75 The Surface (1/2)
Laince Fort, or Laince Stronghold, is the city nearest to the underground tunnel's exit. It is also the city which we chose to reside in.
The Laince Stronghold lies on the Kier Highlands. Located on the lands of the Ming United Kingdom, it is one of the sturdiest Forts in the entire country.
Designed by master architects, the thick brick walls are both elegant and strong. Spanning ten meters tall and three meters thick, the enemy they had in mind when designing it was the Giant Tribe. Man-eating fish can be found filling the moat.
The reason? They have one good neighbor. The entrance of the Underground World is always open. Anyone can enter, anyone can exit.
The seasonal plundering of the Underground Beastman, the traditional training of the Dark Elves to assault the Surface Elves deep in the night, the departure of Red Dragons and Black Dragons through the underground tunnels to look for new flavors, the Liches and Necromancers who sneak out in search of experimental materials, the Demons who look for tributes, the worshippers of Malevolent Gods... Alright, even I find it reasonable for the citizens of the Underground World to be exiled and viewed with hostility.
At least, just counting those in the underground tunnel, we have met three Dark Elf assault parties and two Beastman scouting teams. The latter, after seeing Casio, bows and leaves, whereas the former, upon catching sight of the Gray Elves, are stunned for a moment and without any hesitation whatsoever, change their training targets and pounce towards us.
Alright, just after forming our band, I was already planning to conduct a little bit of training so as to grind our teamwork together, as well as to see the fighting abilities of the newcomers. However, it was when Casio raised his bone bow to point the golden arrow in the bowstring towards one Elf after another, as though choosing between targets. Someone shouted the 'Golden Bow', upon which all of the Dark Elves immediately retreated.
Of course, that valiant look of Casio pulling the bowstring to shoot is visually amazing, totally different from that foolish Anya. However, after noticing a certain Beast Tamer's eyes turn green and salivate at the sight of Casio, I start to worry for this Centaur hero once again.
”Gold-rank primary stage? If he hasn't reached 30 years of age yet, which means that he has barely reached adulthood among the Centaurs, it would be quite an incredible feat. However, he is still slightly lacking compared to the Dracon Beast Tamer who is at the Gold-rank pinnacle, especially given the fellow's unscrupulous means to achieve his goals. The more outstanding you perform, the more danger you are in, you know.”
I was of the mind to warn the Centaur, but along the way, Beifeng was chatting happily with him, which put me at a loss on how I should approach them.
Beifeng, just looking at his outer appearance, is tall and burly with a quaint face, giving quite a favorable impression. His deep and steady voice is always so slow and gentle. The words that he speaks are interesting and knowledgeable, giving a philosophical feeling through his speech, as though spoken by a matured, wise elder.
Alright, it is precisely because he has a decent appearance with a glib tongue, that's why there are so many victims, which makes him a big threat to society.
His image as an honest older brother, the appropriate and implicitly kind intent, as well as his honest and sincere laughter complements Casio's disposition, who seems cold but actually worries for his future. More importantly, Beifeng went along with the flow of the young Centaur and very quickly, after doing an initial probe under Beifeng's hard work, laughter was added into their conversation.
Diana found it hard to watch on and kindly walked forward to warn him. However, being bad with her words, before she could even slip in a sentence, she was instead sent off stomping back, aggravated by Beifeng.
”Intelligent lifeforms are forever so short-sighted, they are used to judging life by their race and outer appearance. Yes, I am a Dracon with the bloodline of the Black Dragon flowing within my veins. But, those who are acquainted with me know that I am someone who passionately loves life and little animals. Yes, I might be ugly, but those who are familiar with me understand that I am gentle too.”
Alright, his hurt expression seems as though he has just been put through a great grievance, as though Diana is the bad person racially discriminating against him. In the end, under Casio's annoyed and angry gaze, the good-hearted Diana is unable to speak of his disgusting past actions and could only walk away, shaking her head.
”Big Sister, you are being too nosey! Won't the Centaur kid understand it in two days or so?”
”But by then, it will already be too late!”
”Puu!” As expected, those who are purer tend to have a wilder imagination. Hearing the words 'too late', the other people immediately break out in laughter and stare teasingly at the famous Golden Bow, especially at the horse armor on his lower body.
”The little brat knows not of the harm of Beifeng, the next day he will sing of the chrysanthemum.”
TL: Chrysanthemum... There is a phrase in Chinese called 'exploding the chrysanthemum' that means screwing a man's ass.
Alright, I have no idea who made that twisted poem, but the comical pronunciation and lyrics make everyone laugh even harder. Un, facing Diana's 'how can you be like this' questioning stare, at least I won't admit that it is my own sudden inspiration.
The rather proud Casio ignores everyone else after joining the band, even pretending not to hear Krose's polite greeting. On the journey, he even called out to other people by just their race, like 'Hey, that goblin over there', 'Hey, that fat human' and very quickly ended up offending quite a lot of people.
Thus, seeing that Beifeng has set his sights on him, the rest of the band, other than the kind Diana, have no intentions to expose Beifeng's intentions and choose to happily watch him make a fool of himself.
Back to the main topic, other than the joint attack by the Dark Elves near the exit, the journey was still quite smooth.
But then, when we walked onto the Surface World, bathed in the familiar yet unfamiliar warmth of sunlight, gazing at the boundless blue sky and the vast endless earth, even I felt agitated.
The Roland Sacred Sword on my waist slightly resonates in tune with my feelings, as though describing its impatience to head somewhere. The direction it hopes to proceed towards, naturally, is the north of the continent.
