Chapter 325: A Request from the Elf King
The newly opened dessert shop was filled with a sweet and cloying aroma.
Kurtz and Serie sat by the window, and in front of Serie was an exquisite cake, somewhat similar to the muffins of Kurtz's later life, with a layer of honey on top and a cake-like base.
The elf lady sipped the food with her fork, and judging from her slightly narrowed eyes and the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, the taste must be pretty good.
Soon, the last bite of cake disappeared between her lips.
Serie looked at the empty plate with a reluctant expression, like a cat that hadn't eaten enough, her eyes still fixed on it. Kurtz took in her expression and immediately gestured to the waiter, "Excuse me, could you please bring another one of the same cake?"
But when the cake was served, Serie unexpectedly shook her head, "No need."
Kurtz looked at her with some surprise: "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
Serie frowned, her expression a mixture of restraint and inner turmoil, and said in a low voice, "It's not that I don't like it...good things shouldn't be enjoyed in excess at once. I should save them for when I come back to maintain this liking."
This is one of her little habits: throughout her long life, she has always liked to save the best food to savor slowly, rather than eat it all at once; otherwise, the days ahead will be hard to bear, unlike some bear who eats more than her stomach could handle.
Upon hearing this, Kurtz laughed and said, "Is that so? In that case," reaching out and placing the untouched cake directly in front of him. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Hmm...."
Although the cake had been taken away, someone's gaze was clearly still fixed on it. Serie's beautiful golden eyes widened instantly, her eyes following the cake intently, as if Kurtz had stolen her beloved treasure. A wronged expression even appeared on her little face.
Kurtz deliberately avoided looking at her mournful eyes, picked up his fork, slowly cut off a piece, put it in his mouth, and deliberately let out a satisfied sigh: "Mmm~, so delicious!"
Serie turned her face away angrily, but her eyes couldn't help but linger on the tempting little cake.
After teasing her for a bit, Kurtz knew when to stop. He cut off a piece of cake, held it with a fork, and brought it to Serie's lips: "Alright, stop worrying about it. Eat it if you like it; there's no need to haggle over a piece of cake. If you like it, we can come again tomorrow, the day after, or every day."
The sweet aroma was so close it seemed to signal the beginning of surrender, and the temptation still lingered in her senses. Serie looked at the piece of cake at her lips, then at Kurtz, and struggled with her inner conflict for a moment.
Ultimately, her craving for sweets and her agreement with Kurtz's words triumphed over her strange insistence.
She opened her mouth slightly and, using Kurtz's hand, ate the piece of cake, licking the honey off the cake clean.
The sweet taste melted on her taste buds, causing her to squint her eyes again unconsciously, and her previous little mood vanished instantly.
Kurtz's smile deepened as he looked at her, and he continued to feed her.
After finishing their dessert, the two didn't leave immediately. Instead, they ordered two cups of black tea and lingered.
At this moment, Serie turned her gaze to the window. There were many pedestrians on the street. In addition to humans, there were many other races. There are magicians in iconic robes and wands, and warriors with burly frames and heavy armor; each exudes a barely powerful aura. At least for most people, their abilities are already considered outstanding.
"There are definitely more people now," Serie said softly.
This surge in the number of people of various races who clearly possess considerable strength is a rare sight in the past.
Kurtz followed her gaze and nodded: "Yes, there are indeed quite a few more now that I've seen it with my own eyes."
Serie took a sip of her black tea, a sharp glint in her eyes: "We need to be careful these days."
Although the two of them could use some simple concealment magic to avoid being seen by others, the magic was of little use against these mages, who possessed considerable strength.
"I know," Kurtz replied. "Ever since we left the Magic Association, my detection magic has been maintained at its maximum range. Within a five-kilometer radius, any energy fluctuations that are clearly hostile or unusually powerful cannot escape my perception."
"Detection alone is not enough," Serie said seriously. "Defensive magic must also be ready at all times. Right now, you've used all your holy swords on that seal."
She didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear. Without Athos's protection, Kurtz might be in a relatively weak state in Serie's eyes, which would inevitably attract some risky individuals.
Kurtz understood her concerns, put down his teacup, reached out, and took her small hand on the table, his touch warm and steady. "Don't worry, I'm not a swordsman who relies on the Holy Sword. Don't forget, I'm essentially a mage. I used the Holy Sword before only because it was convenient and useful in certain situations."
