Ailita had always believed that humans were a young and arrogant race.
They simply didn’t understand how glorious the Elven Kingdom once was, nor did they grasp how many precious magical legacies the elves had left for humanity.
They had once unraveled space, used magic to turn the gears of time, and plumbed the deepest mysteries of the soul.
All of this lay hidden within ruins large and small, waiting for the geniuses among humans to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers.
Yet, no one could have imagined that since the elves retreated from the world, the one who had ventured deepest into the ruins, harboring the most intense curiosity and competitive spirit, and thirstily absorbing elven magical knowledge, was a creature who, in theory, should have been forever lost to the bloodlust of battle—a Blood Demon.
The Demon Lord Lia.
An anomaly among Demonkind.
Space, time, the soul… Ailita was very curious.
Just how far had Demon Lord Lia’s research progressed?
If Demon Lord Lia’s progress had already delved deep into the soul, then he had mastered the ferry to the other shore.
He would never die easily.
As a contingency, even the most foolish elf would prepare a “Phoenix Plan” for themselves.
If Demon Lord Lia knew a soul reincarnation spell, he would definitely draw the magic circle for himself first before going to battle the Hero…
That meant he could potentially become any creature in the world, as long as he could obtain a vessel.
Although it sounded a bit absurd, unlike something an intellectually sound demon would do, but just in case—just saying in case—what if he reincarnated as a Pupu?
And was lurking right by the Hero’s side?
Ailita felt this possibility wasn’t very high, but if it really happened, it would definitely be interesting.
[Regardless of whether that Dumpling is Demon Lord Lia or not, judging by the Hero’s attitude, he must value it very highly.]
How do you make a person fall and break?
You just need to make them experience the worst day of their life.
Lose love, lose family, lose friendship, lose the ideal they fought for, lose the certainties they once held as truth, lose the meaning to continue existing…
Then, dangle a bone-deep, yet impossibly distant, hatred before them, carving a soul-deep brand into their heart:
The rest of their life would be like that of a walking corpse, merely alive, only living to survive.
Their heart rotted yet still beating a low, dull rhythm, just waiting for the day it would be buried.
Just thinking of that scene, of the vibrant, pure, and kind-hearted Hero wearing eyes as silent as death, as if crushed by the wheel of fate, made Ailita tremble with excitement.
Shattering something beautiful with force, feeling heartache, shock, emotion, and a secret thrill all at once…
It was simply the most wonderful emotional experience in the world.
‘Hah, calm, calm, I can’t laugh too obviously… hehe.’
Ailita’s full, round chest heaved violently.
She forcibly suppressed the corners of her mouth, taking a long time to calm down before recalling the “Elf Speech” she had previously hidden near Yuna and Margaret.
She communicated with the Elf Speech using her soul.
‘Little Speech, Little Speech.’
‘Wise One, I am here. The Elf Speech Large Model – Morning Star Version 47 is at your service. Please give your orders.’
‘Summarize the important events that occurred during the surveillance of the past two days.’
Having left the Titan Lands and being too far from the World Tree, the Elf Speech remained silent for a long time before completing her command.
It edited the events around Yuna and Margaret into several very short clips and played them in Ailita’s mind.
“To think they plan to use such an evil mind control scheme on the Hero. As someone so just, how can I stand by and watch such a thing happen?”
“I must get involved!”
Ailita couldn’t help but laugh again.
She thought of a plan to make things even more interesting.
What if I sabotage your plans a little and end up making the Hero sleep with the Pupu… hehehe.
Thinking that this Dumpling might be Demon Lord Lia and was about to experience the nightmare of “Overbearing Hero’s Forced Love,” Ailita laughed so hard she shook, unable to speak.
With the plan set, Ailita had the Elf Speech continue to keep a close watch on Yuna and Margaret.
She would have liked to have the Elf Speech monitor the Hero, but unfortunately, it was impossible.
Since the catastrophe erupted in the Titan Lands, forcing the Elven race to collectively ascend and enter the World Tree, their development had stagnated.
The vast majority of the clan, having lost survival pressure and physical desires, indulged in illusory pleasures, living in a drunken stupor and muddling along.
Only a very small number of elites with firm will and extraordinary wisdom persisted in building the World Tree, but this could only maintain the status quo.
The computing power the World Tree could supply for their use had been tight ever since the collective ascension.
The originally intelligent and sharp Elf Speech, which had almost covered the entire world, was forced to be “dumbed down” to its current state.
The dumbed-down Elf Speech couldn’t easily deceive the Hero’s keen perception and would be easily discovered, so she rarely used it to spy on the Hero.
After all, it wouldn’t be good to get hit by the Hero’s iron fist, and repairing the Elf Speech was quite expensive.
Even she—the Thirteenth Wise One, the newly appointed Deacon of the Elven Cardinal—felt a pang at the cost.
It seemed she wouldn’t be able to sneak into the Hero’s bed tonight.
Sigh—
Ailita let out a soft sigh.
But she quickly cheered up.
Since that was the case, she might as well go experience the Capital’s nightlife, especially the various delicious snacks at the night market.
“I’d better finish the ‘Human World Survival’ program in these short dozen or so years. I want to record all the delicacies of the human world.”
The elven girl muttered to herself.
After all… once she returned to the World Tree, she wouldn’t be able to taste real delicacies anymore.
Success and failure both lay in soul magic.
The prosperity of soul magic allowed them to directly stimulate the soul, creating virtual, wonderful sensations out of thin air.
But the cost was… that sensation felt hollow, as if something was always missing, like chewing wax.
Compared to tasting the mountain delicacies and sea treasures simulated by computing power within the World Tree, she still preferred the real, rough foods of the human world with all their various flaws.
Swaying as she got up, Ailita disappeared into the streets and alleys, not returning all night.
The next day.
Joen, completely in the dark about Capital politics, picked up Liya and, using the address left by the Duke of Constantine, sought out this old gentleman he somewhat trusted, hoping to seek advice on disaster relief.
Sitting in the center of the inn’s rear courtyard, Constantine ordered a pot of twenty-copper flower tea and fell into thoughtful silence.
He wasn’t surprised by the Hero’s visit.
The young men and women playing cards around them occasionally cast glances, stealing looks at these two “presumptuous commoners” sitting at the chipped camellia table, pointing out the landscape and discussing state affairs, secretly laughing and barely holding back their amusement.
“According to convention, disaster relief generally involves two funds: one from the central government and one from the local area,” Constantine said slowly.
“To prevent local grain merchants from hoarding to drive up prices, local official granaries also cooperate by releasing grain to stabilize prices. Surrounding territories will receive transfer orders to transport grain there.”
“Joen, on the official side, there are mainly four things you can do.”
“First, persuade the Disaster Management Office to formally submit an application for relief funds to the Minister of Finance. Second, also persuade the Disaster Management Office to formally submit an application for official grain transfer to the Minister of the Privy Council. Third, petition His Majesty to exempt the Dry River Territory from taxes for three years. Fourth, take charge of fundraising.”
“But this will face two major difficulties.”
“First, in terms of authority, you don’t have the power to interfere with the Disaster Management Office; you’ll need to rely on personal connections. Second, and most troublesome—based on my understanding of the Empire’s finances, having just fought a major war with the demons, and it being autumn, the national treasury should be empty by now.”