Chapter 371

Chapter 371: The Dark Elf Merchant Caravan

Two more days passed, and another group of dark elves appeared on the road.

This was a dark elf merchant caravan.

The caravan had many cave lizards. These creatures possessed large fleshy pads that let them cling effortlessly to stone walls.

Many dark elves rode these cave lizards, moving along vertical cliffs and even across the Zenith above.

Larger cave lizards carried swollen packs, crawling slowly under the guard of armored escorts.

At the caravan’s center stood several mages, and Midi detected clear magic waves coming from them.

A formidable merchant caravan.

That was Midi’s conclusion.

Exactly the target he needed.

Merchants tended to be less aggressive and more worldly—they’d at least recognize what a “human” was.

Their strength also meant they wouldn’t attack immediately. They’d take time to assess the situation.

“Time to test this,” Midi muttered. A blue glow flashed in his star-dark eyes.

Mind-related abilities: Star Shift.

In an instant, he vanished from hiding and materialized at the road’s center.

As he teleported, Midi released a surge of magic, disrupting the surrounding magic flow.

This disguised his mind-related ability as ordinary teleportation magic, hiding his true power.

The dramatic display would also ensure the caravan noticed him quickly.

The magic disturbance immediately alerted the caravan’s elemental mages.

Shouts rang out. Guards drew weapons. The caravan shifted into battle formation.

Lizard knights urged their mounts forward to investigate.

They soon found the “unconscious” human youth lying on the road.

His appearance stood out—bronze skin, short black curls, round ears. Nothing like the races of the Shaded Realm.

One impulsive knight nudged his lizard to snap at the body, but the captain stopped him.

“Take this… creature to the leader and priest,” the captain ordered. “They’ll want to see it.”

Dark elf society prized hierarchy. Pleasing superiors meant opportunities. This harmless oddity made perfect tribute.

They bound Midi like cargo across a cave lizard’s back and carried him into the caravan.

Every dark elf stared at the “round-eared creature.” Curiosity hung thick in the air.

“It’s working,” Rot’s voice echoed in Midi’s mind.

“Not yet,” Midi responded silently.

Though feigning unconsciousness, his psychic vision let him observe. The dark elves were intrigued, but none considered releasing him. Their thoughts showed only mild interest—no real threat assessment.

Whether Midi could integrate into dark elf society hinged on the whims of those in power.

Soon afterward, Midi sensed an overwhelming surge of magic.

He found himself dragged before the caravan leader.

This dark elf mage appeared exceptionally aged. By Midi’s estimation, he must’ve been over a hundred and fifty years old – a remarkable lifespan even for dark elves who typically lived two centuries.

The old mage stood at Level 62, slightly surpassing Midi’s own capabilities.

In Arad, such a mage would pose no threat to a Level 60 warrior like Midi. But here in the Shaded Realm, his powers diminished significantly. Every practitioner in this cursed land possessed battle-hardened skills far superior to surface dwellers. Midi tensed warily as the elder approached.

A second potent magical presence suddenly prickled his senses.

"Elder Sindar, what manner of creature is this?" A bell-like voice rang out.

The speaker was a dark elf woman with snow-white hair, her belt coiled with six living serpents forming a whip. Midi identified her as an exorcist, though her weapons differed starkly from Arad’s scythe-wielding counterparts.

Rot’s voice echoed in his mind: "A black dragon priestess. They serve deities from Dark Dragon City. Consider her equivalent to paladins with extra talents – though she won’t detect your psychic energy."

"Does this connect to the Black Dragon Conference?" Midi thought.

"Don’t get ideas," Rot snorted. "These priestesses swarm like cave beetles among dark elves. Flattering one won’t secure conference access."

Meanwhile, the elder addressed the impatient priestess: "This is no creature, Miss Galantis. It’s a human."

Relief washed over Midi – at least they’d upgraded him from "it" to "he."

"Human?" The priestess tilted her head, white locks shimmering. "What’s that?"

"Surface-dwelling intelligent race," the elder stroked his beard. "I ventured to Arad via Teleportation Arrays in my youth. Weaklings mostly – can’t wield magic, fall to goblin attacks. Even their practitioners crumble without sunlight."

"How amusing they haven’t gone extinct," Galantis remarked, her gaze now mixing pity and contempt. "But surely they’re rare here?"

"Exceedingly," the elder nodded. "First Layer’s darkness alone blinds them. Yet this one reached the Fourth Layer…" His suspicious eyes narrowed at the trussed-up human.

"Let’s interrogate him!" Galantis snapped her serpent-whip. "Torches! Wake the… creature."

Feigning grogginess under acrid stimulants, Midi blinked awake. Firelight revealed the priestess’ crimson eyes and haughty beauty. "Human! Explain your presence here!"

As the elder probed for inconsistencies and dark elves watched distrustfully, Midi spun his prepared tale: a Demon Swordman caught in enemy Teleportation Array mishap. His practiced noble eloquence, aided by Rot’s whispers, turned questions into opportunities.

Through their exchanges, Midi learned this was Wolfspider tribe’s trade caravan returning from Mososbury City. Elder Sindar led them, while Galantis – the chieftain’s daughter – sought experience as deputy.

Calculating how to exploit their curiosity, Midi nearly missed Galantis’ sudden decree:

"Human! I decree you my slave henceforth!"

Slave?

Midi’s thoughts stuttered mid-strategy.