Chapter 330: Yggdrasil (4)
Chapter 330: Yggdrasil (4)
To have one's mind collapse, becoming nothing more than a lump of flesh driven by pure carnal desire—that is the only fate awaiting those captured by Ugly Prosperity.
Truly, an Evil God straight out of a hentai.
And now, that very same Ugly Prosperity was setting its sights on the Ero-elves.
Light preserve us…
The news was so horrific it made me want to seek out Solari’s grace instinctively.
Usually, Ugly Prosperity targets Krassius, the kingdom of the beastkin, first.
Beastkin are vulnerable to lust, and once captured, they can be quickly converted into high-quality kin. To make matters worse, their bodies are sturdy enough to endure extreme abuse without breaking easily.
An ideal enemy: easy to conquer, durable, and perfect for mass-producing subordinates. You’d have to be an idiot to pass that up.
And while Ugly Prosperity is a bastard, it certainly isn't an idiot.
Well… elves have high libidos too, but the difficulty of conquering them is on a completely different level.
At least, on the surface.
The Great Forest provides an environment overwhelmingly advantageous to elves, and then there’s the presence of Cyclic Life residing within the World Tree—even if it hasn't fully recovered its strength.
It’s a bit too well-defended to charge in relying solely on the innate sexiness of the Ero-elves.
Their bodies are also weaker compared to beastkin, meaning they don't last long in the breeding factories, and the quality of the offspring they produce is somewhat inferior.
That’s why Ugly Prosperity’s typical invasion pattern involves crushing the Krassius Kingdom first to bolster its forces before advancing on Alfheim.
However, there is a very low probability of it hitting Alfheim first… and that’s exactly what’s happening now.
I was dumbfounded, wondering why it had to be now of all times, but after thinking it over calmly, I realized I had a good idea why.
First of all, I had blown up the undead warehouse of Narrow-minded Usurpation, which was supposed to destabilize Krassius from the inside simultaneously.
After defeating Fiona, I had asked for a few favors in exchange for accepting the title of Hero of the Levantine Empire.
I had the Emperor send a handwritten letter to the Krassius Kingdom, warning them of the dangers of Ugly Prosperity and how to counter it.
Even if military support was difficult, I asked them not to spare any resources and shared the recipe for a potion that could temporarily chemically castrate someone.
It wouldn't make them immune to the Authority of Ugly Prosperity, but it would give them some level of resistance.
On top of that, the supplies were produced by the Levantine Empire itself, which had gone all out. It should be more than enough to be distributed to all the beastkin on the front lines.
I had tried to be as thorough as possible to nip Ugly Prosperity’s rise in the bud.
Since it’s the type of enemy that gets stronger as the snowball rolls, I intended to crush it while it was at its weakest…
Uh, well.
I guess I blocked it too well.
If I hadn't, there would be no reason for the bastards who were poking around Krassius to suddenly congregate in the Great Forest.
After hearing my explanation, Iona nodded.
"Mhm, mhm. I understand the situation. But according to Student Yandel, Alfheim’s defenses are extraordinary, aren't they? Is the situation with Ugly Prosperity invading really that dire?"
"That’s an excellent question, Professor. Normally, they’d be able to hold out somehow, even if it was a struggle. Especially since the Evil God Sect’s overall power should be weakened because I’ve been sabotaging everything they do. However…"
"However?"
"The circumstances and the compatibility are terrible. It’s not just a matter of lust; the problem lies with the succubus-type monsters, which are one of Ugly Prosperity’s main forces."
Alfheim’s defenses are superb. But their power source is the dwindling Spirit Power and Mana, along with the massive life force provided by the World Tree.
"…And all of that is energy a succubus can absorb."
These aren't just ordinary succubi; they are succubi blessed by Ugly Prosperity.
A mad race where every single one of them—whether succubus or incubus—has become a futanari to absorb vitality from both men and women alike. If they can do that, why wouldn't they be able to drain Spirit Power? They could already absorb Mana and life force to begin with.
Even if the efficiency is a bit lower, their Energy Drain will function without a hitch.
"As a result, both Alfheim and Ugly Prosperity will find their power sources depleted at an unexpected rate."
"……."
"In the end, they’ll lose all the advantages of their stronghold and be forced to fight out in the open."
"……."
"And since elves are weak to lust, most of them will be captured before they can even put up a proper fight."
"……."
A heavy silence filled the office.
No one spoke, but it was clear everyone in the room was thinking the same thing.
Finally, Milone, the one most affected, broke the silence and refined everyone’s thoughts into words.
"Well. It seems we are fucked."
"Yes. Even after careful consideration, I agree: we are fucked."
That was our conclusion.
.
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"Y-You! How can you just end it like that! A way! There has to be a way, right?!"
"Ugh-ack!"
Don't suddenly shake my shoulders! I almost bit my tongue!
"Stop making weird noises and answer me!"
"Ah. Right. Sorry. I just spaced out for a second."
Snapped back to reality by Elisha’s grip, I nodded.
"Of course there’s a way. Two, in fact."
"I knew it! I believed in you! There’s no way you wouldn't have a plan, right?"
"Well, even if the sky falls, there’s always a way out, right?"
That’s right. If I could just master the Yandel Heaven-Piercing Strike, I could pierce even the heavens. Like a drill!
…No. Enough nonsense. Let’s think about the alternatives seriously.
I couldn't call my H&A playthroughs efficient, even as a joke… but I like to think I had persistence.
Even when faced with situations where most people would just quit and start over, I pushed through somehow using infinite save-loading.
