The body under the black cloak was motionless, as if he was still in a deep coma or even dead.
"There is no need to doubt where you have exposed your flaws. As a rescuer who treats your wounds. Although I do not have a formal medical certificate, you are my first official medical practitioner. It is only by treating you that you are different from human beings."
It’s not difficult for me to calculate your recovery time based on basic information such as your physical condition, wound area and depth, and degree of poisoning...”
The cheerful voice that was neither modest nor concealing mockery paused for a moment, its penetrating gaze swept coldly over the graceful body curves, and the teasing voice spoke again:
"If you don't want to chat with me, a guy of a different race, forget it. As an injured person and a woman, you enjoy this natural privilege. You can continue to watch my next soliloquy, or you can refute and correct me. Decision
The power is yours."
He generously put aside the declaration of authority and threw the dead branches he was playing with into the bonfire. The flames, which had dimmed for a moment, quickly licked the fresh firewood, crackling and radiating more heat to the surroundings.[
"Those guys who control the familiars obviously want to kill you. The blue-eyed poisonous wolf is the most suitable dangerous species for hunting and killing. It first uses venom to paralyze the prey, and then makes the scene look like it is encountering a dangerous species.
Unfortunate accidents are also a good idea. Well... you can also think of them as the work of some nobles who can't wait to experience low-level fun after getting new toys. However, using the Goshawk familiar is too cautious.
And no matter how slow it is to the bloody game that requires the help of a large number of familiars, the richly dressed nobles and a large number of attendants did not show up from the beginning to the end, allowing us common people to step into the nobles' playground and go deep into this kind of game.
It’s hard to explain the extent of it, right? Considering these unnatural doubts, we really can’t think this is some kind of elf hunting game, we can only think it is a murder scene.”
The sound of burning firewood and crackling firewood makes one's heart palpitate, and the elusive smile in the deep dusk adds a mysterious sense of fun.
"Next, Miss, your identity and specific location have yet to be investigated. It can only be roughly determined from your clothing and clothing that you should be a member of the Elf tribe in the Niflheim Valley, the border area between Charlemagne and Lapland. Because of a certain
For some unknown reason, you left the tribe and came to this strange land to investigate something. I think you have found out what you want to find out. The bad guys who noticed this sent out to protect their own little secrets.
The killer came to silence you, and you, who were being hunted all the way, met us. This is what happened. As for what you are investigating... hmm?"
The sound of snapping fingers was particularly clear and loud in the silent dark night, and the joy of "I caught you" was clearly displayed in the smile.
"[The Niflheim Valley has gold and silver veins of excellent quality and huge reserves] - this information is really great news for you and your tribe. It also causes great trouble. People who go in and out of the valley
The number of human [passengers] began to increase, and each time they appeared, they were one step closer to the location of the mineral vein. In order to prevent the nightmare of [being taken away by humans from the last place of survival] from becoming a reality, Miss - people like you, and maybe others
The elf left his hometown and came here to investigate how far the guy who wanted to plunder the gold buried underground had progressed. If possible, find a way to stop and destroy the opponent's plan. Hmm, it's really brave. However, this
Nothing can be saved. No - even if we successfully stop those guys, the gold will not bring you what you want. A future where you spend your life, energy, and time digging gold out of the ground in exchange for a little bit of leftover water.
It’s predictable.”
"Shut up! That is the power of our family's survival! You, an outsider who knows nothing, have no right to talk nonsense!!!!"
The hood that had been covering his face slipped down. The silver hair illuminated by the bonfire poured out like a waterfall, falling to the elbows that struggled to support his body. His ears, which were pointed and longer than humans, emerged from the silky silver waterfall.
It came out and stood high. It is as beautiful as a marble goddess statue, but it is full of vitality and movement that dead animals do not have. The face is carved with regular facial features, and the emerald green eyes inlaid on it are like a turbulent blue lake. Now it is
The sullen anger that was about to explode stared at a frivolous smiling face.
"Calm down—calm down, miss. If the wound opens because you are too excited, I will have to sew it up again. At that time, in order not to sew it a third time, I will have to tie you up. That will also
It's very troublesome to say. Don't lose your temper and just lie down and talk honestly. I can understand what you want to express."
"Stop your nonsense, human! If you think you can talk nonsense just because you accidentally saved my life, I won't let you have any chance to speak even if I risk my life!!"
The body method after blood loss and poisoning provided more support. The elf, who resumed his lying position, looked sideways at the boy with his arms crossed with stern eyes. Facing the warning that was like a kitten with its teeth and claws, the elf felt disgusted.
His smile softened, he spread his hands and said teasingly:
"If we continue to argue, it will be endless. Why don't we go back to the previous method? I'll ask a few questions. Miss, you can remain silent or answer them. We can also relax without any rude entanglement.
Solve the problem."
The professional smile that is easily associated with "fraud" such as businessmen, hawkers, tax collectors, lawyers, priests, etc. was replaced by vigilance and hostility, and the cold face nodded thoughtfully.
"[How do elves mine safely]? - Don't rush to refute it with [outsiders are not qualified] or [this is not worth mentioning], this is a real problem. Even dwarves and gnomes have been working with stones underground for a long time.
