Chapter 338: As Wished

Chapter 338: As Wished

Moore stood by the river, his chest and belly bare, looking up at the High Tower. He had never seen such a tall, luxurious building before. During their journey, they had grown more confident about their own height. But after entering this place, especially when facing the buildings in the Eastern District, they realized their bodies were somewhat thin and short.

The master here was not friendly. After taking their letter and gifts, he sent them to the river to bathe. Although the river water was at a comfortable temperature and was indeed a good place to wash, the shame and annoyance from being looked down upon could not be washed away.

The dirt on their bodies was now cleaned, and the warm breeze coming from the city made them slightly relaxed. But whenever Moore thought about Bran’s attitude earlier, he felt a lingering gloom.

The master here had received them in person, with undisguised scorn. Even though he had so many tall buildings, he drove them to the river and ignored them. Moore had noticed there were few people living there, but even though the buildings were empty, no one had thought to arrange a place for them to stay.

Moore really wanted to go inside and take a look. Such tall buildings were wasted and a pity for these little people to live in. Those dwellings seemed tailor-made for people like his group, but they could only watch longingly.

After entering the Little Queen’s homeland, the treatment along the way had been quite good. Moore had a good impression of these Northlanders, and after some man-to-man contests, both sides had come to respect each other.

There were awkward moments too. Most of the lively young spectators would lose interest after watching a match and then wander off in disappointment.

Each community here had at least one big tree, and under each tree, there was always a young man or woman sitting cross-legged. These ordinary-looking youths all carried a hint of coldness and detachment. In their curious, probing gazes, there was something uncomfortable hidden.

When they entered the villages and towns, the young people were sitting there. When they left, the young people were still sitting there, as if they hadn’t moved an inch.

Moore didn’t think much of it until, under the High Tower, a talking, moving tree spirit gently touched and praised him. Until the Queen’s brother Bran, that equally ordinary-looking youth, suddenly revealed his true form. Then he suddenly remembered those other young men and women also sitting cross-legged under the trees.

He thought of a possibility: perhaps the Queen was just an ordinary member among them.

Once this thought arose, Moore was surrounded by fear. If the Northlanders made some excessive demands, could they refuse? If the Northlanders took a liking to the Ice Plains, could they stop them? This thought tormented Moore for a whole day, until the weariness of the journey pulled him into sleep.

A good sleep did not ease Moore’s fatigue; instead, it left his whole body aching. A young girl who called herself Zoya came to their camp. She said she would take them to tour Northland City and explain the city’s rules to them along the way.

Moore did not like rules, at least not the rules here. Because there were too many restrictions here: they were not allowed to actively attack ordinary people here, not allowed to hunt the beasts in the city at will, not allowed to randomly pick up or damage the flowers, plants, trees, or even stones here.

What’s wrong with picking up a broken stone? Someone couldn’t help but complain.

Hearing the complaint, the girl waved her hand toward the roadside, and a crystal-clear stone fell into her palm. Then, under the Giants’ watchful eyes, she gently shook the stone. A yawn sounded from within the stone, followed by a very reluctant wiggle.

“Many lives are being nurtured here. They are under the protection of the Wizards. And this city is also called the City of Wizards, home to many Wizards. Most of them look no different from ordinary people. If your actions anger them, the consequences will be hard to predict.”

Some Giants were still unconvinced. “But it’s still just a stone.”

“Yes, it’s still a stone. But human feelings are really strange. After observing and taking care of these inconspicuous little things, some Wizards gradually come to see them as their own. So, for your own safety, you’d better remember the rules here.”

“What if we can’t remember?”

Zoya was amused and angered. “Only the dead can’t remember, and the dead always help the living remember the rules that are hard to remember.

This city not only has Wizards but also a large number of Knights and Warriors. In front of them, you are equally insignificant. There are too many people who will help enhance your memory and teach you humility.”

This immediately caused dissatisfaction among the Giants. A female Giant couldn’t help but reach her big hand toward the girl’s head, wanting to teach this bragging dwarf a lesson. But reality was harsh. She didn’t even know what happened before she fell heavily to the ground.

“You should be glad that my task is to protect you.”

Zoya was somewhat annoyed. With her annoyance, her power began to rise uncontrollably, and the Giants instantly felt pressure. And what had just happened made them no longer take the girl in front of them lightly.

Zoya took a light breath, suppressing her emotions. “I know you are unconvinced, and I don’t enjoy bullying the weak either. I’ll take you to the Arena to have a look. There, a group of people who live for the sword gather. You can freely choose opponents there to prove your strength.”

Some Giants didn’t quite believe it. “No Deities or Wizards involved?”

Along their journey, they had at least learned what Wizards represented in the Northlands? They were a symbol of absolute power, something beyond their reach.

“Wizards are not welcome there. Most are ordinary people who share the same origins as you.”

“What do you mean?”

Zoya shook her head. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? We originally came from the same place, forced to migrate together, but you fell behind. In that environment, only the weak would fall behind, right? Perhaps there were also some who had to stay behind out of family ties.

But you are ultimately a group of weaklings. Even after countless years, when we meet again today, you still haven’t grown stronger. As Bran said, you’ve just grown a bit taller. Maybe on the vast Ice Plains, that helps you spot danger earlier. But height hasn’t given you an advantage in strength; instead, it has made you clumsy.”

Moore couldn’t help but ask, “We are the same race?”

Zoya snorted lightly. “After you entered here during your journey, didn’t you find it strange that we have the same writing and language?

You must have encountered other settlements along the way, right? Could you understand what those people were saying? When you entered the Northlands, did you feel a sense of familiarity?”

Looking at the Giants’ suddenly enlightened expressions, Zoya changed her tone. “But we are not the same race, even though our ancestors once traveled together. We are Northlanders, and you are Giants or whatever.”

Zoya smiled scornfully. “You are nothing. You don’t even know the source of your strength.”

Moore spoke up again, pursuing the question. “The source of strength, what do you mean?”

“We all need to feed on Mana to truly grow and become stronger. Do you know why this place is so unusual? Because the Mana here is too thick. People living here receive nourishment from Mana every day. Compared to us, you are just a group of poor, underfed paupers.

I know some don’t believe it, but soon you will understand the gap.”

“Why is that? Where does your Mana come from?”

“Great Wizards, or Deities. They can communicate with Mana and attract it to them. Such beings are very rare; there are only two in our city. You should have thought of it by now: none of the villages and towns you passed along the way have such a presence stationed there.

The Great Wizard Bran asked me to thank you. Thank you for bringing news of his sister. He is already preparing to bring his sister back.”