The Guardian of the Elves, High Elf Diana (1)
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
The Non-Human Alliance and the Roman Kingdom. The two powers had gathered once again for a summit. The atmosphere in the meeting hall was desolate. The Non-Human Alliance had failed to persuade the Empire, and the Roman Kingdom’s deceptive schemes had all come to naught. With the grand premise of persuading the Empire collapsed, a new approach was required.
"In the end, it seems only our two factions remain," Diana said, opening the discussion.
"Our nation's means have also been completely blocked. We tried to exert our influence alongside the resistance within the Aslan Kingdom, but their strength was weak, and the power of the Demon King's army was far greater than anticipated."
In fact, because of their deceptive tactics, two castle-shaped dungeons had been created. The resentment of the rebels killed by the Demon King during his subjugation, combined with the demonic energy permeating the castles, had turned them into dungeons that ordinary people could not easily approach.
"Do you still think we must join forces with the Empire?"
"Yes."
"Even after being rejected so thoroughly?"
"Because if we don't, we cannot win."
"The demi-humans are weak. Or perhaps, are the elves the weak ones?"
"This is to ensure a certain victory."
"I cannot give you more time. They are growing stronger even as we speak."
King Richard VII of the Roman Kingdom was right. The Demon King's army was growing more powerful in real-time. The remnants of the Aslan Kingdom were nowhere to be found, and having stabilized the interior, they were now deploying troops to the national borders.
"We must fight as well. We will send our troops. However."
"However?"
"Things cannot continue like this."
"...Have you not considered that this might be stubbornness?"
"There is a way to make the Empire our ally."
"And what is that?"
"Land. We simply need to give them the land the Empire desires."
"That is madness. The Roman Kingdom cannot cede even an inch of soil."
"Do not worry. The land we will hand over to them is the land of us elves."
"Sister!" Lucy shouted in shock at Diana’s staggering declaration. To give the sacred land of the elves to humans? They were unbelievable people. Why would her sister, who knew everything, do this?
"This is absurd! Who would permit such a thing..."
"I have already finished discussing it with the Council of Elders."
"You’re giving them the land?"
"Yes. If that is what it takes to protect this continent, it is a trade worth making."
Lucy looked at the elders who had accompanied them. They kept their eyes closed, maintaining a consistent silence. It was a clear sign of affirmation.
"Are you all insane? Why would you do such a thing! Didn't the Emperor say he wouldn't accept anything unless we submitted to his rule?"
Even if Lucy was the strongest elf, she was neither an elder nor the chairwoman. She was just an ordinary elf with no say in the matter. No one answered Lucy.
"It is my decision, Lucy."
"Sister!"
Seeing this, Richard VII asked, "Will the Empire accept that?"
"Of course. The Emperor of the Empire is also a greedy human who craves land. The reason they are refusing to join the war now is that they are waiting to consume our land while we are weakened by the fighting."
He had packaged himself in fine words, but the Emperor’s goal was singular: territorial expansion and the strengthening of the Empire’s influence. By demanding submission, he had expressed his will. What Diana chose instead of submission was to give him the territory he desired. Giving away the sacred land of the elves was painful, but if they didn't stop him this way...
'Our alliance will collapse entirely.'
There wasn't much time left. The Demon King's army was growing stronger, and monsters had begun to appear on the borders of the Allied Nations.
"However, looking at the current movements of the Demon King's army, it seems highly likely they will invade before we can even call upon the Empire's forces," Count Jones said, and Richard VII nodded.
"The Count is right. Even now, monsters are using the newly formed dungeons as bases to engage in localized warfare near the border. If a full-scale war breaks out before the Empire's troops arrive, the damage will be catastrophic."
That was the biggest problem. Because of the Emperor’s refusal, a significant amount of time had been wasted. They had very little time left. Even if the troops arrived late, it was obvious that the damage to the Kingdom and the Alliance would be immense.
"I will go and buy us some time."
At Diana’s words, everyone present looked at her.
"Are you serious?"
"Sister! I don't know about anything else, but that is out of the question! Do you even know where that place is?"
"Chairwoman! You cannot do that!"
It was a plan everyone opposed. They told her she shouldn't do it. There was no telling what might happen to her inside that kingdom.
"I, too, cannot agree with that plan. Even the Hero who was said to be chosen was corrupted by the Demon King. No matter how much of a High Elf you are, if you go there..."
While using deceptive tactics, Richard VII had received reports from various units. He knew what had happened to the soldiers exposed to the Demon King’s demonic energy—specifically, the Demon King himself. Reports stated that those who could not handle mana lost their will and became the Demon King's limbs, and even those who could use mana were brainwashed by the Spider Queen and became one of the Demon King's subordinates. He had even heard that the dead had been resurrected as undead. Richard VII thought that going there was tantamount to suicide. Unless she went with a large number of priests, it was clear she would not be able to hold out.
"I know. I know how the Hero was corrupted by the Demon King."
"And you’re going despite knowing that?"
"There is a way not to be corrupted."
"There is a way?"
Diana held up the ring on her finger.
"It is a ring carved from a branch of the World Tree. The tip is a gemstone made by solidifying the essence from the Spring of Life."
