A Treacherous Courtier Manages the Empire Well

108 – Welcome to the Resource Allocation

The term “dire straits” was perfect for the current situation.

“The bastard who killed Lord Randor. Disgraceful.”

Even the humans were full of discontent.

“Implanting Lorum’s soul into the Mother Tree? Unacceptable.”

The elves, who should have been allies, seemed to have turned their backs. The High Elven Council could only shiver without a clear course of action.

“Elder! What should we do about this?”

The Council members asked the Elder, but he stood there trembling as if his soul had left his body.

“Why is the gem that was embedded in the heart of the Mother Tree missing? How did they reach the sacred pond at such a rapid pace without triggering any alarms……”

Without finishing his sentence, the Elder looked at the enraged Mother Tree on the massive screen.

The World Tree has a very complex structure.

It was impossible for humans to infiltrate such a place without the assistance of a certain being.

“Is it you.”

The high elder chuckled dejectedly.

Achieving the task without the help of the Mother Tree herself was simply unattainable.

“Drop your weapons and surrender!”

Numerous elven warriors summoned spirits and shouted at the elders. The elders were pushed further into a corner, trembling like never before.

“What should we do! High Elder! What should we do!!!”

Only at the sound of the elder’s scream-like shout did the high elder finally regain his composure.

“Stop.”

The high elder raised his hand, causing the elves to halt.

“Do not hand yourselves over to the humans. I would rather face death by our own hands than be exploited by them.”

The elves turned their heads at the high elder’s resolute words. It was not them but the Mother Tree who could make this decision.

The World Tree silently watched the high elder Yurgisil and the council of high elves.

With a glimmer of hope, the high elder pleaded to the Mother Tree.

“They are your children, Mother. I admit our wrongdoings, but to hand them over for the final judgment is too cruel. Please allow them to face the consequences under elven law.”

It was his final wish, and the high elder knew it well.

How fragile the Mother Tree was. Perhaps she would heed their tearful plea.

Although the death sentence would be inevitable, the process of execution in elven society was a lengthy one. In fact, even the execution of Loruma took five long years of extensive trials.

And during those five years, the council and the high elder had the duty to find loopholes in the law to survive. If they could justify such actions by explaining the necessity, they might find a way out.

As the high elder contemplated this.

“I refuse. Hand them over to the humans.”

“Thank you, Mother Tree… Wait, what?”

The Mother Tree firmly rejected them, leaving the high elder Yurgisil and the council of high elves in shock, gaping in disbelief. With a look of disgust, the Mother Tree gazed down at them.

“When you implanted Loruma’s soul into my heart, you destroyed not only my favor but also the last remnants of my affection and hope. I was foolish all this time. So now, I will no longer repeat the same folly.”

“Wait a moment! This can’t be! This is unacceptable! We are bound by a pact!!”

The Mother Tree nodded at his words.

“According to the pact, are you trying to say that I can never harm you?”

“Yes! You wouldn’t dare to break the pact made with the High, High Lord!!”

“I am considering breaking it. Your actions have disappointed me to that extent.”

As the Mother Tree glared at them with eyes full of hatred and anger, the high elves realized that things had not just taken a turn but had solidly shifted.

The Mother Tree, breaking the pact.

For thousands of years, their unwavering belief that only they were chosen by the Mother Tree was now crumbling.

“Don’t you feel any sense of responsibility?! To discard the promise you made to yourself!”

Despite High Elder Yurgisil’s final outburst, the Mother Tree simply smiled with pity.

“Soon, I will die anyway. You all know that. In the face of impending death, I am considering a final act of defiance.”

“This can’t be!… This, this can’t be!!!…”

“All members of the council of high elves are now under my decree. Hand them over to the humans. Those who resist will taste my wrath.”

At those words, the elves once again pointed their swords at the council of high elves. The council, sitting on the ground, seemed to have lost their senses, trembling uncontrollably.

“Arrest them and hand them over!”

