I Became the Abandoned Daughter of an Underworld Boss - Ch. 60

“No, when we return to the palace, I will reward the countess.”

“Oh! Your Majesty, I just want to remain by your side as a good friend.”

Alice already had a premonition.

The eyewitness account she just heard coincided almost exactly with when Heidel came to inform them about the doppelganger incident.

What did Heidel say back then? He mentioned that Asil and his daughter looked so alike that he recognized them, and there were two individuals suspected of being from the empire.

‘If information gathered from different sources matches up in many ways, it means it’s probably true.’

Were they all having a great time together, leaving the heroine out of it? Just wait and see.

Her five fingers, tightly gripping the shawl, slowly curled back one by one, expressing deep-seated anger.

While Alice and Countess Paul, who had finished speaking, briefly looked elsewhere.

Swish, swish.

The small hand mirror placed on the opposite seat of the carriage seemed to reflect something dark, engulfed in a sinister shadow.

It was impossible to tell whether it was just the shadow cast by some object inside the carriage or something else entirely.

One thing was certain.

The angle of the mirror occasionally caught glimpses of Alice’s golden hair.

Only hers, not the countess’ hair.

* * *

“It’s Elodia!”

“We are now entering the borders of Elodia!”

“We’re not far from our destination!”

The kingdom’s knights remained vigilant until the moment they crossed the border into the neighboring country.

Many of them had fought against beasts and doppelgangers near this area. Though they were not the same knights who had been with the curly-haired group.

If the knights who accompanied Asil back then were here, would they have already apologized? They said ignorance was bliss; they were only good at causing unnecessary trouble.

“…”

Asil silently observed the path to the temporary fortress of Elodia, warmly welcomed by the elf guards.

The fallen walls were well-repaired, and the soldiers were positioned properly. It wasn’t bad. He was suspicious since it was Heidel’s work, but the elves weren’t fools — they must have managed it themselves.

Elodia’s stability was crucial for the neighboring Nea Kingdom as well.

“Mmm…”

“You’re awake?”

He couldn’t let his daughter be dazzled by the light.

Thud.

While he lowered the curtain to block the outside view, Yuriana opened her eyes.

Her face looked quite refreshed, but the white towel wrapped around her wet hair had patches of dirt.

Although she was dressed in new clothes, Asil wasn’t entirely pleased with her messy hair.

‘She must want to wash up quickly.’

Yuriana, still groggy from sleep, asked in confusion.

“Are we there yet?”

“We’re in Elodia.”

“Whoa…”

The land of the elves.

Knowing it might be a journey she could never take again; Yuriana was determined to see the outside.

Oh, but her father has blocked it all off.

‘Guess I’ll have to be sneaky!’

Yuriana pressed her nose against the window and started to push the edge of the curtain upward with her pointed nose.

She didn’t care if her nose turned red.

I can see… I can almost see… just a bit more… there!

She glimpsed a portion of a giant tree, the sky, and something like dandelion seeds floating in the air. Mesmerized by the exotic scenery, Yuriana’s nose stopped moving.

Asil reached out his hand, watching his daughter’s hesitant actions.

“You could just look openly. Why be so cautious?”

Screech!

As he pulled back the curtain completely, the magnificent and mystical scenery of Elodia unfolded before them.

A giant tree grew naturally through the fortress, and the air was filled with those dandelion-like seeds she had seen earlier!

Slender, beautiful elves glanced over at them. Some were seen carrying bows and quivers, running off somewhere.

‘Ah, we made eye contact.’

Yuriana leaned closer to the window, but only peeked her head out to look around.

The carriage, carrying the father and daughter, finally came to a stop. Asil opened the carriage door himself and spoke to Levina, who had already rushed over.

“I have official duties to attend to, so take care of Yuriana.”

“Yes!”

“… you should rest well alongside Yuriana, too.”

After the shocking events on their way here, the entire party from Dark Town was likely exhausted.

With a resolute expression, Asil prepared himself to endure the thorny responsibilities awaiting him.

If the knights of the kingdom acted like dogs, then they should grab those dogs by the scruff and hold on tight!

The banquet hall was located right in front of the World Tree.

The World Tree.

A tree revered by the elves, one that must never burn, inspired awe in anyone who beheld it. They even decided to rebuild the fortress here because of the presence of the World Tree, or so they said.

Envoys from various countries were gathered, chattering among themselves.

‘Hah.’

Asil smiled self-deprecatingly.

He was probably just a nobody here, right?

Not a royal or a noble of any nation, nor even a duke or the son of a count, but the leader of Dark Town.

Even though he’d gained exclusive trading rights through Harun’s whim, it was authority that could vanish like fallen leaves the moment the emperor changed his mind.

And if his strength weakened and someone challenged him, he could be kicked out of Dark House.

