As time passed, the seeds for the spring plowing in Atester had been sown and were gradually taking root and sprouting. The lush green view made people believe this would be a year of bountiful harvest.
On the side of the Elves, however, the arguments continued without end.
Fina Nisi kept emphasizing that ‘she would definitely find a way,’ but she never produced any actual plan.
The reason was that this original “plot” was missing Aililan, the one who usually took the fall. Without the pressure from the Orcs or diplomatic coercion, no one was willing to settle for compromises anymore.
Every day Princess Eleanorice woke up, all she heard were endless arguments. At first, she would say a few words in Fina Nisi’s defense.
But as time passed, she gradually realized—
Fina Nisi couldn’t solve the problem at all.
Aside from verbal promises, she couldn’t do anything. Instead, she constantly talked back to her elders, causing Eleanorice to be scolded along with her.
“Eleanorice, you’ve disappointed me too much!” the Elf Queen barked. “If you fear death, or if you fear the pain of the sacrifice, then speak up sooner! The Elves cannot wait for your hesitation, nor can we bear the consequences of the World Tree withering!”
“Mother, it’s not like that. I do not fear sacrifice—”
“Shut up! I don’t have a daughter like you!”
A harsh scolding followed.
Originally, using one’s heart’s blood to nourish the World Tree was a supreme honor. But now, the sentiment had gradually changed. Some elders even discussed it in private—if things continued like this, the matter would no longer be an honor, but an act of coercion.
The Elf Queen took a deep breath, her tone softening slightly but becoming even colder. “Eleanorice, I hope you can recognize your own status. You are the Princess. If you are unwilling, I will not force you. I will let you leave, and then I will adopt a successor from a branch family.”
Eleanorice remained kneeling for a long time.
This so-called “freedom” was nothing more than being expelled from the Elven race. If she left, she would be reviled by her kin.
“Mother, please give me a little more time…”
She left in a daze.
She had to talk clearly with Fina Nisi. This was an internal matter for the Elves; nourishing the World Tree was supposed to be an honor.
To avoid drawing attention, she hid her identity as a Princess and went alone to Fina Nisi’s residence in the royal city. Just as she was about to knock, she saw two glamorous Elven women walking out of the house.
“Lady Fina Nisi is truly incredible. My body is almost falling apart.”
“My legs are still weak. I’m really afraid I’ll die in her bed one day.”
“Shh… just take the money.”
Eleanorice was stunned.
‘Those two… they’re old enough to be my grandmother, aren’t they?’
Elves could perceive each other’s ages. Those two could even be of Fina Nisi’s great-grandparent’s generation. She felt a wave of nausea, almost wanting to vomit.
Looking at the door again—
Go in and see her? For what?
The last sliver of favor she had for Fina Nisi vanished completely in that moment, replaced only by disgust.
*Creeeak—*
The door opened again. Eleanorice quickly hid to the side. Several human diplomats walked out, looking displeased.
“Lord Blaise, I really can’t take it anymore. Fina Nisi insists on meddling in the Elves’ affairs, and it’s caused all our negotiations to stop.”
“Exactly. The Mother Tree is almost beyond saving, yet she’s still causing a scene.”
“Should we just recall her?”
Eleanorice listened from the side, feeling furious. ‘Talking like that on someone else’s territory?’ She silently noted their appearances, preparing to “look after” them in future negotiations.
Blaise shouted coldly, “Shut up! This isn’t for you to discuss.”
One of them said helplessly, “Then what else can be done? Can arguing save the World Tree?”
Blaise sneered. “Fina Nisi naturally can’t save it. Is there any other way besides sacrificing the Princess?”
The man was taken aback. “Do you mean…”
Blaise lowered his voice. “Don’t forget what our Church relies on. Instead of arguing, why not go and ask our Saintess?”
“The Saintess can save it?”
“I didn’t say she definitely could. But if even she says there’s no solution—then the Princess will just have to be sacrificed obediently.”
The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. What was the Church’s greatest strength? The Healing Divine Art.
Eleanorice’s eyes lit up. ‘How did I not think of that?’
If there was no solution within the Elven race, what about the human Saintess? Perhaps she really had a way. Thinking of this, she no longer hesitated and turned to leave.
As for seeing Fina Nisi? Forget it. Just thinking about the scene from earlier made her feel sick.
Soon, she informed the Elf Queen of her idea. After weighing the options, the Queen agreed. Under the guise of an official state visit, she dispatched Eleanorice to Atester.
Meanwhile, when Fina Nisi learned of this, she almost exploded with rage.
“Aililan… that’s right!”
She suddenly realized that if Aililan took action, the matter might be resolved. She even felt that paying a small price for her subordinate was no big deal.
Thus, the two of them set off for Atester one after the other.
At this time, Aililan was walking along the ridges of the countryside. She had taken off her magnificent Saintess robes, rolled up her pant legs, and was personally planting seedlings in the mud.
The farmers in the distance kept glancing over.
A Saintess personally going down to the fields to farm—this was a first in history.
To Aililan, it was nothing. She didn’t actually intend to be a farmer for the rest of her life; she was simply leading by example. Why not?
However, the peace was soon broken.
“Lady Saintess, urgent news—the Elven Princess has arrived. Fina Nisi is back as well.”
Aililan: “…”
She felt terrible. ‘I have a feeling trouble is coming for me.’
“Saintess, should we return to the city?” the Chief Executive, Alistair, asked.
Aililan waved her hand. “Why go back? There are over a dozen towns and dozens of villages in Atester, and I haven’t finished my inspection yet. What does an Elven Princess matter? If she has something urgent, tell her to come find me. I’m not going to her.”
She snorted coldly. “And as for the rest of you, some of you shouldn’t learn from those past diplomats—wanting to kneel the moment you see a foreign race. Keep your backs straight.”
The accompanying officials felt a chill in their hearts. They knew very well that these words were aimed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With heavy external pressure now, what Aililan needed was toughness. She wanted no spineless cowards—not a single one.