The high-ranking members of the Elven race appeared exceptionally enthusiastic.
After all, this was a matter that benefited them. Before anything was even set in stone, the situation had already been painted as a grand endeavor for the benefit of the nation and its people. Anyone who disagreed was branded a sinner.
As for the first condition — “Self-Revolution”? No one breathed a word of it. Whoever dared to bring it up would be finished.
This was how they described the future to the lower-class Elves:
“The Orcs are brutal. Once they move south, the Elves will surely suffer. Therefore, we must rise up and resist. After defeating the Orcs, the livestock and spoils of war will be distributed among the common Elves. The price of meat will be even cheaper than grain.”
“As long as we open trade with the humans, a single herb found anywhere in our forests can be exchanged for several carts of their goods. The beautiful future of filling sacks with grain is no longer just a dream.”
As for the cruelty of war, or whether the post-war benefits would truly reach the bottom — no one cared.
Regarding the so-called trade, no one looked too deeply into how much the lower classes would actually receive.
This was because the entire Elven race, from the top to the bottom, was immersed in a dream they had woven for themselves.
The high-ranking officials felt there were profits to be made.
The lower-class Elves felt that this was for their own good.
However, bad news soon arrived —
“The Queen… she did not reach an agreement with the Human Saintess that day…”
As soon as the news broke, it immediately caused a massive uproar.
As the saying goes, what one cannot have is always the best. This news instead caused more Elves to feel dissatisfied.
“I think the humans want to keep all the benefits for themselves!”
“Dammit, the humans are too greedy!”
“Even if we don’t form an alliance, can’t we Elves declare war on the Orcs ourselves? When the time comes, all the spoils will be ours!”
“You’re being too simple-minded. What about trade? If we fall out with the humans, how will we exchange for resources? Do you no longer want the days of herbs for goods and sacks full of grain?”
“Hmph, humans.”
“Hmph, greed.”
Some radical Elves even ran to the Human Diplomatic Residency within the Elven Territory to protest, throwing rotten eggs.
The diplomats from Atester were completely bewildered.
‘Who am I? Where am I? What happened?’
The second-in-command of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Affairs Officer Blaise, was now essentially acting as the head. Ever since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been reorganized by the Saintess, a formal Minister had never been appointed again.
Blaise scratched his hair and sighed. “Don’t look at me, and don’t ask me. All I know is that the Saintess glanced toward the diplomatic side, and then things turned out like this.”
The Saintess was almost like some sort of incomprehensible existence.
No matter which field she turned her gaze toward, massive changes would occur.
However —
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this was not necessarily a bad thing.
They were originally the ones pushing for an alliance with the Elves, but now, the situation had reversed — the initiative was in their hands.
“Lord Blaise, what do we do now?”
“What do we do?” Blaise waved his hand. “From now on, everyone should stay indoors as much as possible.”
“And our work?”
“Don’t worry, the tables have turned. The Elven side will take the initiative to come find us.”
***
Meanwhile.
The Elven Princess, Eleanorice, had been quite the center of attention lately.
She frequently attended various meetings. Although she hadn’t actually accomplished much, she always felt a sense of fulfillment as if ‘I am currently changing the fate of the Elven race.’
The Elders placed great hopes in her.
The common people were also full of expectations for her.
Eleanorice secretly vowed, ‘For the sake of the Elven race, I will definitely work hard. I will strive to build a good relationship with the Human Saintess.’
In such an atmosphere, it was only natural that she became the envoy to Atester.
When the Elf Queen, Terili, learned of this, she nearly fainted from anger.
She had only just reminded her daughter to be wary of the Elders, yet in the blink of an eye, her daughter had been sold out while still counting the money for them.
She also understood more clearly what Aililan had once said — the Elven high-ranking officials had no bottom line.
Even the Princess was nothing more than a chess piece to be utilized.
In fact —
“The lower classes can exist without Pureblood Elves.”
“The upper echelon can also exist without the royal family.”
This was the reality.
To this end, Terili even had a massive argument with her daughter.
But Eleanorice said only one thing:
“This is my mission as the Princess.”
This completely silenced her.
After a long silence, Terili finally compromised. “I do not object to you serving as an envoy to Atester, but you must find an opportunity to let Miss Aililan meet with me again.”
Eleanorice immediately agreed. “Fine, I will relay the message. Everything is for the rise of the Elven race.”
Terili fell silent.
Carrying the trust of the Elders and the expectations of the people, Eleanorice once again set foot on the journey to the Human Territory.
This time, she was an envoy with the official status of the Princess.
And in the crowd —
“Agh — !”
Fina Nisi bit her sleeve hard, her face full of fury.
‘I did so many things and even offended so many people…’
‘Eleanorice, have you ever even looked me in the eye?’
‘The way you look now, does it even seem like you’re an envoy? It looks more like you’re going there for a political marriage!’
‘I hate this!’
The hard work of over half a year felt as if it had all been in vain.
‘If I had known… I would have been better off staying in Atester.’
‘Maybe I would have already conquered the Saintess by now, living a life where we did it three times a day, or even five or six times…’
Now, things were just great — the Princess was gone, and she hadn’t secured the Saintess either. She looked just like a clown.
‘Wait… I still have a chance.’
A trace of madness flashed in her eyes.
‘The Human Territory is my home turf. When the time comes — I’ll take both the Princess and the Saintess!’
She began to sneer.
However, she didn’t know that Eleanorice was currently entirely focused on the future of the Elven race and had no time to pay her any mind.
The Princess was even gradually becoming the liaison between Aililan and Terili.
She hurried back and forth between Atester and the Elven race.
Unfortunately, after several meetings, the two sides did not have a pleasant discussion.
Seeing her daughter sink deeper and deeper, burdened by responsibility and mission, and even showing a faint trend toward self-sacrifice —
Terili finally couldn’t sit still.
During yet another meeting.
“Miss Aililan, do you think I am beautiful?”
“Queen Terili, you are naturally peerless in your beauty.”
“My daughter is still young.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Saintess Aililan, if you want something, come at me. Please, let my daughter go.”
Aililan looked shocked. “Queen Terili, please have some self-respect.”
“Your daughter contacted me so that I could discuss official business with you, not to act as a pimp for you.”
This was ridiculous.