Chapter 203: A Proposal for an Alliance
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 203: A Proposal for an Alliance
My impression after reading it was, ‘This is quite amusing.’ Part of it was how entertainingly Lee Wanyong had structured the report, but the content itself was also genuinely intriguing.
“Interesting. This race called elves is quite the opposite of us. A race that avoids conflict and cherishes and pursues peace… From a Green Skin’s perspective, it seems incomprehensible.”
Hakajin was the first to speak. Not a single word had been exchanged while we read the report, but it seemed the time had come to hear everyone’s thoughts.
“Yes… it’s… it’s true. The fact that their society is dominated by mental magic users is particularly intriguing. It’s a pity about the elves’ situation, but…”
Jung Hayeon agreed with Hakajin. The detail that they always included at least one mental magic user in their parties was certainly interesting. It was likely a formation designed specifically to capture elves, but as someone who had experienced that power firsthand, I felt I understood why they pursued mental mages.
The human mind is more complex than one might think. Unless you’re a high-level mage, it’s impossible to succeed at mind control in an instant. Back when Jang Gi Young used Green Skin slaves, the best he could do was use drugs to keep their minds in a semi-conscious state.
But their mental magic was quite systematic. Under certain conditions, perfect mind control was possible. There were even types of magic that persisted after the caster’s death, as well as simpler spells that merely induced feelings of goodwill. The potential applications and directions were truly endless.
“However…”
“Their martial prowess seems pathetic,” I said, cutting Hakajin off.
“I had my suspicions, but if the humans we caught that day were truly among their top ranks… then we can get a rough idea of just how pathetic the standards of their continent are.”
“Yes… The mages’ skills don’t seem bad, but… it’s a little…”
Jung Hayeon nodded in agreement. What was slightly baffling was that the humans I had captured yesterday were supposedly some of the most prominent figures in their city.
Their skill level was unbelievable for so-called high-ranking humans. Of course, I had grown much stronger than before, but I wasn’t at a level where I could easily defeat ten reasonably competent opponents. I would have to expect a wound or two, and in the worst-case scenario, I’d have to fight prepared to die.
“Hah…”
Recalling yesterday’s battle was simply absurd. It couldn’t even be called a fight. By the standards of our continent, their skills were intermediate at best. The mage was somewhat useful, but even he was immediately resisted by our side. From their perspective, it was only natural that I would seem like an overwhelmingly powerful being.
A force that any one of our clan’s executives, excluding Hakajin, could handle alone.
That was what Japan called its high-ranking summoners.
“It is the natural consequence—the price of a victory won too easily.”
While various topics had been discussed throughout the meeting, Gark had remained silent, holding his breath. I figured he wasn't used to speaking up, but for Gark, whose martial strength was absurdly high, this kind of experience wasn't an option, but a necessity. As a chieftain, he had to get used to these situations.
I looked at Gark and spoke.
“What are your thoughts, Gark?”
“For… For Blood Dagger. They are a very weak race.”
In that moment, all of Lee Wanyong’s detailed research was rendered meaningless. I took a breath and turned to Hakajin.
“Well… right. Hakajin, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Understood.”
After entrusting Hakajin with organizing the remaining documents, I immediately set off. My destination was the tent where the captured elf was being held. I had gotten what I needed; now it was time to make use of it. To be precise, it was time to lay bare everything that elf princess had to offer.
As I entered the tent, the semi-detained elf princess, Alisha, greeted me. Jung Hayeon and Gark were with me. After greeting each of us in turn, Alisha began to slowly stare at Jung Hayeon.
“The… the World Tree… When I caught a glimpse of you before, I thought it couldn’t be, but… it… it was true.”
Seeing her gaze upon Jung Hayeon with trembling eyes, she certainly seemed to be an elf. She was feeling an inexplicable affinity for Jung Hayeon, the Alraune flower of the World Tree.
“Greetings. I am Alisha, the third princess of the Eveluse Kingdom.”
- She can’t understand you.
“Ah… I see.”
Even with the Translation Bracelet, this was quite inconvenient. Jung Hayeon also frowned, and I immediately spoke to the elf. Since she had an aptitude for magic, I wanted to know if translation magic was possible.
- Is translation magic impossible?
“Ah… yes. It is possible for a short period. It must be inconvenient for you, so I will cast it right away.”
Their proficiency with this kind of practical magic was clearly superior to ours. Alisha soon recited a short incantation, and a small light enveloped our necks.
“Indeed… this is good.”
“Yes.”
Jung Hayeon nodded as well. It was a welcome spell for me, too, as it saved me the trouble of having to give Jung Hayeon the Translation Bracelet. I glanced at Jung Hayeon, who swallowed once before slowly opening her mouth.
“Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am the Alraune Jung Hayeon of the Blood Dagger Clan.”
“And allow me to introduce myself again. I am Alisha, the third princess of the Eveluse Kingdom.”
There was a specific reason I brought Jung Hayeon and Gark here. It was to gradually reduce the clan’s dependence on me. I had decided to entrust tasks like receiving guests and handling situations like this one to Jung Hayeon, as I believed her benevolent yet slightly sadistic nature made her well-suited for this kind of work.
Of course, I brought Gark along simply for the experience. His mind was certainly not dull. I was sure that if I kept bringing him to these kinds of meetings, he would eventually adapt.
