Crimson Servant

Mal Blade ran wildly in the dark cave, her eyes switched to dark vision that absorbed infrared light, and turned into two jumping red dots in the darkness. The memory of being controlled by the mind flayer has not disappeared from this dark elf's mind. She remembers every detail of serving that disgusting brain, using her nimble fingers to massage the slime-covered flesh and giving thoughtful instructions. The service pleases its owner with pleasure.

Damn monster, she never enjoyed it that much.

It was of course a pleasant thing to be freed from the control of the mastermind, but Mal was not happy at all. While gaining freedom, he was involved in the murder of another monster. Yes, the man in red robe is definitely a monster, like...a collection of nightmares. His spiritual power crushed the mastermind, the flames he breathed were like dragon's breath, and those blood spells, even if he prayed to the goddess Lolth, Mal Blade would not feel at ease.

So she stopped praying. Mal Blade was an extreme pragmatist.

The dark elf found an underground river. She jumped directly into the river, washed her body in the cold water, and came ashore before the oxygen was exhausted. Mal took off the wet clothes and piled them aside, huddled naked in a dark corner. She wasn't worried about a sudden attack. Her charcoal complexion would make her as inconspicuous as the rocks in the Underdark.

At this time, Mal dared to breathe a sigh of relief and waited for his fate while waiting for the water to evaporate.

She still remembered the orc's fate. The man in red robes' power was like a contagious plague, and she had been insulted much more than the orc. Mal hugged her knees and clasped her ten toes on the ground. She fell into fear. From which part of herself would the evil spell burst out? Would she also vomit out the red mist? Mal had done everything she could to save herself, increasing her casting distance, cleaning her body, and hiding herself.

But these were not enough to convince herself that she had survived, and Mal began to pray to the gods, not just Rose, but to any god who could save herself.

This silence lasted for an hour. Mal checked his body and confirmed that there was no discomfort or destructive deformation. Mal Blade realized that he had escaped with a smile of sincere joy on his face.

Then if you survive, you should consider some things next.

After returning to Menzoberranzan, what preparations should she make to regain her position as the second daughter of the Blade family? She had no doubt that her brothers and sisters had not left their own position at all.

Mal recalled the details of the patrol when she was captured by the Mind Flayer, and wondered how many of them were written by other families and how many were written by her own relatives. Her brothers shouldn't have the guts to plan this. They are just the executors, so is it the third brother who is behind the plan, or is it the eldest sister who is jealous of her being favored? Mal believed that Mother Silna would welcome her back, but her ranking in the family would probably have to be reset.

Living as a slave for so many years made Mal understand that her mistress's love for her was limited. Perhaps the ten years of disappearance had made her disappointed in herself.

The dark elf put on the still damp clothes and took out the dagger from his belt to play with. Thinking of the smug smiles on his brothers and sisters' faces because of his disappearance, Mal felt angry and wanted to chop something.

She needs the strength and power to be able to fight against the power of the entire Brad family if push comes to shove. Maybe she could ask for help from the eight ruling families, but when she thought about the slim possibility of a deal being reached, and when she thought about having to face those women who were no less dangerous than Matron Silna, Mal felt a headache.

Malbraid is a special case. She may be the only adult female dark elf noble in the entire dark elf dungeon who has not received the education of a high priest from the Spider Queen. The priests of the Spider Queen have a distinguished position in the entire Dark Elf society, but Matron Silna has not allowed herself to offer her loyalty to the Spider Queen. Ever since Mal showed outstanding fighting talent under the training of the family's martial arts master, Mother Silna asked her to become an excellent warrior as if she was crazy.

Mal Blade is a noble dark elf female aristocrat. Why should she give up her status as a high priest and become a lowly warrior like those men? Mal has never understood this. Fortunately, the mistress has had a special preference for her since then. Even the eldest daughter who has become a high priest must be courteous to Mal. However, this respect was due to Matron Silna. Her dignity and status were the words of the matron. Mal did not like this feeling of being controlled by others.

After thinking about it for a while, Mal Blade felt that he had no clue. Secretly contacting his mother and regaining her favor seemed to be Mal's only answer.

The dark elf put away the dagger and turned his attention back to the mine in front of him.

Mal drew out the dagger again and stared warily at another person who appeared in the mine at some unknown time.

It was a strange humanoid creature. Judging from its slender curves, it was roughly female, and its size was close to that of an adult human. She wore a dark green cloak and a mask covering her entire face. The surface of the mask has no convexity and is clean and smooth, like an ellipsoidal mirror. Wearing light clothing that is convenient for movement, leather gloves, and a white scarf around her neck, this woman wrapped herself tightly so that not a single bit of skin or hair leaked out. There is an ethereal and elegant temperament about her, and she doesn't look like an ordinary person.

Mal Blade had never been aware of her existence. This woman stood less than two meters beside her, leaning against the wall for an unknown length of time. She is not hostile, the dark elf thought.

"Who are you?" Mal asked in the most sinister tone.

The masked woman answered in fluent Dark Elf language. Her voice sounded familiar. It took a few seconds for Mal to realize that the voice sounded like Mal himself.

This is her voice.

"I am your salvation."

This is not her voice. My own voice would not be so arrogant and annoying.

The dark elf issued a vicious threat.

"I'll let you scream, in your original voice."

The masked woman crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her head.

"Do you think you escaped the Crimson Corruption?"

Mal's heart tightened. She had never heard of this term, but her mind accurately represented the tragic situation of the orc being shrouded in red mist.

The masked woman continued.

"That is the destructive power that poisons thousands of creatures on the surface of the earth. The power of crimson lurks in your body. Sooner or later, you will become one of them and become a bleeding zombie, or simply flesh."

Mal looked at the woman expectantly, forgetting to take back the dagger in her hand.

"You have a way to save me?"

"Of course, but I need a period of time to lift the curse. During this period, you must follow me and help me do something."

The dark elf agreed, and she couldn't find any better option now. The masked woman's determined tone and extraordinary momentum made the dark elves who were facing a disaster have no choice but to believe her.

"I accept your deal, this..."

The masked woman calmly came to the dark elf, letting the smooth mask look closely at Mal's face. The dark elf was right, that mask was a mirror. Mal's face met her own in the mirror.

I don't know why, but the face on the mask raised the corners of his mouth to reveal a proud smile. Why do I look so happy? Is it because I am saved?

The familiar voice appeared in Mal Blade's ears again.

"Laila."

"That's what they call me."