Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree

Chapter 218: Chapter 212: Crocodile Mercenary Corps

The sunset painted the sky with a mesmerizing shade of red, and it was nearing dusk.

Players who had been gaming the whole day began to return from instances and the underground forest, using the Teleportation Array to get back to Chosen City, either to participate in the nightly bonfire parties in the city or to log off and rest to recover their stamina…

Of course, some hardcore players chose to continue completing quests and farming wild monsters, striving to reach higher levels and gain more contribution points.

And Black Dragon Castle, as the connecting point of the Teleportation Array between Rivendell and Chosen City, naturally bustled with activity.

Most players hurriedly teleported from Rivendell to Black Dragon Castle and then directly from the castle hall to Chosen City, merely staying in the hall, leaving the outside of the castle somewhat desolate.

In the evening, like usual, Black Dragon Mairrel let out a long cry, spread its wings, and soared away, the destination unknown.

In the words of Little Xian Miao, this was Little Black Dragon’s usual walk before mealtime.

Influenced by the players, Black Dragon Mairrel had gotten used to having three meals a day, and every day, players with barbecue quests would grill meat for it.

Among them, Little Xian Miao and two Northeastern grill brothers took on the task most frequently.

Little Xian Miao prepared the Demon Beast Meat in advance and took charge of lighting the fire, while the two Northeastern brothers were mainly responsible for the grilling… In no more than half an hour, they could have Mairrel’s barbecue ready.

Then, the three would exchange the barbecue for a decent amount of experience points and contribution points, and while Little Black Dragon was eating, they would pry off a few dragon scales, much to their delight.

Today, the three took on the task again, grilling outside the castle by the bonfire.

Initially, they barbecued inside the castle, but Little Black Dragon despised the smoke and grease filling the place, eventually driving the players outside.

The two Northeastern brothers chatted while grilling, and Little Xian Miao occasionally used her fire magic to control the heat while multitasking by watching variety show videos online, occasionally letting out a string of bell-like laughter.

The night mountain breeze blew gently, causing the bonfire to flicker slightly, scattering the white smoke from the barbecue, carrying a tantalizing aroma…

It was quite pleasant.

However, suddenly, Little Xian Miao’s expression changed. She stopped smiling, turned off the video, and stood up warily.

“What’s wrong, Miao?”

Seeing Little Xian Miao’s face, the two Northeastern brothers asked in confusion.

Little Xian Miao, like a wary rabbit, looked around and said, “The warning magic I set up nearby was triggered. There might be a Demon Beast.”

Black Dragon Castle was located on a mountain at the edge of the Dark Mountain Range. Usually, when Little Black Dragon was around, other Demon Beasts dared not approach.

However, when Little Black Dragon left, occasionally, some Demon Beasts, enticed by the smell of barbecue, would boldly come nearby.

Although the levels weren’t very high, they were enough to pose a threat to the players…

Therefore, every time Little Xian Miao came to grill for Black Dragon, she habitually set up a first-ring warning magic spell nearby in advance.

Listening to Little Xian Miao’s words, the two Northeastern brothers also became vigilant.

They put down their skewers and drew their swords and blades…

A faint breeze gently stirred their hair, but apart from the sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, and the occasional shouts of players coming from the castle, the three saw nothing.

A moment later, Little Xian Miao lowered her Magic Wand and sighed regretfully, “It must have left.”

The two Northeastern brothers looked at each other and then sat down again to continue grilling.

Everything returned to calm.

However, in the darkness unnoticed by Little Xian Miao and her friends, an agile figure sighed in relief and then rolled and crawled down the mountain quietly…

At the foot of the mountain of Black Dragon Castle, a few kilometers away in a dense forest near the Rock Cave Tribe ruins.

A group of human mercenaries in leather armor sat idly on the ground, eating rations and chatting while resting.

Beside them stood several carts loaded with goods.

This was a human mercenary corps.

Mercenary corps were very common in human society on Segis Continent. They sold their martial prowess, getting hired by nobles and merchants, sometimes engaging in wars, hunting powerful Demon Beasts, or simply escorting merchant caravans to earn commissions.

Besides, when there weren’t big orders, they also acted as merchant caravans, organizing their own trading while traveling long distances…

The Crocodile Mercenary Corps was just like that.

Registered in the Holy Mania Empire, this medium-sized mercenary corps, consisting of over eleven hundred people, had recently completed a commission task in the southern Aries Kingdom, earning a large sum in commissions and was returning north.

The carts in their team carried goods they had purchased in Aries Kingdom, which they intended to sell back home for some smuggling profits.

In the center of the mercenary camp.

A human warrior with a bushy beard, clad in light Mithril armor, sat on a rock.

He held a map in his hand, scrutinizing it carefully.

He was the leader of the Crocodile Mercenary Corps, a magic swordsman at the silver medium rank, known as “Crocodile.”

