Chapter 215: Chapter 213: Mercenaries Have a Keen Nose

"Didn’t I say, these minor issues, you could solve them by researching a bit yourselves, and yet you still need to ask me? This is the last time. If you come asking me without major issues again, I’ll tell the City Lord to replace you."

On the way to the ancient ruins, Hilia is communicating with the Array Master of Southern Border City, feeling exasperated at the lack of initiative from the Array Master.

"I clearly arranged everything before leaving, and the design of the blueprint is so simple and easy to understand. As long as the general direction is correct, the magic array should be fine. Why do they always like to ask me about detail issues?"

"Miss Xilia is really busy with work," Elina said enviously.

Hilia said speechlessly: "It depends on what kind of work it is. These problems only make me angry."

Elina asked curiously: "Can you tell me what the problems are?"

"For example, they just asked me whether to use thickened lines or regular lines when the array passes through an alley, and whether to use standard capture runes or special capture runes for the array nodes."

"They ask me about details that don’t require any thinking. It’s annoying, this is the last time. Next time I’ll really lose my temper."

Hilia didn’t hide the fact that she was an Array Master. While in Southern Border City, Elina vaguely knew something about it, especially since Hilia was the one who introduced her to Mr. Puniel.

And Elina could feel Mr. Puniel’s attitude towards Hilia was that of treating an esteemed guest, even more cautious than when dealing with her.

"Are we almost at the ancient ruins?" Hilia asked.

Elina tapped on her wristband, seemingly comparing it to a map.

A moment later, she nodded, they were almost there, just two more mountains to cross.

Hilia sighed: "I should have asked you to buy a flying device when we first came over. Walking wastes too much time, what should have been a one-day trip took three."

Elina’s ears twitched, and her cheeks flushed slightly: "I’ve never used a flying device before, I don’t know how to operate one."

"Shouldn’t elves be able to fly? I’ve seen many pictures of elves, they all have wings."

"Those with wings are elves blessed by the Elf God. Ordinary elves need to reach Tier Four and learn the magic ’Wings of Nature’ to have wings."

"So there are requirements." Hilia realized.

At this moment, their speed was fast. Although they were walking, they were continuously using magic enhancements for traveling. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Of course, it was Elina who used them. Hilia currently hasn’t learned any traveling magic, too much greed will spoil the efforts.

Elina learned a nature-type traveling magic specifically to save money on a flying device. According to her, she could practice magic while traveling and refine magic power.

Hilia asked a soul-searching question: "Why not buy a magical beast mount, meditate and refine magic power while traveling?"

Elina said nothing.

After crossing two mountains, the two saw a large flat area in a valley.

In the middle of the flat ground was a pool, surrounded by overgrown weeds.

On the mountain against which the flat ground lay, a quaint large door hidden among vines was faintly visible.

Besides that, they also saw several tents set up on the flat ground.

Hilia looked at Elina: "Is this the ancient ruins you said were undiscovered?"

Elina was also stunned.

After a while, she said: "Last time I came here, there was indeed no one. Maybe I dragged it on for too long, and other adventurers found this place."

Hilia nodded, feeling unsurprised.

Such ruins, not too far from large cities, once appeared, would inevitably be discovered by adventurers in a very short time.

Reporting the discovery of ruins to the Mercenary Guild also yields a handsome reward, and many are willing to do it.

Because ancient ruins can’t be handled alone, it’s either forming an elite team or slowly pushing forward with manpower.

Most mercenary corps have self-awareness, knowing they aren’t suited to tackle ancient ruins. Sometimes, exploring with only one team means the risk encountered will drastically increase. It’s better to share and earn a reward.

Before long, the two arrived outside the camp where the various mercenary corps were stationed.

At this moment, the place is bustling with activity.

Weeds were cleared to form a small main road. Tents were set up on one side of the main road, with a pond on the other side.

Some people were fishing by the pond.

Many traveling merchants had already arrived at this temporary camp to sell daily necessities.

Wheat wine and dried food are the most popular items here.

Walking into the camp, the two saw a clearing surrounded by many tables and several mercenaries drinking inside.

Their conversation reached the women’s ears.

"We came too early for this ruin."

"Yes, it hasn’t even opened yet, but everyone is here trying to seize the opportunity for treasure."

"Wonder when they’ll figure out how to open the door."

"Heard someone from the Mage Guild came yesterday, and they said that door requires a Pure Magic Crystal to open."

"Pure Magic Crystal?"

"It’s an even higher grade than Advanced Magic Crystal, very expensive. Heard the last Pure Magic Crystal sold for five thousand gold coins!"

"That expensive? I think this ruin is pretending to require a Pure Magic Crystal to trick people into fetching one to power it."

"That’s what everyone thinks, so they’re still trying to crack the door."

"Can we dig a tunnel around it and go inside?"

"The Eternal Night Mercenary Corps is already taking action, wish them luck."

"Surely there are other methods?"

"Other methods are being tried by large mercenary corps. Heard that the legendary Royal Mercenary Corps is interested in this ruin and came over quietly."

"Royal Mercenary Corps? That secret corps supposedly formed in secret by the Royal Family, consisting of princes and princesses?"

"Yes, that’s the one, heard the leader is a student from the Royal Magic Academy."

"They all came, maybe we should wait, let others open the doors and then go inside."

"..."

Through spiritual power and sharp ears, respectively, both Hilia and Elina extracted the information they wanted from the discussions.

They found a vacant spot to sit down and ordered a cup of fruit nectar.

Hilia said: "With so many people, there must be even more at the ruin. What do you plan to do?"

Elina, wearing a hat to conceal her elf characteristics, kept her ears upright, continuously listening to surrounding conversations. Hearing Hilia’s question, she replied: "Let’s rest for a day, check the situation at the ruins later, and go open the door when there are fewer people."

Hilia smiled: "Do you still intend to keep the entire ruins to yourself?"

Elina shook her head: "I don’t anymore. With so many people, as a mere Tier Two Mage, it’s impossible to keep it to myself anyway. Most ruins keep the door closed; other things are mostly in subspace, so different teams entering may not meet in the same place."

The elf maiden felt a bit disheartened. She initially thought of keeping it to herself, but ended up being discovered by others, feeling somewhat disappointed.

"Keeping all the ruins to oneself is too greedy, even Tier Four Mages can’t do that. As long as we can take away the important things, it’s good enough. Let’s go, once we’re rested, we’ll go check the situation."