Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree-Chapter 283 - 272: Poor Elves (Two in One)

"Disguised as a noble youth traveling with a merchant caravan?"

*At the thought of this, the skinny guard’s eyes subtly changed again.*

And at this moment, he noticed more...

Professionals!

These young people, the oldest appearing just over twenty, and the youngest seemingly only in their teens...

Each and every one of them was a professional!

The skinny guard himself was not a professional. He was merely an Apprentice Warrior.

But years of experience had granted him a pair of extremely sharp eyes.

These young people, they didn’t hide the aura around them at all.

Upon closer observation, it could be found that each of them possessed an extremely terrifying strength!

Their aura was even stronger than the most powerful Hunter in Streamwood Town...

And the most powerful Hunter in Streamwood Town had already broken through to the Black Iron Middle Rank several years ago.

That meant this group of young people... their strength was at the very least at the peak of Black Iron Middle Rank, possibly even Black Iron Upper was possible.

However, the Hunter in Streamwood Town was already fifty years old this year, while these young people were so young...

*At such a young age, having such strong abilities, was there any need to doubt their identity?*

Nobles!

They must be nobles!

Only nobles could cultivate such excellent young professionals!

Unlike ordinary civilians, human nobles controlled most of the extraordinary powers and most resources.

They didn’t need to toil for their livelihood, merely following the set path to grow and mastering the family’s power was enough.

Hence, for these young nobles, everything about civilian life was novel.

Occasionally, there would be some nobles who liked freshness, doing things civilians couldn’t comprehend...

Like pretending to be a merchant caravan to travel in winter, it’s entirely possible!

After all... it’s said that the Aries Kingdom in the south neither had cold winters nor snow scenes.

And every winter, many nobles from Aries went north to the Holy Mania Empire to watch the snow...

Of course, in the winter, many nobles from the Holy Mania Empire also went south to the warm south for vacation.

The two nations had been at peace for decades, and their attitudes toward each other were no longer as hostile as a hundred years ago; private exchanges were quite abundant...

*At the thought of this, the skinny guard’s eyes grew brighter.*

Young nobles!

If he pleased them, even the tiniest bit from what slipped through their fingers could make him rich!

If the other party had a good time, perhaps the entire town could benefit!

One must know that, being a border town in the southwest, unlike the bustling eastern frontier, and constantly at risk of harassment from the Half-Beast, Streamwood Town had always been quite impoverished.

*Soon, the skinny guard figured out what to do in his heart.*

He pretended not to have discovered the other party’s identity, started coughing lightly as per the usual routine, and said in a deep voice,

"Who are you people?"

*Here it comes!*

The players perked up.

Having learned some strategies from Nightingale in advance, they knew that this was the usual dialogue when encountering a smuggling caravan in the border town.

Everyone instinctively looked at Li Mu, who gave them a reassuring look, then smiled and said to the guard,

"We are a merchant caravan from the south. I am the guild leader, Li Mu, planning to take advantage of this winter to head north and sell some goods..."

*If there were no surprises, bribery would be next.*

*After the bribe, the other party should help them get a trading pass into the empire.*

*Li Mu thought to himself.*

*These were all things that Nightingale had said.*

*The NPC, who was said to have often disguised as a human or ’cargo’ in various smuggling caravans before returning to the Elf Forest, rescuing elf companions...*

*Merchants and mercenary groups were the best way to infiltrate human society in an organized manner.*

*However, compared to mercenary groups that were subject to strict inspection, merchant caravans were freer.*

*And... more convenient for ’doing business.’*

*And sure enough, after hearing Li Mu’s words, the skinny guard revealed a smiley face,

"So it’s a merchant caravan! Running business in winter must be quite tough. Please come to the town and rest, the day’s getting late. After resting, I’ll report to the mayor and get you an imperial merchant caravan trading pass."

Finished speaking, he made a gesture to invite them in...

*Hmm?*

*Not going to ask about their origins in more detail?*

*Li Mu was slightly taken aback.*

*This was going so smoothly, it left all the prepared explanations and justifications stuck in his mouth...*

"So, what do you think? Shall we rest? It’s getting late, should we check out the town and see what the human world looks like in this game, and, by the way, find out how far Maple City is?"

*Li Mu asked in the chat channel.*

This town was still too small.

Even from the outside, it estimated to be just a slightly bigger village.

Of course, even a human village was enough to make players curious.

But if possible, Li Mu still wanted to lead the players further in, straight to the final destination—Maple City!

According to the returning elf NPC, Maple City was the most prosperous city on the southwest border.

And prosperity meant resources and opportunities...

Not to mention, as the former Elf Capital, it must have hidden storylines!

The players exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"It is getting late, we’ve been traveling for so many days, exhausted."

"Ugh, it’s mainly so far, and we haven’t gained any experience, I’m beginning to regret coming out to explore."

"Don’t worry! Once we reach our destination, we might earn it all back at once."