Chapter 161 Rumors from both sides

"It is an honor to meet you. Dorvinion has maintained good trade relations with the towns of the Dalelands over the years."

“The wealth of both parties grew as a result.”

In a manor, Levi successfully met the owner.

——As the founder of the Free City-State, plus as the lord of multiple cities.

Although due to geographical reasons and the lack of normal human exchanges, the easternmost land of Dovinion knows very little about rumors from far away.

Regarding Levi's statement about his identity, it is impossible to verify it in the short term.

But when Levi revealed his nemesis and replaced it with the corresponding title, none of this mattered.

Because - unlike the tavern guards, the owner of this wine estate is an elf.

Elves are naturally close to magic and are quite sensitive to mysterious things.

And it just so happens that Levi is an existence that is almost soaked in mysterious things. Without deliberately hiding it, to the elves, he is as conspicuous as a light bulb.

With such characteristics, the owner of the manor has now decided that even if the person in front of him is not a lord from afar, he is definitely someone worthy of entertaining.

"This is the best quality wine in the manor. How does it taste?"

In the manor hall, the owner of the Dovinian Elf Manor handed Levi a glass of wine.

“It’s pretty good. Forgive me, I don’t have many words to describe the taste, but I feel very happy drinking this glass of wine.”

"Pleasure is the best way to describe it."

The elf said:

“If a wine doesn’t make the person who drinks it feel happy, then it has no purpose.”

"That's right, I couldn't agree more."

The elves of Dovinion...are a little different.

Compared with the elves in the valley and the woodland, in addition to the usual elegance of the race, the elves here also have a market atmosphere.

Or to put it another way: down to earth.

This may be due to the strong business atmosphere here.

"Welcome to Dovinion, the easternmost of the elven realms still left in the world."

"Elf country? But I think there are more humans here."

Hearing this, the Elf Manor owner smiled and said:

"In the beginning, this was indeed the country of elves, and all the people living here were elves - until some humans later migrated here, and we allowed them to live here and build their homes."

"Humans were still a minority at that time, but in our view, in just a blink of an eye, they developed a huge ethnic group, and the elves became a minority."

"I see."

Levi tasted the fine wine and felt that the historical knowledge in his mind had increased.

Such things will indeed happen to immortal species and ethnic groups with limited life spans.

From the perspective of the former, they were just living as usual for a period of time, while the latter suddenly multiplied for several generations and were everywhere.

"I have always enjoyed talking with elves, whether they are those who hide from the world, those who are good at fighting, or those who run away from home, but this is the first time I have talked with the elves in the Far East."

"Elf from the West..."

The owner of the manor said: "In my memory, many relatives in the west think that we are unworthy because we have never seen the light of those two sacred trees."

"No, no, no, the elves I'm talking about are not that far west. I'm talking about the elves still on this continent."

Levi was really choked by this elf's words, and his eyelids were twitching.

What's going on today? How come every word I say is a pain point for the other person.

Every topic touches the heart of this Far Eastern elf.

"Even the elves on the west side of the continent are many different from us."

"The most remarkable thing is that very few of our compatriots move to the West, which is beautiful enough for us."

"Pride has weakened our kindred, but Dovinion has stood from ancient times to this day."

"Over the past thousands of years, many human kingdoms have claimed this place, but we have all chosen to obey because we know that will not last long. Human beings have always been fragile and prone to corruption."

Time is the best weapon of resistance.

"Well... there is a saying that 'everyone has his own ambition', which is good."

Quickly ending these uncomfortable topics, Levi directly mentioned the main purpose of his visit.

That is, things about Dongyi.

"Don't go further east."

The manor owner gave the same answer as the guard.

"The enemy is spreading rumors further east, and the humans there have been deceived for a long time."

"I've been worried that their blind obedience would bring destruction to us a long time ago," he said.

"Even now we are still good trading partners, but all elves know, including some humans, that all this is just a temporary appearance, and this 'temporary' is getting shorter and shorter."

