Chapter 427 [Gifts and Almsgiving]

Morning.

The board that served as the door, made of dead grass and branches, was gently pushed open by Lan Lan.

She stretched and walked out of the stone house.

I slept so soundly last night - Lan Lan couldn't even remember how long it had been since she had slept so well.

The days at sea are very ordealing, and sleeping in the cabin always feels stuffy and the bumps of the waves. And since coming to this continent and landing, he has encountered endless incidents, monster attacks, chases, and escapes.

Then he took the leaves of the boat down the river, and under the warning of the cold night, he did not even dare to go ashore, let alone sleep well.

It can be said that last night's sleep was the best, sweetest and most comfortable sleep for Lan Lan in recent months.

Lying on the slightly hard stone bed, although it was a little harder, I knew that there was a hard and solid ground under my body, and a solid stone roof above my head. I also know in my heart that this is a settlement, safe enough not to worry about those unknown monsters attacking......

This night, even Lan Lan, who was accustomed to a penance career, overslept overly, which was almost something that had never happened in recent years for Lan Lan, who had always been self-disciplined.

I had countless dreams last night, and there were countless memories in the dreams, but ...... But it seems that he never dreamed of that helpless face again.

After a long period of sleep deprivation, Lan Lan woke up and felt that her mind was groggy, and after sitting up, she came back to her senses for a while before she finally woke up completely.

When I stepped out of bed, I felt that my feet were soft.

Pushing open the door, the rays of sunlight shone on his face.

Warm and dry feeling.

Lan Lan took a deep breath.

The temporary dwelling area carved out by the orcs is not large, and there are not many houses. But because there is only one female human in the team, Lan Lan still enjoys a certain privilege and can enjoy a single room alone. As for the rest...... Even Tacitus had to huddle in a room with five church clergy.

Lan Lan walked out of the house. There didn't seem to be anything unusual in this valley - not far from where they lived, there were still orcs with weapons watching, but they didn't mean to get closer, just far away enough distance, and kept looking at it with curious eyes.

Lan Lan walked to the Surumbi River, which crossed the canyon, and fetched some water.

Tacitus is still resting...... He had volunteered to keep vigil for the first half of the night last night, and was still sleeping - the leader of the Holy Knight had won the support of everyone in the ranks, even the loose sailors and crew.

But any leader who can lead by example and endure hardships with his subordinates will always easily win the hearts of the people.

Lan Lan silently looked around for a while, but did not find the figure of the cold night - last night the cold night went up the hillside. I lived with the elves.

She tried to leave the temporary residence, but as soon as she got to the orcs, she was stopped.

The orcs were polite, but they were also resolute, gesturing with gestures and crossing with weapons...... These gestures are marked with their meaning.

Lan Lan immediately understood that his people were not allowed to leave this temporary residence.

She wasn't angry, and she didn't feel insulted or offended by the treatment.

Compare your heart to your heart, and change yourself to be the leader here. It is already a good idea to be able to accommodate such a group of aliens of unknown origin to enter their territory and rest here. As for not letting these people walk around, it is also a proper move. It's not discrimination, it's just a precautionary measure.

Lan Lan thought for a moment, and expressed her meaning to the orcs in Elven language: she asked to see the leader here.

Fortunately for Lan Lan, this is the orc in charge of monitoring. I can actually understand the elven language, and someone left soon, probably to report it.

Lan Lan turned back to her place of residence. Right in front of his door, he pulled out a short sword and practiced a few sets of swordsmanship here.

In fact, not only Lan Lan, but the other Holy Knights in the team were also doing similar things.

During the days spent on the leaves of the boat, he could not cultivate due to the conditions, but the years of penance had already developed good habits, including Lan Lan, all the holy knights, except for those who were now resting on the vigil last night, all started practicing in the open space in front of the temporary residence.

Lan Lan picked a knight as an opponent and practiced fencing for a while. Then he took the big guy to open up an open space here, set up a target, and began to practice archery.

What she didn't know was that from the time she picked up her sword and danced there alone, halfway up the hillside, behind the elf's dwelling, there had been a pair of curious eyes staring at her.

When Lan Lan practiced archery for a while, her excellent archery skills were admired by many of the holy knights present.

And at this time, the cold night finally appeared.

This mysterious female elf, I don't know when she walked into the temporary residence of humans, she appeared not far behind Lan Lan.

When Lan Lan's arrow shot out and hit the bull's-eye, the surrounding holy knights, as well as the crew and sailors who had already gotten up, were applauding......

Han Ye suddenly whispered in the back: "Have you learned the archery skills of our elf race?"

