Chapter 59

The instructions I gave to the elf elder were two-fold.

“Let it slip to Marcela that you’ve secretly purchased large quantities of heroin. If it’s hard to subtly leak the information, it’s fine to just outright tell her. Either way, as long as it reaches Marcela’s ears, that’s all that matters.”

First, provoke Marcela.

“In response to the news, Marcela will act out of anger. At that point, make excuses and contact me through the magical communication device. Ask me about the use of funds in front of Marcela.”

And once the situation ripens, contact me.

That was all.

It was foolish to assign a complex task to a drug addict. Although drug addicts would do anything for drugs, they weren’t exactly reliable.

“Fine, human. And I’ll say it again.”

“I get it. This isn’t an order but a suggestion.”

Only then did the buyers nod in agreement and leave. As they went, they were still fondly fidgeting with the heroin blocks, each 100 grams, they had carefully packaged.

I turned my gaze to the goods they had left behind.

I intended to use this money to effectively neutralize Marcela.

Somehow, it had to be stopped.

‘Even if I bear the disgrace, there’s nothing I can do. Stopping it is the priority.’

Marcela was holding back the heroin with this single-mindedness.

Rather, she was struggling to block it.

While those who were already addicted to the drug were beyond saving, she had to at least prevent its spread.

If the other elves started getting hooked while the higher-ups were already corrupted, the situation would get out of control, wouldn’t it? That much had to be stopped at all costs.

Truthfully, she wasn’t in a position to take responsibility for all the elves.

But now was not the time to quibble about rank. Any elf who saw the issue had to act.

Fortunately, she wasn’t alone.

The fact that there were elves who listened to Marcela suggested that her past dedication hadn’t been in vain.

“Perhaps heroin isn’t really that dangerous. Isn’t it just powdered tobacco? But it’s true that our elders have become too lax, as you say. It’s not right for them to indulge too much in the pleasures offered by humans.”

“To be honest, I don’t understand the details, but I’ll follow Marcela’s orders. I trust Marcela over the elders.”

“I think I understand why you’re worried. Since my father started using heroin, he’s been muttering to himself… Anyway, count me in.”

Unlike the underlings who engaged in insubordination, these elves stood alongside Marcela.

Honestly, there weren’t many.

While it was true that she had earned merit in battles against the imperial army, many elves still looked down on her. This was due to the reckless moves she had made several times to expel the empire as soon as possible and draw all the elves of the Great Forest into the war.

‘In any case, I’m not alone.’

Just knowing that there were allies backing her gave Marcela courage and renewed her resolve to dedicate herself for her own people.

The most important task at this time was to take power away from the elders.

If the elders were to publicly throw a heroin party right in the heart of Medelin, it would be perfect.

After seeing their shocking—indeed indescribable—behavior, there wouldn’t be a single elf who would be in favor of heroin.

However, even the drug addicts seemed to have some sense, as they were secretly inhaling or consuming it among themselves.

It was difficult to urge other elves to rebel against the venerable elders, some of whom were over 500 or even 700 years old, just because they were under the influence. To instill a sense of crisis among their own kind, something decisive was needed, but it wasn’t easy.

‘I need justification. Justification.’

Justification was necessary to take action.

And so, as she was deep in thought, an elf appeared to provide her with that very justification.

“Four days ago, Elder Esenia left with a large sum of money. The Head Elder approved this. It was part of the budget set aside for exchanges with the Darien Kingdom, but it doesn’t seem to have been used for that purpose. She went into the empire’s territory. I wonder what she spent the money on?”

A young executive quietly came and delivered this news.

Was she taking advantage of the peace with the empire to indulge in luxury during her visit?

Unlikely.

She must have bought heroin. The 30 grams of free heroin she had initially received was about to run out. While it was commendable that she hadn’t resorted to selling the Great Forest, it was still troubling that a significant amount of gold and currency had been spent.

This was sufficient justification to attack.

Spend money meant for exchanges with countries that aren’t invading the Great Forest on that kind of heroin?

Even though elves are indifferent to wealth, if it became known that a large sum had been spent just to buy that powder, no one would remain silent. At the very least, it would incite anger among elves who haven’t smoked heroin.

“Alright. Let’s move.”

Marcela wasn’t feeling at ease either.

She was less than 200 years old, still a young elf.

She didn’t like the idea of opposing the elders, who had lived so much longer than her, for hundreds of years. Moreover, among the council of elders, five belonged to the same lineage as Marcela herself.

‘This isn’t the time to worry about such ranks.’

