As for the appearance of the Toph investigator, it is not that important to Shado. Although the other person is a moon elf that he can relatively accept, that's all.
Compared with the identity of the other party, the appearance factor is almost negligible.
Just when Chateau entered the courtyard and cast a scrutinizing look at Investigator Cormanzo, he also felt the other side's scrutinizing gaze.
But the feeling that those eyes gave him was much calmer than the "condescending" feeling he had expected before arriving, which also made Xia Duo change his attitude from the initial preparation.
He came to Toph calmly and reluctantly, performed a standard meeting ceremony between elves of the same generation, and then said:
"I heard that a guest from Cormanso came to the territory. Now that I saw Ms. Toph, I realized what a distinguished guest she is. The Moon Crown family will have a successor in the next thousand years!"
Toph did not comment on such compliments, but she was still very satisfied with Chateau's attitude. She gracefully picked a flower from a flower plant that had just grown.
He held it in both hands and brought it to Xia Duo, and said in a playful tone:
"Are you Iolum's new student—Xia Duo?"
"it's me."
Chateau picked up the flowers sent by Tove, put them in her ears, and then said humbly: "Has Ms. Tove ever heard of my shallow reputation in Cormanso?"
Unexpectedly, this made Toph chuckle, "If your reputation is shallow, then there are not many people in Netheril who can be called deep."
Then, she changed the topic and said, "Lord Xia Duo, your Elvish language is very good, but it still lacks a bit of natural flavor."
Xia Duo speaks standard Elvish, which is similar to the standard Mandarin in his hometown. When the elves themselves speak Elvish, they always add various accents, change their tones, and even use some special rhetoric.
Form an exclusive language with strong personal characteristics.
In Netheril, interpreting Elvish language is a very professional skill. However, being able to communicate normally with elves is already superior to most humans.
Shado was not very proficient in Elvish, at least not in the way he showed now. He could clearly understand Toph's various emotions and metaphors when she said those words.
This was intentional on his part, hoping that during the conversation with Yu Toph, the other party would reveal more information beyond the literal meaning.
And he did gain something.
Looking at Toph's slightly regretful expression, Shado sighed: "Human life is very short, far inferior to that of elves who are immortal species. We humans are more inclined to pragmatism and can learn this new language that is inherently excellent.
I am already very satisfied.”
Hearing Shado's words, Toph's eyes lit up, emitting a slightly charming light, and her whole body seemed to become brighter, "So, Lord Shado is very yearning for elf culture?"
"It's not really about yearning, it's more about understanding the neighbors around me." Xia Duo replied slightly coldly.
Only understood from the inside, although these words convey alienation, they also convey a sense of yearning. If it is said in the exclusive Elvish language that combines personal emotions and personal information, many things cannot be concealed or hidden.
However, Toph didn't seem to care about this. Instead, she looked like she only knew it now and said in surprise:
"I almost forgot, Lord Xia Duo, you are an Easterner, and you are different from ordinary Nese people."
In these words, Shado could hear arrogance, respect, and even hidden temptation to test his attitude towards Netheril.
But Xia Duo just pretended not to understand and followed the other person's words: "Has Ms. Tove seen other Orientals?"
"Of course I have. There are at least tens of thousands of Easterners living in Cormanthor. Many of them are engaged in art-related professions. They are highly respected in Cormanthor and even the entire elf world."
It turns out that this is the case. A large group of "comrades" have already laid the groundwork for their relationship in advance.
However, Shado did not take Tove's words completely seriously. "Orientals are respected in elven society" and "Orientals are respected in elven society" are completely different things.
He didn't know much about the situation in the main plane, but in the projection plane, he had seen many Easterners engaged in the farming industry that even the elves despised. They were accompanied by druids and were almost reduced to the bottom of society.
The few Easterners who have gained the respect of elven society do not represent the whole.
Easterners are also human beings, and there is a natural gap between them and elves. In fact, in the eyes of many elves, Easterners are more like high-end pets with a legendary aura.
The respect they gain does not come from the skill itself, but from the "master" behind them and the mysterious ancient Eastern country that has not yet been explored.
Chateau didn't know Toph's true attitude towards Oriental people, but judging from the current exchanges with them, there might be goodwill and respect, but that's it. Whether it was a good performance or not is another matter!
Even if it's true, I respect you, but that doesn't stop me from killing you when there's a conflict between the two parties!
When it comes to grand narratives such as country and race, the warmth shown by individuals always seems very funny.
…
Chateau did not expose Tove's false warmth. In order to obtain more potential information unintentionally revealed in the language, he continued to chat patiently.
"Ms. Toph, do you know Master Muyan?"
"Of course I know! Master Muyan has been to the palace many times to perform in front of King Mian, but unfortunately I have only seen one of his performances, and it was not his most famous "Epic of Great Xia"!"
("Daxia" in Elf language is not the same word as "Daxia" in Daxia territory. The former is the name of hometown translated by Mu Yan, while the latter is taken from a word in Elf language, and its pronunciation is similar to Chinese.
The "Daxia" in "Daxia" means "the land pioneered by brave men".)
After Toph finished speaking, she actually hummed a tune that was obviously not in the elf style. The song that should have been vast and distant was hummed by Toph in a light and delicate voice. Although it was a little frivolous, it was also unique.
Some flavor.
As a human, Shado just listened quietly, but Oripus, who was also an elf, forgot about the extraordinary status of Toph who was humming at the moment, and actually started humming along.
Is this a concert?
Xia Duo complained in his heart, but did not stop him.
The addition of Oripus made the originally slightly frivolous tune quickly become heavier. Even Xia Duo, who did not have a high appreciation for songs, felt like he was surrounded by a vast and distant atmosphere at this moment.
It was like an ancient Eastern elder, slowly unfolding an epic scroll in front of him.