Chapter 137 : Chapter 137

Chapter 137. Elves Are All Beets

After the territory meeting ended, Eli did not delay.

According to his previous plan, he went straight to the mithril mine near Nightsong Forest.

The closer he drew to the mine, the stricter the guards became.

Those responsible for the safety of this place were all veterans who had followed Eli from the early days.

Their loyalty and abilities had been tested, and they were worthy of trust.

When they saw Eli, they all bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with respect for their lord.

At the entrance of the mine, everything was bustling with activity.

Many miners pushed or dragged ore carts loaded with ore in and out, while the clanging of tools and work chants faintly came from deep within the mine.

Leon, who was responsible for the specific management of the mine, had already been waiting here for some time.

When he saw Eli arrive, he hurriedly came forward, his face carrying a trace of nervousness.

“Lord! You came at just the right time. Master Glenn seems to have just finished forging and is resting now. Please follow me.”

Eli nodded and followed Leon into the dim but well-ventilated mine.

After passing through several branching paths, they arrived at a large space that had clearly been excavated and reinforced later.

This place had been converted into Master Glenn’s temporary residence and workshop.

The furnishings inside were extremely simple. Apart from the forge, anvil, quenching pool, and other tools essential for forging, there was only a crude bed.

What drew the eye most was the wall, where several weapons flashing with metallic luster were hanging.

At this moment, Master Glenn was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a piece of velvet cloth and carefully wiping the sweat from his forehead.

When he saw Eli come in, a hearty laugh immediately appeared on his wrinkled face.

“Yo! Lord boy! You are finally back!

“How was it? On this trip to Thorne City, did those great nobles tear your bones apart?”

Eli respected this master deeply for his blunt temperament and exceptional skill, so he responded with a smile.

“Master Glenn, it has been a long time. Thanks to your blessing, my bones are still intact.

“I came this time to hear about the specific situation of the mithril mine’s extraction, and also to see what new divine artifacts have come into the world.”

Master Glenn laughed heartily at his words and pointed at the neatly stacked silver-gray ore in the corner.

“Hehe, do not worry, boy! With me, Glenn Parr, here, there is absolutely no problem with the mining progress!

“The quality of the ore is stable, and production is gradually increasing.

“According to your requirements, most of the elite soldiers’ weapons have been replaced with standard weapons containing mithril.

“Their sharpness and toughness have both improved by a large margin. They are more than enough to deal with ordinary iron armor!”

He paused, and his gaze swept toward the weapons hanging on the wall, pride flashing in his eyes.

“As for these... hehe, this old man’s hands were itching, so I used raw mithril ore to forge a few finer pieces with higher purity.

“Of course, they still cannot compare to that ‘Silver’ in your hands, which cost this old man so much effort to forge.”

Eli followed his gaze and looked over. Four weapons hung on the wall.

A longsword with smooth lines, a cold gleaming spear.

There was also a mighty-looking broad-bladed war saber and a two-handed greatsword.

Each weapon flowed with the unique cold luster of mithril. They were clearly not ordinary items.

Eli’s heart stirred, and he walked forward to examine them carefully.

In particular, both the spear and the longsword left him very satisfied, whether in their shapes or the faint energy fluctuations they emitted.

“Master Glenn, your craftsmanship truly leaves nothing to criticize.

“How about... handing this longsword and this spear over to me?”

When Master Glenn heard this, not only did he show no reluctance, he burst into loud laughter instead.

“Good boy, you have an eye for quality!

“A true blacksmith’s works are meant to be used, not hung on a wall to rust! Take them, take them!”

He waved his hand generously, but then pointed at the most exaggerated two-handed greatsword and added.

“However, you cannot take that big fellow.

“That is something this old man prepared for your father, Marquess Leon, using the best of the remaining materials.

“That old boy once saved my life. Hehe, consider it repayment for a favor.”

Father? Eli was slightly stunned, and warmth immediately welled up in his heart.

Master Glenn seemed rough and bold, but in truth, his thoughts were delicate. He had actually still remembered this kindness.

He smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Master. If Father receives this gift, he will certainly be very pleased.”

He picked up the mithril longsword and spear. They felt solid in his hands, with an excellent grip.

He intended to leave the longsword for Captain Buck, who was about to return.

As for that spear, it was suitable as a gift for Baron Ron of Runestone City.

It could strengthen his abilities and serve as a convenient favor as well.

“Leon,” Eli instructed Leon at the side.

“Continue to fully cooperate with Master Glenn. Whatever resources Master Glenn needs.

“Whether manpower, materials, or food, give him priority satisfaction. You may apply directly to me for them.”

“Yes! Lord!” Leon hurriedly bowed and accepted the order.

Having gotten what he came for and confirmed the situation at the mine, Eli took his leave in satisfaction, carrying the two newly obtained treasures out of the mine.

He raised his head and looked at the sky, roughly estimating the time. After informing Estor.

He set off toward the fishery at the edge of the territory to look for Gulu.

Sure enough, that overenergetic marmot was splashing about in the shallow water.

At times she dove underwater, and at times she slapped the water surface with her paws, having the time of her life.