"Sooner or later, the horn of invasion will sound on the border, along with the horn of Mordor..."

"That day will never come."

Levi said this in a rather calm tone.

The owner of the manor made no reply.

He said, "Let's have a drink!"

The sound of glasses clinking together was heard.

The identity of this elf may be unusual.

Upon leaving the manor, Livy received passage to an eastern ferry and a personal letter.

"I hope you can reunite with your two companions smoothly. I haven't heard from the two blue-robed warriors for a long time, but I know they have made many contributions to peace in the east."

“May the sun and moon light your way.”

Wait, did this guy misunderstand something?

Li Wei hesitated to speak.

Forget it, strictly speaking, they are indeed companions, although they haven't met each other yet.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and please forgive my omission, I haven't asked your name yet."

"Orohir, an ordinary manor operator - from two eras ago to the present, he has always been."

Leaving this possibly the easternmost wine estate in Dovinion, in a nearby town populated by humans, at the agreed time and place, Levi and Farodan met again.

"How about it?"

"It went very well. At least there is no problem at the ferry. We can use some more normal methods to get there."

"Relatively normal?"

Farodan looked at Levi and said:

"I'm a little curious about the abnormal method you mentioned."

"From the sky, underground, or invisible, or... as long as no one sees it, then our stealth is successful."

I don't understand a bit.

Farodan shook his head and changed the subject:

"Well, it's best if it can pass normally, then my plan won't be used."

He said: "I obtained detailed terrain information about the Dongyi Border Area, which will help us in our actions after landing."

"At least it won't be like me last time, where I was kicked back soon because I went to some places I shouldn't have gone."

One day later.

A ferry connecting Dongyi and Dovinion.

"During special periods, caravans are prohibited from entering. I hope you can understand."

A Dongyi guard stopped the merchant ship and prohibited those on board from going down.

The person in charge of the caravan on the ship responded: "I know. Pay the money with one hand and deliver the goods with the other hand. We will leave immediately after the transaction is completed."

The guard nodded.

A moment later, when the money was delivered to the ship, a batch of barrels rolled down and were loaded onto the carriage.

That's the wine from Dovinion.

The roads in Dongyi are quite smooth, and under unified and efficient transportation, it didn't take long for these wooden barrels containing wine to be moved into a cool and dark warehouse, guarded by multiple guards.

"Someone will come to replace the shift soon. We will have something to drink later."

"Those wines look very good, and the Dorvinians deserve credit for that."

The guards outside the door were discussing.

"But not the elves."

"They have lived too long and everything is under their control..."

"What's the noise?"

One of the guards suddenly raised his hand alertly, signaling his companion not to speak.

Clang.

The warehouse door was opened, and the two went in and walked around, but found nothing. There is nothing unusual about it.

"It seemed like a sound coming from the ground."

"Probably a rat."

"I guess so."

Snap.

Not far from the warehouse, a large hole suddenly opened in the ground.

"This method will never become outdated even if it is used a hundred times."

Levi built several ladders and climbed up, followed by Falodan.

"The most classic way to hide people in wooden barrels."

Falodan added: "Just a little dizzy."

"We have to disguise ourselves while it's nighttime."

While Levi was filling in the tunnel, Falodan took out some small accessories he had prepared in advance, took off the Star of Dunedin on his left shoulder, modified his clothes, and put on local-style clothes.

Finally, take some powder and apply it on your face, then rub it in.

After some manipulation, it was completely unrecognizable from its original appearance.

Just when he turned around, Levi almost thought that this guy had been swapped. Just a few changes in clothing and facial details gave people such a huge difference.

At this moment, Falodan no longer looked like a member of a certain force or country. He looked like an ordinary traveler or vagabond.

No matter where he looked, he had nothing to do with Gondor or Rohan, and he didn't look like a Dúnedain.

During this period, as long as they were not from these places, they would not be hostile in Dongyi.

"It's your turn, Levi, you..."

He put on a good disguise, and when he turned to look at Levi, Farodan was suddenly startled.

