Chapter 4: Home of the dark elves
Although the dark elves called the Black Woods of Lodos Forest their home, in reality their base wasn't in the trees or on the ground. Due to the five demonic beasts that rampaged through the forest with each claiming most of it as their own territory, there was no way for the dark elves to survive if they stayed and slept in the woods.
The true home of the dark elves was the mountain of Lodos. At the foot of the mountain there was a small waterfall formed by the water that poured from the mountain. Beasts rarely came to this place as it was right on the border of the demonic half-dragon's territory. Of all the beasts that got corrupted by the demonic energy, the half-dragon was the most territorial of all and would kill anyone that tried to set foot or come close to the mountain. But it was precisely because of this that this place was the perfect hideout for the elves.
Behind the waterfall was a sizeable hole that one would not detect unless one searched for it. Only by walking on a steep path that was just wide enough for one person could this hole be reached. It was through this hole that one entered the home of the Lodos Dark Elf Tribe.
The cave in which the elves lived could not be called a cave anymore, it was a cavern. The size of the cavern was much larger than one could imagine with the ceiling stretching out more than dozens of meters high. Giant stalagmites and stalactites could be seen all around, inspiring wonder at just how many hundreds of years this place had existed. The overall size of the cavern was like a secret underground city.
There were no torches needed to explore this place. Incredibly, the cave was permanently illuminated by mysterious red and purple crystals that shone with fluorescent light day and night and provided a mystical feeling to the cavern overall.
It was not difficult to spot the homes of the dark elves as they were literally all over the place. Some had chosen to build their house on the ground while others had etched their houses into the walls or even into one of the giant stalagmites and stalactites. There were so many houses that it was easy to lose count, but peculiarly some seemed abandoned and looked like they could collapse at any time. Disregarding this, it was still a marveling sight to say the least.
Even Ainz could not help but admire the beauty of this natural phenomenon as they entered this place. The way this cavern looked would bring geologists back in his world to tears. The colorful lighting of the crystals combined with the jaw dropping rock formations made for a truly marveling sight. Although it still paled in comparison to the underground lake on the fourth floor of Nazarick, one could hardly compare something artificially made to something that had been created by Mother Nature herself over the course of hundreds - perhaps thousands - of years.
As the group walked seemingly deeper and deeper into the cavern, Ainz and the twins began to see the frightened faces of the other inhabitants of this place. From out of the various houses inside the cavern, faces began peeking out through small cracks in their wooden doors or from behind windows. It wasn't difficult to comprehend why most were so frightened; it had probably been ages since any of them had seen an outsider.
Finally, the group halted in front of an underground lake that existed in the deepest parts of this cavern. It was about the size of a football field and had a calm clear surface with untainted waters that made even the bottom of the lake visible. At the very center of the lake was a single rock that stuck out proudly, atop of which was a single large house that glowed with a mystic aura and made it all the more mysterious.
Camus gestured towards a couple of rowboats that were moored at the rocky shore of the underground lake. Since Hamsuke was way too big to take across in a row boat, she was left at the shore guarded by some of the dark elves that had ambushed Ainz's group back in the forest.
Ainz was put on a rowboat together with Camus and another dark elf to make sure he wouldn't try to pull anything funny, while Aura and Mare were put on a rowboat with Mica. The girl seemed to have absolutely no trouble in rowing the three of them across the shore by herself. What was even more surprising was that the other dark elves were completely fine with letting Mica row the boat without anyone on board to act as her guards. The one most uneasy about this arrangement seemed to be Mare, who hid on the far end of the rowboat behind his sister who kept looking at Mica annoyedly.
A total of three row boats paddled their way across the lake and eventually reached the rock in its center upon which the large house was built. As they neared it, a rope ladder was thrown down to the approaching passengers as it was clear that they were expected to climb it to reach the top of the rock. No one said anything as one by one all the passengers of each boat began climbing and reached the top of the rock.
After a short wait, the three were allowed to set foot into the home and meet with the elder, but not before being searched for any concealed weapons or poisons as was custom when meeting the leader of a tribe or nation. Ainz's swords, Mare's staff, and Aura's whip were to be confiscated and put away in storage before they were allowed to enter the inside of the house. After a quick nod of approval from Ainz, the trio handed in their weapons and proceeded into the house.
The inside of the house was not in the least what one would expect if seen from the outside. In the center of the house from a bird's point of view, a large courtyard became visible around which something resembling a circular construct was built. And in this courtyard stood a single tree that radiated a faint purple glow like the crystals in the cave. The tree was barely two meters tall but looked stately for some reason as if it had stood in this place for many years and commanded respect from all who walked beneath it.
Beneath this tree sat a single robed figure with its face covered for the most part, but its wrinkles could be clearly seen none the less. From the hood of the robe a long silver beard stretched out all the way to the ground. This figure emanated both ancientness and a profound magic aura as all that saw it would bow their heads in respect before this grand elder of magic. This was undoubtedly the leader and elder of the tribe that the other dark elves had spoken of.
The elder appeared in deep meditation and most likely didn't even seem to notice the group of elves approach with Ainz and the two elf children behind them.
From underneath his helmet, Ainz stared at the elder with an inspecting look as he tried to probe just how powerful this elder really was. But as long as he was in this warrior form he could only guess as he didn't have access to most of his magic.
Despite all this, it seemed unlikely that this elf was anything worthy of note compared to Mare in terms of magic. And even if he had some level of power, it didn't appear that he was strong enough to use it.
As he thought this, Ainz glanced over to a short distance away from the tree where a mature elf woman sat at a wooden table whilst she was reading a book. On the table itself were placed various metal and wooden objects that reminded one of doctor's equipment and surgical tools. It was more than likely that this was the elder's personal caretaker.
"Respected elder! Please forgive this young fool's impudence for disturbing your meditation, but these creatures claim to be emissaries of the notorious Ainz Ooal Gown from the human realm. They wish to exchange a few words with the respected elder. I wonder if you could find it in your heart to speak with them?"
Camus respectfully addressed the elder as he bowed deeply and spoke in a sincere and firm tone. In response, he only received a slight grunt from the elder who just barely opened his old eyes as he looked at Camus and the rest almost as if still in trance.
"You brought them here?"
A hoarse yet also strong voice resounded as the elder spoke. Even if his life was indeed coming to an end, it seemed his authority was still unquestioned as the elves shook with fear from simply these few words.
"Yes, gramps! I vowed for them seeing as they represent that Ainz Ooal Gown. Do me a favor and hear them out, OK?"
Now everything became clear to Ainz. How else could a girl like Mica command such respect and display such arrogance with her words without some kind of backing like an elder? Although, it was surprising that even to her protector she still spoke with such informality. She must have been quite spoiled if she still acted like this.
The elder seemed to ignore Mica as his gaze passed over to the two elf children and the armored warrior that stood like a guard next to them.
"Well then come forward esteemed emissaries. Let us see what your honored master has to say."
An almost indistinguishable smile appeared as he beckoned the trio to come closer. After a slight nudge from Ainz, the three moved forward. This was what Ainz had been waiting for. Whether his plans would be a success or fail would depend on the next conversation. Calmly, he likewise stepped forward before a deafening shout could be heard behind him.
"Halt! Remove your helmet immediately!"
AA: just some description and setting. Deal with it as this story still has A LOT of goodies, oh and please don't forget to like and follow THIS STORY not just me personally as it motivates me to write more and isn't that what you all want?
PS: if you're wondering, I never said daily releases, I said periodical so can't be helped if I am a day late every now and then.