Yarra's Adventure Notes-Chapter 1306 - 92 Her Majesty the Queen’s Reward

"Why do you think I shouldn’t come?" Flare languidly leaned on the rubble, her eyes seemingly speaking as she watched Pannis lay out food in front of her like a gentleman, gently saying, "An old friend is about to face death in the most dangerous place in the world, and as someone who’s always been concerned about him, shouldn’t I come to see him off? Don’t you think that would be a bit too cruel for me?"

"Cough, cough, cough," Pannis said, his head lowered as he coughed dryly as if he hadn’t heard her. He clamped the fragrant cactus meat wrap with bread and took a hefty bite, mumbling unclearly, "Seeing you so spirited, you must have been sleeping here till now."

"Yes, I arrived just as it was getting light and finally could have a good sleep," Flare said, not minding Pannis’s change of topic at all—perhaps the queen herself had been prepared for him to divert the discussion, casually smiling and saying, "I am not as keen as you to travel under the desert sun during the day. Why, afraid someone might catch up from behind?"

"Cough, it’s just fear of delaying too long and messing things up," Pannis explained, feeling a bit guilty, "Another day’s delay not only puts more pressure on logistics and supplies but also makes those soldiers at the front endure another day of the hellish environment of the Sighing Desert. It’s better to proceed sooner."

"Heh, let’s assume that’s the reason," Flare said with a smile tugging at her lips, her smile blossoming like a fresh flower, "It seems you are fully prepared, both physically and psychologically."

"Indeed," Pannis nodded, "I have never been in a better state than now. After tuning my condition to its peak, my strength has far surpassed myself from a hundred years ago. I believe, this time I will not fail."

"You should understand what I am asking," the queen said, even as she elegantly and nobly pinched a wrap with two fingers. Her white teeth biting into the food, the fragrant cactus juice and enticing fats streamed into her mouth, mixing with other flavors to burst in a delightful blend. Even by the Elves’ standards for gourmet food, the queen couldn’t help but nod in admiration and praised a few words before continuing, "You’ve adjusted your physical state, but what about mentally?"

"I raced hundreds of kilometers in three days without sleep, using up a great deal of strength in the desert," Pannis said, knowingly offering juice extracted from the cactus and softly asked, "Is this what you wanted to ask me?"

"What do you think?" Though Flare’s voice was soft, there was a subtle sharpness, "Do you think I rushed over just to have you cook one last meal for me?"

"Alright, alright, I can never win an argument with you," Pannis said with a wry smile, "I feel that I have also adjusted mentally and am fully ready to face any challenge head-on."

"Oh? Do you think so?" Flare raised an eyebrow, her tone steady but probing, "Then, answer me one question, for the sake of all these years, and I hope you won’t lie to me."

"What question?" Pannis furrowed his brow, avoiding the commitment that was being asked of him: "Ask away."

"Since you feel you have adjusted your mindset, I hope you can tell me the truth." Flare fiddled with the meat rolls on her plate, asking casually as if it were an offhand remark, "Whether your plan succeeds or fails, are you really prepared to come back alive? Do you really desire to return from the world of Danacus alive?" freёwebnoѵel.com

With a "crack," a bottle filled with cactus juice developed several cracks in Pannis’s hand. Unaware of the green liquid flowing down his fingers, he said with a somber face, "What do you mean by asking this."

"Hehehe, Kyle, I know you too well. Don’t forget, we met before Nellie did. Compared to her, I understand you better." Flare toyed with her green hair by the temples, speaking as though she were merely making idle conversation. Yet, the content of her words struck heavily upon Pannis’s heart, "If you failed, it might actually be a good thing for you. When you realize that there is no chance, perhaps you would retreat in time to look for other ways to solve the problem. The issue is, the likelihood of your plan succeeding is not low, which means you might not fail. In that case, could you, the one who personally kills Nellie, really allow yourself to come back alive? Wouldn’t you rather abandon the remainder of your life and sleep eternally in the depths of the Realm of the Dead? I have my doubts about this, what do you say?"

"I, I of course..." Pannis’s lips trembled, and what would normally be easy dismissive words became so difficult to voice. Faced with Her Majesty’s eyes that hinted at hope, Pannis truly did not wish to deceive her with lies, yet he could not provide an answer that would satisfy Flare. Eventually, he could only sigh deeply and said quietly, "I really can’t answer that question. I don’t know what I will do at that time. Maybe, I will come back, if I can, heh, perhaps."

"I am very happy, Kyle, truly happy that at least on this point, you didn’t placate me." A layer of moisture appeared in Flare’s green eyes as she gently took Pannis’s hand, smiling, "Do you know? I was really afraid that you would deceive me just now, that you would firmly say that you would definitely come back. I told you, I know you too well. If you had answered that way, it would mean you had resolved to compensate for Nellie’s life with your own. Your current answer, on the other hand, shows that you are truly indecisive, and that satisfies me greatly."

"No wonder," Pannis said helplessly, "no wonder you insisted on coming here to see me. You must have planned this ahead."

"Heh, it seems you’ve guessed my thoughts," Flare said with a brilliant smile, softly speaking, "Indeed, I was determined when I came here. If you had lied to me about that question, I would have cast everything aside, whether it be the future of the Elves or the safety of the Yarran World. I would have acted completely on impulse, even if it meant risking everything, even dying here, just to stop you from proceeding with your plan. I came prepared to die in front of you if it came to that, never to just stand by as you marched to your death."

"So you didn’t bring any Sacred Items?" Feeling the soft touch and sweaty palm in his own, Pannis said with a wry smile, "But without Sacred Items, you can’t beat me now."

"But by burning life itself, I can at least slow down your pace." Uttering what sounded like a terrifying thought, Her Majesty bit her lip and smiled, ignoring Pannis’s helplessness, as Flare whispered softly, "Luckily, you didn’t placate me, so I want to reward you."

"Reward?" Pannis was stunned, "What reward?"

"Close your eyes, and you’ll know soon."