Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 160 - 156: Night Talk

Chapter 160: Chapter 156: Night Talk

Luo’er didn’t intend to speak up for Princess Melia. The matter was on their minds too. Although those cannons had been seized by the rebels, and the recent news was that the rebels had destroyed all the cannons. Still, they hoped to figure out where those cannons came from, and who exactly managed to export such weapons to Otherworld without the UN Security Council’s knowledge.

If these cannons were not exported from Earth, then which nation had the capability to produce them? This is a grave issue. Considering that Earth’s nations barely have an upper hand over the magic of Otherworld, if their specialty was learned by the Otherworld, it would be a significant issue. If one day, the armies from the Otherworld launch fully-armed attacks on Earth with powerful firearms and cannons, Earth nations will suffer a heavy blow to their pride.

"I understand, I will make a decision on this matter, but listen carefully," Wang Xu said earnestly to Luo’er, "I chose to overlook your omission of the mission details this time, but from now on, you should report any incidents that occur during your missions. I will convey what needs to be reported to the higher-ups, and keep the rest to myself. I have watched you grow since you were a child, do you not trust me?"

"I...I didn’t mean to conceal anything," Luo’er stammered guiltily.

Wang Xu sighed, then looked at him with a resigned expression: "Judging by your look, I can tell what you’re thinking, you can’t deceive me."

After the meeting ended, the stationed staff immediately left the manor to relay the information to the Otherworld Gate. Considering their past efficiency, they should receive a response from headquarters by tomorrow. Before that, Princess Melia could only stay at the station for the night.

At dinner, following Earth tradition, Wang Xu invited Princess Melia to join him. Although she had been exposed to much, she was deeply impressed by the meals at the station. It is commonly said that Chinese cuisine is the best, and the cooking skills of Otherworld are not even comparable to the western middle ages, hence naturally Melia was captivated by the food.

After eating, Melia returned to her room while Luo’er and Cheng Ziang went for a walk. The manor’s outskirts had no street lamps, just the gentle twinkling stars. Both of them, walking on the well-maintained pavement in the manor, felt inexplicably content.

"It’s been awhile since we’ve been this relaxed." Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but comment.

"Indeed, we’ve been on high alert for a long time, it’s been a while since we’ve had any leisure time." Luo’er agreed.

Upon reaching the manor’s fountain, seeing the crescent moon reflected by the pool, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but exclaim, "The moon in the pool mirrors the one in the sky, but the person in front of me is not the one in my heart!"

"What’s gotten into you?" Luo’er shot him a look, seeming quite irritated.

"Luo’er, it seems like every girl you come across in Otherworld likes you," Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but say.

"Nonsense, half-elves are the most discriminated against here." Luo’er shrugged his shoulders.

"You say so, but take a look," Cheng Ziang looked at him with a teasing smile, "The girl named Kali that you know didn’t despise you. When you went to the Magic Academy, with a young lady in one hand, and a maid beside you, you were so happy you almost forgot about Moumou. During your stay in Masya, you were getting along well with Princess Melia. I didn’t attend the negotiations at the inn, but I could roughly guess what transpired."

As he spoke, the teasing smile on his face became more obvious, and he burst out laughing.

"Enough of your nonsense, focusing only on such matters. We are to fight in the Otherworld, not to carry out a series of dates." Luo’er responded helplessly.

As soon as Cheng Ziang mentioned the negotiation at the inn, Luo’er couldn’t help but think back to Princess Melia’s astonishing act in front of him, and immediately felt his confidence ebbing.

"Look, Yue’er is battling Moumou openly and in secret, then enters Shangguan Jiu. It’s quite bustling." Cheng Ziang shook his head and said.

"When did Shangguan Jiu start to like me?" Luo’er looked at him and asked.

"She blushed every time she saw you." Cheng Ziang said.

"You call that liking? So she doesn’t blush seeing you?" Luo’er retorted, clearly not buying it.

"Take it or leave it, that’s my judgement." Cheng Ziang said smugly.

"Instead of reflecting on yourself, you are blaming her for not blushing when she sees you. No one can smile looking at your stiff poker face." Luo’er shot back irritably.

"Luo’er, here’s an opportunity for you to prove your loyalty," Cheng Ziang suddenly said mysteriously.

"What?" Luo’er was taken aback, and was about to ask more, when he suddenly heard a familiar and gentle voice behind him.

"What are you talking about?"

