“So, that is why I want you to try to interact with the elves currently staying on the estate,” Cédric said as he looked at his three children. “For that purpose, you are excused from your afternoon activities this week.”

  Lucius raised his hand.

  Cédric nodded, granting him permission to speak.

  “Do I have to do this?”

  His question made his father frown.

  “Did my words sound like a request?”

  Definitely not.

  Lucius sighed inwardly. He understood that his father wanted to leave a good impression on the elves, but why did he have to be the one stuck with such an irritating task?

  Well, it will certainly look less blatant if it’s us.

  Given the elves’ long life expectancy, they tended to be less wary of younger humans, so it was a fairly rational approach. The issue was that Lucius had no interest in forming good relations with the elves, so in the end, it simply meant he was the one who had to waste his time.

  “And you two, do you have any objections?”

  “No, sir.”

  Alex and Camille answered immediately. Unlike him, they accepted their father’s order without complaint.

  “Then you may leave. All three of you.”

  Nodding, Lucius left the office alongside Alex and Camille. They crossed paths with Joseph, their father’s personal assistant, who was heading toward the office with a stack of documents in his arms.

  “So, how are we supposed to do this?” Camille asked.

  The three of them stood in the corridor between their father’s office and the staircase leading downstairs.

  How indeed…

  There had to be several different approaches they could take with the elves. Although—

  I’m tired.

  After the incident at Alistair’s mansion, Lucius had received treatment and all his injuries had been healed. Physically, he was fine, but a lingering lethargy remained, as though it was draining him of the will to do anything.

  “Ugh, don’t we just go there and talk to them? What’s there to think about?” Alex said impatiently.

  But Camille shook her head.

  “We can’t treat this lightly,” she explained. “If anything, we should see this as acting as emissaries of a foreign delegation within our territory.”

  “Hah? What are you talking about?” Alex raised his eyebrows. “They’re just former slaves. You can’t compare them to the nobility of another country.”

  “Camille is right,” Lucius said, drawing both his siblings’ attention.

  They were both surprised, albeit for different reasons. Alex because Lucius had “taken Camille’s side,” and Camille because Lucius had spoken at all.

  Ignoring their reactions, he explained, “Elves don’t have as rigid a social stratification as we do. While there is nobility among them, the distance between them and commoners is far smaller than here in the Empire. So it’s wrong to see these elves merely as former slaves or as lesser commoners of the elven kingdom.”

  But that wasn’t the most important point.

  “From what we know, these elves were captured from different villages. That means that by building good relations with them, we’re spreading a positive image of the duchy across various parts of elven territory.”

  Camille nodded, though she didn’t seem particularly pleased to be agreeing with him.

  “That’s why we need to think carefully about how we’re going to do this,” she said, casting Alex a disdainful glance.

  “Ugh, fine, I get it,” Alex huffed. “So how do we do it?”

  Camille already had an idea.

  “We should approach them pretending to be curious about their culture and say that we want to learn about their customs and traditions. Anyone feels good when others show appreciation for their culture.”

  She pointed at Lucius.

  “What can you tell us about the elves and their culture that we can use?”

  If they were going with that approach, it made sense to have at least some prior knowledge, even if rudimentary. It would make their curiosity seem genuine.

  Lucius thought for a moment. He had learned about elven culture and history in his lessons, but there wasn’t much information available, as elves were naturally reclusive and isolated.

  “Unlike the nations of the central continent, which worship the God of Light, the elves revere the Spirits of Nature.”

  “Eh? So they’re heretics?” Alex asked, shocked.

  Lucius shook his head.

  “The Church doesn’t recognize, but neither does it condemn, the worship of the Spirits of Nature. So, academically speaking, elves are pagans, not heretics.”

  “And what’s the practical difference?” Alex still didn’t understand.

  Camille answered, “It means the elves don’t have to deal with Inquisitors knocking on their doors.”

  At the mention of the word “Inquisitor,” Alex’s face turned pale as paper.

  Everyone had heard at least one or two stories about the Inquisitors—the Church’s armed group responsible for hunting heretics and demon worshippers—and those stories were enough to strike fear into most hearts.