Lan Lan's body tightened, and then he slowly put down the bow in his hand, turned around, looked at the cold night, and smiled slightly: "I've learned some...... When I was in my hometown, I spent some time alone in a forest, and I had some dealings with the elves there. ”

The cold night was still covered with her face, and a hint of discoloration flashed in her eyes that were as beautiful as cold stars, and she bowed her head with approval in her voice: "Your archery skills are good, even in the elf clan, it is excellent." ”

Lan Lan was a little surprised...... This elf called Cold Night, her strength is unfathomable, and her guess is very consistent with Tacitus: her strength has definitely reached the level of the Holy Order.

And getting the praise of such a master made Lan Lan feel a little happy in her heart.

But immediately, a sentence from the cold night made Lan Lan's face freeze.

"I have a question for you. Han Ye's voice was not loud, but in his tone, there was a taste that was undoubtedly irrefutable: "When you practice swordsmanship, your body and steps are very interesting, if my eyes are not blind...... You must have practiced the Bow and Moon Dance!"

The smile on Lan Lan's face had disappeared.

The cold night is already approaching step by step. Standing on Lan Lan's side, she turned her head sideways, as if a deep meaning flashed from her eyes, and said in a deep voice: "This is the highest mastery of my elf clan, and ......I don't pass on the mysteries!" But where did you learn it?"

Lan Lan hadn't spoken yet, but Han Ye's eyes seemed to become sharp, and she said coldly: "Don't tell me because you have contact with the elf clan...... The Bow Moon Dance is the highest mystery of the elven race, let alone you as a human being, even if it is in the elf race, not just anyone can learn it! Which master of the elven race would do something to teach the highest mastery of his race to the alien race. ”

Lan Lan didn't speak.

Han Ye shook his head: "Your elf language is very good, and your archery skills are also very good, which proves that you and the elf clan are ...... At least the elves of your country have a good relationship. But that doesn't explain the origin of the Bow Moon Dance you know. ”

After a pause, Han Ye looked at Lan Lan curiously: "I remember you said...... Have you ever seen falling snow? Could it be that falling snow taught you?"

“...... No. Lan Lan shook her head.

Bow Moon Dance ...... When he was young, during the time he stayed at Tulip's house, Du Weiwei quietly taught himself in private...... Although Du Weiwei told himself that because of his limited qualifications, he only taught some fur. It's not a full set of bow and moon dances.

But since Lan Lan cultivated this set of things, she obviously felt that these strange movements were on her own body. The pace and even the improvement of the body can play a huge role.

Her original martial arts talent was not considered top-notch, but at a young age, she reached the level of the middle level. I have to say that a large part of the credit comes from the incomplete set of "Bow Moon Dance" that I learned.

At her age, reaching the middle level is already a very remarkable achievement!

In the Empire. The younger generation is recognized as the most outstanding martial arts genius, whether it is the Goth, who has died, or Panin, who has lost an arm...... Although both of them have reached the advanced level, don't forget about Jì, they are both much older than Lan Lan.

Lan Lan was a little weak-Du Weiwei had quietly warned Lan Lan in private about the origin of this set of Bow Moon Dance, and told her that she must not spread it to the outside world, nor let people know it.

After all, this is also a trick of the Tulip family, she Du Weiwei is the heir of the duke, but she taught this thing to herself for personal gain, which is already a violation of the rules of the family.

And at this moment, facing the questioning of the cold night, Lan Lan felt a little uneasy.

"Excuse me......" Lan Lan stiffened: "This ...... Is it a taboo for the elves?"

"At least it's not always pleasant. "The eyes of the cold night still show no signs of warming.

“...... I can only tell you that the person who taught me these skills is a human being, and the origin of these skills is also above board, and it was not stolen from the elves. As for the rest...... I can't explain anything more - I have my own struggles. ”

Cold Night stared at Lan Lan with her eyes for a long time.

The elf suddenly laughed.

"Well, you don't have to be too nervous. I'm not going to kill you just because you've learned the elven stunts. Cold Night's tone seemed to be a bit mocking: "The elves are a race that loves life and peace. ”

As if to put it mildly, the cold night skipped the topic.

This made Lan Lan a lot easier. She clearly felt that when she mentioned the "Bow Moon Dance" just now, the female elf in front of her, who had always been kind and kind for many days, obviously showed a very strict and dignified attitude...... There was even a moment when Lan Lan seemed to be able to feel that this cold night's body exuded an aura that made her fearful!

"Did you rest well last night?" said Hanye looked up at the sky.

"Thanks to your care, we all got a good rest. Lan Lan breathed a sigh of relief.

