Chapter 24

"Hand over the group of travelers accompanied by a High Elf?"

She repeated the words as if echoing them.

Noblewood's demand for their own persons was something she had never expected.

Moreover, they had specifically requested "travelers accompanied by a High Elf."

"Yes. In exchange for the 'group of travelers,' they will return the citizens of Latestwood... Lirifa and the others. Furthermore, they even swore by the name of the Sacred Tree."

"Swore by the name of the Sacred Tree?"

"It is a phrase of oath that has been passed down among the Elven race since ancient times. And the Sacred Tree is the sacred object of the Elves—the vessel of the gods. Swearing by its name is an absolute oath for the Elves."

So, it's a kind of idol worship common among the forest people and border tribes.

No, in a world where magic, divine arts, and curses exist, there might actually be trees that house gods.

"If they break this oath, they will be considered 'not of the Elven race' and 'those who defile the name of our god,' making all the Elves their enemies. Above all, the pride of being an Elf will not allow them to break the oath. It is that serious a promise."

I see.

In other words, if we hand over the group of travelers, we can definitely save Lirifa and the others.

...That's why Wenri is so desperate.

"As a representative of Latestwood, there is something I would like to request of you."

"Go ahead and say it."

"Could you please rescue the citizens—Lirifa and the others—from Noblewood?"

It was roughly as expected.

However,

"Rescue? Not just hand them over quietly?"

"Yes, it's a rescue. We have no intention of handing you over to Noblewood."

She glanced around, but there was no sign of anyone trying to forcibly restrain Helian and the others.

The people and soldiers who had heard Lirifa's explanation earlier seemed to understand that Helian and the others were not opponents they could defeat in battle.

"...I have three points I would like to confirm."

It was too early to jump to conclusions.

"First, is the 'oath by the name of the Sacred Tree' a mutual agreement between Noblewood and Latestwood, or was it a unilateral declaration by Noblewood? If it's the former, then your country would have an obligation to hand over the 'group of travelers.'"

"No, it's the latter. It was a unilateral declaration. They practically just said it and left, and we never made any such oath to hand over the travelers. Therefore, even if we do not hand over Helian and the others, it will not be considered a breach of the Sacred Tree's oath."

As expected. In this case, only Noblewood bears the risk of being punished for breaking the oath. They might not have even considered the possibility that the Half-Elves, whom they consider inferior, would not comply, because they never thought of them as equals.

They seem to look down on Half-Elves to an extreme degree.

"Second, why does Noblewood demand our custody? Moreover, since they specifically requested 'travelers accompanied by a High Elf,' I interpreted it as targeting Ertina... but why a High Elf?"

"I don't know. From my perspective, she doesn't seem ordinary, but is Ertina a High Elf?"

No.

Ertina is not an Elf or a High Elf.

She is a Divine Elf, one of the highest ranks among the Elven race.

But saying that here wouldn't make sense.

The problem is that Noblewood is targeting a higher rank of Elves.

Moreover, they seem to consider Ertina a higher priority than the Half-Elves of Latestwood.

"...I can confirm that she is not an ordinary Elf. But it's puzzling why Ertina is the target. If it's because of the incident with... Salawin, then I, a human, and Rive, who tried to kill him, should also be specifically named."

On the contrary, it would be more natural to designate Helian, who is despised by Elves, as the representative of the group of travelers. After all, Helian was the one who stood at the forefront of the negotiations during the incident yesterday.

"But from the wording of the request, it seems Ertina is the target, and I and Rive are just an afterthought. Why is Noblewood targeting Ertina?"

"I really don't know. Initially, they seemed to consider Half-Elves as their enemies. But from what I can see, Ertina is not a Half-Elf."

"I understand. They might have assumed she is a High Elf because she possesses abundant magical power or has mastered high-level magic... but I have no idea why they would target Ertina, who is not a Half-Elf."

She's not lying.

Helian is not the only one perplexed; Lirifa seems to be as well.

At least, that's how it appears to Helian.

"---Then, the third point. I want you to answer carefully."

"Yes."

"You have asked us to rescue the captives. But what do we gain from fulfilling this request?"

As soon as she asked, Wenri shot her a death glare.

But she couldn't be intimidated. This was a critical moment, and Helian braced herself.

---Helian is the king of Alkymira.

She mustn't be swayed by emotions.

She must be ruthless.

She can't involve the country in personal wishes like wanting to help or feeling sorry for someone.

That would be an inappropriate action for a king.

If she acted on personal will, her subordinates might think she is not fit to be a king.

Therefore, she can't take on a risky task without any return. Even if she wants to help, she can't.

---But if there is a return, it's a different story.

If there is a reason for the country to help, Helian can act.

That's what she meant by "answer carefully."

