***The Lady Hinwe's Room, Dupree Palace…***
"Is Kuro already gone?"
Maddie, who was the one peeking through the door after Kuro left, gestured 'thumbs-up' to the Lady Hinwe. At once, the occupants under the Elf Saint's bed came out: the Beastman, and Demon Saints, as well as the Beastman Queen and the Demon Lord President. Seirna also shed off her disappearing spell, as they gathered at the Elf Saint's private chambers.
"So, now that Kuro's suspicions sated," the Human Saint began, "we can now plan how we can gather more funds for the invasion of Cherwoods without putting a strain on the people and the nobility."
"Like what I'm saying earlier," Seirna spoke. "Why can't we just pool our resources from our treasuries?"
"Sir G has a point when he shouldered the costs for his endeavor," Natasha countered. "We came from a world full of corrupt practices and leaders; he didn't want to redirect funds that came from the taxpayers and meant for the people's services. Likewise, I don't think I can stomach doing the same…and even so, he will hate it once he knew."
"The Beastmen will always support their king," Ursura declared.
"But do it for long, and even the unconditional support will melt away," Maddie replied.
"Yeah," Noir agreed. "Though the demons loved and accepted Kuro as their own, if we abuse their trust and magnanimity, they will surely get tired of it."
"Well, it's for those reasons that I called you here today," the Lady Hinwe then pointed towards her table. "I got an idea how to gather funds without pushing the people. In fact, I think they would even love it more!"
The ladies went towards the Elf Saint's desk. There were a bunch of drawings on it, but what caught everyone's attention was…
"!!!" Seirna and Natasha quickly averted their eyes from the illustrations, and their faces were red. Meanwhile, Ruro's lips drew a smirk, and Maddie's had a nasty smile, though she's also embarrassed. Ursura and Noir, for their parts, remained unmoved.
"Why, this is a manga depicting 'connection'!" the Usarved quipped.
"Why do you even have to put it that way?" the Overseer Saint asked, still averting her face.
"Is there any other means of describing this?" the bear-woman picked some pages. "This is normal to Beastmen. They copulate everywhere the heat gets them!"
"It's not normal!" the Demon Saint cried out. "It's way out of morality!"
"I don't know where I should be surprised," Maddie chuckled. "The fact that you're a demon saint embarrassed by this, or you're a demon talking about morality."
"I was a human once!" Natasha reminded her.
"Err…isn't the humans love this act as well?" the Lady Hinwe pointed out. "Why do you guys make a big deal out of this? If we sell copies of these to the nobility, I'm sure it'll be a hit! I'm going to add in a few 'limited-edition' illustrations in some copies, so they would be 'encouraged' to buy more. Then the funds will flow in. We'll save Chersea and the Other Realms…one h*ntai doujin at a time!"
----------
**Kuro**
The recruitment for the 'Elvish Expeditionary Forces' had begun.
With the permission from my liege, the Emperor of Chersea, as well as the approval of the Human Saint, Maddie, and the other leading royalty and nobility of this realm, I had people recruit elves for the third phase of my plan installing the Lady Hinwe back to Cherwoods' holy throne. I excluded humans because recruiting them might incur the ire of the other nobles, because people away from their workplace would surely affect their fiefs' economies, and the demographics. The beastmen and demons offered to provide soldiers, but I had to limit their roles as trainers and advisers. The demons were of no question, since Cherwoods' elves had a troubled 'relationship' with them dating back from the ancient times; so having demons marching across that forest would not be a good 'propaganda' for our cause.
For the beastmen, while they were not hated by the elves, they were not loved, either. General view towards the beastmen were almost synonymous to the word 'barbarians'. Of course, those opinions were formed while the beastmen and humans—who employed mercenary groups with elvish members—were still antagonistic towards one another, and the former didn't have a sliver of 'civilization', unlike these days.
The 'isolationist' elves of Cherwoods haven't learned of the changes in the political, and societal culture in Cherwind lately, some aspects of which was more advanced than the human kingdoms of Chersea.
"…"
Well, opinions and attitudes were hard to change, pretty similar to my old world's views towards certain nationalities. Russians, for example, were the cardboard cut-out 'bad guys', East Asians were the typical 'math wizards', black people for the comic relief and 'forced diversity' element (so they couldn't brand the media as 'racist'), and white characters for playing heroes (if Americans, it's even better).
So, I surmised that the elves' perceived self-superiority won't help us in our fight if we let beastmen soldiers fully take part in our invasions. Because of these factors, I only assigned them the transport roles, since elves couldn't fly themselves.
