lian immediately flopped onto it, a comfortable expression spreading across her face.
Tiane and Tina also pounced, and the three of them played around on the bed until they lay together, somewhat exhausted.
The Forest of Elves had such a wonderful environment. It was late at night now, and the only sounds outside were the faint chirping of insects. Even a few trumpet flowers poked in through the window, calming one's mind.
"Dear, don't you think there's something fishy about all this?"
Tiane lay beside Meng Lian and suddenly asked.
She hadn't said much all day. It was Meng Lian who had handled all the interactions with Carolingian and Aurora.
"Mm, you could say that. This whole thing is very strange."
Actually, the commission itself was simple. Aurora needed to pass through the Far Shore, now filled with evil spirits, to reach the Sky City and fulfill her marriage engagement.
But thinking carefully, many things didn't add up.
First, there was the matter of the Far Shore becoming the Spirit Lands. How did that blood rain fall? Where did it come from? After all, the Sky City floated above the Far Shore. Such an ominous blood rain had fallen on the Far Shore, yet the Sky City had no reaction at all. The more one thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
Then there was Aurora's engagement. Never mind that Aurora actually had a fiancée. Just looking at the engagement itself, why did Aurora need to hire adventurers to fulfill her marriage contract? Where were the forces of the Forest of Elves? Moreover, Aurora was the Elf Princess, so whoever was engaged to her must hold considerable status in the Sky City. Why hadn't the Sky City sent anyone?
Carolingian was suspicious too. She had introduced herself as the leader of the Wolf Fang Adventuring Group, but from beginning to end, Meng Lian had never seen any other members of her group. It seemed like the Wolf Fang Adventuring Group consisted only of her. She was even short-handed enough to seek help at the Adventurer's Guild.
With so many mysteries, anyone with half a brain and working eyes could easily notice them.
"With so many things wrong, I'm afraid the Sky City..."
Meng Lian didn't finish her sentence. She looked at Tiane and found her expression normal.
"Dear, are you saying the Sky City might be in trouble? It's fine. I don't really care. After all, I've never been to the Sky City, so I have no emotional attachment to it."
Tiane blinked at Meng Lian and smiled.
"True, I was overthinking things."
Meng Lian scratched her head in embarrassment.
"So what's dear planning? Should we continue with the mission, or go to the Sky City on our own?"
"Let's stick with Aurora and the others. They may have many secrets, but their destination is the Sky City, same as ours. We have no conflict of interest, so they have no reason to harm us."
"Besides, Carolingian is covering our meals. Why not take advantage of such a sucker?"
Meng Lian chuckled.
"Alright, I'm here for you~"
Though she was weak right now, in front of her wives, Meng Lian couldn't help but brag a little.
"Dear is so amazing! So, dear, what position should we use tonight?"
"I want sixty-nine!"
Tina had been dozing in Meng Lian's arms, but the moment the topic turned lewd, she immediately perked up.
Sixty-nine my ass!
Looking at the sisters' hazy eyes, Meng Lian swallowed.
"Cough, hold on, hold on. Let me take a shower first. I smell."
"Shower play? Hehe, that works~"
Tiane's silver pupils had already turned into heart shapes. She scooped Meng Lian up in a princess carry and walked into the bathroom.
"I meant I'm showering alone! Wait, wait, you jerk, not here!"
"Yay, shower play!"
Tina cheered, then grabbed the change of clothes Aurora had prepared for them and headed into the bathroom.
Just as Tina entered the bathroom, she noticed the trumpet flower still at the window and snorted coldly.
Hmph, pushing your luck!
A silver glint flashed through Tina's pupils, and the trumpet flower suddenly burst into flames, turning into a pile of ash.
"Tina, let me wash first! I smell right now!"
"Sister, you're sneaking a taste again!"
……
"It seems they've discovered me."
Inside the bedchamber, Aurora's tightly closed eyes slowly opened, revealing a helpless expression.
"Your Highness, are they trustworthy?"
"They should be fine. Those Silver Dragon sisters are probably dragons left behind in the outside world. It's reasonable for them to want to go to the Sky City."
Dragons were naturally lustful creatures. The full moon only amplified their desires infinitely, but that didn't mean dragons were pure and innocent the rest of the time. On the contrary, dragons were even more prone to going into heat than humans, without even being picky about species. So it was quite normal for dragon offspring to be scattered outside.
Carolingian breathed a sigh of relief at those words. She was the one who had found Meng Lian's group, and she didn't want any mishaps.
Actually, Meng Lian's group wasn't the first batch Carolingian had recruited. But the previous groups all had ulterior motives. Some, upon seeing Aurora's beauty, even started plotting how to violate her halfway through the journey. These people all met the same fate, disappearing without exception.
As for where these people went, Carolingian didn't know. Aurora had dealt with all of them. But Carolingian also knew that Aurora wasn't as simple as she appeared. After all, a naive sweet girl wouldn't be able to secure the position of Elf Princess among the major elf tribes.
"Alright, you've worked hard. You may withdraw now. Since we have enough people, let's prepare and depart in four days."
"Yes, I'll take my leave, Your Highness."
Carolingian's figure disappeared from the bedchamber. Aurora sat in place with her eyes closed, resting for a while, then slowly opened them and exhaled a turbid breath.
She walked into her bedroom, dismissed the elf maids attending her, then closed the door and went to the bookshelf. She pulled out the third book in the second row of the third shelf. Soon, the sound of mechanical gears turning came, and the bookshelf before her slowly opened like a door, revealing a hidden passage.
Aurora's expression grew dim. She entered the passage and arrived at a secret room.
In the dim secret room, there was a delicate figure tightly bound by iron chains. It was a young girl. In the faint candlelight, one could vaguely see that her hair was silver, but it was now soaked in blood, appearing a crimson red.
The secret room was filled with the smell of blood. Before the girl lay scattered pieces of meat that had already turned dark. Hearing someone approach, the girl struggled violently, her small face contorted ferociously. But when she saw that the newcomer was Aurora, she miraculously calmed down.
"Little... Little Flower... I... I'm so... hungry..."
Hearing the girl call her childhood name, Aurora could hold back no longer. She embraced the girl's body and began sobbing silently.
"Lan, we'll be going home soon..."