“Leader, you said the dark elves will open the city gates for us?”
Anne sauntered, turning around to ask Rhode curiously. Facing her question, Rhode shrugged and didn’t answer immediately. Dark elves weren’t a race that would die for their pride. At that moment, the dark elves were hesitant about whether to believe Rhode’s words. If they believed that Rhode was a dragon soul heir, they definitely wouldn’t reject his request. But if they determined that Rhode was bluffing, a nasty battle would inevitably ensue. Of course, there was also a third possibility: the dark elves might allow Rhode’s group into the city, but later on find opportunities to investigate them. As soon as the dark elves realized anything wrong, they would lay hands on Rhode’s group. Based on Rhode’s understanding of the dark elves, the possibility of the dark elves deploying the third strategy was relatively higher. After all, dark elves disliked frontal confrontations. On the contrary, ambushing enemies was their forte.
Rhode thought, extending his hand to pat Anne’s head.
“I think we can enter the city without any issue. But we may face some problems when heading out.”
Upon hearing Rhode’s words, the group didn’t reveal any huge reactions. It was apparent that most of them thought the same. But Rhode wasn’t concerned. This time, the members he brought were a hundred times stronger than dark elves. Nell was a dark elf herself and most familiar with the underhanded methods of her race. Angelina was no weakling either. As a vampire, she was definitely more scheming than the dark elves. As for Mini Bubble Gum, if any vampires were to provoke her, they would surely be uprooted. On the other hand, Cassidy… Rhode would be curious to see whether any dark elf was capable enough to hurt her.
Not even the most obedient-looking Icy Snow was one to be trifled with. If the dark elves treated her as an archer who was capable of shooting long-range arrows, Rhode wouldn’t mind her teaching them an unforgettable lesson. Moreover, unlike other guys who loved roaming about, Icy Snow always stayed close by Rhode’s side, so he didn’t need to worry too much about her.
Previously, there were a total of four dark elves who escaped death from Rhode. Rhode sent two of them to report the situation to Carlesodar, while commanding the other two to lead the way. As for their background, Rhode had checked with them. They were members of the seventh family in Carlesodar. This time, they were responsible for patrolling the outer region. Just as the dwarf said, Carlesodar was indeed in lockdown, but the dark elves didn’t know the reason behind it. Well, they couldn’t be blamed because they were males.
In the dark elves’ society, male status was always low because only females were equipped with the spell-casting ability. That was why the rulers and higher-ups of every family were always females. On the other hand, males were mostly guards and subordinates. In this city, only spell casters were respected, while warriors weren’t worthy of a mention. Take Nell, for instance; even though she was a female, she wasn’t able to cast magical spells as she was ‘white’. That was why she was abandoned by her family and sent to the Country of Darkness. If Nell were an ordinary female dark elf, she would be living an extravagant life from young, sent to the academy to learn warp spells that had been passed down in the dark underground for years, and use her wisdom, conspiracy, and strength to determine her fate as to whether she could become a ruler or dominated corpse.
Under the lead of the two dark elves, Rhode’s group didn’t face any obstacles along the way. They passed straight through a trail and when they turned the corner, a huge and majestic city presented itself before them all of a sudden.
Carlesodar—city of the dark elves.
This city consisted of hundreds of thousands of stalactites, varying from place to place. Of course, dark elves in the deep underground couldn’t possibly build their homes with trees and vines like on the surface. But this didn’t mean that the dark elves were at their wits’ end. They used huge stalactites as a base for their homes. The stalactites that connected the dome and ground ranged from a few meters to a dozen meters. The dark elves used their skills to carve these products of nature into elegant, beautiful artwork. At a glance, one could see purple, ghostly fire spreading between the stalactites as though it were a sea of purple stars. The sharp peaks of stalagmites were engraved with various sculptures of demons. They linked up, forming a wall that was a dozen meters thick and resisted any ambushes from outsiders. The pitch-black opening at the top of the stalagmites seemed like corroded holes. But Rhode clearly knew that lethal weapons and crossbows were hidden in them.
Just like in the rumors, Carlesodar City was entirely sealed off. When Rhode’s group arrived at the entrance, the heavy, enormous steel door constructed among the stalagmites was lifted high, seemingly to stop any outsiders from entering. Gazing at the steel door, Rhode knitted his brows, lowered his head, and observed the lava moat that was seven to eight meters wide in front of him. This was the city’s biggest reliance. Any intruders who targeted the city would be devoured by the scorching lava without having a chance to attack. But it was a pity that no one dared to risk one’s life by trying.
