Chapter 106: Ambition and Trap

As the pillar of light descended once more, Zane finally arrived outside Maya’s chamber. Like other high-ranking priests, Maya’s door was adorned with exquisite carvings of spiders and hymns to the goddess. Yet Zane paid no heed to these decorations; he placed his hand upon the cold door and waited silently for a moment. Soon, the door opened, and the young priestess appeared before him, a sweet smile gracing her lips.

“Ah, you have come… Master Mage…”

Seeing Zane’s arrival, Maya let out a soft, amused laugh. By now, she had shed the robe of the dark elf priestess, replaced by a sheer, gauzy gown. The room was dim, bathed only in a faint red glow that highlighted her graceful form. Maya extended her slender arm, guiding Zane inside. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, and the door closed silently behind them, as if it had never opened at all.

“This is an invitation from a high priestess—I certainly wouldn’t miss it,” Zane replied, his gaze carefully studying the dark elf maiden before him. From the subtle signs she exhibited, it was clear that although Maya was not yet a century old, her ambition rivaled that of any other dark elf. She brazenly flaunted her talents while adopting an innocent demeanor to lower her opponent’s guard. Whether this was her nature or a cunning disguise mattered little to Zane. The intrigues of the dark elves were a tangled web of truth and deception, but one thing was certain: their faith and passion for Rose were unwavering.

And by Zane’s assessment, Maya’s devotion was particularly fervent. It was no surprise; all species burn with ardor in their youth. Humans, too, yearn for romantic love in their blossoming years, while those tempered by experience seek a warm, stable, and secure home. Though Maya, like her sister, craved power and status, her zealous worship of Rose far surpassed that of most dark elf priestesses.

“In that case, I should indeed feel honored…”

Maya laughed again at Zane’s compliment. She reached out to gently touch his cheek, her eyes shimmering with allure.

“You are quite an intriguing man. I have witnessed your formidable strength, but I wonder if you match that prowess in other ways as well?”

Zane needed no reply; her lips pressed against his answered everything.

Among dark elves, the desire for love was not fervent; to them, love signified weakness, and weakness meant death. For most dark elves, such indulgences were mere pleasures to be sought. Their longing for young, strong males was as intense as humans’ admiration for youthful beauty. Indeed, when humans mocked the dark elves’ reputed decadence, they failed to realize that, in the elves’ eyes, men were no more than tavern dancers or courtesans. To them, males were tools to be used—no different from walking cucumbers or eggplants.

Though young, Maya shared these dark elf habits. She began to assert control, yet Zane would not grant her that chance. He reached out and removed her robe, letting her warm, delicate body fall into his embrace.

Maya’s earlier protests vanished intoI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.