Chapter 90: Chaotic Neutrality?


    When rk ascended to the second floor, his pupils had reverted to their normal deep blue hue.


    Observation mode seemed to drain mana and likely consumed a considerable amount; it couldn''t be sustained indefinitely.


    The Star Rater was visibly surprised to see Hua Mi here but quickly stered on a smile, greeting them without questioning why they were present or their connection to Alyss.


    "Forgive my intrusion, but it''s part of my job. I hope you understand," rk apologized before smiling, "If I''m not mistaken, you''re the renowned ''Radiance'' Alyss, the top-tier architectural designer of the Emerald Court. Never thought I''d see you in a ce like this. It''s an honor."


    Alyss responded nonchntly, "Now, I''m Alyss of the ckwood."


    "Understood, Miss Alyss of the ckwood," rk retrieved his notes and quill, "If I understood correctly, your earlier statement implies you''vepletely severed ties with the Emerald Court and renounced the title of ''Radiance''?"


    His words hit the mark.


    Hua Mi suspected he might have known about this already; after all, he seemed to be privy to the alchemical disputes in Emerald City. Knowing Alyss had left for seclusion here wouldn''t be difficult for him.


    "You understood correctly."


    "Ah, I see... Let me ask, why did you choose to settle in the ckwood? What drew you here?"


    "No particr reason, just needed a quiet ce for research."


    rk nodded, jotting down something in his notes.


    He then snapped his notebook shut, smiling, "Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Alyss of the ckwood. I wish you a pleasant life in the ckwood. I''ll be around for a while. If you need any help, feel free to ask. I''d be d to assist."


    With a hand over his chest in a gesture of respect, he moved to leave the study.


    "Actually, there is something you could help with," Alyss, now seated again, rare amusement glinting in her smile, spoke up.


    "Uh... what might that be?" rk''s earlier words were merely polite, and her response caught him off guard.


    "We need to find a few tree spirits," Alyss said, her tone suggesting she expected quick results using his observational abilities.


    "That''s not untrue..." rk pondered for a moment, then cheerfully replied, "Alright, I can y the role of a temporary guide."


    ...


    Hua Mi and rk left Alyss''s residence together.


    Considering the dusk approaching, they decided to postpone searching for the tree spirits until tomorrow.


    Hua Mi hitched a ride, taking rk''s flying carpet back to the Bee Whisperer''s hut.


    The airborne conveyance was remarkablyfortable, spacious enough to even lie down. However, it had its drawbacks: slow speed, a tad slower than his War Hammer, and required mana to operate. Otherwise, it might have made for a convenient mode of transportation.


    As they journeyed, the two engaged in conversation. Hua Mi, curious, asked, "By your guild''s categorization, what faction is Alyss in?"


    "Considering her betrayal of Emerald City and her recent behavior..." rk replied, "I''d say she''s tentatively categorized as Chaotic Neutral."


    "Betrayal?"


    That term felt weighty, leaving Hua Mi perplexed. If Alyss simply left her city for seclusion in the forest to conduct research, could she truly bebeled a traitor?


    Was there something Alyss hadn''t told him?


    "Not to offend, but in our perspective as Star Raters, words hold no positive or negative connotations. It''s merely a descriptor... Are you her friend? Could you refrain from mentioning what I said just now? I''ll put in a good word for you in the uing adventure guide."


    Ignoring his semi-joking chatter, Hua Mi inquired, "What happened in Emerald City?"


    "You don''t know?" rk asked rhetorically, nodding afterward, "Understandable, information flow here is limited."


    Subsequently, rk shared the information he had with Hua Mi.


    The incident stemmed from Alyss''s return to Emerald City, proiming a Abyss Schr had sumbed to corruption from the Abyss.


    This caused an uproar not just in Emerald City but across the elven and various humanoid societies. The Abyss Studies Association instantly became the center of attention.


    Alyss''s reputation yed a crucial role; if an ordinary person made such ims, few would believe them. But she was the renowned Alyss, the ''Radiance'' of the elves—her words held weight.


    Rumors swirled, preparations for war loomed on the horizon, and to quell the rising tensions, the Elven King promptly denied Alyss''s ims.


    Then came a series of revtions—some information surfaced, alleging she was a descendant of both elves and Abyssal beings. These rumors aimed to undermine her and disrupt the monarchy.


    "Though it''s likely a smear campaign orchestrated by the Elven King, there''s a chance it holds truth. Her physical characteristics, the white irises, the pointed teeth, symbols of the Abyss in many records."


    Hua Mi found this surprising. He had assumed Alyss''s odd behavior in the face of the Abyss was due to a curse, not hybrid lineage.


    Can hybrids exist between elves and Abyssal beings?


    The realm was indeed chaotic.


    From rk''s ount, Alyss hadn''t mentioned Brass City or his name at all.


    Because it wasn''t necessary.


    The Abyss Studies Association was currently under intense scrutiny, striving to prove its innocence.


    Regardless of how Uno slipped through inspections before, as long as they ensured such incidents wouldn''t recur, her mission was fulfilled.


    This was all she could do.


    Her gambit used her reputation to ring the rm bells for the world. The bell tolled, her reputation shattered, and both sides suffered.


    "Do you believe what she said?"


    "I do. But it doesn''t matter. What''sing wille, and we''ll all face it together. There''s nothing to fear when you think about it that way."


    "..."


    While they spoke, the flying carpet arrived at the Bee Whisperer''s hut.


    "What''s that ss building for? Seems to use spatial expansion magic. Alyss''s work?" rk inquired, apparently unable to see through the mist enshrouding the greenhouse.


    "A greenhouse, for growing flowers."


    "Seems like a life worth envying. Can I take a look inside?"


    "You can, but most of the flowers haven''t bloomed yet..."


    Hua Mi invited him in, and only then did rk pass through the mist and enter the greenhouse.


    Upon witnessing the Pseudo-Flower Spirits bustling inside, rk momentarily froze.


    "Perhaps... about your factional categorization, it might need a reevaluation..."


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