Chapter 30: The Conscription Decree
“That’s absolutely true.”
Airael replied confidently.
Seeing Linis’s surprised expression brought joy to her heart, and a smile appeared on her face.
With this, Linis would certainly have a much better opinion of her.
And she was right.
After receiving confirmation, Linis’s valuation of Airael indeed increased significantly.
After the Elven Race’s decline, they had attempted more than once to restore ties with the Treeman Race, in hopes of gaining their support to face the increasingly dire circumstances ahead.
Now, not only had Airael brought aid from the Treemen, but she had also mended the relationship between their two races, effectively solving a major problem for the Elven Race.
They would no longer be fighting alone in this world.
They had a reliable ally—the Treemen!
As for the protagonist who made this happen, Linis generously praised, “Your Majesty, you’ve done exceptionally well.”
Upon hearing the compliment, Airael naturally felt even happier.
Linis couldn’t help but smile as well.
With this, the Elven Race now had a higher chance of winning the war.
However, now was not the time to relax.
The true outcome of the war would only be known after the battles were fought.
After laughing with Airael for a while, Linis collected her thoughts and asked, “Your Majesty, do you have any other matters to discuss?”
At that moment, Airael recalled that she did indeed have other business.
So, she also composed herself and looked at Linis with curiosity, asking, “When I returned to the city today, I noticed many more Elves on the streets. Hela said they are from out of town. What exactly is going on? Why have so many outside Elves come to the royal city? Did something significant happen?”
“Your Majesty, those additional Elves are indeed from outside. They came to the royal city to enlist, as not long after your departure, a conscription decree was issued.”
“Conscription decree.”
Airael echoed the term.
“Yes! Though we have already prepared a considerable number of troops for Admiral Krul, we still need to prepare as best we can and gather more forces if possible.”
Airael nodded.
She understood this principle.
Planning ahead would prevent them from being caught off guard if reinforcements were suddenly needed at the front lines.
Moreover, they could strengthen the rear lines to prevent humans from bypassing the Elven front troops for surprise attacks.
In short, the more troops they had during wartime, the better.
Airael understood the issuance of the conscription decree, but she didn’t quite grasp why those out-of-town Elves would come specifically to the royal city to enlist; couldn’t they enlist back home?
“Your Majesty, do you have any further questions?”
Noticing Airael’s puzzled expression, Linis inquired.
“Linis, can’t those out-of-town Elves enlist in their own territories? Why do they have to come all the way to the royal city?”
Airael’s question caught Linis off guard for a moment.
Then, Linis, half-laughing and half-crying, replied, “Your Majesty, you may not know this. While the Elven Royal City and those Elven Lords have a hierarchical relationship, the Elven Lords possess a high degree of autonomy. They can issue conscription decrees within their own territories, and the conscription in the Elven Royal City is not directly related to theirs.”
After hearing Linis’s explanation, Airael finally understood.
This had a reminiscent feel of the Western medieval era.
Though those Elven Lords bowed to her as their Elven Queen, they wielded substantial autonomy within their own lands.
For example, concerning military authority.
While the Elven Royal City may conduct conscription across the Elf nation, it didn’t mean the Elven Lords would do the same.
Even if the Elven Lords wanted to enlist, they wouldn’t belong to the same system.
One being central, the other local.
Ultimately, it depended on how those Elven citizens chose.
Even though she grasped this point, Airael still felt a bit out of sorts.
In her understanding, such a critical power like military authority should belong solely to the central government, which is to say, to her as the Elven Queen.
Of course, since she had yet to take the throne, the true ownership likely rested with Linis, the Grand Priestess.
However, she also recognized that each nation and race had its unique circumstances.
Even if changes were necessary, it couldn’t be accomplished overnight.
After clarifying this issue, Airael looked at Linis and asked, “One last question, Linis, can I join the war against the humans?”
Regarding this matter, Airael had carefully considered it; she didn’t want to give up easily.
Just like her previous mission to the Treemen, this was a chance to make her presence known.
Also, being involved in a war that could determine the survival of her race would undoubtedly add a remarkable highlight to her resume.
If this were a business transaction, the profits from this endeavor would undoubtedly be substantial.
Even if joining this war carried significant risks, with the Staff of Eternity in her hands, Airael felt less fearful now.
She had gained some level of self-protection ability.
Thus, she decided to take the plunge in this perilous war.
Even if she was still a bit scared, she would grit her teeth and charge forward.
She was no longer that struggling employee from Blue Star; she was the Queen of the Elven Race!
As a queen, she needed to embody the bearing of a queen.
Thinking back on her previous clumsy performances, Airael’s resolve strengthened even more.
Airael’s question plunged the room into a brief silence.
Neither Linis nor Hela expected Airael to suddenly ask such a question.
After a long pause, with Linis still quiet, Hela interjected, “Your Majesty, please reconsider; joining this war is no laughing matter; it’s very dangerous!”
“Teacher Hela, I know it’s dangerous, but that’s not a reason for me to shrink back. As the queen of the Elven Race, it’s necessary for me to fight for my people.”
Airael replied seriously, turning to the anxious Hela behind her.
Her tone was earnest.
For a moment, Hela was left speechless.
Linis’s face lit up with joy, and she spoke up, “Your Majesty, I’m very pleased; you’ve developed the awareness that a queen should possess. However, I must regrettably inform you that you cannot join this war.”
“Why not?”
Airael looked at Linis, unconvinced.
“The reason is simple. The Elven Race hasn’t yet fallen to the point of sending an underage child to the battlefield.”
Airael’s mouth fell agape upon hearing this.
That reason was indeed very simple.
Although simple, it left her with little room to argue.
After all, she was indeed just a little Elven girl right now.
If the roles were reversed, she wouldn’t send an underage child into battle either.
