Chapter 448
Chapter 448: The Chief Officer Must Have Written This Well (1)
Claude pulled out documents from a large box and handed them out to everyone.
“What is this?”
When an envoy asked, Ghislaine replied with a nonchalant expression.
“Given the circumstances, we’ve prepared a draft agreement in advance to expedite the process. We can adjust the details later as the situation unfolds, so let’s just get your signatures for now.”
“…….”
The agreement had many clauses favorable to the Ruthania Kingdom.
The envoys, who had never encountered this way of handling affairs before, hesitated, unsure if they should express gratitude for it being prepared in advance.
‘This guy had it all planned from the start.’
‘Is he really trying to tie us down like this?’
‘How does he expect to deal with the consequences of such unilateral decisions later on!’
As everyone seethed with a mixture of anger and disbelief, Claude smiled while handing out the agreements.
“Come now, thinking about it won’t help. As an expert, I’ve drafted this well. There’s nothing bad in it; it’s all about working hard together, so please sign quickly. This will foster a family-like atmosphere among us.”
“Ugh……”
It certainly didn’t seem like there was anything problematic. The main focus was on support details and decision-making authority during military operations.
The issue was that the priority lay with the Ruthania Kingdom.
As everyone hesitated to sign, Claude passed another document around.
“Someone has to take the lead anyway, right? Quickly sign and take a gift with you.”
“Gift?”
The envoys looked at the new document. It listed additional food and medicinal supplies to take back.
But the quantity was staggering. They all began to cough awkwardly.
“Ahem…….”
He wasn’t simply taking from them; he was certainly giving back in style.
Initially feeling quite hurt, seeing the support supplies list lifted their spirits a bit.
‘At this rate, we could consider this payment for supporting the army.’
‘It’ll save face for me as well.’
‘After all, the most pressing issue right now is the supplies.’
The territories were in chaos, and food production had drastically dropped. Right now, supplies were more critical than the lives of soldiers.
But then one envoy tilted his head and asked, “What does the 50% discount flyer for Volume 3 of the Count Penris Chronicles have to do with this? Are we supposed to buy this?”
Ghislaine shot Claude a glare. That guy was clearly up to something while she wasn’t looking.
Claude quickly dashed over and swapped the documents.
“I’m sorry, it seems something got mixed up. This is a small token of my goodwill.”
Claude pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket and presented it to the envoy. The gesture was exceedingly smooth.
“Ah, no. What’s this now……?”
The envoy began to panic. Who gives bribes so openly?
But Claude, seizing the moment, gestured to the administrators who followed behind.
They then pulled out numerous jewelry boxes from the larger box and handed one to each envoy.
“Come now, don’t refuse. Just a small gift, a token. Consider it a memento.”
Claude even handed jewelry boxes to the shocked nobles of the Crown Prince Faction.
Marquis Branford received one as well, looking equally bewildered.
‘Is this guy really the one who held back Roderick’s grand army at Silverlight?’
The atmosphere grew quite awkward. With everyone receiving gifts at once, it genuinely felt like a memento. So now they were all just stealing glances at each other.
Before anyone could say anything, Claude shouted first.
“Alright! Let’s sign quickly! The banquet is ready! You’re going to do it anyway, so why hesitate? It’s temporary, temporary!”
“Ahem, I gratefully accept the memento.”
One envoy finally expressed his thanks and signed. The prospect of support supplies had already lifted his spirits. Besides, there was no justification to refuse.
If the homeland complained, they could just claim it’s a temporary agreement.
Once all the envoys signed, Claude gathered the stack of signed agreements and dashed outside.
Ghislaine turned her head away, avoiding the gaze of Marquis Branford, and said, “I didn’t order this… but anyway, the foundation of our alliance is laid, so let’s fill in the gaps as we move forward.”
Clap clap clap clap clap.
“Yes, yes! Let’s do our best! Surely my nephew prepared this well!” Maurice exclaimed happily, clapping. He was thrilled to receive jewelry and see the Ruthania Kingdom become head of the Alliance.
With Maurice stepping forward, the other nobles and envoys from the Crown Prince Faction had no choice but to follow suit and clap as well.
The envoys figured since things had come this far, they wouldn’t dwell on it too deeply. If problems arose, they could fix them as they went. The alliance had just begun.
As they exchanged pleasantries and prepared to head to the banquet hall, Ghislaine informed everyone, “The Duke Delphine Faction will be moving soon. You need to send the troops as quickly as possible.”
“Don’t worry. We’re already fighting the rifts, so moving the army immediately won’t be an issue.”
“We’ll provide the supplies, just send the people.”
“Haha, that’s music to my ears.”
Despite their internal feelings, the envoys were seasoned in social circles. Once a decision was made, they didn’t show any signs of discomfort.
Ghislaine excused herself from the banquet under the pretense of combat. She could leave the socializing with the envoys to Marquis Branford and the other nobles.
As Ghislaine returned to the Northern Army camp with Claude and the administrators, a knight rushed over to report.
“L-Lord! An elf has been waiting to see you!”
“An elf?”
“Yes. But, uh, they’re extremely powerful.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, there was a bit of a skirmish… Captain Kaor and Alfoy went to confront them and got injured and taken away. They were so strong they couldn’t even put up a fight. Vanessa is mediating now, just barely stopping the battle.”
At those words, Ghislaine’s face hardened.
Though both were dismissed in Penris, Kaor was now a top-tier knight. Alfoy was a 6th Circle Mage.
They were both capable of securing high positions anywhere.
But for them to have lost to an elf?
Such elves were rare. Especially among those enslaved.
At that moment, Ghislaine felt a massive surge of energy suddenly pulse from deep within the camp and narrowed her eyes.
‘That energy is…’
It was familiar. This was definitely a presence she had felt in her past life.
