Chapter 448: The Chief Overseer Must Have Handled It Well (1)
Claude pulled out a stack of documents from a large box and distributed them to everyone.
“What is this?”
One of the envoys asked, to which Ghislain replied nonchalantly, “Given the timing, we’ve prepared a preliminary agreement for quick progress. The details can be adjusted later based on circumstances, so for now, just sign it.”
“……”
The agreement was filled with clauses favoring the Ritania Kingdom.
The envoys, unused to such a method of handling matters, were left speechless. Should they feel grateful that it had been prepared in advance?
‘This guy had it all planned from the start.’
‘Is this how he plans to trap us?’
‘How does he expect to handle the consequences of doing things so arbitrarily?’
While the envoys were fuming with a mix of anger and disbelief, Claude, who had handed the documents to everyone, grinned and spoke cheerfully.
“Come on now, there’s no point in wasting time. I’m an expert, and I wrote this up carefully. There’s nothing bad in here—just agreements to work hard together. Please, just sign. This is how we build a family-like atmosphere.”
“Grr…”
Indeed, there didn’t seem to be any overtly problematic content. Most of the clauses concerned support provisions and decision-making authority during military operations.
The issue was that the priorities were skewed heavily in Ritania’s favor.
When the envoys hesitated to sign, Claude handed out another set of documents.
“Someone has to take the lead, right? Sign quickly, and you’ll each receive a little gift to take home.”
“A gift?”
The envoys opened the new set of documents. It contained a detailed list of additional provisions, such as food supplies and medicinal herbs, that they would receive upon their return.
The sheer volume was overwhelming. The envoys began to cough awkwardly, embarrassed.
“Ahem, ahem…”
At least he wasn’t just taking advantage of them. When he gave, he gave generously.
Initially upset, the sight of the support list slightly softened their anger.
‘This is enough to justify providing troops.’
‘This will save face for me.’
‘Right now, the urgent need is the aid provisions anyway.’
In various territories, chaos had led to a drastic drop in food production. To the envoys, the supplies were more critical than the welfare of the soldiers.
However, one envoy tilted his head and asked, “What does this flyer that gives us 50% discount on the third volume of ‘The Chronicles of Count Fenris’ have to do with this matter? Are you expecting us to buy it?”
Ghislain shot a sharp glare at Claude. That bastard had clearly been up to something during his absence.
Claude quickly replaced the document with another.
“My apologies, it must’ve gotten mixed in. Here, this is a small token of appreciation from me.”
From his pocket, Claude produced a small jewelry box and handed it to the envoy with practiced ease.
“Wha—what is this supposed to mean…?”
The envoy began to stammer. Who on earth would so blatantly offer a bribe like this?
But Claude didn’t stop there. He signaled to the administrators who had followed him, and they pulled out boxes filled with jewelry. Each envoy received one.
“Come now, don’t refuse. It’s just a modest gift. Consider it as a souvenir.”
Even the nobles of Ritania’s Royal Faction, left dumbfounded, were handed jewelry boxes. The Marquis of Branford received one too, his expression is a mix of confusion and disbelief.
‘Is this the same man who supposedly stopped Roderick’s grand army at Silverlight?’
The atmosphere turned awkward. Since everyone received one at the same time, the gifts did indeed feel like souvenirs. No one could speak up, and all they did was exchange glances.
Before anyone could object, Claude clapped his hands and raised his voice.
“Alright! Sign quickly! There’s a banquet prepared too! You’re going to sign anyway, so what’s there to think about? It’s only temporary!”
“Ahem, well, thank you for the souvenir.”
Finally, one of the envoys signed the document, giving in partly because of the promised provisions. There was no valid reason to refuse.
If the home country questioned it, they could simply claim it was a provisional agreement.
With all the envoys’ signatures secured, Claude gathered the signed agreements and briskly left the room.
Ghislain, avoiding the disapproving gaze of the Marquis of Branford, turned his head and spoke.
“It wasn’t my idea, but… anyway, the foundation of the alliance has been laid. Let’s work together to address any gaps as we move forward.”
Clap, clap, clap.
