Chapter 143: Settling In An Elf Village (3)
Rays story left the two elves with expressions that remained unlightened.
There seemed to be something unknown unfolding in the elf village.
After all, its only natural for them to react like this, especially amid the battle with the dwarves and now the involvement of humans.
It had already been 150 years.
During that period, Proxia had solidified its financial power and position in the shadows, a truly admirable feat.
Not only that, but they had also surpassed the empire in military power, tactics, and even in monster taming.
They had become the only organization capable of waging a full-scale war against the Lesian Empire.
He continued to speak.
The human army is trying to destroy the continent.
The elves were shocked.
The, the continent is being destroyed?
What is the continent?
It is a land where the renowned Lesian Empire and various other small to medium-sized kingdoms are united.
To destroy such a continent?
It would be impossible unless a dragon appeared.
But his words were sincere.
The Second Eye, the eye of truth, told him that this was true.
Ray waited for their agitation to subside before he spoke again.
I came here to stop them. Or, more precisely, to eradicate them.
Wait Youre saying they are trying to destroy the continent?
Thats right.
At his confident response, Sephia asked with a puzzled expression.
But you are alone, arent you? How do you plan to eradicate a force powerful enough to destroy the continent?
Of course, with magic.
The expressions of the two elves furrowed slightly.
A very plausible madman.
A self-proclaimed great sorcerer who claims he can annihilate a highly trained large army with magic, living in a collapsing tent and relishing tasteless porridge.
But Def and Sephia couldnt refute his claim.
They would have liked to dismiss it as the ramblings of a madman, but the eye of truth was telling them once again that his words were true.
Def looked at Ray.
His face was covered in dust, and his clothes were as ragged as something an orc might wear.
How could such a person be the hero to save the continent?
The elves didnt know, but since arriving at the Grensia Mountains, Ray had been extremely cautious with his use of magic.
He even refrained from using cleaning magic, minimized his mana flow, and suppressed his holy power so that the elves, sensitive as they were to mana, couldnt detect it.
His shabby appearance made it hard to believe even the truths revealed by the Eye of Truth.
Ray, whether he knew their thoughts or not, saw this as an excellent opportunity.
He had gained the favor of the two elves and rekindled their awareness of the humans large military force.
He casually implied that he had no interest in the disputes between the elves and dwarves, claiming he was there only to resolve the issue.
Now, all that remained was gaining permission to enter the elf village.
This is the critical moment. I need to show as positive a demeanor as possible.
Ray put on the brightest expression he could muster.
His eyes curved gently, and his mouth lifted into a smile.
Normally, this might have worked, but his unwashed face for over a week ruined everything.
His greasy hair and dirty face smiled, enough to cool a thousand years of love.
So, about that
What is it?
Ray began to speak to Def, who showed clear distaste.
Can you take me to the elf village? Im sure I will be needed there.
He spoke with earnestness.
He thought there was a possibility his request might be accepted.
However, Def and Sephia immediately shook their heads, contrary to his expectations.
Sorry, but thats not something we can decide.
The decision to allow non-elves into the village is solely up to the elders.
It was an inconveniently strict rule.
Seeing their firm response, Ray realized there was no other way.
Rays eyes, which had been shining brightly, now looked as lifeless as a dead fishs.
Well, cant be helped.
His tone shifted, indicating that he found the two elves no longer of use.
Then thats fine. Its late, so you two should head back.
Sorry we couldnt be of help.
See you next time.
Ah, wait.
Ray, stopping the departing elves, removed a black earring he was wearing and handed it to them.
Give this earring to an elf named Chersi.
Chersi, Lady Chersi?
They echoed in surprise. He nodded, and they exchanged glances before cautiously agreeing.
Understood.
Alright.
They were unaware of the humans connection to Lady Chersi, but they sensed the earrings significance that he entrusted to them.
As they left, Ray reflected, recognizing the dismissal.
Ill have to delay my visit to the elf village. For now, I need to gather information discreetly.
In this situation, understanding the adversary was paramount.
There was a wealth of information to be discovered, given that the enemys base was so near.
Additionally, since Proxia appeared to be interfering with both the dwarves and elves, that warranted his attention as well.
With regret, Ray pushed aside his plans to enter the elf village and set a new objective.
Early in the morning, he made his usual rounds through the forest.
