I Became My Elf King Character In A Game-Like World
Chapter 44: Return To The City

Chapter 44: Return To The City

Herding just under a hundred sheep was exhausting enough—how was he supposed to drive over thirty thousand all the way back to the city? That would be impossible!

"Where did such a massive flock even come from?" Gorren couldn’t wrap his head around it. But one thing he was sure of: the sheep in the underground world had to be connected to Elf King transformation magic.

Though legend claimed that such magic could only shapeshift themselves, the elves had remained hidden for so many years and being reduced to just under a thousand population. Maybe they had secretly advanced their magic.

"A vast number of sheep... in the underground territory... Could it be that they were once goblins?"

His expression darkened. The human-made gold and silver artifacts he had seen in Renjiro’s palace further confirmed his suspicion. The goblins of the Forest had always been notorious for ambushing human merchant caravans.

"The elves must have wiped out Goblin Territory, seized all the stolen treasure, and then—turned thousands of goblins into sheep to sell to us!"

Gorren took a sharp breath. That young Elf King... was terrifyingly ruthless.

....

By the time evening arrived, Gorren was drenched in sweat, but he had finally managed to herd the flock to the city gates.

If they had been ordinary sheep, he wouldn’t have bothered. But these weren’t just any livestock, they were his merchant guild’s knights and mages. Losing even one would be a disaster even thoigh he had already lost one.

Lyra, on the other hand, sat comfortably on the Wyvern’s back. The beast seemed to have taken a liking to her and had no intention of shaking her off.

At the city gates, a squad of well-armed guards raised their weapons at the sight of the Wyvern. But as soon as they recognized Gorren, they quickly lowered them. The Mage still held considerable authority in the city.

"Lord Gorren, please proceed!"

Gorren gave a brief nod and led the drake and his flock of sheep into the city.

Upon arriving at the Ironcrest Merchant Guild’s headquarters, he wasted no time and went straight to the Temple. There, he personally sought out a high-ranking priest—one who was also at the ninth circle.

"Transformation magic?" Priest Zev frowned. "That spell was lost over ages years ago. It’s well known that the elves now only practice archery, swordsmanship, and magic."

"It’s real, Priest Zev! I saw it with my own eyes! Elf King cast a spell that transformed our knights and mages into sheep—even Sir Theron was powerless against it!"

The priest’s expression grew serious. "Very well. I will do everything in my power to dispel this magic."

In the courtyard, the elderly priest raised his staff, releasing waves of gentle, radiant light that enveloped the flock.

Once. Twice. Three times.

Beads of sweat formed on his wrinkled forehead.

"Strange... Why isn’t my divine magic breaking this unnatural magic transformation?"

Growing suspicious, he grabbed a sheep and examined it closely. Then, his face darkened.

He turned to Gorren with an icy glare. "Are you mocking the Temple?" he demanded. "These are real sheep! There isn’t a trace of magic on them, or something else!"

"Impossible!" Gorren’s voice cracked in disbelief.

The elderly priest stared at Gorren, who had just shouted in shock.

"Lord Gorren, do you doubt my ability to sense magic? Or are you deceiving yourself?"

"Priest Zev, I’m telling the truth."

Gorren grabbed a particularly plump sheep, his expression serious. "This is Sir Theron, commander of the Knights under the Marquis. If you don’t believe me, call his name—he’ll respond."

The old priest took a deep breath, willing to give Gorren one last chance. He looked at the sheep in front of him, feeling utterly ridiculous. Still, he composed himself and asked, "Are you Sir Theron? If so, nod twice."

"Meehaaww!" The sheep let out a loud bleat and immediately turned away.

Priest Zev sighed. "Clearly, it’s not Sir Theron."

Gorren stood frozen. "How is that possible? I was sure this was him! Did I mistake him for another sheep because they all look too similar?"

Hidden among the flock, the real Theron wanted nothing more than to disappear into the ground.

Like hell he would nod! If word got out that he had admitted to being a sheep, how could he ever hold his head high in the city again? How would he command the Knights? He had his pride!

At that moment, a cheerful voice rang out.

"My dear Gorren, I heard you’ve returned... and with a ninth-circle Wyvern, no less!"

A round, plump middle-aged man entered the courtyard.

Gorren immediately bowed. "My Lord!"

The Marquis of Purple Blossom waved him off. "No need for formalities. Oh? Priest Zev, you’re here as well?"

The old priest shot Gorren a sharp look, then hurriedly took his leave.

Once he was gone, the marquis frowned. "Gorren, what’s going on? Weren’t you heading to the elves’ territory? Why are you back so soon? And where is Sir Theron? Did he complete the task I assigned him?"

"Meehaaww!" A particularly plump sheep trotted forward.

Gorren pointed excitedly. "I knew it! That’s Theron!"

The sheep rolled its eyes.

The marquis was stunned. He pointed at the animal. "You’re telling me... this is my knight commander?"

Gorren gave him a wry smile and nodded.

He then recounted everything that had happened in the elves’ territory, leaving nothing out. Afterward, he glanced at the marquis’ expression and added, "I initially thought the Temple’s magic could dispel the Elf King transformation magic, but I was wrong. Priest Zev didn’t even believe these sheep were our knights and mages."

The marquis’ face darkened. He examined one of the sheep himself, frowning. "Zev wasn’t wrong. There’s no trace of magic on them."

Gorren sighed. "But this is real! I saw it happen with my own eyes! If you don’t believe me, my lord, you can ask Lady Lyra—she was there too."

The marquis nodded. "Gorren, you have served me for decades. I trust you."

"My Lord!" Gorren was deeply moved.

The marquis then asked, "Did the Elf King say how to undo the spell?"

Gorren’s expression turned grim. "This young Elf King is nothing like before. He’s grown assertive—no, ruthless—and he has an obsessive love for gold like a young dragon. He demanded two million gold coins in compensation before he would lift the transformation on Theron and the others."

....

Bonus Chapter on: 300, 500, 800 Power Stones.

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