Chapter 67

The Elders of Medelin were now consumed by fury.

“Human arrogance has gone too far…! We cannot overlook this.”

“…Even so, can we really disregard that Alan Medoff is a heroin supplier?”

“Are we so addicted to heroin? We just use it to relax. It’s unacceptable for such short-lived beings to look down on us because of this…! We must firmly warn them to ensure this doesn’t happen again!”

In the Head Elder’s Audience Chamber, the voices of the elders criticizing Alan Medoff could be heard.

Even the more dignified elders were smoking heroin to calm their anger.

This was due to Alan Medoff gathering the elders under the pretense of, “I have gravely insulted Elder Essenia. I will publicly apologize and offer compensation to the elders.”

However, there was no sign of Alan appearing.

Here was the situation of a human visitor blowing the elders off.

Until now, the elders had indulged Alan Medoff, but public opinion had formed that they could not overlook this incident. How dare a human bureaucrat insult the elders who have lived in the Great Forest since before the establishment of the Britannia Empire!

In the end, Head Elder Ariel made a solemn decision with a stern expression.

“We will hold Alan Medoff accountable. We will demand a public apology and receive reparations.”

“Indeed.”

There was no elder unaware that the reparations they demanded would be heroin.

After all, all the elders wanted was that and perhaps some high-quality pipes or aromatic materials to mix with heroin.

“…Just let him come. Filthy human.”

The consensus among the elders was to claim everything from Alan Medoff this time.

Not one elf doubted that Alan Medoff would soon appear, crawling on his knees.

Not a single one.

…

“Elders!”

An urgent report was delivered at that moment.

“What is all the commotion about?”

“The arsenal in Narion District has fallen into enemy hands…!”

This report was followed by a silence that filled the chamber.

Enemies all of a sudden?

And the arsenal compromised?

Both were unprecedented occurrences in Medelin’s history, leaving the elders no choice but to be perplexed.

One elder regained composure slightly and attempted to issue an order, but before he could, another urgent report came.

“It seems enemies have stormed the administrative office. What should we do to address this situation…!”

A report that the bureau responsible for executing the orders of the elder council had been attacked.

“It appears that the guardians on duty today were captured in a skirmish with the enemy… No, it’s not clear if a skirmish even happened, but their capture is verified.”

The news that the guardians responsible for Medelin’s defense had been taken as prisoners.

This ultimately meant that Medelin had been infiltrated by enemies.

There was only one kind of scum who could do such a despicable act.

“Humans? Are humans attacking us?”

“Yes…! The Empire’s army is currently invading Medelin.”

At this point, the elders’ faces began to grow increasingly serious.

Humans entering the territory of the World Tree?

Even worse, effortlessly neutralizing all important facilities in a short time?

Even the elders who were smoking heroin put down their pipes, albeit without extinguishing them. The news that Medelin had fallen to human hands was so shocking.

This was a time to devise a strategy, not to indulge in heroin.

Yet, no elf spoke up.

Gathering warriors to repel the attackers would be futile with the bureau and arsenal already compromised. Asking for reinforcements from the villages outside Medelin would be too slow given the urgency of the situation.

It was questionable whether any reinforcements would even believe them if summoned. Who would believe that humans suddenly infiltrated deep into the Great Forest to attack Medelin?

With no answers, the elders could only look at each other, and the staff awaited instruction with troubled expressions. Meanwhile, time flowed meaninglessly.

“A! That’s right!”

The silence was broken by Head Elder Ariel’s cry.

A glimpse of hope appeared on her face as she nervously scratched her silver hair. Despite the bleak situation, she still had a reliable ace. The elders looked at her with expectant expressions.

“Summon Marcella.”

“Excuse me?”

“Convey an order to Marcella to lead the warriors and eliminate all humans…! Not a single one must be spared. However, ensure that Alan Medoff is captured alive. We need to hold the Empire accountable for this atrocious act.”

“Head Elder…”

“Summon Marcella at once!”

“Hurry!”

The Head Elder urged impatiently.

Marcella would surely crush these humans, swiftly ending this calamity with a victory report, the elders believed.

However, the response was devastatingly grim.

“Uh… To our regret, the human force attacking Medelin at this moment… is being led by Grand Warrior Marcella herself, Head Elder.”

“What?”

“Marcella is a traitor, Elders.”

The faces of the elders contorted in disbelief.

But their shock did not last long.

…

“Head Elder. It’s all over.”