"So...... If it's convenient for you now, go and call your captain, and we'll go and meet the head of the colony. Hanye's tone was calm: "If it weren't for the fact that you were too tired, you should have met with the leader here last night." After a night's rest, you must all have enough energy. ”

Lan Lan nodded immediately.

This is a very reasonable request, after all, I was a guest on someone's territory, and I borrowed someone's territory to rest for the night, and entered this valley. It means that you have been sheltered here, and in any case, even if it is to express gratitude and kindness, you should meet the leader here.

Blue Blue immediately ran to find Tacitus.

Staring at Lan Lan's back, Han Ye sighed softly, she touched her hair, her fingers running across her cheeks through the veil......

"Falling snow...... There are actually some of these humans who can bow and dance...... When you know, you must be surprised. I'm really curious when you get the news...... You cowardly and lowly wretched thing. What was the reaction like?"

......

The meeting with the head of the settlement was done in the cold of the night.

Here, it's Blue and Tacitus...... Tacitus doesn't know Elfish language, so all communication is done again.

On the other side of the valley, there are three who have come forward.

An orc leader, an elf, and a dwarf.

But it was clear that the orc leader was in the driver's seat. After all, judging from the racial distribution and proportion of the population in this valley, orcs also account for the vast majority.

To the surprise of Blue Blue and Tacitus. They had thought that the natives here would carefully interrogate themselves about the origins of these humans.

But unexpectedly, whether it's an orc or a representative of a dwarven elf. They all seem to have ignored the topic, consciously or unconsciously, and don't seem to show much interest in it.

And the question they are more concerned about is: how long are you humans going to stay here?

To be precise, the implication is: you'd better not stay too long. Hurry up and get out of here, it's better to leave early.

Although the words are okay, the meaning is also very vague. But neither Lanlan nor Tacitus are fools, and they receive hints from each other.

During the whole process of communication, Han Ye didn't talk much, she just moved a stone bench and sat aside in a daze.

At the end of the meeting, Blue and Tacitus made a small request to the chiefs: they needed to rest here for three more days.

After all, everyone worked hard along the way, both mentally and physically almost reached the limit, and just one night was not enough to recover. A three-day recuperation period is necessary for the whole team.

And in order to show his kindness, Lan Lan took out the means that he had discussed with Tacitus in advance before he came - to send a gift to the settlement here to show his goodwill.

These things were stored in storage rings in advance before the Roland Empire went to sea.

Because considering that everyone goes to sea in search of "another human civilization overseas", and the original preparation is to communicate with another human civilization, it is essential to bring some gifts that symbolize the civilization of the Roland people, even if it is diplomatic etiquette, which is also the meaning of the title.

The gift that Lan Lan took out and gave to the settlement here was......

Ten pieces of cloth.

This is a specialty of the Roland Empire, invented by the tulip workshop decades ago, a special cloth, mainly for the army of the Roland Empire, the cloth of this cloth is thicker and tougher, used to make military uniforms, and has a certain protective ability, especially can greatly reduce the damage of bows and arrows.

Bringing this kind of fabric to the sea is well thought out, because in addition to its own characteristics, this kind of cloth can also vaguely show the level of textile technology of human civilization in the Roland Empire!

This is also a faint display of strength.

Originally, Lan Lan also offered to give these orcs some weapons, but this mention was vetoed by Tacitus.

Tacitus's reasoning is simple: "We don't know how long we will stay on this continent, at least for now, the indigenous civilization here is very low." We will not be able to replenish weapons damage for a long time to come. While you still have a surplus of weapons in our possession, and the sailors and crew's weapons are almost idle, I'd rather keep them as spare equipment for the Holy Knights. If the knights' weapons are damaged, I can't let them fight empty-handed. ”

And it was the gift of these ten pieces of cloth that was enough to make the leaders of the settlements here stare at them!!

When Lan Lan had ten pieces of cloth brought in, he placed them on the wide stone table, and piled the wide stone table high and high......

All orcs, dwarves, elves present. All gasped!

One can imagine how hard their daily lives have been - in fact, this is indeed the case, even the weapons used by their warriors are not fully iron, and many of them are even using things ground out of stone as weapons.

As for the clothes...... It's even crude.

The orcs on the Roland continent are simply nobles compared to them.

And the judgment of Lan Lan and Tacitus...... Obviously, it is also quite correct.

Ten Pieces of Cloth...... Even if it was just plain-looking, even a little crude, the special cloth provided by the army was enough to make these natives gasp again and again.

Time. There was silence in this meeting place!

Lan Lan and Tacitus exchanged a look, and both of them saw a hint of satisfaction in each other's eyes at the same time.

