"It's an honor to meet you. For many years, Dorwinion has maintained excellent trade relations with the towns of Dale."
"Both sides' wealth has grown because of this."
In an estate, Levi successfully met with the owner here in his capacity as founder of the Free Cities and lord of multiple cities.
Though due to geographical reasons and infrequent personnel exchanges, this easternmost land of Dorwinion knew little about distant rumors.
Levi Stonecraft's claims about his identity couldn't be verified in the short term either.
But when Levi drew Nemesis and displayed his corresponding title, none of this mattered anymore.
Because unlike the soldiers in the tavern, the owner of this wine estate was an elf.
Elves, naturally attuned to magic and quite sensitive to mystical things.
And coincidentally, Levi was an existence almost saturated with mystical elements. When not deliberately concealing himself, to elves he was as conspicuous as a blazing torch in the darkness.
With such an overwhelming magical presence, the estate owner now firmly believed that even if the person before him wasn't some lord from afar, he was definitely someone worth entertaining with the utmost respect.
"This is the finest batch of wine in the estate. How does it taste?"
In the estate's great hall, the elven estate owner of Dorwinion handed Levi a crystal glass filled with deep red wine that caught the light like liquid rubies.
"Quite excellent. Forgive me for not having many words to describe the taste, but drinking this wine makes me feel very pleasant."
"Pleasant. That's the best description anyone could give."
The elf said with genuine satisfaction:
"If a wine cannot make those who drink it feel pleasant, then that wine has no reason to exist."
"Well said. I couldn't agree more."
The elves of Dorwinion... were remarkably different from their western cousins.
Compared to the elves of Rivendell and the Woodland Realm, the elves here possessed not only their race's customary elegance but also a refreshing down-to-earth quality.
This was probably due to the strong commercial atmosphere here, where even immortal beings learned the value of practical concerns.
"Welcome to Dorwinion. This is the easternmost remaining elven realm in the world."
"Elven realm? But I see there are more humans here."
Hearing this, the elven estate owner smiled knowingly and said:
"Originally this was indeed an elven realm, and all who lived here were elves, until later some humans migrated here, and we allowed them to live here and establish homes."
"At that time humans were still the minority. However, in what seemed to us like the blink of an eye, they developed into a massive population, and elves became the minority instead."
"I see."
Levi tasted the excellent wine, feeling his understanding of this world's complex history had deepened once again.
This would indeed happen between immortal races and groups with limited lifespans.
What seemed to the former like just living normally for a while, the latter would suddenly reproduce for several generations and be everywhere.
"I've always enjoyed conversing with elves, whether reclusive, warlike, or exiled ones. But this is my first time talking with elves from the Far East."
"Western elves..."
The estate owner's expression grew somewhat bitter: "In my memory, many western kinfolk consider us disgraceful because we never witnessed the light of the Two Trees."
"No, no, no. The elves I mentioned aren't that far west. I mean those elves still on this continent."
Levi was truly taken aback by this elf's words, his eyelids twitching.
What's wrong today? Why is every sentence I say hitting his sore spots?
Every topic seemed to stab this Far Eastern elf's heart.
"Even the elves on the western side of the continent differ greatly from us."
"The most significant point is that few of our people migrate westward. For us, this place is already beautiful enough."
"Pride causes our kinfolk to decline day by day, yet Dorwinion has stood firm from ancient times until today."
"In the past thousands of years, many human kingdoms have made claims to this land, but we chose submission because we knew it wouldn't last long. Humans are always fragile and prone to corruption."
Time was the best weapon of resistance for immortal beings.
"Well... there's a saying that 'everyone has their own aspirations.' This approach is quite admirable too."
Hastily steering away from these less harmonious topics, Levi directly brought up the main purpose of his visit.
That is, matters concerning the Easterlings.
"Do not enter the more eastern territories."
The estate owner gave the same grave warning as the guards.
"The Great Enemy spreads poisonous lies in the Far East. The humans there have been deceived for generations."
He said with growing concern: "Since long ago, I've worried their blind obedience would bring destruction upon us all."
"Though we remain good trading partners even now, all elves are clear, including some perceptive humans, that this is all merely temporary appearance, and this 'temporary' is growing shorter by the day."
"Sooner or later, the horns of invasion will sound at the borders, along with Mordor's war drums..."
"That day will never come."
Levi said this with quiet, unshakeable confidence.
The estate owner made no response, studying Levi's face intently.
He raised his glass: "Let us drink!"
The sound of crystal glasses clinking rang out like silver bells.
This elf's identity was definitely not ordinary.