No race in the world would say such stupid things as "mines are absolutely safe" to deceive children. Just a simple collapse accident will create a bunch of widows and orphans, and it will be necessary to accumulate a complete system that takes into account both productivity and safety indicators.
How many lives will it be? 1,000 people? 10,000 people? Or more numbers to fill in? Judging from the current situation of your population resources that are lower than humans and orcs, this kind of reliance on human lives and time to accumulate mining technology experience and safe production
It’s simply unaffordable.”
If you don't have enough skills and just act recklessly, the guys selected to go into the mine will be just unfortunate people who are not much different from the "Digger Team".
"[Dig a pit first, then die in the pit.], the ending of most miners I know is surprisingly consistent with the complaints they often complain about. Miss, if you have the opportunity to go down to the mine, it won't take you half a day to see any desolate and gloomy place on the ground.
Every place will become a paradise in your eyes."
The dwarf who interrupted moved towards the bonfire, his mocking expression filled with bitterness.
"I can count on one hand the number of people who have worked in the mines for more than 10 years and are still alive. Water penetration, landslides, explosions, poisonous gases, fires, strange diseases, giant-mouthed earthworms... There is no such thing as a person living a leisurely life underground.
It’s so easy. Those who foolishly dive into it with dreams of getting rich will eventually be dug up by others by chance a few years later—if they still have any bones left.”
"You can dig vertically and then expand the pit."
Showing an unyielding momentum, the elf women retorted. They were extremely concerned about digging holes, and of course they would not just dive into the hole without knowing the situation at all.[
This solution can indeed alleviate the security problem to a certain extent by increasing the cost investment in time, manpower and financial resources. As long as the elves have enough perseverance to dig a huge pit like the Kimberley Diamond Mine (Note)
It’s not impossible.
"Where are the smelting equipment and technology? Can you count on others?"
The value of unsmelted gold mine rough stones is not high, and the profits from selling unsmelted rough stones cannot offset the production costs of the mine. According to Li Lin's information from Alberich's contact with the elves, they have little knowledge of metallurgical technology.
There are also very few blanks. The dwarves and gnomes who have mastered the technology of smelting ore have actually slaughtered humans and orcs for a long time by relying on their technological monopoly. This is why the human camp has invested like crazy in cultivating alchemists for hundreds of years.
The reason is that the two races with a disadvantage in height are still firmly in control of the gold smelting market. The addition of new customers, the elves, does not mean that their monopoly style of robbing customers to the bone will change in a benign direction.
.
"After being charged a huge amount of fire-consuming processing fees, where will the processed gold be sold? In the final analysis, the use of precious metals is just to serve as a medium for trade circulation, and its value is floating rather than fixed, and can be artificially
Manipulation to redefine value. For example, if human gold mines suddenly increase their output, the amount of gold circulating in the market increases sharply, but the goods that can be circulated do not increase, or even decrease. At this time, the price of gold will adjust
——That is, maintaining the stability of the market through depreciation. Because there is no pricing power, you can only watch the gold and silver in your hands that can buy a lot of good things only be able to buy 70%, 50%, or 30% of the things——
By that time, the tragic ending will not be far away."
Stop mining, accept the harsh conditions of unknown businessmen in human countries, and become a group of mining coolies.
No matter how stupid a guy is, at this stage, he should be able to foresee this outcome.
"The last - and the first - question; how can you defend your land? Even compared with the armed forces of the local nobles, you are not only weak, but the gap is also hopelessly large. You have been targeted by them.
Oh, there should be a countermeasure or something, right?"
The elf, who was cheerful and had the same expression as the bright moons hanging high in the sky, spoke in a tone of schadenfreude. The elf who was supposed to give this face a slap in the face even had the energy to do this.
This hateful human being has no loopholes that can be refuted, and he has no arguments that he can use to refute those conclusions.
what to do?
What stood in front of her thoughts was the ancient problem of survival and destruction, a high wall built up with various highly complex issues such as economics, politics, geostrategy, etc., which made her breathless. The previously flushed face washed away.
Cheng was dark and pale, and his lower lip, which he bit tightly, was almost dripping with blood.
"I'm not just talking casually about something that has nothing to do with me. After all, because of you, we have now been involved and become part of the situation. Well - all the friendly people have gathered around, right?"
An ominous roar ripped through the air, and the steel mass rolled up an icy breath that penetrated the space where Li Lin had moved, piercing deeply into the soil, and the feathers on the arrow tail trembled.
"Don't do so-called resistance. Hiding fugitive serfs is a serious crime. Do you want this to become the end of the journey?"
The distorted and noisy sound shook the atmosphere. The immobile elf slowly moved his hand to his waist. Alberich continued to fiddle with the fire. Nidhogg looked at the fire with his cheek in his hand, muttering something unknown in his mouth.
"That's the property of the Earl, be smart... Uh! Ahhhh!!!!!!!"
The gap usually called a "moment" seems to be extended and enlarged to a limit - the elf lying on the ground and moving vigorously has not lost her other senses. Her keen hearing captures the noise that makes her uneasy, and all the feelings are stirred up.
