Chapter 36: Preemptive Strike

Chapter 36: Preemptive Strike

Although these matters seemed largely unrelated to the Elven Race, Airael knew that everything happening across the continent could significantly impact her people.

What was that saying again?

“Unity comes after division, and division follows unity.”

Three hundred years ago, Alexander had already laid the foundation for unification among these human kingdoms, and now it was all about who could inherit Alexander’s legacy and become the new human emperor.

Due to the initial agreements, as the Elven Queen, she would inevitably be drawn into this, and so would the entire Elven Race.

Besides, war would affect trade.

Currently, those human nations had not yet gone to full-scale war, but once they did, the trade between the Elves and the continent would be severely impacted.

Acquiring raw materials would become difficult.

As it stood, most of the Elven Race’s raw material needs came from the continent.

The Elves who worked with raw materials had already been shuffled off to factories.

Just when they had barely adjusted to their factory jobs, sending them back to raw materials work would undoubtedly cause dissatisfaction.

Especially since factory jobs offered better treatment and higher incomes.

There’s a saying: it’s easier to go from frugality to luxury than to return from luxury to frugality.

Airael had anticipated such outcomes but still found herself quite troubled.

In matters of state, it turns out, no decision is ever perfect.

To gain something, one must give something up.

If you reap benefits from something, you also have to bear the bitter consequences that come with it.

Airael shook her head.

At this point, she could only take things one step at a time.

There were a ton of issues within the Elven Race waiting for her to handle anyway, and she didn’t have the energy to deal with affairs on the continent.

Perhaps things weren’t as dire as she imagined.

The matter of the human emperor was an inevitability, but trade was also beneficial for those humans.

After all, they had made a hefty profit in gold coins from her this past year.

If they still wanted those profits, unless they found another source, they would have to maintain trade relations with her.

Having formed a rough estimate of the current situation in her mind, Airael stood up and returned to her bed to lie down.

Before long, she drifted off to dreamland.

After her midday nap, she set aside all her worries and focused on playing with Anna.

Perhaps after today, it would be harder to find such time to spend with her.

Thus, Airael was particularly attentive to the afternoon’s moments.

But alas, happy times are fleeting.

Soon, the next day arrived.

Linis, having received the notice, arrived at the Royal Palace early in the morning.

“Linis, you’re here.”

In her office, Airael smiled as she looked at Linis entering.

“Your Majesty, what do you summon me for today?”

Linis asked with a serious expression as she stared at Airael.

Though Celia hadn’t shared any news with her yesterday, Linis could tell from Celia’s expression that today’s meeting with Airael involved something of great importance.

“Don’t just stand there; let’s sit down and talk.”

As Airael spoke, she stood up from her office chair and moved to the sofa to sit down.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Linis followed suit and sat across from Airael.

Once Linis settled down, the expression on Airael’s face turned serious as she asked, “Linis, I’ve been in power for some time now. How do you think I’ve done during this period?”

Confused by Airael’s question, Linis wondered why the Queen was asking this.

As she pondered, she caught Airael’s gaze, which was calm, showing nothing of what was truly beneath.

The Queen had certainly matured.

Linis couldn’t help but smile wryly in her heart.

Finally, she replied to Airael, “Your Majesty, you’ve been doing excellently. The kingdom has experienced tremendous change under your rule.”

“However, my goals extend beyond just the capital; they involve the entire Elven Race. Unfortunately, those Elven Lords don’t seem too interested in my proposals, and many of the decrees I’ve issued are hard to implement in their territories.”

After saying this, Airael shook her head in frustration.

Linis took a deep breath.

She understood what Airael was getting at.

“Your Majesty, must we really do certain things?”

“Linis, some matters are unavoidable. If they were willing to listen to me, it would be one thing; I wouldn’t be opposed to compromise. But they clearly intend to play me both ways. Therefore, for the sake of the entire Elven Race, I must proceed.”

In her words, Airael put herself on the side of justice.

Linis sighed and said, “Perhaps we could have another discussion with them.”

“Well, since you want to talk, then I will speak with them,” Airael said, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Originally, she had planned to take a preemptive strike.

If expanding her military would raise their alarm, why not strike first?

However, Linis’s opinion was something she couldn’t dismiss.

Even though she had entrusted the authority to Linis, Airael still held tremendous influence over the Elven Race, especially with her title of Grand Priestess.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Linis knew Airael was doing this to give her face.

“Linis, this will be my final conversation with them. Therefore, I hope they make the right choice.”

“I will do my best to persuade them.”

Linis nodded in reply.

Hearing this, Airael also nodded.

If Linis could win over some Elven Lords, that would be a good thing.

The weaker her enemies, the better she could control the impact of the situation.

At that moment, Linis suddenly turned to look at Airael and asked, “Your Majesty, may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Did something happen that made you suddenly decide to do this?”

“Linis, you must know that I am producing new weapons developed by Teacher Domiya and her team, right?”

Linis nodded.

She was aware of this.

“Now that the new weapons have been produced, they will soon be integrated into the army.

In other words, the military power at my disposal will significantly increase, which will undoubtedly alert them.

They may not be very sensitive to economic matters, but they are certainly sensitive to military strength.”

“So, Your Majesty, you’re planning to make the first move. But even after introducing the new weapons, it will take some time for them to become effective in combat, right?”

“Indeed, but even so, I’m confident I can overcome them.”

Feeling the potent momentum emanating from Airael, Linis fell silent.

She could no longer fathom Airael’s depths.