His tone was filled with absolute confidence: "Even without the Holy Sword, I am still the most powerful mage in the world, without exception."
Hearing Kurtz say that, Serie's tense nerves relaxed a little. Indeed, she should have had faith in Kurtz.
Just then, Kurtz seemed to sense something and suddenly laughed.
"What's wrong?" Serie immediately noticed his change.
"I feel the aura of an old friend," Kurtz said, not deliberately concealing it, but instead releasing a slight fluctuation of his own unique aura, which was clearly transmitted outwards.
Sure enough, not long after, a figure appeared at the entrance of the dessert shop.
He was an elven man with short, dark green hair. He wore simple traveler's clothes, and although his face looked somewhat weathered, his aura was extremely powerful.
"Kraft?" Serie recognized him at a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She never expected to meet her fellow clansman here.
Kraft naturally located Kurtz and Serie immediately. His gaze met Kurtz's, and a wistful smile appeared on his lips before he stepped into the dessert shop.
"It's been a long time, Kurtz. And Serie, you too."
"It has indeed been a long time, Kraft," Kurtz replied with a smile, while casting a spell that instantly enveloped the area where the three of them were, creating a private sphere of silence.
Kraft nodded to the two and then sat down in the chair in front of them.
His gaze fell on Kurtz with a complex emotion in his eyes. "When I first heard the news that Kurtz the Godslayer was still alive, I completely dismissed it as nonsense. After all, a thousand years is a worthwhile amount of time for us elves, let alone humans."
"But as the rumors about your reappearance and what you've done have intensified, I've had to begin to believe this incredible fact." He looked at Kurtz, his expression soft with genuine emotion.
"I'm genuinely happy to see you alive," Kraft spoke from the heart, without a trace of falsehood, and both Kurtz and Serie could naturally sense it.
The scenes of the mythical era are still vivid in our minds. Now, a thousand years have passed, and of those people, only three remain. How can one not feel a sense of deep emotion and reflection?
Kurtz explained simply, "By chance, I created a spell that allows me to prolong my existence, and I've been alive until now by sheer luck." He paused, and considering the potential repercussions, added, "However, this spell has many limitations; only I can use it."
Upon hearing this, Kraft nodded knowingly, his face showing neither greed nor inquiry, only pure satisfaction: "I see."
As an elf, he naturally had no interest in Kurtz's immortality magic, since his race was already immortal and there was no need for him to use magic to achieve immortality.
Kraft even said with a hint of sarcasm, "Those guys who coveted the magic of immortality after hearing that you're still alive must be utterly disappointed."
Serie snorted and interjected, "Even if Kurtz were willing to say it, they might not understand, much less believe it."
Upon hearing Serie's words, Kraft's smile faded, and his expression became slightly serious as he looked at Kurtz: "Kurtz, besides confirming your news, I also need to remind you of something."
"The city, and indeed the entire continent, is now restless because of your return. Especially with the influx of so many unidentified individuals, it's hard not to suspect how many are after you...or rather, the possibility you represent. Please be extremely careful."
Kurtz nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, I'll be careful."
Kraft hesitated for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the table, seemingly unsure how to begin, but finally said, "Actually, I have been entrusted by the Elf King to do something...I want to ask Kurtz for his assistance."
"Oh? What can I do for the Elf King?" Kurtz asked curiously, and Serie also cast a concerned glance his way.
"The King hopes...could you please create a magic spell for the Elf race?"
"What type of magic is it?" Kurtz asked.
Kraft looked directly at Kurtz and spoke carefully, word by word, "A magic that allows our elven race to reproduce with other races successfully."
"Pfft—cough cough cough!"
As soon as Kraft finished speaking, Serie, who was sitting opposite him, suddenly spat out all the black tea she had just drunk, coughing repeatedly, and her pretty face instantly turning red.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Kraft in disbelief, the teacup slipping from her fingers and falling toward the table.
Kurtz caught it with a quick gesture before it could spill further, then set it safely aside.
He glanced subconsciously at Serie, who was still coughing beside him, and his lips twitched slightly. A struggle to maintain composure flashed across his face.
[End of Chapter]
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