Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Rethof’s Surrender, the Elf Elders’ Treasure Trove
Elf Corps Commander Feiyana never expected that an idea that had just popped into her head would come true only a moment later! If Elf Corps Commander Feiyana hadn’t kept the thought to herself, she would be frightened right now.
Thankfully, it’s just a coincidence!
At this thought, Elf Corps Commander Feiyana grew somewhat interested in Rethof, the Elf Defense Army Commander who had recommended himself and taken the initiative to surrender. If he really knew something about the other Elf Elders’ hidden treasures, as he claimed, then Elf Corps Commander Feiyana would definitely decide to keep him. She might even make an example of him, publicizing his actions far and wide!
A few minutes passed.
Following Elf Corps Commander Feiyana’s orders, Defense Army Commander Rethof was escorted down by two Elf Soldiers. He had been thoroughly searched and was carrying nothing but the clothes on his back. When Rethof was brought down, he saw a tall female Elf with a commanding presence standing at the entrance to the treasury. She was clad from head to toe in Armor forged from Mithril, with several guards by her side. These Elf Soldiers stared intently at him, as if the moment he made a single unnecessary move, the Long Swords in their hands would mercilessly run him through.
He knew at once. This must be the elven commander from the opposing side, the one who directed this battle!
"Greetings, great Lady Elf!" Without hesitation, Rethof, the Defense Army Commander of the Neutral Elf City, knelt and offered his loyalty.
Seeing how perceptive the opposing Elf Defense Army Commander was, Elf Corps Commander Feiyana didn’t make things difficult for him and first told him to rise.
"Rise."
Only after hearing Elf Corps Commander Feiyana’s words did Rethof, the opposing Defense Army Commander, get up.
"I hear you’re the Defense Army Commander of this Neutral Elf City. Does that mean you were the one commanding the resistance against our Elf Corps?"
Hearing this, a chill went down Rethof’s spine, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, Rethof raised his head to face Elf Corps Commander Feiyana and stated calmly, "That’s right. However, I was merely doing my duty."
Hearing this, Elf Corps Commander Feiyana nodded in affirmation and then said, "Rethof, you say you know the locations of the other Elf Elders’ hidden treasures. Is this true or false?"
Hearing this question, Rethof, the commander of the Neutral Elf City’s Defense Army, knew that the real question that would decide his fate had arrived.
Defense Army Commander Rethof said respectfully, "It is true."
"I have served as this city’s Elf Defense Army commander for many years, responsible for patrolling all areas and ensuring their security. I am naturally the most aware of any changes that occur in any region. During my patrols, it was inevitable that I discovered a few hidden places connected to the Elf Elders. Although I never spoke of it before—I didn’t even tell those Elf Elders—I have, in fact, investigated those places and confirmed that they are indeed the hidden treasuries of those Elf Elders!"
"Tell me the specifics." Elf Corps Commander Feiyana clasped her hands behind her back, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny.
Rethof hesitated. He originally had no intention of revealing the specific locations. After all, once he did, his greatest value would be gone. Who knew if the other party would keep their promise? Thus, he appeared hesitant.
But Elf Corps Commander Feiyana didn’t voice her earlier thoughts either. This was also a test of Rethof’s sincerity in his decision to defect to them.
To Rethof, the few seconds he took to make his decision felt as long as several hours. But from Elf Corps Commander Feiyana’s perspective, he had simply paused mid-sentence, hesitating for only a few seconds before continuing.
"Three kilometers east of the Neutral Elf City, there is a tall Magic Fir Wood. Beneath the fir, there is a Magic Mark hidden on the trunk. If you dig down at the location indicated by that Magic Mark, you will unearth one of the Elf Elder’s hidden treasures! Although there are a few Magic Traps, none of them are particularly lethal. The Elf Elder who hid his treasures there is primarily responsible for creating Scrolls, so most of his wealth is tied up in them. There probably isn’t much else in the treasury."
As he said this, Rethof was extremely cautious, occasionally glancing at Elf Corps Commander Feiyana’s expression. After all, his words implied that he had been inside this treasury before. Unfortunately for him, her expression remained unchanged, so Rethof couldn’t tell if she was satisfied with what he had revealed.
Having no other choice, Defense Army Commander Rethof had to reveal something more substantial.
"Seven kilometers northeast of the Neutral Elf City, there is a mining area for Moonstone. The Moonstone in our city is almost all mined from there. And it is there that Eric, the wealthiest Elf Elder in our Neutral Elf City, has a hidden treasury!"
Hearing this, Elf Corps Commander Feiyana’s brow twitched slightly upward.
Rethof, the opposing Defense Army Commander, thought the bombshell he had dropped had finally caught her attention, so he continued, "Elf Elder Eric is widely acknowledged as the wealthiest Elf Elder. He has his hands in basically every trade and industry. Right next to the Moonstone mine, there is a lake known as Moonlight Lake. His hidden treasury lies at the bottom of that lake! Elf Elder Eric is also the most powerful, and he has set up the greatest number of various Magic Traps. I once tried to go inside to take a look, so I dove to the bottom of the lake. Unfortunately, the Magic Traps he set up were simply too powerful. I nearly triggered the very first one!"
Defense Army Commander Rethof seemed to recall the incident with some regret.
Seeing that Rethof had told her the locations of two Elf Elders’ hidden treasures, Elf Corps Commander Feiyana didn’t ask him to continue.
Seeing this, Rethof finally sighed in relief. I’ve finally survived this ordeal!
As for Elf Corps Commander Feiyana, the more she looked at this Elf who had passed her test, the more she approved.
"Very good. Since you are so familiar with the hidden treasures of the various Elf Elders, I will assign two hundred Elf Soldiers to follow you. How about you lead them on a treasure hunt?"
Though it was framed as a compliment, he had no right to refuse.
Rethof, the former Defense Army Commander, immediately knelt. "Thank you for your mercy! I will be sure to complete this task!"
