Chapter 450
Chapter 450: The Chief Officer Must Have Written It Well. (3)
Ereness bit her lips and observed Dark. As she quietly stared at him, something came to her mind, and her eyes widened. Her heartbeat gradually quickened.
‘Could it be… No, that doesn’t make sense.’
There was one presence that came to mind. But that existence, as far as she knew, must have been sealed together with ‘that’ one. Even if it reappeared, it should be alongside ‘that.’
‘No, that can’t be it. It’s just a similar aura.’
That presence was not so superficial or childish. It wasn’t some insane spirit like that.
The being born from the storm of emotions felt tearing her apart bore only sadness and gloom.
“Where did that spirit… get something similar?”
“Found it…”
Before Ghislaine could finish his reply, Dark interrupted.
“Don’t even think about it! Elf! Or you’ll be cursed!”
“…”
Dark simply didn’t want to talk about his pitiful past.
Ereness looked at Dark again. The aura was similar enough to confuse her with an existence she knew, but it was still a bit different.
All she felt was a sense of foreboding, but no real malice.
Unconsciously, she touched her forehead and closed her eyes.
‘The world has changed a lot while I was gone.’
It seemed she hadn’t been able to adjust properly after being out in the world for too long. During the long years she had been trapped, perhaps something she didn’t know about had emerged.
The Mana Circulation Method was one of those things. Humans are beings that develop faster than anyone else. Therefore, she couldn’t know everything.
Divine Power and the aura of the Salvation Society were opposing forces. Especially concerning the monsters from the rifts.
If Ghislaine was related to the Salvation Society, he wouldn’t be working alongside a Priest blessed by the gods. In fact, Count Penris had not prevented the expansion of countless rifts, had he?
‘I made a mistake.’
The similarities between Count Penris’s power and what she knew seemed to be merely coincidental. It felt suspicious, but it was something she could just keep an eye on.
In the end, Ereness released her armor and slightly bowed her head.
“I misunderstood and committed a grave offense. Please forgive me.”
“…”
People exchanged looks that showed some disbelief.
‘If I misunderstand twice, I might just ruin a kingdom.’
‘Isn’t this Aiscon-level anger management issue?’
However, Ghislaine casually accepted her apology. Having experienced Ereness in his past life, he knew her personality was quite rigid.
“Well, it happens. Since it’s come to this, let’s forget about niceties. It’s uncomfortable.”
“Understood…”
Ereness accepted it willingly.
Ghislaine turned to where the command tent had been. The tent had been swept away by the shockwave and had long since disappeared into dust.
Ereness followed Ghislaine’s gaze, then quietly spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“…Yeah. I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”
The two entered another tent and got straight to the point. Only a few close associates were present.
Ghislaine spoke first.
“It seems you have some grudge against the Salvation Society?”
“Not just a grudge; I’m thinking of exterminating them.”
“Care to share the reason?”
“Because they disturb the world.”
It was a fundamental answer. Ghislaine couldn’t shake off the suspicion that there must be some other reason beyond that.
Of course, there was no need to press the matter further right now.
“Alright. Your skills are impressive; did you come to join us?”
“I wanted to see what kind of person you are before deciding.”
“If you’re going to fight rifts, joining us would be the best option.”
“Why is that?”
“An alliance has just been formed centered around the Ruthania Kingdom. If we’re going to fight the Salvation Society, it’s best to do it here.”
Ghislaine knew quite a bit about her, but he didn’t show it. He acted as if they were meeting for the first time to gain her trust.
Ereness pondered for a moment before asking.
“I heard the expansion of most rifts has been halted in the Ruthania Kingdom. What’s the goal moving forward?”
“For starters, we’ll attack the Duke Delphine Faction. They’ll be moving soon. Since they’ve allied with the Salvation Society, the Society will likely come with them. I’ve told the allied forces to head here first.”
“To this place?”
