Angela's Questioning

Starlight sensed a hint of comfort in Angela’s words. He had heard similar things from Mowei and You, but even now, he couldn’t quite grasp it.

His words revealed a rare level of clarity and self-awareness, which made Angela appreciate this young human even more. She nodded slightly and continued.

“In fact, it isn’t entirely impossible. Didn’t your friend’s ancestor achieve this unprecedented feat? The former War God, Mars, was a mortal who broke through the limits. Since someone has proven it can be done, then the path must exist.”

Angela glanced at Po Kong, who was still immersed in excitement, and offered a meaningful smile.

“That’s right... Since my ancestor could do it, then you should have more confidence, Little Star! If you run into trouble, we’ll all be there with you! Little Shadow, Little Crescent, right?”

Snapped back to reality, Po Kong laughed and slapped Starlight on the back, speaking with total sincerity.

Reminded by his words, Moen and Xia Duo also looked at him with steady gazes. A warm current surged through Starlight’s heart, dispelling the gloom in his mind.

Angela quietly watched the four young people. In the soft light, they looked exceptionally vivid and full of life.

This caused her thoughts to drift involuntarily to the distant past, as scenes similar to the one before her surfaced in her memory.

“This feeling... it’s been so many years. I wonder how far these little ones can go?”

She sighed silently in her heart and pulled her thoughts back.

“Alright, that’s enough for today. You can go back and prepare. The documents to leave the border will be in your hands soon.”

Angela spoke gently, but this time her voice carried a trace of undeniable authority.

“However, Little Moen, Little Xia Duo—I need to speak with these two human friends alone for a few minutes. Wait outside for a moment.”

All four were stunned. Xia Duo turned to look at her sister, a flash of curiosity in her eyes.

“Eh? Why...?”

Before she could finish, Angela lightly waved her arm. A gentle green light instantly enveloped the two girls. Their figures blurred within the light and eventually vanished without a trace.

Starlight and Po Kong looked at each other in bewilderment. They hadn’t expected Angela to keep them behind alone, and both began to worry.

In their experience, being the last ones left behind usually meant receiving some not-so-pleasant “special attention.”

However, despite their trepidation, both knew their strength was nowhere near enough to resist Angela’s decision.

They quickly adjusted their mindsets, standing like humble students in a respectful posture, quietly waiting for her instructions.

Seeing Starlight and Po Kong looking tense and at a loss, Angela couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You two, there’s no need to be so jumpy. I kept you here because I just wanted to chat about a few things regarding Moen and Xia Duo.”

“Huh? If it’s about them, why couldn’t they stay?”

Po Kong’s eyes darted around, not quite understanding. But Angela’s next words hit them like a bolt of lightning.

“You two rascals have quite the schemes, don’t you? Do you have feelings for those two sisters? Tell me the truth~”

Angela clearly added a bit of weight to her tone, making Starlight and Po Kong’s hearts tighten as they instantly became nervous.

Facing Angela’s interrogative tone, Po Kong was about to open his mouth to defend himself, but Starlight reached out to stop him.

He understood that before a sage like Angela, who had lived for thousands of years, any lie would be as flimsy as paper, easily seen through.

Moreover, Angela was connected to the World Tree and possessed powerful calculation abilities; any subtle emotional fluctuation would not escape her perception.

“Senior Angela,” Starlight took a deep breath and spoke sincerely.

“We do indeed harbor deep feelings for Moen and Xia Duo, but this isn't some flighty whim; it's a sincere emotion born of careful thought. We are willing to bear the responsibilities and consequences that come with these feelings, and we hope for your understanding and support.”

Starlight’s words were filled with sincerity and resolve, his gaze showing no hint of evasion or fear.

Though he and Po Kong hadn’t officially confessed to the sisters, there was no need to hide it now.

A meaningful smile touched the corners of Angela’s mouth as she scanned the two of them, seemingly seeing through every thought they had.

“Mm~ a good answer. You weren’t stupid enough to lie to my face. If you had, my opinion of you would have dropped significantly.”

Angela’s words carried a hint of praise, but before Starlight and the other could breathe a sigh of relief, her tone shifted.

“But do you realize that Moen and Xia Duo are geniuses of the elven race rarely seen in a thousand years? Their talent, power, and beauty are enough to make countless beings fall for them. To try and ‘whisk’ them away from us with just a single sentence about sincere feelings—isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“Wait... Wait, Senior!!?? What do you mean ‘whisk away’? Shouldn't this be a matter of mutual affection? We didn’t force Little Shadow or the others to do anything!”

Seeing Starlight answer so directly, Po Kong frowned and replied with a hint of urgency and dissatisfaction.

As soon as Po Kong finished, Angela gently shook her head, as if she had already anticipated their reaction.

She slowly walked toward the chair floating in the air, her posture elegant and composed, as if everything were within her grasp.

“I understand your urgency and dissatisfaction, but please allow me to emphasize once more: I am not questioning your feelings.” Angela sat down lazily on the vine chair as she spoke.

“Matters of the heart indeed require mutual affection; that is undeniable. But Moen and Xia Duo are not just two ordinary elves. With their talent and potential, they are destined to step into the Saint Rank and become pillars of our race.”

She paused, her gaze deep as she looked at Starlight and Po Kong.

“Imagine if they abandoned their growth and responsibilities within the elven race due to a momentary emotional impulse. The elven race would lose two future cornerstones. Such a loss is something we cannot afford.”

Angela’s words revealed a deep sense of worry and responsibility, causing both Starlight and Po Kong to fall into thought. They suddenly realized what she was getting at.

“From a personal perspective, I naturally hope they find their own happiness. But if that happiness comes at the cost of sacrificing the future of the elven race, then as a guardian, I will never allow it to happen.”

“I... I am willing to guarantee, as a direct descendant of the House of Mars, that I will never let such a thing happen! As long as I am here, the War God family will remain a steadfast ally of the elves! Is that enough, Senior?”

Po Kong paused for a moment, as if engaged in a fierce internal struggle, but finally raised his head firmly, his eyes burning as he looked at Angela.

Even Starlight, standing beside him, couldn't help but feel surprised. In his memory, Po Kong rarely mentioned his family and was not the type to use the family name as a guarantee lightly.

Aside from that one time when the two Saint Ranks confronted each other in the Violet City-State, he had almost never seen Po Kong mention his home, let alone offer a guarantee—and this time, it had escalated to such a high level.