The elf lady, as swift as the wind, stepped onto the podium, astonishing everyone present.
This former princess, now the daughter of the Regent—Tesvelan Windheiz—had actually been specially permitted to give a speech at the Republic’s Assembly.
This was the first time such a thing had ever been recorded since the rebuilding of Landingset.
Tesvelan didn’t bring any script with her, which made Julia extremely anxious.
Normally so lackadaisical about these matters, what kind of speech would this princess give?
Livyat, however, was brimming with confidence.
Her silver eyes sparkled as she fixed her gaze on Tesvelan atop the stage.
Tesvelan gripped the edge of the podium with both hands, her pale blue eyes glancing over at Prince Yagellon’s side.
“The Eternal Dynasty is indeed a weighty topic. When I was little, my mother used to tell me all about those times. Back then, I was so scared I couldn’t sleep, often wondering—if what my mother said was true, how could the kingdom of the elves ever last?”
Tesvelan seemed lost in memory, her hands on the podium trembling ever so slightly.
“The elven chroniclers recorded this: Landingset’s city walls were smashed by giant catapults, with hundreds, even thousands of human soldiers dying at the breaches. Yet more soldiers surged forward to fill the gap. The elven army climbed from below and took the summit, while those halfway up the mountain counter-charged. They tried to retake the high ground, but after the final assault, the entire force was wiped out.”
Even the Republic’s own history books couldn’t recall these details.
After all, the capital was lost, and the records of the remaining humans in the southern islands were slowly lost or became riddled with errors.
The Republic’s own histories that Livyat had consulted never mentioned these specifics—she had only learned them when Tesvelan told her about the past.
But as a half-blood elf, should she even shoulder the burden of such ancient history—history the Republic’s own people hardly cared about?
Livyat still hadn’t found her answer.
“I don’t know how it ended. But Landingset certainly fell. Still, our elven chronicles do record one interesting fact. When the elven fleet blockaded Landingset’s port, the Republic’s navy didn’t even fight us. It seems they gathered up all their gold and silver, and as the elven army took one town after another, they fled to the southern islands.”
The hall erupted.
Quite a few Northern faction senators jumped to their feet, cursing the elves for their disrespect and mockery.
Guards were forced to assertively restore order.
Livyat sighed.
Just yesterday, they had discussed and concluded that if the prince’s complaint was merely about trade policy and its unfairness, everything would be manageable.
Even playing up history was fine; after all, the Republic would never jeopardize its current interests over events thousands of years past.
But what if he brought up the matter of the flagship?
No flagship could give the elves the power to threaten the Republic’s seas, nor would it make the Republic’s elites feel ashamed or uneasy—but if all the human nations exposed this unsavory episode, who knew what might happen?
To resolve this, the first step was to subtly hint that the navy was not always loyal to the homeland—at least back then, they retreated to the colonies in hopes of making a comeback.
Yet clearly, the navy remained loyal to the Republic, so simply dropping this bombshell wasn’t all that useful.
So next came the show of weakness.
“In truth… I envy you all. Humanity—just two thousand three hundred years, and you rose from a nation of the conquered to being able to negotiate as equals with the elves. For elves, that’s only three generations. The achievements of three generations—building the continent’s greatest mercantile republic on ruins. Gold flows into this place like a great river.”
“That’s why I stand here today—not to beg your forgiveness for wars millennia ago, but out of fear and admiration.”
The clamor and uproar in the hall did not die down in the least.
People’s anger only burned fiercer, these empty words stoking their fury.
But that didn’t matter.
All of this was only a prelude to the final line.
At the very height of the hall’s emotion, Tesvelan produced a piece of paper and waved it aloft for all to see.
This was the promise previously given to Mr. Domenico, the move they considered their trump card.
“An agreement sent by the new elven Queen. She pledges on behalf of all elves that the batteries on both sides of the great river’s mouth will be jointly administered by the river mouth governor, appointed by your Republic, and the elven Proconsul! So long as the ladies and gentlemen present approve, tomorrow the governor may take office!”
