It is a large road that runs from north to south. The paved road was paved with stones, enough for three or four caravans to pass side by side, and aqueducts were dug on the side of the road to ensure pedestrian access even on rainy days. Trees are planted more neatly on both sides of the road, like two rows of sentinels who do not eat, drink or sleep, for the weary travelers passing by to rest.

Such magnificent trade routes, even in the most prosperous centers of the mainland, were either commercial routes connecting regions rich in products and developed trade, or military towns connecting key places.

In fact, the road connected the Shining City of Celexia, the capital of the Oakland Empire, at one end to the port of Gloren on the south-west coast.

Walking on the road, you can see the endless fertile fields to the east, and the dazzling greenery to the west seems to be a curtain composed of trees and leaves, which makes people look inrely. In the distance, you can still see the mountains in a hazy way. In fact, when this vast expanse of dense jungle connecting towering mountains came into view, it was out of the Oakland Empire's sphere of influence.

In this vast land stretching from the southern border of the empire to the sunset coastline to the southwest, the fertile plains belonged to a few independent lords, or nominally belonged to the empire, or became a protectorate of the Sky Federation, sandwiched between two great powers. As for the green sea with the mountains, it is called the Noldor Forest...... There, it is the hometown of the Norda Elves, one of the three major elven races on the surface, also known as the "Wood Elves".

Maybe it's because it's at the center of the human world, compared to his other two relatives, the Night Elves who have guarded the World Tree for generations in the Northwest Sea Gar Forest Kingdom; Living in the sacred mountain of Fanya, the arrogant Sun Elf, the Norda Elf, is relatively much more open and enthusiastic.

Although they are also like other elves, they have set up a large forbidden area in their territory, which is still a little arrogant in the eyes of ordinary people, but after all, they are still willing to communicate with outsiders, and the elven mercenaries and adventurers in various countries are basically from this race.

In addition, more than ten years ago, the wood elves seemed to have begun a silent transformation under the guidance of some peculiarity.

These florists, who have always paid attention to tradition, have set up a company called "Norda Development Group", opened several places as tourist attractions, and selected experienced elf hunters to form a team of directors with "excellent and excellent service" to open their doors to tourists from all over the world.

As a result, the city in the forest, which was a little deserted back then, became lively like this.

Of course, the area of the Norda Forest is the size of half of the Oakland Empire, and even the elves themselves cannot observe every corner of the jungle. There are countless secret treasures and relics buried here from the ancient era and the era of the gods, as well as the xenomorph spirit beasts that survived during the flood period, even if it is not open for tourism, the adventurers who come here every year are enough headaches.

Just like all similar planes, as long as you are not eaten by the demonic beasts and destroyed by the elves, there are natural treasures here that can allow you to obtain a qiē.

As a result, in the busy town of Ringu outside the forest, there are only three kinds of outsiders who come and go - tourists, merchants and adventurers.

Olivier should be the third.

He was dressed in a neat and clean hunting suit, with a long sword hanging from his waist and a round shield on the edge of his saddle. His clothes and equipment seem to be very ordinary, and the horses under his crotch have only reached the level of "should be a good horse", it can be said that adventurers of this grade, there are more than ten or twenty of them every day in Lingu Town, which is not strange at all. …,

However, when he pushed away the tavern in the town, he couldn't help but attract everyone's attention, and the noisy drinking hall even had a cold scene in an instant.

The reason is simple, although Olivier is dressed as a typical adventurer, his appearance is too glamorous. He has beautiful bright blonde hair, neatly combed behind his head, his blue eyes look bright and warm, his face is spotless, there is even a hint of silver luster on his complexion, and there is a chic smile at the corner of his mouth, which makes people feel good at first sight.

Blonde hair, blue eyes and silver skin, this is the characteristic of purebred northern Vikyans, although it is rare in the south, it is not rare, but such a handsome young man full of aristocratic style, if he is not dressed as a neat but ordinary adventurer, the place where he appeared should be in the ball of a big nobleman in the Radiant City, but it makes these dusty adventurers and merchants in the hotel embarrassed.

Fortunately, this is a great world, and in the era when the Lori True Ancestor, the Great Magister of the Three Nothings, and the Knight Princess of 1.54 meters are chaotic, there are occasionally one or two adventurers dressed up who should go to the opera, but they are not too maverick.

