53 – 53. The Beginning
The city near Daesurim, Entrim.
Even though it was a fantasy world and we shortened the travel time through teleportation magic circles, it was easy to feel that it was far from civilization.
The humid and hot air, the relatively light clothing of the people, and the giant world tree that could be observed even from a distance.
“Me, President Allen? I’ve been informed that the elves refuse to grant us entry permits. Instead, their representatives will come here in person.”
It was a notification from Mayor Antrim, welcoming me.
The elves didn’t want to let the delegation I led enter the realm of the World Tree, so they decided to personally travel to this city, which belonged to the Danmyeong Clan.
“The problem is which type of elf will come as their representative.”
I had already prepared scenarios, considering various situations.
The scenario where aggressive elves, shouting “Kill the humans,” would meet us.
The scenario where an elf with no official position or noble lineage would be pushed forward.
I even prepared for the unlikely possibility of meeting a progressive elf who genuinely desired meaningful communication with humans.
Although the plan to spread the heroine would remain the same, the specific approach would vary depending on the nature of our negotiation partner. Just a few days ago, our relationship was hostile, so it’s unlikely they would willingly comply if I asked them to take the dru*g.
“I understand, Mayor. When can we expect their arrival?”
“Well…”
“You haven’t received any specific notification.”
“hahahaha, yes. Receiving the delegation itself was almost like pulling teeth. We were promised an elf with representative qualities… an elf with the status of an elder. But we don’t know who will come.”
“…”
“It’s quite embarrassing. Just a few days ago, we were fighting against each other. Negotiating with a group we were at odds with wasn’t easy. Please understand, President Allen.”
The elf seemed hostile, that much was certain.
“There’s a possibility that hardliners might come.”
Perhaps a crazy elf intentionally trying to sabotage the negotiations might show up. Considering that I myself was planning something crazy, I had to consider the possibility of encountering a madman on the other side.
“Very well, Mayor. Please provide accommodations for my operatives to rest for now.”
“Of course.”
The heroine’s entourage, including Bonno holding the heroin case, headed towards the lodging.
I should take a short break too. As I was about to follow, Mayor Anthrim glanced in my direction.
“Um, President Allen…?”
“Speak.”
“That thing.”
His hesitant behavior was suspicious.
Could he know that I am the closest aide to the Second Princess and want to keep me in his good graces? It wouldn’t be unusual for a nobleman who has risen in the imperial ranks to seek favor with the princess. After all, the mayor overseeing the city at the southernmost tip of the empire wouldn’t have many opportunities to curry favor with a princess.
However, his concern was not about currying favor.
“Could you give me some morphine…?”
“…”
“I’m saying that my toothache is terribly severe. It’s torture every time I eat. The Ninth Infantry Division Commander, who was stationed here, requested a little morphine since we were academy classmates, but he refused. Well, it’s not only soldiers who suffer in this world…!”
Morphine, he asked for.
It wasn’t something I should be asked for in the course of my diplomatic mission.
But looking at his expression that seemed ready to cry at any moment, it seemed desperate. When your teeth hurt, the quality of life plummets, so it’s understandable.
‘Victoria seems to control morphine quite effectively.’
Even a high-ranking official like the mayor couldn’t get a few pills of morphine, and the situation was turning into a whimpering scene.
However, I couldn’t give him morphine because of his toothache.
“No, you can’t. If you’re seeking morphine just because you heard it’s a painkiller, find another way. If you start relying on morphine just because of a toothache, in about three months, you’ll be in a hospital, not in the mayor’s office.”
“…?”
“Otherwise, you might end up bankrupt and sitting on the street. In my opinion, it would be better to have it extracted rather than depending on morphine for a toothache.”
“Too… No, that’s not it.”
The mayor, hesitating to argue, but ultimately sealing his lips.
Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem particularly upset. It appeared that he exaggerated the danger of giving me morphine simply because he didn’t want to administer it.
Still, I didn’t care. It was better to just let it pass and endure a little misunderstanding than to indulge in the infinite joy within the depths of human nature by shouting, “Morphine! Morphine!” in response to the Emperor’s command, responsible for the administration of an entire city.
“And Mayor, didn’t Princess 1 specifically allow the export of morphine? I am someone who has a close relationship not only with Princess 2 but also with Princess 1.”
Only after mentioning the princess did fear creep into the mayor’s face.
“Director Allen, let’s just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”
“Let’s think about it.”
That was probably his resignation.
Of course, I hadn’t revealed that I was planning to introduce an elf to a heroin far more potent than morphine, at least five times stronger. The situation of advising some and persuading others didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. If I were the kind of person who worried about such things, I wouldn’t have come this far.
“It’s too late to turn back now.”
Arriving at my lodging, I murmured while looking at the vial containing heroin. Along with the other preparations I brought for easier distribution.
Now that the first interaction with the elf had been arranged, it would take place two days later.
“Consul Allen? The elves have arrived.”
“Who are they? Are they of elder status?”
