Chapter 25 – Dragon Valley

The two qilin mounts made our trip through the jungle swamp go so much faster. Saber rode on the male green qilin with Archer seated behind her. The red female qilin has smoother scales so I decide to ride her with Lancer being in front. I might need to get some saddles for these qilins in the future.

The qilins run swiftly through the wet jungle with ease as if they are almost floating off the ground. They easily avoid trees and obstructions as the scenery blurs past me. Lancer is still a small weak child as she is scared of the speed. She clutches onto the red qilin’s hair while shutting her eyes and crouches. If I was in my original human body with all these crazy movements and speed. I would be suffering from massive motion sickness.

The elves with the assistance of wind spirit magic move through the tree tops from branch to branch with ease like agile monkeys. Their speed is able to keep up with the qilins, but the divine beasts are not going at full power though. We were able to leave the jungle swamp and it only took a day’s time. If we were still on foot then I do not want to imagine how long it would take.

As we left the jungle swamp we came to a rocky mountain terrain with small patches of sparse forests. These elves are guiding us through such rough lands just to bring us to their home. I wonder how long it will take until we reach the so-called great forest of the elves. Currently we are at the edge of the jungle swamp that meets this rocky mountain land.

“This is dragon valley. We have to be extra careful.” –Byron

“Herds of flying dragons roam these lands. But we have an ancient dragon with us. So maybe it is safe.” –Calista

“I am a god. Not an ancient dragon.” –Dasas

“If you say so dragon god.” –Byron

This elf Byron is being amiable ever since Saber kicked his ass. He constantly looks over at Saber trying to make a good impression. Byron is such a sly and shameless bastard. At least it is better than his mean attitude from before.

My group barely interacts with the elves unless they have to. Aside from me they will not strike up friendly conversation with the elves. I wish they can get along with others better as we will be needing allies.

“Miss Saber where do you hail from?” –Byron

“Don’t casually talk to me you vermin.” –Saber

“Now. Now. Let us all try to be friends.” –Dasas

“I shall take it under advisement master.” –Saber

Byron gives me a glare. Is he jealous? I am actually trying to help here. The thought of this fool being with Saber disgusts me, but I do not mind if they have somewhat friendly relations. Why is getting allies got to be such a chore.

“Worm if you must know. I am a high elf of Arlenia.” –Saber

“A high elf!! Arlenia is that the village you from? I heard there are small elven villages scattered across Zorya.” –Byron

“I guess you could say that.” –Dasas

I try to interrupt them as I want to keep the fact we came from another world a secret. We are technically aliens to this world. These elves usually will not step out of their home the great forest Elfheim, so they do not know much about elves living elsewhere. Good news for us.

“Why does Saber dress like a knight? She is an elf.” –Calista

“You inferior elves! The blood of elven knights run through my veins.” –Saber

“Strange. Are you perhaps one of the elusive moon elves?” –Byron

These elves just dismiss the vile words coming from Saber. I wonder why? Is it because she is an elf so it is tolerable? What are moon elves? I have so many questions, but it will be suspicious if I ask too much.

“It is said moon elves rely on the power of the three moons.” –Calista

“Miss Saber. Perhaps you can use unique magic?” –Byron

“Hmph. As a paladin I can only use light magic.” –Saber

“Not spirit magic? Strange. We was pretty sure we sensed powerful spirit magic…” –Byron

“Light magic?” –Calista

Saber gives an annoyed expression as she dislike having to explain things to these people.

“I can use healing spells. Defensive spells. And light based magic attacks. It’s mostly effective on undead.” –Saber

“Healing spells!! That is wonderous miss Saber. We can only heal ourselves using the special sap from spirit trees.” –Byron

“Even humans don’t have healing spells. They rely on potions made from alchemy I believe.” –Calista

“Really?” –Dasas

Does that mean healers do not exist in this world? So many things I do not know. This might explain why the level of human fighters is low. At least the ones I met so far. Fighting strong monsters will be dangerous without a healer after all. Relying on potions only is probably expensive and troublesome.

“Hmph. Inferior elves.” –Saber

As we travel through this rocky landscape in the sparse forests we came upon a stream and decided to take a rest for the night. Our camp is simple just a small fire and cheap looking blankets to cover us as we sleep on the ground. I took out raw meat from my personal inventory to cook on the fire to feed my crew.

