71. Reward You with a Great Medal
Under the barrel’s gaze, all is truth; within its range, all is justice. After profoundly explaining this principle to the old elven nobility, especially to the elders, Her Majesty Adélaïde, the King of the Kingdom of Prulus, had completed her plan—no longer enduring, but directly striking at the territories of those “elven elders.” In the blink of an eye, with the fastest speed and minimal loss, she swiftly dismantled all their trump cards while they were gathered together, trying to pull Adélaïde down from the throne.
As for Kephiel and me, we were likely… just here to witness as representatives of the Great Yīng Empire. I had said I would “prepare,” and for that, Kephiel had merely dealt with a few mentally unstable old elven elders, not even breaking a sweat. After that, it was no longer our place to intervene… Adélaïde wouldn’t let me intervene, either.
After the handling of this “feast of betrayal” concluded, I heard from the forces of the Kingdom of Prulus: none of the elders who had come this time left safely; without exception, they were all taken away in carts back to the capital of the Kingdom of Prulus. As old elven nobility, they might be able to preserve their lives, but as for their territories, estates, and all their powers and wealth, they could probably forget about ever obtaining them again in this lifetime.
After quickly handling everything, even the firefighting work, it was already late at night. Since we didn’t plan to return to the Prussia Kingdom immediately, we temporarily borrowed some undamaged rooms at the second elder’s house to rest for the night.
If possible, I also wanted to take a good rest and savor Adel’s actions today, but unfortunately… I still had some things to find Adel about before lying down.
At this moment, in a room temporarily used as Adel’s office, when I pushed open the door, I saw the elf, who was standing by the window that had been shattered in the morning, gazing out at the night view of the city without turning on the lights.
“Euklid, does the Great Empire have a good way to change the minds of the city’s residents?”
Adel, who sensed my arrival, didn’t turn her head but continued to look out the window. “Today’s actions were swift, but they still can’t overcome the excessive thoughts of these elves who have been enslaved by the old nobles for too long. It’s really… The dog that has been freed from its shackles wants to bite the person who saved it. How foolish…”
I knew all too well how the Great Empire stabilized the people’s hearts: the queen would sing a song on stage, and the Great Empire could at least have peace for a few months. But the Prussia Kingdom shouldn’t try to govern with idols.
Before I could respond, Adel had already turned around to look at me.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you that. Anyway, our stationed army will definitely wait until the people’s hearts are stable before making a move.”
With her back to me, the town behind her was shining with scattered lights, and further away was everything of the Prussia Kingdom.
Then, Adel spread her arms wide: “This way, the things I’ve been worrying about have also disappeared. The Prussia Kingdom has finally been ‘established’, and from now on, there will be no more ‘new and old elves’ or ‘elf elders’, only I, the Prussia Kingdom, and I am the elf. And you… are the greatest contributor to the founding of the country.”
Finally, Adel walked towards me.
“What kind of medal do you want? A simple but unique one? Or one made from the most precious and rare materials? Or… let me give you this ‘medal’ as a reward for your help to the Prussia Kingdom, Euklid?”
Do all the elves in the Prussia Kingdom speak so literarily…
[After the deed was done, Adel wanted to surrender.]
The script appeared, but even without looking at it, I could sense Adel’s attitude at this moment. It left me with a complex feeling of uncertainty, making me look at Adel with some difficulty.
“I’ve started to worry a bit, feeling like… I’ve taught you to be bad.”
This time, the elf elders’ rebellion was just a fuse, and the one who truly ignited the evil was… me. After eliminating the doubts and worries in my heart, Adel’s style was still too straightforward, making me feel a bit fearful.
“Taught to be bad? Clearly, it’s guidance!”
Adel took off her hat and threw it aside, then hugged my waist. “And the guidance is complete~”
“It’s not that at all!”
And Adéle, keep your voice down. Everyone is using Elder Feng’s belongings as a resting point tonight. If anything gets out in this poorly soundproofed place…
“Don’t deny it like a scumbag. What do you mean ‘not at all’? It clearly is!”
Rising on my toes, the distance between Adéle and me suddenly closed.
“I really did make the best decision because of your words, so you can’t deny that there’s meaning in ‘no training’ behind it. Because… I don’t know why, but your words seem to have a magical power. No matter what you say or do, it always makes others want to follow. It feels… like you can state ‘facts’…”
Finally, just as I was about to touch her when I lifted my head, Adéle shook her head.
“I’m not good at this elegant stuff, so let me award you a medal, thanking you for everything you’ve done for the Kingdom of Prussia.”
As her words fell, with no retreat left for me, Adéle had already risen on her toes to peck at me. Just when I was worried she might have some “extra thoughts” and was planning to act like a gentleman, she proactively stepped away from me.
“The medal is given, and if you need to take any ‘rewards’ from me afterward, I’ll always be waiting for you in the Kingdom of Prussia.”
What a strange play this is…
“I won’t ask for anything. Just consider me a do-gooder who remains anonymous. My name is Red Scarf…”
As for the talk about “waiting for me to take the ‘reward'” later, you better not run to Kefer and say that. My family member can understand this kind of “dark talk” without even needing a reaction.
“I don’t mind. After all, we elves are just that kind of race. I can wait.”
With a smile, she left me with a line that made me feel like “it’s not over yet.” Adéle said, “So, what we did tonight can be considered a ‘deposit.’ Get some rest, O’Keefe, and don’t forget we have other things to do.”
Ah, Adéle is right about that.
Because: Adéle has only dealt with the elders of the old elf nobility, but the real “source” of this matter is still far from resolved—we still haven’t found Ludwig’s whereabouts.
So, we must hurry back to “inquire” those elders who have definitely had contact with Ludwig. If we don’t resolve that “chaotic evil” kind of “wild monster” named Ludwig, not to mention anything else, the “danger script” on my side will never completely disappear!