Just became an evil god and was summoned by the saint.

Chapter 198 The Slums of Southern City

"Lord Ross, it seems we've forgotten something..."

Celia stared dumbfounded at the tightly closed city gates before her.

When she arrived, she hadn't realized that there was a curfew and the city gates were closed that night.

I only noticed this situation after I arrived.

Ross said, "Southern City is quite lively tonight. The main gate is closed, but there are still side gates, aren't there?"

"Where is the side door?"

Celia lowered her head and looked around the city gate.

She was looking at the sky, wondering if it was possible to fly into Southern Border City.

But Ross didn't mention flying in, and she wisely didn't bring it up.

Most cities in the Ishtar Empire have regulations prohibiting unlicensed flights.

Under the city's lockdown and curfew, sneaking in—who knows what might happen?

The consequences would certainly be more serious than flying in the city.

Who knows, a bolt of lightning might suddenly appear out of nowhere and strike her down.

“There are actually people living outside the city of Southern Border.”

Looking around, Celia suddenly noticed that there seemed to be quite a few simple houses and tents not far from the city wall.

However, it's not under the main city gate, but on the opposite side.

The city is built between two high slopes, facing southeast. To the southeast is a gentle plain, while to the northwest, high mountains begin to appear, forming a strategic pass.

Today, the city has become a communication center relying on the Star Spirit Tree. However, due to early planning reasons, the area within the city wall is already full of people. Those who want to settle here can only build simple houses or tents outside the city.

The city lord tacitly approved of these people's existence, as long as they did not obstruct traffic on the main road.

Celia left the main road and walked towards the tents and makeshift houses. After turning the corner, the view suddenly opened up before her.

Between the hillside and the city wall, rows of simple houses and tents lined up one after another, creating a spectacular sight.

However, it was already late at night, and most of the tents and makeshift shelters had their lights off, with only a few lights still on.

Ross said, "With so many people living outside the city, they certainly won't always enter or leave through the main gate. Entering through the main gate requires paying a fee, and there are plenty of people who try to find ways to enter the city without paying."

Celia frowned, her gaze sweeping over all the tents: "I'll go ask them if they have any access to the city."

Ross laughed and said, "No need to ask. Just follow the direction I point out. They won't easily reveal this kind of shady business to strangers, especially since you're dressed neatly and cleanly, and you're clearly not a poor girl."

As he spoke, he looked at the elven girl being carried by the puppet beside him and added, "Moreover, you're also carrying an elven girl; they probably won't even have time to run away."

Celia blinked in confusion, then came to her senses after a moment: "Do they think I'm a slave trader?"

Ross glanced at the elven girl casually hoisted onto his shoulder: "She doesn't look like one. She looks like a poacher who's going to sell the elven girl to a slave trader."

Celia snorted, "Who cares? What they think is none of my business."

Following Ross's directions, Celia entered this outskirts settlement, which resembled a slum.

At this moment, most people have already fallen asleep, but there are still people lingering in the crowded and narrow streets in the middle of the night.

These people don't look like decent people.

At this moment, Celia was in disguise, looking like an ordinary-looking girl, but when those people saw Celia, their eyes lit up.

However, upon seeing the elf girl being carried beside her, she was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head, then secretly raised her eyes to steal a glance at the elf girl being carried.

Fortunately, the elf girl was wearing a long dress, so the puppet didn't expose her when it was holding her.

The gazes of these people made Celia somewhat uncomfortable. The pressure from the second-tier mage was released, and their cold gazes swept over her before they lowered their heads again or looked away.

"Those who live outside are definitely not good people."

Celia muttered to herself, crossed the narrow street, and soon arrived at the location Ross had mentioned: a simple house very close to the city wall.

The house is still a simple wooden house, but it looks a bit more impressive in comparison.

Celia immediately understood: "I get it. The people outside dug tunnels into the city, and this is the connection point of the tunnels outside."

Ross smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"However, Southern City is protected by a magic array, and it's possible to dig a tunnel under the protection of the array..."

They are either close confidants of the city lord or experts in magic arrays.

Either way, it's enough to show that the other party is not simple.

Celia went to the door and knocked.

no respond.

Celia knocked on the door again.

A rustling sound came from inside: "Who is it? Why are you knocking on the door in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Squeak!

The wooden door creaked open, and a middle-aged man with a stubble beard opened it, looking at Celia outside, then at the puppet beside her, and the elven girl on the puppet's shoulder.

He noticed a light blue gemstone embedded in the girl's shoulder sleeve, and his eyes widened in disbelief: "Elven royalty? What the hell! Friend, you're being a bit too bold. We dare not take this job."

"What elven royalty? What business?"

Celia looked at the unconscious girl, somewhat incredulous. Could an elven royal be so easily trapped by a magic circle and nearly die?
Even assuming the worst, if the elven royal family came to a town in the human empire and the city lord didn't treat her well, she might have secretly run away and been killed.

Wouldn't that give the elves a handle to use against us?

Celia knew the man in front of her had misunderstood something, so she explained, "I found her outside. She's severely contaminated, and I need to take her back to get treatment."

The man nodded repeatedly: "I understand, I understand, but we dare not do it."

"What do you mean by 'dare' or 'don't dare'?" The sense of urgency from the pursuing sorcerer made Celia a little impatient. She tossed a gold coin over. "I'm just passing by. It's none of your business."

The man took the gold coin, but still shook his head: "No, it's too dangerous."

This is because they think the money is too little.

Celia tossed another gold coin over.

"I need to get into the city immediately, sir, please help me."

"Go into the city? Just go through the city gate." The uncle said, feigning ignorance.

Ross said, "The battle is over, Southern City has lost, and that fourth-tier mage is coming after you again."

Celia's heart skipped a beat, and her tone became urgent: "Uncle, I don't have time to haggle with you. I know you can get into the city from here, is that okay or not? If not, give me my money back."

The middle-aged man held up two fingers: "What's the rush? It's the middle of the night, and you're disturbing my sleep. I'm not even angry. Friend, you don't look like a local. You probably don't know the local customs."

Celia fell silent.

This is because they want to get two more gold coins.

Four gold coins weren't much for Celia right now, but she wasn't one to be a sucker. It was obvious the other party was trying to extort her because they saw she was desperate, and she didn't want to be extorted.

She asked Ross in her heart, "Lord Ross, is there any other way to enter the city?"

Ross chuckled, “There are quite a few. There are three here and three on the other side. However, this is the closest. If you go to other places and try to negotiate, you might not have enough time.”

He offered no advice to Celia, but simply watched her and saw what choice she would make.

Interesting.

(End of this chapter)