"Hey!"
"!!!" My train of thoughts stopped when I saw Her Holiness the Lady Seirna inside my private study. She sat on the oak table where the reports on the recruitment numbers for each kingdom was spread out; it was impossible to ignore her for long.
"Well, I don't plan to be ignored, otherworlder," she said, making sure that I understood she was reading my mind.
"Err…" I put down the pen and turned to her. "Have you finally decided to kill me, Your Holiness?"
The Overseer Saint chuckled, "I really must've made an impression to you that you'd say that to me, no?"
"I meant that as joke."
"I can see in your heart that the jest has a sliver of truth in it."
"Sorry; I'm quite sarcastic at times."
"Look, we've worked together for so long that it's hard for me to kill you anymore," she replied, with her hand going to her neck—still hiding the ugly scar I inflicted on her before. "I mean, y-yes, there's still a little resentment but…you know, you saved our asses many times that…Well, let's keep it simple; I don't want to bark at the wrong tree."
"…"
"Also, I wanted to say sorry for the last time."
"About your objection at the invasion plans?"
She nodded.
"Well, I fully understand where you're coming from," I reassured her. "I'd like to speed things up as well, knowing what the Seductress can do. But, we got to make compromises; an army using a complicated weapon like the bolt-heater, and employing complicated tactics as in my amphibious landings need at least several months of training to carry their responsibilities efficiently. Not to mention, soldiers from my world underwent years of preparation as well."
"True, I'm aware of it. Still, I guess it's time I really should put my bad blood with you aside, otherworlder. Let's work together to save these worlds we love."
Honestly, I was impressed to hear her—the Lady Seirna—say those 'sentimental' things. From what I've gathered from the conversations I had with her fellow saints, the Overseer Saint cultivated an image that was to be feared, always making sure that everyone, especially the holy ladies, always adhered to the will of her lord, Gaius.
"And congratulations on your upcoming marriages," she added. "The other saints are in cloud nine because of that, and they're easier to convince."
"It's after resolving this problem; I already made it clear to them. I also did not propose to make them gullible."
"Yeah, I can see your heart."
I only nodded back, and went to read the reports.
There were a few moments of pause from Seirna, before she heaved a sigh and continued, "Otherworlder, look, I may have accidentally developed an 'aura' of fear in my dealings with everyone else, but in the end, I'm still a mortal. Even I, have my own fears, see?"
I threw a long stare at her. Did she just say she's mortal? Slicing a mortal's neck can kill a mortal, right?
"My god-powers are the authority over the living and the dead, mind you. I can kill and resurrect someone at will, including myself."
"Riiight…how can I ever forget that?"
"However, as I am not the Human Saint—granted the power of healing—I also can't completely heal the injuries I suffered. Hence, the scar remains…"
"Oh…" Then, suddenly, the conversation died. I had nothing else to say to Seirna, nor did she have anything to tell me…at least at those few moments we're silent. Seeing that the atmosphere between us was about to become awkward, I went back to the reports.
"Otherworlder…"
"Yep?" I wanted to ask her goal of coming here, to my private study, when her usual self was always to come barging in at the main hallways of the Dupree palace. However, I felt like it would be rude to her, so I refrained. Of course, she would still read my mind, but it's a different matter to me.
"No worries, you're not being rude," Seirna reassured me. "You know, aside from apologizing, I won't even come here if things are going just fine. But…they aren't."
"Is this about the situation in Cherwoods?"
She nodded. "I know you have to recruit people to execute your ideas," the Overseer Saint took a pause, before she asked, "however, our time is running out. Can't you make it faster?"
"Your Holiness, it's the best we can do to not fully compromise the training of the army and hurry, but—"
"I'm sorry, otherworlder—no, Kuro! It's just that…" Seirna's voice was shaky. "…I'm scared, really. I know that the Seductress won't take the lull idling around. Even as we speak now, she's gathering strength for her eventual return. And my master…the lord Gaius is already gone."
I stared at Her Holiness as she spoke. The fear in her eyes was real, as she went on narrating about her experiences fighting that creature from the Void. As I listened to the Overseer Saint, she didn't notice her hand slowly held mine nearest to her. It was cold; I never saw her that vulnerable before…at least, in my presence.
So, I never let Seirna finish her talk. "Your Holiness," I told her as I activated the god-power of healing, "it's okay to be afraid. However, as someone you trust, I'll be sure to live up to your expectations."
At that point, the Overseer Saint never uttered a word. She could feel the reassuring warmth of the Human Saint's god-power coursing through her body. And then, when the white light disappeared, Seirna immediately felt for her neck.