When leaving the estate, Levi obtained passage permission for an eastern ford, plus a handwritten letter bearing an official seal.
"May you reunite smoothly with your two companions, those two blue-robed staff-bearers. I haven't heard news of them for a long time, but I know they've made many contributions to peace in the East."
"May the sun and moon illuminate your path forward."
Wait, is this guy misunderstanding something?
Levi wanted to correct him but hesitated.
Forget it. Strictly speaking, they indeed count as companions, though I haven't met them yet.
"Heartfelt thanks, and please forgive my oversight. I haven't asked your name yet."
"Oroher, an ordinary estate manager, from two ages ago until now, always have been."
Leaving what was possibly Dorwinion's easternmost wine estate, in a nearby town populated mainly by humans, Levi reunited with Halbarad at the agreed time and place.
"How did it go?"
"Very smoothly. At least there's no problem at the ford. We can cross using some relatively normal methods."
"Relatively normal?"
Halbarad looked at Levi with raised eyebrows and said:
"I'm somewhat curious what your abnormal methods would be like."
"From above, or below, or going invisible, or... as long as no one sees us, our stealth mission is successful."
Don't understand a single word of that.
Halbarad shook his head and changed the subject:
"Well, being able to pass normally is definitely best. Then my backup plan won't be needed."
He said: "I gathered detailed terrain information about the Easterling border region. This will help our operations after we cross over."
"At least I won't be like last time, getting chased back shortly after going to some places I shouldn't have ventured into."
One day later.
A ford where Easterling and Dorwinion territories met.
"Special circumstances. Merchant caravans are prohibited from entering. Hope everyone can understand."
An Easterling guard stopped a merchant ship, forbidding those aboard from disembarking onto the eastern shore.
The caravan leader on the ship responded professionally: "I know the drill. Payment on delivery. Once the transaction is complete, we'll leave immediately."
The guard nodded approvingly.
Moments later, when payment was delivered to the ship, a batch of barrels rolled down the gangplank and was loaded onto waiting carts.
Those were fine wines from Dorwinion, each barrel worth a small fortune.
The Easterling roads were surprisingly well-maintained and level. Under unified and efficient transport, before long these wine-filled barrels were moved into a cool, dark warehouse guarded by multiple alert sentries.
"Someone will come for shift change soon. We'll have plenty to drink later."
"Those wines look quite good. The Dorwinion people are truly commendable in this regard."
The guards outside discussed in low voices.
"But the elves aren't."
"They live too long. Everything ends up under their control eventually..."
"What's that sound?"
A guard suddenly raised his hand alertly, signaling his companion to stop talking.
Clang.
The warehouse door was opened. The two went in for a thorough patrol but found nothing suspicious.
No abnormalities whatsoever.
"Seemed like sounds from underground."
"Probably just rats."
"I think so too."
Pop.
Not far from the warehouse, a large hole suddenly opened in the ground like a blooming flower.
"This method never gets old no matter how many times you use it."
Levi built some sturdy ladders and climbed up first, with Halbarad following closely behind.
"Hiding in barrels. The most classic infiltration method in existence."
Halbarad added while dusting himself off: "Just makes you a bit dizzy from all the wine fumes."
"While it's still nighttime, we need to disguise ourselves properly."
As Levi efficiently filled in the tunnel behind them, Halbarad pulled out pre-prepared accessories, removed the Star of the Dúnedain pinned to his left shoulder, modified his clothing completely, and donned authentic local-style garments.
Finally, he took some carefully prepared powder and rubbed it strategically on his face and hands.
After this series of practiced operations, he was completely unrecognizable from before.
Just turning around, Levi almost thought this guy had been magically swapped out. Just some changes to clothing and facial details gave such a vastly different impression that even his own mother might not recognize him.
At this moment, Halbarad no longer looked like someone from any particular force or nation. He seemed like an ordinary traveler or road-weary vagrant who'd seen better days.
Regardless of who he resembled, he had absolutely no connection to Gondor or Rohan, nor did he look remotely like a Dúnadan Ranger.
In this period, as long as you weren't from these few specific places, you wouldn't be treated with hostility in Easterling territory.
"Your turn, Levi, you..."
Having finished his own masterful disguise, when Halbarad turned to look at Levi, he suddenly froze in place.
"You... don't need a disguise at all. Forgive me, I'm noticing for the first time..."
"Not quite what you think."
Levi waved his hand casually: "I don't belong to this world originally."
"Understood perfectly."
Halbarad immediately felt relieved and enlightened.
That makes complete sense.
For certain otherworldly beings, appearance was never fixed or determined by birth. What they looked like merely represented their conscious choice of that particular appearance.
