I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 182 Sneak Attack (5200 words)
The silvery moonlight poured down, making the winding road seem to be coated with a layer of frost.

DuPont's boots landed softly, and he walked slowly along the cobblestone path, carried by the gentle night breeze.

Although a mage's ability to turn mud into stone could quickly pave a road, how could such a noble fifth-circle spell be wasted on a small town like this, especially since a spell could only extend a distance of a dozen meters?

In the past, one might occasionally encounter passersby, but during the Midsummer Festival, everyone was clearly very busy. The villages I passed through were brightly lit, obviously celebrating this wonderful festival together.

DuPont simply wasn't well-suited to this environment.

Although DuPont, as a civil engineering manager, is quite skilled at foot massages and singing, he doesn't even have time to go clubbing at 3 a.m., let alone a large-scale silver party like this.

However, what DuPont was curious about was that if Sunny's Midsummer Festival was so exciting, what kind of scene would the High Elves hold when they held an uninhibited assembly to increase the birth rate?
Could it be that some divinely chosen champion sleeps with dozens of women in one night and increases the number of newborns in the area by one person?
Just as he was idly lost in thought, DuPont suddenly heard a whoosh of wind behind him. He quietly cast an old version of Mage Armor on himself, and when he turned around, he saw a beautiful figure wearing a light green dress and with long silver-white hair.

"Your Highness Yuehua?"

"Didn't I tell you, just call me Jasmine?" Moonflower smiled faintly, the bright moonlight shining on her naturally falling silver hair, splashing a halo like fireflies: "I saw quite a few girls you admired in the square just now, why did you just leave like that?"

“Of course, we made an appointment in advance. Since the other party didn’t show up, I naturally had to go and see if I was stood up or if something really happened. Anyway, it’s not far.” DuPont said, looking at the moon elf in the green robe: “I remember that elves also celebrate festivals like Midsummer’s Day and the Grass Festival, right? What a coincidence.”

"Being in a foreign country and suddenly encountering such a holiday makes me feel inexplicably sad, not to mention how I can enjoy the taste of love like these classmates?" Yuehua's tone was flat, but a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "Although I have disguised myself, how can I hide it from those who are interested in me in such a public place? If a scandal really breaks out, it will easily cause trouble for my mother. If it gets out of hand, it may become a serious matter that can be escalated."

"Since I'm not at home and can't share my mother's burdens, I will of course try my best to reduce any unnecessary troubles for her."

"Oh?" DuPont asked with some curiosity, "As a princess of a country, I think you should have some power, right? Can't you even have a relationship?"

According to internal sources in Harua, the entire Faerûn region has only fifty to sixty million people, and a kingdom might only have a few million or even just a few hundred thousand people. Princesses aren't worth much.

In terms of pomp and expense, they might not even be able to compare with mage families. If they encounter a noble family with no professional talent who can only pay money to join, then even a marriage alliance is not very valuable. It is not impossible for them to marry down to a minor nobleman.

In addition, due to the influence of the prevailing social atmosphere, the status of a princess was not elevated too much. Romantic affairs were considered perfectly normal, and only a very few extremely conservative families would pay attention to such matters.

"Leaving aside those stubborn and inflexible dwarves, the high elves must have the most rules." Moonflower said, raising her hand as if trying to hold back the passing wind: "From the time I was old enough to understand, I have been learning all kinds of etiquette, from the posture when speaking to the tone of a word. If you use it wrong, the meaning in the conversation can be completely different. You not only have to know how to use it, but you also have to understand it. Otherwise, if you reveal even the slightest flaw, those country bumpkin terms may last for decades."

DuPont couldn't help but cough after hearing this: "Isn't that a bit too exaggerated? It's probably going to take ten or eight years to learn this."

“Before I turned 30, all I did was learn how to be a priest and these other things,” Moonflower said, her voice somewhat sparse. “My talent isn’t bad, but these things are too trivial even for elves.”

"...Excuse my bluntness, but your lives are far too boring, wasting time on this." DuPont shook his head: "Is this what they call 'elf time'?"