"Wh-What did you just do?" she asked.
"I healed your scar," I smiled at her. "After all, I was the one who caused it; at least, let me be responsible for what I've done. A beautiful lady like you should avoid the scars, won't you agree?"
Seirna's eyes widened as she kept feeling her neck, so I gave her a mirror to show the results of my healing. From then on, the Overseer Saint never wore a scarf over her neck again.
----------
Okay, so now I was back to reality. After the Lady Seirna left, I felt even more pressure to deliver. See, while the recruitment reports were encouraging—with thousands of elves trooping to the recruitment officers to get enlisted—another set of problems began to show its ugly head. I mean, I agree with the Overseer Saint's fears that the Seductress grows even more powerful the longer we delay our 'invasion' of Cherwoods. Who knew what's going on behind the border crossings, save for the elves of Cherwoods themselves? And no one could cross from there into other worlds connected to it, for the saints closed it off to stem the Seductress' corruption.
For short, I only have limited time to arm, train and organize the 'army' to invade Cherwoods.
"…"
Part of my plans was the acquisition of sufficient numbers of equipment and supplies to arm and feed my army. So, after reading the recruitment reports, I went to meet with the representatives of the Demon Republic, led by their ambassador to the Empire of Chersea, the goblin lady, Srexe. Well, I heard she was just recently appointed as the official envoy, and she immediately transferred their office to my main city at Maverny…
…which is pretty convenient considering I won't have to travel far to negotiate with the demons.
"It is to watch over you!" she told me straight up when I asked the Lady Srexe about her new 'assignment'. "You know that the Usarved princess is a bit banged up in her head, so she sent me here."
"I thought you guys are frenemies?"
"Frenem—what?"
"Frenemies…friends and enemies, combine those, and we get 'frenemies'. It means you guys hated each other for a long time, that you're both comfortable at each other's presence."
"Well, I hated her for a long time now," Srexe admitted. "But yes, I do agree with the Lady Noir that you need someone to watch you."
"What for?"
The goblin lady stared at me as if I said the most outrageous thing she heard. "Sir, are you hearing yourself?" she chuckled. "Look, if I suddenly jump out of that window, I know you'd quickly come and try to pull me back."
"I don't and I won't. If you hit your head on the ground, it'll be your fault."
"Hoh…really, huh? Sir, don't give me that lie!" Srexe crossed her arms. "We all know you; that caring attitude of yours caused the maidens who love you to have nightmares every time we sleep! We always think, 'What could've that guy doing right now? Is he lying in quiet solitude on his bed, or sacrificing himself again?' You really love to make us suffer, no?"
"Haha…sorry!"
"Hmm…it's also why we fell in-love with you," the goblin lady muttered those words, but I still heard it. I only gave her a long stare, that she became awkward and defensive. "Guh. What I'm saying is you'll charge headlong to any bullshit just to save me…or any of your friends."
"Of course, it's natural. You're dear to me, milady."
Srexe was completely taken aback by my words, which I meant to tease her. However, I think it went more effective that what I intended it to be. The goblin lady suddenly hid her face behind a fan, and gave me a tap on the chest. She whispered, "Sir…you're a smooth-talker, too. I love that, damn it!"
"Oi, aren't you taking me seriously?"
"Fuck off!"
I only replied with a laugh, and well, I gave her pink hair a little tussle, just like the old times. But the goblin girl went up a notch and gave me a hug as she buried her face on my chest, much to everyone's surprise. Anyway, I hoped it won't affect the negotiations later…
----------
Everyone knew that when a weapon—in this case, a demon weapon (the gun)—was made from the Federal Demon Republic, it meant quality. The reliability of the parts was high, craftsmanship was precise, and the weapon worked as it should…even in the worst battlefields. Because of these reasons, I talked to the demons to provide our fledgling army with guns, the Goblinhom Bolt-Heater and several artillery pieces, for the upcoming conflict.
"Well, I'm sure our factories can handle the necessary output to arm your forces, milord," one of the goblin representatives told me. "We just need to know your timetable so we can adjust the production."
"I plan to launch the invasion in three months," I revealed to them. "The threat from Cherwoods grows with every day we delay, so I'd like to get my forces trained in using their equipment in the short time I have."
"I see, Sir," Lady Srexe noted it. "And how many soldiers do you plan to have?"
"Fifteen regiments. So at least, that would be…around a thousand elves per unit."
"Fifteen thousand rifles, huh?" the demon ambassador wrote.
"Well, here's the thing. I also planned to order a complement of a bolt-heater revolver for each soldier."