Luo’er stiffened up, thinking if you speak of the devil, the devil appears. He was just about to have Cheng Ziang stick around to boost his confidence when he noticed that Cheng Ziang had vanished without a trace, leaving him alone to face the awkward situation.

"Good night, Princess Melia!" Summoning up his resolve, Luo’er turned around and greeted her.

Melia had changed into a white long dress, adorned with an exquisite hairpin, shining brightly against the backdrop of the starlight. Looking at her, Luo’er was momentarily lost in her beauty.

Melia approached him and seeing his astonished expression, she couldn’t help but show a charming smile. She asked, giggling, "Do I look pretty?"

Realizing his own distraction, Luo’er coughed to alleviate his embarrassment and averted his gaze.

"Luo’er, what language were you speaking when you were talking just now?" Melia, not caring much about his previous reaction, changed the subject.

"My native language," Luo’er coughed and replied.

"Is that so," Melia came up close to him. Standing a head taller than her, Luo’er towered over Melia as she looked up at him. She said with a smiling face, "Could you teach me some phrases?"

"Uh, what would you like to learn, Your Highness?" Seeing her so close, Luo’er felt somewhat awkward and turned his face away, embarrassed.

"How do you express your love for someone?" Melia asked, looking at him.

"What?" Luo’er paused for a while and looking at her inscrutable smile, he coughed and turning his gaze away, mumbled in a volume only both could hear, "I, I like you."

Melia’s face seemed to light up with a triumphant smile. She didn’t repeat after Luo’er but instead, she said an obscure phrase, "Ha ivar."

"What did you say?" Luo’er noticed her language was not Tasta, a language he had also studied.

"It’s the Dwarven language, I lived in the land of the High-peak Dwarves for a while," Melia explained.

"What does it mean?" Luo’er asked.

Melia still wore a smile, but within it lingered some mystery. She turned around and arrived at the edge of a pond, looking at the reflection of the stars shimmering in the water, and without looking back she said, "Ask me when you have learned the Dwarven language."

Luo’er arrived at the edge of the pond, only to find Melia taking off her shoes. She stepped barefoot into the pond and the chill of the spring water caused her body to shiver. She placed her shoes aside and sat on the edge, enjoying the icy coolness of the water.

"Your Highness." Luo’er approached, slightly hesitant.

"Just call me Melia!" She said without turning around.

"I don’t think that’s quite appropriate." Luo’er scratched his head in embarrassment. He didn’t mind, but if Tangmo found out, there may likely be a bout of jealousy.

"I will call you Luo’er then." Melia turned around, smiling at Luo’er.

"Alright then," Luo’er hesitated a moment, and continued, "Melia, are you really planning to assemble an army to usurp the throne?"

"What else can I do, let them control all the power?" Melia argued.

"Everyone has something they strive for, so I wouldn’t want to take away anything. I only feel, I feel a bit sorry for you." Luo’er said sincerely.

"If it were anyone else saying this, I would have responded that I don’t need your pity. But if it’s you," Melia said, looking at him with a smile, "Thank you!"

"You should know our intentions well," Luo’er stated.

"Of course I do. You want to control this world. But what can we do about it?" Melia looked up at the night sky, seemingly disheartened, "Everyone knows that Earth will eventually control the entire Otherworld. Not because you have the power to defeat us but because your civilization is far more advanced than ours. Your world has traversed many paths that we have yet to travel. Even without the outbreak of war, your world will slowly seep into and control ours. So why resist instead of adapting and accepting?"

"Those antiquated fellows stubbornly believe that magic is the most powerful force. They claim only nobility with pure bloodlines should learn magic, and only the almighty god of light can guide them on the correct path. They remain tight-lipped about the defeat in the Prophetic War thirty years ago. They snub Earth’s civilization because the invading Earth Army was routed. They believe no matter how formidable the Earthlings are, they will fall before the might of magic."

"They are obstinate in maintaining their moribund traditions, viewing Earth’s civilization with distaste. Even as Martian forces retreat in the face of the rebels’ attacks, they still argue it’s because Earthlings were aiding the rebels."

"To overcome the rebels, it’s essential to first deal with those clinging to their outmoded beliefs. They need to be ripped away from the country’s body, no longer allowing them to leech off it. This is why I aim to seize the throne." Melia said, looking at Luo’er with unwavering determination in her eyes.

"Earthlings will not let you become powerful, so you better be prepared," Luo’er said, "Additionally, if you really plan to assemble an army to seek power, I have two suggestions. First, distinguish between your enemies and friends. Second, unite all the forces that can be united."