Chapter 64

I still had 46 kilograms of heroin.

Only 4.9 kilograms of the stuff I originally brought had been used to reach the World Tree.

However, I couldn’t gauge how long the remaining quantity would last.

It wasn’t because I intended to scatter it indiscriminately, but because the rate at which the elves were consuming heroin was gradually increasing.

By the end of the month, they might really be burning through a kilogram a day.

‘I couldn’t handle that.’

If I had to, I could do it.

But manufacturing it alone wouldn’t be enough; I’d have to share the method with other employees and worry about the possibility of heroin quantities flowing back into the Empire. I’d also have to consider any derivative issues arising from this.

Even without Marcela, there were ways to maintain the consumption rate while wrapping things up…

But it was a fact that her assistance would make the task easier.

“What do you intend to do, Alan Medoff?”

“First, I’ll get rid of those around us.”

I signaled with a nod to the elf warriors guarding my sides and dismissed them.

It wasn’t a reckless act to confront Marcela one-on-one; the knights I brought from the Empire took their place.

Still, the reality was I was insufficient in front of Marcela, a high-tier magician and master.

Marcela seemed to be aware of this.

“Even now, I could…”

“In the end, you don’t plan to, right, Marcela? And at this point, you should know that killing me alone won’t resolve the situation. …Just for reference, if I were to die, a royal named ‘Siena’ would take over willingly and with great enthusiasm.”

“You mean the Second Princess?”

“Do you know her?”

“I once heard one of your captured officers cursing at her. They say she’s very good at killing people.”

Marcela nodded slightly as she said this.

Siena was famous even in the Great Forest—though this didn’t worry me. The important thing was that Marcela had willingly engaged in a calm dialogue.

We moved straight to the main subject.

“It’s simple. Just separate the elves who use heroin from those who don’t.”

“How dare you…”

“Misunderstand me. It’s not that I intend to treat them like prisoners. We lock prisoners up in military prisons, but you don’t have prison facilities.”

“…”

“I just mean they should live separately. Let them enjoy heroin comfortably among themselves.”

Users with users. Non-users with non-users.

There was a suitable location.

The Hoenn Region, which is on the outskirts of Medelin.

I only learned this after infiltrating the area, but the Hoenn Region was said to be where twilight elves spend their later years.

Ultimately, it’s a large retirement town.

Moving there supposedly means liberation from the obligation of labor.

Even though an elf who’s 500 years old looks somewhat emaciated but still relatively youthful to me, elves have an old age too.

“To the Hoenn Region, for heroin users?”

“Simply relocate the elves who originally lived there. Of course, I know it’s an inconvenient proposal.”

“It’s naturally inconvenient. That place is where the aging B-class citizens live… Even if the Council of Elders has fallen into decay, how could we…”

The idea of pushing noble elves into a commoner retirement village seemed to make her uncomfortable.

It wasn’t just about class consciousness; the elves in this world didn’t live extravagantly just because their bloodlines were considered precious.

Whether they were from the five great families or not, their living standards were similar. However, it wasn’t unreasonable for Marcela to dislike the idea.

‘The implication is to remove all elders and potential future elders.’

It was practically equivalent to collapsing her regime with her own hands.

And that too, in collaboration with the outside force of the Empire.

Marcela, who had already failed in a coup attempt, would naturally find it hard to accept easily.

Especially since the one proposing it was me, the one who introduced heroin into the Great Forest—someone who tried to kill her not long ago. There would be little incentive for her to conspire with such a hated outsider.

A moment later, she opened her mouth, glaring at me with eyes filled with distrust.

“…I appreciate you revealing your true colors, Alan Medoff. But what will you do if I refuse? Even passing your ideas to the Council of Elders—or if not them, since they are all irrational, to the Guardians or the Administrators—what then?”

“Sorry, but how many elves do you think would believe you? You tried to kill me today by interrupting diplomatic negotiations.”

“…”

“I think you don’t have many options.”

After hearing this, Marcela turned silently and left. She left me with one word after taking a few steps.

“I know.”

This could be taken as a sign that she would mull it over.

If she was heading to the plaza, her decision might come sooner. After all, it was the place where heroin was spreading most intensely there.

Looking at Medelin’s situation, Marcela would come to realize that time wasn’t on her side.

**

Will Marcela cooperate with me?

‘The chances are high, but I can’t be sure.’

As I waited for her response, memories from my past life came back.

