Chapter 57

‘Year 658, we’ve suffered a loss.’

It was the first thought that struck Ariel, the white-haired elf and Head Elder, as soon as the effects of the drug wore off.

It had happened just the day before that she embraced heroin. Everything started when elf followers of the grand knight Marcela rushed in to expose her wrongdoings.

“Marcela is trying to monopolize the heroin given as a token of human friendship. With great courage, they’ve turned their back on her and offered it to the elders.” That’s what they said.

At first, it seemed like nothing serious to Ariel.

What difference did it make who held onto a paltry gift from humans? If anyone among the elves had coveted human goods, they surely would’ve obtained them much earlier.

Even back when the Empire first ventured into the Great Forest, they only asked to build two lumberyards on the outskirts, away from the elves’ living areas, offering money, gemstones, alcohol, and crafted goods in return. But Ariel and the other elders simply laughed it off and refused. Although, it did eventually escalate into a conflict with the Empire.

Ariel had assumed heroin would be similar — no major trouble.

Young elves were going crazy about it, so she reluctantly tried it, occasionally puffing on the pipe.

And that’s how the smoke of heroin granted her a form of divine grace.

The World Tree Mother gave grace daily, though it became mundane since the elves were constantly exposed to it. After hundreds of years, one could understand why they might feel indifferent.

‘But heroin is different. Similar warmth, but…’

Ariel regretted having lived so long without experiencing this transcendent pleasure. Especially since her time to enjoy it was so limited. At most, a hundred or a hundred and twenty years left. Despite her youthful looks, she was already an elder approaching twilight.

Why had humans created such a wonderful thing only now? If they had shared it with them six hundred years ago, there would’ve been no reason for this frustration. This passing of time made her feel bitter and regretful.

Still, what could be done?

“We will enjoy it as much as we can from now on.”

Murmuring to herself, Ariel noticed the other elders frantically nodding in agreement, especially the ones over 700 years old, who looked particularly earnest.

But, there was an elf spoiling the mood.

“Heroin is no good, heroin is no good, heroin is absolutely forbidden.”

Standing stiffly at the entrance, muttering these words was an elf with green hair.

It was Marcela, the greatest warrior of the Great Forest.

Until now, Marcela had been treated extraordinarily for her achievements, even though she was relatively young. But at the moment, Ariel simply couldn’t bear to even look at her.

After all, this was the elf who dared to try to monopolize the heroin.

Had Marcela’s close aides not shown bravery, who knows what would’ve happened.

‘She probably would’ve taken over everything by now.’

Ariel decided to ignore Marcela, believing she would leave on her own if given time to reflect on her misjudgment.

But it seemed that Marcela wasn’t letting go of this easily.

“Elder!”

She stepped forward boldly, her eyes glaring furiously. Ariel had no choice but to pay attention.

“What is it, heroin?”

“What? I mean… it’s me, Marcela.”

“Ah, yes, Marcela.”

Marcela continued, “You have shown through your actions what I’ve been trying to say. I didn’t know at first either, but heroin… well, it’s hard to put into words. It has ‘shadows.’ Smokers lose the ability to control themselves.”

“You’re quite the talker.”

“Just because I accidentally called you by the wrong name… losing control? Come on!”

Ignoring Ariel’s furrowed brow, Marcela raised her voice even louder in frustration.

“You shouldn’t smoke heroin! It’s poison!”

“So you warned your followers beforehand, did you? I already know your secret intentions, so stop lying.”

“This is not a lie!”

In exasperation, Marcela gestured rudely at the elders who were peacefully enjoying the heroin, the very same elders who had contributed much to guarding the World Tree for centuries.

“Elder, if you could just see this! They’re lying around shamelessly, obsessing over the heroin… It might feel good now, but soon it will turn toxic.”

Ariel just chuckled hollowly.

So that’s how it was. This was nothing more than Marcela’s attempt to hog all the heroin for herself after realizing her monopoly plan had failed.

Marcela often let her emotions get the better of her and acted greedily, much like a human. Of course, heroin was quite alluring.

“Marcela, consider your great achievements. I shall forgive you.”

“Forgiveness?!”

Instead of being grateful for the lenience based on her contributions, Marcela looked down at them with disdain. Worse, she covered her nose and mouth with her hand as if refusing to inhale the smoke.

Still, Marcela wasn’t entirely wrong in her claims.

