Supreme Magus novel Chapter 2643

"Why didn't you ask Lord Qisal to contact me before coming here? It would have saved you this hassle." Judging from the sparkles in her ocean-green eyes, the huntress was just fishing for a pretext to talk with Lith.

Aalejah didn't miss how the purified stone had been polished and set in silver, turning it into a necklace that was now hung on Le'Ahy's neck.

"Because he doesn't know I'm here." Aalejah replied. "I came here for personal business and I'm not his servant. I don't need the Dragon Lord's permission to visit my people."

Those words both stirred the pride of the elves and marked her as her own person, detaching Aalejah the elf from Aalejah the diplomatic envoy.

"I see." Le'Ahy nodded, her expression holding disappointment and camaraderie in equal measure. "Then I'm twice as glad to be your host for today. What do you want to see first?"

"Anything is fine." Aalejah shrugged. "After being stuck for years in human cities, even their smell sickens me. I just want to experience again how it feels being one of us."

"Poor thing." Le'Ahy patted Aalejah's shoulder while a few guards came out of their hiding spots to show her trust and understanding. "First thing we're going to get you a real meal. I'm sure that you are sick and tired of the pig slop humans call food."

"That's a great idea." Aalejah lied through her teeth.

Human cuisine was actually good and as someone who had just tasted Lith's cooking for breakfast, she was already full. The rest of the group had thrown her a weird look when she'd asked for ice cream so early in the morning, but unlike them, she couldn't just ask Lith for the recipe.

Le'Ahy opened a Warp Steps leading straight to one of the best restaurants of Setraliie's mid-level, the Archer Squirrel. Elven elite warriors lived on the trees, way above the farmers and merchants but below even small nobles.

Elves had no need for money because everyone was bestowed with a healthy body and a role in society so the level of an establishment would be determined solely by the skill of the chef who also was the owner of the restaurant.

Meals were free, but accessible only to those who lived on that specific level or above and only a limited number of times a month per person. An establishment was promoted or demoted based on the number of customers so a chef could achieve a noble caste's living conditions if their restaurant was successful enough.

Aalejah ordered an aromatic beef stew with vegetables, fruit bread, and a mild sweet liquor obtained from fermenting fruits that were exclusive to the Fringe.

During her second breakfast, Aalejah limited herself to asking harmless questions about the vine city to understand how outdated her information was. Le'Ahy was happy to answer everything, even sharing with her how much the elven population had swelled since the exile.

"Are you already a Mother?" She asked after a while, making Aalejah spit a good sip of her liquor.

"No, but not for a lack of trying." She lied with a blush. "I'm just one hundred and seventy. These things take time."

"I know." Le'Ahy sighed. "My mother badgers me to stop waiting for Elf Charming and put in some effort. And she's the polite one. You should hear what the rest of the Clan says."

"I can imagine." Aalejah nodded.