At first the elves were surprised when we carried no bag of supplies and I took things out from my personal inventory. Now they are used to the sight as they believe it is because I am an ancient dragon and have access to crazy magic. The elves mainly eat vegetables and fruits of some kind as they rarely eat meat I am told. They are not vegetarians but close.

I do not require sleep due to my divine body so I just kept watch all night as the elves took shifts patrolling. The two qilins are obedient and do not require being tied up as they stay near my group. They can eat both raw and cooked meat I found out. Easier to just feed them raw meat as cooking large portions of meat is a pain.

The next day we resume our trip through this dragon valley as we came upon a vast flat rocky plain. In the distance we see what appears to be a large caravan. The caravan is comprised of thirty wagons with a very large metal wagon leading them.

The metal wagon looks like a giant metal tank of some sort and is pulled by six big rhino-like monsters with sharp teeth and claws. On top of the metal tank are two large ballista weapons. It does not look like a merchant caravan as all the people in it look to be warriors. All the people appear to be humans.

“Nomads. Careful everyone. We have to hide and wait until they pass.” –Byron

“Nomads? How come I don’t see any women or children?” –Dasas

“They are dragon hunters or so I’ve heard.” –Calista

“Despicable humans hunting dragons. The dragon eggs sell especially high. They can be raised as mounts for the military.” –Byron

These elves sure know a lot of information for people who dislike stepping outside of their forest. I am interested in how they know so much, but I will leave it for later.

“Dragon god. Please don’t attack them.” –Calista

“Why would I attack them?” –Dasas

“Well you are a dragon and they hunting your kind…” –Calista

These stupid elves are still hung up on thinking I am some sort of ancient dragon of this world. No matter how many times I tell them I am a god they will not believe me. The wood elves as they call themselves worship only the spirit kings and nature. The concept of kneeling to a god is something only humans do in their eyes.

“No worries. I won’t attack them and I am no dragon. I can turn into one but I ain’t really one!!” –Dasas

The elves ignore my pleas at denying I am a dragon as we start to hide ourselves behind large rocks. We wait for the nomadic caravan to pass. I am curious as to how these people hunt dragons but I let it go for now. I still have to deal with trying to ally myself with these elves after all. Once the caravan disappears into the distance the elves start to relax and we continue our journey.

While riding on the qilins the trip goes fast as it only took a few days to get through dragon valley. Leaving the rocky mountain terrain we reached a green prairie and the grass reaches up to our waists. The elves let us know it will take a few more days until we reach the great forest Elfheim at our current pace. The trip would have taken a couple months or more for ordinary humans I learned.

The prairie is home to giant wingless birds that are carnivores and their levels ranging from twenty to thirty. They make good targets to level up Lancer and their meat taste like high quality chicken. The elves were dissatisfied that we kept wasting time to kill these bird monsters, but making Lancer stronger is important.

Lancer reached level twenty three once we left the prairie grasslands, so her strength should be around a rank ‘B’ human adventurer now. Not bad since a little girl with super combat capabilities is strange yet an awesome sight. Aside from Byron and Calista the other elves in the group are only around level thirty to forty, so Lancer will catch up to them soon.

There were also dangerous flying monsters, but nothing that cannot be dealt with thanks to Archer. One shot from her arrow will always take down a flying monster no problem. The elves become wary and a little fearful at how powerful my crew is. They don’t know what to make of it. No need to be scared as I hope we can become allies or maybe even friends.

Lancer is somewhat shy and will not even look at the elves in the eye and always stay near me. Archer is always smiling, but her eyes look empty when they stare at the elves. It seems the only way to bridge the gap with these elves and become friendly is to use Saber.

However, she is reluctant in getting friendly with them and will only do so with my urging. Saber still uses toxic speech when dealing with them and especially with Byron who blatantly tries to get close to her. This will take some work but I hope she will improve. At least she is talking to them.

After so many days as I start to lose count, because I stop caring we finally reached the great elven forest Elfheim. The great forest is very green, vibrant, and looks very lush. Extremely different from the dull looking pinewood-like forest my mountain mansion is located in. It is morning, so there is fog like mist coming from the forest. Specks of green light seem to make this forest glow and give it a very mystical feel.

Fantasy forest! I wonder what it will be like inside as my crew and me stare in wonder at the sight before us. The elves with us give a smug look on their faces like they are showing off.

“Finally home.” –Byron