"Pretty much. After all, with an average lifespan of 700 years, it takes time to study all sorts of things." Yuehua said, gently brushing her long, bouncy hair aside. "The older people are, the more stubborn they become and the more they value these so-called traditions and rules. Unfortunately, there are almost no young people in the ruling class on Yongju Island. My mother, who is over 500 years old, is the youngest among them."

“Seven hundred years, tsk tsk.” DuPont shook his head: “If you really live that long, nothing will be new to you anymore, right? What’s the fun in living then?”

"Yes, especially since elves are not as simple-minded as dwarves and gnomes. They can be content with just ale and a leisurely life, so the suicide rate among elves has always been high. On the contrary, those who hold power are generally very willing to live. They use various methods to prolong their lives, control their families and vassals, and each of them can be described as a giant web, so deeply rooted that it is almost impossible to reform."

She then looked at DuPont and asked, "Do you think there's any good way to crack this?"

DuPont turned to look at Moonflower's pale red eyes: "I'm only 14, sister, just a little kid. Why are you asking me this?"

“Age is not a limitation.” Moonflower shook her head: “You are Lavoisier’s student, not to mention that the report back then already showed that you had sufficient insights. Anyway, it was just a casual chat between the two of us, and it shouldn’t be taken seriously.”

DuPont held out his hand: "Then please pay the consultation fee."

Moonflower smiled and generously took out a crimson ruby ​​with a white star in the center: "A star ruby, it's a good material for enchanting with power or fire-related enchantments, is that enough?"

“War.” DuPont accepted the gem. “A war is the best way to break the deadlock. It will allow the capable to show their talents and also amplify the shortcomings of the incompetent. As long as we dare to start a war, no matter whether we win or lose, there will always be real talents who emerge, while the losers will be swept into the dustbin of history and their families will be wiped out.”

Moonflower's expression turned serious after hearing this: "I'm afraid this won't work. Ever since the War of Weeping, the elven nobles have lost interest in waging war. Even the reconquest of their homeland has not been advocated by any noble. It's all young elves who volunteer. And as long as the nobles veto the proposal in the council, even Mother cannot shake their actual power and the army. This won't work."

"If I remember correctly, the late king was assassinated, and the current queen, as his wife, was supported by the council to ascend to the throne. She hasn't been queen for very long, has she?"

After hearing this, Yuehua nodded silently. Dupont didn't dwell on it: "Then she can just not be the queen. Anyway, I don't think you're happy being a princess. Why not give up this identity and do what you want to do?"

"Huh?" Yuehua was shocked upon hearing this: "Give up, give up this identity?"

Although the Elven Empire has declined, it remains one of the most powerful nations on the continent of Faerûn.
“Yes, anyway, based on our casual conversation, your mother doesn’t have the power to challenge the council. She was only able to get to the top because she was supported. She can’t do anything she wants; issuing decrees is difficult, let alone implementing them. Isn’t she just a puppet of the council?” DuPont said, glancing at her pale green robes, which looked quite expensive.
"Your family has been royalty for over a thousand years. I think you are no less powerful than any of the elven clans on your own. Even without that status, you could still live a life of comfort and security. Once you disappear, the council will have no reason to unite. Conflicts will inevitably erupt as they try to re-establish their interests, and a war to establish a new king would be a very suitable thing to do."

Moonflower's mouth was agape, her gaze somewhat vacant: "But our rule is that only those who pull out that divine sword become king."

"But your mother didn't draw her sword, did she? She ascended the throne simply by being pushed by the council, which is enough to show that this tradition has become obsolete among the nobility. And since no one in your area dares to draw their sword anymore, whoever reclaims their homeland and defeats the Drow will be the most capable, and then we'll put that most capable person as king."

"If this potential new king wants to win the war, he will inevitably select the most outstanding people to be his confidants to govern, and entrust those positions to talented people. Those elves who are not nobles will see a path to advancement and will be motivated to strive. At that time, if all elves want to participate in this redistribution of the pie, they will inevitably have to work hard to learn martial arts and administration. With everyone moving together, won't the elven spirit change?"

