Ch.223223. For Countermeasures (2)

Sione couldn’t easily open her mouth. No, rather than saying she couldn’t open it, it would be better to say she chose not to.

With her chin resting on her hand, she merely rolled her eyes downward to look at the elf who was gazing up at her, not even bothering to lower her head.

Her demeanor resembled someone coldly calculating how to respond to the other party, analyzing and deliberating with cool rationality.

“The young lady was like a battle-hardened veteran. The way you skillfully surveyed the battlefield and shot arrows at precisely the right moments reminded me of our elves who have already completed their growth.”

“You flatter me.”

“It’s hardly flattery. I’m simply stating things as they are, that’s all.”

The stiff Sione and Friel.

An expressionless face contrasted with a sly smile.

“After I was injured, I couldn’t handle a bow or sword on the battlefield… I observed everything through the eyes of my spirit, Piel. The Forest Guardians of Arielt and Chelnis being pushed between the Magia and gradually losing their lives. And the Forest Guardians of Ianet who seemed to have suffered significantly less damage despite fighting the same battle, to the point where even their fatigue appeared feigned.”

“That’s not all.”

“My eyes also captured your appearance, young lady.”

From Friel Arielt’s mouth, details about our master’s actions began to flow—things I couldn’t see as I was lying unconscious on the ground.

“You displayed quite an intense combat style. Unlike your usual support from the rear, it was as if that aggressive approach was your natural way.”

“And even in the midst of such chaotic fighting, you kept Ianet’s movements constantly in your sight, actively avoiding them while continuing to fight. So as not to become their hindrance.”

“And… if I wasn’t delirious from losing blood, I believe I glimpsed a small displeasure or desire for revenge in your eyes.”

Friel erased her sly smile.

Only after lowering her hand from her chin and correcting her posture respectfully did she continue speaking.

“Young lady, I ask this of you. Whether blinded by greed or harboring some other scheme… if we don’t firmly condemn Ianet’s actions, they might try something like this again… we need your help.”

Sione simply gazed quietly at Friel.

In truth, I had already roughly explained to Sione about the conversation we would have over tea today and received her approval.

But Friel Arielt, unaware of this fact, was doing her best to gain Sione’s consent, unlike me who had already aligned with her.

With the elves’ characteristic soft yet precise intonation, she had no hesitation in making eye contact with her counterpart, her gaze filled with sincerity.

‘I might as well just listen to what else she has to say.’

Sione remained silent, allowing Friel to continue speaking, to gauge just how sincere Friel was and whether she was trustworthy enough to devise careful strategies with.

Meanwhile, I was simply enjoying the show—Sione’s reactions and Friel’s nervousness around Sione, so different from half a year ago.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re an outsider, and there’s not much benefit in getting deeply involved in our Great Forest’s politics, so I understand your caution. This matter… to be honest, besides condemning what happened with the subjugation party, we’ll also be working to diminish their family’s influence. Once we’re in the same boat, we’ll inevitably be entangled. You might even fall out of Ianet’s favor.”

Sione calmly sipped her tea.

However, instead of enjoying the clear color of the tea, her gaze continuously scrutinized Friel, radiating the aura of a guardian of the formless.

“If you join our activities and suffer any harm, Arielt will fully protect you. And if you still incur losses… we’ll strive to compensate you through Arielt’s enduring connections, resources, and everything else.”

“…Could you elaborate a bit more?”

“You mean?”

“I’ve certainly felt that Ianet needs to be condemned. One of our knights was almost caught up in their behavior.”

“…Then let’s discuss this more deeply. However, from now on, our conversation must remain strictly confidential through a definite contract, until the situation develops and we reach a conclusion. Is that acceptable, young lady?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

Starting with this conversation, Friel Arielt began to pour out information not only about the benefits she could offer as an individual, but also about Pleta Arielt. Given the family head’s decision, she aggressively shared various details about potential relationship developments and rough plans to recruit Sione.

After aligning their interests appropriately, Sione finally nodded, seemingly having established trust in Friel. At last, Friel spoke about what she wanted me and Sione to do, rather than the stance and actions her family would take.

