Chapter 60: Inferior Elves
Elves are a peculiar race. They have several variants, but unlike humans the differences between the two aren't so simple.
Snow elves are a perfect example, if you were to collect a blood sample of a snow elf you would notice a slight resemblance to a deep sea creature. They possess antifreeze proteins in their blood and tend to move slower than others of their kind.
This makes them appear far more elegant and graceful than even high elves who are known for covering themself in rare and exotic jewelry and clothes.
However, unlike high elves, snow elves are far more modest and tame. This has its own downsides as well. They are known by many races including their own as the 'most domesticated race.'
It's not hard to understand. Unless they have special artifacts that lower their body temperatures they tend to not live very long outside of the cold.
Things only get worse for the offspring. That is if they're a mixed breed. If they were to mix with a desert elf then that child was as good as dead.
Don't get me started on how those guys survive. If anything I'm pretty sure they are nearly extinct.
"Most elves need different environments in order to survive. If they can't they won't last very long. The only elves that aren't bound by restrictions are elves and high elves. They can live just about anywhere. Some factions used to say that diamond was inspired by humans so he created elves as an alternative and high elves as the superior version." Dimitri said.
The more I heard about the elves the more inspired I became. What if I visited some of these elves? Would we get along? Could I help them?
The answer was yes.
After all, I have something no one else does.
I have an altered dungeon core and a few legendary skills that will make things so much easier to get them to side with me.
For now though, I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and continue listening to Dimitri talk about the various elven variants, quirks and traits.
The whole time he was talking I couldn't help but think back on one group in particular.
"Who leads the snow elves?"
Dimitri didn't seem to know the answer but answered the best he could, "I can't say with certainty. The snow elves are highly reclusive. Not that it matters, nobody in their right mind would ever want to travel so high in the mountains to bother them. Although, if I were to hazard a guess I would assume it was the head priestess."
"So they're religious?"
I saw Makoto looking at me from the corner of my eye. I think he could guess where I was going from here.
Dimitri didn't bother to ask what I was thinking however. So he chose to answer the best he could.
"I don't think so. From the religious scriptures the snow elves are considered the first elves created by Lord Diamond, but that also makes them prototypes. Way back when, most elves would go on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the elves but I'm sure you could guess how irrelevant that's made the snow elves these days."
Alora looked shocked, "I'm surprised they stopped considering the snow elves are the first of their kind. Isn't that considered blasphemy?"
Dimitri just shook his head.
"Why would it? Don't forget, snow elves are considered an inferior and outdated breed."
I couldn't help but speak up at this point, "Don't forget that most people are trying to put food on the table. Not travel across hostile territory to get to some holy race that lives in an environment even more hostile than our own."
I couldn't help but think of the current city we were living in. They built that giant castle fortress for a reason. They built those giant walls for a reason. They built those statues for a reason, and my best guess? They're not made to look pretty.
One of those statues carried a giant crystal gun!
"We're in the borderlands. Worse yet, we're on a continent that's been mauled and mutilated by creatures of nightmares and the only difference between them and the current occupants is the fact that they wear clothes."
Makoto just looked at me for a few seconds before speaking up, "It's not too late to back out Jess. Call the old man and he'll portal you two away within seconds."
I just shook my head at that, "Just because things look bad doesn't mean I should walk away in fear. Besides, it's not like I'll be doing all the fighting alone. I'll have you two."
Makoto just looked a bit awkward when I said that, it was Dimitri's turn to speak up though.
"Sorry kid, but I've already paid your king for safe transport. Sir Makoto is taking me on a one way ticket to the dwarven continent."
Me and Alora looked surprised when we heard that.
Alora looked at her father confused and a little nervous, "Why would you stay there? Your ships can go on autopilot as long as you go there at least once!"
Makoto sighed, "It was King's orders. That and I'm looking forward to it myself. Either way I have been tasked with guarding Sir Dimitri. He and I will infiltrate the dwarven government and make sure they don't do anything stupid. They've had years to rebuild and divide the spoils. They could choose to invade Rosary any day now. It is my job to guard Dimitri as we pose as rich merchants looking to settle down."