Just like those enigmatic wizards.
They wore the appearance of aged old men yet possessed more vitality and energy than any young person.
At daybreak, the two split up again, each seeking the specific intelligence they needed.
Halbarad headed toward shadowy back alleys and places where wanderers, outcasts, and information brokers gathered, sometimes seen near outlying farmlands too.
Levi walked directly toward the town's largest and most luxurious-looking tavern, the kind of place where wealthy merchants and local nobles would gather.
Sometimes slow information flow had distinct advantages. Like now. People in the tavern just glanced once at Levi entering and casually turned away.
That glance was only because of the high-quality dark armor and expensive linen robes faintly visible beneath his travel cloak.
Whether in dress or natural bearing, this person clearly conveyed something unusual and noteworthy.
But at most just unusual, not alarming or abnormal.
'Dressed unlike ordinary folk. Probably someone with significant status and wealth.'
Many patrons thought quietly to themselves.
"A glass of your finest wine and some roasted rabbit."
"Coming right up, sir."
The barkeeper agreed immediately, sized up Levi twice with professional assessment, then suddenly asked: "Sir, would you prefer copper cup wine, silver cup wine, or gold cup wine?"
"What's the actual difference?"
"Different cups, and naturally the price becomes progressively more expensive."
"..."
The barkeeper's straightforward words left Levi silent for exactly three seconds.
"Why would I pay extra just for that?"
"It would be very prestigious, sir. Shows your status."
"Then leave that nonsense for people who actually care about such empty prestige."
Moments later, under the barkeeper's deeply regretful gaze, Levi ate expertly prepared roasted rabbit and drank genuinely excellent wine freshly drawn from oak barrels using a simple copper cup.
"This rabbit is quite good indeed."
Levi praised honestly.
"Much better than the roasted rabbit I had back in Dorwinion."
"You've actually been to Dorwinion?"
The barkeeper, who had been discreetly watching this area, asked with sudden interest.
"Is there some problem with that?"
Seeing Levi didn't reject casual conversation while eating and even seemed quite willing to share more, the barkeeper immediately approached closer and quietly inquired:
"I heard that place is controlled by some long-lived demons who never age. Is that actually true?"
Levi's mouth twitched involuntarily.
"Completely false. Where did you hear such ridiculous rumors? And they're called elves, not demons."
"The noble lords here said so..."
"Forget it, let's not discuss this topic further."
Your nobles have probably been under Sauron's influence for generations. Of course they'd spread such lies...
But the ordinary residents here seem quite normal and decent.
Thinking this, Levi waved his hand dismissively: "Regardless of politics, this dish is indeed excellent."
"That you enjoy it is our greatest honor, sir. If it's truly good, please come visit us more often."
Definitely not coming back.
Levi glanced at the newly unlocked recipe entries in his crafting table interface.
Next time I'll make it myself and probably better.
"Sir, you mentioned you've been to Dorwinion. Have you perhaps been to places even further west than Dorwinion?"
The barkeeper continued chatting with Levi quite curiously, clearly enjoying having such a well-traveled customer.
"I haven't been to places too far west either."
True, but not entirely accurate given his actual travels.
The barkeeper nodded with understanding. He leaned in and said mysteriously in a conspiratorial low voice:
"I heard Western people are all very strange and barbaric."
"I heard, in some places further west, people there revere horses and value horses more than human lives."
"And those people in the southern desert regions, they survive by eating snakes and lizards."
"Sigh..."
At this point, the barkeeper couldn't help sighing deeply and shaking his head: "This world has gone completely mad. Are we the only normal, civilized people left?"
Levi's mouth twitched again.
This guy's words are really quite dense with ignorance.
A perfect lesson in how to offend both enemies and potential friends with a single sentence.
If there were any Rohirrim or Haradrim present here today, this barkeeper wouldn't have a very pleasant time ahead of him.
"Do you know about orcs?"
Levi suddenly asked, shifting to more important topics.
"Orcs? If you mean those extremely ugly, violent fellows, then yes, I know them."
"Yes, exactly them. What do you honestly think of those orcs?"
"Very annoying and disturbing."
The barkeeper said with obvious distaste: "No one actually likes them, sir, even though they're supposedly our military allies."
"I heard they're gathering in massive numbers in our royal capital, apparently to deal with some specific enemy. God help us, I hope it doesn't become a complete chaotic mess there. I was actually hoping to see the capital's grand scenery someday."
Royal capital, dealing with someone.
Levi extracted two critically important pieces of information.
After chatting for so long, this talkative guy had finally said something genuinely useful.