Chapter 459 Elemental Badge (1/2)
As the young ladies were whispering about Agatha's origin, Rhode confirmed with the young lady herself on the main issues. As Marlene had predicted, Agatha was an Ocean Elf of the Silver Ocean in the Seven Fantasy Boundaries. She came to this world and contracted with Rhode as his servant to manage the entire Fortress.
Logistically speaking, the Ocean Elves were a very beneficial addition. They had close relations with the water element and could use water elemental spells to a certain extent. An ordinary Ocean Elf possessed a level 10 Mage player's strength. Although they weren't formidable in battle, they were more than enough for Rhode. Rhode found out from Agatha that the Ocean Elves were experts in cleaning and reorganizing. Their outstanding water affinity allowed them to excel in the cleaning and dredging of the entire Fortress. At the same time, she was also able to take up the role of the patrol guards to patrol uninhabited areas. Without a doubt, the Ocean Elves could deal with robbers and bandits; however, handling the mercenaries were out of their capabilities.
However, Rhode had no intention of sending any Ocean Elves to be a part of the patrol team.
According to Agatha, the Fortress' low level only allowed Rhode to summon up to 50 Ocean Elves, including herself. However, she continued to reassure Rhode with her rigorous, confident and blank expression that these 50 Ocean Elves would be enough to complete the daily chores in the Fortress.
As the saying goes, seeing is believing.
Rhode summoned the other 49 Ocean Elves and although there were many of them, the spacious hall was enough to accommodate all of them. Most of them appeared to be quiet, well-behaved, and had beautiful features, unlike Agatha who was expressionless, like an ice sculpture. Even so, the presence of the 50 Ocean Elves gathered in the hall was rather strong, especially with the chill from their bodies giving Marlene and the others the illusion as though they were on the summit of a northern mountain.
”Lize,” Rhode turned around after completing his negotiations with Agatha and gestured to Lize.
”Yes, Mr. Rhode?” Lize scuttled towards Rhode and questioned curiously.
”Bring Agatha and her companions for a tour around the Fortress and assign them their work respectively. By the way, don't forget to inform Kavos and Marfa because, after all, these Ocean Elves have unique identities, so we don't want to startle them. Also, notify the mercenaries in advance so they won't treat them as monsters and attack them,” instructed Rhode.
”Understood, Mr. Rhode. I'll get going now.” Lize nodded in acknowledgment before displaying a somewhat rigid smile to Agatha. ”S-So then… Please come with me, everyone.”
”Yes. Sorry for the trouble, Madam Lize,” Agatha responded monotonously, to which Lize responded with a bitter smile.
”Anne wants to go too!” Although Anne had just returned to the Fortress, it seemed to be more interesting for her to join in with the newcomers. Anne lifted her hand excitedly and hopped as she left with Lize, Agatha, and the Ocean Elves. On the other hand, Gillian chuckled as she cupped her palm over her mouth.
”Master, I shall go and take a look too. I'm curious to see how those silly humans react when they meet the Ocean Elves…” Gillian swayed her huge, fluffy tail and strolled towards the group. From a certain perspective, Gillian and Anne were rather similar in this aspect.
”…” Rhode sighed hopelessly and turned towards to Marlene. ”By the way, how is Lapis's progress?”
Marlene pondered before lifting her head with a smile. ”Miss Lapis hasn't stepped out of the workshop for a while. But I heard she is progressing well and is nearing completion soon.”
”Oh, really?” Rhode twitched his brows. ”Let's check it out.”
Lapis was currently in the desolated and unfrequented alchemy section in the back of the Fortress. Rhode held onto Christie's hand and arrived at the door of the alchemy workshop with Marlene. The scene left Rhode astonished: what should have been a flat, orderly workshop had been tainted with traces of smoke and flames. Furthermore, based on the marks on the wall, there seemed to be an explosion before. The entire workshop was as though bombarded by a multiple bomber aircraft… and was almost blasted back to the Stone Age. Oh lord, what on earth was Lapis doing? A nuclear test?
”Argh… It's like this,” Rhode turned around and gazed at Marlene's awkward expression as she spoke. ”Although Miss Lapis was able to finish her job smoothly, there was… a slight problem… from the start. But fortunately, with Miss Canary and Miss Bubble, there wasn't too much damage.”
Although Marlene's tone was careful and deferential, Rhode understood the nuance in her words.
Marlene extended her arm to stop Rhode and Christie from entering the workshop. Then, she picked up an iron strip placed beside the door and knocked with it. ”Miss Lapis, are you free now? Mr. Rhode is back!”
Marlene's voice echoed in the workshop, but there wasn't an immediate response. As Rhode tried to peek into the workshop curiously, he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. He lowered his head to see Christie trying her best to tiptoe. ”… Last time… Sister Marlene entered… without knocking… and was almost… blasted by Miss Lapis…”
I see.