As a result, the awkward silence in the hotel quickly reverted to the rhythm of the hustle and bustle after a few seconds.

Olivier looked at the slightly crowded hall, and seemed to strand his hair in annoyance—for some reason, this sissy style seemed so natural to him—and then, cautiously and dashingly, he avoided the crowd and staggered to the front of the bar.

The old bartender continued to wipe the wooden glass in his hand as he squinted at the visitor. His eyebrows and beard were gray, and he was clearly old, but his body was still muscular, his skin was a dark red of rust, and his face was covered with scars—an unkind appearance that would have been a disadvantage from a businessman's point of view, but which was still acceptable to the hotel's main hosts of adventurers and wandering merchants.

"Well, welcome, it's the first time for my little brother to come to this Lingu Town, right?" The bartender looked at Olivier and greeted him with a tone that was neither indifferent nor far from warm: "Want something to drink?" ”

This kind of business is not bankrupt yet?

Olivier may or may not have thought about it, and with a sunny smile on his handsome face, he said in a natural tone: "Well, please have a glass of cold boiled water, and if you can, add some honey." ”

The bartender glanced at the other party with a strange gaze, but didn't say much, but brought a glass of clear liquid, which was soaked in some strange leaves, but gave off a faint fragrance.

"If you want to drink water, there are plenty of them in the stables, and this is the tavern." The bartender said expressionlessly, "If you want to quench your thirst, try this." ”

A drink made from leaves, which is unheard of, could it be that he learned some tricks from the elves?

Olivier examined the liquid in the glass, sniffed the refreshing fragrance, took a sip, his eyes lit up, and then he took a big sip. After the initial short and bland astringency, it is a long and smooth refreshment that remains in the mouth, and between the lips and teeth is a fragrance that people can't help but linger for a long time.

"Well, with this taste, I rushed all the way back from the north, even if it was worth the trip." Olivier put down his glass and spoke highly of the unknown drink, "Boss, is this drink a specialty of Norda?" ”

"Yes...... Probably not. The bartender, who seemed a little confused, replied in a mock way, and added, "A Sorabi, Sheng Hui." ”

Solabi was referring to the standard silver coins issued by the Oakland Empire, which were a bit expensive for the price of a drink, but these shops in Ringu Town, which specialized in the business of adventurers, didn't think about repeat customers at all, and slaughtered one by one. If someone is too expensive to make trouble, the two waiters sitting at the door are dressed up, but the tall and muscular giants with a mace at their waist will naturally give a cordial greeting in their own way. …,

Olivier didn't care, he tossed the bartender a golden coin and smiled, "Please have another drink of this." Also, I need a guide, don't know if you have anything suitable to introduce? ”

The boss played with the gold coin in his hand and felt the quality of it - this was a Nord gold coin issued by the Vekia Empire, even from the hands of those black-hearted wanderers, it could be exchanged for thirteen to fifteen sorabis, and if it was a regular bank, it would reach more than twenty. His hand shook, the gold coin was already in his pocket, and the expression on his face was a little kinder: "Is the guest a person?" If you want to enter the forest, it's best to wait a few more days and find a team of adventurers who can be relied on. ”

"No, no, no," Olivier shook his finger, "I'm not trying to hunt for treasure or hunt any magical beasts. I'm just an ordinary traveler, and I've heard that the Seven Wonders of the Norda Forest are famous all over the world, but I don't know the route well, and I just want to find a reliable guide. ”

"Little brother, you don't have to hide it. If you are really a responsible person, you can go to those regular travel agencies, spend a little more money and even ask the elf girl to be a tour guide, why come to my Wuyuan? There will be no serious tourists and businessmen who come to me, who doesn't want to make a windfall in some forbidden place? ”

The boss's face shook his head, he seemed to remember something, the muscles on his face jumped, and said: "Of course, most people who think like this will never be able to get out after they go in." ”

"There are always a few who have become rich and famous. The public will not remember those buried in the forest of bones, only these lucky ones. Olivier smacked his lips teasingly, and added, "But boss, I'm really just an ordinary tourist, well, maybe not so duty, right?" ”

Olivier looked at the boss in front of him, who didn't say anything, as if waiting for his explanation, and continued: "You know, in addition to the Seven Magnificent Landscapes in the Forest, there are also some legendary landscapes that are not on the travel route map. Well, it's a pity that I'm interested in those places. ”

"How dare you say you're just an ordinary traveler?" The boss seemed to convey the above meaning with his eyes, but he didn't say anything more, muttered for a while, and then said, "If that's the case, I have a very suitable person." ”

"Oh?" Olivier looked very interested.