“Alright then. Elder. What are we going to do when the heroin the humans gave us runs out?”

“…”

“If we keep indulging like this, it will last for no more than two weeks, or rather, not even ten days. Afterwards, what do you plan to do? By the way, the human knight and diplomat who created this heroin despises us.”

“…!”

“Have you considered these matters, Elder?”

Ariel’s previously relaxed demeanor swiftly stiffened.

Upon reflection, the humans gave them just 30 grams. There were over thirty elders and dignitaries sharing it, even some younger warriors who didn’t deserve it, and they had already burned through 28 grams.

Perhaps 27 grams.

It was obvious it would last less than a week. As more people craved heroin, it would deplete even faster.

“That… I had not considered.”

“It’s fortunate you’ve acknowledged it now. It’s not too late.”

Marcela exhaled a sigh then began insisting they should immediately halt the usage and discard the remaining heroin. Although the withdrawal would be difficult for a few days, it would improve over time.

However, Elder Ariel had no intention of accepting this suggestion.

‘It’s true the quantity is insufficient.’

But couldn’t they simply acquire more if it ran short?

Restricting heroin usage based on lineage and age was also an option.

Perhaps the elders alone could hold out close to a month. Though this was a short-sighted approach and would only cause discord.

Negotiating with humans to secure more heroin and create an environment where one could enjoy it endlessly without fear of depletion was what was appropriate for her as the leader of the Great Forest. And something Marcela, capable only of fighting, wouldn’t have conceived.

“Don’t worry, Marcela. I will soon try to procure more heroin.”

Ariel announced casually.

The tension in her eyes, even while intoxicated, gave way to a bright smile among the elders. One elder even swayed, humming “heroin, heroin.” They were all clearly pleased.

‘This is what politics is about.’

As a reward to herself, the Head Elder loaded some more heroin into her pipe.

This was her fourth time smoking in a while.

“Please, stop it.”

With a contorted face, Marcela reached out, but Ariel paid no heed, lighting the pipe with magic. She saw no reason to listen to a young warrior who had tried to deceive them, especially when heroin tasted so exquisite.

Soon after, a joyful time commenced for everyone except Marcela.

<h3>*</h3>

He knew they’d get hooked eventually.

But he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. Only a week had passed since gifting them the heroin.

“Mr. Alan. The representative from Medelin is requesting a communication link. What shall we do?”

According to the aide, it was someone reporting as a direct subordinate of the Head Elder.

They claimed discussions were needed to constructively implement previously agreed terms of the peace treaty.

Though their speech sounded plausible, Alan didn’t recall any concrete agreements when Marcela had visited. He had merely offered her a cup of lemon tea, handed over a little gift, and sent her off. Intentionally, he had treated them rather rudely.

“Of course they’re contacting me because of the heroin.”

Apparently, heroin had already infiltrated the ranks of the elf leadership.

Did Marcela obediently hand the heroin over to the elders as instructed? Or did the elders accidentally discover it and now crave it?

This was all beneficial from his perspective.

Still, Alan couldn’t immediately jump into negotiations with them.

“Tell them I decline.”

“Decline?”

“Not outright, but inform them that I’m planning to return to the state soon and this isn’t an appropriate time for further negotiations. They should try again when a new attaché is dispatched.”

“Yes. Understood.”

This was a tactic to irritate them on the other side.

A direct subordinate of the Head Elder could be considered a high-ranking official. Still, Alan wasn’t interested in negotiating with elves acting under someone else’s orders.

Sure enough, their reaction was immediate.

“Mr. Alan. An elder named Oliviar from the Oliviar clan, boasting over six hundred years of age, requests communication.”

Someone boasting their age had joined the request, but Alan rejected it as well. Realizing the hierarchy was moving up, he found no real reason to immediately comply.

About an hour later—

Finally, Ariel had personally joined the communication. Frankly, it was commendable that she had even taken an hour to think about it.

Alan promptly and politely declared as soon as communication with Ariel was established:

“I’m Envoy Alan Medoff under imperial orders. Before we begin proper discussions, I have one request to the leader of the Great Forest. Please, let’s kindly exclude heroin from our agenda discussions.”

It was a probe to test their stance.

A brief silence followed, but it quickly dissipated.

– “Human. Though I understand your intention, I indeed wish to discuss heroin.”

They’ve already tasted it.

It seemed like they would soon yield abundant results.

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