Chapter 97 – Renia Gate (7)
“A formal complaint has been filed by the Fox Clan. It is said that Foreign Minister Taizhu conspired with several members of the federal government to eliminate you and plotted a rebellion. All the witnesses who were interrogated under duress have testified to this.”
“…So what happens now?”
“Although it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it seems the chances of clearing your name have increased.”
Teron sighed as he watched Renia, who appeared remarkably calm in the prison. Since Tas had submitted all the evidence and witnesses, it was highly likely that this incident would end up being a blunder for the federal government.
He was already on his way to apprehend all the involved parties. However, the issue lay in the process of correcting the mistake.
The authority of the federal government had fallen to the ground.
“It was too hasty to involve the High Elves in the matters among our Beastmen.”
“Those individuals only acted upon our king’s request. As a senior who has lived for many years, they could not refuse that request and have shown us mercy.”
Renia did not respond with a word. She had already lost trust in the federal government. Being fooled by Taizhu’s sweet words and having suffered from it, she had no intention of leaving her fate in the hands of her fellow Beastmen any longer.
“I admit our mistake was significant. But especially at times like this, we must unite among Beastmen. My greatest fear is that this incident will lead to a rift between us.”
“Of course. Even if we dislike it, we must fight with one heart and one will against the will of those who seek to end this world. Otherwise, it would only lead to death.”
Teron scoffed at Renia’s concern for the unity of the Beastman Federation. In fact, Renia had been consistently warning of the dangers of erosion and insisting that Beastmen must unite as one.
The ones who had betrayed her were indeed her own kind. Having endured humiliation once, she now had no intention of leaving everything to her kin.
“That individual only worries about the safety of this world. As those who live in this land, we should actively engage, and is it right to suspect the High Elf at this time?”
“Fine, I understand. Just wait a little longer.”
Teron, with a sigh at Renia’s unwavering support for Iriliana, nodded and then left the prison.
Instead, others came to visit Renia as if they had been waiting.
They included disciples like Neoru, who had also gone through hardships, along with messengers from the Fox Clan sent by Tas and others from the academy.
Sitting in the plush chair in what had essentially become a reception room instead of a prison, Renia welcomed her guests and quickly recovered both her body and mind.
“Iriliana…!”
And when all the noise had settled, the person who arrived was none other than Iriliana, without her face concealed.
With a bright smile, Renia jumped up from her seat and rushed to the bars. She knelt before her and began to wag her tail.
“How can I ever repay this grace you have given me? You have saved the lives of my disciples, my honor, and my king’s authority.”
“If you want to repay me, you don’t have to worry. Just do what you can.”
Iriliana helped Renia to her feet with a smile, then began to explain her plans as if to reveal nothing hidden.
“The entire world must be united. Not just in words, but we must truly act as one body.”
It was an immense plan aimed at unifying the whole world into a single organization. Hearing those words, Renia unintentionally went blank. She couldn’t quite grasp the concept.
“It’s not about one absolute ruler governing them all. Similar to the Beastman Federation, each faction can govern its own land as it does now, but on important matters that are crucial against erosion, we should unite our opinions.”
“I see what you’re saying. So, it would be like a massive alliance.”
“Exactly. And you, Renia, must ensure that the entire Beastman Federation joins that alliance.”
Confirming Iriliana’s intent to proceed with the apocalypse, she thought that the establishment of this grand coalition needed to be expedited.
Only then could unnecessary waste of energy be reduced, and the entire world could move quickly to prevent danger.
“Those fools who still fail to comprehend the situation will likely challenge our actions, saying we’re trying to conquer the world. Such characters will be terrified only when disaster is right in front of them.”
“We cannot make countless sacrifices for those types. The curse that has been passed down since the Mythical Era must be ended before it can properly manifest.”
Renia nodded vigorously in agreement with Iriliana’s scornful words.
Their goal was to prevent the impending apocalypse and end it before it could fully develop. The world had only to be turned upside down once, rendering everything from the past as void.
This was a consensus shared by those who had lived through those times and those who had studied them through history.
“The political issues will be resolved by the Fox King Tas. You will need to collaborate with him to turn the federal government into our ally.”
“Then, will the High Elf go to draw in other forces for the alliance now?”
“That is necessary, but for the time being, we must observe a bit longer. Once the Grand Coalition is officially announced, there will inevitably be those who want to join. We’ll accept them and grow our numbers. As we increase in strength, they won’t dare oppose us.”
With Renia cleared of her charges and the connection established with the Beastman Federation, Iriliana’s objectives were all but fulfilled.
However, Iriliana did not head to the next nation immediately. Thanks to the pretext of Renia, who had been wronged, the Beastman Federation had seized control through aggressive means, but other nations lacked even such a pretext.
‘We need to do more searching.’
At the same time, Iriliana was devising a new plan. Even though their forces continued to grow, there were too few with the power to cleanse the areas affected by erosion.
She needed to find those who possessed powers passed down since ancient times, like Ian, known as a Hero, or Maria, known as a Saintess, and engage them as a core part of her strategy.
*
“There should be no more worries regarding Renia. She has her own malice now, and the situation is favorable for us.”
“You worked hard.”
“You have suffered far more.”
Finally, having completed nearly all the arrangements, they returned to their lodging.
When they discreetly returned, this lodging hosted everyone, including Rina, who had been active during the previous battle against the traitors.
“We’ve truly been through all sorts of things.”
Patrick’s remark was brief. Even a veteran adventurer was astonished by the variety and severity of the challenges they faced.
I had no words to respond. There were few whom I could trust as much as them, and the number of tasks they had to undertake continued to grow.
“I won’t send you on dangerous tasks anymore. We can’t be playing a secret society game forever.”
“I wonder if that’s really possible. If things go as planned, there’s still much to do.”
“Now, there’s no reason to hide our identities when visiting most of the remaining places.”
The Beastman Federation acted secretly because of Renia, but there was no need to do the same for the other forces to be drawn into the Grand Coalition.
During this time, my true identity and reputation spread steadily across the continent.
I would merely play the role of a peace envoy to those forces. After all, being a figurehead at a thousand years old High Elf is rather suitable.
I could certainly manage that.
“And if there are those who oppose us? Like kings or emperors who might be tainted by curses or the like?”
“Then I have no choice but to act separately.”
Amidst all this, Lila hit the nail on the head. Though I had told them not to worry, I was certain this would not flow smoothly.
Thus, I needed to have a strong force prepared beneath the surface. A power to punish those consumed by greed like Leorne or those corrupted by curses like Taizhu without mercy.
“That’s why I want to assign you the task of preparing for that. It’s not dangerous; it’ll be a matter of finding people.”
Having seen the examples of Ian and Maria, I was set on the idea of seeking out those who still possessed strong bloodlines passed down since ancient times.
Of course, some among them might already be recognized by society for their talents, but there would surely be others who lived as ordinary folk, like Maria, not knowing how to awaken their abilities.
“I’ll give you several characteristics and methods to identify them. The goal is to find and bring back as many as possible. With them, even a little training would turn them into reliable allies.”
“That sounds like an incredibly difficult task.”
“Everyone willing to cooperate will pitch in.”
It wouldn’t be easy, but with the help of those who had now become my allies, it might not be too difficult.
If things worked out as I wished, I would acquire the strength, resources, and authority needed to push forward with the Grand Coalition plan.
Just as Renia worried, if those opposed to our will arose, we would be able to set things right.