Eli stood on the shore and called out loudly, “Gulu! Stop playing. Get ready to set off. We will go and return quickly.”

Gulu poked her head out of the water, shook her wet head, and retorted in dissatisfaction.

“Playing? Ignorant human! What do you understand?

“Lord Gulu is comprehending the power of water currents and carrying out profound cultivation!”

Eli looked at her serious expression as she spouted nonsense, and the corner of his mouth could not help twitching.

Afterward, Gulu paddled to the shore with all four limbs, then vigorously shook her body, trying to dry herself.

Many droplets inevitably splashed onto Eli, who was standing not far away.

“Hahaha!” Seeing this, Gulu clutched her belly and laughed smugly.

“Drink Lord Gulu’s bathwater! This is what you get for daring to order the great Lord Gulu around!”

Eli frowned as he looked at the water stains on his robe, then listened to those arrogant words. At last, he could no longer endure it.

He raised his foot and kicked Gulu hard in her round belly.

“Waaah—!” Gulu let out a startled cry.

With a splash, she fell back into the river again, sending up a large spray of water.

By the time she crawled back onto shore in a sorry state, although she was still muttering under her breath, she was clearly much more obedient.

Eli was too lazy to keep arguing with her. He took some carefully prepared desserts and food from the territory.

Then, together with Gulu, who was soaked all over and hanging her head in dejection, he set off on the journey to the elven sanctuary deep within Nightsong Forest.

After coming here several times, Eli had already become quite familiar with this road.

He walked quickly in front, while Gulu panted behind him on her short little legs, struggling to keep up.

“Slow down! Slow down! Damned human!

“Lord Gulu... Lord Gulu apologizes to you, all right?”

Gulu truly could not run anymore. Seeing that Eli had no intention of stopping at all.

She cried out in grief and indignation, suddenly accelerated into a sprint, and bit onto Eli’s trouser leg. Then she painstakingly climbed upward along his pants.

In the end, she successfully occupied Eli’s shoulder once more and lay there, gasping for breath.

Eli shook his head helplessly, but he let her do as she pleased.

Before long, that beautiful lake embedded deep within the forest like a sapphire appeared before his eyes once again.

The lake surface was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the ancient trees and sky around it. The scenery was so beautiful that it intoxicated the heart.

Eli could not help praising it again. “No matter how many times I see this place, it is still astonishing.”

He patted Gulu on his shoulder. “All right, we have arrived. Hurry up and call the door.”

Gulu snorted and turned her head away. “I did not hear you. Lord Gulu is tired.

“Unless... you come and beg me with utmost sincerity.”

Eli was too lazy to waste words with her. He directly reached out, picked her up from his shoulder, and tossed her to the ground.

“Ow!” Gulu landed on her backside and shouted angrily.

Eli ignored her. He walked to the lakeside and recalled the way Gulu had called the door before.

He cleared his throat and shouted toward the calm lake surface, “Valerian, open the door!”

Gulu, who had just climbed up with all four paws in the air, froze when she saw this scene.

Then she was so amused that she clutched her belly and laughed, rolling around on the ground.

“Hahaha! Ignorant human! Who do you think you are?

“Valerian is a noble Star-Reflecting Tide Dragon, the sacred beast of us elves. How could he possibly obey your command?

“Hahaha... are you trying to make Lord Gulu happy?”

However, her laughter came to an abrupt stop.

Because huge ripples suddenly spread from the center of the originally calm lake surface.

Immediately afterward, an incomparably enormous blue dragon head burst out of the water, bringing up a spray of water that filled the air.

The scales on the dragon’s head flickered with a dreamlike luster beneath the low sunlight.

Its huge dragon eyes were like deep lakes, calmly looking toward Eli on the shore.

Gulu was dumbfounded. Then she became so angry that she stamped her feet, pointed at the giant dragon in the lake, and shouted.

“Valerian! You traitor! You made Lord Gulu lose face! I am going to teach you a lesson!”

Eli watched as that dragon head, which was several times larger than his entire body, slowly lowered itself toward him.

The powerful dragon pressure made his breathing catch, and he nervously swallowed.

In his heart, he wildly complained: Big brother, the one who wants to teach you a lesson is Gulu, not me!

He forced out the friendliest smile he could and said to the giant dragon right in front of him.

“Honorable giant dragon Valerian, I am Eli Pendragon. I have come to have an audience with Her Highness Princess Irene and have an important matter to report.”

The enormous dragon head stopped less than a meter away from Eli.

Dragon breath carrying moisture and a chilly air sprayed onto his face.

“Valerian! What are you doing? You are not allowed to eat him! He belongs to Her Highness the Princess!”

Gulu shouted anxiously at the side, afraid that this foolish dragon would truly swallow Eli as a snack.

At this moment, a clear and pleasant little girl’s voice, carrying a hint of confusion, abruptly rang out in Eli’s mind.

“Mm... Human Eli... I know you... Her Highness the Princess is in the sanctuary...

“But... but she told me to tell you... she is not here...”

Eli: “...”

The expression on his face instantly froze, and he was speechless for a moment.

Elves really are all geniuses.