She couldn't say this openly with Rive and the others watching, but she tried to convey her sincerity.

There might be nothing to offer from a country on the brink of defeat, with no resources. From the conversation between Lirifa and Wenri, it seems unlikely that there is anything to offer as a return.

Moreover, the strength of Noblewood is still unknown.

From the conversation, it seems Alkymira might have the upper hand in individual combat, but the total strength of the enemy is still unclear. It's uncertain whether they can gather enough forces to surpass the enemy by evening, and there's no guarantee of victory. Helping without a guarantee of success would not be a wise choice.

But even so, if they can somehow come up with something to offer, and if it can be turned into a reason for the country to act, Helian wants to help.

This question was a glimmer of hope.

Because Helian hasn't forgotten the pinky promise made that day.

The promise made with a girl who tried her best, sacrificing her heart to save her people.

She remembers that thin little finger.

So, she pleads.

With a prayer-like feeling, Helian waited for Lirifa's answer.

"---"

Lirifa slightly lowered her head.

After a moment that was too short to be hesitation,

she looked up and met Helian's eyes directly.

Then, Lirifa began to speak.

"I will offer myself as the price."

The answer was the worst possible.

Her expression was one of resolve from the start.

"Half-Elves are the result of the war between Noblewood and human countries. Among them are the children of the 'Queen of Noblewood' who were captured by humans. One of them is the first-generation Half-Elf, my great-grandmother."

---In other words, I am a descendant of the 'Queen of Noblewood.'

Lirifa said this.

"Among the current royal family of Noblewood, only the current king is a direct descendant of the queen. Therefore, the bloodline of the queen is rare. Additionally, I am a virgin, which adds value. If sold to slave traders, a considerable amount of money is guaranteed."

For example, a Half-Elf sold in a human country last year was valued at 520 gold coins.

Lirifa calmly stated the facts and continued with the terms of the contract.

"Even as a small country, being of royal blood and a direct descendant of the Queen of Noblewood, I should be worth at least ten times that. With good negotiation, it could be even more.

Furthermore, until I am sold, I will do anything you ask. If you accept this, from that moment on, all my authority will be yours. I will fulfill any request. This is our offer."

In a matter-of-fact tone, the Queen of Latestwood finished explaining her value as a commodity.

She even offered a blank check.

...It made Helian feel sick.

"...This is ridiculous. What will happen to Latestwood if this deal goes through? You are the supreme leader of this country. Have you thought about what will happen to the country without you?"

"Lirifa will rule."

It was an immediate answer.

She intended to entrust the leadership of Latestwood to Lirifa, who would be rescued.

"Lirifa, like me, is a descendant of those parents. If necessary, she will fulfill her role as a member of the royal family. She may act young now... but that's partly because I'm here. If I'm gone, she will lead the country as a proper queen. I believe that."

Her eyes were sincere.

It seemed she truly believed it.

Even Helian could easily imagine that rescuing the captured citizens wouldn't save the country.

Yet, Lirifa, the Queen of Latestwood, said she believed in her sister.

She said it without any lies or pretense.

"So, please... please, save the people of Latestwood."

Saying this,

Lirifa knelt and pressed her hands and head to the ground.

"---I can't do anything more than this."

In the center of the village,

under the gaze of many people,

Lirifa Rim Latestwood, the Queen of Latestwood, pleaded to Helian, a mere traveler, on her knees.

"There is no other way. There is nothing else I can do. I have no other choice but to rely on you."

It was a confession.

Her voice was like a confession of sin.

The words she spoke were filled with regret that couldn't be hidden, and it was clear that she was telling the truth.

...Ah, she knew.

She had known all along.

Helian had also understood, at least vaguely, from the beginning.

She had long realized that Latestwood was already "finished as a country."

It no longer functioned as a country.

Even Wrenli, who was considered a close advisor, acted on emotion, showing how desperate the situation was. Lirifa had mentioned that Wrenli was not in her right mind at the time. She seemed to have recovered somewhat, but the slightest trigger could lead her to such violent actions, showing how worn down they were.

To begin with, the fact that the queen herself had to lead a rescue mission for captured comrades, even if they possessed rare magic and were of royal blood, indicated that the country was already almost finished. The situation was beyond desperate.

It was probably the last resort.

After losing most of their military strength in a surprise attack without a declaration of war and being worn down by three weeks of raids, Latestwood had no other options.

And the last resort, which was a gamble, failed.

As a result, Lirifa Rim Latestwood, the Queen of Latestwood, was forced to flee alone through the forest, nearly captured by the Elves of Noblewood.

At that point, the country should have been finished.

Since it was the last resort, everything should have ended there.

---But then, an unexpected third party appeared.