”East Mist Communal Country, huh? The descendants of the Mist? I do want to test his capabilities. If he is unable to meet with my expectations and insult this glorious title...”
Shaking my head, I throw all excessive thoughts to one side. Looking behind me, I realize that my party companions aren't doing very well all of a sudden.
The previously high-spirited Momo sits weakly on the floor with her eyes shut, while the pale-faced Diana half-kneels on the floor with her body lowered, muttering words that seem like a prayer from her lips.
”I won't fall upwards, I won't fall upwards.”
Walking up to her, I realize that she is actually talking to herself. In that instant, I can't suppress my laughter.
This isn't any rare ailment. Even on the surface, after staying too long in the mines, when one stares at the vast, endless sky from that narrow entrance, there would be a feeling as though one will be taken away by the sky, an illusion of falling towards the heavens.
This is an instinctive misperception of living beings. Those experienced miners would feel better after a while, but for the Dark Elves who have stayed in the Underground World for their entire lives, it isn't that easy to deal with.
They were born in the Underground World, they are already used to seeing the dark solid rock walls on top of the clouds and even more used to the first light of dawn being brought by the luminescent algae.
When the rock walls which felt right to them have suddenly disappeared, it is just like if the Surface humans' sunlight and blue sky were to be suddenly taken away from them. Even if they rationally know that they would be fine, but the discomfort they physically feel still cannot be avoided.
Based on what I know, this is known as a 'phobia of vast open spaces' and it is a reflex action. It will take at least a couple of months to overcome it, with quite a few who fail to overcome it their entire lives.
The Gray Elves, who from the start aren't comfortable with light, are in the worst shape of all. They are sent straight to the carriage so that they can rest. As for Casio, even though his four hooves are slightly trembling, he still puts on a calm front and tries his best to stand up straight.
Yingou, Hoyle and the other veterans have been to the Surface World innumerable times already. Same goes for the few fellows possessing Law jobs; they are already happily doing what they should be doing.
As for Clint, it should be his first time on the Surface as well. His expression cannot be seen under the thick armor and that bird-head helmet. However, looking at how he keeps trying to feel for the grenades on his waist to seek a sense of safety from his explosives, he doesn't seem to be in good condition.
What, we are still lacking a person? Alright, I'll admit that I intentionally left him out, yet you all still want to talk about him. That's suicidal.
”Are you still okay? Why don't you rest in the carriage for a bit?”
”No, it's okay. I'm fine.”
Looking at how the others are fine, even when his Big Brother Beifeng sincerely asks for his condition out of concern, how could the stubborn Centaur admit defeat in front of everyone else.
”My brother, let me lean on you a bit, I am feeling a little giddy.”
The black Dracon suddenly sits on the floor and rests on Casio's abdomen. Casio is stunned for a moment before realization strikes him. A smile appears on his cold and proud face.
”Alright, since that's the case, then I will let you lean on me for a bit.”
Thus, the proud Centaur Prince lowers all four of his legs and sits down just like a war horse, allowing Beifeng to lean on one side of his abdomen.
Gradually, sitting on the floor with someone to lean on, he feels the warmth of his companions and the solid ground. The young Centaur Prince's wildly beating heart slows down as his 'phobia of vast open spaces' improves.
The ice mountain of the cold-faced, but warm-hearted Centaur Prince finally melts as he smiles gratefully.
”Thank you, Big Brother Beifeng.”
”Why are you thanking me, I should be the one thanking you.”
”Hehe, Big Brother, you sure are a good person.”
”You haven't seen the best side of me yet, but there will be more opportunities in the future.”
Leaning on each other, the Dracon and Centaur start chatting. Their hands even 'accidentally' make contact before being pulled back hastily. The sight of their love is hard to look at properly.
Looking at the fearsome sight unfolding in front of me, I rub my temple and secretly make up my mind to quickly find a secluded corner to bury Beifeng alive, so as to prevent him from further corrupting my eyes.
Also, looking at how the others are grinding their teeth or feeling nauseated, the majority of the group are definitely having the same thoughts. If it weren't for the fact that the young ace Archer wasn't weak, we might have already taken action.
Laince Fort isn't that far away from the exit. We manage to reach our destination before sunset. However, just as we approach the city gates, we meet with new trouble.
”That guy over there, remove your helmet for inspection. Also, whose Dracon slave is that? Will he bite? Has he been immunized?”
At that instant, hearing that his Big Brother is treated like an animal, the reckless Casio reaches for his bow, intending to shoot the guards in his usual fashion. I rush to his side to stop him. I don't want to be a fugitive immediately after reaching the Surface.
Actually, what the guard had said also makes sense. After seeing the Dracon, if it weren't for the presence of Holy Knights in our band, he probably would have long called for people to surround us and put us down.
The Dracons, being an artificial creation, are unique. They are different from the Dragon Descendants who have mixed blood.
Although they have their own tribe and culture, they are indeed an unnatural creation. During the chaotic ancient times, the 7-colored Evil Dragon Goddess Tiamat and an evil Necromancer created them to serve the Evil (sided towards Chaos) Color Dragons (Red Dragon, Black Dragon, Blue Dragons etc.), and Beifeng himself is a Dracon possessing the bloodline of Black Dragons.
On the other hand, the comparatively kinder Metal Dragons (The Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon who are sided towards Order) don't have the slightest goodwill towards these Dracons. Due to the natural restraints of their bloodline, a large portion of Dracons still act as the servants of the evil giant Dragons, such as the new Dragon Empress. There are countless Dracon servants in the Dragon City which Little Red is currently building.