It was fine. He had hidden away enough money to last him a few hundred years.

‘I’ll survive on my own strength, no matter what.’

Asil steeled himself, facing the cold stares of the nobles from various nations.

He hadn’t come all this way to dwell on awkwardness or humiliation.

It was then.

“… hey.”

“Baine Dassel?”

Unexpectedly, Baine, the most arrogant of Karas’ three bodyguards, approached briskly.

‘Why is that guy here?’

Baine, with his notably thick eyelids, spoke to him.

“I’ll stay by your side until the first banquet is over. Just to prevent any trouble from arising.”

It sounded as if he’d omitted a <you scoundrel> from his tone.

They said a person’s instincts were right more than 90% of the time, didn’t they?

Asil didn’t particularly like this Baine Dassel. He got along too well with Harun and had that aura of <I’m an arrogant and annoying guy> written all over his face.

‘Better to have Al stick by Karas’ side than deal with this guy.’

There were things Asil wanted to ask Al, but discussing the doppelganger business openly in Elodia wasn’t an option.

Putting those thoughts aside, Asil lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“Thanks.”

“Of course! Hmph, don’t worry. If anyone picks a fight with you, I’ll handle it for you.”

Oh, so he thought he looked weak, didn’t he? Then, he should repay his kindness in advance.

Asil grinned broadly.

“How about a handshake as a token of my gratitude?”

“Heh. Alright… ugh…!”

Baine casually reached out his hand, almost letting out a scream!

Did Asil not understand that Baine wanted to act all high and mighty and take control? Asil squeezed Baine’s hand just like he had with that curly-haired guy, causing Baine to break out in a cold sweat.

“Ugh…!”

Asil flashed a defiant smile.

“Go ahead, try whatever you like. I won’t mind.”

‘Wh-what the… this guy’s strength isn’t normal for a back-alley thug!’

Baine, who prided himself on his swordsmanship, realized the limits of his strength as he struggled in Asil’s grip.

This guy was no joke when it came to strength!

“Hmph.”

“Huff… huff…”

Asil didn’t hold on for long and released Baine’s hand after a few firm shakes. Out of mercy.

After all, he had come to help, and for the sake of Al and Karas, this would suffice.

‘I thought I was being squeezed by an anaconda!’

Baine struggled to hold back a scream. His hand had turned pale from the pressure and then tingled as the blood rushed back.

He considered himself a proud warrior of the empire, but Asil’s strength was far from ordinary.

‘He’s not someone to take lightly. Even after all that commotion, he’s still not exhausted! Damn, no wonder the emperor has his eye on him.’

Despite being forced to come here by Karas’ orders, Baine found he didn’t mind the situation that much.

If the emperor was going to be interested in someone, he ought to have this kind of strength, right? Yes.

He shouldn’t let it get to him.

…

“Please, come this way.”

“Shall I carry the little miss for you?”

“Oh, no, it’s alright.”

Yuriana and Levina were being guided by the elves as they moved to a different location, with the self-appointed escorts from Dark Town trailing behind.

When they requested water to wash Yuriana’s dirty hair, they were led to a place with fresh, flowing water.

The destination? The roots of the World Tree, located beneath the fortress.

The thick tree roots submerged in abundant water, which flowed downward, with various bowls and small hollows placed along the streams.

The elves pointed to a white, pool-like round basin among them.

“Over here.”

“By the way, is this the World Tree?”

Yuriana’s curiosity was piqued, her eyes shining.

“That’s right. It’s the tree that we elves revere and that protects the entire world.”

“Beautiful spirits and fairies are also born from this tree!”

The elves, with their golden hair, spoke with voices as melodious as songbirds.

‘If what Karas said is true, one could easily live like a child for fifty or a hundred years, enchanted by these elves.’

So, it wasn’t just an attempt to scare her?

Nodding, Yuriana’s headscarf was gently removed by Levina’s hands.

Only then did Yuriana voice her concern.

“W-wait a minute! Isn’t this water precious?”

“That’s right. It’s precious water, which is why we’re offering it to you.”

“Oh dear, how did this beautiful hair of yours get so dirty with mud?”

“Go ahead and wash your hair in this water. The World Tree will be pleased.”

‘Their words sound like they’re singing an opera.’

Even with the elves’ permission, Yuriana hesitated to step into the white pool.

Drip, drip.

The sound of water flowing against the roots of the World Tree was lively and clear.

An elf crouched beside Yuriana, trying to reassure her.

“It’s alright. If someone unkind tries to approach, the roots of the World Tree will come and swat them away.”

“R-really?”

“Of course!”

She hoped she didn’t end up getting swatted away too.

Yuriana cautiously lay down backwards in the pool, and Levina began washing her hair.