The elves had reasons they could not refuse.
Through trade with humans and other races, their living standards had risen incomparably higher than in the past.
But if they closed borders, they would lose that prosperous, convenient lifestyle.
To maintain their current living standards, the noble faction made an exception allowing trade with House Ornament, monopolizing the profits as part of the deal.
But…for Ornament, it was merely a stepping stone.
“With your death and internal strife, Sylvayu would temporarily cut ties with the outside world. During that time, information from the human side would be blocked off, and ultimately they would be invaded by the Ornament forces who had been making preparations.”
“But according to you, due to the terms of the deal made by Lady Artesia, they can’t lay a hand on the demihumans, right?”
“Correct. Which is why Ornament will invade under the pretext of ‘suppressing Sylvayu’s internal strife’. Outwardly their mission is to protect Sylvayu’s citizens, but -“
“…In reality, with the nation locked down, they will eliminate the key royals and nobles of both factions, leaving the leaderless nation of Sylvayu under Ornament’s proxy rule, am I right?”
Through Ornament’s invasion, Sylvayu completely lost its leadership.
The nation fell into dysfunctional chaos, and to recover from the sacrifices and damage, it had no choice but to accept Ornament’s aid in rebuilding and proxy governance.
As a result – the elven race was reduced to Ornament’s slaves.
“They even used agents from their rival factions to abduct you, so they could indirectly admit mismanagement issues and use that as justification – taking flak temporarily, but using it as an excuse for their House to actively participate in suppressing the rebellion and supporting rebuilding.”
“How ridiculous… As someone who was about to be used, this is no laughing matter,”
“However, you’re alive now. So we might as well use you instead,”
“…Come to think of it, the only thing that changed was who was using whom, wasn’t it?”
“Unlike ornaments, I don’t intend to mistreat you. Besides, this will also help save the entire elf race, so work hard for your people as their princess.”
“I despise being a princess only used for convenience!”
Feiyu pouted, turning her face away in displeasure. Her feelings were understandable.
Then, as if remembering something, Feiyu tilted her head.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve been wondering…”
“Ah, feel free to ask if you have any questions.”
“Who exactly are you?”
“…You’re asking me that now?”
“Well, the conversation we just had required a proper understanding of national affairs and information, and you did say that Kurtz helped me secure ledgers and documents to implicate the nobility faction and their associates, right?”
The ledgers and such that Lucia had secured were all handed over to Feiyu when she tried to flee.
Additionally, Kurtz had given Feiyu detailed instructions, such as hiding in the ‘Demi-human District’ with its extraterritorial rights for the time being, and preparing to immediately capture the nobles associated with this once Kurtz made contact, among other things.
“At the very least, it’s undeniable that you’re related to the Eisenhud family, but you’re not quite like an ordinary child, are you?”
Feiyu stared at him with suspicious eyes.
However, he had anticipated such a line of questioning.
“True, I can be considered a relative of the Eisenhud. However, I’m not a blood relative, but rather from ‘Felmund,’ the homeland and territory of the first Eisenhud.”
“I’ve heard about Felmund from my grandfather. It was the land ruled by the Eisenhud for generations, which the second head modified into a ‘paradise’ using unique magic to make it more comfortable for their demi-human allies.”
“My ancestors were residents of Felmund. But to avoid the ‘Demi-human Hunts,’ they left the territory, and from those demi-humans on the brink of death, they learned of Lady Artesia’s intentions and awakening, passing down her will from generation to generation so it would not be lost.”
He explained the backstory he had prepared in advance to Feiyu.
It would be simple for Kurtz to reveal that he had returned from the future here.
However, saying “I’m from the future, so I know everything” would likely make them doubt the trust and credibility he had earned through his previous explanations. In that case, it’s better to keep it concealed.
“So I’m well-versed in the Eisenhud affairs, my ancestors planned for Lady Artesia’s salvation, and I was educated to fulfill that plan.”
“Hmm… While I understand, your explanation lacks the cuteness of a child with how mature your demeanor is.”
“…Is there a problem with that?”
“Even if you’re smart, having a child give me orders is vexing! Your speech patterns make me feel like I’m conversing with elderly advisors!”
Seeming quite displeased, Feiyu puffed out her cheeks and pursed her lips.
