Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 806 - 71: Ineffective Bait

Chapter 806: Chapter 71: Ineffective Bait

Muir’s question was an interesting one, and to those unaware, it might seem meaningless because in the Yarran World, the image of the elves had almost taken on a fixed form among other intelligent races: elegance, beauty, gentleness, kindness, and a love for nature. Each of these words, when applied to the elves, met no significant objections from the other races. However, only those familiar with the elves knew that beneath the surface of this grace and beauty, their souls were marked with a madness that was uniquely theirs. Under normal circumstances, they were indeed gentle and kind, but once madness took hold, these vindictive elves would carry out many acts without any consideration for consequences or cost, actions which were unimaginable to other races, at least to humans.

The most typical example was the war that erupted over a millennium ago against the slave trade when elves could mobilize all their combat force because a single young and weak commoner of their race had been trafficked. A hundred thousand Gold Rank forest guards swept through half of the human world, ready to sacrifice a massive number of their precious warriors and even risk the extinction of their entire race to drag their enemies into hell. At the time, the leadership of human nations mostly turned a blind eye to the limited slave trade, and the responses of other races amounted to nothing more than small-scale border conflicts. Thus, they could never have anticipated that these genteel and mild-mannered pacifists would start a war that involved both races in their entirety without any prior probing, ultimately leading to the annihilation of five hundred thousand soldiers of the Human Alliance Army and the death of all military and administrative personnel in seventy-three towns along the way. This war not only dealt a heavy blow to the overly confident humans, but also exposed to all races the madness of the elves. From that time onwards, and for more than a millennium, no one dared to provoke these darlings of the forest lightly; and these madmen of the forest, after the war, completely ignored the territories they had overtaken, retreating back into the woods to resume their previously tranquil and comfortable lives.

Time passed, and hatred faded with its progression, so much so that the madness of the elves became unknown to most. Yet, those who truly understood the elves would never forget their deeply ingrained insanity. That’s why, when Muir posed this question, almost simultaneously, the five members of the adventure team, excluding Ava, thought of the other aspect of the elves, connecting it to the events that had occurred before, the answer became quite clear. Catherine asked with a peculiar expression, "Mr. Muir, are you not returning to the Lost Forest because of the matter of a clansman being harmed by the enemies of the Sands of Time?"

"Correct," Muir elegantly strummed a string of his harp, and the usually gentle Flaron Harp emitted a sound likened to clashing weapons. "Intelligent beings wish to grow, and there is always a cost to pay, sometimes that cost is their very lives; we understand this. Therefore, even though elves die in the world outside the forest for various reasons each year, we take no action, as venturing out of the forest for adventures is their own choice, and they must bear the consequences themselves. The King’s Court and various forest churches all regard their deaths as natural. But this matter is different; it has touched our bottom line. If we do not get to the bottom of this, not one elf will be content."

"So, since we separated in the City of Innocence, have you been continuously investigating this matter?" Pannis asked. "It’s been a year now, hasn’t it? You really are persistent. But aren’t you worried at all? Although you are among the strongest below demigods, the leader of the other side is a demigod; if he personally makes a move against you, you will have no chance."

"I have long been prepared to die for this cause," Muir replied, his smile still gentle, yet the words he spoke did not match his expression at all. "Unfortunately, the enemy’s leader is too clever, and dares not make a move himself even now."

"If he personally takes action to kill you, the Elven Royal Court will then be able to see the other side through your Companion Tree, right?" Being very familiar with elves, Pannis knew well of some secret arts unique to them and nodded, "The members of the Sands of Time, especially their leader, rely heavily on their mysterious identities. If their cover is blown, they will likely not pose a threat anymore. It seems like you’re actually hoping that the enemy will initiate an attack on you."

"You do know me well," Muir replied with an attractive smile, patting Pannis on the shoulder. "Thank you for your understanding. It’s a pity that I have assumed the bait, yet the enemy refuses to bite. Not only do they not bite, but upon realizing that I was doggedly pursuing their trail, they have ceased all activity, causing all my leads to go cold."

"Of course, the other side isn’t stupid," said Pannis. "If it were me, I would do the same thing."

"That’s why I am currently troubled," Muir spread his hands out helplessly, his pointed ears twitching, "I can only wait patiently from now on."

"The question is, Mr. Muir, why would you be following clues to this place?" Catherine asked, her expression changing to one of surprise, "Don’t tell me the last piece of the clue disappeared right here? Wouldn’t that mean the enemy could be lurking in this city?"

"That’s not the case," Muir shook his head, "While it’s true that the final clue does point to the Kingdom of Mages, it’s not within the Cammicarra Territory. There is still quite a distance from the Third Flame City—you don’t have to worry about that."

"Then why are you here?" Pannis asked, "Looking so relaxed, at that."

"I came here to find you," Muir said, "Otherwise, why do you think I’d be waiting so leisurely here?"

"You should have gone to the City of Knowledge to find me, not to Philarx’s territory," Pannis scratched his head, then suddenly realized something, and said with a stern face, "Am I that easy to guess?"

"Heh heh, it’s not just guessing, but also gathering information," explained Muir, "I learned from His Majesty that you went to the ice fields. Given Master Fila’s health condition, it would be strange if you didn’t stop by on your way back to check on him. Waiting here for you is definitely faster than in the City of Knowledge. With messages from Master Antuin from the Mage Guild, I don’t have to worry that I missed you going back to the Holy City, so all I needed to do was wait patiently here. Just now, when this young mechanic lady went to the Mage Guild, I happened to see her, and I guessed you would directly go to see Master Fila, so I hurried over here first."

"Alright, you win," Pannis said with a wry smile, "You’ve gone to such lengths to find us—what is it that you want?"

"Of course, I want to accompany you to see Master Fila," said Muir, "The only Time Magic Master—his opinions and conjectures are more precious than anything. You’re not planning on discussing this matter with him, are you?"

"Come along," Pannis sighed, "But as you know the condition of Fila’s health, don’t be too hasty."

"I understand," said Muir, as his five fingers simultaneously swept across all the strings of the Flaron Harp, producing a series of tremolos, "Thank you very much." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to recommend and vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)