As October came, the kingdom passed the hot summer and autumn, and the temperature began to drop. Elsen didn't use any energy to turn on the thermostatic barrier this year, because Roddy knew that it would be a warm winter. However, the so-called "warm" was only for the residents in the city.
In the forest, "cold" was the eternal key. Regardless of whether it was warm or cold, the temperature in Elsa Village would drop rapidly after dark. It was just the beginning of October, and the temperature in the Forest of Silents was below zero.
The Wood Elves were already used to it. But unlike in the past, they didn't have to worry about food and heating in winter at all.
Natha walked in the village. She hadn't been back for two years, and she couldn't recognize it anymore. Ever since the trade route to Hollier and nearby towns was opened, Elsa Village inevitably began to undergo major renovations. In terms of architecture, the wooden houses built by humans were naturally more reasonable and spacious. The tree holes where the Wood Elves slept were like rats' burrows in comparison. Because the village was already protected by the army, the beasts couldn't threaten the safety of the village at all. So, the Wood Elves were naturally willing to accept the human-style wooden houses.
"Jerky! Jerky! Fifteen copper coins for a string! "
"Honey!"
Elsa Village, which used to have a small population, now had a population of more than a thousand. Half of them were humans and the Wood Elves. The Wood Elves were the permanent residents, while the humans were basically on the move. Most of them were merchants who came here to sell and buy goods, and would leave after a day or two. Hence, the originally empty space in the village became the "market" for these people. Be it fresh meat, honey, herbs, or magical crystals or magical beasts, they could all be traded here.
Elsa Village didn't have any experience in managing this, and didn't know what it meant. Later, Roddy asked the village head, Brody, to set up a "stall fee", which was basically a "tax". As a result, the village was much richer than before. Even the poorest Wood Elves could now eat their fill, and the fear of cold and famine had completely disappeared.
Natha didn't wear leather armor for battle today, nor did she carry a longbow in her hand. She had been planning things in the intelligence center of Hollier. After confirming that everything was ready three days ago, she came to Elsa Village with another identity.
Walking on the street, wearing an Elsen fur coat, she was obviously different from the sloppy-looking merchants around. This invisible aura made the peeping humans not dare to approach her. Of course, this was also because of Roddy's strict order. Those who tried to play hooligans on the Wood Elves now didn't even dare to enter the Forest of Silents. Although this was an area where humans and Wood Elves mingled, no one dared to cause trouble.
The impact of the unification of the kingdom hadn't appeared yet, because the roads hadn't been built yet. The main trade was still in Elsa Elsa. Nata knew this very well, so she was sure that the mission Rody wanted her to carry out would have a higher chance of success.
All Nata had to do now was to dig a trap and wait for the High Elves' Holy Assembly to step on it.
To the public, Natha didn't reveal her true identity. The identity of the intelligence agency was confidential, so the people of Elsa Village didn't know her real identity. This was Natha's first time back in two years. Even Chief Brody didn't know what she was doing.
"Hugo."
She called out to a Wood Elf who was strolling on the street. The latter turned around. He had heard about Natha's return yesterday, so he hurriedly stood properly. "Sister Natha, what can I do for you?"
Hugo was the "little boy" that Roddy met two years ago in the Forest of Silents. The Wood Elf had grown a lot taller and looked more like an adult now. Now that Elsa Village was basically connected to the human world, the concept of "salary" and "job" came into being. Hugo was now an official scout in the village and received a salary every week.
"The chief went out?"
"Yes, he went to talk to Chief Bati about trading with the humans. But … I don't think it's going to end well this time."
Hugo was well aware of what had happened in the village in the past two years. The other wood elves in the Forest of Silencing were naturally aware of the prosperity of Elsa's village. However, the wood elves in the village were divided into two factions. One faction chose to 'open trade' under the persuasion of the chief of the village, while the other stubbornly refused to accept any conditions for trade with humans. They had even quarreled with Brudy many times over this.
It was consensual, so Brody didn't have to persuade everyone to accept his point of view. But Linis Village, where Chief Bati lived, was attacked by a pack of beasts some time ago. The village suffered heavy losses. As a member of the Wood Elves, Brody naturally couldn't leave them in the lurch. He brought resources to help them.
However, Hugo obviously didn't have high hopes for this visit. "Bati keeps saying that we're corrupted elves and that we've given up our faith … I'm very confused. What do wood elves believe in?"
Hugo was young, but he was very experienced in his criticism. "They live like beasts in the forest all day. Now that they see that we're living a good life, they can't do anything but complain. If the chief hadn't helped them this time, I think half of them would've died in the winter … He's still so stubborn. I really don't know who gave him the courage to say that others are corrupted."
"Alright, that's enough."
Natha wasn't very interested in this.
If they were really "corrupted", Natha, who had long left Elsa Village, would be the first to be corrupted. In terms of knowledge, Natha had seen Roddy change the human world with her own eyes. The difference between the dirty and messy human towns and the clean and tidy Elsen City spanned at least half a century. With this kind of experience, no matter how much Elsa Village had changed, it wouldn't surprise Natha anymore.
"Sister Natha, will you leave again this time?"
"Yes, but I'll stay for a while."
She didn't answer him about her current job. After a brief chat, Little Hugo left. He casually strolled around the market and was about to return. He bumped into Randolf, who was wearing a luxurious robe.
Randolf was the Wood Elf who wanted to pursue Natha two years ago. He was actually one of the best of the younger generation in the village. However, ever since the village became wealthy, 'hunting' gradually became a dispensable activity and was completely canceled. Randolf's archery skills had also been neglected for a long time. He no longer participated in hunting and was appointed by Village Chief Brody to be the manager of the market's order.
Although this position didn't have much power, it was someone that the peddlers needed to curry favor with. In order to be able to occupy a good stall, Randolf had to pay bribes every day. He strolled around the market, and his pockets would be filled with all kinds of goods. He didn't ask for them, but they were given to him by the peddlers.
Seeing Randolf's smiling face, Natha's expression didn't change. She just stood aside and looked a little curious. Randolf spent most of his time patrolling the market, so he didn't know that Natha had returned. When he walked past Natha, he couldn't help but be stunned. "Na … Natha? You're back?! "
"Yes."
Natha just nodded. Randolf's robe was made of smooth material and had an animal fur lining for warmth. This style was very common in Elsen, and the mage apprentices liked to wear it to keep themselves warm. However, in Hollier, only wealthy families could afford it. But compared to Natha 'fur coat, Randolf's robe was obviously much more rustic. It was like a country bumpkin and a city lady put together.
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