Chapter 436: To Deceive
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 436: To Deceive
“What's the… what's the situation?”
“It's the same as always, Lady Maria. The siege on the Wilderness Forward Base has failed, and we have also failed to retake the Thorn Valley Workshop.”
“Hah… Do you… really think that makes any sense? What happened to the troops we sent as reinforcements? What about all the support we've provided… for things to get this bad…”
“I-I'm sorry. They are capturing our strongholds with small, elite forces. We can only assume that all of their Named Monsters have descended upon us… W-well, it's true they're a bit large to be called a 'small' force, but… perhaps we should recall those stationed on the continental front…”
“That's impossible. Pulling back the front line now is the same as asking to be devoured.”
Maria bit her lip. She couldn't keep her composure with the constant reports of defeat. She already knew they were strong. She had received intelligence from Jeong Jina of the Western Clan Alliance, and also from Jang Jaehyun of the North, though she hadn't been in contact with him recently.
‘Assuming we were only fighting Garia and the Green Skins, our chances of victory were over fifty percent. The same was true even if Han So-Hye of the North joined them.’
That was the conclusion her staff had reached, under the assumption that they could bring in the full strength of the forces from the West and South of the neighboring continent. The final outcome was still unknown, but judging by how things were unfolding, the situation was undoubtedly turning for the worse.
“Jeong Jina is…”
“She is responsible for one flank of the continental front.”
“Is there anything unusual to report?”
“She seems quite relieved that the Green Skins are not on the continental front. Originally, we were going to put her into the offensive, but…”
“She refused.”
It was clear that the clan alliances gathered from the West and South of the neighboring continent were afraid of the Green Skins. Their official reason was a desire to support the continental front, but the reality was different. They were truly reluctant to face them.
‘They're insane monsters, so it's only natural, but…’
They were a cancer on the continent. It was laughable that there were people who had joined hands with such creatures. Maria bit her lip and continued speaking.
“No matter how strong a monkey is, it's still a monkey. We will strike a blow to those on the continental front and then clean up our internal affairs. Start reducing the amount of supplies. After the war is over, all the continents will be in our hands.”
“B-but, the Golden Saintess…”
“She's probably dead. It's best to forget her.”
‘She was a thorn in my side, anyway…’
Sending that stupid bitch to the Black Rock Mountains had worked out perfectly. It was a shame she couldn't be used a little longer, but she wasn't a person fit for the new world anyway.
After her adjutant left, Maria slowly closed her eyes. It was the day her alliance held its regular meeting. It was a gathering of three representatives from each race. One of them was a useless husk, but she had her uses.
She was surprisingly well-informed about the current state of affairs, and she had her own ambitions. A stepping stone to take over the East. In truth, she was nothing more and nothing less.
“It's only right to use everything at your disposal.”
Discard what can be discarded, and use what can be used. That was Maria Trump's personal philosophy. In that sense, Jane was fired. She alone was enough to influence the continent. The philosophy and ideology she possessed were a hindrance to this alliance.
Her destination was within Eliane. As she entered the virtual space, Bronze and Eliane, who were waiting for her, came into view.
“It's a magnificent ability, no matter how many times I see it. The power to freely enter and exit dreams… I can understand how you, a non-royal, came to stand at the pinnacle of humanity.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Eliane.”
“Maria is not only capable, but also a thoughtful and wise human. We dwarves have been able to live better lives thanks to her.”
“Thank you, Bronze.”
“Lady Maria, my apologies for the suddenness, but may I ask a question right away?”
“Of course. The sooner the meeting, the better.”
Seeing the princess, who had seemed so eager ever since the alliance was formed, made Maria laugh inwardly. This queen of a ruined kingdom truly believed that elves and humans were equal. She firmly believed this alliance was one of equals. It was only natural for a laugh to escape her inwardly.
“By any chance, when will…”
“Has something happened?”
“It's not that. Thanks to the Green Skins in the West and the troops on the continental front, it has become a little easier for our Eveluse Kingdom to maneuver. It is a small power, but we wish to lend our strength as well. We are currently preparing many things. It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I have been greatly inspired by you, Lady Maria, and you, Lord Bronze.”
“Pardon?”
“We have succeeded in making contact with the humans remaining in the East. They, too, have decided to join us in our cause regarding the current situation in the East. The humans and elves of the East have fought each other, but seeing you, Lady Maria, has made me realize that not all humans are bad.”
‘................’
“Ooh… You've accomplished something great.”
Bronze was nodding his head repeatedly, but Maria's expression soured. This situation was not part of her calculations. She had a rough idea of what that elf was thinking.
That elf understood. She understood that if she failed to achieve something in this war, her own standing would diminish. Her claim of being inspired by her and the dwarf was probably a lie. Maria already knew what that woman had suffered at the hands of the Japanese in the East.
And yet, for her to go out of her way to join hands with the remaining humans meant her situation was just that desperate.
It wasn't just about this war. This greedy elf was thinking about what would happen after the war ended. She was smart, but Maria didn't like it.
“It may be a meager force, but I believe it will certainly be of help. It is lamentable that we cannot join you on the continental front.”
“I'll gratefully accept the sentiment, Queen Eliane. However, we are not in a position to rush things either. Monsters have infiltrated our interior and are causing damage, and on the continental front, their queen continues to advance.”
