Chapter 357: Chance Encounter

Since they had no intention of getting involved in this unexpected incident, the group moved quickly.

After making a brief “purchase” on the commercial street, they attempted to leave the city—only to run headfirst into a group of spider hunters coming to rescue, resulting in a “minor clash.”

Nothing special—just a routine extortion attempt that hit a wall of iron.

The path out of the city was no easier; some trackers stopped, while others took desperate risks and launched direct attacks on the “fat lamb from the surface.”

“Clearly, even in wartime, their city hasn’t stopped them from grabbing every advantage.”

“Congratulations, you’ve met a native dark elf,” Victoria sighed. Some things she couldn’t even bring herself to say—this was already a “friendly, neutral” dark elf city.

This had little to do with factions; it was a matter of racial subconsciousness and self-perception, like clothes getting wet when it rains.

According to dark elf logic, any person, wealth, or treasure that falls into the underground world is fair game. A surface lamb foolish enough to walk into their city without protection—who else would they rob if not you?

Loot stripped clean, people turned into slaves or feed—this has been done for millennia. Why stop now?

For weaker outsiders, even the nobility wouldn’t be stirred; they’d simply vanish without a sound.

“When you went to Mordosdilka, if you hadn’t had the title of ambassador, and if Huicheng hadn’t been so close to Mordosdilka, the same thing would’ve happened,” Arachne said, flicking her newly acquired steel sword, slick with the blood of her own kind—yet her pupils gleamed with delight.

Of course, if you’re strong enough to clear the entire city, they’ll be remarkably “friendly and hospitable.”

As a “Knight Mentor,” Li En had been considering the dark elf’s advancement path—but now, no need to overthink it. Just become a Judging Paladin; he might even become an extreme faction, Vengeful Paladin among them.

“It can’t be that bad,” Li En thought, recalling his earlier encounters. Surely the dark elves weren’t this vile.

Times have changed. There are now many neutral-aligned dark elves. Must a dark elf theocracy, clustered together, inevitably devour people?

“Absolutely.”

“It will happen.”

Both dark elf companions made the exact same judgment.

They’d long known the journey here would be unpleasant—they hadn’t even warned Li En, because they wanted him to witness firsthand what dark elves truly were.

They hoped he wouldn’t be misled by Huicheng’s few “tail-tucked friendly factions.”

“Dark elves are inherently bullies who fear the strong. If you’re above them, they’ll be extremely friendly—that’s their so-called neutrality. In the old days, even if you were stronger, they’d still snarl and assassinate. Now, they’re just slightly more restrained.”

“To dark elves, outsiders are food delivered to their door. If they can swallow mercenaries or scattered warriors, they’ll eat them first and offer part as tribute.”

“If they can’t handle them, they’ll let known mercenary groups or minor nobles know, organize a hunt, take the kill, and give the leftovers as a share.”

“If small groups can’t manage it, the outsider becomes famous in the city—then noble families send invitations: gladiatorial challenge, recruitment offer, or marriage proposal. Either way, they’re fully consumed.”

Many noble matrons have “foreign consorts,” all acquired this way.

This is a true spider’s nest. Step inside, and even if you escape without your bones sucked dry, you’ll shed a layer of skin.

“...Thank you.”

Li En thanked the two dark elves for their “advice.” A thousand words are worth less than one firsthand experience.

The Mirror Maiden’s situation might be slightly better—but clearly, only slightly.

The fragments gathered from the attackers confirmed much the same.