Chapter 89 – Center of Gravity (4)
Just as I had rescued Neoru, things unfolded smoothly elsewhere as well. It seemed the Beastman Federation soldiers never even considered that we would boldly pull such an act right in the middle of the land they had seized. As a result, they were unable to properly respond to our assault, crumbling helplessly and losing the witnesses they were meant to protect.
The other witnesses were in critical condition, suffering severe injuries just like Neoru.
“Don’t worry. I will ensure they make a full recovery.”
In the temple of the Church of Light, the rescued witnesses were treated with utmost care without any further words. Thanks to the sacred power gathered by the Beastman priests with all their might, they managed to pull through and were gradually entering the recovery stage.
“We’ve passed through the most dangerous phase, but the broken bones and torn muscles are still in need of healing. It will take time for their minds to fully recover and for them to be able to move properly…”
“There’s no helping it. We can only focus on helping this person recover for now. We’ll catch up with the other two later.”
Clicking my tongue at the priest’s words, I took out a small vial from the precious supplies I had brought. Inside it was the true holy water harvested from deep within the Church’s headquarters.
This artifact, imbued with the power of the first Saintess, had the ability to resurrect even the dried-up and twisted seeds of the World Tree. I intended to feed this to Neoru to secure his testimony as soon as possible.
“Ugh…”
As expected of a sacred artifact, Neoru, who had been struggling to regain consciousness, began to come to his senses little by little as soon as he consumed the holy water.
I waited by his side until he fully awakened. I removed my hat and let my ears show.
There was no need to hide my identity from Neoru. It was more important to quickly clarify who I was and my relationship with Renia in order to provide him with mental stability.
“Y-You are…”
“Awake? Don’t try to speak too much. Just check your condition first. We still have time.”
As I expected, he opened his eyes wide in surprise as soon as he saw me, as if he had forgotten about his pain. I gently soothed him to ensure he wouldn’t overstrain himself.
In any case, the path had already been decided, and it was only a matter of how to tread along it.
“I’ve been linked to Renia since I was in Su’an. Who do you think purified the erosion zone you were investigating?”
“Ah… If that’s the case, then High Elf, please save the professor.”
After hearing in detail what I had been doing with Renia, Neoru seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Then suddenly, he started to sob uncontrollably, confessing that he had given false testimony under torture, leading to Renia being captured.
“Foreign Minister Taizhu intends to eliminate the professor under false pretense. The Federation’s judiciary has no idea how hard he works for this world…!”
“I know. That’s exactly why I’m here in person.”
The materials were all prepared. Now, what was needed were methods to cook them more provocatively.
First, we needed a chef who would step forward and initiate an attack on the hostile forces, including Taizhu, using the ingredients we had prepared.
No matter how much I operated as a being beyond the law, the only organization that recognized me as such was the Church of Light, so I couldn’t just arbitrarily interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
“Hurry and recover so you can provide a proper testimony. Once you’re ready, we will visit the King of the Fox Tribe.”
The attacker I had chosen was none other than the current king of the Fox Tribe, a kin to Renia.
“How is the reaction? Is it in chaos? Or are they desperately trying to find those they lost?”
“There are reports that, under Foreign Minister Taizhu, some have convened an emergency meeting.”
The aide of Ethan, whom I had seen in his mansion several times, seemed to gather the information I desired, as if he were not just a subordinate who’d received recognition. The most pleasing news was that Taizhu seemed flustered and hurriedly called for his men.
“Is it that they don’t know who to be anxious about?”
I couldn’t hide my smile as I put down the teacup I was holding. Hearing that our actions had thrown the enemy into confusion was uplifting.
Moreover, it seemed the enemies had no clue about our identity, so executing the next plan seemed to be no problem at all.
“The Fox King Tas is merely a king with legitimacy. He ascended to the throne at a very young age, and the actual power lies entirely with his uncle.”
