65 – 65. The Eve
After capturing Marcela and two days later.
“Marcela, the eldest daughter of Radamel Woodrina. I appoint you as a warrior once again. Carry out your mission faithfully to protect our race, which is inseparable under the World Tree. Also, all your past mistakes will be erased by the decision of the elders…”
She became a warrior once again.
I was watching the scene where Marcela was smoothly reinstated.
In the first place, I was the one who suggested her amnesty and reinstatement. I persuaded the elders by creating a plausible reason, saying something about the symbol of reconciliation.
Originally, a warrior was a position representing an individual tribe.
However, Marcela was called “Madeline’s warrior” in a special way. It felt like an emergency assignment to deal with the conflict with the Britannia Empire.
Marcela said she led elite warriors and engaged in guerrilla warfare. But this time, she regained her position.
However, it wasn’t just a reinstatement.
“Marcela, do you still oppose Heroine?”
“No, Grand Elder. I have caused trouble for the elders with hasty judgments. I heard Alan Youngsa’s explanation and cleared up misunderstandings about heroin.”
“A welcome change of stance.”
Marcella withdrew her opposition to heroin. Perhaps there is nothing more pleasing to the elders than this.
Having successfully reinstated, Marcella looked at the elders and added a few more words.
“To make amends for my mistake, I will work even harder.”
The elders nodded approvingly, pleased with Marcella’s repentant demeanor.
While some elders seemed disinterested in Marcella, their expressions seemed more numb than indifferent, likely due to heroin.
The elders could indulge in heroin freely, sometimes smoking it four or five times a day. Smoking five times a day almost consumed their waking hours. Just heroin, only heroin.
“Now, is Marcella giving heroin to Herowin?”
One elder, in the worst condition, threw such words.
Still, no one laughed or pointed fingers. They either chuckled, ignored it, or nodded their heads.
“Is Marcella giving heroin? It’s not exactly a false statement.”
Thinking about what Marcella and I were plotting made it even more apparent.
As soon as the appointment ceremony was over, we secretly met.
To discuss the upcoming operation.
“Marcella, I am planning to request imperial troops to support you from behind. Despite your reinstatement, you can’t control the regime alone. Naturally, it will be in the form of an alliance between your request and the empire.”
“…So, it turns out I’m the one who asked first, not receiving your astrological guidance.”
“Since I’ve accommodated your conditions, listen to me from now on. It’s better for you too, considering your position. Rather than being a pawn of the empire…”
“I understand. It’s better to package it as me pulling you in to seize power.”
Seeing her brief response, it was evident that she had already made up her mind.
Farming, harvesting, and even among ordinary elves who manage the forest, there were those willing to become willing betrayers, aligning with the empire to prevent the spread of heroin.
That’s how it should be. We have to cooperate in the future anyway.
“I will provide detailed instructions soon, Marcella.”
After a brief notification, contact was made with the imperial family.
Permission from the emperor was necessary to move the forces to be attached to Marcella.
Although the number of troops was not large, the plan was to infiltrate Madeline with at least the elite forces of a division. Since I couldn’t directly inform the emperor through magical communication, I had to mobilize a messenger.
The messengers I would send to the emperor were the two princesses.
In reality, I was still carrying out covert operations under their supervision. It wasn’t true, but it seemed that way on the surface.
**
With the youngest daughter becoming like that, aren’t the remaining daughters strange too?
Looking at the two princesses, who were suddenly summoned by Emperor Edmund III of the Britannian Empire, he had such thoughts.
At first glance, they were still lovely daughters.
The first princess, Victoria. Though taciturn, she was a child with a sincere heart that worried about her father.
And she was a reliable eldest daughter.
Thanks to Victoria, he had never worried about succession. He was delaying the appointment of a successor because she couldn’t serve in the military due to her status as a crown princess. He was partially firm in his decision because he believed Victoria wouldn’t repeat the struggles he had faced.
And the second princess, Siena.
She always brought worries, but at the same time, she was the most loved and cared-for daughter.
Born and raised by a nurse after losing her mother at birth, she was a pitiable child. But lately, she had become surprisingly gentle, easing his worries. There had even been moments when tears welled up watching her dutifully serving the empress, who had no mixed blood.
Daughters as precious and dear to the emperor as life itself.
However, the two of them were currently talking nonsense.
If it had been any other human, they would have dismissed it as nonsense and forced them to withdraw from their position. However, it couldn’t be done when the person in question was the emperor’s daughter.
