LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 44
Chapter 44: The Pitiful Pet Dog
――Love the High Elves, and be loved in return?
That’s impossible.
Sidarl was struck by dizziness and weakness, nearly dropping to his knees.
Beyond the physiological disgust he felt, he understood that the Night Elf tribe would never accept such a thing for cultural, religious, and political reasons.
Realizing that all their past efforts and trials had been in vain made it even worse――
Zilbagias must be laughing.
It’s absurd. Certainly absurd. After all, we had been endlessly repeating this research without even meeting the required conditions that could never be fulfilled…
“In reality, you don’t need such profound affection.”
Zilbagias called out to Sidarl, who wore a pained expression, with a look of compassionate amusement.
“Friendship. Favor. Perhaps something to that extent would suffice. The biggest problem lies in the fact that you Night Elves deep down reject the Forest Elves.”
No matter how one might twist the will of the caster, if the recipient themselves has no intention, it’s meaningless. For those who genuinely desire, the miracles of light are generous. However, for those who merely disguise their intentions superficially, the laws of the mystical remain strict――
“…What do you say, Sidarl? I’m not asking you to love them, but can you at least change your heart and get along with the High Elves? If so, you may receive the blessings of miracles.”
Confronted with the question, Sidarl began to ponder. He seriously contemplated whether it was possible from the standpoint of contributing to his tribe and gaining benefits.
Could he rationally consider this without emotions? Could he somehow deceive himself about his feelings? What of relying on substances――
Ultimately, he felt that it might be possible. He opened his mouth to respond, but――even then, the crucial words wouldn’t come out.
The ingrained feeling of disgust was obstinately preventing him from doing so. Causing the maximum suffering to the Forest Elves, leading to their extinction, was the ultimate command drilled into the essence of the Night Elves.
“…That seems difficult. Viene, what about you?”
“It’s impossible.”
Without a moment’s thought, Viene shook her head lazily.
“Seems like the hatred for Forest Elves runs deep…”
With a troubled expression, Zilbagias patted Liliana on the head.
“…Of course.”
Sidarl answered with a grim face.
“They are――the Forest Elves, the detested enemies who stole our rightful power and lifespan. In dire circumstances where there is no alternative, temporarily fighting together might be――possible. Though begrudgingly. However, asking us to feel favor or friendship towards them is utterly unreasonable…”
Since before they could even understand, they had heard tales of the conflict and separation between the Night Elves and the Forest Elves, and the subsequent history of suffering.
“Hmm. But Sidarl, this woman is…”
Zilbagias poked Liliana’s cheek playfully.
“This woman is not the one who took your power and lifespan. That’s a tale from long ago. Even so, do you think it’s right to take revenge on those unrelated to the past?”
“True, it may have started long ago, but we have shed a tremendous amount of blood up to the present. We can’t stop now, and isn’t revenge inherently in that direction? You’re not suggesting some kind of pacifism like the Humans, are you…?”
“Ha ha. I certainly agree.”
As Sidarl spoke with a sense of resignation, Zilbagias suddenly wore a savage grin.
“For some unknown reason, your words resonate strongly within me, Sidarl. Indeed, revenge is like that. It matters not whether one was the direct perpetrator or not; that’s right.”
His red eyes, even more vivid than those of the Night Elves, shone fiercely.
Sidarl felt as if he were facing a bloodthirsty beast. What is this ominous sensation, as if I had inadvertently stepped on the tail of a tiger――
“Kyuuun…”
In Zilbagias’s embrace, Liliana recoiled in fear from the ominous atmosphere of her master, her long ears flopping down.
“Oops. I apologize; I didn’t mean to frighten you… Well then, Sidarl, I’ll be taking this woman.”
Zilbagias withdrew his threatening aura and stood up as if nothing had happened.
“…No, it cannot go that way.”
Still, Sidarl stood in front of the door.
“You’re persistent. Do you have something else?”
With a weary expression, Zilbagias didn’t even bother to hide his displeasure.