"You...don't need to pretend, forgive me, this is the first time I noticed..."

"It's not what you think."

Levi waved his hands and said, "I don't belong to this world."

"Understood."

Falodan was immediately relieved.

That makes sense.

For some beings, appearance is never fixed or determined. What their appearance looks like can only mean that they choose to look this way.

Just like those wizards.

They have the appearance of old people, but they are more vital than any young people.

At dawn, the two of them split up again, each looking for the information they needed.

Falodan walked toward some dark alleys and places where homeless people gathered, and sometimes he was seen near farmland.

Levi went straight to the largest and most luxurious-looking tavern in the town.

Sometimes the slow flow of news is beneficial. Just like now, the people in the tavern just glanced at Levi who walked in through the door and looked away.

At this glance, it was still because of the dark armor and linen robes that were vaguely exposed on his body.

No matter in terms of appearance or temperament, this person revealed an unusual meaning.

But at best it is unusual rather than abnormal.

‘The attire is different from that of ordinary people, and he is probably someone with status. ’

Many people thought quietly.

"A glass of wine and some roast rabbit."

"Okay."

The bartender agreed, looked at Levi, and suddenly asked: "Sir, would you like wine in a copper cup, wine in a silver cup, or wine in a gold cup?"

"Are they any different?"

"The cups are different, and the price will be more expensive."

“…”

The bartender's words made Levi silent for three seconds.

"Why do I have to spend more money?"

"It will be very honorable."

"Then it's better to leave this thing to people who care about face."

A moment later, under the regretful gaze of the bartender, Levi ate the carefully cooked roast rabbit and drank the wine freshly picked from the barrel from a copper cup.

"This rabbit meat is not bad."

Levi praised.

"It's much better than the roast rabbit I had in Dovinion."

"Have you been to Dovinion?"

In front of the counter, the bartender who had been paying attention to the movements here asked.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing that Levi was not averse to chatting while eating, and even looked like he was happy to talk more, the bartender immediately came closer and quietly inquired:

"I heard that it is controlled by a long-lived demon. Is it true?"

Levi's mouth twitched.

"It's fake. Where did you hear the strange rumors? There are people called elves, not demons."

"What the noble gentlemen said..."

"Come on, don't mention this."

Your nobles may have been controlled by Sauron a long time ago. Of course they have to say so...

But the residents here seem to be quite normal.

Thinking about it, Levi waved his hand and said: "Anyway, this dish is indeed good."

"It's an honor for us that you like it. It's delicious and you can order more in the future."

Not coming anymore.

Levi glanced at the newly unlocked entries in the synthesis table.

Will do it myself next time.

"My lord, you said you have been to Dovinion, but have you been further west than Dovinion?"

The bartender continued to chat with Levi curiously.

"I haven't been to any place too far west."

True, but not entirely true.

The bartender had a look of understanding on his face, and he whispered mysteriously:

"I heard that Westerners are very weird."

"I heard that in some places farther west, people there respect horses and regard horses as more important than people."

"And then there are those people in the desert areas of the south who make a living by eating snakes."

"well…"

Speaking of this, the bartender couldn't help but sigh and shook his head: "This world is crazy. Are we the only normal people?"

The corners of Levi's mouth twitched.

This guy's words are indeed a bit secretive.

No matter how one sentence offends both enemies and friends at the same time.

Today, if there is a Rohan or a Haradhi in this place, the bartender will not be able to please him.

"Do you know Oak?"

Levi suddenly asked.

"Ocques? If you're talking about those ugly guys, I know them."

"Yes, that's them. What do you think of those Oaks?"

"Very annoying."

The bartender said: "No one will like them, my lord, even if they are our allies."

"I heard that they gathered in our royal capital. They seem to be trying to deal with someone. God, I hope it won't become a mess. I also want to have a chance to see the scenery of the royal capital."

The royal capital, who are you dealing with?

Levi distilled two key points.

After talking for a long time, this guy finally said something useful.