Iya Continent: Card God

The reason why the land of Belai can exist independently amidst the surrounding kingdoms is because of the existence of a king-level city lord.

The kings above bronze, silver, gold, and diamond are practically the pinnacle of magic cultivation. A peak that countless magicians wouldn't even dare to dream of. Even kingdoms like the Principality of Pima and the Kingdom of Mordley don't have a single king-level being. One can only imagine the immense glory of such an existence.

"Why does the city lord want to see you, Dean?" Lin Ta asked in surprise as they walked towards the city lord's mansion.

As his drunkenness gradually subsided, the lizardman dean, Amel, shrugged and said, "How would I know? That guy just called me here, saying he had something good." Amel rubbed his rough chin and guessed, "Could it be some kind of top-quality wine?"

“Absolutely not.” Sheila immediately poured cold water on the dean’s words.

Although Linta didn't know the city lord, he believed in his heart that it couldn't be wine.

My thoughts drifted far away, my heart raced, and I wondered what kind of thing it was that made the city lord invite the teachers from Hugo Academy.

Filled with excitement, they finally arrived at the city lord's mansion.

A building that, though not luxurious, is quite impressive.

Outside the open black iron gate, a man with dark purple skin, white hair, and long ears waited to arrive.

Linta's pupils dilated, quite certain of the race before him.

Dark Elves! A race despised by almost every other race. They are cold-blooded, ruthless, cunning, and vicious. They plunder and pillage indiscriminately, their cruelty unparalleled. Wherever they go, they are met with attacks from other races.

It is said that in ancient times, they were the same race as the elves of today. Until a certain group of elves changed their worship from the elven god "Iria" to the dark god "Darsis," and from then on, things changed.

The Dark Elves and the Elves are locked in an endless racial struggle.

Linta learned all of this knowledge at Sandel's library.

At that moment, Linta's gaze unconsciously drifted towards Shia.

Shia, with her fair skin, is undoubtedly a true elven.

However, Linta realized that her worries were somewhat unnecessary. Shia, standing before her, showed no emotional reaction to the dark elf who had appeared.

"Wes! Long time no see." Dean Amell opened his arms and warmly went up to hug the dark elf.

The dark elf swiftly sidestepped, saying in a cold tone, "Dean Amell, you're too late. Drunk again, are you?"

As the sun sets, its rays bathe the entire city of Belair in its golden light.

"Well, I didn't want to either. The process was complicated. Lord City Lord will understand," Dean Amel said, revealing his sharp teeth without blushing or panting.

Linta whispered a question to Shia, "Who is this...?"

Shia said, "Wes, the advisor of Belai City. A dark elf who advises the city lord and handles most of the affairs."

Linta frowned, immediately realizing the status of this Councilor Weiss within the City Lord's Mansion.

The dark elf Wes seemed not to see Shia and Linta at all, giving them no glance and refusing to learn anything from Dean Amel. He simply led the dean towards the mansion.

As you walk toward the hall, two figures are waiting impatiently outside the hall door.

A figure wielding a nearly two-meter-long black staff, hunched over, and entirely brown in color. Upon closer inspection, this was not human. It was a tortoise, or rather, a tortoise-people.

Another being, someone who could be spotted at a glance even among millions of people.

He wore a black overcoat and cloak, and was tall and imposing. His resolute, weathered face, covered in stubble, was full of kindness. It's hard to describe the feeling of meeting him; you simply feel from the bottom of your heart that he is one in a million, a true king.

He was naturally the city lord of Belle City, Kerry K. Dean, a low-level king.

"Dean Amell!" Lord Dean opened his arms and stepped forward to embrace him warmly.

Dean Amell remained unmoved and showed no intention of accepting.

Because he knew that the person the other person wanted to hug was definitely not him.

As Lord Dean drew closer, Linta realized his target.

This guy wants to hug Shia.

Shia remained indifferent, swiftly dodging the middle-aged man's advances.

Lord Dean, having missed his target, chuckled and said, "Hey, why are you being so formal? You're an elf, not a dark elf. It's not good to be like this Wes."

Councilor Weiss showed no change in emotion.

“Come here, let your uncle give you a hug.” Lord Dean continued to open his arms.

With a loud "thud," the turtle elder behind Dean slammed his staff down on Dean's head.

“Kerry, you are the city lord, what kind of talk is this?” the ancient turtle-man elder admonished.

"He's outrageous, so you should be the city lord. You old turtle, you'll live longer than any of us anyway," Dean Amel said sarcastically.

This elder of the turtle-people was the second-in-command and deputy city lord of Belle City. His name was "Asmai." The common people of the city had seen Lord Asmai far more often than the city lord himself. His prestige was truly well-deserved.

"Ha, old man, trying to frame me again. What use is an old man like me as a city lord? Even if Kerry steps down, a young man like Wes is more suitable to be the city lord," Asmai the turtle replied.

From their conversation, Linta learned about the basic power and status within the city.

Lord Kerry K. Dean is undoubtedly the number one.

Next was the deputy city lord, the turtle-man elder Asmai, followed by this dark elf, Wes.

Thinking of this, Linta was even more confused. What could be the matter that the three top figures of Belle City had gathered here to wait for Dean Amell?

Dean Amell seemed unconcerned about their affairs, and brought up the wine again, "Do you have any wine in your residence? Have some. I'll have a little to sober up."

"Old man, what nonsense are you spouting? We have serious business to discuss!" Elder Asmai retorted to Dean Amel without any politeness.

Lord Dean looked at Linta with a smile and asked curiously, "Friend, I haven't seen you before. Are you also a student at the academy, or are you new here?"

"Um... no, I'm Shia's friend, my name is Linta," Linta replied somewhat awkwardly.

I was just curious and came along.

Frankly speaking, given my relationship with them, I shouldn't be qualified to witness what I'm about to see.

Hey, maybe I should just go back first. Speaking of which, shouldn't Jingon and the others have already left the Commander Barbarian's territory? Where should I look for them?

"A friend of Shia is a friend of mine! Come on, let me show you some good stuff!" Lord Dean immediately put his arm around Linta's shoulder and forcibly led Linta away.

"Ah? Is...is that alright?" Linta was somewhat flattered.

So casually? We've only just met.

Deputy City Lord Asmai and Councilor Wes offered no objections, simply following along. This showed Linta that it was indeed possible.

Carrie K. Dean led the group to a private room, chatting and laughing all the way.

The house was unattended and did not need to be.

Inside the room, there was a diamond-level magic array protecting it. Even if a diamond-level expert came, it would be difficult to break through without causing a commotion.

“Only the three of us possess the key to open it,” Lord Dean said with a smile.

The dark elf Wes stepped forward, chanting some incantation as he touched the magic circle. The light from the circle gradually dimmed and vanished without a trace.

As the door opened, what came into everyone's view was an oval object formed of red crystal.

Deputy City Lord Asmai said in a deep voice, "One of the six ancient dragons, the Crystal Dragon's egg."