Children

Everyone entered the forest.

The plants inside are wild and lush, and the sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves of the tall trees is immediately absorbed by the young birches, junipers and ferns.

In the evening.

Arwen and the convoy finally arrived at the elf camp.

The architecture of the camp is different from that of humans. Elves basically live in houses in the trees, with only a few tents next to thick tree trunks.

The elves in the camp looked wary when they saw humans entering again.

The noisy sound quickly attracted the attention of the elders of this elf camp.

The elf elder is an old man with wrinkles on his face and vicissitudes of life in his eyes.

He was holding a cane and wearing a robe made of green leaves, and slowly walked up to Arwen.

Galar quickly stepped forward and explained to the elf elders in elf language.

After hearing this, the elf elder glanced at the hilt of the silver sword behind Arwen.

He solemnly touched his chest with his right hand and performed an ancient and noble elf ritual.

"May the stars light your path, Witcher, and your kindness will never be forgotten."

After hearing the conversation between the two, the elves around them became much kinder.

Nenneke looked at the tired elves around him and finally couldn't help but ask.

"Elder, I have had interactions with your elves before."

"I know you hate human behavior, but you won't attack travelers passing by at the edge of the forest."

The elf elder sighed, clenching the crutch with his left hand, helplessness in his eyes.

"Because of mankind's endless land reclamation, forests are disappearing rapidly, and the soil we live in is constantly being compressed."

"According to the plan, we will soon move to the south of the Blue Mountains, or settle near the Mahakam Mountains."

"We choose to endure."

"But," the elf elder's tone suddenly became high-pitched and filled with anger, "We have been losing children recently, and this is absolutely unacceptable to us."

"Like Toriel, he was captured by the hateful humans. If it weren't for the demon hunters, he would have become the plaything of the nobles."

Nenneke frowned.

Arwen recalled watching "World History" before.

One of them is about elves.

Elves are different from humans. They have a lifespan of up to three hundred years, and all of them are beautiful. They are the darlings of the forest.

But it is precisely this unique talent that makes them aloof and lacking in creativity.

They don't even know how to farm. A simple three-field system can trouble them for hundreds of years.

And the most fatal point is that their fertility is very poor.

Only very young elves can have fertility, and they themselves are not interested in reproduction.

But it is strange that those young female elves may only go into estrus once in twenty years, but they often react to humans or other male creatures.

This is also the reason why there are so many half-elves in this continent.

Therefore, every elf tribe attaches great importance to its own children.

The elf elder's eyes were cloudy, "Children are the hope for the continuation of the ethnic group, but in this year, we lost eight children."

"This is definitely not done by wild beasts, but by humans. They are cutting off our hope."

He raised his head and looked at Arwen with prayer in his eyes.

"Witcher, I know your abilities. Your senses are a thousand times more sensitive than those of hounds. You are the best tracking masters in the world."

"And the silver sword behind you," the elf elder paused for a moment, his eyes complicated, "Thor Ivy, I haven't seen this beautiful silver sword for hundreds of years."

"It can identify with you and prove that you are a friend of the elves and that your soul is pure and bright."

"I implore you, Lord Witcher, to help us find those children."

"As long as you can help us, we will give you generous rewards."

As soon as these words were spoken, the elf warriors guarding the elf elders, as arrogant as they were, put down their dignity and saluted Arwen.

Arwen stretched out his hand to press down the cloak that was blown by the wind, "Do you recognize this silver sword? Is there a swordsmith among you?"

The elf elder understood what the other party meant, "I have been studying sword-making for two hundred years. If you have any sword-making needs, I can help you."

Arwen remembered the two-handed ax that he took from the dwarf when he hunted Royal Wyvern last time.

You might be able to gain something.

"Okay."

"I will take over this commission."

"Elder, please tell me in detail how the children were lost."

The elf elder took Arwen's hand, sat beside the fire and whispered.

"The time of disappearance is probably after midnight, especially when there is fog in the forest. If the owl does not sing, even the nightingale will shut up."

"I arranged for guards to watch over the children, but the children are still disappearing, silently."