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  “So, what else?” Camille asked, sensing they had strayed from the topic.

  “Well…” Lucius thought for a moment. “They have a very strong oral tradition. Songs, poems, narratives.”

  “So asking to hear stories wouldn’t be strange,” Camille said with a nod.

  What else was there?

  He could only think of one more thing.

  “They seem to be very skilled at archery.”

  “Hmm, that’s true.”

  This time, Alex nodded.

  “Great, that should be enough.”

  Alex raised his hand again.

  “But who do we talk to? Do we just pick the first elf we see and start a conversation?”

  Camille gave him an exasperated look.

  “Of course not. It has to be someone with some standing among them.”

  “Hmm, the only person who comes to mind is Miss Layla,” Alex said, his cheeks flushing red.

  “No, it can’t be her.”

  Camille shook her head.

  “If we go straight to her, it’ll look like nothing more than a formal visit. First, we’ll observe them,” she continued. “See how they behave among themselves, who speaks the most, who the others listen to.”

  Alex frowned.

  “So… we’re spying?”

  “Observing,” Camille corrected. “It’s different.”

  “Ugh… fine,” Alex nodded.

  Camille turned to Lucius.

  “Any problem with this plan?”

  Why is she asking me?

  “No, none,” he said indifferently.

  “Great. Then let’s go.”

  Having settled everything, the three of them headed toward the guest wing of the manor.

  Used to receive other nobles and important guests, the place had been built to impress: wide corridors adorned with pale marble columns, crystal chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, and thick carpets covering the impeccably polished floors. The walls displayed refined paintings and ornaments that exalted the family’s wealth and tradition.

  At the center of the wing was a large main hall, where most of the elves currently staying at the manor were gathered.

  The older ones—who, in this case, appeared to be in their early twenties and were mostly women—were divided into several small groups of six or seven, scattered throughout the hall, conversing while sitting on the floor or standing in corners. The younger ones, divided almost evenly by gender, were running around the hall playing.

  Their arrival naturally drew the elves’ attention. Curious—some might say cautious—gazes were directed at them. The children also stopped playing, as though they had been caught by an adult about to scold them.

  “Is there a problem, Your Excellencies?” Layla asked after noticing them and walking in their direction.

  Unlike the rags she had worn when Lucius first found her, the elven woman now wore a beautiful white dress embroidered with flowers along the sleeves and bodice. It was simple, yet it suited her perfectly.

  Her complexion was also much improved. Her face, no longer marred by bruises, bore a faint rosy hue that revealed an almost supernatural beauty, leaving Alex—and even Camille—momentarily stunned.

  It wasn’t the first time they had seen her; the previous night, Cédric had invited her to dine with them. Still, they had not yet grown accustomed to her beauty.

  “No, Miss Layla, we just came to see you,” Camille said, quickly regaining her composure. “After our conversation last night, we became quite interested in your people’s culture, so we came hoping to hear more stories and perhaps learn a little about your customs.”

  “I see,” Layla nodded, somewhat hesitant. “Well, please feel free to speak with my companions.”

  “Only if it’s not an inconvenience,” Camille replied with a polite smile.

  She’s good.

  Lucius nodded to himself. He was capable of erasing any expression from his face, but not of creating one like that.

  “No, it’s no inconvenience at all,” Layla answered gently. “Now, if Your Excellencies will excuse me, I must speak with His Excellency, the Duke.”

  “Then let’s begin,” Camille said after Layla left.

  As planned, they split up and attempted to initiate contact with different groups.

  The initial reaction was predictable. Conversations died down as they approached. There was no discourtesy on the elves’ part—only a stiffness, an unnatural restraint in their presence that made it difficult to maintain dialogue.

  Camille was the first to break the tension. She adopted an open, relaxed posture, sitting among one of the groups and making it clear—through her body language, gestures, and tone—that she was receptive and friendly. Gradually, the elves lowered their guard and began to engage with her.

  It was said that elves possessed great skill in manipulating the forces of nature, but those who purchased elven slaves were not interested in that ability; thus, the only adult elves present were women. The few males were still children, captured for the same reason—but to satisfy a different kind of taste.

