66 – 66. Revolution
After all preparations were complete, I requested a meeting with the Grand Elder.
It was to bring the supporting forces for Marcella’s entry into Medelin.
Humans are wicked, yet simultaneously foolish.
“That must be the limit of the Danmyeong species.”
These were the thoughts that crossed the mind of Grand Elder Ariel as she looked at the Empire’s diplomat, Alan Maydoff.
Until a few days ago, the Grand Elder had secretly admired him. After all, he was the creator of the blessed item known as Heroine.
But now, it was Alan Maydoff who had finally revealed his true colors.
“Grand Elder, I have pondered this deeply.”
“Heroine?”
“Yes, Heroine. What if I were to construct a production facility in Medelin and manufacture the medicine here? …Oh, of course, it would be good to install magic circles and appoint a clever elf as the distributor. However…”
“Do you think it would be slower to produce it directly in Medelin?”
“Indeed, Grand Elder.”
Alan Maydoff’s proposal to build a production facility in Medelin.
Honestly, it was an audacious idea.
Wasn’t it a desire to establish a foundation in the realm of the World Tree, centered around the human subject?
Although Alan had been staying in Medelin for the past two weeks, it was only for the purpose of discussing the Heroine issue. Permanently residing in Medelin was a different matter altogether. That’s why the Grand Elder had initially wanted to scold him, but…
“Come to think of it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea, would it?”
From the Grand Elder’s perspective, attracting a Heroine production facility would also be beneficial.
The swift distribution of Heroine?
That would be a welcome development as well. Whenever the Heroine stock ran low, she couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.
Sometimes, she felt a sense of injustice when she saw the young ones taking Heroine. If Heroine were to be manufactured here, that pain would surely disappear.
Moreover, there was another advantage.
“If we do that, we can naturally secure the heroin manufacturing method…!”
If Alan manufactures heroin in the midst of Madeline, he would naturally have access to that method as well. No need for coercion or buying. There was no dru*g that humans could make that elves couldn’t.
At most, 10 years? Or perhaps 20 years?
“Then we won’t have to spend a lot of money buying heroin from humans…! We can create a higher quality heroin and enjoy it ourselves.”
As if the cost wasn’t already a concern, there was no such stroke of luck.
Of course, we shouldn’t show our cards. The Grand Elder belatedly managed his expression.
“Alan Maydoff. What’s the meaning of suddenly making such a proposal? Wasn’t your original goal to raise diplomatic achievements and return to the Empire? …I don’t understand why you keep finding excuses to visit Madeline.”
“hahahaha. Well, that.”
“Be honest, human.”
“Well, I can’t explain it in words, but… I thought it wouldn’t be bad to stay a little longer in Madeline. As much as the elders also desire heroin, can’t we find a mutual understanding? …hahahahaha.”
What a vague answer. And he keeps laughing.
‘Ah, that’s it.’
Seeing Alan Maydoff’s behavior, I could guess the reason.
He probably wants to become the ‘ambassador’ who resides in Madeline using heroin as a pretext.
It’s much more honorable than living as an Empire bureaucrat. Maybe he wants to welcome the elves as companions in an exaggerated manner.
Such human greed had its uses.
“Alright. Alan Maydoff. What do you suggest?”
“To build the manufacturing facility, technicians and workers from the Empire will need to come to Madeline. I hope the Grand Elder approves of that. There are already personnel waiting on the border.”
“What an audacious demand.”
“If you don’t permit it, there will be a disruption in heroin distribution.”
“You’re refusing to sell, aren’t you? I know you covet wealth now. You didn’t know at first, though.”
“…”
Alan Maydoff, unable to continue speaking due to his thoughts being exposed.
The Grand Elder who seized the upper hand boldly made a demand. In exchange for allowing human entry, he wanted 5 kilograms of heroin.
After intense negotiations with Alan, they settled for 4 kilograms, but nonetheless, the Grand Elder had secured free heroin.
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“This is what negotiation is about.”
Giving away as little as possible and gaining as much as you can.
Grand Elder Ariel, encouraging herself, took another hit of heroin.
Lethargy accompanied by a rising sense of euphoria.
Not wanting to do anything, yet feeling like you could accomplish anything. This was the greatness of heroin.
Providing comfort, confidence, thrill, and leisure simultaneously. It was a fitting item for the Elven leader, the Grand Elder.
“Will the day come when we smoke freely without cost…?”
The Grand Elder chuckled contentedly and summoned the elders.
And he proposed the “entry of humans for the installation of heroin manufacturing facilities” as a bill. Seven elders were absent, probably due to being under the influence, but the Grand Elder proceeded anyway.
“You got 4 kilograms for free? That’s great, but if you could just…!”
“No, no. You shouldn’t be too greedy. The Grand Elder has handled the negotiations very… flexibly at an appropriate level. There’s no need to worry about running out of heroin. And there’s no need to restrict its use for young elves.”
