Strictly speaking, the destruction of the High Elves' civilization had occurred 718 years ago.
The Time Stop Enchantment that enveloped Elsen City was equivalent to a fragment of the civilization that had been destroyed 718 years ago … completely preserved here.
It wasn't that no one had discovered or explored Elsen City in the past 700 years, but all the exploration teams that had entered the forest had never returned. Thus, clues about the existence of the High Elves' ruins had become increasingly rare. Even today, very few people on the continent even knew of the existence of Elsen City.
The Time Stop Barrier obviously meant that everything in the city was in a state of "stillness". In other words … it was absolutely possible to see a living High Elf after 700 years.
However, it was still very weird. Therefore, the arcanists of the Holy Assembly gathered arcana energy in their hands almost immediately, ready to blast the old elf into pieces at any time.
"We are adventurers who entered the city."
Speck thought for a moment and replied to the old man's question in the High Elves' language. Then she narrowed her eyes and asked softly, "May I ask why the people in this city seem to have disappeared? And why are you here? "
His words sounded polite, but the fingers behind his back were already ready to cast a binding arcane spell. His body was also tense, ready to go into battle at any time.
"Disappeared? No … Lord Cadgar issued an emergency evacuation order, but I'm old. There's not much point in evacuating or not, so I stayed here. " The old elf seemed to be in a bad mood. He took a few steps forward and looked at Speck and the others. His brows furrowed, but his tone changed slightly. "You're not High Elves? Ah … When did humans have the right to come to Elsen City? "
There had been humans 700 years ago, but at that time, they obviously had no status on the continent. They were basically regarded as "barbarians" and were "uncivilized" in the eyes of the High Elves. Thus, the old elf's words were filled with disdain.
However, Speck and the others looked at each other. They had obviously obtained a lot of information. The man did not know what year it was, and the "Khadgar" he mentioned was the highest level arcanist in Elsen City back then. Even the "Time Stop Barrier" was cast by him. Judging from the man's manner and tone, he seemed to be a High Elf who lived more than 700 years ago!
"No, we are not humans but High Elves. We can explain this."
Speck carefully worded her words, but the old elf was not very interested. She waved her hand and said, "Go find someone else. There aren't many people left in the city, and I don't know where Lord Cadgar went … I also don't know if the Beastmen have retreated. You should head east as soon as possible. If you go to Wagra City, you still have a chance of being saved.
Speck and the others did not chase after him, but they were even more convinced of some information.
"He doesn't know about the passing of time?"
"Perhaps to him, the beginning and end of the barrier should have happened at the same time. If that's the case, would they still think that it's more than seven hundred years ago?"
"The orcs were attacking here then? Then they are the residents who didn't manage to escape in time. "
After a short discussion, the team decided to move forward. As expected, they met another High Elf walking on the street. This time, the High Elf did not refuse to talk to her. Instead, he politely answered Speck's question.
"You're asking about the library? There are three in the inner city, but the royal library is over there. "A fair-skinned female High Elf pointed at the corner of the inner city. She then pointed at the towering Mage Tower in the center." As for the 'energy replenishment device' you mentioned, it's in the tower. After the orcs attacked, it has been heavily guarded. The guards only retreated two days ago, but there should still be restrictions … So I advise you not to go there. "
This High Elf's attitude was friendlier than the old man's, but she was still worried. "I'm afraid that the orcs will attack again. If you want to leave, you should leave quickly. If you're late, it might be too late."
"Then why don't you leave?"
"Me? My husband died outside the city, so … "
She turned around sadly. Speck hurriedly apologized, but she was clearly not in a good mood. She did not say anything else and walked away quietly.
"I think it should be over there, right?" Speck had always felt strange talking to a High Elf from hundreds of years ago. But now, all the evidence pointed to the possibility of their guess, and the doubts in her heart gradually dissipated.
However, the members of the Holy Assembly would not make a decision just because of a few words. They continued walking the streets of the inner city and met three or four groups of High Elves. After asking all kinds of questions, they finally confirmed the authenticity of all the information.
"The 'energy replenishment device' should be in the central Mage Tower. But to enter, we need to break through the restrictions. And those books should be found in the royal library. "Speck thought for a moment. Looking at the huge inner city, she frowned." For safety's sake, none of us can move separately. Let's confirm the time. Alright, let's go to the library first. "
"Yes."