"Fifteen thousand revolvers, got it."
"And extra ones for in case their guns were destroyed, or broken. With spare parts, too."
The demon representatives exchanged glances. It was Srexe who aired their concerns, "Uh, Sir, how many 'extra ones' are we talking here?"
"Around five thousand at least, for each type of weapon."
"O-Oh…" the demon ambassador looked at her notes again. "And…three months?"
Based on her expression, I could tell that Srexe's confidence suddenly eroded, so I asked, "Is it attainable?"
"W-We can, Sir, but…" the goblin lady stopped when another demon whispered something to her. Then, she revealed, "The demon factories can put a round-the-clock work schedule to provide you the necessary number of equipment and the complimentary ammunition for each crack horn."
"Are you sure your goblins can do it?" I put up that question since I was used to my old world's work system. I mean, even if they were from another race of mortals, these guys still get tired from overwork. Exhausted workers meant high risk of accidents. And I didn't want someone to die or get maimed trying to fulfill my requests…my poor human heart wouldn't take it. My hands were already full of blood…
"Sir, I know what you're thinking," Srexe smiled as she decoded everything in my head. "We demons have different bodies from you, humans. We can go on and on for several long sleeps without actually sleeping. You already seen this back in the Unification Wars, right? And if a goblin is tired, we can always fix it with our potions and magic."
"Sorry, my habits just kicked in," I retorted. "And please, don't force someone to work more than their bodies can take. A natural rest is still better than drowning yourselves in endurance potions and spells."
"Wow…a human that really cares about our people," I heard a representative utter.
"Not only among humans; even among our own race!" another added. "Now that's what I surely didn't expect from this talk!"
"See, I told you guys my old teacher is a softie," Srexe mumbled to the other representatives, to which they nodded.
I wanted to ask if there's still discrimination towards demons, even after all the six years they lived within the human realm. But someone said, "Please forgive us for the small talk, Lord Kuro. It's just that, we are impressed by your concern for the lowest of our people. It's something not even our own would do…"
"Of course! My old teacher is the kindest!" the goblin lady declared, puffing her chest, like a proud parent. "That's why it's only fitting that the president sent me here to protect him from people who plan to exploit his magnanimity!"
"I appreciate the gesture, milady…" She's my student, so I'll back Srexe as always.
Nevertheless, the representatives gave her sardonic and awkward looks, though their hands clapped and their lips smiled. I guess even the demons didn't like her that much, given that the Lady Srexe was well-known for being brutally blunt with her opinions. She's not exactly a 'diplomat material', adding credibility to her claim that she was sent here as an 'ambassador' mainly to watch over me, instead of actually representing the demon republic.
Lady Noir, I think you're spoiling me too much, at the expense of your people…
"…"
Well, not that I mind. And I really like her here; I love talking with the goblin lady about politics and other stuff, since her bluntness is like a 'fresh take' on things. But, before I get lost in the conversation, we should return to our original topic.
"Any case, milady, if you'd require me additional funds to hire more workers so you can implement that round-the-clock work schedule, send me the bill," I told them.
My statement caused the demons to fall silent. Even Srexe, who should've known me for a while now, couldn't hide her astonishment. She just looked at me, perhaps trying to think of the words to say, and she never noticed that she dropped her pen.
"What?" I broke the ice, fearful that I may have offended them.
"Sir, has anyone told you to aim at being a god?" the goblin lady replied. "Be honest with me; are you really a saint, or something similar?"
I was bewildered by her question, though I still answered it as calm as possible. "I'm a human though, with ideals and the money to put those ideals to practice."
"Fair enough, fair enough," Srexe could only shake her head in amusement. "I swear one day I'll have your statue cast in solid gold and have it in the main courtyard of Noir's palace. I'll also force every demon alive to worship you for your kindness."
"Please don't do that," I let out a forced laugh to ease the awkwardness in me. "And please don't give Noir ideas…"
----------
***The city of Berondin, to the western borders of Cherwoods…***
As the westernmost elvish settlement before any mortal crossed into the unknown lands outside the elvish realm, the city of Berondin was quite far from the reaches of the Saint's Tree, or the other elvish cities that dotted the ancient forest. While most elves took the fertile lands to farm, the population of Berondin were hardy folk, living off the sparse vegetation in their area, and supplementing it by hunting game in the wilderness that bordered Cherwoods, and the unknown regions. Their houses differed significantly from the others too, for they built those using mud and twigs, strengthened by the wilderness grass they left to grow on their walls. Hence, the Berondin elves had built a reputation of grit and determination, albeit with a sliver of rebellious nature.
