Chapter 65

Two days after Marcela’s recruitment.

“Marcela, the eldest daughter of Radamel Udridna. I hereby reappoint you as the Grand Warrior. Faithfully carry out the mission of protecting our indivisible race under the World Tree. Furthermore, all your past faults will be erased by the Council’s resolution…”

She was once again reinstated as the Grand Warrior.

I was watching Marcela’s smooth reinstatement process unfold.

Initially, it was I who proposed her pardon and reinstatement. I built a convincing case for reconciliation and persuaded the elders.

The position of Grand Warrior is typically held by warriors representing individual clans.

Marcela, however, was exceptionally called the ‘Grand Warrior of Medelin,’ a position established to handle conflicts with the Britannia Empire.

It was said Marcela had relied on this authority to lead elite warriors in guerrilla warfare. Now, she had regained her former position.

However, it wasn’t just a simple reinstatement.

“Marcela, do you still oppose heroin?”

“No, Head Elder. I’ve caused inconvenience due to my hasty judgment. After hearing Sir Alan’s explanation, I’ve resolved my misunderstanding about heroin.”

“Those are glad tidings.”

By withdrawing her opposition to heroin, Marcela pleased the elders immensely.

Upon reinstatement, she added, addressing the elders, “To make up for my mistakes, I will work harder.”

The elders nodded, seemingly pleased by Marcela’s repentant demeanor.

Some elders appeared disinterested, their vacant stares hinting at deeper issues – heroin use, most likely.

Elders were reportedly indulging in heroin multiple times a day, their清醒 moments largely consumed by intoxication. It seemed heroin was their singular focus.

“Will Marcela now distribute heroin?”

One particularly affected elder even made this remark.

Yet no one mocked or criticized him, only quietly nodding or ignoring the comment.

“Marcela distributing heroin? It isn’t such an incorrect statement.”

Thinking about the plan Marcela and I were plotting, it felt even more fitting.

We met privately immediately after the appointment ceremony to discuss an impending coup.

“Marcela, I’ll request troops from the Imperial Court to support you. Even though you’ve been reinstated, you can’t take control alone. Officially, it will seem like you requested covert support from the Empire.”

“…So, it will appear as if I requested this on my initiative, not following your directive.”

“You received concessions, now hear me out. It’s beneficial for you too. You’ll be seen as using the Empire rather than being their puppet…”

“I understand. Framing it as me involving you to seize power might be better.”

Her curt response suggested her resolve was already firm.

Marcela was willing to become a traitor in name, allying with the Empire, to stop the spread of heroin among even the simple farming and gathering elves maintaining the Great Forest.

This was the right decision; we would need to continue cooperating in the future.

“I’ll soon issue specific instructions, Marcela.”

After briefly informing her, I contacted the Imperial Court.

I needed the emperor’s permission to mobilize the forces designated to support Marcela. Though few in number, they were elite forces planned to enter Medelin bloodlessly at the brigade level. Since direct magical communication with the emperor was impossible, messengers were necessary.

The messengers I sent to the emperor were the twin princesses.

Technically, I was still operating under their supervision while executing secret missions, though this was mostly for appearances.

*

With the youngest already involved, the emperor, Edmund III, wondered if the rest of his daughters were also being drawn into strange affairs.

At first glance, they were still his loving daughters.

Victoria, the eldest princess, was reserved but showed unwavering devotion to her father.

She was also a reliable first daughter.

Due to Victoria’s presence, Edmund never worried about succession. Although her official appointment as Heiress Apparent was delayed because she couldn’t yet serve in the military, unofficially she was already designated. It seemed Victoria wouldn’t cause the sibling conflicts he himself had experienced.

Then there was the second princess, Siena.

Though often troublesome, she was also the most beloved and cared-for daughter.

Having lost her mother at birth and raised by a wet nurse, the girl had recently become unexpectedly docile, relieving his concerns. He’d even shed tears watching her dutifully care for the current empress, to whom she was unrelated by blood.

To the emperor, they were daughters as precious as life itself.

Yet now, they were proposing something insane.

If it had been anyone else, he would have dismissed it as nonsense and forced them into retirement. But they were his daughters.

“Say that again.”

The emperor asked, and Victoria calmly re-reported.

