"I say... I am Laine Macado, the Guardian of Marinburg, and I'm here to find someone." Laine calmly repeated in Elven language once more, though black lines already appeared on his forehead.
Even though he was mentally prepared, the arrogance ingrained in the high elves still made him very displeased, extremely displeased.
It's just that the high elves have the capacity for arrogance; every adult high elf is at least an Elite Initial Tier powerhouse. The high elf guard in front of him is at least an Elite High-Tier, and is adept with both spear and bow. Besides being skilled in multiple techniques, every high elf knows at least one or two minor spells, and their innate magical affinity makes many of them part-time casters.
Elves are the children of the heavens, able to do this and that, especially the high elves. Their talent and longevity make humans extremely envious; they are the natural-born high-status individuals of this world.
"Oh my! Everyone, come and see, this human can speak Elven language!" a high elf guard shouted loudly, gathering almost all the high elf guards' attention: "Come on, human, say a few more words! Say more, let us witness it again!"
"Yes, yes! Let us witness it again!"
"To speak Elven so fluently, it's truly rare!"
The high elf guards surrounded him, as if he were an exhibit.
Laine then extended his hand, pale blue spiritual flames emanating with a formidable aura from his palm, as the Genetic Primarch restrained the urge to draw his sword and continued with black lines on his forehead: "Gentlemen? I'm here to find someone."
The high elves only then sensed Laine's strength, so the guarding elf also responded in Elven language: "Laine Macado? Aren't you that..."
Halfway through the sentence, a group of high elves emerged from within, led by the High Elf Envoy to the Human Empire, Tymag-Den-Kaben. He glanced at Laine curiously and quickly recognized him, as the envoy, being an Upper House member, had met Laine before.
"Isn't this Laine? May I ask what brings you to Iphita?" Tymag, dressed in an elegant high elf silk robe, spoke a string of Elven language as he approached.
Laine had no choice but to repeat his intention once more.
"This is simple!" Tymag took a piece of parchment from his attendant, then signed his name on it, stamped it with a Ring Seal, and tossed it into Laine's hand: "From now on, there's no need for such hassle; here's a pass. With it, you can visit and shop in Iphita anytime, but I hope you only use the Elven language in the elf territory."
"Alright then, I'll go in to find the person, Lord Tymag, farewell." Laine accepted the parchment, gave a courteous gesture, and proceeded towards the interior of Iphita.
"Go on, go on, enjoy yourself!" The high elf envoy waved his hand and walked out with his attendants.
After just a few steps, Tymag's attendant said to the high elf envoy: "You gave the pass to that human so easily? Lord Tymag?"
"It's quite an impressive monkey." Tymag's tone was filled with a nonchalant air: "Moreover, it actually knows how to speak human language, so let's afford it some respect. It's just a pass, nothing significant."
"Indeed, it's no big deal." The attendant nodded in understanding.
"The pressing matter now is to arrange a ship to send Prince Yelian back to Ossuan quickly. We have already suffered a devastating defeat; we cannot endure another!"
Laine quickly found Estelle, from his expression, it was clear this half-elf hadn't been faring well lately. Latest content published on novęlfire.net
The conditions where he lived were average, and upon seeing Laine, the half-elf smiled wryly and said: "What brings a famous human hero to see a half-elf like me? Do you have some business?"
"Yes, I have something to discuss with you, but it's not suitable to speak about it here, let's find another place to talk."
"Alright!" Estelle had no objections.
So, he and the half-elf left Iphita directly, and the two of them went to the Shield Coin District and found a bar. Laine ordered a glass of rum, and Estelle ordered a glass of orange juice: "What's up, Laine? What's the matter?"
The two sat in the corner of the bar, it was still morning, and there weren't many guests inside. Sitting at a wooden table, Laine first raised his glass: "Never mind anything else, Estelle, Happy Winter Festival."
"Alright then, Happy Winter Festival!" The half-elf reluctantly raised his glass and took a full gulp of orange juice, then muttered: "Though the Winter Festival isn't our holiday."
"Haha~ How have you been recently? You seem unwell." Laine raised the wooden mug to show his concern for his friend.
"Overall, I can only tell you I'm fine, Laine. Can you understand the feeling where your host treats you with utmost courtesy but actually never takes you seriously? That's the situation I encountered." Estelle placed the glass on the wooden table, his face full of perplexity: "Ever since I arrived at Iphita, the high elves confirmed my identity as a half-elf, arranged a place for me, didn't charge me, but I can feel their inherent disdain and arrogance. They just don't care, looking at me like a homeless distant relative's illegitimate child, offering a place to stay, but never considering me one of their own."
Estelle's description was apt. To high elves, wood elves are like unfamiliar distant relatives. And as a half-elf, Estelle was like the illegitimate child of a distant relative. High elves would host him but definitely not take him seriously. Estelle himself is a proud and well-liked half-elf among humans, so under these circumstances, he certainly felt discomfort.
"Regardless, staying in Iphita definitely saves you a lot of money; accommodation in Marinburg isn't cheap." Laine laughed, recalling the Wandering Knight Lops, who had to frequently go out to make money due to the exorbitant housing prices.
"That's why I thought about it and decided to continue living in Iphita. During the Winter Festival, all major guilds and many organizations have ceased operations, and I have no jobs to do. I plan to have a look in a couple of days to see if there are any tasks available." Estelle adjusted his golden long hair and then got to the point: "So, what's your business with me?"
"I have a task here and would like to invite you to form a team." Laine took out the parchment and explained his mission in detail.
"Just you, me, and that Paladin named Alfred? No casters?" Estelle knew this task carried certain risks, and from Laine's plan, there were no casters accompanying, only him and a paladin.
Laine's strength was undoubtedly strong, but having no caster made Estelle a bit hesitant: "So... can you discuss the reward?"
"The reward is one hundred Gold Marks, travel expenses are up to you, a flat rate, no bargaining." Laine offered a generous price. One hundred Gold Marks would take Estelle at least half a year to earn under normal circumstances.
"Is there no one else?" Estelle tried to negotiate further.
"Estelle, we are going inside the mines to check things, not operating outdoors. More isn't necessarily better."
"Hmm..." Thinking of the generous reward of one hundred Gold Marks and that Laine, the Legendary Middle-tier powerhouse, would go along, Estelle finally nodded: "Alright, when do we set out?"
"In a week." Laine knew Estelle would find it hard to refuse. The reward of one hundred Gold Marks was rich enough to tempt him, and he already agreed with Alfred, the reward was also one hundred Gold Marks.
If Estelle had a chance to earn one hundred Gold Marks in more than half a year, then Alfred, as a paladin, might not make that much in one and a half years. Alfred had no reason to refuse.
"That's settled then! See you in a week."