The Emperor's Retreat and the Elves' Conspiracy
We cannot give up like this! Right after the operation that relied on the black flames ended in failure due to the demons' interference, the emperor and the highest officials of the Falcon Empire hurriedly convened to discuss the situation that would follow.
"We must press the attack. Even if we failed to fully achieve our plan, we cannot falter here."
"That cannot be allowed. In our current state, a reckless advance would only bring more harm than good."
The two factions split and continued their heated debate. One side insisted they had to see things through to the end, if only because it would be a waste to abandon what they had already accomplished. The other argued that since they had already seized more than forty percent of the Elf Theocracy's territory, this was the time to withdraw and solidify their defenses.
The emperor, who had been listening to their exchange, finally rendered his decision.
"Your Majesty?"
"B-but Your Majesty..."
"So be it. Continuing this war against the elves any further would be pure recklessness. As long as those who keep interfering remain, there is a limit to what we can accomplish."
"Kh..."
"Mm..."
With the emperor holding final authority, the ministers had no choice but to obey. They swiftly began preparations for withdrawal in accordance with their absolute sovereign's command. At the same time, they could easily guess what their clearly furious emperor was thinking.
The so-called "interfering bastards" he had mentioned moments ago—there was not a single person present who failed to understand what that referred to.
The Demon Kingdom...
Indeed. After causing an incident like that, we cannot simply let them be.
The Demon Kingdom had struck them in the back just as they were on the verge of swallowing the Elf Theocracy whole. The fact that fellow humans they had trusted to some degree would commit such betrayal filled the emperor with rage far greater than what he felt toward the elves. The same was true for the Falcon Empire's ministers in attendance.
Beyond mere emotion, failing to deal with them properly would create a major obstacle to the empire's future path. Therefore, they resolved to teach the Demon Kingdom a lesson at the earliest possible date.
Of course, that would first require giving their soldiers—who were exhausted from consecutive wars—sufficient rest and time to rebuild the nation's strength.
Just you wait, you filthy Demon Kingdom bastards. I will definitely repay this debt in full.
Having succeeded in extinguishing the black flames with the demons' assistance, the Elf Theocracy watched the imperial army withdraw shortly afterward. Realizing they had escaped the crisis that had advanced all the way to their throats, the Pope and the other elves let out deep sighs of relief.
"Thank goodness. With this, we can at least breathe for a while."
"It does seem that way, Your Holiness."
"Fortunately, the imperial forces appear to have withdrawn completely. Of course, if they regroup and march again, the situation could change, but there are no immediate signs of that for now."
With profound relief and a measure of composure restored, the elves began discussing what would come next. The primary concern was how to restore the territories devastated by the war. However, before that, they could not avoid addressing the single most critical issue.
"But... no matter how you look at it, must we truly accept the demons' demands as they stand?"
"The black flames have already been extinguished and the imperial army has withdrawn. In this situation, is there really any need to go through with such a difficult promise?"
Even with the situation improved, the elves still believed they ought to uphold a certain level of good faith. Yet despite that mindset, they could not help hesitating to accept the demons' proposal, which was brutally harsh—practically demanding the very foundations of their nation.
Moreover, their counterparts were the very demons they had been locked in mortal combat with until recently. It was difficult to readily agree to maintain the treaty at the cost of national power and the Pope's dignity when those same demons could turn hostile again at any moment.
However...
"N-no, that is not... That is not what we meant, Your Holiness. H-how could we ever do such a thing?"
The Pope sternly rebuked their reaction. At this moment, while national credibility mattered, he had already resolved to take no rash action—above all else, because his daughter was being held there.
"Of course I also find the Demon King's demand harsh. Nevertheless, we are elves who serve the will of God. We cannot cowardly be the first to break faith."
"Mm..."
"..."
The Pope firmly rejected any notion of refusal and urged them to honor the agreement. Yet at that very moment, the majority of those present were deeply displeased with his stance.
No matter how precious his daughter is, is he really willing to discard the nation's interests for that alone?
Tsk... Pope Julius is usually so level-headed, but the moment his daughter is involved he grows this soft...
Harboring such dissatisfaction with the current situation, the ministers withdrew from the audience chamber. Shortly afterward, several high-ranking elves who had attended the meeting gathered privately to discuss how to handle the matter.
"What should we do? No matter His Holiness's wishes, no matter how we consider it, we cannot accept such an absurd vow."
"This is a question of our elven pride. For one occupying the seat of the Pope to kneel and bow his head before a crowd of demons—this would undoubtedly remain an eternal disgrace for our people and our descendants."
"Even setting aside the reparations we must pay them, the loss of various rights and interests would be devastating. Especially now, when we must rebuild our ravaged lands..."
The high elves unanimously declared that they could not accept the treaty with the demons no matter how they looked at it. At that moment, a middle-aged elf who had been quietly observing the situation spoke in a calm voice.
"...Then, how about we handle it this way?"
"Senator Cicero, you have a good suggestion?"
Cicero, the senator who wielded the greatest influence among them, looked at his colleagues and continued in a measured tone.
"If we leave things as they are, the Pope will inevitably kneel before the demons and apologize. Quite apart from the issue of faith, with his daughter held hostage, he will surely do so. In that case, would it not be better to make use of his misconduct instead?"
"Wh-what do you..."
"!... Y-you can't mean...?"
At Cicero's words, a horrifying thought began to surface in the elves' minds. Their expressions stiffened at once. Seeing this, Cicero spoke again, his voice low yet carrying a chilling coldness.
"I know it is a truly dirty and difficult task. But to prevent both enormous losses and the complete collapse of the Theocracy's prestige, is it not unavoidable?"
"Mm..."
"We are elves bearing a sacred mission—the only chosen race acknowledged by God, entrusted with the noble duty of illuminating His glory in this world. In such a situation, for the Pope to kneel and bow before that wicked lord of evil would be tantamount to God submitting to evil itself. To prevent such a horrific outcome, I am prepared to do whatever it takes."
By invoking the name of God, Cicero stated his position with absolute conviction. Despite the instinctive revulsion they felt, the elves could not refute him.
The prestige of the Elf Theocracy had already been severely shaken by the aftermath of the previous wars, leaving deep wounds in their pride. In this moment, Cicero's words that called for the restoration of their collapsed self-esteem filled them with a sense of duty to pursue any means necessary.
Even if those means were utterly filthy and contemptible.
"I agree. Tell us what you need, Senator Cicero."
"For the Theocracy... and for the glory of our chief god, Lord Neltarion. I too will take part."
"If the ruler loses his reason and shakes the foundations of the nation, it is only natural for his subjects to correct it."
"Give us your orders, Senator Cicero. No matter how great the danger, I will gladly lay down my life for the Theocracy."
After much agonizing, the high elves decided to actively support Cicero's proposal. Watching them, Cicero nodded, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold smile.
"Thank you, everyone. Surely God will look with favor upon us who devote ourselves to Him. Then, from this moment on, let us discuss the plan in detail—how we can ensure this matter succeeds without fail..."