“The Grand Forest will soon collapse, Your Majesty. The Grand Warrior Marcela has requested assistance through Sir Alan Medoff. After supporting Marcela’s purge of the leadership, we must bring the Great Forest under our influence.”

“…”

“We must immediately and covertly dispatch elite forces, with the Imperial Knights leading the charge.”

“Victoria.”

“Your Majesty, hadn’t I already reported the situation in Medelin? Haven’t I already documented Sir Alan’s achievements? This is merely the fruition of his efforts arriving earlier than expected. Even without a betrayal, this conflict was inevitable.”

Victoria’s report was precise and unhesitating.

“Could they have truly fallen so completely?”

Of course, he’d been receiving updates.

The stories of Alan Medoff’s influence, infiltrating Medelin, manipulating the Elven people.

Unbelievable as it seemed, cross-verification with the foreign ministry confirmed every detail.

But it still didn’t feel real.

Could one knight so easily send the Great Forest into decline? Why were the elves purchasing poison like heroin, paying for it with their own resources? If the solution was this simple, why had so many soldiers died or been injured in battles against the Great Forest in the past?

The emperor could only sigh in astonishment.

Siena then took her place.

“Why hesitate?”

“Siena, military matters–”

“Don’t overthink it. The elite class has already fallen into decadence, ensnared by the pleasures of heroin. We’ll effortlessly incorporate their state into ours.”

“…”

“Success will make the Greater Forest our protectorate, effectively a vassal state. The resources they provide will strengthen our empire and allow us to balance our trade deficits with the other great powers.”

“Siena…”

“Why delay, Father?”

“Father,” instead of formal titles.

Though intimate and endearing, it subtly undermined his authority.

Siena had done this deliberately. Clever as ever.

Her violet eyes were now silently pressuring him. Are we really going to miss this golden opportunity?

He didn’t feel insolence, only his own hesitation and indecision as a ruler, facing an empire-strengthening opportunity.

“Clearly, this is an opportunity.”

But was it truly this simple to overthrow a rival nation? How could such an event be possible? How could what three imperial brigades couldn’t manage be accomplished with just a few kilograms of powder?

Still uncertain, Edmund’s doubts were eased by Victoria.

“It’s understandable, Your Majesty, that you hesitate to believe. If I hadn’t seen Leon myself, I wouldn’t have believed it either. Actually, not seeing him might be better. He’s too grotesque.”

“Victoria.”

“If you don’t trust heroin, then trust Sir Alan. He’s a man who manufactured morphine out of compassion for war victims and risked life and limb infiltrating enemy lines to nonviolently subdue Medelin.”

“…”

“He’s a loyal servant of the empire. Supporting talented subjects as they use their abilities is the duty of the imperial court. …Isn’t that right, Siena?”

“Loyal or not, he’s definitely competent. Agree, Sister.”

With both daughters urging him thus, how could he refuse?

Finally, Edmund III nodded.

“Very well. I will accept the Grand Warrior Marcela’s request for support. We’ll form a battalion led by Baron Grant, deputy commander of the Imperial Knights. Once our operations stabilize, we will initiate peace negotiations.”

The emperor had made his decision.

The twin princesses exchanged glances. Victoria, having achieved her goal, smiled faintly. Siena, for reasons unknown, narrowed her eyes.

However, their behavior brought a new wave of concern to the emperor.

It meant both of them had joined forces to back Alan Medoff.

Then recalling that the empress’s medicine was also his creation…

Now, Alan Medoff had accomplished what seemed unimaginable – bringing down an elven nation singlehandedly.

It was an achievement so monumental that Edmund couldn’t even conceive how to appropriately reward him. Obviously, after incorporating the Great Forest under imperial influence, the empire would still depend on Alan’s medications, presenting another complicated issue.

But taking over the Great Forest was the immediate priority.

He was not a powerless emperor who could turn away from a victory within reach.

*

Five days later, the emperor’s forces had arrived at the border city.

I already had everything prepared for the takeover of Medelin, and Marcela was ready as well. She had discreetly selected a few bureaucrats to follow her after the operation, focusing on those who hadn’t succumbed to drug use.

All that was left was to execute the coup.

That coup would ultimately be a coup d’état.

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