Arwen looked at the flames and rubbed his palms, "Didn't you see any footprints outside the camp?"

The elf elder shook his head, "No, not even the footsteps of the wild wolf. This is where we are helpless."

Arwen chatted a lot with the elf elders, but there was no useful information.

Finally, under the arrangement of the other party, they enjoyed a dinner consisting of various fruits.

The elf marked out an open space for the teams of Arwen and Nenneke to rest.

Nenneke arranged the team's affairs and entered Arwen's tent.

The high priest's silver-edged white robe shimmered under the light of the flames.

"How is the investigation going?" Nenneke asked.

Arwen told the information truthfully.

The two of them actually already had the answer in their minds.

Such a cunning method, and under the eyes of the elves, there is only one possibility.

magic.

It is not easy to trace traces of magic.

Nenneke took out several glass bottles from his pocket, and each bottle was filled with rich magic power.

She handed the potion into Arwen's hand.

"I brought these from the alchemy workshop. Three of the silver-white bottles are [Blizzard], and two bottles are [Thunderbolt]."

Potion [Thunderbolt].

Arwen's eyes lit up and he looked at the blue liquid in the bottle, which looked like a cloud with lightning constantly swimming in it.

[Alchemy Perception], [Thunderbolt] exudes violent magic power fluctuations.

Drinking this medicine can improve one's attack methods in a short period of time.

It is a necessary potion for witchers.

Nenneke took out another gray oil can, "Here, smell it."

Arwen took it, opened the cap of the oil bottle, and twitched his nose.

A pungent smell went straight to Tianling Gai.

It is sword oil for dealing with insectoid creatures.

Nenneke said, "For all insect-like monsters in the forest swamp, this sword oil is essential and should be able to help you."

Arwen is not pretentious, accept it all.

"Nenneke, this helps me a lot."

Nenneke smiled and said, "Have a good rest. We want to successfully walk through this forest and go to Temeria. We really need your help, Demon Hunter."

Arwen nodded.

After chatting for a few more words, Nenneke walked out of the tent.

Arwen knelt on his knees and entered a meditative state.

It was not yet dawn, and the embers of the campfire were still glowing red.

Suddenly, the tent curtain was lifted, and a Raven swayed in.

With red eyes, he tilted his head and looked at Arwen.

The black-haired demon hunter suddenly opened his eyes.

In the pine forest on the east side of the camp, a metallic luster suddenly flashed.

Dozens of figures were wrapped in dark gray cloaks, with metal plate armor hidden under the cloaks.

They were fully armed, some with maces in their hands, some with giant axes on their backs, some with knight's swords, and some with light crossbows and shields.

This team is definitely considered elite.

It can be easily destroyed against the forces of ordinary barons.

Walking at the front of the team was a short figure.

He is less than four feet tall, wearing a green shirt, and his waist is full of copper tools.

There are pliers, a compass, and a wrench. The things are complicated but in order.

He is different from the dwarves in that he has no beard, a shriveled face, a huge hooked nose, pointed ears, and rare amber eyes.

Goblins, or woodland gnomes.

According to legend, they are the first race to come to this world, earlier than the dwarves.

He kept moving through the forest, he was very agile, and he made gesticulations from time to time.

"Here, don't get close here, this is a trap."

"Oh, and this, such an ancient method, they are still using it."

The dwarf knelt down and touched the silk thread hidden in the bushes with his fingers.

"Look, this little guy can tie a wild boar up to the sky with one trigger."

He was talking cheerfully, and a tall figure walked behind him.

Under his cloak was not armor, but an extremely elegant dark blue shirt.

The neckline is embroidered with a pattern of a goshawk in silver thread, and a thin sword symbolizing power hangs from the waist.

"Lorik," the man said in a low tone, "Stop playing around, how far are we from the elf camp?"

The dwarf Lorik said, "Master Earl, we are almost there. In less than ten minutes, we will be able to see the tree house built by the elves."

Earl nodded and signaled the people behind him to get ready.

"These damn elves, they will pay for the stupid things they have done."

