Chapter 300: Undercover II

Elves were an elitist race who worshipped bloodline and lineage.

Aside from being well-known for their love for nature, they were beings who prioritize "beauty" over everything.

And for them, the most beautiful was the one with the purest of bloodlines.

Nevertheless, one could never generalize the characteristics of a whole purely according to the tendency that a part of it demonstrated.

Just like in any other community, the actions of one do not speak for everyone.

***

It had been a few minutes since Aurelia and Auryn had entered the village chief’s accommodation.

Meanwhile, the Vanta, Equilla, Exemplar, Gotun, and the main squad had settled outside accordingly due to the lack of space inside.

They took it upon themselves to act as Aurelia’s followers, being employees of the Midas Merchant Organization, as they stayed outside to act the part.

Of course, even though they had exhausted expressions and looked like they were merely resting, their minds were at high alert as they observed everything around them in a subtle manner.

"Is that so..." Killian could not help but glance at the half-elves living their daily lives after hearing everything Patti knew about them.

He squinted his blue eyes and noticed something.

Killian compared the half-elves’ features with the pure-blooded elves they met and felt a little surprised.

Unlike the pure-blooded elves, the half-elves’ ears were elongated, but theirs seemed a little bit shorter and had a less sharp silhouette than the former.

Aside from that, their irises, although a shade of green, seemed lighter than the pure-blooded ones’ eyes that were a deeper shade of green.

"It’s not even that obvious..." Killian could not help but mutter.

Patti gave him a knowing look and said, "Yes... But it makes all the difference in the world in how they would be treated by other pure-blood elves."

"By the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask since earlier..."

"Go ahead."

Killian thought for a moment, "Why didn’t you go with Aurelia and Auryn? Would it be fine for the only son of the Midas Merchant Organization to stay outside with the supposed employees instead of partaking in their meeting?"

"Pfft—"

Patti could not help but let out a chuckle, "Well, you see... Unlike other families, ours is not obsessed with having sons inherit everything, since we value ability over everything else."

’Huh? Is it really fine to talk about himself like that?’ Killian did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Seeing his reaction, Patti already had an inkling of what he was thinking, "I’ve really never been interested in business anyway. Instead, I aspire to be more like a knight or adventurer— someone who’s at the frontlines fighting monsters and the like. After all, isn’t that way cooler?"

Even though he was mentally older than Killian, his appearance still made him look like he was around three years older than his real age, which made his words not seem too out of place.

Just as Killian and Patti were conversing, Aurelia and Auryn came out of the village chief’s accommodation with the village chief herself.

"Thank you for your time, Ms. Yurva."

The village chief, Yurva, was a half-elf who looked like someone in her early twenties.

She smiled gently, "Since this was something Her Majesty herself had arranged, we’re here to make sure that you and your group would have a pleasant stay in our village. As such, please let us know whether you need anything else. In the meantime, please feel free to take a stroll for a while first, while I have people arrange your accommodation."

"Thank you for the consideration, but we believe it’ll be better for us if we start collecting the herbs as early as now," Auryn replied on her and Aurelia’s behalf.

Yurva covered her mouth with one hand as she let out a light chuckle. "What hardworking young ladies you are. I only wish my son were half as diligent as the two of you. If that makes you more comfortable, then so be it. I’ll have dinner prepared as well, so you can eat as soon as you return."

"Thank you once again. We should get going now, as we’ve already taken too much of your time..." Aurelia said with a respectful smile.

"Very well. Please take care on your way." Yurva’s smile never left her face as she waved them goodbye.

Aurelia and Auryn waved at her as well before walking towards where the others had settled while waiting for them.

Patti, Killian, Pandora, and Marzana were the first ones to approach them while the others stood up and maintained an orderly formation.

"What happened there? Did you notice anything strange?" Patti spoke with a concerned expression on his face.

Aurelia glanced at her sister before answering her brother as she held up the catalog in her hands, "The village chief had given us the go signal to collect the necessary herbs in the periphery of the Xerxes Village."

"We have already informed her of our departure and assured her that we would return before the sun sets," Auryn added after a brief moment.

Noticing his blunder, Patti kept quiet and just nodded in reply.

Killian spoke respectfully, "Then should we go now? I believe it’ll be better for us if we want to make the most of our time."

"En." Aurelia nodded.

Marzana chimed in naturally as she asked, "Let me lead the way, Madam Aurelia and Madam Auryn."

Just like that, the caravan made its way out of the village just as quickly as it had entered it.

Unbeknownst to them, a number of secretive gazes had followed their departing figures until they reached the entrance of the village.

"Do you think they are trouble?"

"No, it should be fine."

"Then, we proceed with the plan tonight?"

"I believe so. I don’t think they will be able to do much. It will just be some extra work for us, but nothing serious. This might even earn us additional merit from the leader."