“You’re the Forest Keeper Levanta Clocksees, right? Do you perhaps remember me?”
At Lavina’s words, the tall elf slave glanced my way. After observing Lavina with a complex expression, the elf sighed and nodded.
“…Lavina Vercheria. If my memory serves me right.”
It was that elf who muttered Lavina’s name earlier. I wasn’t sure if we were closer than I thought, so I asked for confirmation.
“Do you know each other?”
“We only know each other by face and name, really. After spending a few hundred years together in the woods, everyone inevitably gets to know each other to some extent.”
Lavina gave a vague response to my inquiry. The elf slave then laughed bitterly, though I’m not sure if it could truly be called laughter.
“…It’s hard not to know. The young elf expelled for warning about the vulnerability of the barrier. Thanks to the stubbornness of foolish elders, our forest burned down, and we became slaves. In the end, isn’t it proved that you were right?”
Something about this elf was different from the ones I remembered.
There was no hint of the lackadaisical nature I had seen in the elves I met before leaving the Mist Labyrinth, even as he knelt defenselessly.
So “Levanta,” was it? I hadn’t permitted him to chatter more than necessary, but my interest was piqued.
“Thanks to the elders’ stubbornness. In the end, isn’t it same for all elves other than Lavina? You plan to pass the buck to the elders after remaining silent and watching?”
“When it comes to the Forest Keeper, it’s a little different. That’s also why I said I hold no ill feelings toward this person.”
Unexpectedly, the response came from Lavina.
“How is it different?”
“Didn’t we talk about it before? After the tribal wars ended, the elders decided to shut themselves in the forest, believing only in the Mist Barrier, and the majority of the new generation elves raised in such a closed society lost their sense of crisis and fell into arrogance. However, those of the older generation, the forest warriors, did express their concerns about such trends. Do you remember that?”
“Now that you mention it, yes.”
“Among the Forest Keepers, there were many elves like those. This elf is also a Keeper who was active during the tribal wars and has since retired.”
Ah, so he’s like a veteran soldier. I had just assumed he was a slave, but it turns out he was quite a significant elf.
Still, Lavina had mentioned that after living for a few hundred years in a closed society, you inevitably get to know each other, but it was hard to believe that they would remember each and every elf.
It seemed he was a person of some renown.
Anyway, you really can’t judge an elf just by their appearance.
The tribal wars ended 300 years ago, and if he participated, it means he’s been around even longer than that.
“Lavina, you plan to involve all the slaves, right?”
Lavina whispered as she lowered her voice, and I nodded quietly.
After all, we couldn’t control this place with just vampires.
It was still night, so humans were likely holding their breath, waiting for us to pass, but thinking rationally, even tomorrow morning, what could vampires do?
Of course, I’d be fine during my stay, but I couldn’t be stuck here until we were ready to incorporate this land into the duchy. I had to march towards the Royal Capital as planned.
At that moment, news came in about the Ain slaves remaining here.
I thought to myself.
If I could bring the Ain slaves under my command and utilize them in mid-level management, maybe the vampires could control this city even before the necessary infrastructure, such as underground facilities, was established?
It seemed like a reasonable first step toward realizing the paradise I dream of.
Even if things didn’t go well, once we took control of the Royal Capital, there would be plenty of ways to fix things, and if it went well, I could set a precedent by not discriminating against those who follow me, even if they weren’t my kin.
Having a record to show others was important.
I anticipated that the hardest part of unifying the continent would likely be the Ain resistance, who would fight to the bitter end due to distrust of vampires, but if there was already a precedent of accepting the Ain, their resistance would surely weaken.
Thinking of it this way, it was worth the investment. In fact, there was no lower-risk, higher-return opportunity than this.
“Then please leave that elf to me. I’ll try to persuade him.”
Isn’t it said that there’s nothing that can’t be done with connections, relationships, or blood ties?
Especially when you meet someone from your hometown while living as a slave in a foreign land, even a sense of mutual delight can arise.
Of course, technically speaking, for Lavina, that connection could also be a source of resentment, but since he’s part of the opposing faction of the elder faction, it might work out.