One by one, the members of the Holy Assembly responded in a low voice. Then, they followed the team. Under the slightly strange gazes of the High Elves, they felt like they did not fit in with the city.
*****
When Camilla opened her eyes again, she felt dizzy. Her eyelids were heavy.
The exhaustion of the past few days had made her body ache. Now that she was covered by a warm fur blanket, she suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of comfort. She had not laid so comfortably in a long time.
She thought of her 12 years in Mogra Village. She also thought of her precious daughter who would call for her mother to wake up every morning …
Naifei …
Naifei?
As if in the blink of an eye, the memories from before she fainted suddenly came back. Camilla remembered her series of encounters … Encountering cavalry, arrows, close combat, and being hit on the head by that guy called Roddy …
Then … Camilla thought of how Roddy had straddled her and held her hands down. That humiliating position made her feel ashamed and angry!
Camilla, who was only 29 years old, swore to herself that if there was a chance, she would definitely beat this guy up. Even if he knew Naifei!
But this feeling only flashed for a moment. She quickly realized that she had fallen into the enemy's hands. Turning her gaze, Camilla found that the face that she wanted to beat up was right in front of her.
"Lady Camilla, your body is very weak, so I don't suggest you do anything irrational." Roddy sat at the side. Camilla had been unconscious for half an hour. During this time, he had already thought of how to persuade her. So when Camilla woke up, he went straight to the point and said, "This city is very dangerous. I know that since you came here, you must be mentally prepared. But what I want to say is … the danger here is definitely beyond your imagination."
As for Rody's words, Camilla completely treated it as an alarmist. She did not think that any human could know the secret of Elsen City. She did not think that such a young man had the qualifications to preach in front of her.
Roddy looked like he was only in his twenties. How could a young man at this age be reliable other than talking big and boasting?
Thinking of this, Camilla shifted her gaze slightly and saw Akasha, who was wearing a white robe and holding a gray staff. This priest was staring at her with undisguised hostility.
This scene made Camilla feel a little funny. In her eyes, although Roddy had defeated her in a battle, he was still an ordinary human. He was on a completely different level from the "Holy Assembly". So she felt that Roddy's words were like useless threats from a child. She did not even want to listen to him.
"I don't know why you are doing this to me, but I will still say … If you want to enter the inner city, I will definitely stop you."
She raised her gaze slightly and looked straight at Roddy. "Although you did not use any torture or imprisonment on me, don't think of getting anything useful out of me."
To Camilla's surprise, Roddy just nodded and did not continue to refute. Instead, he reached out and helped her up. He then took out a bowl of hot meat soup and placed it in front of her. "Some things, it is not too late to hear me out."
Camilla was a little annoyed by his forceful behavior, but at this time, she was powerless to shake him off. Facing the fragrant meat soup, Camilla also wanted to refuse. However, she had eaten too little food these days, and her body honestly produced an indescribable hunger. After thinking for a while, Camilla finally reached out and took the soup.
After all, if Roddy wanted to harm her, he would have died ten thousand times when he just fainted.
After drinking some soup, Camilla felt as comfortable as if she was soaking in hot water. Although she still had a lot of bad feelings towards Roddy, his face seemed to be a little more pleasing to the eye.
Roddy sat calmly in front of her. He had already freed himself from the nervousness and embarrassment of facing his "mother-in-law." Elsen City was not a safe place. He did not feel much security here at all. So after quickly forcing himself to calm down, he readjusted his identity. After all, the next step was to negotiate. If he talked as a junior, he would be asking for trouble.
He coughed softly and then said in a low voice what he had thought of long ago.
"Elsen City is one of the greatest cities of the High Elves. Under the effect of arcane spells, the defense system here has developed its own 'consciousness.' But for some reason, it was finally sealed in the 'Time Stop Barrier' by the Arcanist Cadgar. Am I right?"
Holding the bowl of soup, Camilla's expression changed.
"There are many secrets in this city, including their architecture, culture, and even civilization. But I think the most worth exploring is perhaps the 'lost' invention of the 'Rechargeable Crystal,' am I right?"
Ignoring Camilla's tightly pursed lips, Roddy calmly stared into her clear blue eyes. He continued, "Let's talk about something more important … This city was not conquered by the Beastmen. What defeated it was its own defense system."
"Impossible!"
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