Blood tax

Chapter 201 The Dark Bank and the Brilliant Territory

After a night's rest in Sevasto, the yacht sailed upstream along the Tirne River.The bustling and lively city was left behind, and the river bank became mottled.

At first, there were still large tracts of farmland and towns, and after a day of sailing along the river, you can already see large tracts of wasteland.Outside the important ferries and trading posts, only occasional cargo ships were encountered.

The air echoed with a long wind sound similar to a horn, whistling from the distant mountains, making the empty land even more monotonous.I don't know if the local vegetation is born this way or because of the weather. The river water and scenery outside the ship's side are also covered with gray tones in summer, as if they have been energized by something, and they are as old as the ruins that the group is about to visit.

The atmosphere of the bustling travel group also became weird because of the environment.Galadia's face concealed a faint uneasiness, and she performed futile divinations from time to time.Sonia was in high spirits, flipping through the books trying to figure out where the strangely gloomy look of the nearby vegetation came from.

The five finally arrived in Turanburg.The chief here had already been notified and sent a lieutenant to meet him.

"I'm Lieutenant Leon Narus of the Border Guards, and I'm here to serve you." The lieutenant saluted politely. "Ms. Tidwig is at the elf stronghold near the swamp in the southeast of the castle. I will escort you there. Guides and servants They are ready, but they cannot set foot in the territory of the elves, and will be sent to the ruins to meet up with a few of you later via the Qiming County road."

A group of people followed Lieutenant Lyon through and walked towards the road of the east gate.The size of this fortress is extremely grand, with a strong main castle as the core, surrounded by auxiliary castles, mines, blacksmiths, farms and markets, it seems to have become a prosperous town.

A large number of civilians are doing their own things in the non-core area, and from time to time there are adventurers and people dressed as mercenaries running around in a hurry.Carrying miscellaneous equipment and weapons, they all jumped down when they went down the stairs, and when they gathered around military officers and civilian officials to accept tasks, they would jump impatiently, as if they had inexhaustible vitality and eternity. Unquenchable enthusiasm.

Lieutenant Leon noticed everyone's gaze and explained with a smile:
"These adventurers travel between the swamp and Fort Turan. 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 Just north of the West Bank, 70 miles away from us.

"In the past few years, we have established a market, reclaimed the nearby swampland, and found a mine. Funding and food have improved a lot, but manpower has also begun to lack.

"Fortunately, the caravans that came here brought many immigrants and adventurers. They are now in charge of cleaning up the mutated spiders in the mining area and those wild boars that steal pumpkins."

Just as he was talking, two adventurers walked by with a bag of spider legs on their backs, and shouted at a sergeant:
"Why are these legs wrong!? What? Do you want giant black-legged spiders and not mutated long-legged spiders? Is there any difference between the two?"

……

The carriage was already waiting for them outside Turanburg.Except for the necessary luggage, most of the expedition equipment is purchased locally and does not need to be carried by a group of people.

Before going to the ruins, everyone needs to visit Nephis, the territory of the elves, to obtain their permission for exploration and scientific research.The Belomon Ruins are being managed and purified by them.

There used to be a dark and damp swamp, where vicious and ferocious snakes, insects and beasts were the masters.In more ancient times, the trolls also built water city-states and altars there, offering sacrifices to their gods with all living creatures they could capture.

The scene of that swamp is not that different from the ancient times. Although the area has shrunk a bit, it still extends towards the vast plain in the northeast, until the mountains and dense forest block it, or the river leads them into the sea.

Turanburg and Ti Nefes are connected by a flat road.The swamp was leveled here, paved with stone bricks, and built into an avenue that could accommodate six carriages in parallel.From Ti Nefes to the north, in the farther north is the kingdom of elves "Canaan".

Not long after setting off from Turanburg, you can see a pure white tower, which is the outpost of the elves, standing beside the avenue, and the morning star-like crystal is placed on the top of the tower, radiating towards the road below and the marsh in the distance Gentle undulations.

A steady stream of goods come and go here, but most caravans and humans end up here.

The patrolling elf guards politely stopped the carriage.They seemed to have been prepared for a long time, and after a simple check of the identities of the group, they let them go.

"They are all Extraordinary." Lana whispered.

Mainly spellcasters and rangers, there are also some demon hunters and assassins, even the most common elf sentinels are Sequence 9.Their vigilance seemed to be lax, and they wandered around carelessly, but the aura and spiritual energy fluctuations of the Extraordinary were looming, and if there was any abnormality, they would immediately be watched.

