Similar to the other cities, the municipal office of Elwind City also stands at the base of its World Tree, Affectio. And from within it, several men and women of Half-Elf descent looked tired as they came out and made their way back to their encampment on the city’s outskirts.

“… That Eliza has already mastered the art of being fake despite being so young.”

“Yeah, talking to that woman makes me so tired…”

Merida, Leiard’s escort, nods as she remembers the negotiations they have been doing with the Elves these past few days.

There were three main conditions set out by the Philland Republic: the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the deployment of the 2nd Division in Elwind City, and the healing of the World Tree Memoria. In exchange, the soldiers of the 2nd Division will be responsible for defending the Ancient Forest, but…

It’s a given that a nation can’t just easily rely on another nation’s military force to take care of their territory’s defense.

“…Resuming our diplomatic relations with them is proving to be a bottleneck isn’t it?”

“Yes, just as expected, the timing was bad if you think about their political instability…”

“Master, I have an idea!!”

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

At her mentor’s behest, Merida shares her idea with a wide smile.

“Why don’t we go ahead and incite the Black Elf Clans to take action?”

“…That’s no good.”

“Eh~ you don’t like it?”

“If you want to throw the ‘Ancient Forest’ into chaos, then that’s good and all, but… What we want is the cooperation of those higher-ups with High Elf blood who can manage the World Tree.”

After all, the purpose of their expedition was to extend the life of the Republic’s World Tree, Memoria, and to increase the country’s power by re-establishing diplomatic relations. If they caused chaos within the country, then there was a risk of losing the person they needed to help them.

(But still, it’s hard to get through that little minx…)

The other party’s intention is obviously to stall, but talking to Lady Eliza makes me think that the negotiation will go well.

It seems as if we’re being manipulated, but negotiations with most countries are like that.

“Merida, send out scouts to investigate the gaps in the barriers around the Royal Capital. If you find any suspicious activity from the other cities such as sending out military reinforcements, we will immediately take over this city by force.”

“Why don’t we do it now? We can just cut off their access to the World Tree Affectio through the ley lines and snatch away their Priestesses so they can’t repair the barriers, right?”

“I would like to continue with the negotiations as long as we can achieve our goals through peaceful means.”

(We are just prioritizing the best interests of our country even though we were victims of the previous war they caused.)

Leiard thought as he discussed the subjugation of the city with his Division Commander Ragiel back at camp.

Several figures watched from the shadows a while later just as people moved about in the encampment around dinner time.

……………

………

…

“Guruu garuon?” (Is it really possible?)

Eliza, who was dispatched from the Royal Capital as a negotiator, speaks to the big, blue Kobold in a whisper.

“U~, gaofu garuaoh.” (Hmm~ it’s probably going to be fine.)

Ax’s eyes turn a deep red as a menacing light that is contrary to his gentle nature radiates from his body.

The huge Kobold, whose blue eyes have turned red, stabbed the sharp end of his Duel Shield into the ground and leaned his Battle Axe beside it to free both of his hands.

“Guruoo vuruuoan.” (If we’re going to do this, please do it quickly.)

“Wauo.” (Understood.)

Buster focused his sense of smell while holding his Greatsword, while Dagger twitched her ears to pick up the sounds around them. They were near enough from the other party’s military base so they could not stay long and had to exercise caution.

It all started before Eliza left the capital. Eliza got along with the other Kobolds after sharing a meal with them, so she visited their room thinking that it would be better to tell them about the current situation.

“Sigh, I wonder if we can get rid of them without any fuss.” 

During their talk, Eliza unconsciously dropped a complaint, to which Ax responded,

“Wau~, gauoau kuruaaan? Wafioaaan!” (Hnn~, so these people are troubling you? Maybe we can work something out!)

His kind-hearted words were suspicious, but if it worked, there was a good chance that they would negotiate a better deal, so they worked out the details that led to their present situation.

“Waoa, garuaan.” (Then, I’ll begin, okay?)

Eliza blends her consciousness with nature and connects the World Tree’s vitality to Ax through the ley lines.

“Zerunes forea exgia viela ludo.” (Bestow the World Tree’s blessings to this Guardian of the Forest.)

Kobolds were originally affiliated with earth attributes, so they had good compatibility with the World Tree. Therefore, the connection between Ax and the World Tree came naturally, and it became possible to draw power from the World Tree Affectio through the ley lines. 

“Wau, wafurua~n.” (Ah, this feels so nice.)

The Blood Malady that only affects humans can be dispersed as long as there is a surplus of life force due to its blood-boosting effect. However, with Ax’s normal status, he was at risk of becoming anemic if he infected 60 to 100 people a day, so Eliza proposed to connect him to the World Tree.

The results turned out favorably, and a blood mist spurted out from both palms of the Kobold whose eyes have turned red!

【Activated：Blood Malady: Blood Mist (human-specific)】

Ax’s gentle nature has mitigated the curse and reduced its potency somewhat, so even though it has the characteristic healing magic invalidation and immediate inability to move, it is not lethal anymore. So if the infected person is in good health, then they would only suffer from high fever and vomit blood for a week or two.

In addition to being told by their Chief to use their newly-acquired abilities, Ax instinctively understands that it is not lethal, which is why he can use the Blood Mist even though he has a gentle personality. However, if the Blood Malady user has a pre-existing medical condition or is physically weak, then it may be impossible for them to use it…

”Viel meias!” (O wind, be our guide!)

The Blood Mist was then carried out by the magical wind that Eliza, who was also a High Wizard Elf, cast and spread into the enemy’s base camp.