“Yes, yes! Let’s do our best! I’m sure my nephew knows what he’s doing!”
Maurice clapped his hands with a jubilant expression and shouted in approval. To him, receiving the jewels and seeing the Ritania Kingdom rise as the head of the alliance was a win-win.
With Maurice leading, the other Royalist nobles and envoys reluctantly followed suit, clapping along.
The envoys, who resigned to the situation, decided not to dwell on it any further. Any issues that arose could be addressed as they came. After all, the alliance was only just beginning.
Exchanging pleasantries, they prepared to move to the banquet hall. Before they left, Ghislain addressed them.
“The Duke of Delfine’s forces will move soon. You’ll need to send your troops as quickly as possible.”
“Rest assured, we’re already fighting against the riftspawn, so mobilizing the army won’t be difficult.”
“We’ll provide the rations, so just send your troops.”
“Ha ha, now that’s good news!”
Despite any internal grievances, the envoys, seasoned diplomats, didn’t let their discomfort show once decisions had been made.
Ghislain excused himself from the banquet, citing battle preparations. He left the socializing with the envoys to the Marquis of Branford and the other nobles.
—
Returning to the Northern Army camp with Claude and the administrators of Fenris, Ghislain was met by a knight running towards him, clearly agitated.
“L-Lord! An elf is waiting to see you!”
“An elf?”
“Yes, but they’re incredibly powerful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there was a bit of a skirmish… Captain Kaor and Alfoi tried to confront them, but both were injured and had to be carried away. They couldn’t even put up a fight.”
Ghislain’s expression hardened at the report.
Kaor was one of the most skilled knights in Fenris, he’s near at the pinnacle of his craft, and Alfoi was a 5th-circle mage—both individuals capable of commanding high positions in any territory.
Yet, both had been defeated and carried away?
Elves of such caliber were rare, especially among those enslaved or marginalized.
At that moment, a massive surge of energy emanated from deeper within the camp. Ghislain narrowed his eyes.
‘This presence…’
It was familiar. It was a power Ghislain had felt in his previous life.
There had been strong elves in his past, but none of them could have so easily overpowered someone like Kaor.
Only one elf could wield such overwhelming strength.
‘Ereneth.’
A member of the Seven Strongest on the Continent and known as the ‘Guardian of the World Tree’, Ereneth.
That overwhelming aura could only belong to her.
‘Why now?’
Ereneth had never had a particularly good relationship with the Human Alliance. Initially, she had lent her strength, but at some point, she had started acting independently.
She had always been displeased with the leadership of the alliance, and after clashing with certain key figures, she distanced herself entirely.
Her focus had shifted to destroying the Salvation Church rather than combating the rifts. Even when others advised her to prioritize the rifts, she hadn’t listened.
‘In hindsight, she was right. The rifts were caused by the Salvation Church.’
Ereneth must have known something, which was why she acted as she did. But she had always been secretive about her motives and actions.
For someone like her, who had distanced herself from the alliance, to visit now meant the future had been altered by Ghislain’s actions.
‘This must be because of my achievements.’
The Northern Army, led by Ghislain, was now the most effective force against the rifts on the continent. It was also Ghislain who uncovered the Salvation Church’s schemes and identity.
Naturally, Ereneth would have heard of these feats and come here first.
If, as the same in his previous life, Ereneth had come to assist with the riftspawn, this was a great opportunity. She was an immensely powerful ally.
“Let’s meet her.”
—
As Ghislain entered the camp, Ereneth, who had clearly sensed his arrival, approached. She was accompanied by dozens of elves.
Ereneth deliberately unleashed her aura as she moved closer, and the oppressive force made everyone in the Northern Army tense.
Vanessa and Tennant were especially on edge, ready to attack at any moment.
Belinda and Gillian, who were accompanying Ghislain, tightened their grips on their weapons, clearly nervous.
“Now, now, everyone, don’t be so tense. She’s not an enemy,” Ghislain reassured them, glancing around.
Despite his words, no one relaxed. Ereneth’s presence alone was enough to keep them on high alert.
Ereneth stopped in front of Ghislain and stood still for a moment.
