Chapter 62

The method to both eliminate the assassination threat against Marcela and expedite resolution.

First, I had to infiltrate their main base.

When I say “main base,” it naturally refers to Medelin, the city of the World Tree.

While there are Elves living outside of Medelin, those places are mostly small villages. However, Medelin, which serves as the capital, is said to benefit from the grace of the World Tree, providing excellent conditions—fertile soil and an abundant water supply.

I had to enter this place eventually.

“Now’s the time since the other side has even given us an excuse.”

I continued to look at the still bellowing elder Esephia while pretending to reluctantly nod.

“I didn’t think that far ahead either. Sending envoys just to buy some heroin is certainly a lot of work.”

“If you’ve realized it now, that’s enough, human.”

“Isn’t it ultimately about setting up a distribution network in the Great Forest? We’re open to the idea for the sake of friendly relations. But in my opinion, we need detailed discussions about it. How about if I personally visit Medelin and hold discussions with the Head Elder?”

At this, the elder looked rather uncomfortable.

It was understandable, considering they had just granted permission for us to infiltrate the Great Forest but were now hesitating. No matter how much they loved the heroin, they probably wanted to avoid bringing humans so close to the World Tree. The presence of humans even at the outskirts already irked them.

However, their counterparts were drug addicts.

“To facilitate effective heroin distribution, this is a necessary step, Elder Esephia.”

“…”

“Think about it: I need to have accomplishments to report to the Imperial Court too, right? Meeting with the Head Elder in Medelin will be a great achievement. Strengthening my standing will be good for your side as well.”

“Even so, why would we allow a human—”

“It’s not as if I’m asking for this freely.”

“?!”

At this point, I signaled Bono to bring ‘it.’

Among the items he brought alongside the smoking pipe was something small—an item no larger than a pinky finger, a tiny metallic tube. At a glance, it just looked like a small straw.

Elder Esephia tilted her head curiously. She seemed to be wondering why I would show such a shoddy item when there was heroin to offer.

“There’s a way to enjoy heroin more conveniently and cleanly.”

“You mean… this?”

“The easiest way would be to dissolve it in tea or alcohol. But as you know, that method isn’t quite effective. With this, though, you can enjoy all the efficacy of the drug while maintaining cleanliness. Aren’t you curious?”

What I was referring to, of course, was nasal inhalation.

There wasn’t an easier or more potent way to enjoy the drug at present. Although rolling paper could be used for inhalation, this metal tube was more presentable and easier to maintain.

“I’ll divulge this method if you permit me to visit Medelin with my entourage. I’ll also provide this administration tool to all the elders.”

“Entourage?”

“Considering safety, it can’t be helped. Even if I personally wanted to just go to Medelin alone, the higher-ups probably wouldn’t permit it.”

There was a brief back-and-forth after this, but it ended swiftly.

This was because I hinted at a potential halt of sales by saying, “Truthfully, I need to return to the State soon.” For them, already addicted to the drug, there was no greater fear than me setting up the distribution network and then leaving abruptly.

“Alright. When would be a good time to invite you?”

“Right away.”

There was no reason to delay, with Marcela possibly launching an attack tonight.

Thus, I immediately began assembling my entourage.

Since we were infiltrating the heart of the enemy while the Elven population was still relatively unharmed, we had to come fully prepared. I mobilized a number of experts from the border city, including Bono.

That totaled twenty individuals, twenty-one including myself.

Most of them were actual combatants who had fought against Elves before.

“Head Elder has permitted it, human.”

However, once the door had been opened, there was no going back.

**

With the help of the Elves’ teleportation magic circle, I arrived at Medelin.

The first thing that caught my eye was an enormous tree at the center of the city.

The World Tree.

Its circumference alone was easily over 80 meters. Though it looked like an ordinary evergreen broadleaf tree, it didn’t really matter much when considering its immense size. Just its presence overshadowed all the buildings in the city.

And another scene captured my attention, one that rivaled the World Tree.

“How are so many of them just—?”

“Speak carefully, human. They’re not just ‘kids’.”

In front of the World Tree, numerous Elves were sprawled around the square.

It wasn’t some organized gathering to welcome me.

Most of them were sitting in groups, some had even collapsed, but they had one thing in common: dazed expressions on their faces.

This scene reminded me of Kensington Street in the U.S. or Cracolândia in Brazil.

The only difference was that instead of zombie-like homeless people, there were beautiful Elves sprawled everywhere. Rather than discarded syringes, they were delicately puffing on pipes.