She had a confused sense of time, and those sounds in turn made her even more uneasy.
A chorus of screams and screams with the background music of the chant of blood vessels collapsing, internal organs exploding, flesh and metal falling back to dust, a horror that is hundreds of times more powerful than all the supernatural legends gathered together and tempered, crawls out of the chorus, shaking the spirit of the elves.
Thoughts.
His emerald green pupils searched the forest that was locked in the night. In the noisy forest where there were roars of insects and beasts before, now except for the cold night wind passing by his ears and the occasional crack or two from the fire, there was no sound.
They were all swallowed up by silence, and the slowly wafting smell of blood made her body temperature and blood energy begin to drop inexplicably.
"what have you done?"
Because it was barely covered, the voice became unnatural. No matter how much you warned yourself that the dignity of elves is higher than your own life, no matter how much effort you put into your throat, when facing the unknown and the existence beyond imagination, all these efforts are useless.
The temporary method also comes into play.
"I just didn't want to waste precious time on a fool who didn't know how to live or die, so I used some rough methods."[
Their hands penetrated the soil, and two pieces of meat hidden under the dead leaves of the soil were pulled out. Judging from the daggers in their hands, they were preparing to surprise the guys who counterattacked the archers. But they didn't see it.
Using the cover of night to spread out the black filaments that formed the antler-shaped launch array, they did not know about the directed energy attack of [infrasonic waves]. The carefully set trap became their burial place, and the corpses were buried far away together with Li Lin's cold witticisms.
Throw it far away.
[I chose the wrong target to attack and the wrong method.]
A loud sigh.
There was only so much the elves could give these corpses that were beginning to freeze.
"Can I bury them?"
If you want to do more, you can only ask others for help, but this request for help is obviously questionable.
Nidhogg and Alberich cast their surprised gazes on the sincere faces of the elves, looking at their rational behavior. Li Lin glanced at his [Masterpiece] and spoke lightly:
"Please allow me to refuse."
He rejected the elf's request without hesitation with his courteous greetings and unwavering sales smile.
"As a warning to those who come after you, right?"
"..."
The elf's vocabulary may not have words like "kill a chicken to scare a monkey" or "kill a chicken to scare a hundred" to describe the situation. The experience given by the bloody struggle for survival made her smart and summarized Li Lin's intention in the simplest sentences. The face became rosy again.
In someone's eyes, the brightly colored life signature signals on the face are far more healthy and eye-catching than those lumps with dim heat source signals, and the difference in attractiveness is incalculable.
"It's better than letting waves of fools come to die, right? This is the best outcome for me, you, and others."
"It's really...a confident statement."
The space of dialogue was filled with subtle and ambiguous pressure, and the heavy shape made the two bodies beside them feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Before talking about topics like [confidence, honor, timidity, belief], we should look at it from a more overall perspective. Is this inefficient way of handling it and the consequences appropriate for the time? We really have the time and necessity.
Do you want to do such a thing?"
The joking in his smile has not diminished at all, and it seems that nothing can interfere with his decision-making. Against this temperament, this smile becomes a bit provocative.
"Even a despicable killer should enjoy the dignity and peace of death after returning to the embrace of Mafa. Those who are hostile to him and fight against him are undoubtedly given such a responsibility."
The content of the language is like a sigh, and the tone is more of an intolerance for the strange values and the derived rules of life, and there is a bit of contempt for this heterogeneity.
There was a brief silence, and the elf looked at each other without giving in. At the same time, he observed the two listeners from the corner of his eye. Nidhogg suppressed his face, as if he was holding back the thought of yawning. Alberich just looked disapproving, and the corner of his mouth
Twitching unnaturally.
"I have to say... This noble statement is indeed recognized by most people. However, we have been entangled enough on this issue. Now - Miss, I just want to know your plans for the future.
"
Abandoning established logic and principles of doing things because of some illusory claims that most intelligent races don't care about? This problem is obviously not worth continuing. This embarrassing moment is to switch to a more realistic and operational problem for others.
It is a simple and quick-effective method to face the trouble of choice.
It can be confirmed from the elf's slumped expression that her mood and topic have changed at the same time. The unhappiness and anger caused by the attacker, the corpse, and the boy's provocative remarks have cooled down again to the low point before the incident, and her face is flushed.
There was a layer of haze, and multiple-choice questions that seemed to have no way out began to torture her again.
High sense of responsibility, limited thinking, objective reality, limited intelligence... Various problems intertwined and oppressed the elf like a butterfly clamp. Finally, he gradually lost consciousness in the corridor of the depressing maze of thinking, and it became increasingly difficult to concentrate. Finally, he was swept away by sleep and fatigue, embracing his body and mind.
.
"So... women are really troublesome..."
When he fell completely into that comfortable abyss, what escaped his eardrum was a mocking sigh.
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Note 1 Kimberley Diamond Mine: The Kimberley Diamond Mine is located in the Cape Province of South Africa. It is the legendary largest manually dug pit with a depth of 1097 meters. It produced more than 3 tons of diamonds before it was closed in 1914. Writers really want to