Chapter 76: The Human Race’s Envoy (Revised)

Chapter 76: The Human Race’s Envoy (Revised)

After everything was prepared, the pressed-for-time Suratu swiftly set out as the envoy from the Human Race.

Upon receiving the news of the Human envoy’s arrival, Airael was taken aback.

She didn’t expect the Humans to send an envoy to the Elven Race at this moment.

Just yesterday, they had engaged in a fierce battle, and with their prior skirmishes, it was safe to say that a significant grudge had developed between them.

However, Airael was aware of the saying, “In times of war, one does not slay the messenger.”

This principle was universal across both worlds.

As the Queen of the Elven Race, Airael knew she couldn’t disrupt this rule.

Therefore, she decided to meet this brave envoy from the Human Race.

In the castle hall, Airael, perched upon her throne, gazed in surprise at the old man in a white robe who entered slowly through the door.

The earlier messenger hadn’t provided her with much detail, so she was completely unaware that the envoy from the Humans was an elderly man nearing his end.

Could it be that people become fearless of death after reaching a certain age?

Airael mused to herself.

Choosing to come as an envoy during such a tense time meant this man risked his life on the faith of the Elves or her as their Queen.

Once he reached a suitable distance, Suratu stopped, respectfully bowing to Airael as he spoke: “Your Majesty, I truly appreciate your audience. I am Suratu, the envoy sent by the Human Race!”

Hearing the name “Suratu,” Airael’s pupils constricted.

Like Alexander, she was no stranger to the name Suratu.

She also knew that in this world, Suratu was Alexander’s mentor, a Grand Mage, and held significant status among the Humans.

Now, for such a prominent figure to choose this moment to visit the Elven Race left Airael astonished, and she speculated about his true intentions.

At that moment, having announced his name, Suratu’s earlier impression as an old fool vanished from Airael’s thoughts.

“So it’s Grand Mage Suratu! What a rare guest! I wonder what brings you here as an envoy today?”

“For peace.”

“Peace!”

Airael narrowed her eyes, a great stir rising within her heart.

“Indeed, I come for peace. This time, our Human Race offended your kind, and it is a grave error on our part, resulting in substantial losses for both sides. However, this mistake cannot be allowed to continue. Both our peoples have a dire need to end this conflict quickly. Continuing to fight will only exacerbate our losses and sour relations further, leaving other races to benefit from our strife.”

“Are you saying that the Human Race wishes to make peace with us Elves?”

Though Suratu’s reasoning was sound and sincere, Airael’s mind couldn’t help but wander.

Even though the Elves triumphed yesterday, it didn’t mean they had utterly defeated the Humans.

So why would the Humans suddenly seek peace?

There had to be something amiss.

And although this old man appeared very upright and kind, anyone who dared show up here with such a proposal clearly wasn’t an ordinary person.

“Negotiating peace is one aspect, but on top of that, our Human Race wishes to propose marriage to Your Majesty, making you the Queen of the Human Race so that our two peoples can live in friendship for generations to come.”

He omitted mentioning the request for a high priest from the Elven Race, fearing the Elves might catch onto something.

After their recent battle, he understood that Alexander’s injuries were beyond healing.

“What did you just say?”

Airael was taken aback, momentarily suspecting she had misheard.

“Preposterous!”

But before Suratu could respond, Hela, standing nearby, interjected: “How dare the mere Humans make such a brazen request! Do they truly believe we Elves fear them? Hels, seize this reckless Human immediately!”

Hels immediately led several Royal Palace Guards toward Suratu to apprehend him.

Suratu made no resistance, merely fixing his gaze on Airael seated on the throne.

Just as Hels and the Elves were about to seize Suratu, Airael called out: “Stop!”

The actions of Hels and the other Elves halted instantly.

They were at a loss for what to do.

To be fair, they wanted to apprehend this insolent Human.

Looking at Airael, Suratu chimed in: “Your Majesty’s poise is truly remarkable!”

Airael replied irritably: “Don’t flatter me!”

In fact, her anger rivaled that of Hela and Hels.

But as Queen, she could not afford to lose her composure and act impulsively.

Moreover, she felt that if Suratu dared to come here, he certainly had his reasons.

“I ask you, are you implying that the only way for our two races to achieve peace is for me to marry into the Human Race?”

“You may understand it that way, Your Majesty.”

“Looks like that’s the gist of it!”

Airael’s eyes narrowed slightly, looking rather furious.

Suratu smiled in response: “Your Majesty, I believe you should cherish peace even more. If you agree to marry a Human, then our two races would enjoy a friendship that lasts through generations, preventing any further conflict. As long as the Humans do not invade the Elves and maintain a friendly relationship, surely no other races would dare harm the Elves.”

“Your words sound lovely, but for all these years, it seems only your Human Race has dared to invade us Elves. Do you truly believe your people can be our guardians? If this war were to continue, even if your side seems mighty, the ultimate victor is certainly not guaranteed to be the Humans.”

Suratu chuckled lightly: “Your Majesty, I never suggested that we Humans should be the guardians of the Elves. The strength of the Elven Race is evident, and you certainly do not require our protection. My intent, as I stated earlier, is for the peace of our two races. While the ultimate victor may not be the Humans, it certainly wouldn’t be the Elven Race either.”

Airael was momentarily speechless; then her expression darkened. “But from my perspective, you show no sincerity whatsoever.”

“Isn’t it sincere for the Human Race and Elven Race to forever live in peace, helping one another?”

“Empty words! How much do you think I will believe what you say? And don’t you find your earlier request overly bold?”

“Your Majesty, everything I’ve said comes from the heart. Maintaining a close relationship through marriage between our two races is the best way to stabilize our ties. Otherwise, how can we guarantee that further conflicts won’t arise, leading to disastrous wars like today’s again?

We Humans have a large population and can recover from the deaths of tens of thousands quite quickly, but your Elven nobility seems unable to withstand the losses. Even the death of mere thousands would deal a severe blow, making it difficult to recover for centuries.”