История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Глава шестая. Кирилл. Неожиданный визит Героя Королевы Эльфов

Chapter Six. Cyrill. An Unexpected Visit from the Hero of the Elf Queen

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:07

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Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:07

The Reserve Grove is somewhere in the Forest.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:07

For a few moments, Cyrill honestly tried to comprehend his mentor's words. Frankly, it wasn't going very well. Perhaps because he hadn't yet fully recovered from the consequences of his "confession" and subsequent "repentance." Which, by the way, doesn't count anymore...

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:09

But Diantrel came to her senses noticeably faster and, once again, became extremely serious and focused. She resolutely asked.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:10

"Cirial, do you remember any other dreams like this? Maybe just specific moments? Anything at all?"

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:10

"Am..."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:10

Momentarily stunned by such pressure, Cyrill tried to recall anything. But he couldn't quite recall anything he'd dreamed about in the intervening time. Literally isolated fragments or images that made no sense whatsoever. Some post-Soviet provincial town, but for some reason with a metro entrance right in the middle of the main street. A dark figure in a cloak against the backdrop of a nighttime city. And so on. Nothing coherent or even coherent. Cyrill honestly admitted this to his mentor, who was patiently awaiting his answer.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:11

"No, I can't remember any of my dreams. I only remember random nonsense."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:12

Frowning slightly, Diantrel thoughtfully folded her arms across her chest, continuing to stare at Cyrill. She slowly said.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:13

"I see... Ciriall, tell me..."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:14

Here her violet eyes sparkled slightly with magical fire, and her gaze became especially intense and piercing:

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:14

"Are you sure you don't have any knowledge or abilities related to divination or clairvoyance?"

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:21

"What? No, I swear... Damn it..."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:21

Cyrill extended his right hand forward, waited until Diantrel squeezed it, and again, for the umpteenth time in not such a long time, initiated the fusion, opening himself completely to her.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 08:50

//"Nothing, honestly!"

Camrad_RIP 08.06.26 в 08:22

For a moment, Diantrel was silent, then slowly nodded, convinced of her student's truthfulness, released his hand, and broke the fusion.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:48

"I believe you. But this is very serious. And alarming. I'll need to tell Mirael about this. I myself am practically ignorant of the branches of magic related to divination or clairvoyance, and I can't help you much... Cyriall, did the Tablet offer you the possible Lots of Oracle or Prophet?"

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:49

"Yes, I'm telling you, no..."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:49

"And after the twenty-fifth step? Were any Lots related to clairvoyance offered?" Diantrel persisted.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:51

Sighing, Cyrill extended his hand again, and this time he squeezed his mentor’s palm, initiating the fusion and opening up to her.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:52

//"I'm telling you, the System didn't offer me anything related to clairvoyance or divination! Oh, well, not counting that artifact I gave you. But no knowledge or properties, I swear!"

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:53

Continuing to squeeze Cyrill's hand, Diantrel stood motionless for a few moments, then, once again convinced that her student was telling the truth, nodded. But she did not break the connection.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:54

//"I believe you. And, as I already said, I'm not versed in prophecy or clairvoyance, so I can't help you in any meaningful way. Except..."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:55

Then her violet eyes flashed with magical fire again, and she spoke with emphasis through the mental connection:

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:55

//"...don't try anything on your own. Divination and clairvoyance can be extremely dangerous, especially for the one trying to see. I'll speak with Mirael today, and we'll decide what to do with your dreams. You'll almost certainly have to make further adjustments to your training..."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:57

At that moment, a distinct note of discontent and irritation flashed in Diantrel’s voice.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:57

//"In any case, I will ask you not to go to bed today until I have consulted with the Elder Enchantress."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 17:59

//“Okay, as you say,” Cyrill immediately agreed.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:00

Because thanks to the fusion and the fact that Diantrel also opened up to him, he could clearly see that the elf was seriously alarmed.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:00

//"But first, we need to properly discuss another issue. All of us."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:08

Well, of course. Cyrill understood perfectly well what and whom Diantrel was referring to. So he simply nodded silently and followed her toward the exit. Leaving the “secret room”—which, after using the token, had essentially turned into a “red” room—the young man and his mentor saw that, during their absence, which turned out to be not so short after all, nothing in the office had changed. The deceptive illusions continued to carry on a surprisingly coherent, yet completely empty, conversation about the weather in the Forest and the surrounding area. After verifying that the protection was definitely working properly and had not been compromised, Cyrill dispelled both illusions and, following Diantrel, left the study and headed to the first floor of his mansion. Gata and Armina were found exactly where he had left them—in the living room. And in almost the exact same position.

