The guards moved with great speed, and even though Egbert wasn't particularly strong, he could sense the danger emanating from them.
He had always resided within the royal city. Although illness often kept him indoors, he was quite familiar with the royal guards.
Yet, he had never seen these individuals before. Despite the brief encounter, he had clearly seen their faces.
He didn't recognize them among the royal guards, yet they wore the royal guard's attire. He couldn't imagine anyone daring to impersonate royal guards.
Considering he wouldn't be of much help if he returned, he abandoned the idea.
He instructed his knight to follow them and assess the situation, hoping they could reach the manor ahead of time to warn Lin Yan.
He himself prepared to reach the royal city as quickly as possible to ascertain why such guards had been dispatched.
The new Saintess of Light was three years younger than Lin Yan's current body. She had the same blonde hair and blue eyes, and fair skin, but her features were no match for Lin Yan's.
Compared to the exquisite appearance of the original host, hailed as "a gift from the God of Light," her own looks were rather ordinary.
However, she possessed a charming demeanor, like a girl next door, exuding a purity untainted by the world.
She was well aware of how exceptional her predecessor was, and her pressure mounted. Though everyone advised her not to compare herself to Angelina, she couldn't let it go.
Since Lin Yan's banishment, many within the church had been replaced. They no longer mentioned the former Saintess in her presence.
Alevia had interacted with Angelina; she had always looked up to her, but that woman was like the moon in the sky, distant and beautiful.
Where that woman was, no one paid attention to anyone else around her.
Especially the Holy Son, how radiant he was; his gaze was solely fixed on that woman.
Now, that woman had become a sinner, banished by the church. And she, the new Saintess, was determined to take her place, to take her place in the Holy Son's heart.
Her talent was no less than that woman's; she was sure she could become the one in the Holy Son's heart.
She wondered why the church hierarchy hadn't simply killed her, but instead banished her. But perhaps this was for the best.
She heard that the conditions in that land of chaos were exceptionally poor. In a few years, her beautiful countenance would be ravaged beyond recognition, and when she reappeared before everyone, no one would miss her anymore.
Alevia walked barefoot through the grand hall, which was carpeted with white, long-haired rugs.
She yearned to seek out the Holy Son, but she knew he had his own important matters. Her own task was to quickly improve her cultivation and master her Light spells.
She slowly approached the statue of the God of Light and knelt to pray.
Lin Yan was unaware of the approaching guard detail heading for her territory. She was currently inspecting her domain, accompanied by Maurice.
The elves had brought many seeds, which were allocated to specific plots for planting. Elves were indeed the race most beloved by nature; they were born cultivators of superior breeds.
Crops nurtured by elves yielded higher harvests and possessed better flavors.
The current planting area was sufficient to feed the entire territory, but Lin Yan felt it wasn't enough. Of course, the villagers also felt it wasn't enough; who would ever complain about having too much grain?
As the grain supply increased, Lin Yan began teaching them how to process these agricultural products.
During the lean spring season, Maurice brought back more people. They quickly settled here and integrated into the development of this nascent territory.
When the royal guards arrived, the spring plowing had just concluded, and the elves had not yet departed.
The captain of the guard detail was also surprised by these elves, but they knew their primary objective.
Upon reaching the manor, the captain of the guard detail detected a powerful draconic aura.
"An adult dragon?" Not only young dragons but adult dragons were present here? If so, their mission to take away the young dragon would be impossible.
Lin Yan and Maurice were not at the manor. The head maid had to arrange lodging for the guards and then dispatch someone to find Lin Yan and Maurice.
This group was not like the envoys' entourage. They quickly searched the entire manor while the servants weren't paying attention, but they found no young dragon.
However, they could confirm that a young dragon had indeed passed through here recently.
The claw marks on the wall were still fresh, and in one room, they found half a young dragon's scale.
This was a young red dragon, and within that room, he also sensed the presence of an adult dragon.
Therefore, this was not an orphaned young dragon, but a young dragon in the presence of its kin, possibly even its parents.
That person was truly audacious. While they didn't fear adult dragons, snatching a child from an adult dragon's grasp was akin to a death wish!
Upon returning, the guard captain gathered the others in his room to discuss their findings.
"This manor should house more than one dragon."
"And the young dragon seems to have been taken away, though we don't know where."
"I heard that young dragon was always held by Olysius. Perhaps it returned to his territory. Captain, should we go and check?"
"I doubt it's necessary. That young dragon was with adult dragons. Are you confident in facing dragons?" The captain looked at the proposing team member.
"That, I'm afraid, is not possible." While they were confident in their abilities, confidence was not the same as arrogance.
To offend dragons, and for the sake of a young dragon, it was likely the entire Dragon Island would mobilize.
"We will wait a few days. After meeting Viscount Rose, we will report back to His Majesty," the captain said. However, he knew that returning like this would not satisfy the emperor.
Egbert, due to his concern, arrived at the royal city in significantly less time than his outward journey.
Upon returning home, he inquired of his mother about any recent movements of the royal family.
Madam Leander did not know what he was referring to, but after careful reflection, she could not recall anything.
"What is it? Why are you asking about the royal family?"
Egbert did not tell his mother the truth, as she could do nothing but worry even if she knew.
"The royal family has been very peaceful lately, especially our Emperor. Apart from seeming to be in a better mood, nothing else seems different."
"Is that so?" Egbert fell into thought.
"You came back asking about the royal family without even putting down your things. Go and wash up first; I'll have the kitchen prepare some food for you." Madam Leander patted her son's hand and then went to instruct the servants.