After a night's rest in Sebasto, the yacht headed upstream along the Tirne River. The bustling city is left behind, and the riverbank becomes colorful.
At first, there were large areas of farmland and towns, but after a day's sailing along the river, you can already see large areas of wilderness. Outside the important ferries and trading posts, only occasional cargo ships were encountered.
The air echoed with a long sound of wind that sounded like a horn, roaring from the distant mountains, making the empty land even more monotonous. I don’t know whether it’s the local vegetation that is born like this or the weather. The river and scenery outside the boat are also cast in a gray tone in summer, as if they have been energized by something, as old as the ruins that the group is about to visit.
The atmosphere of the lively travel group also became weird due to the environment. Galadia had a faint uneasiness hidden on her face, and she performed futile divination from time to time. Sonia was in high spirits, flipping through books to figure out where the strangely gloomy look of the nearby vegetation came from.
The five finally arrived at Tulan Fort. The commander here had already received the notice and sent a lieutenant to greet him.
"I am Leon Narus, Lieutenant of the Border Guards, and I have been ordered to come here to serve you." The lieutenant saluted politely. "Ms. Tidwig is at the Elf Fortress in the southeast of the castle near the swamp. I will escort you there. Guides and hired workers We are ready, but they cannot set foot in the elves' territory, and will later be sent to the ruins via the road in Qiming County to meet up with them."
The group followed Lieutenant Lyon through and headed towards the east gate. The size of this fortress is extremely grand. With a solid main fortress as the core and surrounded by auxiliary fortresses, mines, blacksmith shops, farms and markets, it has become a prosperous town.
A large number of civilians were doing their own thing in non-core areas, and from time to time there were people dressed as adventurers and mercenaries running around in a hurry. Carrying miscellaneous equipment and weapons, they always jumped down when they walked down the stairs. When they gathered around military officers and civil affairs officers to accept tasks, they would jump impatiently, as if they had inexhaustible energy and eternal energy. Unquenchable passion.
Lieutenant Lyon noticed everyone's gaze and explained with a smile:
"These adventurers travel between the swamps and Turan Castle. This castle was originally just a fortress by the river. As the situation stabilizes, the kingdom is also preparing to develop the resources here to reduce the pressure on logistics. Duke Meyer's fortress It's just north of the west bank, 70 miles away from us.
"In the past few years, we have established a market, reclaimed nearby swamps, and found a mine. Funds and food have improved a lot, but manpower has begun to be lacking.
"Fortunately, the caravans coming here have brought many immigrants and adventurers. They are now responsible for clearing out the mutated spiders in the mining area and the wild boars that steal pumpkins."
Just as he was talking, two adventurers walked past carrying a bag of spider legs and shouted to a sergeant:
"What's wrong with these legs!? What? Do you want a black-legged giant spider instead of a mutated long-legged spider? Is there any difference between the two?"
…
The carriage was already waiting for them outside Tulan Fort. Except for necessary luggage, most of the adventure equipment is purchased locally and does not require the group to carry it themselves.
Before heading to the ruins, everyone needs to visit the elves’ territory, Tynephes, and obtain their permission for exploration and scientific research. The ruins of Bellomont are being managed and purified by them.
There used to be a dark and damp swamp, and the vicious and ferocious snakes, insects and beasts were the masters there. In more ancient times, trolls also established water city-states and altars there, using all the creatures they could capture to sacrifice to their gods.
The scene of the swamp is not much different from that of ancient times. Although the area has shrunk a bit, it still extends towards the vast plains in the northeast until mountains and dense forests block them, or rivers lead them into the sea.
Tulamborg and Tynephes are connected by a flat road. Here the swamp was leveled, paved with stone bricks, and an avenue was built that could accommodate six carriages in parallel. From Tynephes to the north, even further to the north is Canaan, the kingdom of elves.
Not long after starting from Turan Castle, you can see a pure white tower. It is the outpost of the elves, standing beside the avenue. A crystal like a morning star is placed on the top of the tower, radiating towards the road below and the swamp in the distance. Soft waves.
A steady stream of goods flows here, but the end point of most caravans and humans will stop here.
The patrolling Elf guard stopped the carriage politely. They seemed to be well prepared and let the group of people go after a brief identity check.
"They are all extraordinary," Lana whispered.
Mainly spellcasters and rangers, as well as some demon hunters and assassins, even the most common elf sentries are sequence 9. Their vigilance seems to be lax, and they are wandering around casually, but the aura and spiritual energy fluctuations of the extraordinary people are looming, and they will be watched immediately if anything is abnormal.
