Elashia understood all too well why Chris had reacted that way to her—there was only one reason.
Her convictions—had begun to waver.
But now wasn't the time to celebrate; she couldn't bear to see Chris suffering in front of her.
"Chris, calm down first."
Elashia tried her best to soothe Chris.
"I won't... won't betray the city-state..."
When Elashia had previously laid her cards on the table and told her that her purpose in coming was to poach people, Chris had never said such words of refusal, and her interactions with Elashia had been extremely natural.
But now, she had knocked away the water she had originally craved just from seeing Elashia, and was desperately trying to distance herself from Elashia.
Elashia knew that when she did this, Chris's loyalty to the city-state had only one thing left—obsession.
And to break through obsession, just a tiny bit of change was needed...
But now, no matter what, Chris had to drink some water and eat something first.
"Chris... I don't care whether you're willing to come to Elasia right now or not. I said before, seeing you suffer really pains my heart. I just want you to drink some water first. I absolutely won't mention poaching today, okay?"
Chris, with nowhere left to retreat, leaned against the cold prison wall and just looked into Elashia's eyes.
In the past, her ability to read people's eyes had solved many troubles for her.
Because she really could judge whether others were lying or had malicious intent through their eyes.
But now, she desperately wished she didn't have this ability.
Because she couldn't see even the slightest bit of falsehood in Elashia's eyes.
Elashia sat down beside her, brought the water cup to Chris's lips, and said in a gentle voice:
"Drink some water first, okay?"
Chris didn't speak, just nodded silently.
She used all her strength to hold back her tears from falling.
Chris started drinking in small sips, but after one sip she finally couldn't help but drink in big gulps.
There wasn't much water in the cup to begin with, and before long Chris had finished all the water in the cup.
Looking at Chris who was looking at her expectantly, Elashia withdrew the cup from her hand.
"You've been in a state of extreme hunger and thirst for too long. Having you rashly drink too much water or eat too much food might be dangerous."
After hearing Elashia's words, Chris could only nod.
That small cup of water had already made her feel much better.
She indeed knew that Elashia was doing this for her own good.
Looking at Elashia beside her who was watching her with concern, Chris couldn't help but have many thoughts.
If only the Elasian royal family had taken her in back then...
She couldn't help but speak to Elashia:
"Elashia... have I ever told you my story..."
Just as Elashia was about to speak, the system's voice came.
[Task One: Efficient choice: Tell her—"I know everything about you, so you don't need to tell me about your past." Task Reward: Heart of Steel (Passive)]
[Task Two: High EQ choice: Tell her—"I will quietly listen to everything about you." Task Reward: Healing Aura (Passive)]
Elashia glanced at the tasks.
The task rewards weren't too different.
Heart of Steel was a buff that could enhance her defense, making her immune to conventional attacks.
While Healing Aura was a group buff that could slowly heal friendly units around her.
Although the difference in task rewards wasn't big, as a normal person with some emotional intelligence, Elashia still decisively chose task two.
Come on, how could information obtained from playing games compare to Chris's personal confession?
After making her choice, Elashia looked at Chris with gentle eyes.
"I will quietly listen to everything about you."
Hearing this sentence from Elashia's mouth, Chris's face turned crimson once again.
Why was this girl who looked only in her teens so good at this...
Elashia's words even gave Chris a strange feeling.
After hearing Elashia's words, the severe stomach pain caused by excessive hunger seemed to be subsiding?
After noticing this feeling, Chris mocked herself in her heart.
She kept saying she wouldn't betray the city-state, but her body's instinctive reaction seemed to betray the fact that her heart had already been captured by Elashia.
Pushing aside those thoughts, Chris struggled to begin telling Elashia:
"This has to start from when I was very young..."
"I don't know who my parents were... From my earliest memories, I was already taken in by Yage City's orphanage..."
"From when I was small... I decided I must use everything I have to repay this city-state that raised me... whether it's my life... or my freedom..."
"Do you understand... at that time I made up my mind... no matter what happened... this determination could not change..."
"This is also why I've been refusing you... do you understand... Your Majesty Elashia..."
After hearing Chris's words, Elashia nodded solemnly.
It seemed the plan could proceed to its final step.
Elashia asked very seriously:
"You mean, before truly repaying this city-state with everything you have, it's impossible for you to leave here?"
After witnessing Chris nod, Elashia smiled gently.
After turning and gently embracing Chris, Elashia said nothing more, only giving Chris a little water and food at intervals.
A long time passed, and Chris finally fell into a deep sleep.
Seeing Chris asleep, Elashia was about to leave when Chris behind her suddenly said:
"Take me away... Elashia..."
Elashia was startled!
This didn't follow normal development...
But when she turned back to look, she discovered that Chris had actually fallen into a deep sleep.
"Sleep talking, huh... It seems it's about time to put an end to this journey..."
Talking to herself, Elashia left the prison.
Before leaving, Elashia had already controlled all the jailers in the entire prison who could come into contact with Chris.
No matter what, she absolutely couldn't let Chris suffer any more physical torment after this.
Returning to the inn, it was already evening. Elashia took out the communicator again, this time sending a communication request to Cecilia.
"Your Majesty! What are your orders?"
Although it was already night, Cecilia was still in the military camp, discussing plans to eliminate goblins with Aelia.
Elashia smiled as she connected the communication.
"The morning after tomorrow, I need you to bring about a thousand knights to Yage City. Don't attack the city, just wait below the city to rendezvous with me."
After speaking, Elashia thought for a moment and added:
"Oh right, bring me two magic crossbows."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After completing her orders, Elashia showed an expectant smile.
Really looking forward to what happens next...