After the outpost, you can see the tall red city wall and the blue lake.The rippling lake is pure and sacred.The gloomy scenery that had been covering the river bank before suddenly disappeared, and the out-of-season but extremely beautiful and lush golden-red maple forest clamped the road and the lakeshore, making everyone happy.

There lies the colony of the elves - Nephis.

The streets made of white stones are spotless, maple leaves fall on the green grass with the wind, and clear streams flow along the roads.

The unmanned magic broom sweeps the ground relentlessly, and the elves with beautiful faces are dressed in gorgeous and soft silk, resting lazily on the grass and benches.When they were thirsty or hungry, they stood up and went to the unknown fruit trees beside them and tapped the bark lightly.The branches will immediately drop sweet and plump fruits.

Six huge pure red or pure white crystals are scattered in the castle, floating in the air in a golden ring, releasing comfortable fluctuations.Lamps in the treetops can be lit without kerosene or candles and adjust to the angle of the sun.

It's a whole other world here.

Sonia and Fiona, who came to the elf territory for the first time, were attracted by the magnificent spectacle.Even Lana lost the ability to speak.

The creatures here are quiet and elegant, and none of the ubiquitous pain, terror, and sorrow in the world appears on their faces.They smiled at the passing guests, with kindness and self-esteem, declaring with every gesture - I am a big man, I am the master of this world.

As a frontier fortress, Nephis is headed by the ranger director.There are only a few solemn guards outside her residence, but they all wear fine armor that only human generals can have.The silver plate armor and leggings are inlaid with bright gemstones, and the bursts of dazzling light make it easy to imagine how powerful the offensive and defensive buffs it can provide in battle.

However, the maids inside the palace are not elves, but two beautiful human women.After a pleasing curtsy, they led everyone into the inner room, and then stepped back and closed the door.

An exceptionally beautiful woman reclined on the gorgeous couch.Her figure was graceful, her long golden hair hung down her waist, and her thin dress revealed her long white and tight legs, which reminded Griffith of the picture book she bought a long time ago.

You still say no... The apprentice knight turned his head to look at Galadia, and found that she was indeed somewhat similar in appearance to the beautiful blonde elf on the couch.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of God's Families," the elf on the couch gracefully got up and walked, "I am Tidwig, the high-level ranger director, and Galadia's cousin."

"Your Excellency Legendary Ranger, please allow us to pass through." It was Sonia who made the application.This is what she said.As a native, Galadia can go wherever she wants.

"Why don't you go directly through the human territory?" Miss Legendary Ranger asked gently.

"We have heard that there is a terrible plague spreading there," replied Sonia, "and that there are blood-sucking worms that are unhealthy in the swamps and streams."

A smile flashed across Tidwig's face: "Didn't your Roland knight clean up there?"

"..."

All the humans present were shocked, and even Galadia was puzzled.

Roland knight?Is that brave man who has been unknown for many years near here?Griffith exclaimed inwardly.

"It seems that you really don't know, sad Byelan newspaper," Tidwig lightly stroked the armrest with his slender fingers, looking a little bored and bored, "Word bearers and extraordinary wizards are here A few times, the large-scale purification and attack spells were used together, but it had no effect except to leave a few big pits.

"A few years ago, when your human scholars came here to explore the ruins, there was no one who didn't lament the horror of the swamp and the danger of diseases, wrote two articles and published them in newspapers and periodicals, and never came again.

"Isn't it your fellow countrymen who live near the swamp? They have been killed by thousands of people over the years by small vermin, and Bayeran is not far away, but they are indifferent.

"Now, Roland has finally wiped out these little pests, and the newspapers in Byerland didn't even mention them. Are you still having nightmares about blood-sucking bugs?"

Sonia's face turned red and white, and she didn't know how to answer.

"We really don't know."

"That's right, the ladies and knights in the living room and at the ball don't know anything. You live in Byerland's mansion and in Homonwarts, and the creatures outside of that are just ants." Tidwig looked at it with a smile with everyone.

Griffith listened without saying a word.He noticed that the biggest difference between the two elves was that the ranger director's hair color was golden as bright as the rising sun, while Galadia's eyebrows were softer, a little more delicate and tranquil like autumn water, without the unattainable arrogance of the legendary ranger and momentum.

Tidwigxi satirized everyone, and no one dared to refute her.Finally, her eyes fell on Griffith.

Her beautiful eyes bloomed with a breathtaking aura, as if trying to penetrate Griffith's body and burn his heart.

"Very average~" Tidwigxi commented, looking lazily at his cousin, "Aptitude is average, and there are many bad brains, not a simple young man."

