In the secluded valley forest, the sound of birdsong echoed, and occasionally a few small animals darted among the leaves. Sunlight shone through the gaps in the foliage, creating a mottled and beautiful silhouette on the ground.

The trees here were tall and sturdy, with straight branches much larger than ordinary trees, earning this area the name "Giant Tree Forest." Various plants grew here, some resembling the tails of wild beasts, with fruits hanging from them. There were even a few plants that looked like lotus roots, but they were deep purple in color, clearly indicating their poisonous nature.

Deep within the "Giant Tree Forest" stood several houses. These houses were connected to the trees, forming a peculiar city.

A group of elven children ran through the forest, all around the age of seven or eight. They carried bows and arrows on their backs, swords on their right hips, and a short flute on their left hips. Elves could use the flute to communicate messages to their companions. Even if they got separated in the forest, they could still find each other.

A palace surrounded by green vines stood in the center of the forest, with a winding staircase made of vine leading directly to the palace's entrance.

Outside the palace, heavily armed guards stood watch, holding weapons with serious expressions.

Inside the palace, several elderly elves gathered in the hall, discussing something.

They appeared kind and friendly, but their small and hunched figures emitted a terrifying aura, giving off an air of intimidation.

An old man with white hair stood in the center of the crowd and spoke calmly, "According to the scouts, the White Stork Empire and the Crescent Empire have been occupied by the Ruined Land barbarians. For the safety of the Divinity and Demon's Continent, we must take action to stop the expansion of the Ruined Land barbarians."

"But our elven clan's current situation is not good. If we rashly engage in battle with the enemy, I'm afraid..." a smaller elf voiced his concerns.

"I believe we should send envoys to negotiate with these people and strive for peaceful coexistence," another elf suggested.

"That could be a good approach. I agree with it," another elf chimed in.

After hearing their words, the old man, who spoke first, shook his head. "These Ruined Land barbarians are unreasonable. How could we negotiate with them?"

Ria, sitting beside Your Majesty, scanned the crowd with a faint smile. Instead of speaking, it was Ria who spoke up, "I oppose it! The so-called peaceful coexistence depends on the willingness of both sides. The Ruined Land barbarians have the advantage. How could they possibly peacefully coexist with us? We only have one path - to defeat them in order to achieve peace!"

Ria looked at her sister with determination in her eyes. Despite her stupidity, she could still see right from wrong.

"Our elven clan is not in a good internal situation. If we directly confront the Ruined Land barbarians, we will suffer heavy losses. Besides..."

Before the petite elf could finish speaking, Ria interrupted, showing great confidence as she said, "Who said we have to directly confront the Ruined Land barbarians? We can join forces with the vampires and fight against the Ruined Land barbarians together."

As soon as she said this, the hall erupted into chaos, with discussions breaking out all around.

Seated on the Your Majesty throne, Ria looked at Ria with an astonished gaze. The image she had just built up instantly crumbled, as her younger sister had proposed such a foolish plan.

Ria is still the same foolish Ria. Even though vampire Your Majesty knows her, she is only using her. How could she be friends with someone as foolish as you?

"Our elven pride absolutely does not allow us to unite with such a dirty and evil existence like vampires. This defiles the memory of our fallen elven warriors," the short elf exclaimed passionately. "I would rather fight against the Barbarians of the Ruined Land until death than join forces with vampires."

"Exactly! We elves would rather die than unite with vampires. They must pay for their past aggression."

"Ria, as a member of the elven royal family, please be mindful of your words!" a middle-aged elf dressed in luxurious attire shouted sternly. "Even if we could overcome our enmity with vampires, why would vampires want to join us? These despicable and evil vampires dream of feasting on our blood. They want us to perish forever. If vampires were allowed to unite with us, the Divinity and Demon's Continent would have no race capable of opposing them – the Werewolf tribe is a prime example, as they have already been almost wiped out by vampires."

These words resonated with the crowd, and the other elves began to express their agreement. Their expressions were firm and resolute.

"In times of great danger, vampires would definitely be willing to join us. The current vampire Your Majesty is my friend, and she will surely help us," Ria hurriedly explained.

"Nonsense! What are vampires? Have you forgotten that they are cruel and bloodthirsty by nature? If they were truly to ally with us, we would be dead in the next second!"

Ria's explanation clearly had no effect. The opposition from the others grew louder, and even Riaze frowned. It seemed that Ria could not escape punishment.

"Your Majesty, Princess Ria's actions have offended our ancestors. According to elven customs, she should be punished to understand the seriousness of the matter."

Upon hearing his words, Ria immediately felt panicked and turned to her sister for help, hoping that her sister would say something on her behalf.

Despite Ria's desperate plea for help, Riaze remained unmoved and even coldly shifted her gaze away. Her expression did not change, as if she hadn't noticed Ria's anxious eyes.

She was the elven female Your Majesty. Even if it was her own sister who made a mistake, she had to handle it impartially.

"Silence!" Riaze raised her hand to signal everyone to stop arguing.

Her sharp gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Ria. Her tone was icy as she said, "Ria, you have deeply disappointed me. Such disrespectful words are unforgivable!"

"Take her away! Give her three hundred lashes and then lock her in the confinement chamber for reflection!"

Ria widened her eyes in astonishment, looking at Riaze.

"I don't want to!"

At that moment, two elven warriors in armor entered the hall, grabbed Ria, and dragged her outside. Ria struggled, but she couldn't break free from the restraint of the elven warriors.

She was suspended from a pillar outside the grand hall by vines, while the two elven warriors mercilessly struck her back with their staffs, causing her immense pain with each blow.

"Ah~ Ah~"

Her agonizing cries echoed through the empty square, heard by every elf in the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, are you satisfied?" Rui Ze looked at the other elves in the hall and asked.

The elves looked at each other, lowered their heads, and remained silent.

"The hatred between vampires and the elven race runs deep. Unless absolutely necessary, I would never choose to ally with them. Vampires are a powerful nation, and they won't be easily defeated," Rui Ze said. "White Stork and Azure Moon have already been occupied. Sun-Moon Empire or Crescent Empire might be the next targets for the Ruined Land barbarians. Let's wait and see what the vampires do."

"Yes," the elves replied in unison.

"Dismissed," Rui Ze stood up and left the hall.

Seeing the departure of their king, the officials also dispersed.

Later, Rui Ze hurriedly ran outside the hall and immediately stopped the two soldiers. "You idiots, be more gentle. She is my sister."

"We apologize, Your Highness!" The two elves quickly knelt down on the ground, fearfully saying.

"Put her down," Rui Ze instructed.

After Ria stood steady, Rui Ze pulled her over and checked her wounds. Seeing that she wasn't severely injured, he breathed a sigh of relief.

She brought Ria to the garden, where the vegetation was lush, covered with green leaves, and clusters of tender flower buds were blooming beautifully.

The two sisters sat on a bench, looking at the flowers, neither of them speaking first.

After a moment, Rui Ze sighed, "Ria, some things are better left unsaid privately. Don't spread them around, or you'll bring trouble upon yourself."

"I didn't," Ria argued. "Sister, I didn't lie to you. Your Majesty from the vampire clan is truly my friend."

"Alright, alright. He's your friend," Rui Ze didn't refute her but followed along. "He's Your Majesty from the vampire clan, not a friend of the elven race. Do you understand?"

"But..."

"There's nothing to argue about. Go to the infirmary and have your injuries checked, so you don't get infected," Rui Ze interrupted her, then added, "Spend more time with Mother, don't let her feel too lonely."

"Okay," Ria obediently agreed.

After seeing off Ria, Riz strolled leisurely to the lakeside, looking up at the distance.