I thought it was akin to the situation of King Danjong, who was not dethroned by a coup. Although he had aged over time, during that time, the trusted retainers of the late king were pressured by his uncle, who had become the real power, forcing them to retire, leaving behind a puppet king surrounded by subordinates of the uncle like Taizhu.
There was indeed a royalist faction that wanted to transfer power to an adult king since a king with legitimacy had grown up, but the uncle and his trusted advisors had begun to expel that royalist faction, unwilling to relinquish their greed.
Leading that was none other than Renia. In other words, the Fox King Tas and Renia were, in essence, on the same side. Now that the symbolic figure of that royalist faction, Renia, had been eliminated in this way, it was apparent that Tas was feeling a threat to his safety.
“While he couldn’t help it in his childhood, he’s not a kid anymore. The Fox King must be watching for an opportunity to regain power.”
“If we assist him with that opportunity, the Fox King will become a strong ally.”
“And our future tasks will become easier.”
I nodded at Rina’s words. This operation was crucial not only for rescuing Renia but also for planting allies in the Beastman Federation.
“You all wait and take care of Neoru. I’ll head to the Fox Tribe first, so be ready to come when I call.”
I would turn the cornered Fox King into an ally and show him the method to rescue Renia.
The Fox King Tas would use the ingredients I had provided to personally take action to rescue Renia. By doing so, he would also eliminate the opposing faction.
I could just stay beside him, pretending to know nothing, and watch how the enemies reacted.
‘Ah, I really might get used to this.’
I suddenly wondered if I had become too accustomed to moving like a shadowy figure. Due to the unavoidable circumstances and the convenience of it, I had begun to exhibit a tendency to behave this way, even while being aware of it.
This left me at a loss for how to explain myself to those who misunderstood me while watching, but for now, there was nothing that could be done.
“I’ve been waiting.”
“I’m exhausted from all the back and forth. Let’s re-enter the Beastman Federation. Since this is an official visit, I should probably send a notice first, right?”
Leaving my comrades behind, I joined Arisa, who had been waiting at the appointment location. I changed my clothes, took off my hood, and removed my headband.
“I wonder if this attire will become the basic outfit for a spirit master.”
After that, cloaked, I chuckled wryly.
Now that I was exposing my identity, a distinctive appearance vastly different from my usual self was required. So I started wearing my favorite combat attire, yet it felt like I was setting a precedent for something awry.
In any case, I, now a High Elf who had already caused a significant stir in the world, asked Arisa to formally contact the Fox Tribe of the Beastman Federation.
I inquired if we could meet since we were planning to visit. Naturally, according to Arisa, they were utterly flabbergasted, questioning why I was seeking them out.
“I conveyed that, following your orders, I have come to discuss the impending catastrophe that will become more serious.”
“There’s no better justification than that. Those who know what I’ve been doing with the Church must already be aware.”
It was widely believed that my appearance was solely due to the erosion. It was not inaccurate, and it was a perfectly fitting excuse, so I refrained from correcting it.
At the same time, I genuinely hoped there wouldn’t be a grand welcome awaiting me. I didn’t think I was that famous yet, and I was not exactly hoping for such attention to be focused on me.
“Welcome! We have been waiting since your message!”
“Welcome to the Beastman Federation, High Elf of the Mythical Era!”
However, contrary to my wishes, a grand welcome crowd they had prepared gathered before my eyes as I formally visited the Beastman Federation.
Since it was my first visit to a foreign land after revealing my identity, it felt even more welcoming than when I had visited the Elves.
Anyone who witnessed this would think I was a general returning triumphantly from a strenuous battle.
‘No, not a single important figure is among those visible right now.’
Amidst this chaotic scene, I quickly surveyed the gathering crowd. Prior to arriving here, I had already learned who the key figures in the Fox Tribe were and who was who.
Not a single member of the royalist faction was visible among those in my line of sight. It was clear who was leading this gathering.
For them to present themselves like this… it seemed they were thoroughly blocking any minimal variables. Is power that desirable? If they channeled that exceptional ability to prevent the world’s crisis, how wonderful that would be.
