Chapter 4: Elf Impression

Konnifila City is located in the forest to the east of Savile Town and is a border city where the Empire and the Cormanthor Elves conduct trade; however, due to the restrictions of the Elves, it is difficult for Konnifila City to destroy the forest outside the city to open up large-scale farmland.

Therefore, in the hundred-plus years before the development of Savile Territory, many of Konnifila City's supplies needed to be transported from the rear of the Empire across hundreds of kilometers—not to mention the time and effort, if one encountered a Murloc Tide in the river, or groups of Goblins, Trolls, or wild beasts in the wilderness along the way, that trip would very likely be for nothing.

If not for the occasional support from the Elves, it would be hard to say whether Konnifila City could have been maintained.

Because of this, in the year 744 of the Netheril Calendar, the Great Arcanist Saville chose to come to the vicinity of the Wolfburg River to develop the wilderness, laying the foundation for the current Savile Territory, which has now existed for 90 years.

In these 90 years, Savile Territory, located on the trade route from the Empire's core to Konnifila City, has become the primary collection point for daily living supplies for Konnifila City and has achieved tremendous development as a result.

Today, the East District of Savile Town even retains some buildings from decades ago; the most low-key among them is, of course, the stone-paved road that Xia Duo is stepping on at this moment. In the entire Savile Town, this road in the East District is the only one left that was built during the era of the Great Arcanist Saville.

Other roads have already disappeared during the town's expansion over these years.

As Xia Duo walks, he observes carefully; this stone road, which has been in use for nearly a hundred years, does not look damaged at all. This should be thanks to the magic of Arcane and the constant maintenance by later generations.

The buildings on both sides of the road have been replaced several times in the last hundred years, with only a small portion remaining. Those preserved buildings basically have a distinct Elven style, and perhaps that is the reason they were able to be preserved.

Elven architecture is somewhat similar to the ancient architecture of the country where Xia Duo was before he transmigrated—exquisite, elegant, and gorgeous. In front of the Netherese, who were almost just civilized at the time, how could this not be revered as a Divine Miracle?

The diplomatic relations between the Netherese and the Elves began in the early days of the founding of the nation, and from that time on, the influence of the Elves penetrated into the marrow of the Netherese. The advanced assimilates the backward; Xia Duo has seen too many examples of this on Earth.

If not for the discovery of the Nether Scroll, Xia Duo would even feel that the Netherese would eventually become "Elf-like humans" whose bodies are human but whose spirits are Elven. But are the Elves really that beautiful and kind?

The information Xia Duo had before he transmigrated is not necessarily accurate, but it can at least provide some reference—the distant Crown War that lasted for thousands of years, where several Elf Kingdoms slaughtered each other, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.

Closer to home, 70 years ago, a complete set of Nether Scrolls in the Empire was stolen out of thin air. It is said that no clues have been found to this day. Is it really impossible to find them?

Even just based on the principle of "whoever benefits is the suspect," a little thought reveals that it was very likely the work of the Elves. And what Xia Duo knows based on the information from before he transmigrated is that when the Cormanthor Elves later established the Myth Drannor Mythallar, they referred to the Knowledge parsed from the Nether Scrolls.

Of course, having personally transmigrated to Faerun, Xia Duo cannot be certain if it was truly the work of the Elves, but the Elves are certainly not as pure and kind as all that.

How could a mature civilization have any inherent nature? The country Xia Duo was in before he transmigrated was known as the Empire of Foodies, but there were not necessarily many people who truly knew how to eat or cook. For another example, there is the fact that the "fighting nation" is actually not that valiant.

One can imagine how much truth there is in labels added by people.

Having been in Savile Town for more than half a year, Xia Duo has seen Elves a few times with his own eyes. They do look beautiful and innocent, but Elves often come and go in a hurry, rarely staying long, and there is no time to observe them carefully.

The one that left the deepest impression on Xia Duo was one time when an Elf came to Lao Neil's inn to replenish food—they wanted meat! Elves eating meat! How novel!

