I Became My Elf King Character In A Game-Like World
Chapter 84: Rumblings Travel Fast

Chapter 84: Rumblings Travel Fast

Within the mansion of the city’s Lord:

Lord Alden, a portly, middle-aged man whose comfortable girth belied his status as a formidable warrior, listened intently as his Captain of the Guard breathlessly delivered the urgent report. Alden’s normally cheerful, ruddy face grew slack, his eyes wide with stunned disbelief.

"You said... what?" he sputtered, struggling to process the words. "The forest elves... have summoned giant golems... and they’re marching to attack the city?!"

The city guard officer nervously mopped the cold sweat beading on his forehead.

An army of elves? It sounded utterly insane. He still wasn’t sure he believed it himself.

But the way those mercenaries told it... sheer terror in their eyes, voices cracking, almost weeping. They were convinced.

Despite the absurdity, a chilling feeling had settled in the officer’s gut. He’d locked them up first—standard procedure for spreading potential panic—but then hurried straight here to report.

"My Lord, you need to hear this!"

City Lord Alden looked up from his papers, his brow furrowing as he listened to the frantic report. "Elves? An army? Officer, are these mercenaries drunk? Or perhaps drugged?"

The officer swallowed, still sweating. "Checked them thoroughly, my Lord. No drink, no drugs, no signs of mind-control magic. Their fear... it felt real. Frighteningly real. I... I think they were telling the truth."

Alden let out a short, sharp scoff. "Ten or twenty thousand

elves? In that forest? Preposterous. The Ironcrest Merchant Guild patrols those woods constantly; they wouldn’t miss a force that size unless they were all struck blind overnight."

The officer shifted nervously. "My Lord... perhaps we should alert the Marquis ? This isn’t his domain, true, but if it is an elven host... we’d desperately need his Knights for backup."

Alden waved a dismissive hand, though a flicker of unease crossed his face. "No, no. Let’s not trouble the Marquis over hearsay. We don’t even know if this news holds any water. And for some sake, keep this contained. Don’t breathe a word to the guilds. The last thing we need is widespread panic."

"My Lord," the officer choked out, "it’s already too late for that!"

"Too late? What do you mean, too late?"

"Those blasted mercenaries!" the officer stammered. "The moment they stumbled back into the city, they started shouting the news like town criers gone mad! Mercenary Guild, Mage Guild, even the Temple—everyone heard. The city’s gone wild, my Lord! Absolute chaos! And worse... crowds are pouring out the gates! They’re going to gawk at the elves!"

"’Gawk at them?’" Alden echoed, bewildered.

"Yes! It’s madness! They’re chattering about how beautiful elves are, the pointed ears, the ’noble grace’... It’s not just the rabble, my Lord. Nobles are running out there too, hoping for a glimpse!"

’What?!’

Alden’s normally ruddy face flushed a dark shade of purple. "Fools! Utter fools! If an elven army is truly out there, those idiots are running straight into a massacre!"

He slammed his fist on the table. "Blast it all! To the walls! Now! Move!"

....

Meanwhile, at the Mercenary Guild...

"Guild Master! Urgent news! Some returning scouts swear an elf army, complete with giant stone golems, is marching on the city! They claim it’s just outside the walls!"

Thump.

The elderly Guild Master, startled, slid right off his plush armchair onto the floor.

"Gods above! Help me up, lad! Quickly!" Scrambling back into his seat, he demanded, "Is this confirmed? An elf army?"

"Well... no, not officially, Master. Lord Alden had the scouts arrested for ’spreading disruptive rumors.’ Said they were causing panic."

"Arrested? Then it might be nonsense?"

"Doesn’t feel like nonsense, Master! Hordes of people clearly believe it – commoners and nobles alike are rushing out of the city right now, trying to get a look!"

"Get a look? At a potential invading army? Are they suicidal?"

"Well, you know the legends, Master... Elves are like creatures from myth. Honestly, if I didn’t have to report this to you, I’d be tempted to sneak a peek myself."

The Guild Master stroked his beard, frowning. "The Ironcrest Merchants... they know elves better than anyone. What’s their take? Do they think this is real?"

"Master, as I ran over here, I saw Miss Lyanna herself leading a group from the Ironcrest Guild out the main gate. Looked like she was going to investigate personally."

"Lyanna’s out there? Then it could be serious... Right! Sound the alarm! Get every able-bodied mercenary in this city to the walls! On the double!"

"Yes, Guild Master!"

....

Inside the Mage Guild...

"Silence! That infernal racket just ruined a perfectly balanced distillation! Months of work! Who’s paying for these ruined reagents?" an irritated older mage snapped.

A younger mage shot back, eyes wide with excitement, "An army of elves is marching on the city, Master, and you’re fussing over a potion?!"

"Elf army? Don’t be ridiculous. Did you sample your own concoctions again?"

"Believe it or don’t! I’m going to see for myself! Real elves! They say there are giant golems, even unicorns out there! Imagine witnessing that! I’ve only read about such things!"

"Golems? Unicorns? Truly?"

"Let’s go, quickly! Before the good vantage points are taken!"

"Wait up! Don’t leave me behind!"

Like a spark catching tinder, curiosity and wonder ignited through the Guild. Mages abandoned their experiments and dusty tomes, swept up in the sudden, irresistible urge to witness the impossible.

....

At the Temple of Light...

A solemn assembly of white-robed priests murmured amongst themselves.

"Guardian Knight Garrick ventured into the forest two days past," one announced gravely. "He has not returned. No word has reached us. We must assume... he has met with an unfortunate end."

A collective gasp, followed by pious murmurs: "The God of Light watches over us!"

"But how?" another questioned. "How could the forces of darkness possibly prevail against Sir Garrick, the Dragonslayer, whose faith burned so brightly?"

A senior priest countered smoothly, his voice calm and assured, "Indeed, they could not. Darkness cannot extinguish such light. Clearly, the God of Light, recognizing his servant’s unwavering devotion, has summoned Sir Garrick directly to His side. His soul finds eternal reward in the divine realm!"

"Ah, yes! Sir Garrick is blessed!"