“Krrrrrk.”
As expected, Gark wore an expression of constant discomfort, clearly unused to such settings. Seeing him made me chuckle. I sat back leisurely and began to observe the situation. Jung Hayeon and I already knew very well what had become of the so-called Eveluse Kingdom.
[ Report on the Japanese Continent. ]
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[ Chapter 2: Continental Characteristics and Affairs ]
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[ Regarding the Eveluse Kingdom: The first kingdom built by the elves upon their arrival. It is located on the western edge of the continent. With a great river before it and a great forest behind it, it provides an optimal environment for elves. There is no castle, but they live alongside an incredibly large tree, which the elves seem to call the World Tree. They possessed considerable military strength and, unlike other elves, were somewhat proactive in battle, but they began their decline after accepting the humans’ surrender. After allowing humans into their city, the city was slowly encroached upon by them, and most appear to have fallen victim to mental magic. As mentioned before, the third princess, Alisha, has learned the same school of magic and seems capable of resisting it. In addition… (excerpt) ]
In other words, she was the princess of a fallen kingdom, one that had been completely ruined after trying to embrace and accept humans. From the Japanese perspective, since a direct approach had failed, they had simply opted for a flanking maneuver. They probably never imagined these foolish elves would actually fall for it.
To put it bluntly, in contrast to the state of our continent, it was as if a festival for the Japanese was in full swing over there. As the princess of a fallen kingdom, it was only natural that her ransom would be high. All those men currently being tortured by Baek Ahyeon in the dungeon had met their grim fate after coming here to capture this woman.
As I was busy recalling the report I had just read, Jung Hayeon spoke.
“I’ve heard about your proposal for an alliance. I would appreciate it if you could explain in more detail.”
“Ye-Yes.”
At Jung Hayeon’s words, Alisha’s hands and body trembled. She had no other nation to turn to for an alliance. I began to watch the elf princess with a look of anticipation, curious to see what she would use to try and win us over.
“F-First, allow me to explain about our Eveluse Kingdom. It is a kingdom with a rich heritage, boasting a 10,000-year history in the ancient lands of the elves, and a noble kingdom that governs several large cities. The Eveluse Kingdom has continued to maintain its legacy even after being summoned here.”
“I see.”
Her explanation was quite grand. With nothing to offer in the present, her intention was likely to cling to the glory of the past, but naturally, it wasn’t a particularly appealing story for us.
“Our Eveluse Kingdom has also, since ancient times…”
She kept talking, but the words barely registered. She was sweating profusely as she explained about Eveluse-or-Geveluse-or-whatever, but everything the princess of a fallen kingdom spoke of was, in the end, the past.
Perhaps bothered by the bored expression on my face, she began to speak even more fervently about the greatness of Eveluse. I gave a perfunctory nod, but Jung Hayeon seemed to be listening to her story quite seriously.
After speaking at length, Alisha finally said:
“I heard this place is called the Brother’s Land.”
“That is correct.”
“Your kingdom is small, but it possesses great military strength. I witnessed this myself when you fought the humans. If your king were to step forward, there would surely be none who could stand against him.”
I never imagined I would hear such words.
“Our Eveluse Kingdom is currently facing a small problem. If you help us resolve this issue, I swear that the Eveluse Kingdom will not forget this grace and will offer its full support to the Brother’s Land in all its future endeavors.”
It seemed she described her entire kingdom being devoured as a ‘small problem.’ Jung Hayeon smiled faintly and spoke.
“If I may ask, what exactly do you mean by ‘full support’?”
“Ye-Yes. I had a brief opportunity to look around this Brother’s Land. I did not see much, but… it is extremely underdeveloped and seems far removed from what we would call civilization. If you lend your strength to our Eveluse Kingdom, we will provide you with many conveniences. The places where you live will no longer be shabby, collapsing tents, but great castles. You will be able to sleep in places that are always warm, never cold, and we will gift you soft fur blankets instead of cloth. Not… not only that, but we will also completely reform the educational facilities for the children in the Brother’s Land. If there are any artifacts you desire…”
“Hah…”
I stared at Alisha with a look of utter disbelief. Jung Hayeon felt the same. The way she described the Brother’s Land as underdeveloped and shabby was a bit absurd. To think that this was the best conclusion she could come up with after racking her brain… I had never been so dumbfounded.
It wasn’t as if we couldn’t build a castle; we simply chose not to.
Perhaps interpreting our expressions as dissatisfaction, the elf before us started rambling even more incoherently.
“Th-That’s not all. We will replace the dirt floors with mithril… and… and also… the… the flagpole, too… not wood, but… g-gold… and the… the flag will be made of silk.”
The elf had been speaking for some time when it happened.
CRACK!
A loud noise echoed. It wasn't me, nor was it Jung Hayeon. It was Gark, who had been silent the entire time, who had suddenly slammed his fist into the ground. He had even imbued it with magic, as the ground seemed to tremble slightly.
The elf stared at Gark, her face pale. For some reason, she seemed to think she had made a mistake. Looking at her, Gark slowly opened his mouth.
“Krrrrrk… Are your words intended to disrespect this Brother’s Land, which we have built with our own hands…?”
His words fell like ice. I could see the elf’s ears trembling before me.