“That girl’s miraculous power is surely unusable. However, her being a Saint remains a prize we have been granted and an ‘asset.’ As His Highness desires, we can also acquire high-quality Elf skins, you know?”
At the mention of “skins,” Liliana flinched in Zilbagias’s arms. Even after losing her memory, the pain may still be etched in her soul――
“Get to the point.”
“Even if it is His Highness, we cannot provide her unconditionally. We must receive some sort of compensation.”
It was obvious.
(I can’t let her be taken away for free!)
While maintaining a resolute expression, Sidarl was inwardly quite anxious. Without the blood power, it was a fact that they could extract high-quality skins from the Saint, and more importantly, it would be nothing short of a blunder if the Prince were to enter their most sacred place and take the Saint away just like that.
(I must somehow wring out the compensation――)
He would be dragged down from his current position. Understanding that the Saint’s miracles were unusable was already a heavy psychological blow, and having a bee sting added on top was over the top.
“Good grief…”
Zilbagias let out a phony sigh, but he was well aware that some form of compensation was necessary.
“—So, what do you wish for?”
Acknowledging his own overstepping somewhat, Zilbagias initiated the discussion.
This was the critical moment―― understanding this, Sidarl licked his lips, putting back on the mask of a polite smile he had discarded.
“As I mentioned earlier, the depletion of our warriors is a serious issue for my tribe.”
He glanced at the Saint, who once seemed like a material for a panacea, and continued.
“It is true that utilizing the blood of the Saint is nearly impossible for us, but the fact that His Highness gains new healing powers by obtaining her is also true. This may help you save on substitutes for the Human race in your future treatments, or so I foolishly think――”
Since you will obtain the healing power of the Saint, you can avoid using the Teleportation Spell.
“What do you think? Even if not the entire portion, could you find it in your heart to advocate for us Night Elves to the Reiju tribe for merely a handful of the available slots?”
――While they had lost the Saint’s physical form, they had succeeded in expanding the treatment slots of the Teleportation Spell.
If this kind of form could be taken, it would relieve them. At the very least, if he could secure the commitment here.
“You’ve got greed just like a Hobgoblin.”
However, Zilbagias’s response was not favorable.
“To begin with, giving you useless things is merely my way to effectively utilize them. Seeking equivalent compensation for profits that cannot be generated without my presence is――a bit too much to ask. Even if you count the value of the skins, it’s still too high.”
“…However, Your Highness, the production power of those skins is nearly limitless. In extreme terms, doesn’t it have nearly infinite value?”
“On the contrary. If produced infinitely, it becomes commonplace, and thus the value and rarity per piece will decrease. There may be infinite production capacity, but the practical value created is finite.”
And with a devilish grin, Zilbagias added,
“Furthermore, if there were infinite value, you could have easily secured treatment slots from trading those skins without having to ask me.”
“…………”
Sidarl found himself speechless.
“……Very well. Speaking of Hobgoblins, there’s a story from when I was granted entry into my father’s office to learn about governance.”
Zilbagias shifted his gaze as if recalling something suddenly.
“I’ve heard the Night Elves and Hobgoblin officials are in a dispute, haven’t they?”
With this unexpected change in subject, Sidarl straightened his back.
“…That seems to be the case.”
It was true that the Night Elves were in conflict with Hobgoblins to expand their influence and interests within the Demon Lord Kingdom. The Hobgoblins, too, were desperate to hold onto their positions due to a lack of decent job opportunities aside from civil service.
How dare a useless race like Goblins get so cocky――the Night Elves found their very existence distasteful.
“My father――the Demon Lord, is a fair person, after all. He has refrained from declaring support for either side at the stage of receiving the petition.”
Zilbagias paused, as if enjoying Sidarl’s reaction. Sidarl forced a smile to hide his inner feelings.
“I’ve been granted permission to enter the office. While I learn about governance, there may be opportunities for consultations. Depending on the situation, I might even suggest my opinion.”
—What do you think? he seemed to ask with his eyes.
I could say it favorably for the Night Elves.
The Demon Lord Kingdom is a dictatorship led by the Demon Lord. Having direct influence there is an enticing offer.
