Chapter 14: Elves and Despicable Outlanders
Abyss captured the magic-wielding butterfly effortlessly.
Its magic, although deadly to the chameleon, was harmless to him. He didn’t even bother dodging the burning scales, simply lowering his hand’s temperature with a touch of ice magic, neutralizing the attack. He wasn’t even scratched—a warrior of his caliber wouldn’t be so easily harmed by anything less than divine power.
The animals’ intelligence hadn’t increased. Their use of magic was instinctive, their spells crude and uncontrolled, lacking the precision and complexity of human magic. The chameleon’s spell had simply been a concussive blast of mana, and the butterfly’s scales had been imbued with a burning effect.
Abyss froze the butterfly with ice magic, preserving its life, then stored it in his pocket for later study. A magically frozen insect wouldn’t thaw, making it a safe and convenient specimen.
Without wasting any time, they rode towards the Elven Kingdoms.
A mountain range separated the Ossi Kingdom from the Elven Kingdoms. To reach them, they either had to cross the treacherous mountains, risking encounters with the Elven border patrol, or travel south through Oakning, the territory ceded to the Western Empire, then cross the border into the Elven Kingdoms.
Although the Elven Kingdoms were a loose confederation of city-states and tribes, they were united in their defense of their borders. Humans weren’t well-regarded by the elves, and the Iron Lilies, a group of extremist elf-hating terrorists, posed a constant threat. The elves, in their naivety, had once believed in peaceful coexistence, opening their borders to humans.
This had initially resulted in increased trade, but it had also allowed the Iron Lilies to infiltrate their territory, committing several atrocities. In their most heinous act, they had disguised themselves as merchants, slaughtering an entire village of Wood Elves. Their reasoning was absurd—they believed that elves, as an ancient race, were obsolete, destined to be replaced by humans. They wanted to confine the elves to reservations, claiming their resource-rich lands for themselves.
The Elven Kingdoms occupied a desirable territory, its climate mild and temperate, its resources abundant, its natural harbors ideal for trade. This made them a tempting target for human nations. The powerful Eastern and Western Empires hadn’t attempted to conquer them only because the elves, naturally gifted mages, were formidable opponents. A war against them would be costly. For now, they maintained a facade of peace, engaging in trade. However, this didn’t prevent unscrupulous human merchants from exploiting the elves, who, lacking in cunning, were often cheated.
The elves, having learned their lesson, had tightened their border security and implemented strict immigration policies, carefully scrutinizing all visitors, maintaining detailed records, and banning anyone with a questionable past.
These measures had made it difficult for the Iron Lilies to operate, significantly reducing the number of attacks. And with dishonest merchants banned, the number of scams had also decreased, leading some halflings to believe they were being discriminated against. They had even petitioned the Western Empire’s Emperor for protection, only to be revealed as fraudsters themselves, some even attempting to use pumpkin seeds as currency.
After a day’s journey and a night’s rest, Abyss and his companions finally reached the border.
A thick, sturdy wall, woven from vines, stretched along the border, protecting the Elven Kingdoms. A large wooden gate, covered in runes, marked the official crossing point, flanked by watchtowers and small barracks, manned by elven soldiers.
“Those walls were built by the Druid council,” Maggie explained, sitting on East Wind’s back, her arms wrapped around Flora’s waist. “They’re not just beautiful, but also incredibly strong, capable of withstanding even a mid-level Dou Warrior’s attacks. And if they’re damaged, the Druids will know instantly. They can even extend vines to capture anyone trying to climb over them. No one has ever breached these walls.”
“Can’t they just dig a tunnel underneath?” Leona asked.
“These vines have deep, extensive root systems. Anyone trying to tunnel through will be caught. And being trapped underground is far more dangerous. They could suffocate. Speaking of suffocating, let me tell you about the time I went swimming and got my foot tangled in seaweed. I held my breath for half an hour! I had eaten some grapes before swimming. They were sour, but delicious…”
“Halt!”
As Maggie rambled, they approached the gate. A tall, dark elf woman, a bow in her hand, her gaze sharp, watched them from atop a watchtower.
“We wish to enter. Is that possible?” Abyss asked, his voice polite but firm.
“Humans? And with such a large entourage?” the dark elf asked, her brow furrowed, scrutinizing them. She could see Maggie, but she wasn’t about to lower her guard. “Do you have a permit?”
“No, we don’t.”
“Then you cannot enter! Turn back!”
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