But one of the few scenarios even I had given up on was saving Alfheim when it became Ugly Prosperity’s first target.
Usually, you either stop Ugly Prosperity at Krassius, or even if you fail, the beastkin survivors gather at the Great Forest, significantly boosting the military strength there, so it works out somehow.
But if Alfheim is the first target, it’s destined to be destroyed or suffer near-fatal damage no matter what you do.
That bothered me, so even while replaying from the start, I kept looking for walkthroughs and pondering my own methods.
There’s the minor issue that I’ve never actually tested if it’s possible since I haven't encountered this exact situation since then… but I’ll let Milone, the capable administrator, be the judge of that.
"First, the simplest way is to get support from other factions. The most likely candidates right now are the Levantine Empire and the Church of Righteous Light."
"Our Church is already standing with Brother Yandel."
"That’s reassuring."
I gave a bright smile to Helena, who answered as if she’d been waiting for the chance, and continued.
"The Levantine Empire will provide support, but I don't know how much. Even if I request it personally, I don't think it’ll be enough to completely stop Ugly Prosperity’s army."
"Hmm. I felt this during our various meetings last time, but the Emperor of the Empire is surprisingly shrewd, despite his appearance."
"He’s the ruler of a nation; it can't be helped. If he were just boisterous, he might have been a great warrior, but he wouldn't be a great ruler."
And the current Emperor, Rodrigo, might have poor taste in women, but he’s a reasonably competent ruler.
Carla, who seemed to be thinking the same thing, nodded and spoke with a look of determination.
"Master. Then how about asking Sir Havel? If I ask him, he won't refuse."
"Sir Havel would want to come. But in the end, if His Majesty says no, he won't be able to. You know what kind of person Sir Havel is, don't you, Carla?"
"That… yes. I suppose so."
It’s true that Havel Calios feels a significant sense of debt toward Carla Lindelheit.
But that cannot override his loyalty to the Empire.
To Havel, the Empire is both the reason he swings his sword and the shackles that bind his feet.
Ironically, a Sword Master’s blade only becomes truly free after the Empire they must protect has fallen.
At least, that’s not the case right now.
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try, so let’s contact them first. Chancellor Milone? You have a communication orb connected to the Levantine Empire, right? Could you lend it to me?"
"Of course. Normally, I cannot lend it to an outsider, but given the gravity of the situation, I can connect you right now. …And regardless of how much support arrives, it will all be thanks to Duke Lindelheit, so I shall promise you a fitting reward."
"Ah, then could you perhaps announce that the charges of spirit summoning against Iris were a frame-up?"
"Was she framed?"
Milone’s eyes, underlined by deep dark circles, widened. I gave her a bright smile and shook my head.
"No? She actually did it. But if the Chancellor announces it, the truth becomes a lie, and a lie becomes the truth, doesn't it? I believe you have that much authority."
"…I see. If that’s the case, it’s not difficult. However, all I can do is cancel her sentence of slavery. To regain her status as a High Elf, she needs the permission of the Lord of Cyclic Life."
"I wasn't even hoping for that much. Just do what you can."
As I shrugged, Iris, who was standing next to me, looked deeply moved, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Master…! I believed in you!"
"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you behave."
"I shall do so!"
Iris nodded vigorously, hopped up from her seat, and walked behind me.
Then, she balled up her small fists and began to rhythmically massage my shoulders.
Milone’s gaze trembled as she witnessed the 500-year-old baby’s antics at such a critical moment… but that wasn't what was important right now.
"That was the method of requesting outside help, but the remaining one is something we can do ourselves. Though it will be just as grueling."
"I think I know what it is. May I state my guess first?"
"Of course."
Milone took a sip of tea, cleared her throat, and spoke in a flat voice.
"Before we are attacked, before they can fully congregate… we strike first and crush them. Is that it?"
"Correct. If a war of attrition is the problem, we just have to end it with a short-term decisive battle. Of course, it’s easier said than done."
"However, the story is different if we have Duke Lindelheit, who has already defeated the cultist armies several times. I shall select the elite forces. Do you have a specific requirement?"
"Anyone at the level of an Intermediate Magician or higher is fine. Gather as many as possible."
Intermediate Magicians, Aura Users, Archbishops.
They were high-level assets, but regardless of their specialty, they needed to be at least that strong to be of any use.
Milone pondered for a moment, but eventually concluding that if they were going to do it, they had to do it right, she let out a sigh, looking even more haggard than before.
"Understood. I will gather the people, so please get plenty of rest in the meantime."
"Ah, but before that, I need to contact the Levantine Empire."
"I will prepare it now. …Eda?"
"Yes."
Milone didn't even look back as she called the name, and Eda, as if she had been watching all along, bowed deeply and headed somewhere.
She was likely going to fetch the communication tool.
It was during that brief wait.
Bang!
The office door swung wide open with a sudden, loud noise.
I wondered who would dare barge into the Chancellor’s office here in Alfheim… but once I saw the intruder’s face, it all made sense.
Pale pink hair like cotton candy. The hair, reaching down to her waist, had natural waves that looked soft and fluffy, and her features were rounded and gentle.
A woman who hid a curvaceous body—uncommon for a typical elf—under a flamboyant dress, accompanied by two guards behind her.
The Queen of Alfheim, Nariel Yggdrasil.
If it was her, she could certainly stomp in and out of the Chancellor’s office without a word.
I nodded to myself and immediately stood up, shouting:
"『Pierce at the speed of light. Shining Ray.』"
A white laser shot from my fingertip.
The Queen’s face turned just as white.