With the defeat and death of Middel, the "Azorean Elf Incident", which has been disturbing the ancient wood forest for several years, has finally come to an end.

But for the elves, it seems that nothing has changed, but in fact everything has changed.

The old model of fragmented, closed and self-sufficient settlements has been quietly shattered, and even if the elders of each settlement are not happy, they have to elect their own representatives, so that the "ancient wood forest elves" can become a whole, otherwise they will not be able to talk to "behemoths" such as the empire or the Azorean kingdom on an equal footing.

Intentionally or unintentionally, the elves scattered throughout the forest in the past are gradually moving towards a unified whole through cultural closeness and blood ties, and are closely united.

Whether unintentionally or intentionally, the idea of "convergence and unification" brought by Midel from the Kingdom of the Azores is making the elves of the Ancient Wood Forest in ignorance and on the road to an independent country.

Even in the last hundred years, the elves have established a system of elders, war dancers, and settlers, and have already possessed the most basic framework of a "state".

External influences, internal needs, wars with ogres... One day, a powerful elven kingdom hidden in the forest will rise strong in the western part of the empire, and it will no longer be ignored by the empire.

Whether this was a good or bad thing for the empire is hard to say, but Loren is certain that this "national process," once it has begun, will never stop, but can only influence them as much as possible in the course of its development.

But for Loren, this is definitely a welcome thing to see - once they are on the path of unified development, it is impossible for the elves to be isolated in the forest, they will definitely establish contact with the outside world, and the most "peaceful" connection is naturally all kinds of trade.

Although Byrne and the Oldwood Forest are separated by an Elem and Lothair, distance is both a cost and a wealth to the merchants, and if used correctly, Loren can extend Byrne's influence to the west of the empire through Lothair, aka Leven Fried, and in turn to the east and the south.

In this way, Byrne will no longer be limited to the south, but a "continental" state with "international influence" and "the development strategy of the empire's foreign trade and territorial development", and will no longer have to be subordinated to the two major Sacklands.

Forming an alliance with Lothair would also allow the Empire, the crown prince Conod, to distract himself from the pressure of a powerful principality, and at least remain neutral if he could not join him.

Loren even envisioned being able to use trade routes to hire a group of Oldwood Forest War Dancers to join Byrne's military system as battlefield scouts and assault light infantry.

In this way, Byrne's army can be divided into heavy cavalry based on the Byrne knight system, hussars based on the Boi style, and a mid-armed spear phalanx dominated by conscripts;

The dwarve-based extremely heavy halberd phalanx, the wizard tower system and professional crossbowmen-based long-range support and logistics, and the elven system-based front-line reconnaissance and light infantry sweeping ambushes.

This system of warfare included the traditional system of conscription militia and knights, as well as professional mercenaries and free militias in the tribes.

It's not a bad idea to follow the example of Silverhelm Mountain and set aside a forest in the county of Crimson Castle to establish a settlement for them.

This kind of system, with the Turin family as the core, the thirteen leaders of Byrne as the main body, the chamber of commerce and trade union system as the expansion, and the mixing of multiple political systems and races, will become the increasingly powerful driving force of Byrne.

He had all the names in mind, and the name of this system was ......

"You're leaving?!"

Outside the Foggy Moon Court Speaker's house, the unbelievable black-haired wizard looked at Lukka in front of him with wide eyes, his expression was so surprised and surprised: "Why?"

"It's not that we have to go, but the elves of the Ancient Wood Forest have made a joint decision to hold the 'Expedition Hunt' for the second time in two hundred and thirty years. The middle-aged elf's expression was indifferent, as if he had expected Loren to be surprised:

"This time, the goal is the Southern Forest - we want to sweep away all the ogres entrenched in the Ancient Wood Forest and rebuild all the southern settlements!"

"A few years ago you captured the Eternal Night Forest and killed the evil god Metzka in the forest, and since then the ogres have been leaderless and scattered throughout the southern forests, and the elders believe that now is the best time to counterattack the south and reclaim their homeland. ”

Loren didn't speak, just looked at him silently.

