Two Ladies

Era of Order, Year 1137.

The scent of oak and ale permeated the slightly noisy air of the tavern. Candlelight flickered in the lamps, stretching silhouettes and casting them against the mottled stone walls.

Glug, glug—ah!

After chugging a large mug of ale in one breath, Marie slammed the empty cup onto the table.

Are you sure it is okay to drink like that? Luo Lun asked with some concern. Do not go getting crazy drunk later and start hugging and kissing me all over.

Luo Lun highly suspected that Marie had a penchant for that sort of thing. After all, the delicate thoughts and graceful figures of the young girls in this author's works were depicted far too vividly. Who knows what she was like normally...

Shoo, shoo, who would randomly hug and kiss you? Marie waved her hand dismissively. I ran into something incredibly bizarre earlier, and I still have not recovered from it.

Luo Lun also raised her cup and took a large gulp. The ice-cold liquid slid down her throat, bringing a trace of burning heat. What a coincidence, I ran into something bizarre too.

Luo Lun and Marie had met a few years ago.

Ever since Luo Lun read Marie's Elven Phantom Thief series, she had been deeply fascinated by it and could not help but want to visit the author.

Afterward, Luo Lun and Marie began exchanging letters. They hit it off instantly and became very close pen pals.

Although this was their first official face-to-face meeting, they were already very familiar with each other.

Oh? You ran into something too? Tell me about it. It might just serve as good material for my writing. Marie's interest was immediately piqued. A professional gleam flashed in her eyes as she leaned forward slightly.

It is nothing much, really. Just ran into a... very terrifying guy... probably.

Recalling what had happened earlier, a chill rose in Luo Lun's heart once again.

What is that supposed to mean? Do you not always brag in your letters about being the leader of the Blood Pact and having unparalleled strength? Marie could not help but look at Luo Lun's slender legs beneath her robes. You were not just blowing hot air, were you?

Of course not! Ordinary adventurers could never be a match for me! Luo Lun retorted, feeling somewhat displeased that her strength was being underestimated.

But what exactly was going on earlier? To be frightened to such an extent just by that man's aura... Even though her reason now told her it was because Ned's poison had not been completely purged from her system... faintly, Luo Lun wanted to reject that explanation, replacing it with an even crazier thought.

What about you? What did you run into earlier? Luo Lun asked Marie casually.

It would scare you to death if I told you! Marie said nervously. I met someone who should have died over a thousand years ago!

What is the big deal? Whose grave did you dig up? Luo Lun joked dismissively.

Of course not! Not in the way you are thinking. I met a living dead person! Marie gulped.

So are they a living person or a dead person? Luo Lun deadpanned.

Ugh... how do I explain this to you... Just imagine a human from a thousand years ago. Due to lifespan limits, he should have long since turned to dust, but I ran into him a few days ago. Marie finally managed to articulate her point clearly.

Oh? Resurrected? Who is this guy? Luo Lun asked in surprise.

Marie remained silent. If she revealed that person's identity... it would undoubtedly be a blasphemy against the Hero.

Luo Lun was also human. Given the human race's respect and reverence for the Hero, she would probably start a fight with her right then and there.

There is actually someone in this world who can come back to life? Are you sure you did not mistake him for someone else? Maybe the two just look alike? The more Luo Lun thought about it, the more she felt something was off. Resurrecting the dead was simply too unbelievable.

My current guess is that he is merely a controlled puppet... Marie said uncertainly. Perhaps a corpse manipulated by necromancy.

That makes more sense... How could a dead person come back to life? You must have sensed it wrong. Luo Lun raised her wooden cup and clinked it against Marie's. It made a crisp clack, and some of the overflowing, bubbly ale spilled out from the impact.

Is that so? The tipsy Marie narrowed her eyes. When she had met Xia Lun and Aina earlier, she had been too scared to think much about it... but now, the more she thought about it, the more the figure named Xia Lun, that vividness, that vicissitude and tranquility that seemed to have traveled through time, became clearer. It completely contradicted the image of a cold, stiff puppet.

But it did not matter; it was all in the past now.

Cheers! Marie and Luo Lun clinked their cups together once more.

Marie swirled the cup in her hand and looked at the pretty figure beside her. By the way, what did you come to the Elven Forest for again?

To hang out with you.

Come off it, I do not buy that, Marie muttered. I do not have enough face to make the leader of the Blood Pact come all the way here just to drink with me.

Luo Lun corrected her, You are drinking with me.

Spit it out! Foolish human, daring to set foot in the forbidden lands of the elves, what is your purpose here? Marie asked in a solemn tone. I need to write this down for material.

This place is called the Oak Barrel tavern, not some elven forbidden land. There are more humans in this tavern than elves, Luo Lun said, pointing at the sign outside the door.

Of course I know that! I can read. I was just trying to set the mood.

Well, you did a terrible job of setting it.

Marie was a bit displeased at being treated like an idiot by Luo Lun. I am planning to write a novel based on you next. The protagonist will be the mysterious and elegant leader of an assassin organization... so I suggest you speak to me a bit more politely.

Mysterious and elegant? You must have some sort of misunderstanding about assassins... They are just a bunch of pathetic wretches licking blood off the edge of a blade.

Is that so? You do not look like what you just described.

I am the most successful one, so I am an exception. Luo Lun shrugged. Besides, you definitely do not know that a few days ago, right after I got here, I was ambushed. Not only was I poisoned, but I was also forced to jump off a giant tree.

Gosh, that dangerous? I will not be in danger hanging around you, will I? Marie was startled.

You are a famous novelist of the elven race, have some self-awareness, will you? Luo Lun rolled her eyes at her. No one would dare casually lay a hand on a public figure like you.

Hehe... is that so? Turns out I am quite impressive. Marie scratched her head sheepishly, then realized something was off. Ah, why did you derail the topic again? Tell me! What are you doing here in the elven territory?

Seeing Marie pressing so relentlessly, Luo Lun pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, Do you happen to know... about a drug that has been circulating among the elves...