“Is that so? But wouldn’t delaying be bad news for Lisat Kingdom? The Elf Forest won’t form an alliance with an unstable country. Sister Avira has to be responsible for the entire Elf Forest,” Sephirena said. “This shouldn’t be a difficult choice for Princess Liana, right?”

“You seem to be constantly trying to get me to order you to return to the Elf Forest.” Sephirena’s intention was too obvious not to notice.

“Am I?” Sephirena said nonchalantly. Whether her intentions were exposed didn’t matter much to her, and now she already knew Princess Liana’s choice.

“Aren’t you?”

“Then I suppose I am.” Sephirena shrugged. “So, why doesn’t Princess Liana simply order me to go back? Wouldn’t that be beneficial for all of us?”

“I hate making decisions for others.”

“Even if that decision is all benefit and no harm to Princess Liana?”

“I don’t need to rely on someone else’s sacrifice to achieve my goals,” Liana said very seriously.

Indeed, it was just as Sephirena had thought—Princess Liana was this kind of person.

“Princess Liana is truly a very strange person,” Sephirena said.

“No, I just don’t need to use such methods. Even without you, I have my ways,” Liana said.

“Is that so? But isn’t this the simplest, most convenient method? You could also get rid of me, this troublemaker, and not have to worry about my affairs. Isn’t that good?” Sephirena said.

“You’re someone who has helped me greatly—no, an elf who has helped me greatly. How could you be called a troublemaker? Moreover, this quality of yours is precisely why I sought you out.”

In the past, Sephirena might have truly believed Liana’s words, but now, Sephirena knew that Princess Liana was a person who very much liked to meddle in others’ affairs.

“After saying all this, what’s most important is still your own thoughts, isn’t it?” Liana looked directly into Sephirena’s blood-red eyes. “Do you want to go back? Now that you know Princess Avira’s thoughts, are you still willing to return to your homeland and see your family?”

“...”

“I’m not very clear on, nor do I fully understand, the affairs of you elves, so I can’t make the decision for you. The only one who can truly decide is you,” Liana said.

“Setting aside positions and interests, if Princess Liana were in my position, what would you do?” Sephirena asked.

“First of all, it’s impossible to set those things aside. I can’t think entirely from your perspective. But if it were me, I would still want to go back,” Liana said.

“Why?”

“Being alone would indeed be boring and lonely. Moreover, if misunderstandings aren’t cleared up, both parties will continue to suffer. Besides, you yourself want to go back, don’t you, Sephirena?”

“...” Sephirena didn’t speak, only nodded.

Whether it was the truth about Sister Tarashil, the familial love of Sister Avira, or the matter of her Mother, the Tree of Life, Sephirena needed to return at once.

“Then do what you want to do. Anyway, for me, I’ve already gained what I needed,” Liana said very coldly.

“Princess Liana, aren’t you worried that I might reveal that you’re still alive?”

“If you want to tell, even if I give you more benefits, you’ll still tell. If you don’t want to tell, even if others threaten you, you won’t tell. From the moment I let you know about this, I’ve never worried about this point. Whether to tell or not depends entirely on ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) you,” Liana said.

“There’s an even simpler solution, isn’t there?”

“What solution?” Liana was puzzled.

“Come with me to the Elf Forest,” Sephirena said.

“Huh?” Liana doubted if she’d heard correctly.

“Princess Liana, I’d like to invite you to come with me to the our forest,” Sephirena repeated what she had just said. “I can use illusions and disguise Princess Liana as an elf, making it impossible for other elves to recognize you.”

“What’s the reason? Why should I go with you?” Liana was bewildered.

“Because, Princess Liana, you’ve been recognized by the Tree of Life. I think Mother might have something to tell you, or perhaps you know how to heal Mother,” Sephirena said.

“Have you gone mad, or have I...” Liana didn’t know what to say. It was baffling. “You’re saying that I, someone who has only recently recovered my magic power and hasn’t even reached the level of Archmage, can heal the Tree of Life? Are you joking?”

“Mother letting you enter my illusion already explains everything. Moreover, Princess Liana, you can also pick up the holy sword. This point alone is sufficient,” Sephirena said.

“No, what relationship do I have with that holy sword? In your illusion, when I held it in my hand, there was no reaction at all. It only worked in your hands. What does it have to do with me?” Liana asked in confusion. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“I know that suddenly inviting you must make you feel confused and puzzled, but I sincerely hope that you can come with me to the Elf Forest,” Sephirena lowered her head and extended the invitation.

Liana had indeed planned to visit the Elf Forest in the future, after all, the key to resisting the demon race was there. But not now, since currently, Liana didn’t have anyone who could protect her. Minoga couldn’t leave Mephilia’s side, or it would definitely raise suspicions.

Without guarantees for her safety, Liana didn’t want to take this risk, at least not now.

“Of course, Princess Liana, you can also refuse for now and let me return first. When Princess Liana is ready, you can come to the Elf Forest. If you really feel unsafe, Princess Liana can also wait for Princess Mephilia and go to the Elf Forest with her,” Sephirena said.

“I understand. I’ll think about it.” This proposal was quite good, and Princess Avira had also invited Mephilia before.

But...

“If you return like this, won’t it be unsafe for you?” Liana asked with concern.

“I’ll be safe. I’ve reclaimed my elven powers. As someone chosen by Mother, even they, can’t do anything to me. Moreover... Sister Avira is waiting for me,” Sephirena said.