5.1 Settle your doubts

Snow's reply only proved Shu XinYi right, "The protagonist has already killed the second dragon prince and his wife. He is on his way here with the baby dragon. The dragons will have war unless the killer is hanged and heavy compensation is paid."

Shu XinYi hummed, asking for his other questions to be answered. Snow diligently obliged saying, "The novel story that Bane transmigrated into, was about you, Calian Ilseu. How he became the best military commander of the century, how he united the Elven and Dragon kingdom and conquered multiple enemies. Bane hated Ilseu as a reader, he didn't like his wits. He didn't like that Ilseu was able to unite the 2 kingdoms with his abilities. To Bane, Ilseu was perfect. A perfection he wanted to fault. That's why when he came to this world, he did everything opposite of what Ilseu did and took everything away from him. This is the answer to all your questions, Master."

Getting all the answers he wanted Shu XinYi wanted to write down things. He wanted to show Bane, how scheming is actually done. Shu XinYi first wanted to settle the commotion in the council. The 3rd king, Levay, was not as mature as the 2nd king. He was still just in his 40s. There were many things to be done, but right now Shu XinYi just had a nice long rest.

Ilseu's residence was close to the main palace. Right now though he was living in the 3rd palace. The whole council had gathered here for meetings.

The next morning, Shu XinYi headed for the king's quarters. The gaurds told him to wait for a while, before taking him through a long hallway, towards the study. Levay was reviewing some parchments when Shu XinYi entered with a knock.

"Good morning, My leige. This subject hopes to converse." Shu XinYi politely said with a bow. One of the reasons that Levay trusted Bane more than Ilseu, was because of Bane's good socializing ability. This only proves how immature Levay was. He became a king earlier then his age. But he was still a capable king if he just had a little more perspective. Shu XinYi wanted to get some specific people at his side. Levay was only one of them.

"Calian, how did yesterday's meeting go? Have you decided on something?" Levay said lookng up. Levay always tried to show his mature side to people.

"My Leige, I have made a decision. I want your approval." Shu XinYi said as he kneeled.

Levay stood up and walked towards Shu XinYi as he said, "If your request is under my understandings, then I will surely allow."

Shu XinYi then said, "The dragons may have a purpose for approaching our territory. Never before have the dragons flown to the north. I want to approach a dragon in a peaceful manner and negotiate. This cannot be done alone. If I can get your approval, then I can get the council to help me." Shu XinYi kept his head bowed and was kneeling on one knee, all this while.

Levay softly sighed saying, "Every light(Pure) elf in the council is submitting requests for a war. And here you are, asking for a peaceful confrontation. Ilseu, we may not see eye to eye here."

Shu XinYi softly sighed saying, "This subject obliges, My Leige. Pray My Leige, pardon this subject for refusing to participate in an unnecessary war."

Levay was a little angry at Ilseu, but if Ilseu refused to participate in war then he cannot force him. "Ilseu, why? The dragons are the mighty beasts, of our land. They don't know peace. If you want to confront a dragon, then you can do so alone."

Shu XinYi looked up to say with polite eyes "My Leige, When have we ever fully known what a being may be like? We don't even know our own selves. The dragons may not want peace, but a little conversation can clear doubts for me and my Leige alike. If the dragons want to harm my homeland in anyway without any reasoning, I will run a silver stake through the heart of every dragon I see, by myself. Or become a martyr for my kind." Running a stake through the heart was a common saying when one wanted to say "kill", it was not the actual method of killing the dragons.

Levay sighed. He knew how devoted Ilseu was to the Elven kingdom. The whole council had been pushing Levay for the past 4 days to make a decision against the dragon kind. But the dragons hadn't done anything yet. Maybe they were just scouting the area before going on an all out war. Still Levay wasn't dumb enough to waste a lot of resources to fight an avoidable war.

Levay motioned for Ilseu to stand up as he said, "3 dragons have been sighted in the southern valley. 4 at the southeast river. 1 at the southwest Bank. And 1 in the hillside far north. The best approach would be to lie in wait at the south west Bank. I can't allow you to take anyone with you."

Shu XinYi had already stood up but he still bowed his head to say, "I'll travel to the north, My Leige. The dragon kind lives in the south. It makes me question, why would a dragon approach from the north? They may know the answers to our questions. My Leige, This subject has one more thing to ask."

Levay found his argument reasonable and gave him a go ahead, so Shu XinYi said "It will take me 6 days for my trip to the north. My only request is that, until I return with answers, My Leige doesn't approve of starting any war. Or trusts people that My Leige hasn't known well. There may be threats to the kingdom, but the dragons might not be the only threats. If my Leige sees that the dragons are a threat to the kingdom, then it shall happen as My Leige pleases."

Levay agreed to his request and allowed him to travel from today. Shu XinYi went back to his quarters. "Master, You know that in the original story, Ilseu also went to meet the northern dragon. And Bane made use of this very opportunity to sabotage Ilseu. Then why are you doing the same thing Ilseu did? Won't you face the same fate as the original Ilseu then?"

Shu XinYi sighed and said, "No, it isn't the same. Ilseu never informed anyone of his journey to the north. Bane made use of this fact to make the council doubt Calian's intentions. But I have informed the king, I will also inform the council. Bane sees himself as omnipotent in this world, I'll just let him know how powerless he actually is." The smile on Shu XinYi's face right now wasn't one, Snow was unfamiliar with. Snow could only silently pray for Bane.

Shu XinYi didn't pack any stuff except some money, since he didn't need anything else. Shu XinYi set up a meeting with the council to inform them of his upcoming feat.

"Cheif Calian, Is it really ok for you to go alone?" A young elf in the council questioned. This elf was named Zither, he was actually Levay's adopted son. Zither was really inspired by Ilseu for all his life. So even after being a prince against all odds, Zither chose to join the military, at the young age of 18. Levay obviously approved of this proudly. Zither always followed Calian around on his campaigns since a young age, it was no surprise that he was worried about Calian going alone. Calian saw Zither like a younger brother, he even called him familiarly. No one from the council called Zither by his name but Calian actually called him..

"Zi, I understand your worry but I can't risk your lives for my curiosity. Once I come back with my answers then I can settle your doubts. In the meantime I require all of you to remain calm and composed. I know the council doesn't place a lot of trust in me but-" Shu XinYi talked politely, but he was still rudely interjected by someone.

"Cheif, We don't doubt you, But your reasoning. We can't know how you may treat the kingdom because of your empathy for the dragons. One of us has to go with you to ensure your words as truth, after your return." An elder elf spoke. It was no surprise that even after 5 years of surving as the cheif commander, the council was unable to trust a dark elf. Dark elves are more immune to corruption.

Shu XinYi bowed his head, saying in a calm tone "Are any of you willing to travel with me then?"

The room had turned silent. Obviously no one was willing to travel alone with Ilseu. Shu XinYi had expected this reaction. Shu XinYi did want someone to travel with him, Since it could prove him trustworthy. But it was almost impossible for anyone in the council to travel alone with a dark elf. Just as Shu XinYi was about to speak, it was Zither who unexpectedly stuttering voice that sounded "I-I am w-willing."

Shu XinYi looked up to Zither. He was impressed by that young man's courage. Although he did idolize Calian, admiration was one thing and trust was another. But still, Levay would never approve of this. Levay was very protective of his children. Shu XinYi didn't want this rebellious phase teen, to argue with his father for him. It will only make Ilseu more notorious then he is.