Another Life: Elf Archer

Walking out of the residence arranged by the Duke, Priest Goodman, who was wearing a pure white silk robe with dark patterns, suddenly felt a little regretful.

He was just laughed at by the crow-like black devil, so he couldn't hold his breath. It really tarnished the majesty of the Holy Church and the God of Creation, and he was too impetuous.

"Priest Goodman," the attendant stepped forward cautiously and asked in a low voice, "are we going to the banquet now?"

Reverend Goodman looked at the sky and sighed: "It is rude to disturb the master when he is not ready."

It was still a long time before the time written on the invitation, and it was difficult for them to turn around and go back. He really didn't want to face the dead crow, so it seemed that he could only walk around for a while.

Reverend Goodman glanced at the nearby blocks and warned: "Everyone, please be careful not to get your clothes dirty. It is not appropriate to wear dirty clothes to a banquet."

"Yes, Reverend Goodman."

Perhaps for convenience or to watch the excitement, the Duke arranged the visitors from the Holy Church and the True God Temple to live in the same residence, and they all lived on the same floor, door to door.

When we came back last night, everyone was busy trying to find out the news. This morning, Priest Goodman went to the prayer room to practice as usual, but was disturbed by a crow. Listening to the man's noisy and exaggerated triumphant laughter, Recalling the few words he had learned, Priest Goodman concentrated on making five large holes in the scroll in his hand.

There is very little information about the elf woman in the City of Usher. All that is known is that her name is No, and she was very successful in the gladiatorial arena some time ago, and at that time, the woman had not yet turned purple.

From the mouth of a drunken arena referee, Priest Goodman also found out the whole story of how the Duke came to fight with him.

According to the referee who was nagging after being drunk, the weapon in the elf's hand suffered magical backlash. In order not to expose this in front of the audience, the Duke personally dressed up and played with her in a "wonderful" game. In the battle for the God of War, not only did she retain her title, but she also spent a lot of effort to help her repair the bow afterwards. It is said that she also spent a lot of money to buy several treasures from her own auction house.

The Duke is a principled businessman. The referee drunkenly held the bottle and said that even as the owner of the auction house, he can only, burp, bid fairly for what he needs.

It was probably because the weapon was damaged that the woman did not continue to appear in the arena. In this case, the woman should not have turned purple for a long time, and her relationship with the crows should not be too deep. Is there any possibility? What gap can be pried through?

Reverend Goodman lowered his head in thought and forgot that he was walking on the streets of Usher. When he realized that he was about to bump into someone, his toe had already kicked the person's calf.

"Ah, sorry..."

Priest Goodman, who had already heard about the customs of the City of Usher, immediately spoke to avoid getting into trouble. However, when the soldier in front of him turned his head, his fierce expression suddenly turned into a stiff smile, and he automatically stepped aside to the side of the road.

Priest Goodman was confused. He walked through a few more streets and received more than a dozen forced smiles. He paid more careful attention to the words and deeds of passers-by on the road, and finally pieced together from their few words what made these lawless things happen. The reason why the murderers are so kind:

The trade fair, which has never been interrupted since the auction house was built, has been canceled today in order to entertain distinguished guests.

The City of Usher, located at the junction of the three races, has always been well-informed. Most people have heard about the undercurrents of the human race countries. Originally, no one was very interested in these things. The City of Usher has the freedom of the City of Usher, whether it is a white swan or a black crow. , if you want to fly here, you have to bow your head to the vultures and falcons that are entrenched here.

But the Duke's attitude is really hard to see through. He not only openly recruits mercenary groups as a private fighting force, but now also entertains these little birds with great fanfare, and even promises to ensure the safety of these distinguished guests within the scope of Purple Gold City. , I always feel that the city of Usher is going to change.

In any case, it is not a big deal to give these guests a little face. After all, the mercenary group recruited by the Duke is not easy to mess with.

"So the Duke also attaches great importance to us." The attendant smiled.

"It may not be us."

Reverend Goodman looked back on yesterday's events and was not as optimistic as the attendant.

He always felt that the Duke decided to move the banquet time forward because the elf woman disliked the time.

"At least the whole city is paying attention to this matter now. The Duke can't delay it for too long. He should give us an answer as soon as possible." The attendant said with relief.

"Well, let's go back," Priest Goodman recognized the scenery of the street. "It seems that we are about to leave the Duke's sphere of influence."

"Don't worry, the moment you step out of the protected area, I will remind you loudly..."