"When it comes to familiarity with the Noldor Forest, there is no one more familiar with him than those elves who have lived for hundreds of years."

"Listen to you, that's not an elf?"

"If it's an elf, maybe take you to those forbidden places?" The boss's expression seemed to say, "You can ask such an idiotic question," and then added, "But it's pretty much the same." It was a child raised by an elf. ”

"A child raised by elves?" Elves who have always been arrogant to the bone will raise children for humans—even if the Wood Elves are a little gentler, but only relatively—Olivier's face became more interested, "Sounds like a legend." ”

"He's already a legend." The old bartender smiled faintly and pointed to the wooden cup in front of Olivier: "This drink called 'tea' was invented by little Lucy. Moreover, the name of the small shop was also given by him, so it is still very elegant, right? ”

"Little Lucy is our Minerva, our Waukin!" A half-drunk drinker next to the bar was napping on the bar when he heard the word "Lucy" as if he had been stimulated by something, and suddenly stood up, raised his glass and shouted loudly.

Unexpectedly, everyone present raised their glasses in high and said in unison: "To our Minerva, our Wokin!" ”…,

Minerva and Waujin are both ancient gods of the Age of the Gods, the goddess of wisdom and the goddess of trade, respectively, and are also in the position of the Holy Spirit in the universal belief of the human world. It can be seen that this person known as "Lucy" has a very high influence and an excellent reputation in Ringu Town, but I don't know why, Olivier can always feel a trace of narrowness in the eyes of these drinkers, how to look at it.

"It seems that she is still a young lady who attaches equal importance to wisdom and beauty." Olivier let out a long sigh of emotion: "As a traveler who travels the world, I can see all kinds of beauties from all over the world, but I still feel that my soul as a musician is beginning to burn. Oh, what kind of muse would it be? ”

"These guys ......" The boss seemed to be a little helpless in this group of coaxing drinkers, and showed a wry smile of confusion to Olivier, who was burning inexplicably: "Little brother, if you are a beauty, you are naturally a beauty, but what about it...... Well, you'll be able to see him in a moment anyway. ”

As Olivier finished his third cup of tea in the bar, wondering if he should order something to fill his stomach, the beauties known as "Minerva" and "Waukin" by the drinkers in the Wuyuan Bar finally appeared in the bar.

It was a beauty about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate facial features and elegant temperament. As far as a woman is concerned, "she" is very tall, at least 1.75 feet, only half a head shorter than Olivier. She was slender and healthy, but she was definitely not as thin as a swaying willow. She had rare black hair and black eyes, which Olivier thought he was well-informed, but he had never seen such hair and eyes. The only pity is that the girl did not keep the beautiful black hair long, but cut it into fine short hair.

As a Wikibian who grew up in the north, although Olivier is not disgusted with the pretentious aristocratic ladies in the south who pretend to be Yangzhou thin horses, perhaps this kind of heroic beauty is more in line with his taste. Thinking of this, Olivier couldn't help but blow a loud whistle.

The beautiful girl who everyone calls "Little Lucy" skillfully greets the drinkers and squeezes to the bar.

"Uncle, it's still the same as the old three."

"A dozen maple syrup cakes, a roast rabbit, and two bottles of rum bar." The boss smiled his first kind smile of the night, took out the food and wine from under the counter behind him, and secretly glanced at "Lucy" in a covert way, and nodded his mouth at Olivier on the side, and then quickly picked up the bag.

Lucy turned her head and her gaze flickered over Olivier's body. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, revealing snow-white glutinous rice teeth, and suddenly showed a business smile that made people feel like a spring breeze.

"Welcome, do you want to travel by car? It doesn't matter, the contemptible person has a five-star tour guide certificate from Norda Travel Agency. Knowledgeable, experienced, and undeceived. Don't know what kind of tour route guests want to choose? She looked around, leaned forward a little more, and said in a low voice, "If the guest wishes to go to some places that are not marked on the travel map, that is fine." However, this fee is ......."