Seeing Feiyu’s reaction, Lucia, who had been observing nearby, interjected.
“Please wait, Lady Feiyu. The young master is quite childlike, isn’t he?”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, instead of correcting the young master’s speech and behavior, we can interpret it our own way by reversing our perspective.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Saying that, Lucia placed her hands on his shoulders with a pat.
“This young master appears sophisticated and speaks with an old-mannered way from our perspective.”
“So you’ve thought that about how I usually speak?”
“His responses also come across as cheeky—but we can interpret all these behaviors as simply ‘a child trying to act like an adult because he doesn’t want to be looked down upon.'”
“…I see!!”
“Lady Feiyu, what exactly are you agreeing to?”
“I’m interpreting his current behavior as ‘he’s putting on airs in front of a beautiful lady.'”
“Hmm hmm… When you put it that way, he does seem like a child!”
Feiyu nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with interest.
An ominous premonition washed over me.
“Yes, and next I shall hold the young master.”
“Hey, wait, why are you suddenly picking me up—”
“At this age, he’s going through early adolescence, so he’ll start squirming when a woman gets this close.”
“Anyone would squirm if their limbs were suddenly restrained like this!”
I twisted my body, trying to break free, but she seemed to have fully immobilized my joints as I couldn’t put up much of a struggle while being held.
“It’s better if you just go along with me for now, young master.”
“…Let me hear your reasoning.”
“You know elves have a strong sense of pride, right? And the other party is a princess of the royal bloodline. For someone of such status to be unilaterally helped, have a child grasp the national situation and information, and even make plans for the future based on that insight—her dignity as a princess would be utterly crushed.”
“…And you’re suggesting she’s acting this way because of that?”
“Exactly.”
“I’m not sure who the real child is anymore…”
“So the only way for her to feel superior is by age, wanting to see something childish in you to reassure herself, don’t you think?”
“…And that’s why you’re about to treat me like a child, and I have to accept it all.”
“As expected of the young master, you’re not only intelligent but also perceptive.”
“So this curse forces me to accept being treated like a child…”
“Well, looking like a child is enough to make it unavoidable, young master.”
As we had this conversation, Kurtz could do nothing but hang his head in resignation.
“He’ll be a little embarrassed and struggle at first, but since the young master is still a boy, he’ll calm down once a beautiful woman holds him.”
“So his earlier struggling was just him being shy!”
“Precisely. He may act tough in front of Lady Feiyu, but usually he doesn’t like taking baths alone and often sneaks into my bed when he can’t sleep.”
“My, even with his mature speech and demeanor, he’s still quite childish, isn’t he?”
As Lucia stated the fabricated facts matter-of-factly, Feiyu grinned and poked his cheek. I felt pathetic being so accustomed to this treatment.
“Lady Feiyu, would you like to hold him too? He’s the perfect size, and he stays calm when seated on one’s lap.”
“Fufu, if you insist, I have no choice! My lap can tame even the wildest dog or cat!”
“So my treatment has been reduced to that of a dog or cat…”
Having given up entirely, Kurtz was handed over to Feiyu, who patted her lap invitingly with a gleam in her eyes.
As his head was stroked while staring vacantly, Lucia must have felt a tinge of guilt, shifting the conversation back on track.
“Speaking of the homeland where you are from, I’ve been wondering—the land you plan to take from the Ornaments is also ‘Felmund,’ right? I understand it’s an important place for the Eisenhud, but why is it so vital to the Ornaments, another ducal family?”
“Because something crucial to the Ornaments is buried there. Do you two know about the ideals of the Ornaments’ alchemical magic?”
“Um… Wasn’t it ‘to reach the truth that comprises the world’ or something?”
“That’s right. Prior to that are the steps of ‘creating artificial life’ and ‘producing the supreme substance in alchemical magic.’ One of those exists in Felmund.”
It is a substance that the alchemist-symbolizing Ornament household has devoted their lives to producing, a miraculous material to those who practice alchemical magic.
Due to its nature of “making even the impossible possible,” they gave it a name alluding to the ancient World Tree creation myth as one who achieved the impossible of world salvation—
“The ‘Philosopher’s Stone’—that is the substance lying beneath Felmund’s lands.”
Upon hearing that name, Lucia’s expression twitched ever so slightly.
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