Chapter 203: Goodnight

Chapter 203: Nightfall

Percy’s body went rigid and he quietly shifted away a little.

But with Kemi right in front of him, Percy didn’t dare move too far. Holding his breath, he focused on the sensation of the Mother Goddess’s finger poking at his waist, writing stroke by stroke.

“Percy, you’re still sitting on it.”

“…”

The Elven King’s ear tips burned crimson. He shifted slightly again, moving away a bit more.

The weight above him finally lifted. Elu, still under the blanket, slowly gathered his long, trailing silver hair, pulling it up and tucking it around himself.

He made no sound but continued moving slowly. Yet, with Kemi and Percy only two meters apart—and elves being a race with exceptionally sharp vision—the Forest Warden caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye and blurted out in confusion, “Lord Percy, your bed…”

It seemed to be… moving?

Percy stepped forward, fully blocking the bed from view. Cutting Kemi off, he placed a hand on the Forest Warden’s shoulder and said sternly, “Let’s go. No time to waste here. Take me to see this intruder.”

At the mention of business, Kemi immediately straightened up. “Yes, Lord Percy. Please follow me.”

Footsteps echoed as they walked away.

Elu cast aside the blanket.

He exhaled deeply and complained, “So stuffy.”

The Elven King lived like an ascetic, adhering to a strict, minimalist lifestyle—even his bedding reflected this. The sheets were rough linen, the threads sparse and slightly scratchy to the touch, and the cotton layer was thin.

The Goddess, who intended to sleep here tonight, naturally wouldn’t tolerate such uncomfortable bedding. With a wave of his hand, he drew a pale golden arcane circle in the air, summoning a godly mattress and blankets that gently descended onto the bed.

Elu snapped his fingers, and the bed arranged itself—blankets neatly tucked at the corners, pillows stacked at the headboard. Yawning, he lay down.

Waiting was a bit dull, so Elu casually reached out, and a book flew from Percy’s bookshelf into his hand.

66 perched atop Elu’s head, curiously eyeing the cover. “Percy actually reads this kind of thing?”

It was a customs novel, with suggestive and romantic themes.

Elu: “Percy doesn’t read these. He confiscated it from the clan and stored it here.”

The elves occasionally traded with other races—exchanging mountain delicacies from Pine Mountain for dwarven mithril or mermaid pearls. Human adventurers, meanwhile, transported all sorts of oddities to every corner of the continent, including their customs novels.

Young and curious elves often found such novels intriguing.

Elu leafed idly through the pages, but as he turned them, he gradually leaned against the headboard and drifted off to sleep.

*

Percy followed Kemi to the wooden hut where the intruder was being held. Several elders had already arrived.

His hands were bound with rope, hoisted above his head and fastened to a rack. His curly hair was disheveled, his appearance ragged. Dressed in a brown corseted vest and white shirt—the classic bard’s outfit—he should have looked refined, but now his clothes were caked with dirt, his trousers were streaked with grass stains, and branches had scratched his skin, beading with blood.

He was a succubus.

Percy turned to the elders. “Report the situation.”

The elder sighed. “As you can see, an adult succubus. He refuses to tell us why he trespassed into our territory. Our interrogations have gotten nowhere.”

He spread his hands helplessly. “If this continues, we’ll have to resort to more forceful methods.”

Elu prohibited the elves from using punitive measures on their kin, though certain ancient punishment devices were still preserved, locked away beneath the interrogation chamber.

Before Percy could speak, the succubus had already looked over, his fox-like eyes laced with lazy defiance.

The succubus’ voice was hoarse, carrying a seductive charm: “Elven King, save your effort. I won’t say a word.”

Percy lifted his gaze to meet him. “Lena’s lover? You came for her?”

The succubus hesitated. “Uh…”

Percy said, “Elf territory lies deep within Pine Mountain, surrounded by treacherous terrain. Even if the river valley weren’t heavily guarded, getting lost means Lena would be left to bury you.”

The succubus: “…”

All traces of allure vanished from his tone as he replied coldly, “So what?”

“Nothing much,” Percy said indifferently. “Charging in like this means not only will you fail to take her, but you’ll end up trapped here.”

With that, he turned from the succubus and faced the elders. “It seems he isn’t part of an organized intrusion. Given his strength, he poses no real threat to us. As for punishment… we ought to deliberate.”

Traditionally, elves would thrash intruders, tie them up, and place them in oak barrels to drift down the mountain streams—a makeshift exile.

This method left things to chance. The strong and skilled might escape, while the weaker ones could drown or lose their way in Pine Mountain, ending up as mulch for the shrubs.

…As for this succubus.

Lena’s pick was… underwhelming.

An elder asked, “By our laws, trespassing unannounced calls for exile, while seducing one of our kind into indulgence means Lena’s lashing too. But your meaning is…?”

Ordinary whips did little to elves, but the discipline whip was different—even Percy wouldn’t walk right for weeks after a beating.

The elder hesitated. “For centuries, this has been our way. If you mean to change it, it may go against tradition.”

In the past, the elders wouldn’t have spoken so cautiously to the Elven King. But the goddess’ stance changed everything. When the Mother Goddess gently placed the crown upon the king’s head, her silver eyes crinkling with amusement, Percy’s standing had shifted.

No longer was he the forsaken, isolated king despised by the goddess—now, divinity adored him.

Percy said, “Recently, I spoke with the Mother Goddess. She sees it differently. I’ll confirm with her before deciding the punishment.”