Yet――for something regarding conflict with mere Hobgoblins, it’s a weak exchange.
“…I greatly appreciate your sentiments, but…”
Sidarl replied with distress.
“…The situation has been progressing in our favor. It is an objective fact that Hobgoblins are incompetent, and their abilities and positions don’t match. Your Highness’s assistance could provide a significant push, but the rock is already rolling down the slope.”
It’s nice that you feel grateful, but we can manage without your help.
“Hmm. …Then.”
Zilbagias’s smile took on an increasingly wicked twist.
“—How about if, instead, I praised the Hobgoblins for their merits?”
Sidarl’s cheeks twitched.
This brat is threatening that if he doesn’t reach an agreement, he’ll instead sabotage the situation!!
“Th-that’s――”
He could hardly answer on the spot. The implications were too great.
The situation was already in motion, and the future of the rock rolling down the slope could not be changed. However, if pushed from the side, it might roll in an unwanted direction――!
(This little brat――!)
Sidarl screamed in his mind. His forehead was bulging with frustration, and the polite smile was trembling, threatening to shatter.
“……Ha ha, hahahahaha!”
Seeing Sidarl’s amusing reaction, Zilbagias burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
“……Ah. That was just a joke. For your face’s sake, I will refrain from interfering in this matter.”
After laughing to the point of tears, Zilbagias wiped his eyes and adjusted his expression.
“You said you wanted to expand the treatment slots.”
“…Yes.”
Taken aback by Zilbagias’s suddenly serious demeanor, Sidarl collected himself.
“I cannot negotiate with the Reiju tribe. Indeed, I am of the Reiju tribe, but I am a Demon Lord’s Prince, not an heir to the tribe. The management of treatment slots falls under the authority of the tribe’s chief, and should I interfere, it could create unnecessary friction.”
Being a prince, part of the ruling class, he cannot carelessly meddle.
“But…”
While patting Liliana’s head, the prince shot a meaningful glance Sidarl’s way.
“I, myself, am a blood descendant of the Reiju tribe――and I can use the Teleportation Spell.”
A brief silence.
“I wouldn’t mind personally accepting your request and treating your warriors.”
The words sank into Sidarl’s mind――and his expression changed.
“Th-that is!”
“You’ve wanted this, haven’t you? To aid as many warriors as you can. I won’t use the Saint as a target for the Teleportation Spell. Since we’ve gotten close, if I cause her pain, our relationship may deteriorate, and I could lose the possibility of receiving the blessings of miracles as well.”
Looking up at Zilbagias with a bewildered expression, Liliana nuzzled him. It seemed she felt a sense of security in his presence――perhaps because he would never inflict pain on her, or perhaps――
“Therefore, basically, I will use the Teleportation Spell to take on the injuries of the wounded and let Liliana heal them.”
Sidarl gulped back a lump in his throat. This prince was saying he would physically put himself on the line to help the Night Elves.
“Due to this convenience, I cannot accept unlimited treatments for free. We must narrow down the number of people, or that will create friction with the Reiju tribe. The remuneration for treatment is subject to negotiation. Let Viene manage those negotiations.”
Suddenly, called out by name, Viene flinched with an expression of “Huh, me?!”
“And Sidarl. Who and how you treat is up to you――this is a transaction between you and me, so I will only accept negotiations with you, regardless of your status.”
Sidarl’s eyes widened.
It was the moment when an astonishing privilege rolled into his hands.
Compensation would be required, but flipping that around, it meant that with sufficient negotiation and compensation, treatment would become possible. No matter how much he wished or begged before, he had always been turned away by restrictions on slots, but now the treatment of severely injured soldiers was possible.
How much influence Sidarl would gain within his tribe would be unimaginable. Even if he were to be ousted from the position of warden due to his blunder of losing the Saint, it would more than compensate――
Sidarl tightly shut his eyes, adjusted his expression, and respectfully bowed his head.
“I――will present the Saint Liliana to you.”
The negotiation was concluded.
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