Lord: Starting from a Goblin Nest

Generally, creatures don’t choose to migrate en masse during the winter. For this to be happening means something has definitely changed on the other side of the mountains.

It was unlikely to be anything good.

“We’ll go confirm it ourselves. I’m a little worried this might be related to that conspiracy in the shadows,” Ron said with a nod, stepping aside to reveal Anastina behind him. “Oh, right. Let me introduce you. This is Anastina. We’ve hired her to help us solve the Red Mould problem.”

“She’s been to the Red Mould Ruins in your area before.”

“That should be a great help. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anastina.” Jilannis offered her hand to the Elf Mercenary, but received no response.

The Elf Great Swordsman’s expression was grave as she stared intently at the Moon Elf. “Have we… met before?”

Fragments of memory flashed through Jilannis’s mind: the rebel army that tried to overthrow the empire, an officer among them who was a dead ringer for the fellow Elf before her. The only difference was that back then, she wasn’t dressed so daringly, just clad in ordinary armor.

“No, you’re mistaken,” Jilannis said, dismissing the other’s suspicion. “There aren’t many Moon Elves, but there’s certainly more than one of us.”

“But the most famous one in this world… there’s only one. Am I right?” Anastina’s gaze on Jilannis didn’t waver. “Not to mention you’re also a Mage, just like her.”

“Like who? Jilannis Galanord?” Jilannis didn’t so much as blush. “She’s the shame of our entire people. She died in the final battle, and her corpse was devoured by the Fire Elemental Plane—thank the Magic Goddess.”

Seeing Anastina’s unconvinced expression, Ron knew he had to step in and play peacemaker. He summoned the `Weaving Introduction`, letting it hover in the air between himself and Jilannis.

“Anastina, she can’t possibly be who you think she is. If you don’t believe me, look. That person’s Spellbook is in my possession, isn’t it?”

“You see, if she *were* her, and I tried to return the `Weaving Introduction` to its original owner… even if Jilannis could restrain herself, do you think this book could?”

In the mercenary’s view, the `Weaving Introduction`, nudged by Ron, seemed to possess a will of its own. It flared with multicolored Arcane Magic, as if resisting its master’s attempt to hand it over. The reality, however, was a little more complicated.

The `Weaving Introduction` desperately wanted to return to Jilannis’s side. It was only because Ron was pulling it back while Jilannis was pushing it away that the Spellbook’s light flared with such varied and brilliant colors!

They were totally taking advantage of the fact that the Spellbook couldn’t talk!

“Alright, perhaps I was being overly sensitive. Please forgive me,” Anastina said, having seen and heard everything. She finally concluded that the Moon Elf before her was not Jilannis and offered an apology. “After all, that demon brought us so much suffering.”

Anyone else would have tried to defend themselves, but Jilannis simply nodded as if she were critiquing a stranger. “You’re right. She was the source of all the Hailan Empire’s sins. Her death was a blessing for this entire plane, and indeed, for the entire Multiverse. As for the Moon Elves, we are equally glad to be rid of such a black sheep.”

“I take it you must have served in the military? The rebel coalition? Thank you so much!”

This maneuver from Jilannis, taking a step back to advance, actually made Anastina a little embarrassed. “Well, she wasn’t as bad as all that. The Hailan Empire’s main problems stemmed from the Laine Clan…”

For a moment, the mercenary even began to admire the Moon Elf before her. Jilannis Galanord was one of the most prominent rising stars among the Moon Elves, and her people were usually unstinting in their praise for her, even after the fall of the Hailan Empire.

Yet here was this Moon Elf, daring to go against the grain and condemn her own renowned kinswoman. ‘Maybe that’s why she left her homeland and came to a place like Delusional Land,’ Anastina mused.

With this thought, Anastina’s admiration for Jilannis grew even more. She warmly approached her and began to talk about the changes among the Elves over the years, trying to make up for her earlier rashness. Jilannis, for her part, simply went with the flow. The two Elves, who had once faced each other as enemies on the battlefield, now looked as if they had become friends.

“Good thing Anna is so hopeless with Magic, or you two would’ve had to use Suggestion Magic,” Aive muttered under her breath, making sure the two Elves walking ahead couldn’t hear.

“Let them sort out their own business,” Ron said, turning to Aiksuuri. “Where’s Rurik? He mentioned he could forge a new set of equipment for Aive.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Aiksuuri said, pawing at the ground. “I heard that the Dwarves’ shops have been closed lately. No idea if they’re not home or…”

“In service to our beloved Lord, of course!”

Just as Ron and his companions were about to enter Green Swamp Town, a booming voice echoed from the gate.

Rurik, the Dwarf artisan, looked as if he’d just crawled out of a coal pile. His already untidy apron was caked with grease and grime, a hammer was clutched in his hand, and the great beard on his face was tangled up with his hair, giving him an incredibly sloppy appearance.

“This very morn, my bellows sang the songs of my homeland!” Despite his disheveled state, Rurik was in high spirits. He bellowed, “And just as I expected, you’ve returned to your loyal domain today!”

“I was just looking for you,” Ron said, smiling and nodding at the Dwarf. “How have work and business been?”

“I haven’t taken any other business in ages, all for your order!” Rurik bowed in return. “Thanks to your patronage, a suit of Full Body Armor and a tower shield are already in the finishing stages!”

“What about the materials…?” Aive cut in to ask. The memory of her previous tower shield, twisted like a pretzel by the Vampire Count, was still fresh in her mind.

“Rest assured! It’s made of a composite material, combined with our unique Dwarven craftsmanship. It absolutely will not disappoint you!” Rurik brandished his hammer. “This time, it’s genuine Mithril equipment! It has a high affinity for Magic, too, which will allow the Lord to place any creations he wishes upon it!”

“The Mithril Ore was purchased from those bastards in the underworld. The price was a bit steep, but the quality is absolutely guaranteed!” The Dwarf glanced at the unfamiliar Elf walking away and lowered his voice, though he still sounded immensely proud. “With such fine materials, my craftsmanship, the Lord’s Enchantment, and Miss Aive’s skill! I’d wager this set of equipment is destined to go down in history!”