“Citizens of the Republic, this is the good faith of the elves—not to be enemies of the Republic, nor its navy!”
This was a true political secret, unknown to any present.
The once-noisy Assembly instantly fell silent, so quiet one could hear Tesvelan flipping the page.
And then, whispers—no longer just a handful, but everyone, the entire hall abuzz.
Those of the same camp, even if seated far apart, got up and gathered together to discuss.
They ignored the guards entirely, all clustering together with utmost caution.
The murmurs grew ever louder, so unreserved that anyone, regardless of faction, could overhear.
Livyat could clearly feel the utter shock and bewilderment in those around her—their discussion had become almost incoherent, as if they were grappling with an idea that had never occurred to them before.
At last, finally, Mrs. Bower stepped forward.
She walked to the stage and asked Tesvelan directly: “Your Highness, I would like to see what’s inside. This is extremely important; it concerns the highest interests of our Republic. We must confirm whether Her Majesty the new Queen truly has enough sincerity.”
Tesvelan did not hesitate, handing the document directly to Mrs. Bower.
Mrs. Bower stared at the barely one-page agreement for quite a while before turning to announce to everyone: “The Queen has indeed shown sufficient sincerity. There is no doubt that what is written matches exactly what Her Highness Tesvelan described.”
The hall instantly rang out with cheers.
Those who didn’t harbor strong resentment toward elves—such as the likes of Marino Faliero and other dignitaries—were all celebrating the Republic’s great diplomatic victory.
Even the Northern faction was hardly downcast; on the contrary, they could credit the elves’ huge concession to their own efforts as the opposition.
If they had surrendered like Governor Carlos and his lackey Domenico, how could they have achieved such a magnificent victory?
In short, the atmosphere of the hall suddenly grew heated.
Mrs. Bower even carried the agreement to the Governor and addressed the entire assembly.
“Today, the Republic has achieved a great victory! Of course, this could not have happened without His Excellency the Governor and the tireless work of his Ten-man Committee. The sincere and friendly attitude of Her Majesty the Elven Queen has also won our gratitude! We shall sign this agreement—it shall stand as the greatest symbol of friendship between us and the elves.”
Then Mrs. Bower turned her head to Tesvelan once more.
“However, I still wish to confirm one thing, Your Highness Tesvelan. Your mother, Her Excellency the Regent—what role will she play in all of this? Will she consent to the Queen’s magnanimity?”
Tesvelan, standing atop the stage, gazed coldly at the shrewd woman before her.
“Of course. Her Majesty the Queen’s authority is bestowed by the Ancient Tree. The Regent cannot overturn any decision already made by Her Majesty the Queen. That is our tradition.”
At this, the Governor finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He stood up and turned to address the dignitaries of the Assembly with his closing remarks.
“Naturally, we would never question the traditions of the elves. Just as the elves would never undermine the Republic’s Charter. So then, congratulations, citizens—our partnership with the elves has entered a new era!”
Everyone in the hall rose to applaud.
The obviously relieved Julia also started to stand up, but in her haste, almost fell back down.
Livyat caught her.
Leaning gently against Julia, Livyat supported her as Julia, worn out and tense, pressed all her weight against her—so much that Livyat could barely hold on.
If this kept up, both of them would topple over.
In that case, to lower their center of gravity, she’d just have to squat!
Just like a little rabbit, Livyat suddenly squatted down, bracing herself as an anchor and firmly holding up Julia, who was about to fall.
Until something soft, like a cushion, landed with a smack on her face. The “cushion” bounced a few more times against her face—so soft.
With her solid support, Julia finally managed to stand.
She stroked Livyat’s hair, who was still crouched on the floor, with a look full of gratitude.
“Thank you so much, Liv. If not for you, I’d have fallen for sure.”
Then, Livyat suddenly felt an extremely frightening gaze.
She truly realized then how sharp elven eyesight could be.
Blinking, she looked innocently at Tesvelan on stage, who was radiating a terrifying pressure.
“Hee-hee~”