A Treacherous Courtier Manages the Empire Well

100 – Too Many Machine Guns to Refuse

“A threat?”

The young World Tree seemed to realize something from my words.

“Yes. A threat. Whether it’s the High Elves or Dark Elves, the most frightening situation for them would be one where only humans can make pacts. It would threaten their existing status among the races. Please, do not do that one thing and the World Tree will then be able to control the High Elves and Dark Elves.”

I smiled at the faithful servant and looked at her. This smile had the effect of convincing the viewer that their choice was right.

The World Tree seemed intrigued by my smile.

“Are those arrogant beings finally listening to me?”

“Yes.”

“I was already eager for this. Mother has been rotting inside. She wanted to bestow everything upon everyone, yet justified all sorts of exploitation towards the Dark Elves and Wood Elves under the pretext of receiving the will of Mother Tree. Only our mother received the insults!!!!”

The anger in her shook the entire World Tree. Though she looked like a child, there was an unwavering air of absolute fantastical existence about her.

The World Tree hesitated for a while, then reached out its hand.

“Alright. Let’s consider your opinion for once. I will use the Empire of Aylam to assist you. I will share with you the fruits and knowledge that open to me, as well as the magic of spirits. You will help me in changing the nature and society of the Elves.”

The outstretched hand was not meant for me to take. I naturally stepped back, and Emperor Adran came forward to take her hand.

“As long as you do not harm us, we will not harm the World Tree either. I promise. We will actively support the World Tree’s opinion that everyone should fairly enjoy the grace of Mother Tree.”

“Excellent. Let’s give these Elven fellows a taste of their own medicine.”

“It might be good to use the captured High Elves and Dark Elves as messengers. Instruct them to send representatives who can speak for the Wood Elves, High Elves, and Dark Elves. If they do not come, we can say the pact will forever be for humans only.”

“Good! After gathering everyone, we will tell them that from now on, we will make pacts fairly with everyone. And if they dare to act recklessly…”

The World Tree looked at the Emperor. The Emperor looked at Caria. Caria smiled slyly.

“I will crush them. You can count on it.”

And she nodded confidently, trusting in the empire’s advanced firepower.

The number of Imperial troops dispatched to the Rimnakal Plains increased.

Two additional legions were sent, creating a denser defense line, and at the top of the World Tree, a large number of machine gun turrets were installed, establishing an air defense posture.

After about a month had passed since sending back all the High Elves and Dark Elves we had captured across the sea to the land of fantasy, Aylam, fully prepared and ready to welcome the Elves, finally…

“A giant eagle is spotted! Approaching from 11 directions!”

“Inform His Majesty! Immediately!”

We could finally face the Elves we had been waiting for. A report was immediately sent to the Emperor, and I, the Emperor, Celene, Karl Hansen, and Caria immediately went up to the Rimnakal Plains.

We headed towards the World Tree’s upper level, where the sacred pond was located, and there we faced the High Elves with discontented expressions, the Wood Elves who seemed confused, and the Dark Elves delegation filled with subtle hope.

“Nice to meet you, great beings. I am the Emperor who rules Aylam, the human empire here. Adran…”

“I have no interest in the petty name of you wretched mortals.”

A sharp remark was directed at Adran by what seemed to be an elder High Elf. Caria’s eyes glinted with a fierce gaze, ready to draw the sword at her waist, but Adran stopped her.

“It’s suffocating to be surrounded by these petty beings.”

The High Elf elder expressed disgust towards Adran and the Imperial troops around him. Adran remained silent despite the insult.

Why?

Because it wasn’t his job to stop that.

Suddenly, a small girl leaped up from the ground, ran forward, and boldly slapped the cheek of the High Elf elder who had been exuding hateful emotions towards Adran.

Of course, the little girl’s strength wouldn’t have caused much pain, but the High Elf elder seemed very surprised.

“My mother often said not to use such words to fellow intelligent beings! Where did you learn such arrogant language from!!!”

The sudden words of the young girl made the representatives of the three groups of elves bow their heads in unison.

“We behold the Mother Tree.”

Especially the Wood Elf representative, who had been unaware of the existence of the second World Tree that High Elves had kept secret until now, was truly showing a look of disbelief.

As the representatives of the Wood Elves beheld the new World Tree, their faces seemed partially lost in thought.

After the greetings were exchanged, the World Tree gestured once, causing tables and chairs made of wood to rise from the ground, indicating for them to sit.

Ascending onto the table, the World Tree made it possible for everyone to see it, and the representatives of the Elven race and the five representatives of the Human Empire were able to sit confidently facing them on chairs similar to those of the Elves.

The High Elves seemed seriously displeased by the fact that humans were seated at the same table as them.

“Great Mother Tree. It appears that beings unsuitable for this place are seated.”

“Humans were called by me. They are beings already under the protection of my covenant. Do not dare drive away my covenantees recklessly.”

In response to the words of the young World Tree, Adran silently raised his hand to show the mark on his palm, and upon recognizing the covenant mark, the Elves stood up in unison from their seats.

