Chapter 74

The conclusion was decided from the beginning. I would head to the Elven Forest and help the elves. That was the strategy I had in mind.

For a moment, I thought about consulting my superior, Sefiro, but that was unnecessary. After all, Sefiro was no longer my superior. My current superior was only the Demon King.

Furthermore, I believed that even the Demon King's judgment was not necessary. All decisions at the legion level were delegated to the legion commanders.

Moreover, the Demon King had already approved the alliance with the dwarves, and he had created the 8th Legion precisely because he expected me to incorporate humans and other races.

If I didn't go to their aid now, I might be reprimanded later. With that thought, I gathered the officers who were staying in the city of Ivalice.

The orc strategist Jiron, the succubus Lilith, the dragonman Shigan, and the dwarf king Gunther.

In other words, the usual suspects. When they gathered in the conference room, Sati efficiently served them their drinks.

Jiron, the orc strategist, got wine; Lilith, the succubus, got tea with plenty of marmalade jam; Shigan, the dragonman, got hot water; and Gunther got distilled liquor.

I knew their preferences well. Even the picky Lilith had no complaints. Sati always made the tea at the perfect temperature and added the right amount of jam.

According to Sati, "I can tell from Lilith's expression how much jam is needed." I was impressed by her perceptiveness.

Incidentally, she even guessed my mood for today correctly. Without being told, she brought me green tea. We all took a sip from our cups, and Sati bowed respectfully before leaving the room. As if that was the signal, Jiron asked:

"Sir, what's the agenda for today's military council?"

It had become customary for the council to start with this line. I told everyone about the contents of the letter I received from Gunther.

"So, the elves want to form an alliance with us, is that right?"

Lilith summarized the situation.

"Yep."

I replied with a single word.

"Then it's simple. We should quickly send an army to force them into an alliance."

Lilith's out-of-touch comment made everyone sigh.

"That would be the same as what humans do."

I pointed out.

"Then, let's send an army to scatter the Alliance of Kings. We'll do them a favor."

"That has its own problems."

"Why?"

Lilith asked. I countered with a question.

"Why do you think the Elven Queen sent the letter to Gunther and not to me?"

"Maybe they're old acquaintances?"

"But Gunther and the Elven Queen don't get along, do they?"

I turned to Gunther, who was frowning with his arms crossed.

"Come to think of it, that's true. Elves and dwarves are like cats and dogs."

"Yet, she sent the letter to Gunther, not directly to me. In other words, the Elven Queen is afraid of the Demon King's army."

"Afraid of us—"

Lilith stopped speaking but continued nonchalantly.

"Well, that's understandable. We are the Demon King's army that makes even crying babies scream. If they weren't afraid, it would be a problem."

"So, the Elven Queen wants to confirm if we will really be allies, right?"

Jiron asked.

"Probably."

"She doesn't trust us."

Jiron muttered, but I defended her.

"It's understandable. We are the Demon King's army. In this situation, it's inevitable to test each other's intentions."

If I were in the Elven Queen's position, I would do the same. There's no guarantee that the Demon King's army will treat the Alliance of Kings more leniently.

"They might end up inviting a tiger to deal with a wolf."

Shigan summarized the situation.

"We are much more lenient, though."

Jiron said, but I added:

"Recently, yes."

The Demon King's army started to rule more leniently only a few years ago, since the current Demon King, Dairokuten, took control. Gradually but surely, the rule over humans has become more lenient.

However, many humans and other races still doubt this. Many are worried that the Demon King's army might revert to its old ways. It's understandable that the Elven Queen would approach us in this manner.

"On the other hand, it's also a problem if they offer an alliance too easily."

"Why?"

Lilith asked.

"If they offer an alliance without any suspicion, such a king would be incompetent and not useful."

I recalled the face of the leader of the Trade Federation, with whom we recently signed a secret treaty.

Eltoria Octave, the leader of the Trade Federation, was a highly capable and shrewd woman.

Even if the Elven Queen isn't as intelligent as her, she must have some ability as a king for an alliance to be beneficial.

"However, it's also a problem if they are too capable."

"Why?"

Lilith asked again.

"If they are too capable, we might suspect that this is a trap to ensnare us."

"I see, I hadn't thought of that."

Lilith said.

"So, it's a problem if they are too incompetent or too capable."

"However, in this case, I don't think that's a concern."

"Do you have any evidence?"

Jiron asked.

"She approached us through Gunther, who publicly states that he doesn't want to see her face. If it were a trap, she wouldn't go through such a roundabout way."

Moreover, I continued.

"Gunther seems to trust the queen. If he does, she must have some qualities similar to his."

I turned to Gunther again, but he still had his arms crossed and wouldn't look at me.

I couldn't help but chuckle, but in any case, both morally and strategically, we couldn't ignore the crisis of the elves.

"There is no option to not help the elves. If they become our enemies, it would be disadvantageous for us. They are a gentle race, but they are all skilled archers."

"Many of them are also users of elemental magic."

Lilith added, "It would be better to create a debt with them."

Her smile seemed to show that she understood the strategic value, or perhaps she was confident that she would be included in the mission. I couldn't tell which, but I made my decision.

"Sending a large army might make the elves wary. We also don't want to provoke the Alliance of Kings and have them attack the Elven Forest. I want to meet the Elven Queen with a small group and first win her trust."

When I declared this, everyone raised their hands to volunteer.

Jiron snorted, Shigan raised his hand silently, and Lilith, of course, had a look that said, "I'm the first choice, right?"

Even Sati, who brought the refills, was giving me a passionate look. Everyone except Gunther seemed to want to go.

Seeing this, I sighed.

"This isn't a picnic."

I wanted to add a sarcastic remark, but Lilith countered:

"If I can go with you, Sir Ike, even the depths of hell would be a picnic."

"Interesting. What's your reasoning?"

"Because it's very enjoyable to be with you."

Lilith smiled and answered immediately. Sati also nodded cheerfully.

When they put it so clearly, I couldn't argue. Finally, Jiron summarized the situation.

"Sir, regardless of who you take, we should hurry to the Elven Forest. We don't want the humans to get there first, and if we delay too much, the Elven Queen might yield to the Alliance of Kings."

It was a fitting summary from a strategist. Perhaps his promotion to legion commander had made him more aware. I rarely adopted Jiron's suggestions, but this time I did, and I dismissed the council.