Chapter 140: Human Citadel

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"Watch out!" Elyas shouted, pulling out his bow and taking aim at the Vargmuth, piercing its head with a single shot. To be honest, his help isn't needed. I'd prefer he took care of himself, as he has six skeletons closing in on him right now. Of course, this group of merely thirty skeletons and a Vargmuth would never pose a challenge to us.

"Lord Lily, please don't charge ahead on your own. You're a mage, right?"

"I can use swords just fine."

"We have a vanguard but no mage. Please take on the role of a mage, Lord Lily," Elyamar, another elven guard, commented.

"But that means I'm just lazing around, leaving all the work to you, Shiro!" she shouted at me in her mind. "I don't want to do nothing!"

"Well, they don't even know I exist. It's understandable."

The group raced on their horses toward the human fort. The brown and singed fort lay on the green plain, which seemed to be in better condition than the last time we were here. I wonder how the human soldiers are faring?

"Well, Lord Alistar was worried for nothing! That fort looks fine to me. A little bruised, but considering it has endured several swarms of undead, it's in good shape," Elyas and Elyamar shrugged, and everyone followed suit. They were prepared to leave, but Lily objected.

"We should also check the surroundings. Let's try to gather information inside."

"What are you saying, Lord Lily? How can we enter a human fortress? They would kill us on sight."

"It shouldn't be like that. Remember, we're on a truce." Lily continued trotting her horse toward the fortress, and the elves reluctantly followed. When we arrived at the fort's gate, we were stopped by the gate guard.

"Halt! Who are you?" The guard stepped forward. The fact that they didn't attack on sight was a plus in my book. My opinion of the human race improved a bit from being complete trash.

"Hello. How are you?"

"What business do you have here?" The guard remained on guard.

"Hm? I've come from elven land. I want to meet with the captain or leader of this fort."

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"If you don't have an appointment, you may not enter. Get lost, you beast! And take the other beasts and sex slaves away with you."

"What?!" The other elves readied their swords, but another familiar-looking high-ranking soldier rushed to us, bowing his head.

"Greetings. I apologize for my subordinate's lack of manners!" He bowed his head, and the gate guard's demeanor changed as he bowed profusely.

"Well, do you know who we are?" Our elven guard smirked, his ego now stroked.

"I assume you're envoys from the elven lands? Ohh, Lily. Long time no see! I'm glad you're well!" he smiled, bowing his head once again. He raised his hands and beckoned us to come inside the fort with his fingers outstretched.

"Huh? He knew who we were. Who is this guy?"

"Who are you?"

"It's me! Isaac! We met about a year ago when the undead almost massacred this entire fort. You guys saved us!"

"Huh? Lord Lily?" The elven guard glanced at us questioningly.

"Ah, I see. It was when I killed this fort's commander and saved the elves, right?" Lily nodded in satisfaction as she finally remembered the events that transpired exactly a hundred chapters ago. It had been almost a year. No wonder even I forgot about these guys. They were probably the remaining soldiers inside the fort.

"Come in; let me serve you tea. My name is Isaac."

"Ah! You're Isaac! The guy who guided us around this castle last time. No wonder your face looked a bit familiar. Although you were more subservient when I met you before." Lily clapped her hands, her head finally clear of any doubt she felt when she saw Isaac.

As we entered a fancy room, he gestured to his butler to serve us tea. Many soldiers gave us looks, but they didn't voice their complaints when they saw Isaac being subservient to us. Ahh, he has undoubtedly climbed up the ranks, huh? The last time I remembered, he was just a lowly knight or soldier, no different than someone's lapdog.

"Well, may I ask what brings you here?"

"We are envoys from the Elven Country," Elyas declared, his voice dripping with condescension. "We're here to inquire about the situation of this fortress and the city behind it."

"Elyas, please be silent. I will handle this meeting," Lily asked him while facepalming herself. Embarrassment surged through her at his attitude.

"Ahem. Sir Isaac, how are you?"

"I am doing mighty fine. When you left, I became the lord of this castle. I am now replacing Lord Nafgar!" Isaac puffed out his chest with pride, his eyes closed as he tapped his chest.

"Good! Oh, by the way, I am a lord too in the Elven Country now," Lily smiled.

"Congratulations! It's good to see friends climbing up in this world, right? I am thankful that you spared me that day. If not for you, I might have been turned into a zombie or met a dog's death under the undead assault." He drank his tea as a slight smile appeared on his cheeks. However, Isaac's face turned sour as he frowned. "Alright, let's get to the serious talk first. Why are you inquiring about our well-being?"

"Hmm, did you know about our truce because of the undead?"

"Ah, yes. I knew about it. However, I must apologize for the misconduct of our friend on one of your borders."

"That's not the issue. How are you faring against the undead? We have reports of refugees crossing the border. Has any of your towns fallen?"

"Yes, the town behind us is Cerundra Trois. The Immortal Songur has been stationed there with Luke the Lightning. They will defend the castle. There is... no problem." He paused mid-speech, his face contorting slightly before continuing. None of us missed that slight change in tone except for our elven guard, and we immediately asked him about it.