“This cannot be!!”

“Making a covenant with a mere mortal!!”

“Stop! Great Mother Tree! The covenant should only be passed down to deserving individuals!”

Seeing the Elves starting to raise their voices, the World Tree let out a burst of anger.

“Can’t you all be quiet?! Now is the time for me to speak! Not you!”

It was a lion’s roar in the guise of a child’s shout. At those words, everyone flinched and shrunk back. The World Tree stared at them sternly and then let out a long sigh.

Through a messenger, gather the Wood Elves, High Elves, and Dark Elves. The reason is simple – to inform them about my intentions going forward.”

“Great Mother Tree, please bestow the covenant upon us quickly…”

Seeing the High Elf elder urgently reaching out his hand, the World Tree shook its head.

“I am not your mother. I will not repeat the mistakes made by my mother. The covenant will now be distributed fairly. It will be shared among all sentient beings.”

At these words, the Elven representatives all stopped their movements.

“Great Mother Tree, does that mean…”

“Yes. From the Dark Elves dwelling in the lowest places to the High Elves residing in the leaves, the covenant will be distributed equally to all races. That is my will.”

The High Elf elders stood up from their seats.

“This cannot be! The covenant should be passed down to those worthy!”

“Worthy? What worthiness do you speak of?”

“It is the covenant made between the former Elven Lord and the Mother Tree! Only those who continue his bloodline have the right to receive the covenant! Great Mother Tree!”

At this, the young World Tree sneered.

“The former Elven Lord was a righteous being! He was one who could nurture both Dark Elves and Wood Elves without discrimination. He was more righteous and wise than anyone else, and because he understood the true wishes of the Mother Tree, my mother had decided to make a covenant only with his race.”

“It is the same now! We, who are the descendants of the former Elven Lord, should rightfully be the recipients of the covenant!…”

“Silence that mouth of yours!!!”

The young World Tree erupted in anger.

“After the former Elven Lord’s death, his descendants, you, began to wield the power of the covenant solely for the prosperity of your own race! The true meaning of the covenant faded, and it started to be used as a pretext for power!”

“Those of worthy lineage understood the teachings of the Great Mother Tree the best!”

“Don’t speak such nonsense! My mother tried countless times to abolish the distorted covenant, but you refused. My mother never once commanded to dominate the Dark Elves and Wood Elves with the power of the covenant!”

“They are inferior! It is us, the superior ones, who should lead!!…”

At these words, the tree suddenly began to tremble.

To the extent that it could be physically felt, an intense, crystallized energy was explosively emanating from the entire tree.

“It is my creation!!! Both Wood Elves and Dark Elves were molded from the soil of the Mother Tree’s land, by her hands!! Who are you to arbitrarily divide ranks among her creations, discussing the lowly and the exalted!!!”

In a moment of tremendous rage, Adran’s expression turned pale, and Karia had to hold his hand, providing him with strength. The Elves all fell silent. The High Elves bowed their heads tightly shut, and the Wood Elves and Dark Elves wore expressions of confusion.

“Mother Tree. If… If we obey… does that mean we can also become recipients of the covenant?”

One of the representatives of the Wood Elf delegation asked cautiously.

At those words, the World Tree nodded.

“Of course. My child. From now on, things will be different. While my mother hastily promised the covenant to the High Elves alone, I will be different. I will care for all of you equally with the grace of the covenant.”

“If we obey…”

In response to the Dark Elf delegation’s words, the World Tree nodded.

“All of you. And humans as well. Intelligent beings born from the earth all have sufficient qualifications to enjoy my grace. A world where everyone coexists harmoniously. That is what the Mother Tree truly desires. Do you understand?”

The Dark Elves and Wood Elves seemed to ponder the words of the young World Tree. While they were pleased to receive the grace of the covenant, there was a hint of dissatisfaction at the inclusion of the short-lived humans.

However, their discontent quickly dissipated.

The grace of the covenant.

A symbol of power enjoyed only by the High Elves.

There was no reason to refuse it.

“We, the Stem Tribe, will follow the words of the Mother Tree.”

“The Root Tribe will also follow.”

The Dark Elf and Wood Elf tribes bowed their heads.

The World Tree smiled contentedly.

“And what about the Leaf Tribe?”

The High Elf elders remained silent, their fists clenched so tightly that their knuckles turned white, trembling in place.

Then, they rose from their seats.

Spirits began to ominously appear around them.

“We cannot accept this. This is treachery! It is a betrayal of the Elven bloodline that has been passed down for millennia!!!”

The young World Tree was not particularly surprised by their reaction.

She simply gestured carefully to Karia.

Karia stood up.

She drew her holy sword and aimed it at the Elves.

Simultaneously,

Dozens of machine guns and rifles positioned around them began to target the High Elf elders.

“If you’re so confident, go ahead and try. You filthy half-breeds.”

“You despicable short-lived creatures!…”

“If you also want to rebel, go ahead and try it now.”

A menacing aura began to emanate unreservedly from Karia.