62 – 62. Medelin
Eliminating Marcela’s assassination threat and advancing the resolution.
Penetrating to the main base was a priority.
Here, the main base naturally referred to Medelin, the city of the World Tree.
Outside Medelin, there were elves living, but at best, it was at the level of a small village. But Medelin, which could be called the capital, was said to have excellent conditions thanks to the grace of the World Tree. The soil is good, and there is an abundance of water.
Anyway, it was a place I had to enter someday.
“Now, they have set up the situation to provoke us.”
I glanced at the fiery Esenia elder and nodded as if I couldn’t win.
“I didn’t think that far either. Sending an envoy to purchase heroin is definitely a troublesome task.”
“If only we had known earlier, human.”
“In the end, they want to establish a distribution network in Dae Surim, right? I am willing to consider it for the sake of reconciliation. It seems like in-depth discussions will be necessary… How about I personally visit Madeline and meet with the Grand Elder to discuss?”
Upon hearing these words, the elder seemed uneasy.
It was strange that they allowed infiltration into Dae Surim but hesitated. However, I understood. Even if they liked heroin, they would want to avoid involving humans in the fate of the world tree. They disliked mingling on the outskirts, after all.
But the opponent was a dru*g dealer, after all.
“It is necessary for smooth heroin distribution. Esenia Elder.”
“….”
“Think about it. Don’t I need achievements to report to the royal court? If I can meet the Grand Elder in Madeline, it will be a great accomplishment. It won’t be bad for you either if my position improves.”
“But does that mean we have to allow humans?”
“I’m not asking for permission for free.”
“….?”
At this point, I gestured to Bonoh to bring “that” over.
One of the items he brought along with the smoking pipe.
It was nothing special, just a small tube the size of a pinky finger. It looked like a small straw made of metal at first glance.
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The Esenia elder looked puzzled and tilted his head. It seemed like he was asking why I was showing him such a shoddy item instead of heroin.
“There is a way to enjoy heroin more comfortably and cleanly.”
“Are you saying… with that?”
“It’s easiest to drink it mixed in tea or alcohol. However, as you know, that method is somewhat less effective. But by using this, you can enjoy the effects while keeping things tidy afterwards. Curious about what it is?”
The method I was talking about was, of course, nasal inhalation. Sniffing through the nose.
At this point, there was no easier and more intense way to enjoy it. You could roll it in paper and inhale, but a metal tube was better in shape. It’s also easier to manage.
“If I’m allowed to lead the expedition to Medelin with my group, I’ll let you know. I’ll also provide the elders with the consumption tools.”
“Expedition, you say.”
“We can’t ignore safety. Even if I want to go to Medelin alone, my superiors probably won’t allow it.”
There was a brief struggle after that, but it quickly ended.
It was because I mentioned that the day of my return to the system was approaching, reflecting the signs of another suspension of sales. From the perspective of those already addicted to the medicine, there was nothing more frightening than me leaving without setting up the distribution network.
“Alright. When should I extend the invitation?”
“Right now.”
There was no reason to delay, especially since Marcela might attack tonight.
I immediately began organizing the expedition.
Everything had to be ready by the time the entire elf population was uncontaminated and infiltrating the enemy’s heart. I mobilized experts, including Bono, from the border cities in large numbers.
The count was twenty people. Including me, it was twenty-one.
Most of them were actually those who had fought against elves.
“The High Elder has granted permission. Human.”
However, there was no occurrence of the once-opened gate closing.
**
I reached Medelin using the elves’ teleportation magic circle.
The first thing that caught my eye was a huge tree right in the center of the city.
It was a world tree.
Wouldn’t the circumference be at least 80 meters? Although the appearance was just an evergreen deciduous tree, I wondered if there was any significance in distinguishing the species. Its size alone boasted an awe-inspiring presence that made all the buildings in the city look modest.
And there was a scene that caught my eye no less than the world tree.
“All those guys…?”
“Watch your words. Human. Those are kids.”
Elves were spread out in front of the world tree square.
It wasn’t a crowd summoned to welcome me.
They were just sitting together, some completely collapsed. If there was a commonality, most of them had a bewildered expression.
“Has it only been a month since it became like this?”
A scene reminiscent of Kensington Street in the United States or Krakolanjia in Brazil.
The difference was that instead of homeless people with zombie-like appearances, beautiful elves were scattered around. And instead of recycling syringes rolling around, they were elegantly puffing smoke.
It was strangely fascinating, not repulsive.