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“Say it again.”
When the emperor asked, Victoria calmly reported as if she had expected it.
“I mentioned that Madeline is about to collapse, Your Majesty. …The Grand Warrior Marcela has requested support through Alan Maydof. After cooperating to smoothly subdue the central command, we need to bring the annexation of Medelin under our influence.”
“….”
“We must swiftly and discreetly infiltrate the elite force centered around the imperial guard.”
“Victoria.”
“Your Majesty. Haven’t I already reported on Madeline’s situation? Also, do you know what achievements Alan Maydof has made? It’s just that the results have come a little sooner. Even if no traitor comes out from their side, it was bound to happen someday.”
Victoria spoke without a pause, delivering her report systematically.
“Is it really crumbling like this?”
Of course, he had received reports before.
These days, the name Alan Maydof was frequently heard. How he played with the elves and infiltrated Medelin, what deeds he was committing. Despite cross-verifying with diplomatic authorities, it was all true.
Yet, it didn’t feel real.
How could a single knight so easily lead annexation down the path of ruin? Why did the elves buy that poison called heroin, even offering money? If it was so easy to unravel, what meaning did the countless sacrifices of the troops in Medelin, who had died or been injured until now, have?
The emperor sighed repeatedly, astonished.
At that moment, Sienna stepped forward.
“Why hesitate?”
“Sienna, this is a matter of the military, not for you.”
“Do not overthink it. Just accept the nation where the entire ruling class is immersed in the allure of heroin without exerting much effort.”
“…”
“If successful, Dae Sulin will become a protectorate of the empire, practically becoming a vassal state. The resources pouring out from there will further strengthen the empire. Based on that, we can balance the trade deficit with Jinuk.”
“Sienna.”
“But why hesitate? Dad.”
Not Your Majesty Abamama but Dad.
It was a friendly and welcome title, but it felt like it raised doubts about his ruling power.
Sienna must be aiming for this kind of effect. After all, she was originally a cunning girl.
Even now, Sienna’s crimson eyes were exerting some pressure on him. Are you really going to miss this good opportunity? It felt like she was asking.
There was no sense of arrogance, but rather, it felt like he had become an indecisive ruler. A ruler who hesitates even when faced with the opportunity for the empire to strengthen.
‘Surely, an opportunity is an opportunity.’
But can one really overthrow an enemy nation like this? It was still amazing that a few kilograms of powder had achieved what three imperial divisions could not.
So, while postponing the decision, Victoria offered comfort.
“It’s natural for Abamama not to trust it readily. If I hadn’t seen Leon in person, I wouldn’t have believed it either. It’s better for you not to see it now… No. It’s better for Abamama not to see it. It’s too distressing.”
“Victoria.”
“If you can’t trust heroin, trust Alan Kyung. He’s a resource risking dangers to bring Madeline under control without war, sympathizing with the war victims and producing morphine.”
“…”
“He is a loyal subject of the empire. It is the duty of the royal family to assist competent subordinates in displaying their abilities. …Isn’t that right, Sienna?”
“I don’t know if he’s a loyal subject, but he’s competent. Unni.”
When daughters speak this much, how can he refuse?
In the end, Edmund III erased his hesitation and nodded solemnly.
“Very well. We shall accept the support request from Grand Warrior Marcella. I will organize the forces led by Vice Commander Grant to escort. After observing the developments, we will proceed with a ceasefire treaty for a lasting peace settlement.”
The Emperor finally made a decision.
The two princesses, who successfully persuaded him, exchanged glances. Victoria, with a rare smile on her face after achieving her goal, and Sienna, somehow narrowing her eyes.
Their reaction added another concern for the Emperor.
In the end, did they collaborate to sponsor Alan Maydoff?
“Come to think of it, he mentioned that the medicine that cured the Empress was his creation.”
This time, Alan Maydoff single-handedly brought down even the elves. It was an extraordinary achievement that was difficult to evaluate. After putting the Great Forest under the Empire’s influence, there would still be a reliance on Alan’s medicine.
This was also a highly delicate issue.
However, for now, accepting the Great Forest was a priority.
He was not an incompetent Emperor who would turn away from the victory before him.
**
A few days later, the Emperor announced that the hastily dispatched forces had arrived at the border city.
I had already prepared for taking control of Medelin, and Marcella was also diligently preparing. He said he had selected bureaucrats who would follow him pretending to be unbeatable, focusing on the extremely small minority of non-magic users.
Now, all that remained was to execute the coup.