Surprised by the flash on Olivier's face, he rubbed his hands, but heard a "bang", and already held a delicate two-color rose in his hand and sent it to Lucy: "To be able to meet the 'Goddess Ringu' is really the greatest gift of the goddess Aphrodite to me as a traveling artist...... Well, as a testimony of the first meeting, please be sure to accept this two-color rose from the northern plateau, which can bring out your beauty and wisdom. ”

Lucy showed obvious distress and said helplessly: "Although I don't know what you misunderstood, as a reputable five-star tour guide, you can't accept gifts from customers casually." Besides, even if someone accepts your gift, it will never be discounted. ”…,

"It doesn't matter. Please follow the rules and charges, that is, as an artist, it must be a blasphemy to make you embarrassed; But this rose, please be sure to accept it. ”

Lucy shrugged her shoulders and smiled nonchalantly. This action is very masculine, but in Olivier's eyes, it is a kind of informal hearty temperament, which is clearly the cute point of the cute point.

"Well, if you don't want to join the group. Then the honorarium of the tour guide is charged on a daily basis. I will plan an appropriate route for you to review according to the number of days you want to travel, and if you agree, you can sign a contract. In addition, if there is anything you must like to visit, please feel free to ask, as long as it is not too sensitive and forbidden area, I will try to accommodate you. Lucy smiled, "After all, the customer is God." ”

"God, hehe, that is, I can do anything?" Olivier didn't say that, but the smile on his face seemed to indicate it. He wiped his mouth and said, "I want to go to the Red Maple Valley, and the rest of the places will be decided by you, Miss Tour Guide." Well, let's set the period at 30 days for the time being. ”

"Red Maple Valley?" Lucy was slightly stunned, "It is indeed one of the forbidden places of Norda, but it is not important, even if it is caught by the forest patrol team, it will not be too troublesome." But at this time, the autumn leaves there haven't bloomed yet, and there is nothing to see except for an abandoned ruin from the Age of the Gods. The Emerald Valley is one of the dreamy wonders of Noorda, where the trees and rocks take on an emerald luster under the full moon. At present, the Norda priesthood is still debating whether to open this attraction. Of course, if you're willing to pay a little more, you'll be willing to give you a glimpse of the wonders of the world in advance. Aren't you an artist? This is sure to provide you with a wonderland of endless inspiration and is not to be missed. ”

"Is there such a spectacle? Since it was recommended by you, I will definitely not miss it. Olivier said, "However, I must go to Red Maple Valley." ”

Lucy didn't advise again: "The customer's wish is my mission." Then, in 30 days, Shenghui 30 gold and Austrian baht, please pay a deposit of 5 yuan first. ”

In the face of this huge amount of money that made the faces of the vast majority of civilians turn black, Olivier didn't even say the price, and without saying a word, he took out a handful of gold coins and put them in Lucy's hand: "To be able to travel with the goddess of Lingu Town to Norda, this month will definitely be the most wonderful time in this life." ”

Weighing the weight of the gold coin, Lucy's smile was polite and detached: "By the way, I have to remind you that the contemptible person is a tour guide, and it is impossible to provide services beyond the scope of the tour guide's work." In addition, if there is such a need, I am sure that you will not be willing to let me serve it. ”

"What does that mean?" Olivier couldn't help but be stunned.

"Actually, it's literal." Lucy said, "Or are you actually a?" ”

Olivier thought he was quite smart, but it took him a full ten seconds to understand the meaning of this sentence, and he couldn't help but grow his mouth with calm self-satisfaction: "You are a man...... Ah, excuse me, that is, you are a gentleman, not a lady? ”

"I'm sorry to misunderstand. But this is not the first time. In fact, I am also very troubled by being called a goddess by everyone. ”

"Then why are you called Lucy?"

"It's Lucy, not Lucy...... Forget it, I'm afraid you can't understand the subtle and profound meaning of Chinese characters for these barbarians who use alphabets. ”

Olivier didn't understand the latter sentence, but he always felt that this "Chinese character" should be very powerful. In general, when he found out that the gender of this beautiful woman who made his heart was male, he didn't beat his chest like an ordinary ordinary man, he groaned for three seconds, his face twitched, as if he was struggling with something, and then gave a firm thumbs up, with a sunny smile on his face, which almost blinded Lu Xi's kryptonite eyes.

"It's okay, as long as there's love, it's okay. It doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman, as long as it's a beauty, it's no problem! ”