Chapter 601 - 599: Casualties

Hilia left the Elf Forest, slowly making her way outside, where ahead a town gradually appeared.

Hilia opened the map to take a look and got the name of this town; Mandela Town.

It is said that Mandela was a well-known elf who once proposed opening the Elf Royal City when elves were in decline. Later, the town where this Mandela was born was named after him and became one of the important routes into the Elf Royal City.

The Elf Royal City is not always open for entry; it requires application and approval, mainly involving queuing.

The Elf Royal Court has opened the Elf Royal City to outsiders for visits, but remains somewhat reserved. At the same time, they don’t intend to allow too many people inside, fearing that a huge number of tourists might bring damage to the Elf Royal City.

Therefore, Mandela Town, located just outside the Elf Forest, has become a temporary resting place for visiting outsiders, indirectly boosting the town’s economic development.

And at this moment...

Hilia altered her appearance, taking on a human form as she walked into the town, which felt devoid of vitality with dense gray fog everywhere.

On the streets, teams of soldiers were patrolling with solemn expressions, carrying items, seemingly in delivery.

Hilia’s presence attracted the attention of the passing guards.

They shouted, "Traveler friends, please don’t go out casually, immediately return to the hotel to take refuge, awaiting further orders from the City Lord."

Hilia nodded, "Okay."

She paused and asked, "Hello, may I ask how is the situation in Mandela Town now? Are there any casualties?"

The Guard Captain was stunned for a moment, then stopped in his tracks, "Are you coming from outside?"

Hilia nodded.

Mandela Town hasn’t sealed off, and if anyone wants to leave, they can do so at any time. When seen by the guard team, at most they just say something and then pretend not to see.

Mandela Town is not the Elf Royal City; it doesn’t have the treehouses to shelter everyone nor the Holy Tree to resist pollution. What can be done is having the mage from the light system perform temporary purification for everyone, protecting their sanity temporarily.

"If you’re from outside, friend, just leave, now Mandela Town..."

The Captain didn’t finish speaking, only let out a sigh.

Hilia raised her hand, and a touch of sacred light emerged in her hand.

While the Purification Skill cannot directly dispel the pollution in the air, it is effective against pollution that has entered the body since once inside, it separates from the life energy.

The sacred light shone on the elf squad, making them feel as if bathed in sunlight, their whole bodies warmed.

"I am a mage of the sacred system and might be able to help a bit, can you tell me about the casualties?" Hilia asked.

"The casualties... are severe."

The Captain’s expression was grave.

"When the pollution first swept in, although we prepared in advance, it did little good. So far, three thousand have died within the town."

"What?"

Hilia blinked, somewhat unable to believe her ears.

The Captain said, "Three thousand is already considered low because we are outside the Elf Forest. I heard that the cities near the Elf Royal City have died tens of thousands, over a hundred thousand... they were mostly ordinary people with no resistance to pollution, including a few mages."

The Captain shook his head and sighed, "Actually, a large portion of these people lost their sanity after the pollution invaded, leading to deaths as they slaughtered each other. But there are also ordinary people who managed to persist for so long but couldn’t hold on."

Hilia fell silent.

She asked Rose in her heart, "Lord Rose, did I... make a mistake before?"

Rose said lightly, "What did you do wrong? Do you think you were wrong to abandon purification because of the harsh words from the Elf Elder?"

Hilia nodded lightly.

Rose shook his head and said, "There’s no right or wrong, because even if you purified with that elf, it would only reduce some casualties. With such a huge amount of pollution, your power could not purify it."

"If I and Elina went directly to the source of pollution..."

"Then you were seeking death." Rose said lightly, "Do you think that with just your Tier Four strength, you could block the torrent of pollution? With such a large amount of pollution, attempting to purify it all was like an ant trying to topple a tree."

"Alright."

Hilia felt a little comforted.

Of course, it was also because Hilia heard only a number from the Captain, not truly witnessing the deaths of so many people.

Hilia’s ears twitched, faintly hearing sobbing.

The Captain extended an invitation, "Friend, could you join us in helping purify the townsfolk who are severely polluted and allow them to hold on until the Elf King deals with the pollution..."

Hilia said, "What if they are unable to solve it?"

"...They will definitely solve it."

Hilia said, "Could you please inform the leader that there is a powerful Tier Four mage who can help them reduce everyone’s suffering, at least enabling them to endure until the pollution recedes."

The Captain was taken aback and was about to speak, but Hilia’s purification light exploded and entered the bodies of all the soldiers.

They immediately felt the pollution within them rapidly disappearing.

Soon, the remaining pollution was completely gone.

They were all mages and had some resistance to pollution; furthermore, being outside the Elf Forest meant the pollution level wasn’t as horrifying as inside.

Also, since the pollution infiltration was temporary and not substantial, Hilia’s purification wouldn’t even make them uncomfortable.

Feeling the pollution inside completely cleared, the Captain, though shocked, was delighted and said, "Please follow me, human friend, our leader needs your help!"

Outside the Elf Forest, there’s less exclusion compared to the inside; plus, strength always earns respect anywhere.

No matter how much one discriminates against a race, if the other party appears as a healer capable of curing your ailment, that discriminatory thought is sure to be suppressed.

The Captain had no intent of discriminating against strong individuals, as the notion only exists among ordinary elves who have no concept of mages.

Soon, he led Hilia to the leader’s office in Mandela Town.

The leader’s office here resembles a small Holy Tree, built relying on a large tree, looking grand.

After reporting, the leader attached great importance and quickly met with Hilia.

"Hello, I am Ocam Mandela, the leader of Mandela Town."

Ocam performed an elven greeting, and Hilia nodded slightly, saying, "Hello, I am Xiluo, a sacred system mage from Ista."

Hilia once again took up the name she used in the Land of the Far North.

A lack of creativity in naming, she indeed doesn’t know what name to give.