As a mid-tier professional of the silver rank, he was somewhat renowned in the southwestern border of the empire. Single-handedly, he had raised a mercenary team of over a thousand, receiving the hospitality of the border nobles.

Even the famous border Earl in the southwest of the Holy Mania Empire had once invited him for a meeting, exchanging banters.

Crocodile pondered over the map, uncertain of his thoughts.

Beside him stood a short, chubby middle-aged man dressed in a somewhat shabby steward outfit.

If Black Dragon Mairrel were there, it would recognize him as the former leader of the human border Earl’s clansmen that it had “hired,” a timid and weak steward.

However, at this moment, the steward’s expression was unpleasant:

“Lord Crocodile, I’ve told you everything I know. Why won’t you let us go?”

Hearing this, Crocodile lightly shook his head:

“Mr. Anders, why are you in such a hurry? The journey is treacherous and filled with Demon Beasts. Our mercenary corps accompanying you is precisely your luck. You should thank us for our escort.”

After that, he laughed again:

“If it weren’t for us, you and your followers might have been snatched away by Demon Beasts. Besides, we haven’t charged you any escort fees.”

Hearing Crocodile’s words, the steward’s face turned even uglier:

“Escort? Just ahead lies the border of the empire. I’m the Earl’s steward. What escort do I need? Aren’t you afraid of incurring the Earl’s wrath by detaining me like this?”

Crocodile merely shook his head:

“One shouldn’t say it like that. The Black Dragon is evil and cunning. What if it ambushes you during your return?”

Hearing Crocodile’s words, Anders’s face darkened, but soon he said in frustration:

“Lord Crocodile, I know what you have in mind. A Black Dragon dwelling near the border, even if not mature, must have accumulated great wealth. Not only would you be tempted, but even the Earl might be too.”

“I know you’re worried that if I return, the Earl will send a team to exterminate the Black Dragon, so you’ll miss your chance…”

“But… This is a dragon! Even if it’s not fully mature, it possesses the strength of a Silver Upper. Your mercenary corps might number a thousand, but you’re no match for it!”

“Moreover, that Black Dragon is cunning and never led us to its lair. Searching aimlessly, you might find it difficult to locate…”

After the steward finished speaking, Crocodile shook his head:

“You don’t have to worry about that. Our mercenary corps might lack many things, but scouts aren’t one of them. And this Black Dragon often circles in the sky recently. If we truly wish to find its lair, it won’t be too difficult with some effort. As for dealing with the Black Dragon, you needn’t concern yourself.”

During their conversation, an excited voice suddenly came over:

“Captain! Captain!”

Crocodile frowned and looked towards the source of the voice.

An agile figure emerged, a human scout with a bow and a curved blade.

He avoided resting mercenaries on both sides and came straight to Crocodile, wiping the sweat from his forehead while speaking excitedly:

“Captain! I’ve found the Black Dragon’s lair!”

“Hmm? Finally found it?”

Crocodile’s eyes flashed with a hint of joy.

He gestured to his subordinates, and immediately, two mercenaries came forward and took the frustrated border Earl’s steward away.

Then, he looked at the scout:

“Where exactly is it?”

“In a castle on the mountain ahead!”

After hearing this, Crocodile nodded internally:

“Very good!”

After saying this, he asked expectantly:

“Did you see any elves?”

“I did!”

The scout said.

After speaking, his expression turned a little strange:

“Those elves… they set up a bonfire outside the castle and were grilling meat.”

“Grilling… meat?!”

Crocodile was taken aback.

Then, he speculated:

“They might have been forced by the dragon. It seems like a Black Dragon that knows how to enjoy itself… Any other information?”

The scout thought for a moment and continued:

“Those elves are very cautious and set up warning spells around. I almost got caught.”

Crocodile wasn’t surprised:

“After all, they’re elves, innately magical creatures. Anything else? Does the Black Dragon have any clansmen?”

“Apparently not, only some elves. However… there seemed to be quite a few elves inside the castle. I could vaguely hear their voices, and when the light shone through, it seemed there might be dozens of them.”

“That many elves?!

Crocodile’s eyes grew increasingly bright.

“Anders, that fellow! He kept something back! Hmph! Dozens of elves. No wonder he was so anxious! That’s wealth equivalent to what a young Black Dragon should have!”

After pondering for a moment, Crocodile said:

“Continue observing, see if we can discern the Black Dragon’s activity patterns, then we’ll act!”

“But…”

The scout hesitated and said:

“The Black Dragon’s aura is terrifying… surely a Silver Upper. Can we really take it on?”

Crocodile’s face darkened:

“Idiot! When did I ever say we were going to slay the dragon? What I mean is, once we understand the Black Dragon’s movement patterns, we stealthily infiltrate the castle while it’s away. Let’s see if we can snatch some treasure and kidnap a few elves!”

“Not to mention, if we can capture a few female elves, we’ll make a huge profit on this trip! As for the Black Dragon… let’s leave that headache for the Earl!”

“After successfully sneaking in and making a grab, we’ll release Anders and his people!”