“When asked to reveal their identity, they simply requested to be guided to the location where the Empire’s diplomats are present. They are currently waiting in a separate negotiation room. They were so unruly that we couldn’t follow the usual procedures.”
“……”
“Since you’ve come all this way, let’s meet. I headed towards the negotiation room, accompanied by several agents.
As soon as I entered the negotiation room, the eyes of the elves focused on me.
“They seem to have the right appearance too.”
Eleven elves were either sitting or standing, all looking at me.
There were enough seats, but only one person was sitting.
“Human.”
A green-haired female elf glanced at me from top to bottom and uttered a brief remark.
That one person must be the representative, and the rest are probably agents. Judging by the fact that they brought around ten elves as their entourage, they might be of an elder level. Although I could ask what kind of elves they are and they would probably answer, I didn’t bother doing so.
“For now, I should ignore them.”
As I sat quietly, an uncomfortable atmosphere filled the room.
If they don’t have any intention other than glaring at me, they should at least say something. Since then, I had been assessing their disposition and preparing to respond in real-time.
There was a brief silence, but it didn’t last long.
“Human! Isn’t the esteemed one calling for you?”
An elf, who seemed to have followed along to carry the bags, growled, but I ignored them for now. I was waiting for the elf with green hair, the leader, to speak up.
They probably don’t want to endure a confrontation for several hours. Especially if they dislike humans, even more so.
Finally, the elf with green hair lifted one corner of their mouth, revealing their identity.
“I am Marcela of the Woodrina Clan. You can rest assured that I possess the representation you are so fixated on.”
From Noble mtl dot com
A brief self-introduction.
However, even with just that, I was able to gather a lot of information.
Marcela.”
She was an elf appearing in the original work.
A young warrior of the Woodrina, one of the five tribes guiding the elves, proudly claiming to be a high elf. Though not an elder, she was a prominent figure within her tribe. Despite her youth, her combat skills were unparalleled, especially in the vast forest.
Master level. Plus, magical prowess.
Marcella, with her formidable prowess, was a supported elf among the aggressive natured elves. She had been commanding guerrilla warfare from behind the scenes. It was her who deliberately provoked the Imperial Army, trying to induce a full-scale conflict.
‘In the original, she kept interfering with reconciliation until she got beaten by Leon and the saint.’
A meeting at the extreme end when I came to interact.
Still, it was better than encountering a vaguely moderate elf. It was fortunate that there wouldn’t be a prolonged exploration battle.
“I am Alan Maydoff, an envoy of the Britannia Empire.”
“Friendship, huh? The pretext is good. Whatever your intentions, it won’t work. I don’t trust you…”
“No need to trust. I didn’t expect it from the beginning.”
“What?”
Marcella glared at me. Despite looking elegant for an elf, her face was entirely tinged with distrust and hostility. That must be why she skillfully laid traps with poisonous plants and animal dung, decimating the Imperial soldiers.
I intended to capitalize on her distrust towards humans.
“You must be curious about why the Empire suddenly withdrew its forces. It may be understandable for those living in the forest, but this is related to the Empire’s internal affairs.”
“Internal conflict, I suppose. Beings who can’t live for even a hundred years fighting for insignificant power…”
“Did you say Marcella? Ridiculing humans is something you should do when you’re back in the forest among yourselves. I’m not sitting here for no reason.”
“…”
“I plan to stay here for a few days, then return to the capital. I will report that I laid the groundwork for friendship after having sincere conversations with the elves. You, on the other hand, can report to your elders that you drove away the humans. It’s all a charade anyway.”
Marcella stared at me with a blank expression for a moment but eventually spoke up after a while.
“…What do you want?”
“If possible, I’d appreciate a token of friendship. It would make reporting to my superiors much smoother. If you don’t like that, simply putting your name on the peace treaty would suffice.”
“…”
“With many eyes watching, we should engage in a conversation for a few hours, right? If you’re bored just sitting there, I can offer you some tea. Alcohol is an option too.”
Marcella looked at me with a disdainful expression.
It would be difficult for an elf to understand the human’s display of negotiation.
Yet, it seemed that the guard had been lowered, at least as much as her vigilance. After exchanging glances with her subordinates, she lowered her head and looked back in my direction.
“…Tea would be fine. Human drinks are so strong that they’re unbearable.”
“Do I need to offer some to the elves who followed you? If you’re afraid I might poison the tea, I’m willing to attach a tasting seal.”
“Always with that… No, fine. Bring tea for my subordinates as well. And do as you please, I’ll step out for a moment.”
“Good. It was uncomfortable anyway.”
As if acknowledging that I had been waiting, I left my seat.
And with Bonno, I personally prepared a specially made elf-exclusive car.
Eleven cups of lemon tea containing 10 milligrams of heroin.
In reality, heroin was highly soluble, so it was more efficient to absorb it through the mucous membranes by sniffing or smoke it through a pipe rather than drinking it. But efficiency wasn’t the priority from the beginning. Showing the taste was the first.
Of course, the first one would be offered free of charge.
I was an envoy dispatched for the sake of friendship between both sides.