The elves, in their mental shock, detained the council of high elves, who offered no resistance, and handed them over to the humans.

“Emperor, what do you wish to do with these fellows?”

“Detain them, Gold Dragon. They will be taken to the mainland for punishment.”

Upon Adran’s words, the Gold Dragon nodded and carefully placed the elders’ staff on the palm of his hand.

Is this the end of it now?

No, it was not to be.

“My children, the era of the first covenant has come to an end.”

The World Tree spoke quietly, looking down at his children, the Elves.

“The era of the first covenant, once initiated by a great being, will be recorded as an era ruined by arrogant descendants. Henceforth, all covenants bestowed upon the High Elves will be revoked. They shall no longer rule over you, claiming to do so in my name.”

All Elves knelt at his words.

The Dark Elves seemed pleased, the Wood Elves bewildered, and the High Elves shocked.

“Mother Tree, what shall we do?”

“Follow the course of nature. I must now enjoy my rest. Go to my daughter, entrust yourselves to her as you have to me all this time. Serve her faithfully as your second mother. If you act according to her will, she will share covenants with anyone.”

A murmur rose.

“Can Dark Elves also receive the covenant?”

“Of course. Roots, stems, branches, leaves—all are equal and harmonious. Those who follow the will shall receive the covenant, and those who do not shall be cast aside. It is now the era of the second covenant. Obey the words of my daughter.”

“We shall obey!”

All Elves knelt respectfully and bowed. Adran and Rashd watched the scene, exhaling deeply.

“It is concluded.”

“Thankfully, it ended without a full-blown war.”

The two leaders smiled as they looked down at the Elves.

The Dark Elves and Wood Elves seemed delighted at the opportunity to receive the covenant themselves, but they would soon realize that meeting the second World Tree was not an occasion solely for joy.

Especially for the High Elves, the decree of the second World Tree would be a harbinger of despair.

And so, the war ended swiftly. Not a single casualty emerged from the alliance. Over three days, the humans returned to the mainland, followed by representatives of the High Elves, Wood Elves, and Dark Elves.

They went to meet the young World Tree, where they could hear stories as powerful as thunder.

“Are you saying that you will allow humans to wield the power of the covenant?!”

“Yes.”

“Why!!! They are a short-lived species!!!”

The newly formed council of Dark Elves’ elders made the young World Tree widen his eyes.

“Harmonious coexistence is most important to me. Your arrogance has gone too far. From now on, the power of the covenant will be granted or withheld based on how well humans and the fairy folk live together. Do you understand?”

“This… this…”

“If you have grievances, speak up. If you Elves continue to harbor grievances against me, I will not form covenants with the Elven race at all. I will only make covenants with humans. Those stubborn brats.”

“…”

“If you wish, continue to defy my words.”

In the end, the elders had no choice but to bow their heads.

“We… will accept.”

“Disgusting short-lived beings. If conflicts arise, they will be the first to be cast aside. Remember that. I do not wish to witness arrogance fueled by the covenant again. Understood?”

“Yes.”

The Dark Elves and Wood Elves withdrew with somber nods. The High Elven elders, after observing them quietly for a moment, eventually made a single proposal to the young World Tree.

“Mother Tree, we have a proposal.”

“A proposal? What could those who wielded the power of the covenant from my mother for millennia and ruled with tyranny have to propose?”

“Everyone agrees to share the power of the covenant. But please allow us to be in the first rank, if possible.”

At the words of the High Elf, the young World Tree burst into laughter.

“The first rank?”

“No other beings handle the power of the covenant as well as we do. Please permit us to lead humans, Wood Elves, and Dark Elves as the eldest siblings.”

“Isn’t it unnecessary for Mother Tree to teach each one individually?”

The High Elves seemed very confident, perhaps expecting the Second World Tree to readily comply. However, what awaited them was not the Second World Tree’s permission.

“You seem to be mistaken… You are banished.”

“What?!”

