Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 528: I Will Go with You

Chapter 528: I Will Go with You

"A princess? Why would a princess get lost in the human realm? Did no one accompany her? That’s suspicious," Alvis frowned.

"She must be a runaway," Ferdinand already figured. "They have those occasionally. Or those with her died in the human realm so she was left alone."

Alwin had limited the information he reported about Evania since Ferdinand might figure out, he knew too much.

"Who went with Alwin?" Alvis thought someone else was with Alwin.

"He went alone."

"What?!!" Alvis exclaimed in shock and disbelief. He glanced at Arabella for verification. He assumed Ferdinand must have learned to joke as well.

But Arabella’s response was the same.

"Yes, he went alone," she said in a low voice since she knew why Alwin insisted on it.

If Alwin went with Ferdinand’s people, he would not be able to use his bargaining chips nor teleport directly to the Shadow Territory after entering Umbra. They might notice Alwin had prior knowledge and was keeping something a secret from them.

"Why? Why allow him to go to such a dangerous place all alone? He’s an inexperienced child even if he’s so talented and powerful," Alvis was horrified.

That is indeed a concern, especially if this was indeed Alwin’s first time going there. Arabella was rather relieved that someone openly worried for Alwin like this.

"He insisted on going alone. I allowed him since he even got Elrond’s approval that he could do so. I regret it now," Ferdinand sighed deeply.

"Even The Overseer?" Alvis’ was surprised.

[Why would he allow it?]

"Yes."

"Why? Alwin is indeed capable and all but it’s too dangerous. He’s a talent we cannot afford to lose."

[This is too careless. Or does Elrond know something we don’t? He’s too powerful for any of us to even understand how he perceives this world. I should go and speak with him.] Alvis noted.

"I just visited him this morning and asked that as well. And he said he was assured that with Alwin’s abilities, he would be able to return easily. But according to him, something interfered. Thus, Elrond agreed to open a gate so I could go there and fetch Alwin," Ferdinand informed before Alvis lost his wits.

[He will go and get Alwin himself?!]

Alvis was astounded. He did not expect Ferdinand would go this far when he had a lot of capable people, he could send instead of going there himself.

[I see. He seems to treasure Alwin much more than I thought. Is this why Alwin chose to be by his side instead of mine?]

’They made Alwin choose?’ Arabella was surprised.

She formerly thought Alwin had no other relatives he could go to which was why Ferdinand raised him. It seems that wasn’t the case.

Alwin never mentioned he was related to the royal elves. With the Elf King as his uncle, he was a prince. But he never mentioned Alvis either.

Arabella heard the King of Elves wanted to teach Alwin magic, but the latter refused.

’Is that what Alvis was thinking about earlier?’

Arabella was distracted when Alvis suddenly declared:

"I will go with you."

"What? No, I will go alone. Why do I have to bring you with me?" Ferdinand instantly rejected it.

"I am Alwin’s uncle. I am his blood relative. I need to ensure he returns safely," Alvis made his point clear and Ferdinand grimaced.

"So what? He doesn’t like you. Do you think he would be happy to see you? He had rejected meeting you quite a lot," Ferdinand contradicted.

[Ugh. Is he showing off that Alwin likes him more?! Alwin only prefers him because they met first. If he met me first, he would prefer me instead. How annoying. Why are the Primordials like this? They act like they do not care about anything and everything, but they brag whenever they can.]

"Whether he would be happy or not to see is not the issue. That doesn’t matter. What if you still cannot feel his presence even when you are in Umbra? How long will it take you to find him if they hid him somewhere? I can use the powers of the Holy Tree to find where he is," Alvis explained with determination and insistence.

"Oh, the Holy Tree can be used that way too?" Ferdinand pretended like he did not hear the first part since it sounded like he was not capable enough to do something about it.

"Yes. And a lot more. I can take care of myself, so I won’t be additional baggage. I’ll be useful," Alvis was confident.

[He has a point. But I can just fly around the entire continent and wreak havoc if they don’t show where Alwin is.]

’Huh?! What kind of logic is this?!’ Arabella couldn’t believe that was his plan. He would just do it by force if he cannot get it with talking.

{Ferdinand, you can’t do that. Didn’t Alwin go there so we could return Evania peacefully and avoid causing a war between Estrella and Umbra?} Arabella reminded.

If Estrella and Umbra declared war on each other, she simply knew humans would be dragged into the fray as well. Even if they do not, they would surely feel the effects of such powerful people fighting each other.

’We cannot be just collateral damage to their war.’

{But they hurt Alwin first. It’s called retaliation.} Ferdinand reasoned.

’He always knew what to say when it comes to these matters,’ Arabella internally face-palmed.

Ferdinand wasn’t wrong either. But they had to save the violence for when it was truly necessary. Why reject a peaceful strategy that presented itself for free?

{Yes, of course. That may also be true. But we are not sure yet who hurt who first. What if Alwin attacked someone there first? We must be sure of the facts first. If you cause too much damage, it could lead to war between Estrella and Umbra. If you brought Alvis with you and he can find Alwin using the powers of the Holy Tree, then there’s no need for war with the entire Umbra. You can just punish whoever hurt or cast the curse on him.}

Arabella did her best to convince her husband while pretending to be taking a sip of her tea so Alvis would not notice they were conversing.

{Hmm. That’s true. I’ll bring Alvis with me then.}

She sighed in relief and took a sip of her tea when Ferdinand relented.

"Alright. You may tag along. But only if Elrond approves of it. Go ask for his permission first."

"I will. I was planning to speak with him anyway."

With that, Alvis said his goodbyes to pay a visit to Elrond next.