Chapter 448: The Head Butler Must Have Written It Well (1)

Claude pulled documents from a large box and distributed them to everyone.

"What is this?"

One of the envoys asked, and Ghislain replied with a casual expression.

"Given the urgency of the situation, we pre-drafted the agreement for efficiency. The details can be adjusted later depending on circumstances, so let's start with signatures."

"....."

The agreement was filled with terms favorable to the Lutania Kingdom.

The envoys, unfamiliar with this kind of process, were at a loss for words. Should they thank him for preparing everything in advance?

'This guy planned everything from the beginning.'

'Is he trying to bind us like this?'

'How does he plan to handle the consequences of such high-handed behavior?!'

As they simmered in a mix of anger and disbelief, Claude, who had handed out the agreements, smiled and spoke.

"Come now, the longer you hesitate, the more time you'll waste. As an expert, I've written it properly. There's nothing problematic here—just an agreement to work hard together. So, please sign quickly. This is how we create a family-like atmosphere."

"Ugh...."

Indeed, there didn't seem to be anything particularly problematic. The document mainly outlined terms of support and the decision-making authority during military operations.

The issue was that the priority lay with the Lutania Kingdom.

When they hesitated to sign, Claude handed out another set of documents.

"Someone has to take the lead, right? Sign quickly and take your gifts with you."

"Gifts?"

The envoys examined the new documents, which listed the additional food and medicine they would receive upon their return—along with their quantities.

The amount was staggering. Embarrassed, the envoys began to clear their throats.

"Ahem, ahem...."

It was clear that this wasn't someone who only took; he also gave generously.

Though they were initially upset, seeing the support list helped calm their tempers somewhat.

'This could justify the military support we're providing.'

'I'll be able to save face with this.'

'Right now, support is the most critical thing.'

With food production drastically reduced due to chaos across their territories, support supplies were more important than even their soldiers' lives.

However, one envoy tilted his head in confusion and asked.

"What does a 50% discount flyer for Fenris Chronicles Vol. 3 have to do with this? Are we supposed to buy this?"

Ghislain glared at Claude. That bastard had clearly used the moment Ghislain wasn't watching to pull something.

Claude quickly swapped out the document with another.

"Apologies, it seems something got mixed in. Here, consider this a small token of my goodwill."

From his coat, Claude took out a small jewelry box and handed it to the envoy. His movements were incredibly natural.

"Uh, what is this...?"

The envoy began to panic. Who hands out bribes so openly?

But Claude, undeterred, motioned to the administrative officers who had followed him.

They pulled out more jewelry boxes from a chest and distributed them to all the envoys.

"Come now, don't refuse. It's just a small gift, a souvenir, if you will."

Claude even handed one to the Royalist faction nobles of Lutania, who were too stunned to speak.

Marquis Branford also received one, looking bewildered.

'This... This man really held back Rodrick's army at Silverlight?'

The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward. Since everyone was receiving one, it felt more like a token gift, and nobody wanted to be the first to complain.

Before anyone could say anything, Claude clapped his hands and shouted.

"Come on! Sign quickly! There's a banquet waiting! You're going to sign anyway, so why hesitate? It's just temporary!"

"Ahem, we appreciate the gift."

One envoy, finally swayed, expressed thanks and signed. The list of support items had already softened their resolve. They didn't have much ground to refuse anyway.

If their home countries criticized them, they could simply claim it was a temporary agreement.

As all the envoys finished signing, Claude gathered the stack of signed agreements and quickly left the room.

Avoiding Marquis Branford's gaze, Ghislain turned his head and spoke.

"I didn't instruct him to do this, but... since the foundation of the alliance is now established, let's work together to address any shortcomings as they arise."

Clap, clap, clap.

"Yes, yes! Let's make this work! My nephew must have prepared everything perfectly!"