“You will remain banished until your useless pride, passed down through your tribe for thousands of years, fades away. Trying to control Mother Tree freely, committing countless sins against Wood Elves and Dark Elves for thousands of years.”

“Is this for the entire tribe?”

“Yes. You will work under humans. You will be known as Labor Indoctrination Types. You will toil and awaken until your arrogant pride diminishes. Working with your hands.”

“This… this can’t be! Working under the common folk! We, the direct bloodline of the Lords!”

Upon seeing the rebellious High Elf elders, the Second World Tree widened its eyes.

“Are you defying me now?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

Until you are completely indoctrinated, you will be prevented from using any spiritual magic. I will sever the connection between the spirit realm and you. You will suffer, working among humans without using any magic until your stiff neck softens. If you resist and rebel, I will even permit humans to slaughter your tribe.”

“Mother!! Are you abandoning us?!”

“Yes.”

A concise yet somber response was given.

“For thousands of years, despite my mother’s tireless preaching to you, you did not listen. Now, it’s time for punishment, you brats.”

When the Wood Elves and Dark Elves looked at the High Elves with a startled expression, the young World Tree turned to them and spoke.

“You are no different.”

“What?”

The moment conflict arises due to an inability to abandon pride, you too become Labor Indoctrination Types working under humans without using any magic.”

“… “

“If you wish to work hard under humans without using any magic, try disobeying me once. I am not your mother. I will not coddle you. If you defy me, you will be banished immediately. And remember, Labor Indoctrination is very harsh and demanding.”

Isn’t it just labor?

The Wood Elves and Dark Elves wondered why the Second World Tree would resort to such threats, but soon they realized the true meaning of Labor Indoctrination.

The grand migration of the elves began. Giant eagles crossed the seas multiple times a day, ferrying the elves and their belongings. The settled elves coexisted with humans in peace.

However, the elves’ arrogance remained.

“Get out! You disgusting commoners!!”

To interact with them, humans sent traders and introduced various goods, but occasionally, elves who couldn’t forget their past glory would cause trouble. In such cases, humans would immediately run to the Second World Tree and report the incident.

Then, the Second World Tree would unhesitatingly subject the troublemaking elves to Labor Indoctrination.

Thus, the first infamous Labor Indoctrination prisoners in history were escorted to the port city.

“Release me!! You filthy commoners! Do you know who we are?!”

Most of the prisoners were High Elves, with some troublesome Dark Elves and Wood Elves among them.

They were brought to the Labor Indoctrination camp, their arms and legs bound in iron chains.

As thousands lined up in the camp’s courtyard, a man with a harsh black skin and a square face, who appeared to be a camp supervisor, stood on a platform.

The human man began shouting as he looked down at the lined-up elves.

“Elven comrades!!! Welcome to the Empire’s Labor Indoctrination Camp!! I am your indoctrinator!! I am TTJ Sergeant Major of the Imperial Marines!!”

The sergeant’s words ended, and the conveyor belt in the labor camp began to move ominously.

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Numerous delivery items scheduled to be delivered from Rangpang were in motion there.

“The labor you will do from now on is known in the empire as loading and unloading!! I hope you carry it out diligently to instill a healthy spirit in yourselves!! Labor indoctrination in progress!!!!”

The elves looked at the man with a disdainful expression, wondering what the hell he was up to. Of course, their silent resistance was futile.

“These elf brats don’t listen! Commence with the reinforcement!!!”

“Ah, wait!!”

Marines with leather clubs, who were instructors, rushed in without mercy, ruthlessly beating the elves. Eventually, the elves, bruised and battered, had no choice but to desperately run to work on the loading and unloading conveyor belt.

And the loading and unloading began.

“Help! I’m, I’m dying!! Dying!!!”

“Shut up and work! Elf soldiers!!”

It boasted an infernal amount of labor.

Sergeant TTJ watched the hard-working elves with satisfaction, smiling.

“Elf soldiers who entered the labor camp!! Abandon all hope!!!!!”

Labor indoctrination had only just begun.