Chapter 272: The Idealist
A light rain fell today, shrouding the entire Slime City in a misty, overcast gloom. The hues were somber, the temperature bitingly cold. Even the little slimes who usually loved bouncing and hopping on the streets were far fewer in number.
Most of them were nestled inside warm houses, huddled together, drowsily nodding off. The warm orange-yellow light spilling from the windows of the small cottages seemed especially cozy in this rainy weather, bringing a bit of warmth to Slime City that helped drive away the chill.
For the first time, Alders walked along this broadest central thoroughfare of Slime City in his true identity as an elf.
In front of him, two slime guards with bodies gleaming in a silver-gray metallic luster bounced along, leading the way.
They held small spears, their metallic gel wobbling slightly with each hop as they advanced with serious expressions.
Their destination was the brilliantly lit Slime Palace located in the central district of Slime City, to lead this elderly elf who claimed to be a "Forest Sage" from the Silver Song Forest of the Golden Radiance Valley to an audience with the King.
Of course, if Alders hadn't had the personal letter and magical seal of the dryad lord Viola guaranteeing his identity and purpose, he probably wouldn't have even made it past the city gates.
Alder leaned on a staff grown from green vines and walked slowly behind the two metal slime guards.
He wore a long robe woven from a blend of deep green linen and tree bark fibers. Beneath his hood was a head of somewhat messy white hair, and upon closer inspection, one could see the pair of pointed ears that marked his elven identity.