Chapter 85
Chapter 85: A Desire to Change
He shook his head lightly .
The old elf, Lagias, wrinkled between his eyebrows as he shook his head repeatedly . After a short moment, he stopped moving his head sideways and headed back to his office .
“There are still many tasks to clear up, and tons of work to do . I wanted to read a book at night, so that I could rest a little . However, I couldn’t touch the book and I couldn’t even afford to rest” . Lagias thought .
His wrinkled finger grabbed a brush pen in order to inscribe on the parchment . The ink looked very thin .
It was about time for the messenger of the human land to arrive in Ghazalia . That’s why Lagias had to write an alliance letter again . He had to prepare himself to meet them . The deep wrinkles in Lagias forehead created a deep valley on his face .
“My brother was someone great . He was a great elf . After all, he had been doing this hard work for hundreds of years . As the Fin, he kept Ghazalia peaceful . Yes, a country of elves only . For hundreds of years . ” Lagias immersed on his thoughts .
Lagias held the pen with a strong grip . His eyelids closed slightly .
“How happy it would have been if only elves lived on this independent land . If all of us enjoyed the blessings of the forest and just live simply, nothing else would have matter” .
Lagias’ mind kept wandering . “But, that story was no longer a dream . That story got buried in the deep history of the past” .
Despite old, Lagias’ eyes were bright and didn’t lose its radiance . Yet, something occupied his mind . The human land had seen so many things unlike the elf kingdom .
Soldiers who had hardened themselves with a material stronger than iron . Systematic magic rather than relying on individual wisdom . Ambition that flowed like a big river without staying in one place . Techniques that made everything possible .
The human land became far more evolved than the human cities that elves used to know . On the other side of the coin, the elves continued to rely on the spirits . The elves had been living an unchanged life for hundreds of years .
Some elves called that development a foolish one . Other elves said that the humans were against the will of the earth . However, would that change torment the human beings?
Of course, it wouldn’t . They were a ruthless race . Eventually, they would invade this forest . The elves’ land . The conventions would be dispelled, the fear of the elves would fall, and the day would come when the trees would be burned down . Lagias had a deep understanding of what could become of his kingdom .
At that time, could the elves stand up on their own? After all, it was all for the sake of protecting the forests and their home . Could they stop those who seek change and conquest?
For Lagias, the changing nature of men was not he feared . Lagias knew that humans changed too much . The human race transformed themselves in a just a few decades . They weren’t perpetual . Lagias surely understood that . He felt a certain conviction on his heart .
Elves were an unchanged race . Nevertheless, the world had changed significantly in the meantime .
The same applied to the appearances of demon beasts . For some time now, scouting elves had witnessed many demon beasts near the borders of Ghazalia . There were no attacks inside Ghazalia yet, but eventually, they could invade the land and destroy the trees along with the sacred forests .
“We can no longer remain unchanged . All the elves must change . If we try to remain unchanged in the constantly changing world, we will be left behind and be discarded forever . ” Lagias’ heart was heavy .
The elves had to change . The elves weren’t going to be the ones left behind in the world . They were not going to be the ones to fall or be swallowed by other nations . The elves needed a change greatly enough to involve the whole world .
A big cough spilled out of Lagias’ throat . His body trembled and pain ran through his spine .
“How long will this body of mine endure? I have lived for a long time . ”
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「Fin . Excuse me for bothering you . 」
After hearing those words, Lagias put his brush pen down and sat his back on the chair .
The person was a soldier under the direct control of Lagias . This soldier entered the room while there was almost no light to illuminate it . He was one of the few soldiers Lagias could trust .
Lagias understood well that some of the noble warriors only served themselves, and that some of the soldiers of the Royal Palace were hostile towards him .
He knew that his “changing” views would bring backlash from his people . When it came to elves, there was always hostility towards those who wanted to change . Especially the elf species of Ghazalia . Even free, they hated change . They felt repulsion towards it . Naturally, the enemy was born not only from the outside, but also from the inside . Even acquaintances and allies could become enemies .
