Game of the World Tree

The reinforcements were elves?

Upon hearing this, Brein first paused, seemingly not understanding the meaning behind the words of the dwarven warrior that reported it…

He then rubbed his ear and frowned before adding,

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that clearly. Could you please repeat? Did you mean the reinforcements that came were mercenaries who specialized in hunting elves from the surface?”

Surely he must have misheard the report just now.

After all…it’s impossible for their reinforcements to be those peace-loving elves, right?

Especially in a war here in the underground!

Those pitiful long-eared beings aren’t capable of violence, and in most cases, it’s the other way around. They need protection instead since, after all, most of the elves nowadays are just slaves.

There were even some elven slaves here in the city of blades, and most of them were being protected as commodities owned by some noble dwarves to be sold as servants, in order to compete with the human caravans from the surface…

However, upon hearing Brein’s inquiry, the dwarven warrior’s expression showed an even more peculiar look.

“No, Chief, it’s not a mercenary group hunting elves. It’s actually the elves themselves, you know… those kinds of elves commonly depicted in troubadour stories! Those tall, beautiful, long-eared beings! They have truly arrived, and they have come in great numbers as reinforcements!”

Brein’s mouth hung open.

Really now… are our reinforcements actually elves?

But soon, his expression changed…

Oh death almighty!

Has Lord Firebeard gone mad?

Leaving aside where he found these elves and how he persuaded them to come as their reinforcements, what Brein found completely asinine was that Lord Firebeard… actually dared to seek elves as their reinforcements?

Damn it!

Why in the blazing hell did their lord choose these long-eared beings who can’t even bear to kill a mole to participate in a bloody war that will decide the future of their city?

Ridiculous!

Totally and utterly…ridiculous!

Although personally, he quite admired these elven folks. After all, who doesn’t like kind-hearted beings? But he also knew that these nature and peace-loving folks aren’t entirely suited for warfare!

Elves and war are practically two words that are entirely worlds apart.

Surely, there must be some kind of mistake!

“Take me to see them quickly,” Brein said urgently.

As someone mentored by Firebeard himself, Brein still highly respects this Dark-Dwarven elder.

Yet he couldn’t fathom that Firebeard, this wise mentor of his didn’t understand what kind of reinforcements their city needed at this very moment.

There…must be a reason unbeknownst to him as to why things ended up like this.

He just had to go and see what was going on…

And so, whilst being accompanied by some guards, Brein quickly arrived at the place where the long-range teleportation array was set up in Blade City.

The place they arrived was the Church of Death in the center of Blade City and and also the core of the city’s defense system.

The teleportation array was set up here to utilize the power of the city’s core and reduce the consumption of long-range teleportation.

When Brein arrived, he immediately spotted Firebeard, the old dwarf, from afar.

Seeing Brein approaching, Firebeard’s mood perked up, and he hurriedly greeted him:

“Chief Brein, I’m finally back, and I’ve brought along with me the warriors that were foretold by the Oracle of Her Majesty.”

Warriors foretold by the Oracle of Her Majesty?

Brein was slightly taken aback and followed Firebeard’s line of sight to the teleportation array.

The area around the array was already crowded with local residents, curiously eyeing the tall figures stepping out of the teleportation array…

Handsome and graceful looking beings came out of it one after another, solidifying the fact that their reinforcements were indeed elves.

As the teleportation array continuously flickered with light, the elves that emerged from it looked around with curiosity.

Occasionally, one could even hear exclamations from them such as:

“Wow! This place is much more magnificent than Blackrock City! So Blade City was built inside hollowed caves…”

“It’s much darker here than over at Blackrock City…this place must be deeper underground. But the city lights are really beautiful!”

“Look, guys, are those forges actually using fires and lava drawn from the underground? I must say…this new map truly give the aesthetic of the mysterious underground world commonly depicted in most fantasy games!”

The elves were conversing in the universal language of Seigües, which was quite familiar to Brein.

However, their visibly curious and excited expressions as well as joyful voices gives them the impression of sightseeing tourists rather than the reinforcements Lord Firebeard had invited.

Not only that but Brein also noticed a stark contrast in the equipment of these elves…

Some of them were well-equipped with splendid-looking gear, seemingly crafted by the most skilled elven artisans, that even shimmered with a faint light in this dim underground place…

It looks undoubtedly valuable; however, such eye-catching equipment also easily raised some suspicions within Brein…

Did they wear these gorgeous equipment just to flaunt it?

After all, to him, all this neat-looking gear without any visible marks of battle clearly showed that these equipments hadn’t been worn nor experienced any kind of battle…

However, such elves were few in number, and the strange thing is that the vast majority of them wore no equipment at all and only donning simple, revealing tunics…

Brein felt entirely frustrated upon seeing this.

Sigh, why are most of these elves dressed as if they are out here for a swim instead of going to battle!?

Merciful Hela! These exhibitionist are not even as good as their fully armed counterparts!

Are these really the kind of reinforcements they’re getting?

Are this people really… the promised warriors from their Patron Deity’s oracle?

What a joke!

While silently observing the unreliable elves’ scanty attire, their lack of seriousness, as well as their relaxed and cheerful demeanor, as they moved about without a care in the world, Brein found the entire situation absolutely absurd.

With him having twenty years of mercenary experience in the underground, Brein could guarantee that these elves… were definitely not professional mercenaries!

Heck, they seemed more like a group of pampered human noble sons and daughters out on vacation!

As for their overall strength… it disappointed Brein even more!

There’s not even one Silver-ranked expert among them!

If the reinforcements called by Lord Firebeard are like this, then… Brein really doesn’t know if their side has any chance of winning at all…

“Are they really…the warriors from the Oracle?”

Brein couldn’t help but ask with a tone full of skepticism.

Seeing his junior’s strange expression and forced smile, Firebeard surprisingly understood.

The elderly dwarf nodded gently and sighed softly.

“Chief Brein, don’t be surprised. In fact, my heart is also filled with the same confusion as yours. However, I have prayed to Her Majesty and received her response. You may find it hard to believe, but they are indeed truly the reinforcements foretold by our Patron Deity’s Oracle!”

Brein was stunned.

The Goddess of Death had actually responded and even gone so far as to confirm it?

Their aloof and mysterious Patron Deity?

Well, if that was the case, then nothing was more convincing than such a response. But when Brein shifted his gaze to these carefree long-eared beings, he still couldn’t connect them with the supposed heroic warriors promised by the oracle…

Not to mention anything else, just their lack of discipline alone was enough to dismiss them as mere fresh greenhorns who still haven’t experienced any kind of battle!

Just a few minutes after these elves came out of the array, Brein saw an elf shout, “I’ll scout ahead,” and happily slip away to who knows where into Blade City…

If he personally didn’t know these elves were brought back by Lord Firebeard himself, he would have almost suspected them of actually being spies from the enemy.

“Cough, Chief, are the equipment prepared by the city council for the reinforcements ready? If you remember, the reward we promised for participating in this war is providing those equipment.”

Seeing Brein’s less-than-pleased expression, Firebeard asked again.

“Huh, the equipment? Hmm…well, over eight thousand sets have been modified to suit a humanoid build, just like what the oracle asked for. Rest assured Lord Firebeard, the equipment is sufficient enough.”

Brein answered somewhat absentmindedly.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Brein blinked slightly as if he realized something.

Now he understood why most of these elves weren’t properly equipped and were only wearing skimpy outfits…

If his guess is right, then these elves were probably waiting for their side to provide the equipment!

— 353 —

【 REST ASSURED THE EQUIPMENT IS SUFFICIENT ENOUGH 】

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