“Right. The main goal of the allied forces is to resolve the issues within the Ruthania Kingdom.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“Things here need to be settled quickly so I can go help elsewhere. Isn’t that the most effective approach?”
“I see.”
Ereness nodded in understanding. It was a reasonable argument.
From what she had heard, the Northern Army was currently the most effective at dealing with rifts. The quicker they dealt with internal matters, the sooner they could assist other areas.
‘It’s better to handle things quickly one at a time than to be dragged around while spreading our power thin.’
After finishing her thoughts, Ereness said, “I will assist in handling the Duke Delphine Faction and the Salvation Society here.”
“Good thinking.”
Ghislaine nodded in satisfaction.
He didn’t know how many high-ranking priests of the Salvation Society were tied to the Duke Delphine Faction, but with Ereness joining, they should be able to handle them adequately.
“Of course, I can’t stay here forever. Once the internal issues in Ruthania are resolved, I will leave.”
“If our goal is rift management, couldn’t we still move together?”
“Not at all. I have something else I’m looking for.”
“What is it?”
“…I can’t answer that yet.”
“Alright, got it.”
Ghislaine didn’t press any further this time either. Ereness had been the same in her past life. She never revealed her inner thoughts and acted independently.
From the side, Claude, who had been scribbling on paper while listening to their conversation, spoke up.
“Then, does that mean the Elves will be allied with us, Penris? We have formed an alliance now, right? Oh, I’m Claude, the Chief Officer of Penris. I handle the administrative tasks.”
Ereness nodded.
“For the time being, yes.”
“Is there anything you’d like from us?”
After a moment of contemplation, she nodded again.
“Since it’s something I intended to pursue anyway, I can mention it. I would like the slave system regarding elves to be abolished in the Ruthania Kingdom. I’d appreciate it if you could proceed with that, even if it takes time.”
Ereness had made the same request to the Human Alliance in her past life. As the guardian of the World Tree, she was practically the representative of the elves.
“Hmmm, I see. Well, our territory has been doing that already, so it shouldn’t be a problem. The allied forces need to do the same. Let’s get to it right away.”
Ghislaine looked at Claude with an amused expression.
Ereness, slightly taken aback, asked, “Is it really that easy? Isn’t this something that requires changing the kingdom’s laws?”
“In this kingdom, there’s nothing our lord wishes for that cannot be done. And if we don’t, the Great Chief will make a scene. In that magnificent armor, no less. Ah, it really looked amazing. By the way, do you happen to have any spare of that armor?”
“…”
Ereness found herself at a loss for words, her gaze dropping.
She had no intention of forcing her strength to liberate the elves. Instead, she aimed to negotiate. She was fighting against the Salvation Society, not trying to turn every human on the continent into an enemy.
Suddenly realizing Ghislaine’s power, Ereness lowered her head and said, “I understand. If possible, I’d like to ask you to prioritize this matter.”
A hint of regret shadowed her face, as if she were saying it was her fault the elves had been enslaved.
Perhaps it weighed on her conscience, as she had abandoned the elves from her position as Great Chief.
Ghislaine nodded at her honest and straightforward request. It was quite rare for the rigid elf to bow her head.
‘Well, in her previous life, she also showed her strength first and asked for improvements in the treatment of elves.’
Thus, the elves had been freed from slavery and could fight alongside the Human Alliance.
It was an endeavor Ghislaine had intended to pursue, even if it meant amending the kingdom’s laws. This promise extended not just to the elves but also to the dwarves.
Suddenly recalling something, Ghislaine asked, “What about the dwarves?”
“That’s up to their king to decide.”
“So, just leave them as slaves?”
“That’s up to their king to decide.”
“…Alright.”
Ereness continued to feign ignorance, merely echoing the same words. It was well-known that the relationship between elves and dwarves was poor, but was there really a need to draw such a line?
Certainly, Ereness’s sense of justice seemed slightly twisted.