The scene was bizarrely aesthetic rather than grotesque.

It was clear that heroin had already become something of a cultural practice in Elven society.

“Why is there a human here?”

A few Elves, who seemed to be in better condition, pointed fingers at our group.

For a moment, tension rose in the previously relaxed square, but no disturbance occurred.

It was thanks to Elder Esephia, who had guided us there, pointing me out briefly.

“This human is heroin.”

“Heroin?”

“Heroin, the maker of heroin.”

“Ooh…”

With the mention of heroin, the tension instantly dissipated.

The Elf who had been pointing at me hesitantly extended an extra finger, perhaps realizing that pointing was rude.

“What do you think of seeing the World Tree directly? How does it make you feel? Is it good?”

Such a peculiar question.

Why didn’t he just lower his arm? Instead, he kept pointing at me with his index and middle fingers extended. This was evidence that the situation had already deteriorated beyond repair. The Elves hadn’t let us in out of a whim.

“Human. Move. You’ll meet the Head Elder soon.”

“Alright.”

“You should understand that an unusual privilege is being extended for your honor.”

Unusual privileges were indeed granted. I had entered the capital of the enemy nation with armed personnel, and they had even provided the means of transportation.

I was shortly escorted to the Audience Chamber of the Head Elder.

Whether it was to maintain dignity or out of distrust of humans, several Elves were seated alongside the Head Elder.

None were comparable to Marcela, yet they could all be classified as strong individuals.

But I felt no pressure.

‘They’re all users.’

Every elder had an unfocused gaze, and even some warriors likely designated for protocol and security purposes.

I intended to meet Marcela with these individuals.

Ironically, this place was the safest for me.

**

“No, no, no, no, no. Heroin is no.”

Marcela, former Great Warrior, was cutting through the Great Forest like a madwoman.

She was slashing through every obstructing bush with her mana-empowered blade, charging through the shortest possible route at a fierce pace.

Her destination: Medelin, the place she had escaped from not too long ago.

Under normal circumstances, this would have been unimaginable for her to harm vegetation merely for swift movement; it simply wasn’t in her nature.

But there was no time for such thoughts now. Marcela’s sole focus was reaching Medelin as quickly as possible.

“Move faster, move faster.”

Three days ago, she had visited the border city of Antrem to decapitate that Alan.

Marcela wasn’t stupid, so she devised a plan to approach Alan Medoff.

She used the excuse of purchasing heroin with the guards at Antrem.

She knew that Alan Medoff personally managed drug sales, believing she could achieve her goal without a large battle and escape quickly.

However, all she received from the guards was a shocking statement.

“Ah, Sir Alan has already left. To your capital.”

The news that Alan had already departed and his destination was Medelin was hard to believe.

‘There’s no way, absolutely impossible.’

Although she kept repeating that to herself, her frantic sprint showed otherwise.

In her almost 190 years of life, she had experienced so much evil and chaos, but nothing compared to the shock she had received just in the last month.

Anything could happen if things continued to escalate, and that was why she had to get back to Medelin quickly.

If Alan Medoff really was in Medelin…

‘I still have to kill him.’

Kill on sight, worry about consequences later.

As soon as she made this decision, the silhouette of Medelin appeared before her eyes.

Marcela tightened her grip on her sword and stopped her frantic charge.

Experienced Elf guardians managed entry to the sacred city. Though sneaking through was an option, she simply didn’t have the time.

‘The human really could be in Medelin. I must confirm this first.’

If the human had already infiltrated?

She would have to enter, even if it meant fighting her kin.

Though it was a disheartening thought, it couldn’t be helped in the current situation. Marcela approached the guards with her sword lowered.

“Has Alan Medoff visited?”

“Yes.”

So, he did come. Marcela clenched and released her eyes.

“Step aside. Though it’s true I’ve defied the elders, there’s no time for explanation. If you block me, I’ll break through by force.”

Though Marcela showed determination, the guard hesitated slightly.

“Ah, there’s no need to do that.”

“What?”

“The elder council is discussing your pardon. On request of the Empire’s emissary, Alan.”

…Pardon? On that human’s request?

Marcela could only blink, unsure of what she was hearing.

“Enter.”

Although the guard gestured her in, Marcela hesitated to move.

She couldn’t fathom what was happening inside Medelin. Even though it was the hometown she had lived in her entire life, it now felt strange to her.

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