Maurice clapped enthusiastically, clearly pleased with the outcome. He was happy to receive the jewels and thrilled that the Lutania Kingdom was becoming the leader of the alliance.

With Maurice leading the applause, the other Royalist faction nobles and envoys reluctantly followed.

The envoys decided not to overthink it anymore. If issues arose, they would deal with them later. The alliance had only just been formed.

Exchanging pleasantries, they prepared to move to the banquet hall, but before they left, Ghislain addressed them.

"The Delphine Duchy will move soon. Please send your troops as quickly as possible."

"Don't worry. With the rift battles ongoing, it shouldn't be difficult to mobilize forces immediately."

"We will provide the provisions. Just send the men."

"Haha, that's music to our ears."

The envoys, skilled in diplomacy, masked their discomfort. Now that decisions had been made, there was no point in creating further tension.

Using the excuse of battle preparations, Ghislain skipped the banquet, leaving the socializing to Marquis Branford and the other nobles.

Returning to the Northern Army camp with Claude and the administrative officers from Fenris, Ghislain was greeted by a knight who rushed to report.

"L-Lord! An elf is here waiting to see you!"

"An elf?"

"Yes. And they're incredibly strong."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, there was a bit of a scuffle... Commander Kaor and Alpoi confronted them and ended up injured. They've been carried away, unable to even fight back. Lady Vanessa has intervened to stop the battle."

Ghislain's expression hardened at those words.

Both Kaor and Alpoi were underestimated within Fenris but were highly capable. Kaor had reached the peak of high-level knights, and Alpoi was a 5th-circle mage.

In any other territory, they would be considered top-tier talents.

And yet, they had been defeated so decisively?

Such an elf was rare—especially among the enslaved elven races.

At that moment, Ghislain felt a massive energy surge from within the camp, narrowing his eyes.

'This energy...'

It was familiar. He had felt it in his past life.

In his previous life, there had been strong elves, but none capable of overwhelming someone of Kaor's caliber so easily.

There was only one elf who could do so.

'Erenes.'

One of the continent's seven strongest, known as the Guardian of the World Tree.

That overwhelming energy unmistakably belonged to her.

'Why now?'

Erenes had never been particularly close to the Human Alliance. Though she initially lent her strength, she later began acting independently.

She had always disliked the alliance's leadership, and as tensions grew with some of its figures, she distanced herself further.

She focused her efforts on attacking the Salvation Church more than the rifts, ignoring pleas to leave the cult alone.

'Thinking back, she was right. The rifts were caused by the Salvation Church.'

Erenes must have known something, which was why she acted as she did. But she had been unusually secretive about her reasons.

For her, who had kept her distance from the Human Alliance, to come seeking him now could only mean one thing: his actions had altered the course of the future.

'It must be because of my influence.'

Currently, Ghislain's Northern Army was the most effective force against the rifts on the continent. He had also exposed the Salvation Church's schemes and true nature.

Naturally, Erenes, hearing this, would have come to him first.

If she had come to help with the rift crisis as she had in his past life, it would have been an excellent development.

She was that powerful of an elf.

"Let's meet them."

As Ghislain entered the camp, Erenes, having sensed his arrival, approached him. Behind her were dozens of elves.

She deliberately released an overwhelming aura as she approached. The oppressive energy was so intense that the entire Northern Army tensed up.

Vanessa and Tenant were especially on edge, prepared to attack at any moment.

Even Belinda and Gillian, who were escorting Ghislain, were tightly gripping their weapons, visibly tense.

"Ah, everyone, relax. They're not enemies."

Ghislain glanced around as he spoke, but even then, no one could ease their tension.

Her aura was simply that intimidating.

Erenes stood in front of Ghislain, remaining silent for a moment.

'Hmm… his composure is as remarkable as the rumors said.'

She had deliberately unleashed an aura surpassing the level of a superhuman to gauge his reaction, but he only looked at her with a calm expression.

She withdrew her aura and lowered her hood, which had covered her pointed ears.

