Tal Salin snorted heavily, but the anger in his eyes was replaced by a solemn expression:
“Indeed. We came with Elder Galadriel’s orders, intending to find the source directly and demand that he stop his actions that distort nature, and even… take coercive measures if necessary.”
But now it seems like using a green leaf as an arrow to shoot down a steel fortress.
“The power he displayed was not just that strange aura of life,” Lyla Ryan mused.
"More importantly, he was able to navigate so skillfully among the three powerful forces of the Empire, the Orcs, and the Church in such a short period of time, and even attain a prominent position."
The mental fortitude, skill, and...luck required behind this are all extraordinary.
He is by no means someone who can be easily subdued.
Glenhill stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the lights of the Fortified City lighting up in the twilight and the distant Blackrock Territory.
"The strategy must be adjusted."
His voice was low and firm, “Elder Galadriel’s core command is to uncover the truth and make contact. We have sensed the truth, but the methods and purposes of our contact need to be reassessed.”
We cannot arrive as judges; that would only breed conflict, and the chances of victory are slim.
"Captain, what do you mean?" Iser asked.
"We need to understand more deeply, not just hearsay."
Glenhill turned around and glanced at his companion.
"We need to see Blackrock Territory with our own eyes, to see that land that has been 'forcibly awakened,' and to feel the core of that power."
More importantly, we need to observe Lind Truk himself—his behavior, his attitude, and his views on the possible existence of us elves.
He paused, then continued:
"The purpose of the contact has shifted from the initial 'questioning and obstruction' to 'probing and assessment'."
Assess whether his attitude toward the laws of nature is deliberate blasphemy or ignorant abuse. Assess whether he could be a potential ally. Or... assess the level of threat he might pose to the forests and the balance of the world in the future.
We need to gather enough information to bring back to Elder Galadriel, so that the Council of Elders can make the final decision.
"Then... shall we go straight to Blackrock Territory?" Philal asked.
“Yes,” Glen Hill nodded.
"But we need to do it in a more discreet and 'harmless' capacity. Caravan guards? Traveling scholars? We need a plausible reason to enter his territory."
Meanwhile, remain vigilant; Viscount Lilens's men are likely still watching us. Before entering Blackrock Territory, try to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.
The elves looked at each other and saw the solemnity and determination in each other's eyes.
The goal remains the same, but the path has changed.
The weight of the name Lind Truk forced them to set aside some of their elven pride and approach this rising "favored one" lord with an astonishingly complex background in the human world with a more cautious and pragmatic attitude.
What the elves didn't know was that their every move, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, had already been captured by keen observers on the shore.
Not long after they left the Westwind Inn, a detailed report on what they had found out, what they had focused on, and their “scholarly retinue” narrative was compiled and sent to Viscount Lillens’s desk.
Lillens held the report in his hand, his brow furrowed.
He sat in a large armchair, the flickering firelight from the fireplace reflecting in his tired yet still sharp eyes, but unable to dispel the deep disappointment and the ensuing doubt.
"So it turns out they came for Lind!"
Lillens muttered to himself, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table.
"They're not spies from the Sassians, nor are they after my Fortified City... These sneaky fellows are only asking about Lind?"
His previously tense nerves relaxed considerably after confirming that the other party's target was not him, but what followed was an indescribable feeling of suffocation.
It's like a hunter carefully setting a trap and waiting for a rabbit to run into it for days, only to find that what wandered in was not a wild beast, but a herd of lost deer—harmless, but worthless, and all his efforts were in vain.
“Your Excellency,” the trusted captain of the knights standing by said in a deep voice, noticing his lord’s frustration.
"These people are acting suspiciously, and the information they're gathering is so focused and sensitive. Although they're not targeting us, letting them operate freely in this fortified city is ultimately a potential threat. Should we...?"
The knight made a concealed gesture.
"Get rid of them? To ensure the news doesn't leak out, and to prevent them from actually going to Blackrock Territory and causing trouble for Viscount Linde."
Li Luns fell silent.
Get rid of them? With his methods, it wouldn't be difficult for a few unidentified but clearly well-trained spies to make these people disappear silently within the territory of the fortified city.
This seems to be the cleanest and most efficient choice.
But after a moment, he sighed heavily, waved his hand wearily, as if to dispel the smoke in front of him.
"never mind."
The knight captain was somewhat taken aback: "My lord?"
"I said forget it."
Lillens' voice carried a hint of barely perceptible weariness and a deeper contemplation.
"Killing them is easy, but disposing of the bodies and the potential follow-up investigations are all troublesome."
Besides, what they were asking about wasn't top secret. Which officer on the Sutherland front doesn't know about Lind's exploits?
Doing business with orcs, his priesthood, the Winter Oasis… these things had already spread among caravans and mercenaries; there was no stopping them.
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the snow-covered outline of the city walls outside, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
“Lind Truk… He is now a viscount appointed by the king, wielding real power and territory, backed by the church, and has murky ties with the orcs. Whether his 'reputation' is good or bad, a blessing or a curse, is something he must bear himself.”
Li Luns turned around, his gaze returning to its calm and pragmatic state:
"We are neighbors with Blackrock Territory, and also potential allies. Lind helped me before, and I remember that favor."
What we should do is fulfill our obligation to inform him, point out the signs of trouble, and let him decide for himself how to handle it.
Whether to receive him, expel him, or... as you said, 'handle' him, that's his business.
He returned to his desk, picked up a quill, and began to write rapidly on a specially made parchment bearing the seal of a viscount. His handwriting was strong and vigorous.
"To His Excellency Viscount Linde:..."
"There are five unidentified individuals with the following characteristics: tall, silent, vigilant, and coordinated in their actions. They have been active in the Fortified City recently, inquiring about your background, deeds, territory details, and relationship with the orcs and the church. Their focused attitude suggests they have ulterior motives."
He disguised himself as a travel scholar's attendant, but his shrewdness and capable demeanor betrayed him as no ordinary traveler.
"These people are clearly targeting you and Black Rock Territory. Their motives and background are unclear, but judging from their behavior, they are probably not well-intentioned."
This is to inform you of this matter, and I hope you will take note. I will continue to report on their whereabouts as the situation develops.
"May the Lord of the Light Veins protect you. — Lilens Vonn, in the Fortified City."
After writing it, he carefully sealed it with sealing wax, stamped it with his own emblem, and handed the letter to the knight captain.
"Send the fastest messenger, through our secret passage, and make sure he delivers it personally to Viscount Linde."
Lilens gave the order in a deep voice.
"Also, let 'Old Pipe' and the others continue to keep watch, but keep their distance. As long as they don't leave the Fortified City and don't try to spy on military intelligence, there's no need to alert them."
Report to me immediately if they show any sign of heading towards Blackrock Territory.
"Yes, sir!"
The knight captain accepted the letter, solemnly received the order, and quickly withdrew.
The study returned to silence, with only the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace remaining.
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