Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

Under the trembling guidance of the eunuch.

Elvia wearing a dark green velvet court dress.

He walked steadily into the king's bedchamber.

The hem of her skirt trailed across the gleaming marble floor with almost no sound.

She stopped beside the king's sickbed.

She performed a flawless curtsy with graceful posture.

When she looked up, a polite, slight smile played on her lips.

Looking at the man on the bed, who was once majestic but is now withered and rotten like a piece of rotten wood.

A chilling pleasure surged within her.

But she hid these emotions very well.

As the king laboriously turned his neck to look at him.

Grief and worry quickly filled their eyes and brows.

She turned to the old eunuch who stood with his head bowed at the foot of the bed.

She gently raised her chin, gesturing for him to step back.

The old eunuch's body stiffened.

She looked up and met Elvia's gaze, then quickly looked down again.

But his feet seemed rooted to the spot, and he didn't move.

If something were to happen to the king now... his entire family would be doomed.

Moreover, there are far too many people who now wish for the king to "die of natural causes."

A sharp, cold glint flashed in Elvia's eyes.

Although it was only for a moment, it made the old eunuch feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He immediately bowed deeply and almost ran out of the bedchamber.

The heavy, carved wooden door was gently closed.

"Click".

The sound of the door lock closing was particularly clear in the empty bedroom.

The sorrow on Elvia's face vanished instantly, as if she had removed a mask.

She smiled gently and walked straight to the bedside.

Without any hesitation, he sat down on the soft hospital bed.

"Father," she said softly, with just the right amount of concern, "are you feeling better?"

The king's ashen eyes stared coldly at her.

There was no warmth inside, only the majesty of scrutiny and inertia.

"...What are you doing here?"

The concern in Elvia's eyes vanished instantly.

She curled her lips into a smile, beautiful but devoid of warmth.

"I've come to see you, and also to see... what this capital city has become."

She spoke calmly, as if she were talking about the weather.

"Charles and Diana were locked in a life-or-death struggle, and assassinations had become commonplace."

"The great nobles each placed their bets, and the council became a mere formality."

"Father, you said... no matter who wins in the end,"

She leaned slightly forward, her voice low, yet each word was clear.

"Will you, this 'former king,' live to see the sun rise the next day?"

The king's breathing suddenly became rapid.

His chest heaved, and a hoarse sound came from his throat.

"So what...!" he managed to squeeze out in a hoarse voice.

"My body... the pastor already said... it won't last much longer!"

A strong sense of resentment welled up in his eyes.

That is a longing for supreme power and an attachment to luxurious pleasures.

It is an endless craving for everything that the identity of "king" can bring.

What is the future of the kingdom, the well-being of its people?

In his clouded eyes at this moment, nothing compares to the ecstatic joy he is about to lose.

Elvia could clearly see the emotions in his eyes.

A hint of undisguised disdain flashed across his eyes.

This old man who crowned himself "the greatest king of all time,"

Deep down, he's nothing more than a power-hungry coward who's afraid of death.

As for familial affection? When has he ever shown her any familial affection?

Because her mother was not born into a prominent noble family.

She worked tirelessly and mediated for the Carter family.

He even risked his life to achieve all the merits he made.

He dismissed them all lightly.

She is still "Elvia Roland" to this day, not "Elvia Carter".

He was even stingy with bestowing upon her a surname.

But now...

Whether or not he gives it to them is no longer up to him.

"Father," Elvia suddenly chuckled, her tone becoming subtle.

"Do you remember the Knights of Leon that I sent to the Black Demon Forest to find the 'only antidote' for you?"

The king's cloudy eyes suddenly trembled!

"Cough! Cough cough! You...you mean...!"

He was so excited that he tried to sit up, but his withered arms trembled in vain.

"That's right," Elvia laughed.

The laughter sounded somewhat abrupt in the quiet bedroom.

"The 'Shadow Tree Flower' that can cure the putrid poison in your body,"

"It was already delivered to me back in Karan City."

She leaned close to the king's face, contorted with excitement and longing, and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"In other words, I can save your life."

"It will allow you to continue sitting on that golden throne and enjoying your supreme power."

"Quick! Give it to me! Give it to me!!"

The king, like a dying wild dog seeing meat, had a terrifying glint in his eyes.

The withered, claw-like hand suddenly grabbed at Elvia's sleeve.

Elvia burst into unrestrained laughter.

The laughter was filled with years of pent-up sarcasm and glee.

Her smile instantly turned cold, and her eyes became icy and piercing.

Why should I give it to you?

The king was stunned, seemingly unable to comprehend the words.

Immediately, a lingering, habitual rage welled up on his face.

"I, in the name of the King, command you! Give me that thing!!"

"Otherwise...or I'll kill you!!"

"Kill me?"

Elvia tilted her head.

It was as if I had heard something utterly ridiculous.

next second.

Her right hand shot out like lightning.

It precisely gripped the king's wrinkled neck!

Tighten your fingers.

The king's eyes bulged in terror.

His mouth was open, but he couldn't make a decent sound, only a hoarse, bellows-like noise.

Elvia looked down at him, her eyes filled with undisguised, icy killing intent.

"Ha...you old fool, do you really think you're still the king who can control the lives and deaths of others?"

"Even if I snap your neck right now, no one will hold me accountable."

"They would even help me cover it up, thanking me for saving them trouble."

She loosened her grip slightly.

This allowed the king to catch his breath.

His words were even colder than before.

"If it weren't for the fact that you're still somewhat useful... I would have sent you to the Netherworld Sea long ago."

Seeing that the king was about to suffocate again, Elvia reluctantly let go.

She slowly pulled a silk handkerchief from inside her skirt.

He carefully wiped every finger that had just touched the king's neck.

It felt like I had touched something dirty.

"You...cough cough...you can't...I'm your father!!"

The king collapsed onto his pillow, tears streaming down his face, and cried out in a hoarse voice.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Elvia thought she had heard the biggest joke in the world.

He covered his forehead and laughed, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

She suddenly moved closer.

Those molten gold eyes were fixed on the king's terrified eyes.

From a high vantage point, each word was spoken as if it were a final judgment:

"Now you know it's my father?"

"Unfortunately, I've never considered you my father."

"Listen, you old man."

"Give me all the chips you have left—"

"Secret guards, keys to the treasury, undisclosed royal decrees, and loyal followers hidden throughout the land—"

"Leave everything to me."

"Or, you can choose to take these with you and let them rot away, then descend to the Nether Sea to meet the past kings."

"Did you understand?"

"Old, East, West."