However, Lagias believed that to change was the only way to stop the roots of the repulsion . However, in order to achieve that, one had to do it one by one, without stopping . Because such hatred and will for rebellion could lead to a troublesome end .
Even if the parents were killed and even if their children were killed, the grandchildren could continue to thrive and carry on with that will .
Therefore, there was no other choice but to remove the roots of the problem .
All one had to do was lure the problem to the ground where it could not escape . This was the only way to remove the branches along with the roots . It could be a decisive battle, but this removal was the most important thing .
The soldier whispered on Lagias’ ear . He nodded at the words and deepened the wrinkles .
「So, she has finally moved . My dear niece . Ah, but this is a good opportunity . 」
He had an unmistakable smile on his face . It was a smile of relief .
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The Elf Princess, Lagias’ niece, started the move along with the elves who supported her . However, it would take some time before it turned into a clear and serious movement . Yet, that didn’t concern Lagias too much .
It meant that his kingdom would stop being motionless . Not anymore . The worst thing for Lagias was a stagnant kingdom, where nothing happened at all .
The princess had been imprisoned in the Tower for a long time now . And those who had a rebellious heart in their chests ended up biting their lips to refrain themselves from revolting against the new system . It was troublesome for them, who endured their hatred, and troublesome for Lagias, who endured the unchanging lifestyle .
Lagias thought that none of their retainers would favor a change . Even if that change involved a rebellion in order to take his throne . Summing up, to make themselves enemies in order to take the title of Fin . Lagias thought that if one person could really see this boring future, everything would move faster . If every single elf remained unchanged, then nothing could be achieved .
However, someone finally arrived . Someone who moved . Well done .
Lagias’ shoulders swayed pleasantly, as well as his whole body .
「Great . Keep monitoring the situation . I shall take that burning hatred to my advantage . At least, with this, the cowardice that it is corrupting this nation will finally disappear . 」
“In any case, it’s best to bring all the problems together . Let’s give a big change for this Ghazalia . ” When Lagias professed those words, the soldier quietly nodded and disappeared into the darkness again .
His eyes narrowed as he looked at the shining lamp that slightly illuminated the darkness .
“Now, either way, this Ghazalia of mine is going to be exposed to a wave of change . If I win, then all the enemies and the pressure will go away . This is fine . In that case, let’s wipe the old bones and make Ghazalia a nation where goes to the point of exhaustion . ” Lagias’ mind kept swirling .
“On the other hand, the princess could win at the end of the battle . That, too, is also a change . The young promising ruler that could blow away the old traditions . If there is a change of Fin in this short amount of time, even if a dull elf who overtakes that title, everyone, including the Princess, will realize that this world is constantly changing . Yes, always, regardless of what one could do to avoid that” .
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Lagias firmly believed that what was needed for Ghazalia was pure change . No matter how it ended . The change was inevitable .
That was great . Extremely good . Well, of course . For Lagias, the results were pragmatic as well .
Lagias asked himself who could be the best Fin . Whether he or the princess . Lagias didn’t have doubts about it . His answer was sharp .
“…I am the best . Only I have the power and wisdom to overthrow this Ghazalia . ”
Lagias had no desire to lose . For him, the princess shall become the cornerstone of the old bones .
If his brother was alive, he would be utterly sad . After all, Lagias’ brother was a compassionate person . He believed firmly in Lagias until the time he lost his life . The wrinkles on the cheeks of Lagias were greatly distorted during this time .
Lagias had no other choice but to kill his brother . Still, his brother’s death fell upon him . This murderous act was engraved in Lagias’ heart . It never disappeared .
That’s why Lagias mustn’t lose . The pain for killing his brother was unbearable, but it was for the sake of his cause . Losing would mean that his murderous act was useless . It would make him feel as if killing his brother was in vain . Therefore, Lagias was prepared to kill the princess .
Lagias was ready to use everything he could, and shake every possible foundation . If needed be, cut the life of his beloved niece as well .
That was the supreme role of the Great Fin, which Lagias considered himself . Upon having these thoughts, Lagias’ lips quivered tremendously .
No one dared to stop that fearsome and resilient will anymore .