‘Hmm… His resolve is as strong as the rumors suggest.’
I deliberately unleashed an aura beyond the level of a superhuman to gauge the reaction of my opponent. However, the other party merely stared at me with a nonchalant expression.
She gathered her energy back, lowering the hood that covered her ears.
"Are you the Count of Fenris?"
"I am."
"My name is Ereneth. I am the High Chieftain of the Elves."
Although there were multiple elf tribes, only one High Chieftain existed. This title was reserved for the elf guarding the colossal tree known as the World Tree.
However, in the current circumstances—where most elf tribes had been annihilated and the majority of surviving elves reduced to slavery—it was a position that held little practical authority.
Even so, the title of High Chieftain still carried weight. When people heard her identity, they were visibly astonished.
"High Chieftain? Could she be the Guardian of the World Tree?"
"Are they talking about ‘that’ legendary elf?"
"I thought she was just a figure in fairy tales. But she’s real?"
For ages, the epithet “Guardian of the World Tree” had been widely known across the continent. Tales spoke of her living in seclusion under a protective barrier alongside the World Tree—a story dismissed by most as myth.
But now, an elf claiming to be the High Chieftain had appeared, and their surprise was understandable.
Only Ghislain remained unfazed, as he had known her identity from the start. Ghislain calmly spoke to Ereneth, "You might have been a little rough in your introduction."
"I didn’t mean to introduce myself in that way. It’s just that, they kept bothering me. The red-haired one kept insisting on a fight, and the mage kept trying to rope me into a gambling game."
When Ghislain glanced at Vanessa, she nodded repeatedly, as if confirming the situation.
It wasn’t hard to deduce. Kaor likely wanted to spar with a seemingly strong opponent, and Alfoi probably saw her as an easy target for his schemes.
With a sigh, Ghislain shook his head and asked,
"You don’t seem like an ordinary person. Why did you come to see me?"
Though he could guess the reason, he feigned ignorance, not wanting to draw on memories of their past connection.
Ereneth smiled gently and replied, "I came to meet you, Count Fenris."
"May I ask why?"
"There are many eyes here. Shall we speak in a quieter place?"
"Very well."
Ghislain dismounted, planning to lead her to the command tent for a more private conversation.
As Ereneth followed, she glanced around, her gaze halting on one particular group. It was where Lumina, Ascon, and the rest of Fenris' elves had gathered.
The engineers—led by Galbarik and accompanied by dwarves—immediately turned their heads upon noticing her presence.
"It seems this place treats elves differently from others," she remarked.
"They are an invaluable force."
"You don’t enslave them?"
"In my domain, they’re promised freedom."
Ereneth smiled faintly, satisfaction evident in her expression.
"Good. Let’s revisit that matter later. For now, let me thank you for your consideration of the elves—"
She abruptly stopped speaking, her expression hardening. She also halted in her steps, no longer following Ghislain.
"What’s wrong?" Ghislain asked, turning to look at her.
All he had done was casually brush away the dust stirred up ahead using mana. But in that brief moment, Ereneth sensed something ominous.
As an elf, she could perceive the natural flow of energy. It was only for a fleeting instant, but she clearly saw a flash of dark crimson energy.
To discern its nature more precisely, she summoned her power.
Rumble…
A green light flickered past her eyes, and an immense aura began to emanate from her.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The surrounding soldiers, startled, drew their weapons and raised their mana in response.
Ereneth’s ferocious energy bore down on Ghislain, threatening to crush him if he stayed idle.
His eyes twitched as he gathered his mana, his irises glowing redder by the second.
The stronger Ereneth’s energy grew, the more potent the aura emerging from Ghislain became.
Her expression twisted as she confirmed her suspicions of an ominous power.
"Red eyes, black energy."
Though rare, it wasn’t entirely unheard of across the continent. Yet, there was something subtly different about it—an uncanny familiarity she couldn’t dismiss.
It felt like a slightly altered version of something ancient, as if time had reshaped it.
Crack!
From beneath Ereneth’s feet, vines shot upward, coiling around her body. Cloaked in the vines, her voice turned icy as she questioned him.
"What is your connection to the Salvation Church?"