In the end, Carol’s words put an end to this farce.
“I don’t care about the rest. Just don’t let it happen again.” Carol said this with a stern expression, her gaze fixed on Shien and Jenom.
Clearly, no matter how much Shien shifted the blame, or how much Jenom tried to defend herself, Carol still believed that both of them were at fault.
“You’re a real teacher, huh?”
Shien was too tired to even complain. Blaming both sides when unsure who was at fault, a classic teacher move.
Carol ignored him and was about to drag Jenom away.
Jenom naturally resisted. “Melika! My Melika!” She struggled, ready to abandon her punishment and take Melika away.
But she was no match for Carol.
“You still have a street to clean. You’re not going anywhere until it’s done,” Carol said ruthlessly.
“How… how can you do this!?” Jenom shouted, “That means that bastard can continue being alone with Melika! I won’t allow it!”
“Oh?” Carol narrowed her eyes. “So, you’re not going to take responsibility for the trouble you caused?”
“I… I didn’t say that…” Jenom’s voice lowered, seemingly aware of her mistake, but still unwilling to compromise. “At least let Melika stay. Let her be with me!”
This was Jenom’s only compromise.
However, before Carol could reply, Shien spoke.
“That won’t do.” Shien said curtly. “I’m taking Melika to see the Elven Queen.”
Everyone, including the Elven Corps, looked over.
“Taking Melika to see the Queen?” Jenom was stunned.
“What? Is there a problem?” Carol frowned, her expression turning serious. Although she had said they could visit the Queen at any time, Shien seemed to have more than just a visit in mind.
Indeed.
“There’s something wrong with Melika.” Shien explained briefly, “So I need to take her to the Elven Queen.”
“Something wrong?” Carol was silent.
“What!?” Jenom was shocked, then with a burst of strength, broke free from Carol and rushed to Melika, her face anxious. “What’s wrong? Are you unwell? Did that bastard do something to you? Let me check!”
Saying so, Jenom started checking Melika over.
“W-wait! Jenom! I’m fine! Calm down…! Ah!” Melika cried out, her face bright red.
“Let me see!” Jenom, seemingly losing control, her hands roamed over Melika’s body, even reaching inside her clothes.
If any other man were here, he would be drooling at this sight.
Shien, however, only glanced at them, then calmly looked away. This made the Elven Corps look at him with new eyes. “This man is different.” “Yes, he only glanced at Melika.” “He seems like a gentleman.” “Other men wouldn’t be so calm.” The girls whispered, their impression of Shien improving. Even Carol seemed to regard him with a newfound respect. R₳𐌽ȏBƐŠ
But little did they know, Shien wasn’t looking away because he was a gentleman, but because he had already seen and done everything there was to see and do, which was why he was so calm.
Carol then said, “Is it about Melika’s magic power?” The vice-commander had actually guessed the reason.
“You know?” Shien raised an eyebrow.
“Sort of.” Carol said calmly, “I was Melika’s mentor. I know her abilities and potential.”
Carol knew that Melika’s astonishing growth wasn’t just from traveling for two years.
“Some members of the Elven Corps who interacted with Melika reported an abnormal magic power flow around her. It seems like something is affecting the magic power around her, changing its flow.”
Shien wasn’t surprised. He had noticed this before arriving in the capital. There was an abnormal flow of magic power around Melika, as if being drawn towards her.
“Did the Elven Queen also notice this?” Shien asked.
“I don’t know,” Carol shook her head, “but I think Her Majesty must have noticed something.” Even some elves had noticed, let alone the Queen, who constantly monitored the magic power situation with the Queen’s Palace.
“Alright.” Shien nodded. “Then I’ll take Melika to see the Elven Queen.”
“I’ll take you there.” Carol said, “The Queen seems interested in you. It would be good to visit her sooner.”
Jenom immediately raised her hand. “I’m going too!” She said loudly, still clutching Melika’s clothes.
“You stay here and continue working!” Carol glared at Jenom and refused.
“Why!?” Jenom protested.
Carol was even angrier. “Why don’t you ask yourself why you did such a stupid thing!?” Carol grabbed Jenom’s ear. “Clean up this mess, then you can leave.”
“I…” Jenom wanted to argue, but Carol twisted her ear, making her cry out. “I understand! I understand!” Jenom’s voice was filled with grievance. She just wanted to be with Melika. Why was everyone stopping her? They were childhood friends, inseparable for years. Why didn’t they understand?
“Ugh…” Shien suddenly shuddered, looking at the departing Jenom, his eyes wide.
“Mr. Shien? What’s wrong?” Melika, who had tidied her clothes, looked at Shien’s expression with confusion.
“Nothing,” Shien shook his head, murmuring, “I just felt a dark aura.” Could this Jenom have been triggered into darkness? Shien wondered.
“Ah!” At this moment, Jenom, still sulking, accidentally set a treehouse on fire with her magic.
“What are you doing, Jenom!?” Carol yelled.
“I-I’m sorry!” Jenom cried and rushed to extinguish the fire.
“…” Shien’s lips twitched. …And she wanted to embrace darkness with that?