Upon hearing this, Yuehua's expression turned strange: "Then I..."

"Yes, the biggest losers are your Moonflower clan, but if you want to revitalize the Elven race, I think this is a very effective method." DuPont said with a wicked smile, "So, Your Highness, are you worried about the revival of the Elves, or are you fighting for whether your Moonflower clan can inherit the throne forever?"

"I must say, you've asked me a bit of a question." After a long while, Yuehua sighed softly, "My mind is a bit of a mess right now. I don't know how to answer this question. It's a topic that no one has ever talked to me about before."

“You are excellent, even if you weren’t a princess, you would still be excellent. I believe your brothers and sisters are not much worse than you.” DuPont said, looking into the elf’s eyes. “Even without the identity of a princess, I believe you can live a good life. Don’t you have confidence in that?” “Of course I do!” Yuehua’s tone suddenly quickened. After speaking, she coughed lightly. Losing control of her emotions shouldn’t happen to her, but for some reason, since meeting this boy named DuPont, she had lost control of her emotions several times. “However… this matter is a bit too big. I don’t even know if I should tell my mother.”

“Let’s talk privately, as mother and daughter. There are no outsiders around, so how could she blame you?” DuPont turned his head to the side. “Besides, maybe she doesn’t want to be this queen even more than you do.”

Just as Moonflower's expression was captivating, a sudden rustling sound came from afar. Without hesitation, DuPont flung Moonflower aside, and Moon Elf reacted even faster, using a dimensional portal to hide four hundred feet away. DuPont, meanwhile, activated a fireball scroll towards the source of the arrow.

The unstable fireball exploded, and the sudden burst of light caused the attackers to curse in their native tongue. DuPont knew something was wrong; it was the obscure Drow language.

Although the drow and elves share the same origin, the elves have multiple races and their languages ​​differ somewhat. The drow, having lived underground for thousands of years, have experienced the greatest language changes, and the differences are immediately noticeable.

What those people were shouting just now was to catch that damned demon.

"You bunch of black-skinned bastards." DuPont pulled out a shield, which, although not as tough as his own skin, could still help him deflect a few flying arrows. He replied in fluent Drow, "You dare to cause trouble on Harua's territory? You're all tired of living!"

Upon hearing DuPont's accent, the attackers were taken aback. The leading drow priest was even more puzzled. She used her staff to heal the young drow warrior who had just been injured by the explosion, but without thinking much, she directly cast an obscure spell on the human.

Countless swarms of insects suddenly appeared, their sharp mouthparts tearing DuPont's robes apart in an instant.

Holy crap, the Five Rings Divine Art!
Ignoring the arrows, DuPont leaped forward with all his might to escape the swarm's spell range. He reached out and found that his stockpile of fireball scrolls was exhausted, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and activate another scroll for that area.

A bolt of lightning flashed by, and to DuPont's delight, another bolt crossed it. Overjoyed, DuPont looked towards it, only to see the cold, stern figure of the Sun Elf.

Dean, please help! Someone's about to cause big trouble on your turf!

Even sending a simulation technique would be helpful, otherwise, if this girl is captured by the drow, who is practically a mortal enemy, being locked up as a plaything would probably be the best outcome.

As the voice of the speed spell flashed by, the drow leaped out from their ambush positions while firing crossbow bolts. Some carried two swords on their backs, while others were already wielding strange giant blades. Most of them were not tall, but their eyes were sharp and bloodthirsty.

"Capture her alive; that would be the best gift we could give to the Spider Queen!"

Damn it, there's even a master of the old system of spells!
The old system's acceleration spells were for the entire group!

Most of the drow chased after Moonflower, while a small number were sent to deal with DuPont. Without any hesitation, he activated the ring on his hand towards the charging drow warriors. The pale yellow aura turned the speed-up spells on several drow into slow spells, but a few drow only showed fluctuations and still had that pale white light on them.