Camrad_RIP 01.07.26 в 08:45

Sitting close together, the girls stared blankly ahead. The only thing that had changed was that a tray with the remains of some appetizers, a decanter of berry-and-herb tea, and a couple of half-empty glasses had appeared on the table next to them. Apparently, they were completely absorbed in studying the auction sections Cyrill had opened. They had even missed Diantrel and her mentor’s arrival, snapping out of it only when the young man and his mentor approached the table. Startled, Gata—with her ears pricked up and her tail puffed out—almost jumped up.

Camrad_RIP 01.07.26 в 08:45

"Oh! Sir... Please forgive us, we are completely..."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 10:19

Armina, alarmed a second later, also almost jumped to her feet.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 09:48

"Oh... Honorable, are you..."

Camrad_RIP 01.07.26 в 08:47

Having stopped both girls with a gesture of his hand, Cyrill sat down in front of them at the table and calmed them down.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 09:48

"It's all fine, nothing to worry about. I can imagine how captivating it would be for someone unfamiliar with my home world to explore product listings."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 09:49

Casting a glance at Diantrel, who had sat down a little to the side of him, the young man sighed mentally and, turning back to Armina and Gata, who were still noticeably embarrassed, said.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 09:50

"But now we need to have a very serious talk..."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:09

Both companions suddenly became surprisingly serious and collected, as if they were training. Gata narrowed her eyes slightly for a moment, shifting her catlike gaze from Cyrill to Diantrel, and twitched the tip of her tail slightly, simultaneously sniffing the air. Cyrill, meanwhile, sighed heavily, gathering his courage, and continued:

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 10:19

"The thing is..."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:09

This second “confession” was only slightly easier than the first. Even though he hadn’t used any vulgar tokens with Gata and Armina, he still felt ashamed. Like, seriously, it was awful. But Cyrill held his ground as best he could, projecting nothing but sincere remorse with his entire demeanor. Gata and Armina listened to him without interrupting, asking only a couple of clarifying questions—especially regarding the source token. At the same time, the two girls exchanged some strange glances with each other. But otherwise, they listened to Cyrill’s “confession” with completely serious expressions. When he finished speaking, Diantrel took the floor to tell her side of the story. She didn’t forget to mention—albeit without going into much detail—that she had accepted Cyrill’s apology to her and that the matter between them was closed. As for the fact that he would have to apologize to them more than once or twice, she remained silent in a very elven manner.

Camrad_RIP 01.07.26 в 08:47

When Diantrel finished speaking, Armina and Gata exchanged another glance, realizing what was expected of them. After flicking her fluffy tail a few times, the catwoman spoke first, her voice serious and slightly thoughtful.

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 10:20

"I have received no 'poisoned' gifts, as you dubbed them, venerable one, from the Tablet of my Soul. I swear to that before all of you."

Camrad_RIP 15.06.26 в 10:21

Armina took a deep breath and said in a quiet voice, with notes of shame and embarrassment.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:10

"During our journey to White Harbor, the Tablet bestowed upon me a pair of gifts visible only to me... I wouldn't call them poisoned, and I wouldn't use them on you or anyone else... Rather, as my mentors in the Secret Guard said, they have a sweetish aftertaste. Honey, to be precise," the girl added with a hint of strange embarrassment.

Camrad_RIP 16.06.26 в 19:23

After which, sighing once more, Armina sent Cyrill, Gata, and Diantrel a description of "Enchanting Voice," "Request for a Little Help 25/25," "Advanced Acupuncture Skills," and "Advanced Seduction and Manipulation Techniques and Methods."

Camrad_RIP 16.06.26 в 19:24

Having carefully studied their descriptions, Cyrill only congratulated himself once again on what an idiot he was. Well, not in everything, but damn... Seriously, why did he think the System offered and awarded hidden rewards only to him? Or rather, why didn't he even consider that his other companions might also receive a line or two in their status, invisible even to him? Or, what's far more dangerous, unconscious?

Camrad_RIP 10.06.26 в 18:11

Diantrel, having listened to Armina's confession with an unperturbed face, having studied the descriptions of the property, token, and knowledge she had conveyed, asked in a calm voice.

Camrad_RIP 09.06.26 в 09:11