The noble of the empire was assaulted by an elf and suffered injuries!
The news spread swiftly to the capital, shocking the entire imperial leadership.
Though many incidents have occurred in the past, this one crossed a clear line.
This is not a case of a rural noble flirting with an elf and getting reprimanded.
Nor is it a situation where someone attempted mischief and was subdued by the elf’s intervention.
While the empire may have provoked the situation, it was the elf who clearly overstepped.
The elf injured a count-level noble who was raising a legitimate objection.
Above all, the elf acted with blatant arrogance, infuriating the empire.
“This matter cannot be overlooked. No matter what, this cannot stand!”
The reason their anger burns more fiercely than ever is simple: betrayal.
The elves promised to change, and the empire responded with a mix of skepticism and hope.
They allowed elves, who were once considered troublemakers, into academies where noble children studied.
They even opened the doors of the military, which had previously barred other races, to some extent.
Considering the elves’ past actions, this was a significant concession.
If the elves were a race with any sense of propriety, they would have felt remorse.
In fact, they had been quiet for over three years, which had gradually raised expectations.
But, as expected, trusting them only led to betrayal.
“Our empire, considering the Great Forest, even granted a mere baron the title of count! This was not just a gesture to a neighbor but a sign that we intended to welcome them as honored guests of our empire! And yet, they have shattered our goodwill like this!”
“This cannot go on. If we let this slide, the elves will only grow more arrogant. Not to mention, other races will also start to look down on the empire.”
“And it’s not just other races! Even other nations will begin to question the empire’s authority!”
Already, many within the empire have started calling the elves “Gkanf” (a derogatory term).
The nobles try to refrain from using the term, but it slips out here and there.
If this situation continues, the likelihood of a clash with the Great Forest becomes increasingly high.
Until now, they had tolerated it out of concern, but this is too much.
The continent’s political climate is unstable. The empire’s dignity must not be compromised.
And yet, a race that hasn’t even formed a proper nation, just living in the forest, has tarnished the empire’s reputation.
They can no longer stand by and let this happen.
This time, they must demand an apology.
If necessary, they are prepared for a military confrontation. The empire must remain the empire.
“Have you heard the news?”
Just as the empire’s nobles were contemplating war with the Great Forest…
“Hard to believe, but the Great Forest has expressed its intention to apologize for the assault on the empire’s noble.”
“Ha! They’ll probably just send some strange elf to deliver a half-hearted apology. Those kanf bastards…”
“No. The elders from each of the elf villages within the Great Forest have all come to the empire!”
A piece of news so shocking that it made them doubt their ears.
Elders.
For the elves, who live in villages rather than a unified nation, these elders serve as a kind of authority.
They do not wield absolute power like kings or emperors, but they hold significant influence.
They are wise and aged individuals, the living history of elf society.
And now, these elders have left their villages and entered the empire.
To formally apologize for the recent incident!
‘What on earth is going on? Kanf—no, elf elders? Why?’
‘Has there ever been a case in the empire’s history where elf elders left the Great Forest? Not once!’
But the real surprise was yet to come.
“…”
The scene that greeted the emperor when he received the sudden visit of the elf elders.
Each elder had black eyes, limping, and all of them bowed their heads.
The usual haughtiness associated with elves was nowhere to be seen.
They even promised to reprimand their fellow villagers.
An unimaginable event.
It felt like a dream, prompting one to pinch themselves.
However, the emperor quickly realized what needed to be done.
If they simply accepted the apology and ended it there, neither the empire nor the Great Forest would gain anything.
Instead, one side would lose face, and the other would miss an opportunity.
The emperor personally received the elf elders with full honors.
It was not a meeting between a foreign envoy and the emperor, but more like a reunion of old friends.
Moreover, he did not utter a single word about the incident himself.
As if he were trying to preserve their dignity from the empire’s side.
Just as these unimaginable events were unfolding…
The elf who had started it all was explaining the situation to his acquaintances.
*
“…So, in the end, this all happened because everyone was calculating their own interests?”
“You think the elders went to the emperor just because of the Mother Forest’s warning? Everyone has their own agenda.”
Although they had resisted change and constantly found fault…
In the end, the elders are still the elders.
Their long lives mean they have experience and wisdom.
Moreover, the position of elder is not something one attains simply by living long.
I explained the situation further to Seril and Elenia.
“The Mother Forest herself intervened. Because of that, our elders’ authority has hit rock bottom.”
[Tyreal, I didn’t really intervene. I just gave my permission!]
Sigh, Auntie. It’s better to stay quiet at times like this.
Besides, the two elves here can’t even hear you.
“The current direction of our forest’s people is wrong. Even if no one speaks up now, what will our kin say in the future?”
“…Are you saying they might blame the elders for their shortcomings?”
I nodded at Seril’s words.
Bingo.
It’s truly unfortunate, but we elves are a race that finds self-reflection incredibly difficult.
For now, they might be in a hurry because the forest has expressed its anger, but how long will that last?
In about ten years, they’ll quietly start saying, ‘No matter how I look at it, I did nothing wrong!’
Instead, they’ll look for someone else to blame.
The difference this time is that they can’t blame humans.
Doing so would directly contradict the reason the forest was angered.
In the end, the only ones left to blame are the nominal leaders of the elves and their villages—the elders.
By shifting the blame to them, they can avoid responsibility while also changing the stagnant elf society.
Some might even aim to take over the elder positions themselves.
“Tyreal, so… the fact that all the elders stepped forward this time means they knew this would happen.”
“They’re taking control. Elenia. By bowing to humans, they’re securing social authority to guide the elves in the right direction. It’s a blow to their pride, but they must have thought it was worth it.”
The change in elf society has become an unavoidable and unstoppable path.
If that’s the case, it’s better to pretend to be enlightened and step forward than to become a relic of the old, flawed generation.
Even with black eyes and limping, our elders have played their cards well.
[Tyreal.]
While Seril and Elenia stepped away to gather more information, the Mother Forest spoke to me in a slightly worried tone.
[In the end, this is all about saving face and hypocrisy.]
The Mother Forest is angry.
If this continues, our kin will be led down a destructive path.
Today’s events are a lesson and a loving discipline, so remember this day.
But the reason things have come to this is simple.
No one wants to be labeled as the guilty party when things change.
So, they’re rushing to change—or at least pretending to.
Whether it’s appropriate for underage kin or being scolded by the forest.
I understand that part well.
It would be a lie to say I’m not worried.
But when has that sincerity ever made us truly elven?
To live in the world together, sometimes hypocrisy and pretense are necessary.
Ironically, it’s these things that form the basis of etiquette, isn’t it?
What we force ourselves to do now will eventually become second nature.
Whether it’s interacting with other races or navigating different worlds.
We need to see things from others’ perspectives, not just our own.
[Looking at it this way, it really doesn’t feel like the Forest’s kin anymore, nephew.]
The king’s sharp remark from beside me startled me slightly.
But he didn’t seem to truly mean it, as he burst into laughter.
[So, what do you plan to do next?]
‘Next, of course, the best course of action would be…’
To invite the owner of the place we always visit to our home.