However, historical gaps were supposed to be filled by others.
“We’ve brought honorable guests! We’re requesting to enter Carlesodar immediately!”
Staring at the steel door, the dark elves who led the way yelled loudly for attention. One of them extended his arm and reached for a steel plate from his waist pouch. Then, he roasted it in the heat above the lava moat and tossed it high. This was the dark elves’ emergency signal to request for the opening of the gate.
… Rumble…
After a few moments, the steel door was lowered as a heavy, sturdy bridge appeared over the moat. Shortly after, sharp, enormous iron fences expanded in piercing creaks. The city of dark elves, Carlesodar, finally revealed its true identity to everyone.
As expected.
Sweeping a glance at the surroundings, Rhode confirmed his judgment. It seemed like the dark elves had no intention of stopping them from entering the city. After all, Carlesodar was a large city, populated with 60 to 70 dark elf families. Every family consisted of thousands of well-equipped dark elf soldiers and also tens of thousands of goblins and slaves of other races. If Rhode didn’t reveal his strength to terrify the dark elves into yielding, perhaps he and his group would have to pay the price.
At that moment, Rhode witnessed nine, well-armored dark elf soldiers scuttling toward them. Then, the dark elf who seemed to be their leader saluted.
“Welcome to Carlesodar City.”
The dark elf spoke emotionlessly like a clumsy person reading from the manuscript.
“We received notice of your arrival, but we have to apologize in advance. I suppose you’re aware of the current lockdown of Carlesodar City. Not only here, but the paths to other regions are also blocked off. As there were some accidents, we are unable to open up the paths temporarily. If you were to pass through Carlesodar City and head to other areas, I need to warn you that it may take a long time.”
“Thanks for the reminder.”
Upon hearing his words, Rhode simply twitched his brows. It was apparent that this was a delaying tactic by the dark elves. If Rhode displayed enough strength to terrorize the dark elves, they would open up the path for them in no time. But if Rhode failed, they wouldn’t be able to leave this underground city ever again…
Amusing.
Stretching his arm and caressing the hilt on his waist, Rhode narrowed his eyes at the dark elf. Facing Rhode, the dark elf didn’t seem frightened at all. He nodded to Rhode’s group, before turning around and entering the city. Rhode waved his hand, beckoning to his group to follow him. The moment Rhode entered the city, he turned around and glanced at the surrounding shadows casually. Then, he looked away and continued sauntering ahead.
It seemed like Rhode didn’t realize the three young ladies clad in black mage robes hidden in the shadows of the stalagmite wall in the distance. The three young ladies gripped nine-headed whips in their hands. A scarlet spider was sewn on their pitch-black robes. That was the emblem of an advanced mage. They stared at Rhode’s group until they disappeared into the city.
“I don’t think these people are threatening. They seem just like a group of surface bugs, that’s all.”
One of the dark elf mages said in disdain. Then, she gazed provocatively at the silent companion standing beside her.
“Seems like the guards of the 18th family need improvement. I can’t figure out how those people managed to wipe out the entire patrol team. Frankly, I think the Manus Family needs to watch their men. It isn’t anything honorable for dark elves to hide their failure and exaggerate the enemies’ threat.”
“… I think these people are superior in some ways. You must know that among the dark elves they defeated, some were elite guards from the Rona Family—members of the 3rd family. The second son of the Rona Matriarch was also one of them.”
The other female mage was apparently displeased with the criticism toward her family. She squinted and stared at the other party. Upon hearing her refutation, the dark elf young lady who taunted earlier let out a snort. She was about to retort when suddenly, the third young lady who remained silent the entire time spoke.
“I have some impression of the white elf who went in with them. If I recall correctly, she’s Nell.”
“Nell?”
The two dark elves were taken aback.
“Isn’t she the third daughter of the eighth family? I remember that she was sent to the surface a long time ago. Why is she here?”
“I don’t know.”
The female mage shook her head, looked up, and her eyes glinted in mysterious flashes.
“But I think there’s a need to report this matter to the eighth family…”
The corners of her lips perked up slightly into an ice-cold smile.
“Obviously, this time, Matriarch Durelle will need to answer to other families.”