The Elven King had never been one to impose strict rules on others while indulging himself. Quite the opposite—he was harder on himself than anyone. He had committed the same sin as Lena—no, far worse. Lena merely fell for a succubus, but he’d dared to crave a god.

If Lena truly faced the discipline whip, the Elven King would demand double for himself.

When Percy confessed to the Mother Goddess, he was ready to accept any penalty. Yet now, inexplicably, he felt certain the goddess wouldn’t stand for it.

Though presuming the will of a deity was irreverent, he couldn’t stop thinking—her favor showed in every way. Her mercy draped over him like silk, wrapping him completely.

A stained soul meant nothing. Indulgence in love meant nothing. Even craving a deity… meant nothing.

Percy sank deeper, swaddled in her grace. From early unease to present comfort, he had long since settled into it. Dazed, he realized there was no return.

If he ever lost her favor and returned to the days of scorn and neglect, he’d break.

And now, Percy wondered—if he willingly took the lash, would Elu rage?

The Elven King’s expression flickered slightly as he lowered his gaze, veiling the storm inside. Facing the elders again, he was once more composed and cold.

Percy said, “Release him. Give him food and water, and detain him until the Mother Goddess passes judgment.”

The council members exchanged glances, not thinking this minor matter warranted bothering the Mother Goddess, yet they dared not defy the Elven King. They merely responded, "Understood."

The Succubus was released from the torture frame and no further interrogation was needed.

With that, the meeting adjourned. The elders remained to handle the aftermath, while Kemi departed with Percy.

They exchanged brief words along the way. As they parted, Kemi suddenly asked, "Lord Percy, when did you meet the Mother Goddess privately? Did she tell you her different views on this?"

The Forest Warden's wide eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What did you talk about with the Mother Goddess? How did love even come up?"

Matters of love were always a taboo among the elves.

Percy remained silent.

He replied tersely, "It was nothing. It's late, and you have forest patrol tomorrow. Rest now."

With that, Percy headed straight for his chambers.

"What?" Kemi blinked, then hurried after him, complaining, "You seem really strange tonight. If it's the Mother Goddess's will, shouldn't every elf have the right to know? I'm an elf too—why can't you tell me?"

Percy remained silent.

He said, "I can't."

Leaving no room for argument, the Elven King walked ahead without another word.

"What?"

By now, they had reached the entrance to the Elven King's home. Percy opened the door, and through the slightly ajar gap, the soft glow of lamplight could be seen inside. His gaze went directly to the bedroom. Beyond the partition, someone sat quietly on the edge of the bed, one hand propping up their forehead, silver hair spilling onto the floor. Leaning lightly against the headboard, they were in a light sleep, a book still open on their lap.

The god was still there.

Percy's expression subtly softened.

He slipped inside swiftly and shut Kemi out completely.

Kemi: "...?"

Undeterred, he knocked again. "Hey, what harm would telling me do—"

Before he could finish, Percy cut in sharply, "Silence."

Elu was asleep, and Percy didn’t want him disturbed.

Kemi sheepishly fell silent, then grumbled under his breath and left.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away outside the door. Percy checked the lock and made his way into the bedroom.

He studied the god's face.

The room was dimly lit, only a single lantern flickering on the bedside table, its glow bathing the god's features in warm light, making his expression appear gentler than ever.

The deity had changed the sheets and cover but hadn’t lain down. Instead, he had fallen asleep leaning against the wall—as if...

He had been waiting for Percy.

Percy bent down, carefully assessing the position. The sleeping posture looked uncomfortable, likely straining the neck. He wanted to move the god properly onto the bed.

But the moment he touched him, Elu woke up. He opened his silver eyes in a daze, as if trying to figure out where he was. Upon seeing Percy, he yawned and rolled over to one side, making room for the Elven King.

"You took forever," Elu grumbled.

He had just been reading to kill time—so much so that he nearly fell asleep.

But Percy didn’t climb onto the bed. Instead, he sat on the edge, carefully gathering Elu’s silver hair out of the way to avoid crushing it, then said, “Elu, I have something I’d like to talk to you about. Is that okay?”

Elu propped himself up slightly. “Mm, go ahead.”

Percy had originally meant to bring up Lena and the succubus, but at the last moment, for reasons unknown, he decided not to mention them and instead spoke about himself.

Softly, Percy asked, “Do you want me to take the punishment lash?”

Half of Elu’s drowsiness lifted. He frowned at the elf. “Huh? Repeat that.”

What was his elf scheming now to worry a god?

Lowering his gaze, Percy replied, “According to our laws, elves who indulge in love must face punishment and reflection. I’ve broken this rule.”

Elu: “….”

He got mad, grabbing a pillow and whacking Percy over the head with it. “Absolutely not. That’s not a rule I recognize, got it?”

Percy caught the pillow and looked at his god. In the candlelight, even Elu’s anger looked soft.

Percy murmured, “So you think love and desire are normal things?”

Elu: “Of course.”

Percy: “And you accept people falling in love and getting married?”

Elu: “Of course.”

He had no idea why his elf was bringing up this nonsense in the middle of the night. After answering each question, he lay back down and patted the space beside him. “Enough talking, Percy. Time for sleep.”

So the elf carefully settled at the edge of the bed, not daring to touch the god directly and keeping a respectful distance. But Elu hadn’t come here just to sleep like that. With a single reach, he pulled the Elven King close like a body pillow.

“Goodnight, Percy,” Elu murmured.