But what did it matter? Her determination to save the world was clear, and that was enough.
As the conversation concluded, Claude gathered the sheets of paper he had been using and pulled one out to hand to Ereness.
“Here we are, then. To solidify our alliance, please sign here.”
“Sign?”
“Yes, it’s a contract. We need something for proof.”
Ereness frowned slightly at the implication.
“I am the Great Chief of the elves. How do you expect me to just sign something like that?”
“Well, that’s how matters are handled in this world. Where do you see any transactions being done without a contract?”
“The words of a Great Chief are not light. What I pledge will be spread to the heavens and the earth, the trees and flowers, and the winds. As long as you keep your promise correctly, that is all that matters.”
Claude spoke as if frustrated.
“No, that’s why we’re writing a contract; it’s because those things can’t be guaranteed. What can trees and flowers do?”
“What I mean is, the Great Nature guarantees…”
“Great Nature, blah blah blah… No, sorry. Why do you talk so much? If you just sign here, you won’t have to keep explaining yourself. Haven’t you heard that frauds tend to get long-winded?”
“…”
“Elven Great Chief, just sign already?”
Whoosh.
Ereness angrily snatched the paper from Claude’s hands. In her long life, it was the first time someone, as a human, had asked her, the Great Chief of Elves, to sign a contract.
These folks living in Penris were certainly odd.
‘Especially this fellow named Claude.’
Having lived so long, she seldom lost her composure on trivial matters. Yet, this guy urging her to sign a contract strangely broke her tranquility.
The vibe she felt was quite unpleasant—almost like looking at some murky, sticky mud. No, maybe it was more like a swamp? Whatever it was, it was just bothersome.
As she received the pen and was about to sign, Ereness paused at an odd phrase next to the signature line.
“The World Tree is… just a big tree?”
“Oops, I had started doodling while waiting and ended up with that. Sorry! Let’s just focus on the other parts first. I’ll write you a new one swiftly.”
Claude immediately wrote up a new contract on a different sheet.
“Here we go, it’s written out the same way again. Check it out. This part states that the Great Chief will help us, and here we agree to free the elves from slavery… and over here…”
Claude pointed to various sections of the contract as he explained.
Ereness’s head began to ache. This guy talks way too much. It’s just a simple promise; why does he make it all so complicated?
“I get it, I get it. I just need to sign, right? Humans have always handled matters in overly complicated ways. We elves conduct our affairs with honor.”
Growing increasingly frazzled, she signed both new contracts without even reading them properly, merely confirming whether an odd phrase was present next to the signature line.
Claude smirked with some wicked amusement as he hurriedly rolled up the contracts and bound them with a string.
“Alright, it’s all set now! I look forward to working with you, Great Chief.”
“Right, it’s customary for elves to keep their promises. So don’t worry.”
“Of course, promises are ‘absolutely’ meant to be kept. So, should we keep both of these for safekeeping? Do you have a place to keep them?”
“Hand them over. I have a place to store them.”
As Ereness gestured, vines shot up from the ground.
The rolled contracts were embraced by the vines and disappeared back into the earth. It was quite a marvelous technique; however, she doubted she would ever need to see the contracts again.
Seeing this, Claude exclaimed excitedly, “Wow, our Great Chief takes care of things securely. That looks very safe!”
‘She might seem like a clueless elder. Well, I guess no one would dare mess with such an elf. A contract guaranteed by the Great Nature… sounds good, I suppose.’
Claude smiled broadly.
He had deliberately gone about his peculiar antics to distract Ereness. Initially, she had placed little importance on contracts, so she didn’t pay it much mind.
Having lived for so long, she understood well just how cruel humans could be. But she never envisioned encountering a con artist the moment they met.
After all, was he not a hero of Ruthania and his Chief Officer?
So, she failed to notice.
That buried in a tiny corner of the contract was the phrase ‘30 years’ written in minute letters.
