My Players Are So Fierce

1589: 534.

When the object of hatred has dissipated into smoke and clouds…

1589: 534.

When the object of hatred has dissipated into smoke and clouds…

The terrain of the Dark Valley is indeed as ingenious as Adel described.

Especially after Sister Pomegranate followed an NPC across three consecutive suspension bridges, she realized that it would be utterly impossible to forcefully attack this area!

The pathways here are too narrow, making it impossible for ground troops to pass through en masse, and the half-elves cunningly placed Spiritual Energy traps on all the critical routes.

Little Wei Ming could confirm that as soon as those traps were triggered, they would collapse the one and only entrance and exit.

In moments of crisis, the half-elves wouldn’t even need to activate the traps—merely sabotaging the suspension bridges would be enough to turn these three successive cliffs, each several hundred meters high, into a nightmare for all attackers.

The only way to enter this place on a large scale is through the skies or underground.

Take, for instance, Lady Adel’s forced departure from here twenty-five years ago.

At that time, a massive number of Gnolls were driven to dig tunnels from underground and directly into Shadow Valley, or enough flying troops were mobilized to storm the valley stronghold.

From this perspective, the defenses of Shadow Valley are far from invincible.

But the problem is, this valley holds neither rare resources nor critical targets.

Aside from its geography, the difficulty of attacking it is entirely disproportionate to any potential gains!

Especially for the Wolf People who aim to charge into the Continent from Transylvania—this godforsaken place is genuinely a pointless hassle.

They wouldn’t expend manpower to attack it and turn it into an outpost, as it’s far too distant from Transylvania.

But conversely, if the Transia People plan to halt the Wolf People in the vicinity, then this valley’s terrain becomes incredibly advantageous.

The half-elves living here understand this principle well.

They haven’t panicked over the impending Black Disaster.

On the way here, Adel noticed the valley guards were trained quite impressively.

Though they lacked quality armor, the bows and spears in the hands of these vigilant individuals were by no means ordinary.

Especially upon entering the valley’s outskirts, even the least perceptive Lumina noticed that the half-elves were preparing war supplies.

They were placing bundles of arrows into various outposts, including Spirit Energy arrows crafted with assistance from Shadow Elves.

Items similar to fire oil and Spirit Energy stones were also being transported out.

On an open cliff connected by wooden ladders and suspension bridges, newly trained soldiers were practicing night combat shooting, under the stern oversight of several grim-faced elder elves.

To describe this valley with “rich battle spirit” wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

At least in Sister Pomegranate’s eyes, the defensive system and strength here weren’t as inadequate as they initially imagined.

Actually, come to think of it, Shadow Valley is, after all, a homeland established by gladiators who fled elven cities.

They weren’t lacking in strength, and living in the unfriendly region of Wasteland Mountain for years had also endowed them with survival wisdom.

They never actively provoked external enemies.

But once someone tried to give them “pressure,” these half-elves—devoid of the laziness and elegance often attributed to elves in legends—would never show mercy.

“Look!

So many gravestones!”

When they stepped into the core area of Shadow Valley, Little Wei Ming suddenly pointed in a direction and shouted.

Sister Pomegranate and Lumina turned their heads to look.

Whoa!

On a raised cliff edge, countless gravestones formed a cemetery.

A rough count revealed at least three hundred stone markers there.

For elves, who have long lives but reproduce sparsely, this truly was a startling number.

“That’s our Hero’s Cemetery.”

A half-elf ranger leading the way calmly explained:

“Only those who die for the valley are qualified to leave a gravestone.

For cowards, the only fate here is leaving their corpses exposed in the wilderness.”

“Wow, your traditions really match the combative nature of the Transia People.”

Lumina remarked:

“I think you battle-ready half-elves could live very well there.”

“But we already have our own home.

We have no interest in going anywhere else.”

The elf ranger frowned as he glanced at Lumina’s wrist, where the Calculating Pearl was located.

He could tell that the odd, incomprehensible words Lumina uttered were being translated into elven speech through that device.

These vampires returning with Adel sure were strange…

Sister Pomegranate stood at the crossroads leading to the elven village.

She turned to look around.

The valley was divided into several areas, with a sizable population but far from being prosperous.

The half-elves here lived in houses crafted from stone and wood, and near the mountain rocks were dwellings resembling “cave houses.”

She asked:

“We are Lady Adel’s attendants, accompanying her return to pay respects.

While Lady Adel mourns her mother, could we explore the area here?”

“Generally, no!”

The half-elf captain escorting them sized up the trio of vampires and replied coldly:

“We don’t have the habit of inviting strangers into our homes.

However, Adel’s mother, Lady Mona of the ‘Hand of Freedom,’ is our eternal leader and forever hero.

Because of that, you’ve earned a slight privilege.

You’re allowed to move freely within our village, but you may not venture beyond it!

If your sticky fingers land you in our cages, it’ll be awkward for all of us, so I suggest you fulfill your duties as unwelcome guests properly.”

“I’m a hunter!”