In her previous life, there were indeed strong elves. But even they couldn’t subdue someone as formidable as Kaor in an instant.
Only one elf could do that.
‘Ereness.’
A member of the Seven Strong on the continent, known as the ‘Guardian of the World Tree.’
That formidable energy definitely belonged to her.
‘Why now?’
Ereness had never been on good terms with the Human Alliance. Initially, she had lent her strength, but eventually started acting independently.
She had always had issues with the upper echelons of the Human Alliance, and when certain individuals made matters awkward, she distanced herself further.
She showed more zeal for combating the Salvation Society than fighting the rifts. Despite people advising her to disregard that heretical sect, she would not listen.
‘Looking back, she was right. The rifts were indeed caused by the Salvation Society.’
She must have known something to act that way. Still, Ereness concealed much about herself and her reasons for acting.
The fact that she approached now indicated that her actions had changed the future.
‘It must be due to my performance.’
Currently, the best army on the continent fighting against the rifts was the Northern Army led by Ghislaine. She had unveiled the plots and identity of the Salvation Society.
Naturally, Ereness would have heard that news and come here first.
If she came like in her past life to assist in dealing with the rifts, that would be a splendid turn of events.
She was indeed a strong elf.
“Let’s meet her after all.”
As Ghislaine stepped deeper into the camp, Ereness, sensing her arrival, approached. She was accompanied by dozens of elves.
Ereness deliberately radiated her energy as she approached. The intense aura made the entire Northern Army tense.
Especially Vanessa and Tenant were prepared to strike at any moment.
Ghislaine’s aides, Belinda and Gillian, were also on high alert, weapons drawn.
“Aah, everyone, please don’t be too tense. She’s not an enemy.”
Ghislaine said while surveying the area. Yet everyone couldn’t shake off the feeling of tension.
Her aura was that imposing.
Ereness stood before Ghislaine, remaining still for a moment.
‘Hmm…… She really is as intimidating as the rumors say.’
She released an energy greater than that of a human, intentionally observing the reactions of others. But they only regarded her with vague disinterest.
She gathered her mana, lowered the hood covering her ears, and said, “Are you Count Penris?”
“That is correct.”
“My name is Ereness. I am the Great Chief of the Elves.”
Though there were many elven tribes, only one person could be the Great Chief. Only the elves guarding the giant tree known as the World Tree could hold that title.
Given that most elven tribes had perished and those who remained had become slaves, it was a largely hollow title, nonetheless.
However, the name of the Great Chief still held impact. People gasped, surprised by her identity.
‘Great Chief? Could she be the Guardian of the World Tree?’
‘Is she truly that legendary elf?’
‘I thought she was just a character from a fairytale. Is she real?’
The alias of Guardian of the World Tree had long been known across the continent. Legend told of her living hidden with the World Tree within some barrier.
People dismissed it as mere fairytale lore. But with the appearance of an elf claiming to be the Great Chief, it was no wonder they were all astonished.
Of course, Ghislaine wasn’t surprised at all, having known her identity from the start, and casually asked Ereness.
“It seems our introduction was a bit rough.”
“I had no intention of doing so. However, you kept pestering me. The red-haired one wanted to fight, and the mage kept suggesting to gamble.”
When Ghislaine glanced at Vanessa, she nodded repeatedly, understanding the situation.
Kaor must have wanted to try his strength against someone he saw as strong, while Alfoy likely intended to con an unsuspecting guest.
Ghislaine sighed and shook her head, asking, “I gather you’re not an ordinary individual, but what brings you to me?”
She had some inkling but pretended not to know. She couldn’t bring up their past connection.
Ereness answered with a gentle smile, “I came to meet Count Penris.”
“May I ask why?”
“There are many eyes here, so wouldn’t it be better to discuss this in a quiet place?”
“Very well.”
Ghislaine dismounted, planning to discuss matters in the command tent.
As Ereness followed Ghislaine, she paused, glancing at a certain spot. It was where the Archer Cavalry, Lumina, Ascon, and the elves of Penris had gathered.
Galbarik and the dwarves, who were construction specialists, quickly turned their heads away upon seeing her.
“It seems elves are treated differently here than elsewhere.”
“They are a fantastic force.”
“Aren’t they treated as slaves?”
“Not within our territory. We promised them freedom.”
Ereness smiled slightly, her expression quite satisfied.
“That’s good. We can discuss that part later. Anyway, thank you for considering the elves…”
She abruptly halted, her expression turning serious. She also stopped walking behind Ghislaine.
“What’s the matter?”
Ghislaine turned to ask.
She had simply cleared the dust ahead with her mana while walking, but Ereness sensed something ominous in that fleeting moment.
Being an elf, she could perceive the energy of nature fully. For just an instant, she noticed a flicker of crimson energy passing by.
She raised her aura to ascertain the nature of that energy.
Thud thud thud……
A green flash swept past Ereness’s eyes, and a massive energy began to burst forth from her.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Everyone nearby, startled, drew their weapons, raising their mana.
A ferocious force pressed down on Ghislaine’s body. If she remained still, she’d be crushed.
Ghislaine’s eyes twitched as she summoned her mana. Her eyes began to glow faintly red.
The more Ereness radiated her energy, the stronger the aura from Ghislaine surged.
Realizing the impending threat, Ereness clenched her teeth.
‘Red eyes, black energy.’
While it wasn’t entirely absent, such mana circulation methods were rare on the continent.
Though it felt somewhat different, the fundamental essence seemed the same.
Could it be that only time had slightly changed it?
Thud!
Vines erupted from beneath Ereness’s feet, wrapping around her body.
Ereness, cloaked in vines, spoke in a chilling voice.
“You, what is your connection with the Salvation Society?”
