Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 194 Determination and the Deceiver

The Silver Bottle Mirror Woman is a neutral dark elf and shadow deity.

This is actually quite unique. Neither the Dark Elf pantheon nor the Shadow pantheon has a good reputation. They both have overly ambitious former chief gods who stirred up trouble in the prime plane too much.

Rose and Shar are often portrayed as villainous bosses and ultimate schemers in countless legends and stories, which is actually a basic fact.

Even though their era has passed, the inertia of their ethnic group remains.

There are frequent reports of dark elves storming the surface world, occupying certain districts, or causing trouble.

Or perhaps a region of the earthly world fell into the shadows and became part of the shadow realm.

This is often the work of a dark elf god/mother, or a shadow deity/lord.

Their essence lies in vying for more living space, but their methods are often quite ruthless. Most of them are regarded as evil by the residents of the main plane. However, there are several who are actually neutral or even inclined to good, but they are just marginal figures in their respective camps.

If the Mirror Maiden of the Silver Bottle were merely a Dark Elf or a Shadow Goddess, this deal would have been impossible from the start, as it would have been tantamount to betraying the races of the mortal world. Precisely because the Mirror Maiden is both, and thus neither, there is room for the deal.

Whether it's the Shadow God or the Dark Elf God, there are many who want the Mirror Maiden to perish. She is not only an outsider, but also a thorn in the side of some gods. In fact, she is the one who escaped the Dark Elf pantheon and fell into the shadows.

However, after experiencing certain events, she gained a certain status in the Dark Elf world due to her position in the Shadow Dimension.

The relationship is delicate and complex: you have to eliminate disloyal members of your own faction, but you can win over friendly members of other factions.

Normally she can have both sides, but lately, it seems she's being eaten by both sides.

"A fence-sitter is very popular in peacetime, as he can benefit from both sides. But if a world war really breaks out, you might be the first one to be eliminated when you are forced to take sides."

Whether it's a sacrifice or the elimination of hidden dangers, at least in the eyes of intelligence personnel like Suliman, Mirror Girl's situation is not good.

"If she were truly powerful, there would be no need for her to bury a goddess in Mensodirka, or even forcibly invoke divine revelation to try and save the city. To be honest, repeatedly interfering for a city of this size is quite shameful."

Whether it's the fact that her territory is the edge of the underworld (the barrier wall), or that she's willing to send goddesses to this unstable region and even personally intervene in the battle, it only proves the reality that she's being ostracized by the Dark Elf pantheon.

"Is she trustworthy?" Dania was still hesitant. Becoming a voter could very well mean a lifelong or even posthumous bond.

While this could be an opportunity for an individual to rise to the top, it could also lead to the downfall of the kingdom because of one's own identity.

"Not trustworthy."

But "Sallyman" responded calmly.

“Rean said... well, a certain knight of oath said, no god is trustworthy, not even a benevolent one. We are not worthy to entrust our fate to outsiders.”

To be more specific, this deity's stance has always been that of the Dark Elves and the Shadow Realm; her willingness to interfere in the mortal world is merely a test.

If one encounters difficulties and setbacks and loses the divine power of a voter in order to gain the opportunity to withdraw unscathed, it is not unacceptable.

Rean's attitude was clear: gods were powerful figures who could be used and traded, but there was no way he would have faith in or obey them.

This may stem from Sull's last memory, a battlefield encounter that was almost an enlightenment for Rean, or it may be the deep-seated distrust of so-called gods by people from the East in their previous life.

It may even stem from a deep-seated distrust of the gods.
“But they are already the most trustworthy allies we can reach. The other kingdoms are all watching us.” Sallyman sighed. “We are not the ones who have the right to make the decision right now.”

For some reason, the other orc kingdoms are full of hostility towards the Kingdom of Aetherine, and have been encroaching on it over the years.

Under such circumstances, the royal family really had little choice. At least, this deity was still a neutral one, and one willing to contribute resources and power.

“My mother is still young,” Dania suddenly said.

With a sigh, she finally expressed her judgment with a seemingly insignificant yet subtle remark.

If she does gain the right to vote, she may gain the possibility of immortality, but she may also lose her original position, and she may not be able to retain her right to the throne.

After thinking it over, Dania sighed and made up her mind.

It seems that there was no choice from the beginning, and the current situation is already a pretty good turning point in fate.

This is better than marrying a prince or king out of nowhere; at least you have the power and opportunity to control your own destiny.

But so far, Dania still hasn't spoken directly with the Dark Elf Goddess.

Voters come in many tiers, and their treatment and other aspects need to be negotiated. Taking a break and showing less urgency might allow you to get better terms.

