59 – Isolation
The instructions I gave to the elf elder were twofold.
“Leak the information to Marcela that you secretly acquired a large quantity of heroin. If subtly leaking it is difficult, just stab her openly. Either way, once it reaches Marcela’s ears, it’s done.”
First, provoke Marcela.
“Due to that news, when Marcela gets enraged and takes action, surround her. Contact me through the communication magic circle. And inquire about the use of the money in front of Marcela.”
And when the tension rises, they would contact me.
That was it.
Assigning complex tasks to a dru*g user was foolish. Doing anything to get the dru*g, that’s what a dru*g dealer does, but trusting them was hard.
“Fine, human. And once again, I’ll say it.”
“I know. This is not an order but a suggestion.”
Only then did the buyers reluctantly accept and leave. Amidst that, they were fondling the chunks of heroin, packaged in 100-gram portions, as if they were precious.
I shifted my gaze to the wealth they left behind.
I intended to use this money wisely to neutralize Marcela.
**
I must stop it somehow.
“Even if I tarnish my name, I have no choice. Blocking it is a priority for now.”
Marcela was stopping heroin with this single-minded determination.
…More precisely, struggling to block it.
Already immersed in the influence of dru*gs, there was no choice but to contain the spread.
If the contamination reached other elves from the leadership, it would be uncontrollable. We had to prevent that at all costs.
In truth, she was not in a position to be responsible for the well-being of all elves.
But now was not the time to dwell on her insignificant position. If an elf had awareness of the problem, they had to step forward without hesitation.
Fortunately, she was not alone.
Her dedication had not been in vain, as there were those who listened to Marcela’s words.
“I don’t know if heroin is really that dangerous. Isn’t it just powdered tobacco? However, it is true that the elders have become too lenient, indulging in the pleasures provided by humans.”
“To be honest, I don’t know much else, but I will follow Marcela’s orders. I trust Marcela more than the elders.”
“I have a vague idea of why you’re concerned. Since Father started using heroin, he keeps talking to himself… sigh. Anyway, I will stand by your side.”
Elves who supported Marcela, unlike the subordinates who caused the chaos.
Honestly, they were not many.
It was true that she had made contributions in the battles against the Imperial Army, but aside from that, there were many elves who resented her. It was because she had taken desperate measures several times to involve all the elves of Daesurim in the war, in order to expel the Empire as soon as possible.
“Anyway, I am not alone.”
Just knowing that there were forces supporting her gave Marcela courage. Her determination to dedicate herself to her kin was renewed.
At this moment, the most important task was to strip power from the elders.
If the elders were to openly hold a heroin party in the middle of Medelin, it would be beyond unacceptable.
Seeing that shocking… indescribable scene, there would not be a single elf in favor of heroin.
However, it seemed that the dru*g dealers had their own thoughts and were secretly smoking or consuming it.
It was not an easy task to resist the elders, who were noble beings of rare lineage, even if they were mentally incapacitated at the age of 500 or even 700. To instill a sense of crisis in their kin, something decisive was needed, but it was not easy.
“We need justification. Justification.”
There must be a reason to take action.
And so, during a period of contemplation.
Finally, an elf appeared, throwing that reason.
“Esenia’s elder left with a large sum of money four days ago. The permission to export was granted by the Grand Elder. It was part of the budget set aside for interaction with the Darien Kingdom, but it doesn’t seem like it was used for that purpose. Since he went to the Empire’s territory. Where on earth was it used?”
It was news quietly delivered by a young executive.
Did he try to indulge himself while being friendly with the Empire? That’s unlikely.
Most likely, he bought heroin. It was about time to use the 30 grams of heroin he received for free. It was a commendable act to not sell the Dasurim and only spend on gold bars and banknotes, but it was an accident just by spending a large sum.
This was enough to have a justifiable reason for an attack.
To spend the budget allocated for interaction with countries that do not invade Dasurim on such a small amount of heroin?
No matter how indifferent the elf was about material possessions, there was no way he could stay quiet if it became known that he spent a large sum just to buy some powder. At least, it would be enough to anger the elves who have never smoked heroin.
“Yes. Let’s move.”
Marcella was not at ease either.
She was a young elf who hadn’t even reached 200 years old.
It didn’t sit well with her to oppose the elders who had lived for over 300-400 years, let alone the fact that there were five members of her own clan among those elders.
“Now is not the time to worry about such hierarchy.”