"Are you the Count of Fenris?"

"That's correct."

"My name is Erenes, the Grant Chieftain of the Elves."

Though there were many elven tribes, there was only one Grand Chieftain. Only those elves who guarded the massive tree known as the World Tree could hold that title.

In the current situation—where most elven tribes had fallen, and the majority of surviving elves were enslaved—it was a title that had become largely symbolic.

Still, the name "Grand Chieftain" carried weight. Upon hearing her identity, everyone present was visibly shocked.

'The Grand Chieftain? Could she really be the Guardian of the World Tree?'

'Is she that legendary elf?'

'I thought she was a figure from fairy tales… but she's real?'

The title "Guardian of the World Tree" had been known across the continent for a long time. There were legendary tales of her living in hiding with the World Tree, protected by a magic barrier.

Most people had dismissed those stories as mere fairy tales. But now, an elf claiming to be the Grand Chieftain stood before them—it was only natural that they were astonished.

Of course, Ghislain, who had known her identity all along, wasn't surprised. He simply asked her,

"Your greeting seems a bit rough."

"That wasn't my intention. But they kept provoking me. The red-haired one kept insisting on a duel, and the mage wouldn't stop pestering me to gamble."

Ghislain looked at Vanessa, who nodded repeatedly. He understood the situation.

Kaor likely wanted to test his strength against a seemingly formidable opponent, and Alpoi probably tried to fleece an unsuspecting stranger with his tricks.

Ghislain sighed, shook his head, and asked, "So, you're not an ordinary person. What brings you to me?"

He had a rough idea of the reason but pretended to be unaware, as he couldn't reveal the connection from his previous life.

Erenes responded with a soft smile.

"I've come to see you, Count Fenris."

"May I know why?"

"This isn't the best place to discuss it. How about somewhere quieter?"

"Let's do that."

Ghislain dismounted his horse, intending to move to the command tent for a more detailed conversation.

As Erenes followed Ghislain, her gaze wandered and stopped at a specific spot. It was where the elven bowmen Lumina and Ascon, along with other Fenris elves, were gathered.

The engineers Galbarik and the dwarves who had accompanied them quickly averted their eyes upon seeing her.

"This place seems to treat elves differently from others."

"They have great military power."

"You don't treat them as slaves?"

"At least not within my territory. I've promised them freedom."

Erenes smiled faintly, looking rather pleased.

"Good. Let's discuss that matter further later. For now, thank you for your consideration toward the elves…"

She suddenly stopped speaking, her expression hardening. She also halted in her tracks.

"What's wrong?"

Ghislain turned to look at her, puzzled.

All he had done was clear some dust in the air ahead of him using mana. But in that brief moment, Erenes had sensed something ominous.

As an elf, she could perceive all the natural energies around her. For a fleeting moment, she had seen a flicker of dark red energy pass by.

Seeking to identify it more clearly, she raised her energy.

Rumble, rumble…

A green light flickered through Erenes's eyes as a massive surge of energy radiated from her.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Everyone nearby was startled, instinctively drawing their weapons and channeling their mana.

The fierce energy pressed down on Ghislain, and if he stayed still, his body would surely collapse under the pressure.

Ghislain's eyes narrowed as he summoned his mana. His pupils began to glow red.

The more he resisted Erenes's energy, the stronger the aura emanating from his body became.

Having fully sensed the ominous energy, Erenes gritted her teeth.

'Red eyes, dark energy.'

Such a mana cultivation technique wasn't completely unheard of on the continent, but it was exceptionally rare.

Though it differed slightly from what she knew, the underlying essence felt strikingly similar.

Perhaps it had evolved slightly over the long years.

Rumble!

From beneath Erenes's feet, vines emerged and began to coil around her body.

Wrapped in the vines, she asked in an icy tone.

"You, what is your connection to the Salvation Church?"

[T/L: Please support me and read 385 extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]