After the outpost, you can see the tall red city wall and the blue lake. The rippling blue lake surface is pure and sacred. The gloomy scenery that had been shrouded along the river bank suddenly disappeared. Unseasonable but extremely beautiful and lush golden-red maple forest sandwiched the road and the lake bank, making everyone feel excited.
There is the elven colony - Ty Nephes.
The streets made of white stones are spotless, maple leaves fall in the wind on the green grass, and clear streams flow along the roads.
Unmanned magic brooms clean the ground relentlessly, and beautiful elves dressed in gorgeous soft silks rest lazily on the grass and benches. When they are thirsty or hungry, they stand up and go to an unknown fruit tree nearby and tap the bark lightly. The branches will immediately drop sweet and plump fruits.
There are six huge pure red or pure white crystals scattered in the castle, floating in the golden rings, releasing comfortable fluctuations. The lamps in the treetops light without kerosene or candles and adjust to the angle of the sun.
It's a completely different world here.
Sonia and Fiona, who came to the elf territory for the first time, were attracted by the magnificent scenery. Even Rana lost the ability to speak.
The creatures here are quiet and elegant, and not a trace of the pain, terror, and sadness that is everywhere in the world appears on their faces. They smile at the passing guests, with kindness and self-respect, and declare with every gesture - I am a big shot, I am the master of this world.
As a forward fortress, Tynephes is headed by the Ranger Director. There were only a few solemn-looking guards outside her residence, but they all wore fine armor that could only be possessed by human generals. The silver plate armor and leggings are inlaid with bright gems, and the bursts of dazzling light make people imagine how powerful the offensive and defensive gains it can provide in battle.
However, the maids inside the palace were not elves, but two beautiful human women. They made a pleasing curtsy, led everyone to the inner room, and then withdrew and closed the door.
An exceptionally beautiful woman was reclining on a gorgeous couch. She has a graceful figure, with long golden hair hanging down around her waist, and her thin dress reveals her long, white and tight legs, which actually reminded Griffith of the picture album he bought a long time ago.
You still said no... The trainee knight turned his head and looked at Galadia, and found that she did have some similarities in appearance to the beautiful blond elf on the couch.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of God's Familiar," the elf on the couch gracefully stood up and walked over, "I am High-Level Ranger Director Tidwexi, Galadia's cousin."
"Your Excellency, Legendary Ranger, please allow us to facilitate passage." It was Sonia who made the application. It's up to her to say that. As a member of her own race, Galadia can go wherever she wants.
"Why don't you go directly through human territory?" Miss Legend Ranger asked gently.
"We hear that a terrible plague is spreading there," Sonia answered, "and that there are blood-sucking worms in the swamps and streams that are dangerous to health."
A smile flashed across Tidwigi's face: "Didn't your Knight Roland clean it up?"
"..."
All the humans present were shocked, even Galadia looked confused.
Knight Roland? Is that brave man who has been unknown for many years nearby? Griffith exclaimed in his mind.
"It seems you really don't know, pathetic Byerland newspaper," Tidwigi lightly traced her slender fingers on the armrest, looking a little bored and bored, "The Word Bearers and extraordinary wizards are here. Several times, large-scale purification and attack spells were used together, but they had no effect except leaving a few big holes.
"A few years ago, when you human scholars came here to explore the ruins, every one of them lamented the horror of the swamp and the danger of disease. They wrote two articles and published them in newspapers and journals and then never came back again.
"Aren't it your countrymen who live near the swamps? They have been killed by thousands over the years by the little vermin, and Bjelan is not far away, but it doesn't matter.
"Now that Roland has finally eliminated these little pests, Bayerland's newspaper didn't even mention it. Are you still having nightmares about blood-sucking little pests?"
Sonia's face turned red and white, and she didn't know how to answer.
"We really don't know."
"Yes, the ladies and knights in the living room and ball don't know anything. You live in Byerland's mansion and Homemon Watts, and the living things outside are just ants." Tidwig smiled and looked at it. With everyone.
Griffith listened without speaking. He noticed that the biggest difference between the two elves was that the ranger director's hair color was as bright as the morning sun, while Galadia's eyebrows were softer, more delicate and tranquil than autumn water, and did not have the unattainable arrogance of the legendary ranger. and momentum.
Tidwige satirized everyone so much that no one dared to contradict her. Finally, her eyes fell on Griffith.
Her beautiful eyes bloomed with a captivating aura, as if they were going to penetrate Griffith's body and burn his heart.