The orc leader's voice was even a little excited: "These things, are they all given to us?"

"Of course, as a thank you for taking us in temporarily. ”

Lan Lan tried to answer in a calm tone as much as possible.

The leaders of the three different races immediately deliberated quickly for a moment, and came up with a reply that satisfied Lanlan and Tacitus:

They accept these gifts and are happy with them. In exchange, they allow humans to stay here for a while, and time does not make a strict idleness. Other words...... You can stay longer.

Even, the orc leader said that the range of human activities would not be limited to the temporary settlement, it was up to him. Humans can move freely in the valley where they are - only in that valley.

Lan Lan noticed that when the orc leader expressed these meanings, it included this orc leader, and the dwarves. Elves included...... A few guys all use their eyes to glance at the cold night from time to time.

This move made both Lanlan and Tacitus a little strange.

But fortunately, the results of this meeting were not bad.

The two sides seem to be happy with the guests. Everyone has achieved satisfactory results.

The orc politely sent Lan Lan and Tacitus back to rest, and walked out without saying a word in the cold night. The representative of the elf was still very respectful to the cold night, and when the cold night passed by it, the elf immediately lowered his head and gestured very respectfully.

Walking out of the meeting place and coming outside, Lan Lan was about to say something to Tacitus, but suddenly saw a cold night on the side.

The eyes of the cold night are strange.

She looked at Lan Lan and then at Tacitus, and there was an undisguised, deep mockery in her eyes.

"Uh...... Lord of the Cold Night. Lan Lan said cautiously: "We...... Did you do something wrong?"

"Oh, why do you ask me that?"

"Your eyes...... When you look at us like that, I think we must have done something wrong. ”

Hearing this, even Tacitus stopped.

Han Ye looked behind him, and the orc who accepted the gift was really much more generous, and did not send any more orc warriors to follow and monitor.

Hanye sighed softly, her eyebrows furrowed.

"First, I don't like your attitude. ”

Cold Night's tone was a little cold.

Lan Lan's eyes widened: "Our attitude?

"I'm talking about attitude. Han Ye seemed to sneer: "You seem to be giving away, but I see a trace of well-hidden disdain in your eyes." Yes, that is, contempt. As if this is not another gift, but in ...... Reward, or almsgiving, is like a well-fed person who throws the leftover food he can't eat to a beggar on the side of the road. I...... I don't like your attitude!"

Both Lanlan and Tacitus were speechless.

Because the two can't refute it. In fact...... Even Lan Lan herself had to admit that what Han Ye said seemed to be right.

His mentality at that time was indeed a little subtle, the indigenous orcs, dwarves and elves here, indeed, their backwardness and primitive living environment, made them involuntarily have a sense of superiority of advanced civilization.

Especially when these guys were excited with those ten horses of cloth that weren't really worth much.

"There is a second point. Cold Night was still sneering: "You guys are so naïve and naïve. ”

“...... Childish, naïve?" Lan Lan was stunned for a moment, not reacting.

"I don't know what kind of world it is in your homeland. Han Ye's tone was not at all polite, and became sharp: "But here, it is far from being so harmonious as you see. It is true that in this valley, dwarves, orcs, and elves seem to live in harmony, but that is because they are their own people. And you ...... Humans, here, you are outsiders! Don't forget that!

The inhabitants of this place are indeed living a very difficult life, and even backward and pathetic in your opinion.

Do you think you can take a little bit of something to buy off the people here?

But are you stumped to ignore another possibility?

Wealth may be exchanged for goodwill...... It is also possible to exchange to ...... Greedy!"

Blue and Tacitus suddenly change color!

"Under normal circumstances, the inhabitants of this valley are just ordinary natives living here in order to survive. But in special circumstances: for example, a group of wronged people with a lot of good things crashed into their own homes, and these people are not their own kind, are they aliens, outsiders, or have they been rumored to be not very good human beings...... Then, in this case, we elves may not bother to do anything, but even the most honest orcs and dwarves probably won't mind, let's make a temporary cameo appearance as a bandit!"

Lan Lan and Tacitus' faces had become very exciting.

"Inside, the orc leader kept testing me with his eyes as he talked to you. If it weren't for me walking with you, if it weren't for the fact that I didn't give it any reaction...... Now, dear Lanlan, and this Mr. Human Samurai, you two have no chance to make it out of that room alive! You should have been killed by now, then stripped of your clothes and armor, your body chopped to pieces, emptied of every drop of blood, and thrown into the pot to boil! Maybe it will turn into the orc's dinner tonight!"

(To be continued......)