Let's start over, Your Majesty.

Chapter 286 (borrowing)

The next day, Caesar arrived at the Ecological Institute early, and Ita came with him.

Today, I also plan to discuss the plan with Muirna. Yesterday, Caesar also received very important information from Sia, and he plans to discuss it with Muirna as well.

After getting off the bus and entering the gate of the Institute of Ecology, I felt that the institute was unusually quiet today. There were far fewer researchers walking around like usual.

They were already quite familiar with the place, so they went to the greenhouse where Muirna usually worked, where she should still be busy at this time.

However, when they arrived there, they did not see Muirna. Just as they were about to leave, Muirna's assistant, Zhu Liang, walked in.

"Are you here to see the professor?"

Zhu Liang, dressed in gardening clothes, covered in mud, and carrying a bag of potting soil, greeted them and asked.

"Yes, but the professor doesn't seem to be here today?" Caesar asked.

Zhu Liang adjusted his glasses: "The professor has other matters to attend to, and he's also taken the day off from his work at the greenhouse."

"Taking leave? Where did she go?"

"I can't tell you that," Zhu Liang said. "But she hasn't left the Ecological Institute either."

Caesar and Ita exchanged a glance, and Ita said, "Then let's wait for her."

"Whatever, but don't stay here, it'll interfere with your work."

Zhu Liang was as direct as ever. They left the rest stop and went to Muirna's residence.

"They disappeared without leaving a message, without even thinking about what would happen to us when we arrived."

Ita started complaining as soon as she came in.

"Wait a minute, if they haven't come back yet, we'll go back first," Caesar said.

It's still uncertain what Muirner's situation is, so it's best not to summon him rashly.

Having become quite familiar with the somewhat messy little house, Caesar found a place to sit down, while Ita walked around the living room, looking at the photos on the shelves.

“Hey, Caesar, by the way, do you know anything about Muirna’s family? Does she still have any family members or anything like that?” she suddenly asked.

"All I know is that her parents were researchers for the Elven race and have passed away. As for the rest..." Caesar thought of what Muirna had mentioned before about the destroyed village and lowered his eyes.

"We didn't talk much about the others. She doesn't have a partner either; she's been alone for so many years."

“I think she’s quite resilient. She’s lived alone for so many years. I definitely couldn’t have survived if I had to live alone for hundreds of years,” Ita said.

That's true. After the number of elves dwindled, many began to integrate into human society.
However, the biggest problem in the relationship between elves and humans is the inequality in lifespan. This is the first obstacle that many elves need to overcome when interacting with humans. Friends and relatives grow old and pass away one by one, while you remain unchanged. Even the strongest mentality will have problems.

Therefore, many elves choose to live out their lives alone rather than endure the pain of separation. However, a long-term solitary life can also cause psychological problems, and only a few can truly endure it.

The low reproductive drive and difficulty in conceiving among elves are also among the reasons for their extinction.

There are even institutions now that specialize in studying psychological issues related to longevity, called something like "The Bridge to Long Life."

The reason Muirna was able to persevere was probably because of the sense of mission she carried in her heart. Having faith and aspirations is the best medicine to alleviate all psychological problems.

Ita looked around for a while, then got bored, yawned, sat back on the sofa, and picked up a magazine to read.

"To be honest, she's quite fashionable," she muttered, glancing at the fashion magazine.

Caesar didn't say much. He sat down at the table, picked up his notebook, and began to think and take notes.

Around noon, footsteps could be heard outside the house. The door opened, and Muirner walked in.

"You guys are here?"

She looked at Caesar and Ithaca inside the room, but her expression wasn't particularly surprised.

“We’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” Ita said, somewhat annoyed.

"I forgot to let you know beforehand, I'm busy today," Muirner said. "Sorry, please wait while I change my clothes."

Before the two could say anything more, she quickly went upstairs. Caesar noticed that there were water stains on her skin and that her clothes were quite wet.

It looks like they just came back from a very humid place.

A moment later, she came down the stairs, now dressed in dry, clean clothes.

"So, what brings you here this time?" She tossed her long hair and sat down on the sofa.

Caesar then relayed Sia's words from the previous day to Muirna.

"Therefore, it's very likely that we will face a more perilous situation then, and the things the kingdom needs to do will not be as simple as we imagine," Caesar said.
After hearing his words, Muirner fell into deep thought, then shook his head: "I know too little. The kingdom is now in the hands of the Ungol faction, and they are keeping me in the dark about many things."

“I can only guess,” she said, holding up one finger:
"In addition to the Harvest Festival ceremony, they also used some unknown power to promote the Great Hero level this time."

Caesar nodded slowly, much like how he had previously borrowed the divine status of a divine relic from an ancient ruin in order to ascend to godhood.

However, doing so will inevitably bring some side effects.

What exactly it is, apart from the key personnel involved, probably no one else knows.

“Perhaps we need a more reliable force to protect us now,” Muirner said.

“We’ve used all the available manpower. Do we really expect His Majesty to take action personally?” Ita said from the side.

At this point, Muirner looked at Caesar with genuine expectation, only to receive a helpless denial from the latter.

Sure enough, His Majesty the Emperor did take action personally. Caesar will certainly go all out this time, but faced with an unknown entity, he cannot give an absolutely certain answer.

“Well, I have another idea,” Muirner said.

The two men looked at her, but she looked at Caesar and smiled slightly: "Little Caesar, do you have time to go somewhere with me?"

"Me?" Caesar pointed to himself.

“Yes, it’s just you alone,” Muirner said.

"Why? What is it that I can't be with you all?" Ita protested, clearly dissatisfied.

"I'm sorry, little Ita, this really can't be done, because..." Muirna smiled helplessly:
“You are a dragon, but due to some bloodline issues, you cannot be with us.”

"what?"

“It’s alright, I’ll just borrow your Caesar for now. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything unnecessary.” Muirna winked at her meaningfully.

But this only made Itha even angrier. Just as she was about to stand up and question him, Caesar grabbed her shoulder.

"Alright, Professor, stop teasing Ita. If it's really important, I'll go with you."

He then said to Ita, "Alright, be good, wait for us here."

“Hmm,” Ita puffed out her cheeks slightly and turned her head away, “I’ll get angry if you keep me waiting too long.”

“Alright, let’s go then, Sasser,” Muirna said, standing up.

So Itha watched helplessly as Muirna and Caesar walked out, leaving her alone in the room.

"Tch, since you've left me here all alone, don't think I'll have a peaceful time," Ita said snortingly and menacingly.

"Professor, where are we going?"

On the way, Caesar inquired.

Muirner paused for a few seconds, then replied:
"I'll take you to meet my family."

(End of this chapter)