Marcela steeled her resolve and summoned her followers.

Not only her followers but also elves with ambiguous positions and roles were requested to accompany her. She couldn’t visit alone, or the elders might refuse to meet her.

“We’re heading to the Head Elder.”

Whatever the outcome today, Marcela was ready to take responsibility. It was a move that couldn’t be done without such preparation.

…

A little later, the forced meeting with the Head Elder arranged by Marcela.

“What is it, Marcela?”

The Head Elder, with a vacant look, asked Marcela.

Fortuitously or unfortunately, the Head Elder wasn’t under the influence of the drug, but there was a pipe nearby, presumably to use anytime.

There was also a high-quality holder made of church wood, crafted for who-knows-when.

How could the Head Elder, who so lovingly cherished the pipe given by Alan Medoff, be used for heroin smoking? Thanks to this, Marcela easily opened her mouth.

“Head Elder, you once mentioned something while surrounded by smoke. You said you’d try to acquire more heroin.”

“Who dares speak of this impertinence. You should leave.”

“You did say it, right?”

“…”

Unable to say anything or evade the topic, the Head Elder remained silent. Meanwhile, the other elders either took cues from situations or didn’t care at all.

Marcela decided to push even harder.

“I heard that Elder Esenia visited an imperial city on your orders. It’s also known that she didn’t just visit, but spent a considerable amount. Could you tell us what that money was used for?”

“Marcela, stop.”

“No, what should stop is your use of heroin. I demand an explanation. What was that money spent on?”

“…”

“Obviously, you used it to purchase heroin, didn’t you?”

Marcela placed a hand on the hilt of her sword as she pressed the accusation.

Her plan was straightforward.

To extract a confession from the Head Elder. And then she intended to negotiate immediately after.

She planned to suggest that as long as the elders could freely indulge in the private rooms, they should surrender control to her peaceably.

‘There’s no need to bully them hard, it seems.’

Maybe they’d enter their private rooms willingly, thinking it was actually for the best. Such a move was entirely plausible for the current elders.

In reality, the Head Elder Ariel readily nodded.

“Yes. It’s true that we approached someone through Elder Esenia.”

“Could that person be Alan Medoff?”

“That’s correct. Money was given to him, and 3 kilograms of heroin were received.”

Too easy of a confession.

The elves she’d brought began to murmur. She supposed this reaction was predictable, yet she couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

She had expected some form of rebuttal, but the ease with which they admitted it was almost bittersweet. Nevertheless, it made achieving her goals easier.

“You ultimately purchased heroin, didn’t you?”

“I gave the money, and received the heroin. But that wasn’t… the entire purpose?”

What nonsense. Is this also due to the effects of heroin?

Just as Marcela, who was stroking the hilt of her sword, was pondering, one of the elders awkwardly started casting a communication spell. The Head Elder simply muttered, “It’s better to hear directly from the involved parties,” brushing it off.

Something’s not right.

At that point when Marcela felt the oddness. A familiar voice came through the magical communication device.

– “Why… Ah, did you contact me to check on the progress? I had a hard time bribing many places, but the plan bore fruit. By the way, Ide and Yerina, the young elves you asked to release are soon returning to the Great Forest.”

It was Alan Medoff’s voice.

Marcela blinked in confusion.

Ide and Yerina. They were the young warriors who had been captured by humans in the final days of the conflict with the empire.

She had thought they would be killed immediately upon capture. But why were their names coming from Alan’s mouth?

– “As you all know, the imperial army has lost many soldiers to elves. There are countless others who have become disabled due to traps. Even though the conflict is over, it’s not something they can just release captives for easily. In fact, until now, everyone was just… killed. Fortunately, this time around, with the funds you provided, it was much easier to secure their release. You’ll be seeing them again soon.”

Alan Medoff cut off the communication abruptly.

In the cold atmosphere that followed, Marcela simply moved her lips.

So… ultimately, the elders spent the money to get the prisoners back? And Alan used that money to undertake some tasks and actually secured their release?

But elders addicted to heroin wouldn’t have come up with such a notion. It must be the heroin, right?

“Now you understand.”

The question from the Head Elder landed as Marcela was still lost in thought.

Instead of answering, Marcela slowly turned around.

The elves she had proudly brought along to pressure the Elder Council, the elves who had staunchly supported her back, were now looking away with confused expressions. Even the elves who didn’t avoid her gaze were glaring at Marcela with cold, frosty eyes.

Marcela knew very well what this situation meant.

---