  Because of this, Alex had considerable difficulty interacting with them. Whenever he tried to speak with one of the elven women, he became distracted by her beauty, his words catching in his throat.

  In the end, however, he managed. Abandoning attempts to approach the older women, he focused on the children, and before long, he was running and playing with them throughout the hall—a sight that was also viewed favorably by the other elves.

  Ultimately, the one who performed worst was Lucius. He could maintain conversation, but never enough to break through the initial barrier of awkwardness.

  Well, it doesn’t matter.

  Alex and Camille were already doing a good enough job. Even if he did the bare minimum, there would be no problem.

  Feeling his eyelids grow heavy, Lucius yawned.

  I want to sleep.

  Was he sick? He hoped this lethargy wouldn’t last much longer.

  …

  “So, Your Excellency, regarding my people’s return to the Elven Forest…”

  “Hmm, yes.”

  Cédric looked at Layla, who stood on the other side of his desk.

  Rising from his chair, he retrieved one of the maps from the shelf behind him and spread it across the table.

  “I believe it would be better to travel through the Western City-States rather than return via Istol,” Cédric said as he traced the route with his finger.

  Layla frowned slightly. “But… the distance would be much greater.”

  “Indeed,” Cédric nodded.

  The Forest of Death was a vast woodland teeming with monsters, occupying most of the northern portion of the continent. The Elven Kingdom was located in the eastern part of that forest—a safer region bordering Istol. If they traveled through Istol, they would only have to cross two countries. In terms of distance alone, it was far better than passing through all the City-States that surrounded the western portion of the forest and continuing north.

  “But the Empire—particularly my territory—has a rather tense relationship with the Kingdom since the war, and they would never allow my men to cross the border,” Cédric explained.

  “As for that,” Layla began, “we are grateful for Your Excellency’s generosity, but it is truly not necessary for you to accompany us on this journey.”

  Again with this.

  Cédric frowned.

  “In your entire group, how many are capable of fighting? Of defending themselves?”

  Layla bit her lip.

  “What will you do if you are attacked by bandits? By other slave traffickers?”

  Layla looked away.

  “The Church forbids slavery,” she said without much conviction.

  Cédric snorted in disdain.

  “That did not prevent slave traders from entering your territory and capturing you in the first place.”

  Layla had nothing to say to that. She merely clenched her fists in frustration.

  “So,” she looked back at Cédric, “when can we depart?”

  “In a month,” Cédric said after a moment’s thought.

  Seeing the impatience on her face, he explained, “I need time to organize my men. I must also coordinate with the Church regarding our entry into the City-States, as a group of this size may be perceived as an Imperial threat.”

  “I understand…”

  Layla nodded, still anxious but convinced by his explanation.

  They spoke a while longer, with Cédric asking whether their stay had been comfortable or if they had faced any problems. Layla replied that everything was fine and that she could ask for nothing more. After that, she took her leave, her departure coinciding with Joseph’s arrival.

  “And so, Your Excellency, how did it go?” the old assistant asked, glancing down the corridor at Layla’s retreating figure.

  Folding his hands before his face, Cédric nodded.

  “I managed to convince her to wait a month. That should give us enough time to settle matters with the Merchant Union and with Duke Valemont.” He lifted his gaze. “Speaking of which, have we received a reply from the duke?”

  “Not yet,” Joseph shook his head. “But I believe a response should arrive within one or two days at most.”

  “Excellent,” Cédric nodded. “Let us see whether all this effort will be worth it.”

  “Changing the subject,” Joseph handed him a sheet of paper, “here is what you asked me to prepare.”

  Cédric glanced briefly over the list without showing any emotion.

  “How would you like this handled?” Joseph asked.

  After a moment’s thought, Cédric replied, “Bring them all here tomorrow. Also bring Edgar, Sigur, and a few officers, so as not to arouse suspicion.”

  “As Your Excellency wishes,” Joseph said with a small smile.

  Hmm, this may also serve as a lesson for them.

  Cédric considered it for a moment before deciding.