It was a mysterious color. The branch glowed with a soft green light, and the gemstone shone with a vivid blue.
"This ring will prevent the contamination. One month. It will allow me to endure in the Demon King's castle for one month."
"...Is that true?"
"Yes. It is information I confirmed through ancient texts."
"..."
"If I can just escape the Demon King's castle within a month, I can buy us time without being corrupted. If the Demon King is absent, the enemies' military power will surely drop by more than half."
"So you mean for us to launch a preemptive strike during that time. They won't be able to move rashly without the Demon King."
"That is correct."
It was a dangerous strategy. One that staked Diana's life.
"It is a proposal we cannot refuse. But is there a reason you are going this far?"
At Richard VII’s question, Diana smiled faintly.
"Please think of it as a repayment for the humans defeating the previous Demon King."
"...It has been a long time since I felt gratitude toward my ancestors."
The story from the ancient texts that the previous Demon King was defeated and sealed by the Hero. He hadn't expected that story to come up. Everyone implicitly agreed to Diana's plan. There was only one person who opposed it.
"I oppose it! Why on earth does my sister have to risk her life? If you're going to do that, then I'd rather..."
"Lucy!"
Diana glared at Lucy with sharp, angry eyes. Her only blood relative. After other High Elves were killed by the previous Demon King, Lucy was her only remaining sister, the only other High Elf. Unlike Diana, who was skilled in magic, Lucy was a martial artist who excelled in archery and physical combat; though they were sisters, they had vastly different temperaments. Unlike Diana, who believed they should cooperate with humans, Lucy saw humans as objects of hatred who should all be killed. It was perhaps a natural resentment, as there were still humans who tried to enslave elves. But they couldn't do that now. As long as there was a common enemy called the Demon King, they had to think about cooperating with humans and winning. And if, by some chance, Diana were to be corrupted, Lucy would be the only High Elf left to lead the elven race. Therefore. Because of that.
"Be calm. Do not get excited."
Diana grabbed her sister's shoulders.
"When I am absent, you will become the leader of the elves. You must not act rashly out of excitement, nor must you be swayed by personal feelings."
"That doesn't suit me. The position of leader of the elves suits you better, sister. So don't tell me things like that, and just leave it to me instead. I'm stronger than you. If I take that gemstone, I can do much better..."
"You know. You know that only the leader of the elves can harness the power of this ring."
"..."
Diana tightened her grip on her sister's shoulders.
"If I do not return after two months..."
Including the two weeks to get to the dungeon that served as the Demon King's capital and the two weeks to return, two months was the limit of how long she could hold out. If it went beyond that.
"Consider me dead and hold the funeral rites. From that moment on, you will be the leader of the elves."
"Sister..."
She wouldn't be able to return. She knew all too well that once her mind began to be eroded, she wouldn't be able to escape. If even the Hero, who was under the protection of the gods, had been corrupted like that, it was obvious. That was why she had to prepare thoroughly before going.
"I will inform our remaining informants inside and the resistance within Aslan of your arrival."
Having finished speaking, Richard VII drew his sword.
Shing!
He handed the longsword, radiating a sharp aura, to Diana.
"Take this."
"What is this?"
"It is a treasure of the Roman Kingdom. It is the sword that was held by the first King, who was a member of the Hero's party in the past. It is a sword that possesses divine power, so it will be of help."
"...Thank you."
This was one of the few things Richard VII could do to help. At the same time, it was a gesture of respect for her resolve.
"I pray for your success. We, too, will prepare our troops to strike the enemies' major strongholds."
Diana, who had bowed to Richard VII, spoke to the members of the Council of Elders.
"Organize those who are as swift as possible and send a message to the Empire."
"Understood."
Having entrusted her final mission, Diana boarded the carriage.
"Lucy, from now on, don't be swayed by emotions too much, and judge things rationally. Even if I fail, don't get excited... Do you understand?"
"Sister, you must be careful. You have to come back, no matter what."
"Don't worry. I will succeed and return."
Diana smiled and stroked her cute sister's cheek. It was soft and warm. If only she could suppress that madness she sometimes showed toward humans, she would be perfect.
"I'll be going."
"Yes."
Diana's carriage began to move.
***
Two days after making the covenant with Frey, I returned to the castle. I had left her behind, as she said she would stay in the Forbidden Land for a while before returning, so I came back alone.
-Now that I’ve officially become your subordinate, I should call my kin to introduce them to the master of the vampires.
She had said she would call together the vampires scattered throughout the continent. So, in the end, I returned alone. After two days of traveling back to the castle.
"Sage has contacted us."
"Sage? Is something the matter?"
"She only conveyed the news that she had captured something."
"Captured? Whom?"
"I did not hear clearly, either. She only said that the Demon King would be pleased."
Yulia held out a crystal ball.
-Papa!
Sage in the crystal ball shouted with an excited face. The smile she wore while looking at me, still wearing the Holy Sword and circlet that symbolized her being a Hero, was pure.
"What is it?"
-Do you know what I caught?
Humming a tune, she turned the screen.
-Ta-da!
And on the screen, a group of elves were tied up. Among them was an existence whose beauty stood out remarkably.
"A High Elf?"
That was the identity of the elves Sage had captured.