Reverend Goodman turned his head and looked at the young man leaning against the wall. After a moment, he asked tentatively: "Looking at your clothes, you must be a holy mage too."

"Yes, from the academy, wind element."

Reverend Goodman suddenly felt his sleeves being pulled and pulled. Just as he was about to criticize this act of desecrating precious fabrics, he heard his attendant whisper in his ear:

"That badge pattern is the mercenary group recruited by the Duke."

"Yes, you are knowledgeable." The man snapped his fingers, and a breeze suddenly came. "It's almost time for you to go to the banquet, unless you want to use up more energy so that you can eat more at the banquet."

Reverend Goodman raised his hand to block the dissatisfied attendant and smiled kindly:

"Thanks for the reminder, we'll go back now."

"Be good, don't keep him waiting too long."

After the words fell, there was no one beside the wall.

"This is it." The attendant was surprised and couldn't help but rub his eyes several times.

"High-level wind mage."

Priest Goodman smiled bitterly, turned around and walked towards the banquet location.

Under dusk, the blood-red arena bloomed like a rose, and the dazzling Little Golden Palace was rising slowly, like a new rising sun.

......

The auction house is a hexagonal building. Looking up, you can see the twinkling stars, and looking down, you can see the flowing gold sand. The marble steps and corridors spiral around the golden pillars, leading to individual private rooms.

Accompanied by the sweet music, Priest Goodman and his party were led into the hall by servants, but they did not see the steps and corridors they saw yesterday, only three long tables.

The long table in the middle is the tallest and is placed horizontally. There are six high chairs behind the long table, facing the direction he walked in; the other two are much shorter and placed vertically on both sides, one on the left and the other on the right. .The three dining tables have all been covered with tablecloths, with bright colors and complicated patterns, but there are no decorative features that represent family lineage.

"Please also ask your attendant to follow me here."

Another servant came forward, took away the six attendants behind him, and arranged them to sit down at the long table on the right.

Goodman frowned and followed the servant quietly, bypassing the orchestra that was playing in the center of the hall, and walked towards the high main table.

The servant pulled out a high chair and bowed for him to sit down.

This is the second high chair from the right.

Goodman guessed at the seating arrangement and relaxed slightly.

If you arrange it this way, the Duke should be on your right, and... could it be Eggberg's people on your left?

The guests today were more active. Although there was still half an hour before the banquet started, only three minutes after Reverend Goodman took his seat, except for the two seats in the middle, there were already four of the six high chairs at the main table. guest.

The two empty chairs in the center further confirm the relationship between the two people: they symbolize the master's and the hostess's seats.

On the left side of Goodman was a famous person from the City of Usher, who was obviously called to accompany the guest. He was quite tall, with a big belly, fair and chubby, and his face was flattered. He didn't dare to talk to him and just smiled stupidly.

At the other end of the main table is the envoy Eggberg. To the left of the envoy is the black crow from the Temple of the True God, looking confident and chatting with the envoy.

The brisk music gradually slowed down, and the servants standing all over the hall bent down and bowed. The guests at the main table and the guest table also stood up. The fat man on Goodman's left almost knocked over his chair, attracting The elf woman's smile.

"Sorry, we're late."

The Duke glanced at the elf woman holding his arm, and said with a smile:

"Next time, you should be more cautious when estimating the time required to change clothes and make up."

The elf woman glared at the Duke and smiled generously at the guests behind the main table:

"I was invited to serve as a vase today. Distinguished guests, you don't need to pay attention to me."

The guests secretly complained, but on the surface they responded with the same smiles.

"Sit here."

Instructing everyone to sit down, the Duke walked behind the main table and pulled out a high chair himself. Miss Elf Vase sat unceremoniously on the seat belonging to the hostess and nodded to the black-robed priest on her right.

"Now that the guests have arrived, let's start the banquet."

The Duke took his seat and ordered.

......

After the servants washed the hands of the Duke and his guests, the silver goblets in front of the six people were filled with sweet light red wine, and the orchestra playing in the middle of the hall also changed to a famous serenade.

first course.

Sweet oranges the size of honeydew melons are hollowed out, and the outer skin is carved with layers of waves. The inside is pale pink wheat porridge, and fruits of different colors are dotted on the surface, arranged to look like flowers.

"Everyone knows that elves don't like meat. I'm afraid I'm going to upset a few of you today."

The Duke picked up the small silver spoon and looked tenderly at the elf on his right.

Miss Vase was a little surprised every year. She lowered her head and took a sip: "Really, I can eat it too."