A force that belonged to neither Noblewood nor any other faction, possessed combat strength surpassing the head hunter of Noblewood, and had no prejudice against Half-Elves—Helian and her group appeared.

What must Lirifa have felt at that moment?

When she failed to rescue her parents and her own fate seemed sealed, and then she found someone who could potentially save her country, what must her thoughts have been?

Helian couldn't imagine.

No, it wasn't something a mere observer could even try to imagine.

But she understood why Lirifa had been friendly and why she hadn't pursued their identities despite her suspicions.

It was simple.

Whoever Helian and her group were, it didn't matter to Lirifa.

It was irrelevant.

When Lirifa met Helian and her group, she knew that to save Latestwood, she had to ask for help from this suspicious group of travelers.

That was all there was to it.

But—

"What are you... What are you doing!? Raise your head, Lady Lirifa! You shouldn't be doing this!"

The queen remained kneeling.

She exposed her pitiful, desperate form to the public, bowing to a mere traveler.

This was something a king should never do.

The leader of the people should never show such a humiliating and servile appearance to anyone.

A king is not omnipotent.

Without the support of the people, governing a country is impossible.

That's why power and authority are necessary.

They are indispensable for those who lead others.

This is a simple fact proven by history and detailed in Japanese textbooks.

But Lirifa chose to expose her humiliation to the public.

She deliberately chose a place in the center of the village where everyone could see, explained the situation in a voice that everyone could hear, and bowed to a stranger.

Needless to say, Lirifa Rim Latestwood's charisma as a queen had hit rock bottom.

By declaring her defeat and admitting her inability to save the situation, it was inevitable.

But she wasn't unaware of this.

She chose this extreme action for one reason.

---To save her people.

To have Helian and her group save her citizens.

To make Helian understand that there were no other options left.

And indeed, Helian understood.

She understood the meaning of Lirifa's actions.

It was a plea: "There is no one else to rely on."

It was an explanation: "I can't do anything more."

It was a threat: "If you abandon us, everyone here will die."

And all of it was the undeniable truth.

Even if it meant relying on others.

Even if it meant exploiting the kindness of a third party.

Even if it meant using the people as leverage.

She would save the country and the people.

She would not hesitate to use any means to save her people.

That was Lirifa Rim Latestwood.

Bowing to a mere traveler was her last duty as the Queen of Latestwood.

"---My lord... no, Lord Helian. I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me."

Wenli, who had been silent, knelt and finally spoke.

"I will offer myself in place of Lady Lirifa. Please accept me as the price—"

"No, Wenli."

Lirifa, still with her head bowed, interrupted.

"You must be Lirifa's guardian. She cannot lead Latestwood alone. You are needed."

"But if you stay in this country instead of Lady Lirifa—"

"The standard price for an adult female Half-Elf is around 500 gold coins. Do you think it's fair to ask Lord Helian and his group to risk their lives for such a small amount? Do you think they would accept it?"

"...Lady Lirifa..."

"I appreciate your feelings. But this is my duty. It's my last responsibility for not being able to do anything. Please don't interfere."

Wenli, unable to hold back any longer, distorted her beautiful face and began to cry.

With tears streaming down her face, she also bowed to the ground.

Even the onlookers began to bow one by one.

They bowed to Helian, a human accompanied by Elves, abandoning all pride and begging.

---Sell her.

Sell her to slave traders.

Get the money to risk their lives.

Rescue the captured citizens with the queen as collateral.

The people were all bowing, begging with all their might.

How much internal conflict must there have been?

What must it feel like to hand over the person you are supposed to protect to humans?

What must it feel like to beg for help from others to save the people you can't protect yourself?

Helian couldn't understand.

She didn't want to understand.

The only thing she knew was that if she abandoned them now, their fate would be sealed.

"---"

What is this?

What is this situation?

It's disgusting.

It makes me feel sick.

My brain refuses to accept it.

It's too much to ask me to accept this.

To be responsible for the fate of everyone here, when I've only lived for twenty years, is absurd.

"---"

Helian is the king of Alkymira.

She is in a position to command the citizens of Alkymira and is responsible for the consequences of her commands.

Hasty decisions are not allowed.

Helping a nearly defeated faction is absurd.

The value of what is offered and what is provided is completely mismatched.

It would be foolish to get involved in another country's conflict when her own position is not secure.

Does she even have the right to offer help?

Does she consider herself noble enough to save others?

She can't answer these questions.

She doesn't have the courage to answer.

She is not a strong person.

She is too weak in body and mind.

She is not a great person.

She is even small-minded.

She lacks confidence.

She is a tiny coward.

She is far from being fit to be a king.

---But, even so.

Even so, she doesn't want to fall into evil.

She absolutely doesn't want to live that way.

If she abandons them here, she will regret it for the rest of her life.