Chapter 578 - Ingvar, The Gate Captain

Turning to Solvi, Eldrian simply smiled for a while. When she was about to burst, he answered. "It seems that it is modular, and it also does not require any talent outside of learning how to get your mana moving."

The first, Solvi could agree is amazing as it meant it was the same as runes added to weapons, the potential of this would be simply limitless. It also meant that with training, Eldrian would likely be able to add it temporarily to items. Or use items as catalysts to great effect in a pinch. 

The second, however, "What do you mean it doesn't require much talent!? Learning how to feel your mana is already challenging and takes most people years of practice. Learning how to be able to direct your mana normally takes far longer."

"True, that is a limitation. However, I don't think there will be many other limitations." Eldrian smiled and started thinking through all the possibilities. Specifically, if he could, and should, teach this to Elizabeth and the others. 

Doing so would naturally carry risks, especially IRL with the magic being carried over. Eldrian had to first determine if it is possible and then decide if it was worth the risk.

Certainly, this method of casting would be far easier than attempting to reach Tier 5 the normal way. The intense focus of envisioning Tier 5 spell/skill modules could be skipped, leaving only the need to feel and direct their mana. A massive cut down on the mental capacity required.

Solvi on the other hand sighed and decided that that was enough for the day. Heading back in she soon returned with Sanja. Climbing onto his agima, Eldrian joined the two as they continued their journey. 

From here there were far fewer detours needed. The mountain was a massive natural barrier and to the north, there stretch massive cliffs almost the entire length of the mountain range. Forming a naturally enclosed area with only two narrow passages through which this area could be reached. 

Eldrian was surprised that the effort to close these passages hadn't been taken, though given the villages they passed through it felt like the area was still relatively new in development. 

Whether this was because relations had soured at one point, or because it had taken so long for Taurus to expand to here, Eldrian didn't know.

A number of small trading villages filled the area with a few larger hubs around the main road. They offered a place to rest and recover to the traveling merchants between Taurus and Ganalin. 

Passing through four more villages, Eldrian enjoyed the peaceful aura that could be felt here. The problems of the invasion not yet having made itself known here. 

"Identification." A dwarven guard in full mithril armor stopped them and held out his hand, waiting for them to hand their identification. 

Not knowing what this was about, Eldrian just sat back and let Sanja and Solvi handle this. Since their visit was unplanned and a spur of the moment thing, it took a bit of back and forth. 

Finally, the guard captain came forward. Eldrian of course knew this thanks to mana sense, but the dwarf's armor also gave it away. Unlike the light blue silver shine of mithril, this dwarf's armor was a darkish purple of adamantine, a suit of armor worth between a few thousand and ten thousand gold in and of itself.

This dwarf in this extremely expensive armor was called Ingvar Tvedt.

"You're the Chosen and acting mayor of Kynigo?" The dwarven captain asked with a frown, Eldrian looked young. And while that didn't say much about an elf, the fact that he was an elf was what made this so weird. There was no elven kingdom near Taurus, and this was actually the second elf he had now met.

Naturally, the dwarves of Ganalin knew next to nothing of the Chosen and hence there was no natural acceptance of them nor even simple general knowledge. Their only source of information being the rumors brought by the traders. 

"I am." Eldrian smiled in return. "I'm Eldrian, and feel free to use Observe if you doubt us."

Ingvar had a quick internal struggle over breaking etiquette and acting so rude towards an emissary of their ally, and ensuring that those who passed through the checkpoint were indeed who they said they were. 

In the end, caution won over appearances. Seeing Ingvar's unconcealed shock, his eyes flying wide and his mouth hanging open, Eldrian knew that he had decided to use Observe. 

"Can we enter?" Eldrian asked after giving the dwarf some time to recover.

After the funeral, Eldrian had also gotten a position title proving that he was the acting mayor. He wasn't sure why it had only come after the funeral but it was handy as undeniable proof of his official position. That and his eleven other titles were sure to turn nearly any native starstruck. 

"Of course!" The dwarf stopped mid-step, "Would you mind if I send word to Lord Boran?"

'Boran?' Eldrian's mind spun, he had known that Boran had returned home, but... For him to be a lord, the lord of the entire Ganalin dwarven kingdom. That was simply too shocking. 

Luckily, Sanja acted quickly and told the captain that it was fine. 

"What was that?" Sanja asked, Eldrian spacing out was common knowledge but normally that was only when something was related to magic.

"Boran, is it a common dwarven name?" Eldrian asked. 

"No," Solvi answered and asked, "Why?"

"I had a mentor, well. I'm not sure if I can actually call him that. We never really got to the good part of the training. I only learned how to hammer..." Shaking his head, Eldrian cleared his mind and focused. "Any case, his name was Boran.

"So you know Lord Boran?" Ingvar asked, climbing onto some type of reptilian beast and moving next to them. His intention was clear, he was going to follow/escort them. 

"It was a long time ago, and I only knew him for a few days." Eldrian admitted, "I doubt he even remembers me."

Solvi bit her tongue, she didn't know Eldrian back then and it might have been that he wasn't as-- unique, as he was now. 

"I heard he used to be in the kingdom north of Taurus. What are you doing here?"

"Phallos sent some troops to support the kingdom standing between them and the hordes of the invasion. Most of us Chosen chose to join the troops."

"No kidding... And you've only been in this world for a few months..."

"Almost a year now." Eldrian corrected. 

"Still, you reached Tier 4 in such a short time. That is quite amazing."

"Not really, there are thousands who have managed the same." Eldrian replied, the news shocked Sanja and Solvi. Thousands of undying Tier 4 soldiers would be an amazing addition to any army. 

If only they were located in one kingdom, not spread throughout the world. 

Ingvar didn't say anything else for a while. Moving through the gates and into the border city, Eldrian marveled at the dwarven architecture. 

Small and large buildings spread throughout the city. A house with each floor 3 meters tall and three floors in total, next to a house just as tall but with a total of six floors. 

The streets were clean, run-offs carved into the chiseled stone roads with gardens of cavern plants spread throughout the city to give it just a bit of green. The only source of light once you truly entered the city was from moss and crystals. 

There was no clear difference between the noble and poor districts. At least not in comparison to that of the human kingdoms. Instead of flats, the houses slowly turned into simple houses and then into manors. But it wasn't as absurd that you would say that the quality of life of the poor was terrible in comparison. 

The lower class simply had less space, but their neighborhood still appeared pleasing to the eye. 

AN:

:)