There was a sudden sound from the bushes ahead.

"Who!?"

Earl said in horror, and the dwarf Lorik hurriedly ran behind Earl and hid.

The soldiers behind him were at war with each other. The sound of light crossbows being loaded continued to sound, and the arrows were aimed at the location where the sound was made.

A figure slowly walked out of the darkness, with cat-like yellow eyes exuding a penetrating luster.

Earl squinted his eyes, raised his right hand, signaled the soldiers behind him to put down their weapons, and lowered his voice.

"Black hair, cat eyes, wolf head badge, Kyle·Mohan's demon hunter, Arwen Baron, we meet again."

Arwen completely stepped out of the shadows, "Rupert·Mansfield Earl."

Lower March's Earl, we met last time in the Royal Knights Hall, and they also talked a lot.

Rupert said, "I am really surprised to see you here."

Arwen said, "Same."

"As far as I know, there is the elves' camp ahead. I would like to remind the baron that taking refuge with the elves is a capital offense under the Kaedwen law."

Arwen shrugged, "I know, but I don't want to see unprovoked killings. Earl, what is the purpose of coming here?"

Rupert moved his wrist, and under the last moonlight, his face looked extremely gloomy.

"My son, Edmund, disappeared five days ago."

"According to the servant's report, the lesson plan for that day is bow hunting."

"The western edge of this forest is my hereditary hunting ground, but according to the rules with the elves, my son's activity range is also outside the forest."

"But he disappeared, and I am his only son."

"There is also Freyja. At that time, she was holding a tea art class among noble ladies in my territory with my wife."

"I asked her to take action, but she disappeared into the forest."

"Baron, it's hard for me not to suspect that it was these elves who took action and kidnapped my child."

Arwen After hearing the name Freyja, his eyes became serious.

Freyja gave him a lot of help in dealing with Atamont.

"Ms. Freyja is a powerful sorceress. Is there no news after the accident?"

Earl Rupert shook his head, "No, you know the wizard's methods best, and his whereabouts are unpredictable."

Arwen said, "I just came out of the elf camp, and there were no Earl children there."

"Moreover, they also believe that humans stole their children."

"What do you mean, humans stole their children?"

Earl Rupert's voice changes tone.

"That's right."

Arwen told me about the elf camp.

At this time, the movement here alarmed the other side of the camp.

An elf team quietly arrived here.

Their bows and arrows were aimed at Earl.

"D"hoine! Humans! Get out of the forest! Get out of our homes!"

The elf roared loudly.

The knights surrounded Earl one after another and put up their shields.

Seeing that the conflict was about to break out, Arwen reached over his shoulder and pulled out the giant sword.

The ferocious cat eyes looked around.

"Guys, please be patient, Galar, and please invite your elders to come out."

Galar paused for a moment, then looked at the five companions beside him and the opponent's manpower.

If they attack rashly, they have no chance of winning.

My eyes finally fell on Arwen.

"Witcher, I choose to believe you, but they have to step back and not get close to here."

Arwen gestured to Earl Rupert.

Earl frowned and hesitated for a moment, "Lorik, take us back half a mile."

"Elf, for the sake of the Baron, I will abide by this agreement for the time being, but please don't play tricks on me."

After saying this, he took something out of his arms and threw it into Arwen's hands.

Arwen Hold it tightly, it is a ruby pendant. When you feel it carefully, magic power pours out.

It's a magic item.

"This pendant was made by Ms. Freyja when she was away. It can sense the life status and location of Edmund."

"Arwen, I also choose to believe you."

Earl took a solemn look at Arwen, and after seeing the latter nodding, "Lorik! Take us back!"

Lorik shook his head and said in a sharp voice, "Yes, Master Earl."

In this forest full of traps, without Lorik who is proficient in traps, they would probably lose half of their manpower if they got here.

When Galar saw Earl leading the team away, surprise appeared in his eyes.

But what shocked him the most was Earl's title of demon hunter.

Baron.

It's really incredible that the demon hunter, a profession that is discriminated against by humans, is actually a human noble.