I was still confused about the whole thing, "Why you though? Somebody else could do it."
Makoto just shrugged, "Jess, I am many things, an explorer, a swordsman, an immature bastard but most importantly in my heart I am a free man."
I felt like he missed the word 'father' in there somewhere.
"So you just want to have fun."
Makoto grunted and nodded his head up and down.
"Exactly!"
I got the gist of it, but I wasn't exactly happy about it.
I will have to talk to the old man about this later, but for now I think we need to wrap things up.
"When are you two leaving?"
Alora looked a bit concerned but chose not to argue any further.
"Hopefully tonight. Dimitri is going to introduce me to a few merchants so I can offload some of my goods."
I perked up a little after hearing that.
"I should come with you, it might be a good idea to check out the competition and learn about the local market."
Makoto nodded and we all decided to head out.
Before we left I had to ask Dimitri an important question, "So if you're going with him, who will I have?"
Dimitri paused and looked over to the waitress who was attending one of her customers. Out of everyone here she was the only one that others were willing to chat with openly. If I recall, that was the same woman from earlier.
"She owns this bar. It serves as a hideaway for some of our scouts. If you ever need anything, find her."
The waitress must have noticed us staring at her and looked our way. I swear I think she winked at me.
"Ow! Alora!"
Alora pinched me on the side while I was looking at the hot waitress.
Again she pinched me, "Ow! I didn't say anything."
Alora just huffed and walked away while we followed after.
When we walked out the door we were met with the same gloomy air as always. Sometimes I hate how good I feel in this environment. It makes me feel like I'm not human anymore. Then again, being human is overrated.
After a few hours of walking and talking with the locals I quickly realized that there was something unsettling about the traders we've been meeting. It wasn't the look of a dead fish that we saw in most people.
It was the happy and almost boisterous elves we were coming across. A good example was the older merchant we were talking to. At least I say he's old but most elves always look hot.
At the moment we're talking to this blond haired merchant dressed in gold jewelry while his cyclops guards stare us down like hawks.
"I go up to him and say 99 oysters?! It was supposed to be 66 clams! Gyahahahaha! He brought me 99 oysters! You know what the funniest part was?"
"What was so funny Master Eli?"
"I'll tell you! I did order 99 oysters! I just forgot! Gyahahaha! And the idiot believed me! Gyahahaha!"
We've been sitting here for twenty minutes listening to this idiot make passes at Alora, boast about how rich he is, and tell terrible jokes about how he manages to get full refunds on food he never even had the intention of eating.
All the while his slave servant silently clapped right next to him with an emotionless gaze.
All and all. I was uncomfortable.
"So about trading with the Little Friday Emporium… How much limestone are your people able to send my way?"
Master Eli of the ROCK RIGHT HERE LMC was still in the middle of laughing about his stupid joke when I brought our previous trade arrangement.
"Hmm? Ah that's right. How about 20 gold coins for… Let's say per 18 kilograms."
"18? The market rate is 12."
"That's if you buy in bulk."
I understood that and when I said that's what I'll do he just threw me a ridiculous number.
"300,000 kilograms? Your deals don't go any lower? Nobody needs 300,000 kilograms of unprocessed limestone."
He just looked at me and chuckled like he was teaching a lesson to one of his underlings.
"That is the lowest Mr. Jessup. If you wanted lower than I would be at a serious loss. The most I could do is show you in the direction of one of our competitors. As for their credibility and the purity of what you seek? Well I'm afraid we're the best and only choice."
What he did not mention is that he owned most of these 'competitors' as well. Master Eli is known as the biggest trader in rocks and stone around. The guy owns multiple quarries in this region alone.
The fact that I was even allowed to talk with him personally is all thanks to Dimitri. Apparently the two have done… Less than legal work together.
Dimitri tells me that if I want to do business I have to talk to him, especially if it involves building my own village then I'll have to make several concessions with this man.
"Fine, let's talk."
"Excellent."