“We have no physical evidence. Ianet was cunning, and just our testimony alone won’t be enough to significantly damage Ianet even if we open a trial. It would become an ugly legal battle with everyone clinging to their positions.”

“……”

“That is, if our Arielt family were to grab Ianet by the neck.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The opposition between Arielt and Ianet is common. Legal battles are frequent. People don’t pay much attention to our fights anymore. Some might even think Arielt is just trying to provoke Ianet again. But you all are different.”

Friel’s eyes began to sparkle.

“You and Ray are heroes invited by the Grand Elder to the Great Forest. In fact, you tracked down the nightmares that came every night, boosting our allies’ morale. And our spirit mage even killed a half-demon alone. These are great achievements.”

“Having accomplished such great deeds for the Great Forest, your words now carry incomparably more weight than before. Especially since you’re connected to this incident.”

“That’s why we need your help. Coincidentally, the Grand Elder has also said he would summon you at just the right timing.”

Our help.

“When you meet the Grand Elder, please open a trial instead of Arielt.”

Friel was asking for nothing less than a trial.

“And not just any trial, but a grand trial where the wise Grand Elder judges everything and oversees the execution.”

A trial with the absolute judgment of the High Elves.

“Unlike Arielt, if you plead to the Grand Elder, a trial must be held. You have the legitimacy to make the Grand Elder consent and forcibly hold Ianet accountable when they try to avoid the trial.”

“You will be the main subjects of the trial. And some forces from our Arielt and Chelnis will help us. We will complete all preparations for the trial.”

“What we need more than anything right now is the opportunity to firmly grasp Ianet and hold a fair trial. And this opportunity can only be created by you, young lady and Ray.”

“…Will you help us?”

Neither Sione nor I immediately answered Friel’s question, taking a moment to gauge each other’s reactions.

Since becoming the main subjects of a trial would inevitably create political opposition with Ianet, this was a matter that would make the situation even larger. Given that Ianet was one of the three representative families of the Great Forest, it couldn’t help but be burdensome.

Sione was hesitating.

I observed Sione’s demeanor and slowly began to draw up my mana.

Honestly, as someone who possessed both knowledge of Ianet’s true nature and concrete evidence, I had no reason to hesitate, as I had the means to cast them down to the depths without giving them any chance to retaliate against us.

With a composed demeanor, I began summoning a spirit.

“Friel. You said Arielt would somehow gather evidence for the trial preparations?”

“Of course… having already made such a big request, I wouldn’t dare ask for more—”

“I’ve already collected all the decisive evidence. What I have is more than sufficient, so Arielt can focus on creating a more grandiose framework to bring down Ianet. It would be better to practice the trial presentation.”

“…What?”

Friel let slip her voice, forgetting honorifics at my sudden arrogant tone.

However, I continued speaking without hesitation, confident that I could be forgiven for being as arrogant as I wanted right now.

“I’ve already secured the justification to dig into not only Ianet but also the cancer of the Marquisate of Kallia, Allen Kallia.”

Elvis was summoned.

And as instructed beforehand, as soon as he was summoned, Elvis called forth the memories of the wind he had collected.

—This has become troublesome, troublesome indeed. Make sure everyone remembers clearly. If they cause trouble, we’ll have to silence them for good.

—Silence them, you say?

—Yes, those whose heads have fallen cannot move their deceitful tongues.

“This is…”

Friel wore an expression of disbelief.

—According to the family head, only our Ianet will remain standing to command the world upon the trampled Great Forest. I only think of witnessing that day by the family head’s side, not among these rabble.

“Arielt will be busier than expected.”

—Allen of the Marquisate of Kallia… though he’s already properly steeped in Magia and doesn’t seem particularly trustworthy, if he’s gone so far as to make a contract, it’s worth betting on him for this matter.

“Because we need to catch all those who have been in our way.”

Friel looked at me with an astonished expression and let out a dumbfounded voice.

“You, you, you crazy human—”

Despite her harsh words.

The corners of Friel’s mouth were turned upward. With more amusement than ever before.