In any case, since all the beastmen had already crossed over, and an elf was just a bonus, I hinted that it wouldn’t hurt to let her try.
“Mr. Levanta Clocksees. It would be a lie to say I have no grudge about being exiled from Albresia, but seeing innocent compatriots die while my hometown has already burned down… I don’t want that. So I’m asking you, could you perhaps surrender?”
“Join the vampires… Is that what you’re saying? I mean, being a slave, I don’t think I would resist if I wanted to go with you.”
“So, I’m asking you to follow voluntarily. Aria does not discriminate against those who follow her. Surely you’d prefer a life where you are treated well rather than being a mere slave?”
While observing the conversation between the two elves silently, I almost burst out laughing at the sight of the beastmen beside me twitching their ears.
The fact that saying I’d persuade an elf slave was instilling confidence in the already surrendered beastmen was quite interesting.
It wasn’t a bad idea to sow seeds evenly, so I decided to let it play out.
“And think about it. Are you willing to forgive the humans who burned Albresia and sold you into slavery?”
“…I cannot do that.”
“Exactly! But you know, if you come this way, just by breathing, you’ll have your revenge, right?”
I felt like my persuasive appeal was turning into a shopping home shopping speech.
But maybe realizing he was on the bottom rung, I could see doubt creeping more and more into Lavina’s expression as she questioned further.
“However, I was injured and retired from being a Keeper, so to be honest, I don’t think I’d be much help.”
“Doesn’t matter. There’s plenty you can do that doesn’t involve fighting.”
Seizing the opportunity, I smoothly jumped into the conversation and took over the flow.
Trembling eyes. At this point, I was confident that this elf would come around.
“Really… you don’t discriminate against someone who isn’t a vampire?”
Instead of answering, I subtly spread my arms and gestured towards those standing next to me.
Lavina and Eleonora. An elf and a dragonkin who weren’t vampires.
The persuasive power emanating from the two Ain standing closest to me finally broke through the stubborn pride of the doubting and proud elf.
“Then I, Levanta Clocksees, hereby swear to serve the Progenitor of Vampires, Lady Aria, from this moment forth.”
*
Royal Castle of Bertica Kingdom.
Prince Dweik Bertica, who was temporarily entrusted with full authority over diplomacy from the king, was furiously gripping the communication device and passionately arguing.
“This is the very agreement made for situations like this! In peacetime, also, when we conquered Albresia and captured the elves, and even during the last war, Bertica Kingdom paid the highest cost! And yet you’re refusing to send reinforcements! Is this even logical?!”
“We’re not refusing. We’re too busy fending off the Suwong Kingdom right now, so we’ll send the knights after we repel them.”
“Isn’t that essentially the same thing! The vampires have almost reached the Royal Capital! How long do you expect us to wait for you to deal with the Suwong Kingdom!!”
During the tri-nation talks, Dweik, who usually was cool-headed and acted as a mediator, was speaking in an excited tone.
But, understandably so.
As soon as news of the Suwong Kingdom’s rebellion reached them, vampires had already invaded and taken over more than 30% of the territory; telling them to wait was essentially saying they wouldn’t help.
This couldn’t be allowed.
The Bertica Kingdom had always had to concede a step back because its military strength was weaker than that of the Luminous Kingdom and the Empire.
How much money had been spent relying on a single treaty promising to help in times of crisis when the vampires were at their door?
It was unlikely the Luminous Kingdom’s position of being unable to spare resources due to the Suwong Kingdom’s invasion was untrue.
But regardless of what was true or not, they couldn’t easily back down now, with swords at their throats.
“Somehow—!”
“I’m truly sorry. However, I have complete faith in the capabilities of the Bertica Kingdom knights. Please endure just a little longer. I will contact you when we are able to deploy troops.”
Click. With those parting words, the communication ended.
“Wait a minute, can you hear me?! Can you hear me…… damn it.”
As Dweik slammed his desk, a loud bang echoed as the communication device shook.
But no matter how much he expressed his pent-up anger, the severed communication wouldn’t reconnect.
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