He started at the dwarf mines, moved to the outskirts of the elf village, and ended near where Proxia was situated.
Although the dwarf and elf villages were within the same region, their appearances were starkly distinct, and Proxia, while part of the Grensia Mountains, was positioned quite far off, so encounters with elves or dwarves were uncommon.
It seemed major conflicts might be avoided if things remained as they were.
For the first time, Ray observed Proxias location from afar.
Ordinarily, he would have just patrolled the vicinity, but now, unattached to the elf village, his perspective had shifted.
Ray watched silently, scrutinizing the outer walls.
Is it any wonder theyre known as the Mage Tower Alliance?
The wall, though crudely constructed, was reinforced with strengthening magic, and protective magic circles overlaid one another to shield the village.
Only an organization skilled enough to arrange magic circles like those before the Holy Kingdoms edifices could have achieved this.
Furthermore, the area where Proxia made her stand appeared more advanced than he had anticipated.
Towering castles and orderly buildings gave the impression of a small kingdoms heart.
Perhaps the only drawback was the slight uncleanliness?
Given that it had been 150 years since Proxia settled in the Grensia Mountains, their architectural and technological progress was to be expected.
Ray pitched his tent again, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close to their fortress.
The time had come to relocate his base of operations.
After all, observation became challenging with too much distance.
Ray transferred the dried fish and the herbs he had collected to the new tent.
His days revolved around monitoring Proxia, ensuring his new temporary home was well-prepared.
His scrutiny spanned their lifestyle, culture, and the surrounding environment, as he meticulously recorded everything about Proxia.
Now, he faced a decisive moment.
Having been spurned by the elf village and put at a distance, he had nothing left to lose.
Ray captured all the mice in the field and corralled them into one spot.
He had abandoned his backpack full of medical supplies during his escape from the elf named Chersi, but he still had a strategy.
He fed the mice spoiled food and assorted waste, noting their reactions over several days.
After three days, the mix of mouse droppings and trash began to emit an indescribable stench.
Ray, his nose covered, appeared content with the putrid odor.
Very good.
It was unclear what he found satisfactory, but for the first time in a long while, he seemed content.
The field mices cries persisted for days.
As Ray watched the mice scratch themselves as though plagued by itchiness, his expression turned increasingly malevolent.
In the field, he mixed healthy mice with the contaminated ones, exacerbating the situation by feeding them rotten fish.
Soon, he achieved his desired result.
Shouting with triumph, Ray hurriedly carried a barrel full of mice toward Proxia.
He could hardly wait to share this joy.
The joy he intended to bring to Proxia was the plague.
It was a deadly infectious disease that had caused the highest number of casualties in modern history.
Sweeping across Asia and Europe, this infection had killed half the population in the affected areas.
The combination of famine due to flood damage, coupled with poor hygiene conditions and exacerbated by the plague, led to catastrophic results.
Proxias situation was not much different from that of medieval Europe.
Though not starving, their hygiene was abysmal.
No amount of magic could overcome the limitations of their scientific civilization.
What would happen if the plague bacteria spread in this state?
The situation would become uncontrollable.
In a world ignorant of penicillin, the only possible counter to the Black Death was divine magic.
However, according to Rays observations, Proxia had very few healers capable of using divine power.
Unless they were as powerful as the Holy Kingdom, they would have to brace for significant damage.
The mice, having spent days among various filth and excrement, were now teeming with plump fleas.
If these fleas managed to survive in Proxia, the place would be erased from history.
Infecting them was quite simple.
There were primarily two types of plague: bubonic and pneumonic.
Bubonic plague typically infected humans through flea bites, but the plague bacteria did not cause significant changes at the bite site.
However, the nearby lymph nodes swell first, eventually leading to hemorrhagic, suppurative inflammation in lymph nodes throughout the body.
Most infections are of this bubonic type.
Pneumonic plague, though less common, is the most lethal form of the plague.
The pneumonia, caused by inhaling plague bacteria, carried a mortality rate exceeding 90%.
Without appropriate treatment, the bubonic plague typically led to death within a week.
It was probable that the majority would perish while desperately searching for healers.
Ray released the mice in Proxias presence.
The field mice, emerging after a lengthy confinement, rapidly scurried into various corners of the city.
Rays grin, complete with bared teeth, emerged.
Now, witness the resurgence of the Black Death, a scourge that even the modern era grappled with.
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