Chapter 104 – Action Guidelines (4)
“Why are those who were living well suddenly rebelling and fighting a civil war?”
“There’s still no information available. Of course, it’s not entirely strange…”
Even the journalists who traveled on the leap machines to spread news had no clear understanding yet.
Of course, the Dwarves must have their own circumstances, and unless they are emotionless machines, conflicts and collisions are inevitable. There can’t be perfect beings in this world.
It wasn’t impossible for some intense clashes to occur in the process. If it goes a step further, that leads to rebellion and civil war.
However, I felt something suspicious. The timing felt too strange.
Especially since I was busy trying to form the Grand Coalition. Right before my visit to the Dwarven Kingdom, a civil war breaks out there.
“As you know, the Will of the End holds the curse of corruption as its power, and the curse of corruption maximizes and transforms human desires or grudges, causing them to go out of control. Is there any chance this isn’t the case?”
“It seems quite possible.”
“I need to gather more detailed information. The problem is that to the north, where the Dwarven Kingdom is located…”
The Dwarven Kingdom lies far to the north. It’s a harsh place where humans hardly live.
Naturally, Ethan’s organization lacks an information network there. Even the Church of Light has not established a branch there.
It meant that my strongest weapons were powerless in that area.
“The chieftain of the nomads to the north of the Narian Kingdom usually interacts with the Dwarves, so we might be able to hear something if we go to them.”
“That’s a good idea, Arisa. So how do we find those nomads?”
“Uh…”
“I think we should go to the king of the Narian Kingdom.”
I suggested a means instead of Arisa, who was left speechless after her suggestion. The Dwarves and the northern nomads were out of my reach, but the boy king of the Narian Kingdom was different.
He was the first to start communicating with the Elves and was striving to make Eluria his queen.
“I will send a message to the king.”
With the help of the Church of Light, Arisa sent a message to the Narian royal palace under the pretext of being my confidant.
And just two days after waiting for the reply, a letter from King Mikail, welcoming us to visit, arrived.
“When I first heard about you, I could accept it quite easily. When the rebels attacked me and the Elves, the one who helped me in the last moment was you, after all.”
“…You remember that day well.”
In truth, I had visited this royal palace, but it was my first time coming here as a dignified High Elf, not disguised as a maid.
Mikail, who had grown quite tall in no time, finished the formalities and quickly brought up the past incident, putting me in a difficult position.
It was about the terrorist actions targeting Elves by extreme human supremacists and how I had helped Mikail get involved in that situation.
Thanks to that, Mikail had shot and killed an enemy directly with a gun, achieving the great feat of saving Eluria.
“Don’t worry. I haven’t told anyone that you roam disguised like that. Thinking back, you were already moving for the Grand Coalition since then.”
“I had originally no intention of revealing myself to the world, but it became an essential task to prevent a greater catastrophe, so I had no choice.”
“I understand. The moment we leave the signs of the end unattended, this world is bound to collapse just like it did in the past Mythical Era in the near future.”
Though still a young boy, Mikail showed more insight than most adults. His satisfying response naturally brought a smile to my face.
As long as he was the king, at least this kingdom would be cooperative toward me.
“If we can build a closer relationship with the Elves, whom we can call comrades, it would be much more helpful…”
“Oh, so you wanted something else.”
However, it wasn’t entirely pure. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his cautious mention of the Elves.
Wasn’t I the one who should persuade the Elves and serve as a matchmaker for his marriage to Eluria?
“This is something that needs to be thought through carefully. Of course, Eluria’s beauty will last for a long time, but…”
“I’m sincere. Knowing it’s an unprecedented situation, I actually see it as an opportunity. Leaving a precedent makes things easier in the future, doesn’t it?”
“You’re quite eloquent. Then keep pursuing her. If I give a hint, there shouldn’t be much opposition from within the Elves either.”
Sighing at the passion of a boy blinded by love, I nodded.
In fact, the more serious side of this international marriage concerned the Narian Kingdom, primarily composed of humans. The Elves will live for several times longer than humans anyway. Hence, their concept of time and love differs from that of humans.
On the other hand, humans would have to accept a queen who wouldn’t age or die even after Mikail grew old and passed away.
“I don’t think we would have trouble formally proposing if we resolve such issues properly.”
“Thank you just for saying that.”
As I shrugged my shoulders, Mikail let out a relieved sigh, likely worried about what would happen if the Elves were to staunchly oppose it.
“With a High Elf like you helping me, I will offer you all the assistance I can provide.”
And with that, he promised to return much more.
Mikail, delighted, vowed to offer the maximum support he could.
“Gallun, the chieftain of the northern nomads, is not someone I particularly like.”
Mikail called a few of his aides who were knowledgeable about external information and informed me about the situation in the north.
The Narian Kingdom did not view the nomads across its borders favorably. The Dwarves, who provide them with quality ironware, felt the same.
“They haven’t invaded yet, but he is the one who killed his moderate older brother, who wanted to get along with us, and took the chieftain’s position twelve years ago. He’s brutal and fierce, and the nomads in the region have already fallen under his rule.”
“Such people tend to appear in this land.”
I sighed at Mikail’s words as he pointed to the map.
That name, no longer called now. Manchuria, Mongolia, Central Asia, and so on.
How many nomads have made their name in that region? What about the famous leaders who led those nomads? Even after 10,000 years, things seemed quite similar.
Even in an era where civilizations were developing in a completely different direction from ancient Earth, they remained formidable cavalrymen, unpredictable opponents who could become bandits at any moment.
“To be honest, I think it’s not a good idea for a High Elf to visit there.”
“That’s right. Those ignorant fellows will surely know nothing. Not only about you, but also about the current state of the world.”
Mikail’s aides tried to dissuade me from meeting them. They insisted that these wouldn’t listen no matter how much you persuade them with words.
“That might be true, but it’s fine. I have the strength to protect myself, and above all, they should have some way to prepare for the end.”
However, I did not change my resolve despite their concerns.
Most importantly, I was intrigued by this chieftain Gallun. Listening to it, he seemed like a truly remarkable warrior, and having such people as allies, especially now when we needed another hero, would be reassuring.
“Although I will go north, shouldn’t we secure more escort? If it’s just us two, they might ignore Iriliana. You could mobilize the Elves, this kingdom, and the Church of Light if you wanted to.”
“Let’s say we take a few hundred people with us. They would just scoff at us. While it would be sufficient in terms of prestige, it wouldn’t be enough to annihilate them. But think about it. If just the two of us go, what do you think they would feel?”
Arisa showed anxiety after hearing my plan, but I shook my head.
Being half-hearted is a poison. Going to extremes would be much more helpful. Either take tens of thousands with us or just go alone.
“If it’s just the two of us, they will show curiosity before their wariness. That curiosity could easily turn into awe if handled well.”
Having heard about Gallun’s personality, it didn’t seem he would outright be hostile to me.
While he might ignore me, he certainly looked down on those weaker than himself.
If I could show him I was stronger than him, would he not harbor other intentions?
“Are you really thinking of challenging him?”
“There’s a tradition among them that the victor in a duel becomes the brother, right? I’m not going to fight, so I have no intention of jumping in first, but it’ll depend on how he behaves.”
I sincerely hoped it could be resolved peacefully.
However, it was only natural to fight against an unavoidable situation.
