Soon, the news that some half-elf legislators and Elder Delar were on their way to confront Her Majesty the Queen spread like wildfire among the upper class.

If the lower class of half-elves could be characterized by sheer isolationism and xenophobia (they couldn't grasp "import-export trade," but they certainly understood "humans have made our lives miserable"), then the upper class was much more complex.

Most were well aware that Lusitania was an agricultural nation, and without trade with human forces from outside, the current standard of living could not be maintained.

However, only those half-elf merchants who actually profited from trade clearly stated their opposition to racial discrimination. As for those who didn't profit, most maintained an ambiguous and neutral stance.

Of course, that didn't stop them from coming along to watch the excitement.

As the news spread, by the time Elder Delar and his party arrived near the prison, there were already hundreds of people surrounding them, mostly "unshakably steadfast" members of the Conservative Party who wanted to bolster Delar's authority and apply mass pressure on the Queen.

As for the numerous fence-sitters who had no intention of going in but wanted to know the outcome of the negotiations firsthand, they too were outside, looking for places to wait.

Elder Delar, leading his followers, stepped onto the staircase, and two elf guards reached out with their long spears crossed to block his path.

"I wish to see Her Majesty, let me through!" Elder Delar said angrily.

"Her Majesty is currently in discussion with important persons." Facing the wrath of a demigod, the two guards were trembling with fear, but they did not immediately clear the entrance, insisting instead.

"What important persons!" Elder Delar burst out in rage, and the followers of the Conservative Party behind him also started creating a commotion:

"All of Her Majesty's decisions should be passed by the Elf Council, how can she collude in private with others?"

"Criminal cases are judged by criminal courts, is Her Majesty showing favoritism by meeting with a suspect alone?"

"Members of the Council have been targeted frequently lately, why doesn't Her Majesty clamp down on public safety, instead of meeting with a murderer? What does this mean?"

As the conservative faction aggressively pressed forward, the two elf guards could only retreat with pale faces, backing up until their backs were against the outer wall, with nowhere else to go.

"You still won't let us through?" Delar pounded his vine staff on the ground, and suddenly, vines sprouted from the surrounding trees like venomous snakes, entwining and pulling the spears from the guards' hands, effectively disarming them on the spot.

The disarmed elf guards had no choice but to move aside, while Elder Delar's face was as frosty as ever as he raised his staff and continued inside.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, as a pretty young girl with black hair braided in small tails and pale skin stood inside the door, holding a longsword to block his way.

"No one is allowed in until the meeting inside is over," Peggy said coldly.

"You...you're a member of that group of human mercenaries!" one half-elf recognized her and shouted in panic, "You were locked up in jail! Who let you out?"

"Your Maya Her Majesty has already issued a Pardon Decree for us."

Peggy, growing impatient, pulled out a scroll, unfurling it with a flick of her hand, showing the Queen's seal.

A half-elf nearby, after confirming the handwriting, turned ashen-faced and was left speechless, while the rest erupted into an uproar:

"How could a Pardon Decree be issued without a thorough investigation?"

"This is an abuse of royal power! How can Her Majesty usurp the Council and rule alone?!"

"The effectiveness of this Pardon Decree aside," Elder Delar raised his vine staff and made a feinting thrust, "it certainly doesn't permit you to block our path, human girl."

"This is also Her Majesty the Queen's command," Peggy sighed.

"A command—do you have a written edict?" someone from the Council called out from behind.

"No, she spoke it verbally," Peggy grew increasingly irritated; these half-elves were so annoying.

"Without a written edict, how can we know if you're telling the truth?" And so, everyone became incensed again, causing Peggy such a headache.

So annoying, so annoying, so annoying! Why did they send me to stand guard outside? Without letting me take action, how am I supposed to shut these half-elves up?

Suddenly, several tendrils shot down from above. Peggy instantly retreated, dodging the tendrils as she swung her longsword and sliced the plants in two.

"You struck first!" Instead of anger, Peggy felt delighted, pointing at Elder Delar and clamoring in protest.

"Ignoring our warnings and still obstructing us, how outrageous!" Elder Delar waved his vine staff and commanded, "Capture her!"

"Good!" Peggy exclaimed with surprise.

Since it was they who struck first, there was no need for me to hold back for self-preservation!

She launched herself forward with an explosive burst of speed toward Elder Delar, her hand already drawing out a black light.

Curse Death!

With a delicate touch of his staff, Elder Delar caused a nearby large tree to rise to its feet and swing its branches to block the black light.

Peggy's Curse Death struck the branch, causing it to wither rapidly, before spreading to the trunk. Soon, the entire large tree dried up, stiffened, and died completely.

What kind of Law Skills produce this black light! Withering, or rotting? Elder Delar paled with shock. He knew the vigorous life force of his "Tree Men"; even when burned by fierce flames they could endure for days and nights. Ordinary swords and spells could only chip their bark, so how had they died upon contact with this black light?

While Peggy pressed her attack on Elder Delar, several half-elves could no longer restrain themselves and charged directly toward the prison entrance.

Illusion Sword Avatar!

Peggy swiftly swung her longsword, creating four or five avatars to assist in defending the gate once more, driving back the half-elves trying to rush in, with flesh and blood flying... However, the avatars were merely executing simple longsword slashes; they did not employ any Sequential Abilities or Law Skills, hence the half-elves were only injured and not killed on the spot.

Nevertheless, this still successfully provoked Elder Delar's rage. How could he, a demigod of such stature, fail to deal with a mere girl before so many onlookers in his own domain?

Elder Delar's staff struck the ground forcefully again, as a forest green domain spread out around him.

Tree Sea Assault!

With the boost from the domain, numerous leaves, trees, and vines burst forth from the ground, growing wildly as if time were accelerated. They blocked off Peggy from the other half-elves and swarmed towards her densely.

A few more black lights flew out from between Peggy's fingers. Any plant struck by it withered and died immediately.

However, Peggy was quickly forced to retreat by the onslaught of more plants. She once again recognized the limitation of "Curse Death": a single black light could only kill one life; if the enemy attacked with many Life Bodies, she couldn't effectively output damage.

And using the Undead Illusion Sword Avatar in combination with Curse Death would result in the Spirituality cost of all avatars being attributed to her, which was impossible for her to afford, given the extensive Spirituality expense of Curse Death itself.

Therefore, Peggy switched to driving her Withering Skill again, as countless tangible Death Laws emerged, swarming forth like tadpoles towards the oncoming wave of plants.

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