Reverend Goodman secretly touched his belly and glanced at the fat, white man next to him with a frowning face. He was glad that he didn't do too much exercise before the meal.

Priest Aile from the Temple of the True God smiled and said: "The Duke is so considerate, I really envy this..."

"Cybele, just call me cy, you are..."

Envoy Eggberg suddenly raised his head and looked over, as if he had not seen him in Nian Nian, still staring at the black-robed priest with a smile.

"My name is Aile, and I am an intermediate priest in the Temple of the True God."

The "intermediate priest" stirred the wheat porridge with a spoon every year, "I'm not sure about your level. That guy Simil is a senior one."

"You know High Priest Simil?" Ayler was surprised and delighted. "That is our most senior oracle priest. I have met him several times."

"The top one is so powerful." Nian Nian turned around and asked, "Where is he now? I haven't seen him for a while."

"He will go to Eggberg in the near future, probably in the next day or two." Eller answered.

"Eggberg," Nian Nian turned his attention to the envoy behind him, "it seems that the situation over there is indeed very difficult."

"If I knew you were here, Sir Simil might not be too troublesome," Eller pointed out.

"Maybe" Nian Nian smiled and raised his glass.

Amidst the clear clinking of glasses, the quiet Goodman squeezed the long handle of the silver spoon tightly, and glanced to the right pretending to be casual. He only saw half of the Duke's tender face, and his eyes were full of the woman's figure, without any trace of her. I feel like there is something wrong with this question and answer.

The fat man on the left almost buried his face in the orange peel. The unnoticed Goodman couldn't help but feel a little sad, and mechanically put a spoonful of wheat porridge into his mouth.

The wheat porridge is sweet and glutinous, with slightly sour fruit and a hint of orange aroma and orange peel...

Goodman swallowed the food in his mouth, tasting the deepest bitterness.

second course.

The orange cups and cutlery were removed by the servants, and eight servants came in carrying a large silver plate. Judging from the length and width of the plate, it should be almost the same size as the main table.

There are two peacocks lying on the mist-filled plate, with their eyes closed and their necks crossed. Their colorful tail screens cover the silver plate, like a half-open fan.

When the silver plate was placed on the main table, the guests discovered that the mist was just air-conditioning. Looking closer, they saw that the two peacocks were just carved from fruits and vegetables, with a layer of crushed ice underneath.

A servant half-knelt on the ground facing the Duke, raised his hand and flicked it, and a small ball of orange-red flames rose from the sharp beaks of the two peacocks.

The flames were raging and hot, but they did not spread to other parts. A trace of cold air still seeped out from everywhere on the peacock's head and neck.

"It's just boring if it's all vegetables and fruits. I asked the kitchen to do a little trick. I hope you're satisfied."

The Duke looked around, his eyes fell on the curious Nian Nian, and he smiled fondly.

"I didn't expect that the Duke's chef is so good..."

Priest Aile immediately answered the conversation and once again kept the conversation on his side. He magnanimously drew Envoy Eggberg into the scene of the guests and hosts enjoying themselves, laughing loudly without concealing his respect for the ancient times. de Man's mockery.

Goodman put his hands on the table and looked ahead, as if stunned.

"This...priest, don't you try this dish? It's delicious."

Goodman lowered his head, and a piece of "green feather" appeared on the bread plate in front of him. This dish was made of bread slices, which added some special aroma to this slightly light cold dish.

"Thank you," Goodman asked slightly apologetically.He had just despised this big fat man with a smile on his face.

"My name is Dion," the big fat man's demeanor suddenly became elegant, and he tore the bread in his hand slowly, "I am a little musician in the city of Usher."

"Musician" Goodman looked at the orchestra playing in the hall.

“The instrument I play is different from theirs,” Dion laughs. “It requires a gentler and more powerful approach.”

This seemingly contradictory expression made Goodman become somewhat interested in him. Besides, rather than being so angry at the dead crow that his stomach ached, he might as well have some fun on his own.

"It's not good for you to be silent like this," Dion came over and whispered, "In fact, the Duke welcomes anyone who comes to do business."

"Yeah" Goodman looked at him warily.Who sent this escort to be a lobbyist?

"Don't get me wrong, I just think it's too noisy over there."

Dion glanced at the other end of the long table where the conversation was lively. In this moment of silence, a few words reached Goodman's ears:

"What kind of mechanism and equipment do you want? I have been to China and I am very familiar with the people from Tiangongfang. They happen to be in Usher City now. I will take you there to see it tomorrow."