However, this was not what left the deepest impression on Xia Duo; after all, Elves being vegetarians was just a preconceived notion he brought from before he transmigrated, and the Netherese probably didn't have such thoughts.

What truly left a deep impression on Xia Duo was that he witnessed the magic of Magic for the first time. It was no longer a street Trick, but a Cleaning Spell that covered the entire inn, and even the clothes on Xia Duo's body were refreshed.

It was just that the Elf's visit only lasted for a moment. Before Xia Duo could observe carefully, the Elf left in a hurry. The whole time, they didn't give anyone a good look, but Lao Neil's face was beaming with joy.

He wished he could host Elves every day, because whenever an Elf made a move, it was never less than a Gold Coin. That time, for just a few pieces of raw meat, the Elf paid 5 Gold Coins. It was probably just a casual grab; they grabbed 5 and gave 5.

And for a Cleaning Spell that covered the entire inn, if one were to ask a Netherese Mage to cast it, not to mention whether the Mages would be willing to cast spells for an inn, even if they were willing, a single casting would cost at least dozens of Gold Coins.

Having money and mastering power—this is the Elf.

……

No matter how long this stone road from the era of the Great Arcanist Saville is, it has an end. Soon, Xia Duo and Xiao Neil arrived at the East Gate of the town, which is similar to the West Gate Xia Duo walked through when he came to Savile Town more than half a year ago.

Both are wooden gates; the only difference is that the East Gate is wider, capable of accommodating three carriages passing through at the same time. The guards at the gate are wearing half-Leather Armor and holding spears, leaning lazily against a wooden pillar.

On the other hand, the Tax Official sitting behind a wooden table nearby opened his eyes wide, staring fixedly at everyone entering and exiting. His eyes were almost glowing, wishing that anyone entering or exiting would meet the tax-paying standard so he could squeeze even a single Copper from them.

Savile Town originally had stone city walls, but later, with the development of the town, they were removed. Now, it is just a circle of wooden fences surrounding the entire town area. This is, of course, not out of disregard for safety.

Rather, the entire Savile Town is within the spell coverage of the Mage Tower. Even the stupidest Goblin would not choose to attack the town area. As for those wooden fences, they are of course not that simple; it is said that the Mages attached surveillance Magic to them, and as long as someone climbs over or destroys them, it will emit a shrill alarm.

Those caught may be sentenced to be a Slave at worst.

Xia Duo naturally would not want to climb over the fence, but while passing by, he still couldn't help but think: if one were to fly over or pole-vault over without touching the fence, would it trigger the alarm?

This question might never have a chance to be verified.

If one is not a Mage, one dares not verify it; if one becomes a Mage, one can simply ask someone who knows, or perhaps this is some kind of common sense for Mages!

After passing through the city gate, other than feeling a bit uncomfortable being stared at by the Tax Official, Xia Duo didn't have any other feelings. Leaving the town is just like that.

As soon as they walked out of the town gate, Xiao Neil shouted, "Xia Duo, look, the tents of the Lion and Fire Circus!"

Indeed! It was a group of gold, red, and white tents similar to yurts, with colorful ribbons hanging on the tops of the tents. Almost every tent had two doors opened, with visitors entering from one door and exiting from the other.

It seems to be free?

Xia Duo had never seen a circus on Earth either, but if they don't charge, what are they after?

While Xia Duo was guessing the profit model of the circus, Xiao Neil couldn't hold back anymore and pulled Xia Duo forward. I really don't know where he gets his energy!

After walking closer, Xia Duo discovered that most of these tents were actually selling things, ranging from small items like scissors, needles and thread, Salt, pots, and basins, to large items like tables, chairs, benches, weapons, and Armor.

These circuses also function as general stores!

Then what about the Troll?

Xia Duo couldn't help but want to ask.

"Then what about the Troll?" Xiao Neil had already asked it out loud.