Chapter 83

Ah, why has it come to this?

Standing before the nobles of the elves, Eldis muttered to herself in her heart. Of course, she would never let such thoughts show on her face. She would not reveal anything that might make them anxious. She had always been skilled at acting, ever since she was a child.

But she couldn't help but wonder, why has it come to this?

"Princess... to start a rebellion, we need soldiers. We will commit our private armies."

Eldis responded with a smile that wasn't too showy, her voice echoing in the darkness where many pairs of elven eyes glinted.

She sighed lightly and began to select them.

Those who had been loyal and called by her father probably didn't need much worry. As long as she didn't act out of line as a descendant of Fin, they would work hard out of loyalty and opposition to Lagias.

The problem was those sitting at the end of the table.

They had no interest in loyalty but had been stripped of their positions and driven out under Lagias' rule, and were now joining her for the sake of profit. The question was how far she could bring them in.

Rugis had said as much. Ah, it was so frustrating.

"Among you, there are probably those who still doubt. Whether it's wise to entrust their lives to a young girl like me."

She placed her hand on her chest and spoke as if looking into the depths of the darkness. Her heart was about to leap out. She was good at putting on a show, but it had been a long time since she had to act so dramatically. After all, she had been buried in that tower for a very long time.

She spoke slowly, careful not to stumble over her words. She put strength in her abdomen to make her voice resonate. In a voice like a recited poem, she spoke to those around her.

Some of the elves looked bewildered, some opened their eyes wide, and some looked at her with assessing gazes. The content varied, but it was clear that all the interest in the room was now focused on her voice.

"Of course, there are probably those who want to turn this plan over to Lagias and cut off my head. But I hope you will consider which side has a better chance of winning at this meeting."

"Surely, there is no one like that... Princess."

An old loyalist spoke in a delicate voice, as if trying to dissuade her. His low voice seemed to come from a place of genuine concern for Eldis.

Of course, it was natural. For a young girl like Eldis to say such things, it was only natural that some would react with resentment. Elves, being long-lived, held grudges for a very long time, smoldering for ages.

But it was precisely such people who needed to be stirred up. Eldis moistened her lips and let her blue eyes shine in the darkness.

"...Then, let's start discussing the plan. A discussion to win. A discussion to forcibly remove Lagias from the throne."

Her voice was gentle, almost caressing the ears, and it slowly seeped into the consciousness of all those gathered around the table in the darkness.

*

Matia, sitting at the end of the table, blinked in surprise at how well-spoken she was.

She had heard that the princess was a pampered elf, and had not expected or hoped for deep knowledge of tactics or warfare.

But what was the reality? From the start of the meeting, the princess seemed to see everything ahead of time, her words flowing like a stream.

How to win. The glory that would follow. How traitors would be vilified by poets in the future and the extent of the disadvantage that would bring. She repeated these points over and over.

Because she was sitting at the end, Matia could see it clearly. The skeptical gazes that couldn't be erased at first, the elves who were trying to assess her and were ready to fly to either the princess's side or Lagias' side at the first opportunity. The heat in their eyes, fanned by the princess's words, grew higher and higher.

Indeed, this was what charisma was all about. Matia placed her finger on her chin and nodded lightly. The noble blood that drew everyone's hearts and held them close, the centripetal force.

She herself needed to master this skill. The words to ignite people's hearts and drive them to action. Matia listened to the words, her lips pouting.

"But, Princess. The palace guards are weak, and there are traitors among them. Therefore, it would be better to show authority. You should march boldly down the streets."

One of the elves spoke up. It was a rather optimistic statement, as if he was carried away by the heat and thought everything would go smoothly.

Matia's gaze suddenly turned to the princess. How would she respond? Simply rejecting it would make her seem too afraid of Lagias. Accepting it would make her seem naive to the calculating ones.

Fin, the equivalent of a human king, had to face reality. But focusing only on reality would disappoint those who saw the ideal. The people were indeed selfish.

The princess blinked and shook her long ears. Then, in a flowing manner, she spoke.

"Sir, I am not acting to give the soldiers a graveyard. I am raising them to win. This plan would unnecessarily sacrifice too many soldiers. At the very least, I have no intention of sacrificing those who support me."

"---That is too idealistic."

An elf near Matia spoke, his voice like a stab. It was a voice that seemed to accuse and demand to see the truth. Matia involuntarily swallowed.

From her position, the princess had to succeed. Lagias had allied with the Great Holy Church, leaving no room for the Emblem Church to intervene. If the Emblem Church was to find a path to victory, they needed a new Fin on the throne. She would help as much as possible if it were possible.

But at least in this situation, the princess had to carry it alone. She had to show her strength as a leader, or her subordinates would not follow. There were not many who could overcome everything with loyalty alone.

Receiving the anxious gazes of a few, the princess responded as if she had known all along, putting on a show.

"But, even so. It is the duty of those in a position of leadership to pursue ideals. What I am saying is that unnecessary sacrifices should not be made. Or do you prefer waste, Sir?"

Her casual, joking tone made her seem quite at ease.

The elf who had asked the question also smiled, saying "No," and shrugged, closing his mouth. The answer was perhaps mundane, but his attitude was good. He was firm, composed, and seemed to have a certain confidence. It was the demeanor of a leader, someone who believed in themselves.

She had probably learned such manners from someone. Her father, the Fin, or perhaps another elf.

"Well, there are a few things I need you to prepare. First---"

Strategies flowed smoothly from the princess's mouth, one after another. Matia's eyes widened at the sight. It was their first uprising meeting, yet the leader's mind seemed to already contain everything, including the future.

She had been confined in the tower for a long time. Indeed, she must have harbored unbearable emotions during that time.

As the meeting neared its end and the topics became more restrained, Matia, timing it to avoid causing resentment, raised her hand. She knew she shouldn't stand out too much as a human, but there was one thing she absolutely needed to resolve.

"What's the matter, Matia, the valuable human collaborator? I'll listen to your words."

"Thank you," she responded with a clear voice, deflecting the gazes of those around her.

She lowered her eyes in a show of respect and spoke.

"One of our valuable heroes, a member of the Emblem Church, is missing in this country. Do you know of him? His name is---Rugis."

"I don't know him."

Her words were cut off by a strong tone, thrown into the darkness. Matia's eyes widened, and the elves around her also looked up, noticing her unusual reaction.

"---I apologize. But, unfortunately, I only know humans like you. If I hear anything, I'll promise to let you know."

The princess's expression had already returned to calm. She smiled slightly and spoke in a gentle voice.

Matia nodded, thanked her, and narrowed her eyes.

---I see. I understand where you are playing the rogue and indulging in mischief. Rugis.

She let her emotions flicker and whispered to herself.