Marcella made up her mind and gathered her followers.
Not only the followers, but also the elves in ambiguous positions were asked to accompany her. If she went alone, the elders would refuse to meet her.
“I’m going to the Grand Elder.”
Marcella was willing to take responsibility for whatever outcome unfolded today. It was a difficult task without such determination.
…
A meeting forced upon the Grand Elder by Marcela took place shortly after.
“What’s the matter, Marcela?”
The Grand Elder, with a vacant expression, questioned Marcela.
Thankfully or unfortunately, the Grand Elder’s face wasn’t that of someone under the influence of dru*gs, but he had a pipe nearby, perhaps to smoke at any time.
Even the luxurious wooden stand made of rare timber was visible.
To cherish the heroin smoking tool, the pipe given by Alan Maydoff. Thanks to that, Marcela found it easy to speak up.
“Grand Elder, you mentioned something to me before, while buried in smoke. You said you would find a way to get more heroin.”
“What insolence. Leave.”
“You said it, didn’t you?”
“…….”
The Grand Elder stammered without being able to retort. And beside him, the elders either discreetly or blatantly ignored the situation.
Marcela decided to press even harder.
“I heard that the Esenia Elder carried out the Grand Elder’s orders and visited the Empire’s city. Moreover, I know that he didn’t just go there, but also spent a considerable amount. Can you tell me what it was used for?”
“Marcela. Stop.”
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“No. What needs to stop is your heroin smoking. I demand an explanation. What was it spent on?”
“…….”
“Obviously, it was spent on buying heroin.”
As Marcela quietly placed her hand on the hilt of her knife, she pressed further.
Her plan was simple.
To extract a confession from the Grand Elder. And immediately attempt a deal afterwards.
The elders agreed to turn a blind eye and allow themselves to be locked in a small room, so they could freely indulge in heroin. They told themselves to peacefully relinquish power.
“It seems unnecessary to resist,” someone might have thought, as they willingly entered the small room. It was entirely possible for the current elders to do so.
In fact, the High Elder, Ariella, nodded in agreement.
“Yes, there is a request from the Elder of Essenia to meet with the Empire’s representatives.”
“Is that person Alan Maydoff?”
“Yes, it is. I gave him money. I also received 3 kilograms of heroin.”
They are admitting it too easily.
The elves who brought them here began to stir. She raised a bitter smile, expecting this reaction.
She thought there would be some objections, but they admitted it so easily. It was bitter, but it actually made it easier to achieve her plan.
“So, you purchased heroin after all.”
“I gave him money. And I received heroin. But that…isn’t everything, right?”
What nonsense. Is this also the influence of heroin?
At that moment, when Marcela was pondering while fiddling with her knife, one of the elders awkwardly cast a communication spell. The High Elder vaguely muttered, “It’s better to hear it directly from the person involved.” and brushed it off.
Something is strange.
At that moment when Marcela felt uneasy, a familiar voice came from the magic device.
– “Why… Ah, did you communicate to check the progress again? It was a bit troublesome to bribe people here and there, but it paid off. Aide, Yerina. Those elves you demanded to be released will soon return to the Great Forest.”
It was Alan Maydoff’s voice.
Marcela blinked in confusion.
Aide, Yerina. They were young warriors who were captured by humans at the end of the conflict with the Empire.
As soon as I was caught, I thought I would be killed by human hands. I couldn’t understand why that name was being mentioned by Allen.
– “You all know well that the Imperial Army has many soldiers who died at the hands of elves. Some became disabled after falling into traps. The conflict may be over, but that alone doesn’t mean we can simply release the prisoners. …Actually, until now, I killed them all. Fortunately, this time, we were able to secure their release smoothly because of the funds you provided. You’ll see them again soon.”
After saying this, Allen Maydoff cut off the communication as he pleased.
Marcella’s mouth twitched in the chilling atmosphere.
So…in the end, did the elders use money to get the prisoners back? And did Allen actually release them by using that money for some kind of operation?
But the elders addicted to heroin would never come up with such an idea. It must be because of the heroin, it must be.
“Now everything makes sense, right?”
The question from the elder chief fell onto her, who was still lost in thought.
Instead of answering, Marcella slowly turned around.
The elves who had brought the elders along with great pressure. The elves who had firmly supported her from behind, now avoided her gaze with a bewildered expression. Even the elves who didn’t avoid her gaze were glaring at Marcella with cold eyes.
Marcella knew very well what this situation meant.