"Thank you so much." Elle was a little excited. "I have long heard that the craftsmanship of the Chinese people is no worse than that of the dwarves, and they are even more high-quality and cheaper than the dwarves."

"The power principle used is different. You can see it yourself tomorrow. I can't explain it clearly."

Nian Nian waved his hand casually and bumped the rim of the Duke's glass with his wine glass: "Do you want to accompany us?"

"I won't go, remember to come back early."

The Duke picked up the wine glass, turned the rim where she had bumped it towards him, and brought it to his lips.

"Also," Nian Nian was a little embarrassed and turned around, "This friend of Eggberg will also come with me tomorrow to see that you should be in need of various defense methods now."

Envoy Eggberg didn't expect such a surprise at all. He couldn't form words for a while, but Nian Nian had already seen his answer and nodded with a smile.

"Look," Dion's voice rang in Goodman's ears again, "the Duke is only interested in doing business and making money. He is a principled businessman."

A principled businessman.

Goodman thought of the words that came out of the drunk referee's mouth last night, and couldn't help but rekindle a little hope in his heart.

"You," Goodman looked at Dion with a sincere attitude and lowered his voice, "what do you think the Duke's principles are?"

"Make the most money and cause the least trouble." Dion grinned, the fat on his cheeks piling up on the corners of his mouth.

"The two are sometimes contradictory."

Goodman looked at the two peacocks on the plate, braving the cold and heat at the same time.Fire and ice are incompatible. If the Duke wants to stand in the middle, he will have to endure double or even triple the trouble.

"Then you will be in trouble." Dion cut the green fruit on the plate with a knife, put it into his mouth and chewed it slowly.

Goodman's expression changed and he looked down at the food on the plate.

Yes, for him, there were only two outcomes: he negotiated cooperation with the Duke, he completed the task and survived intact; he refused to cooperate with the Duke, he messed up the task and was tortured or executed.

Whether the Duke will cooperate with others overtly or covertly is simply not something he can control, nor is it something he needs to consider.

The big men held knives and forks, and little men like him were nothing more than dinner roasted by fire and ice.

The third course.

Just as the peacock in the previous dish was not a real peacock, Goodman believed that the wild boar in front of him was not a real wild boar, even though it smelled and looked like a real roasted wild boar.

Nian Nian still had a pleasant conversation with Priest Aile. Thanks to Nian Nian's invitation, the Eggberg envoy was more interested in talking and laughing. The Duke had no choice but to find that he had also been left out.

Goodman saw the opportunity and praised heartily:

"This chef really has some ingenuity, he can actually make so many tricks out of these ordinary fruits and vegetables."

"Well, indeed," the Duke picked up a piece of "wild boar", "who would have guessed that this whole wild boar is actually made of the most common weeds and tender bark."

"Weeds and bark"

Goodman was surprised and chewed carefully, but he couldn't taste the smell of grass or the dryness of the bark.

"Of course it has been processed in many layers. The elves have different tastes, and grass and trees have their own taste in their mouths. But we are humans after all, and we at least still need seasoning."

"Your Majesty the Duke has put a lot of effort into preparing such a banquet." Goodman sighed.

"It doesn't matter, of course it's because it's worth it." After painstaking efforts to be understood, the Duke's smile became kinder.

"It looks like a big fragrant wild boar on the outside, but it's just dry ordinary weeds on the inside. This can be considered a contradiction between what it looks like and what it looks like." Dieng muttered vaguely as he stuffed his food into large mouthfuls.

Goodman was startled, feeling that the escort seemed to be hinting at something.

"Seeing that the guests have such a good appetite makes me feel hungry too."

The Duke admired for a moment the momentum of Dionhu eating hayseed, and filled Nian Nian's sliced ​​bread plate with "wild boar meat":

"Eat it while it's hot. The bread plate for this dish is freshly baked and cut. It won't taste good if it's cold."

"Uh-huh."

Nian Nian stopped her busy talk and concentrated on enjoying the food. She secretly said in her heart that this was definitely the most sumptuous meal for her in the game world. If she hadn't had a heavy responsibility, she would have eaten the whole plate. Gone.

As a former taste addict, the Duke's chef captured Nian Nian's heart perfectly. After three bites, she forgot about her aloof image. While eating the food on the plate, she stared at the dish with eager eyes. "Boar Legs".

"Here it is, no one will snatch it from you."

The Duke twitched the corner of his mouth almost imperceptibly, piled Nian Nian's goals on her plate, and received an unusually sincere and sweet smile, far more sincere than any smile he had ever seen on Nian Nian's face.