But in reality, she was very anxious. She was worried that the Queen's sudden visit meant that she had learned of her private deal with the Mirror Woman and was coming to interfere.

“I don’t want to become a powerless tool in political transactions.” Recalling the cold look in her mother’s eyes when she looked at her in private, and the “daughter’s matchmaking catalog” in the other party’s room, Dania seemed to have found her answer.

"I also want this city and country to continue." For both public and private reasons, she was unwilling to give up this opportunity.

However, thinking about her future, which might involve outwitting and fighting against the gods, she sighed again.

She needs more helpers, more trustworthy people.

"If only Lena were here." Lena, the hero, was the strongest person Dania had ever met. In a sense, she was even regarded as the reincarnation of the previous hero. Perhaps Dania also found the shadow of her father in her.

"Will he become my hero? Like the father in a fairy tale?" Suddenly, the image of a man flashed before her eyes.

"No, no, no, why would I think of him? He's no match for my father at all!"

Dania slapped her red cheeks hard, angry at her own weak and pathetic behavior.

"Wait, this isn't an illusion."

She stared wide-eyed at the man who shouldn't be underground, her face filled with shock.

"Rean! What are you doing here!"
-
"How did I get here? Uh, on vacation? No, why can't I be here!"

Rean was the most surprised one; he had only brought the little guy along on a whim to get used to the battlefield.

Continuing down was simply to investigate the underground ruins, but unexpectedly, we encountered the princess and her entourage again.

He noticed that the princess's knights nodded slightly to him, seemingly pleased to see him and the princess meet again, and their smiles seemed to hint at something.
"I really didn't come down here on purpose to bump into you," Rean said the truth, which resulted in laughter and a glare from the princess.

“Ah, they’re friends,” Lana suddenly said, pointing at the princess.

"No way! She still has some memories?!" Rean broke out in a cold sweat. Lana shouldn't have met Dania before!

“Yes, friend, hello little Lana.” Dania responded cheerfully to the little one.

Who wouldn't love this pure and adorable little sister?

Unbeknownst to Rean, Lana and Dania did indeed meet at the Suliman's house.

They inexplicably clicked, as if they were friends from a past life.

Watching the two "girls" interact so amicably, Rean broke out in a cold sweat. For the first time, he regretted coming down so readily.

He knew that Lana still bore traces of Lena's past, and if Dania saw them...
"Rean!!"

Suddenly, the snake woman, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, came up and hugged him, rubbing her cheek against his.

She seemed half-asleep, her face still a little groggy from just waking up, and this enthusiasm made Rean feel increasingly guilty.

"Ah, Rean?!"

The next moment, fully awake, she realized she was no longer dreaming and quickly let go of her hand.

Rean himself felt a little numb under the gaze of all sorts of people.

Sister, isn't it a bit too late to let go now? All the knights know that you and I are having an affair.

Uh, we're engaged? That's fine then.

But Dania, why are you glaring at me? I really never intended to steal your girlfriend.

Looking at Dania in front of him and Sallyman, who quickly stepped back in embarrassment, Rean sighed.

"Ms. Suliman, it's been a long time." Some things, indeed, still need to be faced.

"Quickly, fulfill my contract, confess your love!" And the snake, at this moment, how could it miss the opportunity, immediately jumped out to cause trouble.

Rean shook his head. He had only contacted Purple Rose after insisting on refusing, and then she confessed to her relative. He wasn't that much of a scumbag! At least, not now!
"I'm going to disappear, and you can expect to breach the contract and suffer misfortune!" the snake threatened, flicking its tongue.

“No, you won’t. You still have time, you still have fun to watch, you don’t want to leave.” Rean had already seen through everything.

He looked at the sky helplessly, thinking he could only wait as long as he could.

Soon after, he received a message about a contractual alliance with the Mirror Woman.

He thus learned of Dania's hesitation and unease.

"This...isn't that a bit much? Are there any other options?" Becoming a tool of a god, if trusted or valued by the other party, could even lead to becoming a true immortal, which seems like a good thing.

But Rean noticed Dania's hesitation and unease.

He was unaware that becoming a voter also meant entrusting one's soul to another, and that it meant the so-called immortality that could be pulled up from the grave even after death. But he could see Dania's resistance.

She didn't want to.

But there was no choice.

"Does the serpent have a way to deceive the gods? How can it make her a chosen one, yet break the promise at any time?"

"Yes, but they're quite expensive." The cheerful snake wagged its tail; it had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

Does the inability to predict mean it can't be arranged? No, just arrange for someone else.

“You name your price,” Rean said viciously, each word squeezed out through clenched teeth.

(End of this chapter)