Game of the World Tree

These rumors actually came from merchant caravans that have visited the Desert of Death and it is said that last year, the half-orcs organized a full battalion to wage war against an evil god but suffered a devastating defeat.

The outcome of the battle was that tens of thousands of their troops were annihilated, including the king of the half-orcs, and even the artifact’s they inherited were lost.

In addition, the rumors also stated that the orcs fought a group of elves who were actually the believers the evil god..

However, these elves were well-equipped and abundant in numbers, with an insatiable thirst for blood and unmatched prowess in combat.

Upon hearing these rumors, Firebeard initially dismissed them entirely, after all—

A whole group of elves worshiping an evil god?

What’s more, they’re said to be bloodthirsty and capable of annihilating tens of thousands of troops composed of battle hardened half-orcs?

What a joke!

Even though Firebeard is a longtime resident of the underground, he still knew the inherent nature of elves very well.

Although these pretty long-eared folks have decent strength, each one of them is as weak as a lamb, and they are widely known for their steadfast devotion to the World Tree.

How could these peaceful, nature loving creatures worship an evil god?

Merciful Hela, they rarely even resort to violence against their own enemies, let alone being bloodthirsty in the battlefield!

Moreover…who doesn’t know that the entire elven population is gradually dwindling towards extinction?

As such, how could they form an army capable enough to destroy the tens of thousands of orcs?

In Firebeard’s opinion, the rumors that the orcs suffered a disastrous defeat in the battle are most likely true.

After all, they have endured many such defeats when they fought against the humans repeatedly for thousands of years. And this time around, they probably faced off against the Kingdom of Aries once again.

But to say that they were defeated and their whole army was routed by the elves is simply too exaggerated!

Impossible.

Absolutely Impossible!

Thus, he dismissed such absurd rumors as soon as he heard it, neither caring nor believing it, yet today, when he arrived at Blackrock City and saw those strange elves…he remembered this rumor once more and a trace of doubt began to form within his mind.

These elves…are so similar to the description in that absurd rumor!

Moreover, if Firebeard remembers it correctly, the Deep Rift where Blackrock City is located seems to be located under the Dark Mountains, which is very close to the Elven Forest, and even closer to the battlefield where the rumor claimed the half-orcs were defeated!

By the gods… could it be that the rumors was actually true?

Unknowingly, further doubt began to arose in Firebeard’s heart.

Along the way to the shrine, he carefully observed these elves, comparing them with the long-eared ones etched within his memory.

But with each comparison, a growing sense of unease began to enveloped him, prompting Firebeard to heightened his vigilance.

He had to be cautious.

For the Alliance of Hermetic City-States, any issue involving an evil god is very sensitive one, as they are always on guard against the corruption of these fallen deities…

Firebeard’s heart raced as he pondered of the potential threat posed by these weird looking elves. The possibility of their connection to an evil god lingered within his mind, casting a shadow of unease over his thoughts.

However, as he watched these elves freely moving about Blackrock City, and even saw the surrounding dwarves showing extra enthusiasm as if they were entirely accustomed to the presence of these elves, Firebeard felt that things might not have been as simple as he had thought.

And as he pondered upon such matters, the delegation finally arrived in front of the Shrine of Death in the center of Blackrock City.

All the high-ranking personnel of Blackrock City had long been awaiting them in front of the shrine, and Firebeard also saw from afar the high priestess of the Church of Death—Lady Enno.

He set aside his thoughts, put on a smile and greeted the Blackrock city officials as each members of their delegation presented their gifts.

“It’s been so many years, Lady Enno, you are still as beautiful as ever… may Death forever protect you.”

“Indeed it’s been many years, Lord Firebeard, may Death forever protect you.”

The dwarven high priestess returned the greeting.

After that, she showed a friendly smile and said, “I have received an oracle and knew of the purpose of your visit. You all have traveled a long way. We have arranged your accommodation at the tavern, so please rest for a while, have lunch at the moment, and then we can proceed with further discussions later on.”

After hearing her words, Firebeard’s stomach rumbled with hunger.

Their delegation had been rushing here in such a hurry, and they hadn’t rested properly or eaten well for several days.

After expressing gratitude to Lady Enno, the delegation was led by some dwarven guards to stay at a newly built tavern on the opposite the shrine, named “Amway.”

The exterior of the tavern was quite unremarkable, but the interior decoration was surprisingly really exquisite and elegant.

Several Dark-Dwarves dressed in refined maid and butler outfits moved back and forth in the tavern, and there were even dwarven minstrels playing relaxing and melodious music on the side.

From the looks of it, this place stood in stark contrast to the usual rugged taverns typically found underground, and quite frankly, it resembled more an inn that solely catered to nobles from the surface world, much to the delegation’s surprise.

And after freshening up and sitting at the dining table, the dishes prepared by the tavern personnel were even more eye-opening even for the members of the delegation.

Each of them has a high-standing background and is quite accustomed to luxury. Nonetheless, unlike the usual food found in the underground, they were treated to fragrant white bread exuding a robust aroma of wheat, delectable and zesty grilled meats, an array of beautifully named dishes, aromatic fruits, and a transparent, potent, yet delightful wine.

“Oh Great Death! This tavern even has white bread? The last time I had these things was at my city state’s celebration!”

“Gulp… fruits! So many fruits! They’re so sweet and crisp! These must be fruits from the surface world!”

“The grilled meat here smells so good! It also seems to have some spices added to it! My word, they actually extravagantly added spices to this grilled meat!”

“And the wine! This is definitely the best grain-made wine I’ve ever tasted! It carries a very unique aroma!”

“Blackrock City… is it really this wealthy? No wonder it’s an underground city close to the surface… “

The members of the delegation couldn’t help but utter such words as they throughly enjoyed the delicious food served to them.

The world underground is a harsh, barren land where food options are relatively monotonous and scarce compared to the surface world. Therefore, having such delicacies is rare, even for the members of the delegation who hold powerful positions in their own respective city-states.

Clearly, all these delicious foods came from the surface.

However, contrary to the astonishment expressed by his fellow compatriots, Firebeard’s heart held not only surprise but also a touch of bewilderment.

He had once visited Blackrock City over a decade ago.

Yet in his memory, the old Blackrock City back then didn’t have such good conditions like it does now.

An underground city being close to the surface world does not necessarily mean that it will also be commercially prosperous and rich in goods, as one must also consider the location of the entrance to the surface world…

Generally speaking, only underground cities that are adjacent to a well-developed surface civilization, especially one belonging to humans, will have abundant surface specialties like these.

But what’s weird is that the corresponding exit of Blackrock City to the surface world is the desolate Dark Mountains, which are quite a remote, unpopulated region in Seigües…

At most, it’s adjacent to the Elven Forest, which is almost just as deserted except for some monsters and plants.

So, this begs the question…

Where did this abundance of resources came from?

Firebeard just noticed that not only were they enjoying these tasteful delicacies, but the dwarves in the tavern hall were also enjoying the same delicacies from the surface world!

Thinking of this, Firebeard couldn’t help but stop a dwarven butler who was serving them and asked curiously,

“Friend, if I may ask, where do these foods in your tavern comes from?”

The dark-dwarf who was stopped by Firebeard was a little embarrassed. He first bowed, then answered respectfully and proudly,

“Sir, our tavern is part of the Amway Trading Company, which is a business association founded by us and our enthusiastic elven partners. The food were offering is all traded with our elven partners on the surface.”

Firebeard was left slightly stunned.

…Elves?

It is related to those Elves once again?

— 349 —

【 IT IS RELATED TO THOSE ELVES ONCE AGAIN? 】

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