Chapter 160 The Forest Elves
The Makalu mountain range is massive, with Okov claiming only the tallest point as his den. This spot, nearest to the heavens, is blanketed in snow and ice throughout the year, featuring the coldest weather.
But the lower regions of the mountain range have a completely different vibe. In this area, nature is vibrant and full of life, featuring lush forests and sparkling lakes that provide a haven for many fascinating creatures.
One of these groups was Lina's tribe.
After sealing the deal with the master-servant contract, Lina followed Adam's commands faithfully. By asking her questions, he found out that Lina was part of the forest elf tribe. She came from a smaller group within the tribe, which had just over a thousand members. The bravest and strongest among them was her dad, who was the leader of the tribe. Although Lina wasn't sure about her dad's exact strength, she knew that he couldn't stand up to Okov.
By understanding Lina's own abilities, Adam could make a good guess about how strong her dad was. He was pretty certain that her father hadn't reached a super powerful level, because if he had, Lina herself wouldn't be this weak since she is his direct daughter.
Lina discussed her family and her people without showing much emotion. This was because right after she was born, she was given away to Okov as a gift. Since she started remembering things, she had lived near the dragon's lair, and had only gone back to her tribe three times, mainly to gather treasures.
"They don't really like me, even my dad," Lina said sadly, as she showed the way. "Three years ago, when Master Okov set me and my tribe free, I went back home. Everyone was happy about being free, but no one seemed happy to see me. Nobody wanted me to stay, so I had to go back to the dragon's den."
Adam didn't react to her story emotionally. In his view, Lina's tough experiences were because of the silly beliefs of her ordinary tribe. Clearly, they viewed Lina as Okov's puppet and messenger. They blamed her for bringing troubles and saw her as a curse, not realizing that they were the ones who sent her to the dragon in the first place. They didn't understand that thanks to Lina, they could live without fear and eventually find freedom.
"I'm sorry, Master, but it's been three years. I'm not sure if my tribe is still around, they might have moved away a long time ago."
"Just keep going, they haven't moved," Adam replied, sounding very sure.
The dragons could be really harsh, but that was mainly when they were annoyed or looking for treasures. Usually, to their servants, dragons were kind of like ideal leaders.
Dragons were laid-back creatures who lived for a very long time and could nap for decades or even centuries. Although they asked for a lot of gifts from their servants, it didn't seem too much when spread out over many years. For a group like Lina's, who didn't have much power to choose how they lived, sticking around here was better than risking finding a new place and possibly facing a worse leader.
Lina looked a bit confused, but she believed that Adam must know what he was talking about. So, she stayed quiet and kept leading the way.
"Wait, is this... the dragon's power pressure?" In the midst of the group of four, a human brandishing a longsword halted his friends, his voice a blend of gravity and eagerness.
Dragon's power pressure wasn't something handed down, but a natural talent that every dragon species possessed, almost like an influence area, which unfolded effortlessly with their energy presence. As Adam moved through, all the creatures without aware minds scattered and ran away, scared to stir up the fury of the top predator in the chain of beings. Not a single animal had the courage to block a dragon's path.
Yet, for those with hidden agendas, this dragon's power became a prime signal, helping them to follow the tracks of the dragon species even from far away locations.
Dragon-slayers were a job category exclusive to this Plane.
They were from communities formed of species different from the dragon species. A smaller group of mighty beings hunted big dragons to claim their riches, whereas most only had the courage to go after younger dragons. These hunters usually grouped in small teams, chasing after young dragons who had just been pushed out of their homes by their mothers. They used the corpses of these juvenile dragons to flaunt their fighting skills, trading them for high social positions and massive rewards.
Despite the high risk, a large number of people still dared to venture into the danger.
Shield-warrior Carter, Witch-blade Ral, Sorcerer Jace, and Priest Jessie were members of such a dragon hunting team.
They weren't exceptionally powerful but neither were they weak, unable to face full-grown dragons, yet a significant threat to younger dragons. This time, they had come to the Makalu mountain range, spurred by rumors of a young dragon's presence in the frost dragon Okov's territory, hoping to snatch a golden opportunity.
The origin of this intel was unclear. It seemed to have sprung from a servant species governed by a particular dragon three years prior. Initially, they were skeptical that a male dragon like Okov would be sheltering a young dragon in his lair. However, given the frost dragon calamity eight years before, the rumor started seeming a bit more believable.
Dragons were usually quite lethargic; as long as they didn't foolishly attack the dragon's home, they wouldn't encounter much threat. It was simply a gamble; if they could capture one, it would be fantastic; if not, no harm done.
At the end of the day, dragon-slayers were a bunch of folks with time on their hands.
"The rumor is true, the frost dragon Okov is indeed harboring a young dragon!" Carter set down his massive shield, his petite frame completely hidden behind it. By sensing the strength of the dragon's power, he could confirm that its origin was definitely not a mature dragon.
"But this tiny dragon could only be around eight years old, correct? Why would it be roaming outside of the dragon's den?" Jessie performed several enhancing spells on everyone before stepping back to the safest nook of the group to converse.
Jess swung his staff, summoning swirls of fire elements, then moistened his lips and spoke, "The perimeter of Okov's dragon den is engulfed in frost, a sign that he is in slumber. Our adorable little dragon probably wandered down the mountain while his dad was snoozing and then lost its way back."
The quartet exchanged knowing looks, witnessing in one another's gaze a fervor that pretended to be valor but was, in reality, greed. Ral pointed his witch blade towards where the dragon's power pressure was coming from, saying, "What's holding us back? Let's go hunt the wicked dragon species."
Adam soared swiftly through the air, with Lina securely ensconced in his dragon claw, completely motionless. As they approached a thick forest, Lina finally broke her silence, "Master, the forest elf tribe lives in there. If, just if, they haven't angered you, could you maybe let them be?"
"Yes," Adam replied instantly. Every creature with the ability to think and reason, no matter how feeble their power, possessed worth. Besides, the forest elves were a crucial starting point for his scheme. All his future strategies would be trialed based on this tribe, so there was no reason for needless killing.
This principle also applied to the four sneaky beings trailing behind them.
Adam threw a casual look over his shoulder and then began his descent, getting ready to enter the forest. Just then, a massive wall of fire abruptly surged up in front of him."