Due to the seat and angle, this smile also fell into Goodman's eyes, making him smile knowingly.

Noticing Goodman's kind gaze, the Duke looked at him helplessly: "I made you laugh."

"Hug, sorry, that's overstepped." Goodman looked away without squinting.

The Duke did not intend to let him go like this, and asked teasingly: "I wonder what kind of woman our cy is in the eyes of Priest Goodman."

Nian Nian raised her head from the food and looked at him.

"This," Goodman hesitated, "is a perfect woman worthy of a Duke."

"Hmph." Nian Nian glared at him, poked a piece of bread with a table knife, and bit into it viciously.

"You said the wrong thing," the Duke said teasingly, as if the prank had succeeded, "Cy is very arrogant, you should say that I am worthy of her."

Goodman smiled awkwardly.After being reminded by the fat man just now, he thought that the key to requesting cooperation this time was still the Duke himself, and he couldn't help but lower the status of this cy in his heart.

After all, as a person who has been influenced by the church's thinking for many years, he is not used to this way of thinking that regards elves as equals to humans.

Priest Aile was a little awkward at first, but the appearance of the name Simil made him a little more cautious in his words and actions.

"Give you another chance," Niannian pointed the tip of the knife at his nose, half-smiling, "tell me again, what kind of woman am I."

Goodman directly expressed his first impression of this man:

"Powerful, ruthless, but also very, very beautiful."

"It seems that you watched the competition yesterday very carefully." Niannian moved his hand away with satisfaction and continued to fight for food.

"These are all rare advantages. No wonder you fit so well with our True God Temple." Priest Aile praised.

But Nian Nian had a cold face and said calmly: "Yes, it is really an honor for Simil and you to bring me into the camp."

The Duke took a sip of the red wine and looked at the slightly stiff Priest Aile and the bright-eyed Priest Goodman as they piled more "wild boar meat" on Nian Nian's plate.

Fourth course.

There were some questions that Priest Aile didn't want to ask, and Priest Goodman couldn't ask them, so he had to let others ask them.

If this Cy who is so valued by the Duke really has close friendship with the people in the Temple of the True God, Eggberg may not be able to cling to the thigh of the City of Usher and maintain neutrality together.

"I don't know how your Excellency the Elf got to know the High Priest Simil," Envoy Eggberg asked with concern.

"I was tricked by him a few times earlier, and I barely tricked him a few times. We don't like each other, but we can't get rid of it completely." Nian Nian wiped his mouth with a napkin and watched the servants serve new meals. .

This is a dessert, fragrant pears soaked in red wine.

"Speaking of which," Nian Nian played with the porcelain plate holding the dessert and raised his eyebrows at Priest Aile, "Simier said a long time ago that I am the first member of his True God Temple, and I am senior to you. high."

Priest Aile relaxed a little and said with a smile: "Then I hope you will give me more advice."

"It was just an accident at the beginning. It was not my intention to join his camp, and it caused me a lot of trouble." Nian Nian curled his lips.

"Besides, there is no benefit to be gained from joining the Temple of the True God. It only gave me two super troublesome ways to make arrows. I used to be somewhat useful when I was not strong enough, but now I can only use them on those bastards in the arena."

Goodman was sorting out the contents of Nian Nian's words when he suddenly heard her facing him and asking seemingly casually:

"This friend, if I join your Holy Church, will there be any more powerful benefits?"

Without waiting for Goodman to answer, Nian Nian turned around and said to himself: "It's useless to ask. I don't know how to change the door anyway."

She dug out a mouthful of pear flesh with a silver spoon, put it in her mouth, tasted it carefully, and praised:

"Well, it's not bad, it's sweet and slightly astringent in the mouth, and has a long aftertaste. It's really delicious with an endless aftertaste."

Goodman also took a taste and nodded in agreement.

It does have a lingering aftertaste, leaving you with a feeling of unfinished taste.

For example, this elf named cybele seems to have some connection with the Duke of Usher, but in fact it seems that there are some more important values ​​that can be explored.

The fifth course.

This is also the last dish of today’s banquet: honey-soaked seasonal nuts.

The servant respectfully placed the crystal plate in front of Goodman. The fat man Dion sitting on his left was very dissatisfied with such a small meal. He touched his belly, moved closer to Goodman, and stared at his face. plate.

"Hey"

"What's wrong?" Goodman looked at him.

Dion pointed to the nuts on the plate and smiled innocently, revealing two deep dimples:

"Congratulations, this is Ma Li. You will be very lucky."

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