True Magician

Chapter 173

The northernmost point of Eostia.

A couple of days later.

- "So, this is the entrance to Nidavellir, the homeland of the dark elves?" I asked myself, examining the cave entrance, which looked completely ordinary to the untrained eye, hidden away in one of the rocks of the mountain range.

There were only dense, impenetrable forests and the ocean nearby, meaning that nothing could indicate that the entrance was hidden here.

Apart from the flora and fauna that posed a danger to any unfortunate soul who happened to wander in, I also sensed several closed fields, skillfully created and arranged so that even a well-trained mage could not recognize or notice their boundaries, and the density of the mana flow further masked everything, making the task even more difficult and impossible.

The closed fields surrounded the forest, clouding the mind and throwing travelers off course. And as we got closer and closer to the cave, this effect only intensified. Of course, a simple person would have already perished in the thick forest, eaten or poisoned by the local wildlife, but not me. Besides, our group was led by Olga, so there were no problems in principle.

- "Hmm... interesting defense. I don't think even Celestine would have made it this far," I nodded, and while Chloe cautiously followed in our footsteps, I looked at Olga, who looked pensive and a little worried, although she skillfully hid it, maintaining a stoic expression.

- "You seem troubled. I assume it's because you brought a stranger into your home? Although, you agreed to bring me here rather quickly."

- "Partly. Dark elves are a proud people and are extremely hostile toward all races other than their own. They won't be able to recognize you as a god, as I did, so expect an obvious reaction. Well, my decision is based on our deal. I'm not one to go back on my word," she replied calmly, but clearly not saying everything.

- "Oh? Well, let's go then," I shrugged. "You don't need to show me the way. It's obvious from the closed fields."

- "My queen," Chloe said suddenly as she and Olga followed me. "If what you said is true, then I..."

- "You're under my protection, Chloe. No one will dare hurt you, even if you're half-blood," Olga assured her warmly. "And Romani likes you."

- "R-really?" Chloe asked uncertainly.

- "You're not annoying, unlike the Shields, so don't worry," I waved her off and focused on finding a way out.

With the help of magic, it wasn't difficult to find the right route. The cave had a wide, branching labyrinth where every turn looked the same, making it very easy to get lost and perish, but not for me, of course.

The paths led lower and lower, as it seemed to me, hundreds of meters deep, lit only by stalactites of various shapes and sizes. And finally, we reached what seemed to be the bottom, where there was only one passage that led us into a vast space with a bunch of stone growths and stalactites.

It seemed like nothing unusual, because at first glance it was a cavity typical of such places, but it was not so. Olga knew this too, and she stood in front of me and took a deep breath.

- "I, Olga Discordia, Queen of Nidavellir and the dark elves, have come to request an audience with the elders," she declared loudly and authoritatively into the void. A few seconds later, dark elves emerged from their natural shelters, all with dark skin like Olga's and dressed in the customary attire of this world.

But what caught my attention was that among the ten who appeared, there was only one man with short black hair, who was dressed in ADEQUATE light leather armor.