"Naturally, this can only be achieved by gathering all the war dancers of all the settlements. Lukka continued: "And in order to rebuild those settlements and not be reoccupied by ogres, it is necessary to mobilize other settlements to move south. ”

"Therefore, the north is led by the Misty Moon Garden, and the west is led by the Barren Mound Forest, all of them will migrate south, cross the Great Tree Wall, and reclaim our land in the forests of the south, kill all our enemies, rebuild our homeland, and completely revive the homeland of two hundred and thirty years ago. ”

The middle-aged elf sighed: "With such a large-scale expedition, it is naturally impossible for there to be no movement at all - it is also to tell you in advance that the empire will be prepared, and in addition, I hope that the duke and the empire of Lothair will provide some help at that time, especially iron tools and supplies, and the elve, we will thank you in our way!"

Looking at Luca, who had a somewhat embarrassed expression, the black-haired wizard finally spoke.

"So... Is that how you are grateful?" asked Loren in a low voice, making eye contact with him, "Abandon your homeland and move en masse—hide far away, and neither side will be offended?"

Lukka gave Loren a deep look: "You're very smart, so I don't think I need to explain anything." ”

The black-haired wizard was stunned and bowed slightly.

That's right, this choice can be said to be the most helpless choice for Gumu Forest.

They abandoned the co-optation of their blood relatives and made peace with the Empire, but this does not mean that the elves really trust the Empire, but they are forced to do it out of necessity.

Whichever side you choose means going to war with the other... The tragic death of the messenger, for whatever reason, the Eagle King of the Azores would not accept such an outcome, and Loren himself could not accept it, and he would surely make a comeback.

Of course, the elves of the Ancient Wood Forest would not want to meet their blood relatives in battle, so it was important for them to move south to avoid the open and secret strife between the Azorean kingdom and the Empire, even if they were sticking to their promise of "peace" to the Empire.

"All the elves?" Loren still refused.

"This is the common decision of all the elders, that is, the decision of the Ancient Wood Forest. Lukka said in a deep voice, "Of course, obedience is still voluntary, as far as I know, some of the war dancers from the west and the young elves of the Misty Moon Court have decided to stay here." ”

"Other than that, only the elves of the Morningstar Forest will be left behind—responsible for communicating with your empire and exchanging the fruits of the forest for the necessities of their migration south. ”

The middle-aged elf smiled: "She will stay." ”

Loren raised an eyebrow.

"I... I don't quite understand what you mean. ”

"She and I quarreled a few times, wanting to join this 'big hunt', even if it was just to be an ordinary war dancer, an ordinary elven warrior... I refused. Luca paused for a moment and said softly, "The rear of the elves still needs to be guarded by good enough war dancers. ”

"Also, although she never spoke, I could see and hear clearly. Luca's expression was meaningful:

"Leah... She never forgot about you. ”

The black-haired wizard could only maintain a polite smile.

The middle-aged elf sighed: "If I could, I originally planned to stay by myself, but the southern expedition is very important, and I can't rest assured, I can only leave Liya in the Morning Star Forest." ”

"She's young and vigorous, she's simple and strong, but she's very vigilant - the most important thing is that she'll stay behind, and you'll be able to deal with the Gumu Forest more smoothly. Luca smiled and looked at Loren:

"I've found out on the way to the Misty Moon Court that you've been trying to bypass the Empire and use your friendship with the Earl of Deep Limburg, the future Duke of Lothair, to establish a relationship with the Ancient Wood Forest, right?"

Loren's smile became a little awkward.

"Whether you want to do business with the Oldwood Forest, or... The word you said was... Let the young and vigorous war dancers fight for you, I believe that you will at least not deliberately harm the ancient wood forest. ”

The gentle Lukka didn't notice the surprise that flashed in Loren's eyes, and his expression was very sincere: "And Leah... No matter what you want to do, no matter what she says, I know she won't say no to you. ”

Loren's expression became more and more unnatural: "Uh... Luca, I think you're probably mistaken about something, really, I'm not married, um, and Leah and I are really just pure old comrades-in-arms......"