"Tsk, aren't you just repeating what the elders said about Roland?" Galadia said bluntly, "At least he wasn't chased by little monsters in the ruins like you, If you encounter a slightly stronger black knight, you will be pushed to the ground and you can only rely on roaring to help."

Sonia and everyone were stunned, and Lana hurriedly put down the biscuit she had just picked up.

"In a few years, he will grow a beer belly, which makes you feel that some fresh looks will also become old and vulgar." Tidwig shook his head, "At that time, he will even get tired of you first, Just find some sleazy little bitch to spend the night in your stinking manor."

"Tch, the old woman's complaint," Galadia rolled her eyes a little, "Griffith is my classmate and friend, not your kind of boyfriend who is looking for adventure in the name of adventure."

Sonia's face turned red.She never thought that she would hear such a thing, and she almost hid her head in the pillow of the sofa.

Fiona's eyes glowed, and her ears pricked up, wishing the two elves had more to say.

"So, please go back, quasi-knight," Tidwissy ignored Galadia's protest, raised her hand and rang the bell, and two tall elf guards walked in immediately, "put this in the Throw out the little bastard who played tricks on my sister in the dream."

What?I didn't, it's nothing, why are you spitting blood!And why is it counted in the dream! ?Griffith jumped up immediately, with his mouth open, not knowing where to start to refute.

"Hey!" Galadia, who hadn't been seated all this time, knocked heavily on the table, "You're enough! My dad said he would treat my friends well."

"Isn't that what I want to entertain? For a man, growth and experience are the best hospitality." Tidwig's smile suddenly brightened like a blooming flower, "You guys came in such a hurry, even the last The basic homework is not done well. The dirty work in this area is done by the nearby Qiming County.

"Send the prospective knight to find the way, soldiers, and throw him out."

The guards grabbed the unsuspecting Griffith and nearly broke his arm.

Galadia was completely enraged, reaching out to grab the dagger at her waist.

All of a sudden, none of the people present could clearly see what happened. Galadia had already been embraced by the glamorous Tidwig with her slender waist in her arms, and her finger was on her lips.

Galadia's eyes were full of horror, she struggled to get rid of her cousin's embrace, but she couldn't at all.A strange tingling sensation came from her lips that were lightly tapped by her fingers, which made her face turn red instantly.

The guards seemed to have done this a lot, grabbing Griffith quickly across the corridors of the palace, and stuffing him into the hanging basket of the trebuchet on the city wall.

"I'll launch on the count of three," a guard said to Griffith with a serious face. "Remember, landing on the ground is not painful, but the process of falling is terrifying."

what? What? !

"I'll fire on the count of three," another guard called. "Ready?"

Hey hey hey hey!Are you kidding me?I have to be smashed to pieces!Griffith struggled, but two more guards came and held him down.

Suddenly, the guards withdrew their hands and shouted:

"3!"

"Oh!"

With a loud noise, Griffith crossed the garden and city wall of Nephis, and flew towards the vast swamp with a roar.

"what--!"

Griffith's screams were heard throughout Nephis.He leaped over the wall, and there was a sudden ripple of magic.Immediately afterwards, he changed the direction of his flight and flew towards the swampland in the east.

It's over, it's over!Griffith was terrified and began to pray to all the gods to fall into the lake.But he couldn't see the rapidly approaching ground at all, and there was no difference between hitting the lake like this and hitting the land.

Suddenly, he started to slow down.Layers of magical ripples began to appear around him, slowing down the terrifying falling speed.

"thump!"

The apprentice knight fell into the water.

help!I'm drowning in the swamp!Griffith, who was wearing heavy armor, couldn't float up at all, and sank heavily to the bottom of the water.

"Grumbling..."

At this moment, a strong and powerful hand grabbed his arm and lifted him out of the water and threw him on the ground.

An imposing middle-aged man in thick iron armor and riding boots looked at the drenched quasi-knight with great interest.There was a strange kindness and excitement in his eyes, and he said: "^&%*#@$"

What?Griffith felt he could vaguely hear each syllable, but couldn't make out the meaning.The stranger's words sounded like the wind and the rustling of rolling stones.

Seeing that Griffith didn't respond, the stranger's face was a bit disappointed, but it was quickly replaced by firmness, and there was even a hint of playfulness.He said:

"Good afternoon, Griffith Blanton quasi-knight, it seems that you can't open the reputation of elves~"

　There is only one update today, otherwise the chapters and rhythm cannot be arranged.The next few days will be the core main line of the book, and will be updated according to the situation.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)