The drow are a piece of shit, they have natural magic resistance!
In the blink of an eye, several drow rushed in front of him. Without hesitation, DuPont used the Shadow Step to disappear instantly. The drow warrior in the lead thought something was wrong. His pupils, which could see infrared images directly like those of dragons, did not see any human figures in front of him.

this..
The Drow captain instinctively turned around, only to hear a Drow warrior scream behind him. A uniquely shaped longsword had pierced through his waist from behind, and with a kick, blood spurted out. If medical attention wasn't received in time, he would die on the spot.

This guy actually charged right between the two teams of drow who were affected by the Slow spell and the Speed ​​spell, respectively.

"Kill this stupid hairless monkey!" the drow captain roared, but the drow behind him felt as if their feet were wrapped with fifty-pound sandbags, making it impossible for them to run and even their movements were extremely slow.

DuPont sneered and threw his longsword, piercing through a drow ranger behind him who was aiming at him and had no time to block.

In the blink of an eye, the two were critically injured and on the verge of death. The drow captain roared and jumped up, the elven curved blade in his hand gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

Throwing the weapon in your hand, the opponent might have a backup weapon, but how can a human's combat skills compare to those of a battle-hardened, slain drow noble warrior?
However, to his surprise, DuPont simply rolled to the side without any intention of fighting him. Instead, he waved his hand, and a ball of flame rushed towards him. The light from the bursting flames made him involuntarily close his eyes.

Hand of Flames?
Damn it, this guy only activated scrolls and magical equipment before, how can he also cast spells??
However, the two drow behind him didn't think so much. They had speed-up spells on them, making them move very fast. The sneers on their lips looked like they could already see the victory in their hands.

A mage? It's a good thing they're mages; killing these guys isn't much harder than killing chickens!
However, the captain was extremely cautious. The mission was everyone's responsibility, but their lives were their own. The two guys lying there were probably already dead, unable to even cry out in pain: "Master Wizard, I need backup!"

"I don't have time to deal with your side right now!" It was a roar filled with anger: "How can a princess's guard be dealt with so easily? You keep that monkey occupied, and if we win, his death is inevitable!"

The wizard's words were naturally the best solution, but this human was more troublesome than expected. In the blink of an eye, he twisted his wrist and summoned the weapon from the corpse back, directly piercing the drow who was standing in front of him.

There were eight of them, but in the blink of an eye, three of them had completely lost their fighting ability and their fates were unknown. Meanwhile, the guy who, like him, still had the speed-up spell was calling for backup!

It's too strange that a drow warrior in his graduation class at the academy couldn't defeat a human who looked very young!
Captain Zol pretended not to hear and continued to threaten to fire with his crossbow, but the poisoned, eerie green crossbow bolt had no effect on the other side.

Could the enemy be a giant dragon disguised as a human fighting?

In the blink of an eye, the opening was revealed. The human used a sword move that he didn't understand at all to block and slit the throat in the blink of an eye, and then his figure turned into a black shadow.

Captain Zhuo Er was sweating profusely. The few idiots behind him who were under the slow spell had not yet come over. Although he had unique dark vision and could not be ambushed, how much chance did he have if he were to fight this strange guy one-on-one?

However, to his surprise, the boy did not step forward. Instead, the red image retreated rapidly and was about to disappear from his sight.

The captain's joy was beyond words. For the first time, he sincerely thanked the Spider Queen, who had elevated women to such a high status, and roared, "You despicable hairless monkey, come out and fight me to the death!"

No one responded to him; only the sounds of magic and fighting echoed from the other side. The captain quickly went to his fallen teammate and, feigning caution, poured a healing potion into his mouth.

In Zhuoer's tactics, running away is a capital offense, and cowardice is also a serious crime, but healing teammates is not considered a crime since you can't see them.

"Be on guard! Be on guard!" Captain Zol shouted as he turned around, looking down at his teammate in front of him, hoping for the first time that the guy would come back to life.

The battle over there was intense; the passage opened by the mage in the rear was still active, but the priest hadn't given the order to retreat, which was a bit of a problem.
(End of this chapter)