PS. Many readers have given me suggestions, and I take them very seriously. I am someone who reads the book review section, and I read each chapter comment and review one by one. Everyone is welcome to speak up.
PS2. Many people asked why the protagonist doesn't engage with the Dark Elf. I think I have made it clear, he has only ever wanted a maid who can work, at least for now he has no intentions.
Human festivals are not the same as Elf festivals. The new year festival for Elves is in mid-January, so there are still a few days until their festival. High Elves are not a populous race, so when Laine appeared in Iphita, he found that this area contrasting sharply with the festive and bustling human atmosphere outside, seemed very quiet.
The High Elves once had an incredibly glorious history. Thousands of years ago, Elves were the ruling race of the entire Continent, but for various reasons, they eventually collectively withdrew to their homeland Ossuan (also known as Xiankong Island by many humans).
It was due to this withdrawal that a split occurred. Some Elves who were unwilling to retreat to Ossuan chose to stay in the forests on the Continent, becoming Wood Elves, who call themselves Eslelin. Those who retreated called themselves High Elves, or Asur.
As for how the Asur split into the Duruzi (that is, the Dark Elf), there are many theories among humans. The generally accepted High Elf theory is that the son of the First Phoenix King, Malekith, attempted to usurp the Phoenix King's position through disgraceful means. He murdered the then Phoenix King, and the Phoenix Lord Asuyan, with keen insight, delivered justice to the treacherous Malekith (the judgment of the gods). When Malekith ascended to become the Phoenix King, he was burned by Asuyan's Holy Fire, gravely injured, and fled with his followers, who became the Dark Elf.
High Elves once became extremely isolated, only maintaining the lowest level of interaction with the Human Empire. It took the High Elves five hundred years after the establishment of the Knight Kingdom of Brittania to realize that besides the Empire, there were other human kingdoms in the Old World?
After going through hopeless wars with the Dark Elf for several thousand years, the population and economy of the High Elves fell into severe decline. The once proud High Elves were forced to proactively seek contact with the outside world. The current Phoenix King, "Sailing King" Finuba, visited the Wood Elves, Brittania, and the Human Empire before taking the throne, seeking opportunities to establish diplomatic relations.
Opportunity came quickly. One hundred and fifty years ago, when the Imperial Capital of the Human Empire was breached by the Chaos Army, Savior Ludwig led the remnants of the human army to rise in resistance. He first wrote to the then Dwarf Supreme King, asking if the sacred alliance made by the former Charlemagne and the Dwarves was still valid? In this Empire's moment of impending doom, would the Dwarves be willing to lend a hand?
The Dwarves did not disappoint Ludwig. The Dwarf Supreme King personally led the army to join forces with the Imperial Army.
Under the personal order of the Lake Fairy, the Knight King of Brittania led the grand army of the dukes and the Holy Grail Knight Order to meet up with Ludwig.
Then, Ludwig was unexpectedly joined by a force led by the High Elf Great Mage Tygris, who brought a squad of Hos Sword Saints and a group of High Elf Wizard Corps to join Ludwig's team.
Thus, after the Great Holy War ended, the High Elves and the Human Empire re-established diplomatic relations and signed a trade agreement. Humans and High Elves have since engaged in trade and maintained it to this day. Latest content published on novel★fire.net
Laine came to Iphita today looking for Estelle, a Half-Elf with strong Dark Vision and archery skills, which are necessary for exploring mines. When he thinks carefully, there aren't many reliable long-range options he can find, and looking for a Caster would easily result in high costs. Estelle is a more reliable choice.
The architecture of Iphita inherits the High Elves' characteristics, which are smooth cylindrical and conical styles. Towering spires soar into the clouds, and buildings alternating in gold, white, and blue are arranged in Iphita. Except for the High Elf soldiers guarding the gate, Laine mostly saw Half-Elves or humans there to do business. The actual number of High Elves was very small.
When he reached the gate of Iphita, the High Elf guard extended his long halberd, blocking his way, and then spoke in oddly pronounced High Gothic Language: "Human, state your identity and your purpose, or show your identification!"
The High Elf in front of him wore a Sharp-Top Feathered Helmet, with a highly ornate customized High Elf armor adorned with colorful patterns. Beneath it was an armor skirt with iron scales. The entire set of armor was extremely luxurious, and the Sharp-Top Feathered Helmet added to the nobility.
He held a High Elf long halberd engraved with red runes, with a large bow strapped to his back,
Laine thought for a moment and spoke in Elf Language: "I am the Marinburg Guardian Laine Macado. I am here looking for someone."
"Wait, what did you say?" The Elf guard was initially in disbelief, then full of confusion, he spoke to the guard beside him in Elf Language: "What did this Human just say?"
"He... seems to have spoken Elf Language? It was quite accurate?" the guard beside him said uncertainly.
"Hey, Human, what did you just say? Can you repeat it?" So the High Elf Guard asked Laine to repeat himself.