The middle-aged elf raised his hand and silently interrupted him.

"Loren, help me... Help Leah too. ”

There was a hint of pleading in Lukka's eyes: "I know this may be very difficult for you, but the only people of the Empire I can absolutely trust are you and Aein." ”

"I don't know what His Majesty the Emperor thinks, but what he wants from the elves is definitely more than peace, right? If he wants this forest, we can give up some, we will not get involved in your dispute with the Azores, we will go south to fight the ogres, as you wish. ”

"But don't let the spirits of the Ancient Wood Forest fall prey to your conflicts, I only hope that you will do everything you can to protect Leah and the Morning Star Forest... There is only one request. ”

"Just in case, I mean just in case, the war really spreads to the ancient wood forest......"

"I will do my best to use all the resources I have to relocate the entire Morning Star Forest settlement to the Duchy of Byrne - that is the south, and unless half of the empire falls, it will be absolutely safe. ”

Loren stepped forward and gritted his teeth and took a deep breath: "But I don't guarantee that she will be willing to listen to me, I can only say... It's voluntary. ”

"She'll listen, she will. The smiling Lukka let out a long sigh, as if he was finally relieved: "As long as you personally persuade her, she will definitely listen." ”

Looking at the middle-aged elf's "tuogu" expression, Loren really didn't know what to say.

Relieved and completely relieved, Lukka finally left satisfied, and Peter Fasa, who had been waiting around the corner, finally quietly walked out.

"You're leaving, too?"

"The mission is over, and I have no reason to continue to 'monitor' you. Peter Fasa chuckled and looked at Loren jokingly, "Unlike a certain 'incompetent' night watchman, I'm scared all day. ”

Loren tugged at the corners of his mouth.

That's right... Speaking of which, his name is still on the night watchman's roster, and according to the system, he is still a "subordinate" of Ruth Infinit.

Although the leader of the Night's Watch is always thinking about how to let his "subordinate" die as soon as possible......

"Don't worry, Loren, your mission history this time is perfect, and no one can accuse you of anything - of course, there will be no shortage of rumors on His Royal Highness's side, but it doesn't matter, and you probably won't care. Peter smiled, and then his expression became a little solemn:

"I will report this information to His Majesty Eckhart II in every detail, hoping to arouse the vigilance of the Heavenly Dome Palace... Our neighbors on the other side of the Misty Sea are not as peace-loving as we think. ”

The black-haired wizard bowed slightly, acquiescing in agreement.

Although he felt that His Majesty the Emperor of the Heavenly Dome Palace probably knew this a long time ago.

"Also, I suggest that you don't delay too much time and return to the Red Blood Castle as soon as possible. Peter continued, "Whether or not that Azorean elf's warning is an intimidation, the Red Blood Fortress is still the safest place for you in the Empire. ”

"Master Harlem Van Ashamai is right, you are the key to Byrne, and the rise and fall of the entire Duchy is tied to one - not to mention that the struggle between the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness Brandon is heating up day by day, and you, the Duke of Byrne, must sit in the south to ensure the stability of the empire, not to mention ......"

Peter, who was about to say something, suddenly stopped talking with embarrassment.

Well?

Let alone... What the?

The black-haired wizard looked up curiously.

"Uh... It's not my turn to tell you this, but... Just one day before we entered the Grove of Ancient Trees, I received a letter from Little Yod of the United Chamber of Commerce. Peter's expression was a little embarrassed:

"At that time, I didn't tell you because you still had to face the problem of the Ancient Wood Forest, so now... I think you'd better go back as soon as possible!"

Sent by Yod Jr.?

Raising an eyebrow, Loren took the letterhead from Peter, who was a little embarrassed: "I guess... Is it related to a certain bishop?"

"Hmm. ”

"Serious problem?"

"It should be... Very serious. ”

Peter smiled awkwardly.