"Very average~" Tidwigi commented, looking lazily at her cousin, "My qualifications are average, and he has a lot of bad ideas. He is not a simple young man."
"Tsk, aren't you just repeating what the elders said about Roland back then?" Galadia said unceremoniously, "At least he wasn't chased by a little monster in the ruins like you. When encountering a slightly more powerful Black Knight, he was pinned to the ground and had to rely on roaring to help."
Sonia and everyone were stunned, and Rana hurriedly put down the cookies he had just picked up.
"In a few years, he will grow a beer belly, and some of his fresh looks will become old and vulgar." Tidwig shook her head. "By that time, he will even be tired of you first. Just find some free-spirited little girl to spend the night in your smelly manor."
"Yeah, an old woman's complaint," Galadia rolled her eyes slightly, "Griffith is my classmate and friend, not the kind of boyfriend you seek in the name of adventure with impure motives."
Sonia's face turned red. She never expected to hear such a thing, and she almost wanted to hide her head in the pillows of the sofa.
Fiona's eyes shone, and her ears pricked up, wishing the two elves would say more.
"So, please go back, quasi-knight," Didwig ignored Galadia's protest and raised her hand to ring the bell. Immediately, two tall elf guards came in, "Put this in Throw out the little bastard who played tricks on my sister in my dream."
What? I didn't, it doesn't matter, why are you slandering others! And why does it count in dreams! ? Griffith immediately jumped up and opened his mouth not knowing where to start his rebuttal.
"Hey!" Galadia, who had not yet sat down, knocked on the table heavily, "That's enough for you! My dad said that I should entertain my friends well."
"Isn't this just what I want to entertain? For a man, growth and experience are the best entertainments." Tidwige's smile suddenly became as bright as a blooming flower. "You guys came in such a hurry, even the last The basic homework has not been done well. The dirty work in this area is done by the nearby Qiming County.
"Send the would-be knight to explore the road, soldiers, and throw him out."
The guards grabbed the unprepared Griffith and nearly broke his arm.
Galadia was completely angry and reached for the dagger at her waist.
Suddenly, no one present could see clearly what happened. Galadia was already held in her arms by the beautiful Tidwexi, and her fingers were on her lips.
Galadia's eyes were full of horror. She struggled to break away from her cousin's embrace, but she couldn't break free at all. A strange numbing feeling came from the lips that were tapped by her fingers, making her face turn red immediately.
The guards seemed to have been doing this for a long time. They grabbed Griffith and quickly walked through the corridors of the palace and stuffed him into the basket of the trebuchet on the city wall.
"I'll launch when I count to three," a guard said to Griffith with a serious face. "Remember, landing is not painful, the process of falling is scary."
what? What? !
"I'll fire on the count of three," another guard shouted. "Are you ready?"
Hey hey hey hey! Are you kidding me? I have to be smashed into a pulp! Griffith struggled, but two more guards came to hold him down.
Suddenly, the guards retracted their hands and shouted:
"3!"
"Bang!"
With a loud noise, Griffith flew over the gardens and city walls of Ty Nephes, roaring towards the vast swamp.
"ah--!"
Griffith's screams were heard throughout Tynyphis. He leaped over the wall, causing a sudden ripple of magic. Immediately afterwards, he changed the direction of flight and flew towards the swamp to the east.
It’s over, it’s over! Griffith was horrified and began to pray to all the gods to fall into the lake. But he couldn't see the ground that was approaching rapidly at all, and there was no difference between hitting the lake like this and hitting it on land.
Suddenly, he began to slow down. Ripples of magic began to appear around him, slowing down the terrifying fall.
"thump!"
The apprentice knight fell into the water.
Help! I'm going to drown in the swamp! Griffith, who was wearing heavy armor, couldn't float at all and sank heavily to the bottom of the water.
"Guluuluulu..."
At this moment, a strong hand grabbed his arm, lifted him out of the water and threw him to the ground.
An imposing middle-aged man wearing thick iron armor and riding boots looked at the soaked knight-to-be with interest. There was a strange kindness and excitement in his eyes, and he said: "^&%*#@$"
What? Griffith felt that he could vaguely hear each syllable, but could not decipher the meaning. The stranger's words sounded like the rustling of wind and rolling stones.
Seeing Griffith's unresponsiveness, the stranger's face looked a little disappointed, but it was quickly replaced by determination, and even a hint of amusement. He said:
"Good afternoon, quasi-knight Griffith Brandon, it seems you can't open up the elf reputation~"