You could also sense that heroin had established itself in elven society… what should I call it? It had become some kind of cultural event.
“Why is a human here…?”
Some of the relatively unharmed elves confronted our group.
Tension briefly filled the loosely spread square, but there was no disturbance.
It was thanks to Eseñia Elder, who guided us here, pointing at me and speaking a word.
“This human is the heroin.”
“Heroin?”
“Heroin, the herbalist of heroin.”
“Oh…!”
The tension evaporated in real-time at the mention of the word ‘heroine.’
The elf who had been scolding me paused for a moment, then shyly extended another finger. Perhaps scolding was a formality.
“How does it feel to see the World Tree directly? Is it pleasant?”
And then, such a strange question.
I could just lower my arm, but why did he keep pointing at me with his index and middle fingers extended? It was evidence that they had gone too far. The elves didn’t involve me up to the heart for no reason.
“Human, move. You’re about to meet the Elder Chief.”
“Alright.”
“Know that we’re granting you exceptional privileges to save face.”
I did receive exceptional privileges. Entering the enemy’s capital with armed forces, and even being provided with transportation.
I was immediately guided to the Elder Chief’s office.
There were several elves accompanying the Elder Chief, whether they wanted to display authority in front of me or due to mistrust towards humans was unclear.
Not comparable to Marcela, but elves who could all be classified as strong.
However, I didn’t feel pressured.
“They’re all users.”
Since every elder had a glazed-over face. Some of the warriors, presumably placed for medical and security reasons, also had it.
I had planned to welcome Marcela with them.
Paradoxically, this place felt safest to me.
**
No, no, no, no, no, no.
‘Heroine, no.’
The former frontline warrior, Marcella, was cutting through the dense forest as if possessed.
Clearing any obstructing bushes with a sword wrapped in an aura of madness, she sprinted along the shortest path. And fiercely so.
The destination was Madeline, who had escaped not long ago.
Under normal circumstances, such behavior, damaging the ecosystem for swift movement, wouldn’t suit her at all.
But now, there was no room to consider such things. Marcella was driven solely by the determination to reach Madeline as quickly as possible.
‘Gotta hurry, gotta hurry.’
She had visited the border city of Antrim three days ago to get close to Alan, aiming to slit his throat.
Marcella, not a fool herself, had used numbers to approach Alan Maydoff.
She had given an excuse to the Antrim guards, “I came to buy heroin.”
She knew that Alan Maydoff personally managed the dru*g trade. She believed that with luck, she could achieve her goal and escape without a major confrontation.
But instead of meeting him, all she got from the guards was a shocking revelation.
“Ah, Alan Kyeong has already left. So have your troops.”
Alan had already left, and the destination was even mentioned as Madeline.
It was information she couldn’t bring herself to believe.
‘No, it can’t be. Absolutely not.’
Even as she denied it, there was one reason she ran as if her life depended on it.
Too many insane things had happened recently.
In her approximately 190 years of life, the shock she had experienced in the last month surpassed all the evil, harmful, and negative events combined.
There was no law preventing more insanity from happening here. That was also why she needed to return to Madeline as soon as possible.
If Alan Maydoff is really in Medelin,
“Still, he must be killed.”
As soon as I see him, I’ll kill him and deal with the aftermath later.
The sight of Medelin came into view right after I made up my mind.
Marcella stopped running and adjusted her grip on the knife.
Experienced elves assigned to the duty of guardians were managing the entrance. I could try to avoid them and pass through, but there was no chance of that now.
“I need to confirm if that man is really in Medelin.”
What if he has already infiltrated?
I had to push forward, even if it meant fighting against my own kind.
It was a self-deprecating act, but there was no other choice now. Marcella extended her sword and approached the guardian first.
“Has Alan Maydoff visited?”
“Yes.”
He really came after all. Marcella closed her eyes tightly and opened them again.
“Step aside. It’s true that I defied the elders, but now is not the time for explanations. If you block me, I will break through by force.”
Marcella showed determination, but the other person hesitated.
“Um, there is no need for that.”
“What?”
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“We are discussing granting Marcella’s clemency in the council. At the request of the human… that Empire envoy, Alan.”
…Clemency? At the request of that human?
Marcella blinked, unable to comprehend what she just heard.
“Please come in.”
Although the Guardian insisted, Marcela found it difficult to lift her foot.
She couldn’t guess what was happening in Medelin right now. Even though it was her hometown where she had lived her whole life, it somehow felt unfamiliar.