Deep underground, a gray dwarf caravan traveled through intricate underground passages.
With the help of the sickly blue light emitted by the fungi, they moved forward in this dark and dim environment, like explorers exploring the unknown, with every movement revealing a cautious attitude.
Talacott, a gray dwarf merchant, was sitting on a cart pulled by giant underground slugs, and was happily describing to Brian the city they were about to arrive in.
His voice was full of excitement and pride, as if it was not his first time coming to this city, but he had deep feelings for this city.
“Dear Mr. Brian, what awaits us ahead is the ancient city of Orens. This dark elf city was first established five thousand years ago and was the largest city-state among all drow during the Crown War. The most prosperous, powerful, ancient, and certainly the richest city. When the first kingdom of the Dark Elves collapsed in the Great Subsidence, the ancient city of Orens became the leader of many drow city-states."
After leaving the beholder tyrant's lair, Brian kept heading in the direction of Ancient Orens City.
His purpose is clear and determined, to find the magical ritual notes of Spider Mage and Chief Mage Haizhuof.
This is a key item to solve the chaos in the Underdark and send the Abyss Lord back to his hometown.
For this, he has already made full preparations.
Although Brian has great strength, he knows that these two mages are not easy opponents to deal with.
After careful consideration, he decided to use a safer way to sneak into the city-join a caravan.
Talacott, the gray dwarf merchant, was an excellent choice he met in the tunnels of the Underdark.
Faced with the endless narration of the gray dwarf Talakot, Brian couldn't help but admire him.
He pretended to be surprised and said: "Five thousand years? It's unbelievable. Even the once glorious arcane empire of Netheril only has a history of more than three thousand years. "
The gray dwarf merchant's eyes shone with awe of history, and he nodded in agreement:
"It is indeed remarkable. The dark elves have a long history, more than ten thousand years. Even among the drow cities today, there are few ancient Orens cities that can rival it."
His voice It reveals a deep respect for history.
The gray dwarf merchant paused, seeming to be recalling the long history, then shook his head and continued:
"Although the dark elves have unparalleled attainments in craftsmanship and aesthetics, they Their capricious behavior always gives people a headache. Although the profits of doing business with them are huge, the risks are also huge. To be honest, every time I trade with them, I feel like my life has been shortened.”
Brian smiled after hearing this: "I once heard a scholar say that if a businessman has 50% profit, he will take desperate risks. If he has 100% profit, he will dare to trample on all laws in the world. With a profit of three hundred, he dared to commit any crime, even risking his head.”
He looked at the gray dwarf merchant and asked: "Talacott, since you are so afraid of the dark elves but are willing to do business with them every year, I guess Ancient Orens City is a place where you can make huge profits, right?"
The gray dwarf merchant laughed loudly, slapped his thigh hard, and exclaimed: "The scholar's words are really wise! As for the ancient city of Orens, it is indeed a place full of opportunities and challenges. Want to make a fortune? That is almost impossible, unless you risk robbery.
However, if you want to make ten times or a hundred times the profit, as long as you act carefully and take into account the arrogant character and face of the Drow, there is still a lot to be done. What a great opportunity, Mr. Brian, consider working with me? With your help by my side, the treasures in the dark elf's treasure house will flow to us like a spring."
"Cooperation? I don't know how to do business." Brian asked, but he looked uninterested.
"No, it doesn't matter. I can teach you. Sir, do you know what the dark elves' favorite entertainment is?" Talacott deliberately let it slip, with a mysterious light shining on his face.
Brian was confused, his eyes full of curiosity and desire to explore. He asked softly: "What exactly is that?"
The corners of the gray dwarf businessman's mouth raised, and his eyes revealed a deep wisdom: " That is gladiatorial combat. For the dark elves, a race obsessed with blood and battle, gladiatorial combat is a stage for them to release their passion and wildness."
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and he raised his head and took a big sip of wine. Wiping the wine spilled on his snow-white beard, he continued to talk eloquently: "The dark elves are like falcons in the underdark, eager to fly freely in the sky. When facing the enemy, they will wave without hesitation. Swords, showing their heroic and fearless fighting spirit, and in the absence of enemies, they will create enemies for themselves like hunters create prey, and even kill each other driven by passion.
But, in the absence of enemies, they will create enemies for themselves just like hunters create prey. Under the strict control of the ruling council of the ancient city of Orens, they could not openly satisfy their desire to fight.
So, gladiatorial games came into being and became a place for them to vent their exuberant energy. Imagine that the dark elves came from the underdark. Capture all kinds of strange monsters in the deep tunnels, and then put them into the arena protected by magic.
There, the beasts bite and fight each other, and the scene is bloody and spectacular.
The dark elves were watching this cruel feast as if it was their festival.
Not only that, the dark elves sometimes even go out in person to engage in fierce battles with these monsters.
They experience the joy of victory in battle, and feel the excitement and sense of accomplishment brought by every swing of the sword and every dodge. ”
Brian smiled, seeing through the gray dwarf businessman's thoughts, and said with a smile: "It seems that as long as I am willing to be the dark elf's combat opponent, Talacott's wallet will be filled instantly, right?"
Sure enough, all crows in the world are as black as black. In the dark areas, it is almost impossible to meet good people.
If you really believe in these underground races, I'm afraid you will be sold out by then and you will still be helping people count their tickets.
Talacott, the gray dwarf businessman, smiled dryly and rubbed his hands. He was a little reluctant, with a greedy light in his eyes, and he tried to comfort Brian:
"Sir, you need to know , although the army of dark elves is a nightmare in the Underdark, the strength of the dark elves alone is not very good. They usually choose bugbears, trolls or ogres as their opponents
And you, with your power as sir, can easily deal with those monsters, and can even fight against giant monsters or minotaurs. Your joining will undoubtedly bring unprecedented passion and excitement to this gladiatorial battle..."
In the heated atmosphere of the conversation, the gray dwarf businessman suddenly changed his face, stood up suddenly, and ordered his subordinates nervously:
“Stop the car immediately! Gather everyone and do a quick head count! ”
This order spread quickly like thunder. Every member of the convoy felt the unquestionable sense of urgency, and they carried out the order without hesitation.
Nervous The atmosphere spread quickly in the team and enveloped every member.
The results of the investigation were shocking. Three gray dwarves had mysteriously disappeared.
This sudden change filled the gray dwarf warriors with fear. A trace of firmness and determination flashed in their eyes, and they immediately drew their weapons from their waists in a well-trained manner, preparing to deal with the upcoming crisis.
This is a group of heavily armed gray dwarves. Even in the dangerous Underdark, these powerful warriors are enough to scare away any potential enemies.
More than fifty gray dwarves carefully formed a defensive circle back to back. Their eyes were sharp and they did not miss any suspicious spot.
However, in the large cave they were in at the moment, the huge stalactites hanging upside down were like darkness that obscured everything. The ground was rugged and broken, and there were countless places where monsters could hide.
Brian quietly observed everything around him, his eyes deep and keen.
Suddenly, his mind moved, and he seemed to notice something abnormal, and immediately reminded the gray dwarves: "Be careful with your head!"
As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of stalactites suddenly stretched out from under the hanging stalactites. A gray-white tentacle quickly shot towards the gray on the ground like a man-eating monster python. The two gray dwarves screamed in terror.
The two unlucky guys didn't even have time to wave their weapons to resist, the tentacles had already wrapped tightly around their necks.
In an instant, the sound of broken neck bones was clearly audible. After two crisp sounds, the tentacles lifted the gray dwarf's heavy body and quickly retracted, disappearing into the shadow of the stalactites. .
The whole process was completed in less than ten seconds. (End of this chapter)