Chapter 97
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This chapter is edited by Cthulhu. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 97: Welcome to Hillenbrand Town!
“Where did you get this Token from?”
Faced with Tina’s question, Rayleigh and Mora were momentarily unsure of how to handle this fallen Elf Princess. After exchanging a glance, they decided to tell the truth.
“Lady Isabella got it from a succubus named Lolth for us,” Rayleigh said.
Tina looked at them thoughtfully. “Oh, you… have met Master Lolth?”
She took a step forward, moving closer to Rayleigh and Mora. Looking at Rayleigh, she smiled. “So, did Master Lolth say anything to you? Please tell me everything truthfully… It’s best not to lie about Master Lolth to me, okay?”
Rayleigh, still bound, fell silent. Meanwhile, Mora began to feel overwhelmed. Was this still the adorable and pure Moon Elf princess Tina? And why did she call that succubus “master”? Mora didn’t dare dwell on these thoughts.
“I will tell you the truth,” Mora sighed. “But honestly, there isn’t much to say – we just encountered her in the wild, and after a brief meeting, we were subdued… Then she found out about our backgrounds, didn’t kill us, and even invited us to eat something…”
“It seems Master Lolth quite likes you,” Tina said, nodding gently upon confirming Mora wasn’t lying. She felt relieved in her heart, knowing she wouldn’t have to harm her own people. Despite her loyalty to Master Lolth, she couldn’t bring herself to hurt her kind.
“After eating, Isabella and the succubus named Lolth went into a tent. Later, Isabella came out and gave us a Token, telling us we could leave,” Mora explained.
Rayleigh continued where Mora left off, sighing. “I thought Isabella saved us, but now it seems everything was part of the succubus’s plan.” He understood now – encountering the succubus, receiving the Token, Tina’s appearance – none of it was coincidental. Before a powerful succubus, every coincidence was a carefully designed plot. Tina’s attitude confirmed this.
“Of course, Isabella is just a plaything of Master Lolth. How could she actually ‘save’ you from Master Lolth?” Tina said dreamily. “Everything is part of Master Lolth’s plan… you all coming here is all part of Master Lolth’s scheme!”
“Darn it, what does that succubus want to do!” cursed the team’s last member, a dwarf warrior who was also a blacksmith.
“Elves, dwarves, humans… Maybe Master Lolth just wants to expand her collection of toys,” Tina chuckled, examining the Token in her hand. “But since she passed the Token to you through Isabella, it must be a reminder for me…”
As Tina pondered, the people of Hillenbrand Town behind her began whispering among themselves, finally understanding the situation.
“Are these guys… not enemies?”
“Didn’t Master Tina say these people have Master Lolth’s Token?”
“So they’re not here to oppose Master Lolth?”
“They’ve all consumed things from Master Lolth, how could they be so ungrateful!”
“Yes, everyone, let’s put down what we’re holding – maybe we’ll all be neighbors in the future!”
“Hmm… now that there’s plenty of food in town, we can afford to take care of these creatures, but what use are they?”
“Superoperator must always be useful… besides, Master Lolth must have her reasons!”
Listening to these words, Tina suddenly brightened. Yes – there was already plenty of food, and Master Lolth had always said the development of the Southern New Development Zone wasn’t just about agriculture! She had mentioned this expedition was to “get things needed for the next construction project.” Perhaps the next phase needed more than just building materials?
“So that’s what Master Lolth meant!” Tina exclaimed, smiling at the eighty-six people cheerfully.
This thoroughly confused Rayleigh and the others. “What exactly does this mean?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Instead of answering directly, Tina turned and walked towards the south of town. “Follow me now.”
The defeated soldiers looked at each other, not daring to resist. They had witnessed the power of the Epic High Level spellcasters who had defeated their strongest member, Rayleigh Collin, without giving him a chance to fight back. Though Tina’s followers had no magical energy, they all carried weapons enchanted at level seven or eight. Tina wouldn’t even need to lift a finger – one spell would immobilize them, leaving them at the mercy of those frightening shovels and axes. Moreover, the scruffy-bearded old man behind Tina seemed particularly important.
They crossed the southern part of Hillenbrand Town together. The old man took out a large white horn and explained to curious onlookers, “Residents, no need to worry. There are no invaders. Everything is arranged by the lord. Please return to your posts and homes, and carry on with your tasks!”
Upon reaching the southern section, the eighty-six people witnessed an astonishing sight. Fields, pastures, and forests were filled with operating magic formations, and many new buildings emanated terrifying magical energy.
“So this is the Wizard Association’s headquarters and the magical capital, Cloud City. It’s just as impressive as the legends say!” the elf Mora said in amazement.
Rayleigh, who had spent two years in Cloud City, was even more surprised. “No – even in Cloud City, there are no magic arrays irrigating farmland, with every brick enchanted!”
Uncle Maider, still holding his horn, smiled at this comment. “Welcome to Hillenbrand Town!” he said cheerfully.
“Wrong, Maider…” Tina, who had stopped walking, shook her head and turned to look at the eighty-six people, a faint smile on her face. “Yes, welcome to join Hillenbrand Town!”