Thus, it was not a surprise that Berondin was the destination of the Lord Ingwer, and the remnants of his people. After the destruction of their home by the forces from the tree palace and the massacre that ensued, the elf lord escaped with a lucky few, and they were motivated by the desire to avenge the fate of their city.
However, just as they approached the limits of Berondin…
"Halt, elf lord!"
"!!!" An arrow flew straight from somewhere to his front and hit the spot near his foot. Naturally, the Lord Ingwer and his retinue stopped from taking another step further. From the elevation before them, a group of armed elves appeared, most had their swords drawn.
"What's a forest elf doing in this forsaken place?" the leader of the armed band asked. "Haven't you tree-dwellers had enough of grabbing the best lands for yourselves, you still intend to invade our city?"
"Mud sister," another elf from the Lord Ingwer's group came forward. "We apologize for the sudden visit, but we mean no harm to your kin! We are elves from the city of Dorian…now destroyed after forces from the Saint's Tree suddenly attacked and put our people to the sword…including the children."
"And what's that got to do with us? Your holy saint hit her head on some hanging rocks, and she sends a murderous gang to you. Then, you'd run to us, we, whom you and your fellows hated since the dawn of the ages?"
"You don't understand, mud sister; our saint is missing, and a human usurped her throne. Now that same human is killing us!"
"Again, what's that got to do with us? If the human vermin would come to our lands, we'll simply fight and kill. But you, why should we help you?"
The elf from the Lord Ingwer's group fell silent. He didn't know how to answer her questions without offending the Berondin elves. However, at that moment, Lord Ingwer decided to talk to the leader himself.
"I understand your enmity towards us," the Dorian lord said, throwing his sword on the ground and raising his hands. "I am the Lord Ingwer of Dorian, the leader of these poor lot. If you plan to kill us, I have no objections to it. After all, it is better for us to fall on your blades and arrows than suffer the horrible deaths we've witnessed when they destroyed our city. However, before you decide our fates, will you please listen to an old elf's story?"
The leader of the Berondin army never lowered her sword for a while, though, when the Lord Ingwer asked his kin to drop their weapons, she and her elves eventually relented. Then, she had the Dorian elves to be tied up and sent to their main hall.
"Okay then, Lord Ingwer," the elf leader told him. "You'll have your chance to tell your story, but you'll have to do it in front of our elders. They're the ones to decide your fates."
----------
***New Elebor***
Just like when their mercenary siblings, or relatives, returned from a successful campaign in some faraway place, the new recruits of the 'Elvish Expeditionary Forces' walked down the village streets with their heads held high. They were granted a couple of long sleeps to pack and prepare themselves for several weeks of training. Other who were not chosen to join could only look at them with envy, as they flaunted to their friends and neighbors their dashing, new uniforms, and brandished the 'enlistment papers' given to them before being dismissed.
Of course, the elf Behrien was no exemption. He wished to show everyone he knew that he could go on an adventure, far from his birthplace, and prove himself.
"What's this sword with a ring at the other end?" asked one of his friends.
"That's a socket bayonet, you idiot!" the elf soldier quickly wrenched the weapon from the other's hands. "Careful with this stuff, Lenmel! This is really sharp."
"I heard Cervel and Abishai also got accepted. That true?"
"Of course," Behrien puffed his chest. "The captain that recruited us said they only wanted the best, and we're the best because we got accepted. I guess that guy didn't make a mistake."
Swoons and praises followed as the elf waved his enlistment papers before his adoring crowd. Amidst the showers of admiration, however, Behrien met the glare of his most bitter 'friend', who stood a few distances away from them. The elf soldier knew what he should do; jumping from his impromptu podium made of cargo crates, he walked towards Glamden.
The young elf, however, remained unmoved while never taking his eyes off Behrien.
"Don't bully the kid, Behrien!" someone shouted. "You know Glamden's quite the softie; all he can do is to tell his sister's tales, and try to be proud of it!"
A chorus of laughter and jeers ensued. The young elf couldn't hide his shame. Back when his sister returned from war, he was the 'star' among his friends, and he always told them embellished stories of her exploits. Glamden dreamed of following her footsteps, and bragged about it. But now, he was a laughingstock. Everyone knew—after he was rejected at the recruitment—that he was a different person from his 'heroic' sister.
Behrien, his most ardent listener back then, got his chance to gloat. When the elf soldier was satisfied making fun of Glamden, he walked away from him.
"!!!"
Having had enough of getting embarrassed, the young elf took his chance and ran home.