Chapter 357: Accidental Encounter

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

After doing a little "shopping" on the commercial street, they tried to leave the city, only to run head-on into Spider Hunters passing by to offer aid, resulting in a "small conflict."

It was nothing special; just a routine extortion attempt that hit a wall of iron.

The road out of the city was not easy either; some trackers stopped, while others took a desperate gamble and directly attacked the "fat sheep from the surface."

"It's clear that even though their city is in a state of war, it doesn't stop them from profiting."

"Congratulations on seeing the wild Dark Elves," Victoria sighed. There were some things she was too embarrassed to say; this was actually considered a Dark Elf city that was "friendly-leaning-neutral."

In truth, this had little to do with faction alignment; it was a racial subconscious and self-perception, similar to how one would naturally bring in the laundry when it rains.

According to Dark Elf logic, any person, wealth, or treasure falling into the underground world is a resource up for grabs. If a fat sheep from the surface is foolish enough to walk into their city without the power to protect itself, why not rob it?

Stripping wealth clean and turning people into slaves or fodder has been done for thousands of years; why would they stop now?

If the outsiders were not particularly powerful, they wouldn't even alert the city's nobility; they would simply vanish without a sound.

"Back when you went to Morosdilkar, if you hadn't held the title of ambassador, and given that the City of Radiance is quite close to Morosdilkar, the same thing would have happened." Arachne flicked her newly acquired steel sword, covered in the blood of her own kin, yet her eyes held only joy.

Of course, if you are strong enough to clear the entire city, that is a different matter; the Dark Elves would be quite "friendly and hospitable."

As a "Knight Instructor," Li En had originally been considering this Dark Elf's advancement path, but now there was no need to overthink it; go straight for the Inquisitor Paladin. It might even become the extreme faction of Inquisitor Paladins: the Avenging Paladin.

"It's not that bad, is it?" Recalling their previous encounters, Li En felt the Dark Elves couldn't possibly be that bad.

Times have changed; there are now quite a number of neutral-aligned Dark Elves. Must a Dark Elf theocratic society that clusters together inevitably eat people?

"Indeed!"

"It will definitely happen."

The two Dark Elf companions made the exact same judgment.

They had long known the journey here would be unpleasant; they hadn't even warned Li En, expecting him to see firsthand what kind of nature the Dark Elves truly possessed.

They hoped not to be misjudged by the "tail-tucking friendly faction" within the City of Radiance.

"Deep down, Dark Elves bully the weak and fear the strong. As long as you are above them, they will be quite friendly; this is their so-called neutrality. Back then, even if you were stronger than them, they would still bare their teeth and assassinate; now, it has become slightly more peaceful."

"In the Dark Elf philosophy, outsiders are simply food delivered to their doorstep. If those mercenaries and scattered warriors can swallow them, they will eat first and then offer a portion as tribute."

"If they can't swallow them, they will inform some mercenary organizations or minor nobles, who will organize to eat them, and then give the leftovers to the informants."

"If small organizations can't handle it, the outsider will become famous within the city. Then those noble families will issue invitations: either for the arena, to join their ranks, or for marriage. In short, they will completely devour them."

Many matriarchs of various families have "foreign servant fathers," and almost all of them come about this way.

This is a true spider's nest; stepping into it means you will either be bled dry or at least lose a layer of skin.

"... Thank you."

Li En thanked the two Dark Elves for their "advice." After all, a thousand words of explanation are not as good as experiencing it firsthand.

The situation on the Mirror Woman's side would be a bit better, but obviously, that improvement was limited.

And the information pieced together from the attackers also confirmed the same content.