I had once collaborated with the South District Prosecutors Office Annex (Securities Crime Joint Investigation Team) to send my father, Choe Hui-jun, to prison. Initially, I only intended to report a tip-off, but when my father’s partner made ridiculous threats, I decided to get more involved.

This happened after enduring personal doxxing due to the vault keeper theory, which led me to quit my job. Eventually, I thought, “This can’t go on.”

At first, the prosecutors didn’t trust me either.

There were also people who frowned upon my actions, wondering how I could go against my own family so thoroughly.

Some even suspected whether my cooperation wasn’t some sort of internal strife. But later on, once they realized my sincerity, they did cooperate.

‘This is somewhat similar in borrowing external strength. Granted, Marcela isn’t willingly borrowing it.’

Aside from that point, everything was different—the circumstances, the goals, and the emotions with which we approached the issues.

Even though I was at odds with my father, I didn’t suffer from the blood ties that still affected her. Marcela was likely suffering now, worried about how she’d be perceived in elf society after causing trouble.

But… thinking about it, there was one more similarity.

Once she made a decision, she acted on it. From what I observed, Marcela was that kind of elf.

‘She’ll respond soon. In one way or another.’

And this expectation didn’t falter.

The next morning.

Marcela summoned me through an eighty-year-old young elf.

The place was the square in front of the World Tree.

Given the time, there were no groups of elves smoking heroin and chatting; those would likely appear once the sun came up, including new elves unaware they were becoming heroin users.

As soon as I arrived, Marcela pointed to a small brazier nearby.

“I watched you closely yesterday, and you just left without cleaning up. Presumably because you intended to smoke again today anyway. …And I noticed something unusual. Mixing heroin with spices to create smoke—was that something you taught them, Alan Medoff?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve never smoked it in the square.”

“If that’s true… we’ll likely see more creative methods soon.”

Marcela no longer even managed to produce a bitter smile.

“I know you humans want resources.”

“True.”

“Until now, you’ve targeted timber and minerals, but eventually, you’ll aim for the World Tree, won’t you? You humans have held a fantasy about the World Tree for centuries. Haven’t you caused all sorts of schemes for it?”

“…”

Marcela’s expression was so solemn that I couldn’t refute it by clarifying “the Empire’s real target isn’t the World Tree.”

Just the fact that she had brought this up indicated she had made her decision.

“Alan Medoff.”

“So, what?”

“To realize your suggestion of separating users and non-users, I ultimately have to overthrow the current leaders with my own hands. It’s impossible for me to achieve this alone, so I’d have to rely on the Empire. Isn’t that ultimately what you want?”

“…”

“I have three conditions before answering.”

“Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“First, coveting the World Tree will absolutely not be tolerated.”

“…”

The first condition was extremely easy.

Many humans coveted the World Tree. It was indeed useful; weapons made from World Tree branches were said to have an excellent mana responsiveness.

However, they couldn’t compare with the vast amounts of high-quality wood, natural stones, and minerals pouring out of the Great Forest.

‘This is something I could promise on my own strength.’

But the second condition proved a bit more challenging.

“Additionally, no elf should leave the Great Forest involuntarily. Even if it’s voluntary, the voluntary intent of heroin users will not be recognized. Of course, this applies regardless of bloodline or age.”

This basically prohibited elves from becoming slaves.

Of course, slavery existed in this world.

A majority of the Empire’s slaves were merfolk, so much so that the public view was that merfolk were synonymous with slaves or potential slaves. Many humans also became slaves.

In the event that the Great Forest effectively fell under the Empire?

It would be akin to the dawn of a new age in the slave market. The revenue from selling morphine and heroin would pale in comparison.

‘This is difficult even for me.’

It was possible but required negotiation with higher-ups.

Still, prolonging by saying I needed time to think was a bad move.

Judging by Marcela’s determined stance, the moment I hesitated, she’d surely think, “This kid will do it.”

“I agree.”

This was the right choice. This was likely her red line, and I planned to enlist the help of imperial princesses rather than shoulder it alone.

Now, there was just one condition left.

Fortunately, the last one was relatively straightforward.

“Alan Medoff. You must not leave Medelin until I’m confident that the two conditions will be met. This is the final condition… And I won’t elaborate on what will happen if you break the agreement later.”

A ban on approaching the World Tree, prohibition on slaving, and probable retaliation should either be violated.

With this agreement, she’d follow my plan.

“I agree to all.”

“Good, then.”

The moment the main resistance force in the Great Forest became an ally.

We were now almost at the final resolution.

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