“…I’m scared of the young ones. Don’t stop them.”
“Wouldn’t heroin manufactured in Madeline taste even better?”
The matter of bringing a three-digit number of humans into Madeline.
If it had been two months ago, it would have been hard to imagine, but now everyone was excited.
Although some of the elders expressed the opinion, “We still need to be cautious,” that was soon resolved as well.
Thanks to Marcela, the warrior representing Daesurim.
“I will take the lead. I will thoroughly monitor and lead the humans to ensure that they don’t do anything foolish while they are in Medelin.”
If Marcela, who guarded humans more than anyone else in Medelin, took the lead, they could rest assured.
The elders had excited expressions as they waited for the arrival of the humans. They longed for the day when they could smoke heroin from the Medelin Mountains.
**
Finally, the day of departure.
“At last, this moment has come.”
Now, in front of Marcela, there were troops hastily dispatched by the Emperor of the Britannia Empire.
There were about a hundred and fifty of them.
Alan Maydoff, the human who deceived the Grand Elder by saying, “I will establish a heroin production facility,” was the manpower sent to Daesurim.
Even by Marcela’s standards, they were considerable elites.
At the forefront was Grant, the Duke who had crossed swords with her about four years ago.
He was one of the Empire’s Masters. Of course, when they fought, Marcela had the upper hand, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to kill him and let him go.
And he wasn’t alone; he was leading a highly skilled individual.
Knights from the Imperial Royal Guard, officers responsible for special reconnaissance in the army, and also considerable palace magicians.
“So, they have made up their minds in the Empire as well.”
To think that they would bring such a force to Medelin. Even the few elves who obeyed Marcela had bewildered expressions.
If it were the Marcela from before, she wouldn’t even be able to imagine… No, this is not the time to dwell on that.
In fact, it wasn’t just Marcella who was tense. The Imperial Army, facing the greatest expert of the Daesurim, was equally on edge.
As a result, a tense standoff ensued for a while.
“Move, humans. From now on, just follow my orders.”
“Great warrior, if I may.”
“Is it a trap? I apologize, but half of the warriors who opposed the Empire with me are still intoxicated with heroin. They’re probably still indulging. If you cooperate with me to take control of Medelin, that was the agreement, wasn’t it?”
“Of course, that’s why we received the instructions. …So, did the real Alan accomplish it?”
It seemed that even Grant Jajakdo’s expression was extremely complex. On the surface, he appeared typical, but perhaps the operation was so crucial that it made him tense. Or could it be that from the Empire’s perspective, this event had progressed too swiftly?
Perhaps it was the moment when the thought crossed his mind that Alan Maydoff might be more than just a diplomat and entrepreneur – a formidable expert.
‘Anyway, it’s irreversible now.’
Marcella led the Imperial Army to Medelin.
Leading humans and skillfully crossing through the Daesurim. Daesurim, a vast forest so immense that even Marcella couldn’t be sure of its terrain. She swiftly moved humans using magic formations installed at key points.
Guidance.
Leading.
Or a pathfinder.
No matter what you called it, it was the right thing to do.
Even when encountering elves residing outside Medelin, she reassured them, saying, “You can relax.” She went so far as to reassure them that these humans, who had received permission from the elder to enter, would no longer have any conflicts with the Empire, so it was safe to draw their weapons.
“Was that the case? If Marcella says so, it must be true.”
Innocent elves who didn’t even show a hint of suspicion.
In Marcela’s heart, a sense of guilt accompanied the emergence of a new sense of purpose.
‘They must be protected.’
Elves not yet tainted by heroin… Though their lineage and abilities may be relatively insignificant, Marcela had to protect far more ordinary elves when considering only the numbers.
It wouldn’t be an easy task.
Relations with the Empire, the resentment of fellow kin, and Alan Maydof, the Empire’s envoy who was probably laying the groundwork in Medelin by now.
Especially the latter was the most worrying factor.
‘Nevertheless, I have to succeed. Even if my name ends up being tarnished in history.’
Marcela had unknowingly arrived at a small sanction station near Medelin.
Alan Maydof welcomed her.
“Marcela. You can proceed with the execution now.”
“No. We need to be cautious to minimize conflict.”
“I’ve already killed them all. The guardians responsible for Medelin’s borders are all addicts now. And I’ve gathered the elders in one place. …I deliberately committed minor transgressions and summoned them under the pretext of apologizing.”
“……”
“By now, they are expecting free heroin and pipes.”
While Marcela was guiding the Imperial forces, Alan Maydof had gathered the leadership in one place to quickly clear them, as if he intended to contribute to the upcoming events. He was indeed a formidable human, even carrying a mace as if he had the intention to play a part in the events to unfold shortly.
“Fine. Let’s finish this quickly.”
Eventually, the military force led by Marcela entered Medelin.
The elf guardians, who were sipping heroin one mouthful at a time while on duty, stared blankly at the scene.