This was because Marcella had personally led the humans into the Audience Chamber.

The capital of the Great Forest, Medelin, had fallen with tragic ease.

Combat? Of course, there was some. When entering the Head Elder’s Audience Chamber, a few warriors tried to intercept us.

However, most were heroin users and were easily subdued.

Desperately chanting spells only to be struck and surrender, attempting to wield weapons only to be swiftly overpowered and knocked unconscious. Taking control of other key facilities was no different—effortless.

Now, the only ones left were the highest authority, the Elders.

Marcella remained silent as she gazed at the Elders. The over thirty Elders glared back at her, horror-struck.

While their emotions were understandable, someone had to speak.

I looked at Viscount Grant, the commander of the imperial forces.

My master, the deputy captain of the Imperial Court’s Knights. My nominal superior. He was the character who, in the original work, praised Leon’s talent and raised his worth.

A fully qualified individual to explain the reasons for military intervention and demand submission from the Elders.

Yet, Viscount Grant’s thoughts seemed extraordinarily… complex. He, too, probably didn’t expect that taking control of the enemy’s capital with only two minor casualties would be possible.

Someone had to step up. I stood beside Marcella, my morning star in hand.

And I spoke.

“Head Elder. It is all over.”

“Druggist…!”

“We are the forces of the Empire, responding to Grand Warrior Marcella’s request. Marcella has expressed that she does not seek unnecessary sacrifices. You may maintain your minimum dignity if you willingly transfer power to her.”

“What did you just say…?”

“Subsequently, Marcella will represent the elves to negotiate a ceasefire with the Empire.”

“….”

The choice now rested with the Elders.

To submit, or to resist.

“Marcella, that young one, to be a representative?”

In normal circumstances, a fierce battle would’ve erupted by now.

We are a special attack unit, and all the elders are exceptional mages. The Head Elder is particularly powerful.

However, it was evident from the elders’ current state that they were not fit to fight. They were all addicts of heroin.

Severe addicts who indulged four or five times a day.

Even now, some elders couldn’t part with their pipes. Honestly, it was impossible to consider fighting in such a state.

Still, some elves stood up to resist.

Head Elder Ariel declared resistance with a distorted face.

“At once, I’ll fry them all!!”

Head Elder Ariel stretched her hands forward, glaring at us.

She might be able to employ an electric shock spell with high-speed incantation, even without a staff, considering her standing.

The only way to stop her would be to swiftly rush and cut her throat before the spell was cast. We can’t simply withstand it.

However, the tense moment never materialized.

“All, all of you will be fried…!”

Contrary to her fierce declaration, no spell was cast despite the wait.

The Head Elder remained awkwardly poised, glaring at us. Her dilated pupils trembled nervously left and right, and the hands stretched forward shook slightly.

Meanwhile, no magical currents were detected.

Perhaps she might have mastered the skill to conceal her magical energy due to her immense strength. If so, it would be a situation where standing idly wouldn’t suffice.

But it wasn’t the case.

“I know… know the formula for Chain Lightning… but… uh…”

“…”

It seemed Head Elder Ariel was not in a state to cast magic.

For a mage powerful enough to even outshine the head of the Empire’s mage tower, this scene was quite pitiful.

Marcella calmly watched her, her hand resting on her sword hilt, while the faces of the imperial knights except mine were filled with shock. All they could do was disbelievingly watch the flailing Head Elder Ariel.

After some awkward moments,

“Ah! That’s it!”

Finally, Head Elder Ariel seemed relieved.

Simultaneously, a massive flow of magical power was sensed.

A large-scale spell that could potentially annihilate the entire audience chamber, endangering both the imperial army and the elders.

The victorious expression on Head Elder Ariel’s face suggested her intention to eliminate all enemies, including the traitorous Marcella, in one go.

However, no miraculous reversal occurred.

Marcella, who had remained silent until then, silently drew her sword.

And without hesitation, plunged it into the Head Elder’s chest.

An instantaneous action.

But the result was fatal.

Head Elder Ariel alternately stared in disbelief at the sword protruding from her chest and Marcella.

Other elders rushed to support her as she fell weakly, demanding answers for such an act.

Some elders attempted to escape before being stopped by imperial knights, dejectedly bowing their heads.

Marcella watched this scene and then calmly announced:

“Respected Elder Tollima… or any elder, it matters not. As acting Head Elder, convene a meeting and pass the proposal to transfer emergency authority to me.”

No elder objected to her command.

The coup was a success.

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