“Lord Bronze is right. I appreciate the thought, but I would ask you to be patient until you hear otherwise.”
“No, you're right. I think I was a bit too excited.”
“I understand.”
Maria slowly nodded. She, too, wanted to end the war quickly. However, she didn't want this woman running wild. It was unsettling to see a force she didn't know of being created somewhere. Even if that power was meager, it was best to cut it off at the source in cases like this.
‘First, I need to meet with that Japanese person.’
I need to make them side with the humans, not the elves. She was lost in various thoughts when Eliane slowly began to tap her fingers on the table. At first, Maria thought it was just a nervous gesture, but it didn't take long for her to realize there was another reason behind the action.
She had something to say. She clearly had something to say to her alone, after this stupid dwarf was gone.
Maria surreptitiously raised a corner of her lip and muttered.
“For now, let's conclude today's meeting here.”
“No conclusion has been reached.”
“Won't there be some progress tomorrow, Lord Bronze?”
“Hmph… Nothing good comes from rushing.”
“Yes. Well then, have a pleasant night.”
After bidding farewell to Bronze, Maria clapped her hands. Instantly, she could feel Bronze's presence fading. The only ones left in this space were the queen of the ruined kingdom and herself. Maria casually opened her mouth.
“Did you have something to say?”
The answer that came back was a little unexpected.
“I'm telling you this because you seem to have misunderstood.”
“Pardon?”
“We have no intention of taking any unfair advantage in this alliance. What we want is the reclamation of the Eveluse Kingdom, and to settle within this alliance.”
“How straightforward.”
They had already grasped each other's personalities. From the moment they first met, she and this elf had sensed what kind of person the other was.
“I understand the situation is not very good.”
“.........”
“The Green Skins are running rampant in your territory, and it must be a struggle to maintain the continental front. I know your main strongholds have all been taken, and you're having second thoughts about whether you should even engage them.”
“I've never had such thoughts.”
“I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about that dwarf.”
Maria closed her mouth slightly. It seemed this elf knew the situation in more detail than she had thought.
“I can help you. That traitor I mentioned before, the one I'd like to chew up and spit out, is also part of their alliance. Among the elves there, some are still under my command.”
“On the continental front…”
“Yes. Among those currently on the continental front, there are still some who do not deny my legitimacy.”
“Can they be trusted?”
“Yes.”
That was quite valuable information. People who could open the gates from the inside—having allies mixed in with the enemy's ranks in the coming battle was a huge advantage.
“I don't know the detailed situation, but they may be hoping to avoid a fight. There is probably an ice rampart set up on the front line.”
“That's… correct.”
“Their goal is likely to unleash those disgusting monsters into your interior and drive the West to its breaking point. From their perspective, there's no reason to attack first. You still haven't retaken the enemy's strongholds, and your supply lines are constantly being cut off by countless Green Skins. In the end, you'll die, having accomplished nothing.”
“You…”
“I'm not looking down on the West; I'm just stating the facts. If you don't advance now… it will only get harder. The Green Skins have established themselves in the West, but in other words, that means the forces maintaining the continental front have been weakened. If the elves on the inside open the gates of the ice rampart… there's a real chance.”
“..............”
“The forces currently in the West are the Green Skins' most elite troops. Why would they have positioned themselves there?”
They were also getting anxious. They were clearly reluctant to engage in an all-out battle, force against force.
“They, too, must find our—no, your alliance to be a burdensome opponent. Especially for the humans who are currently in power.”
“I… see.”
Why… why had they built an ice rampart when they could have advanced? Why hadn't they headed for her main base, despite possessing large-scale teleportation magic? She could understand it all now.
It made sense. There were no holes in this woman's words. Everything was true. Each point struck her heart with a heavy thud, as if piercing it. The one thing that puzzled her was why this woman had brought this up only to her. Maria slowly opened her mouth.
“Why didn't you speak of this when Bronze was with us?”
“I told you, we elves do not desire any gain. You, Maria, are the one who created this entire situation. You will be the one who opened the gates, you will be the one who successfully completed the siege, and you will be the one to take your place as the head of the alliance afterward. However…”
“However?”
“The Japanese who are currently allied with me…”
Maria's mouth fell open. She had realized what this woman truly wanted.
“Puhahahahahahat. Yes. I understand. I'll take care of them for you. You… you're truly clever.”
“........”
Maria raised one corner of her lip. The elf before her had no greed. She was a dog completely consumed by the emotion of revenge. The kind of person who would do anything to achieve what she wanted.
It was highly likely that everything she said was true—that she wasn't interested in future profits, and that she had connections.
These kinds of people were so easy to handle. Maria could now understand why this woman had fallen to the Japanese, why she had foolishly lost her kingdom to her younger sister.
*
“Father, will it really be okay?”
“Of course, Wanhee.”
“Yes.”
“When you're deceiving someone, my dear, the important thing is to make them believe.”
“The person you're trying to deceive? I don't quite understand. Isn't that obvious?”
“It's important not to show them what you truly want to deceive them about. What's important is to make them believe in other, completely different things around you. People like that truly love to be in control. The moment someone believes they can control you…”
“Yes, Father.”
“…is the moment they fall into an inescapable abyss. Slowly, very slowly.”
“................”
“...........”
“Father… I don't know if I should say this, but… that sounds kind of despicable.”