Divine Kingship

Chapter 611 The Elven opposition is attempting to challenge Lady Elsa.

“Ahem, Vanilla, I’ll help you, but I need to know more about the situation now.” Rand recalled the kind and benevolent expression that Bishop Kahn sometimes wore, and slowly said to Vanilla.

Vanilla nodded: "What do you want to know?"

“Then aren’t you being too kind?” Rand looked at Vanilla.

“From what I understand, someone dares to assassinate you, someone dares to disturb you, and someone wants to seize your power. Although these things are an unavoidable part of the path to power, the number of times you’ve encountered them has already exceeded the limit,” Rand said in a low voice.

"How do you deal with those who don't know their place?" Rand asked.

“Just follow the laws of our Holy Land. If someone assassinates a public official, they’ll be arrested and tried. If someone obstructs official duties or embezzles public funds, they’ll be locked up for reflection and ordered to pay compensation for their losses,” Vanilla said matter-of-factly.

"That's the problem, benevolent Archon Vanilla. You are indeed still a civil servant of the Sanctuary, but your job now is to be a good archon of the Elven faction. As an archon, being too benevolent will inevitably have consequences." Rand was quite experienced in these political matters, so he could offer Vanilla some advice at this time.

Vanilla is a rather clever elf, but she lacks a little experience, at least for now.

After Vanilla finished speaking, she understood what Rand meant.

In fact, the old folks like Nidhogg had noticed the problem to some extent, but they probably felt that things were already good enough, so they didn't say much about it.

After all, in front of her subordinates, Vanilla always maintained a very authoritative demeanor, so no one could see how much this wise and visionary administrator truly hated long working hours.

If Vanilla is a workaholic, it's not a big problem. But if Vanilla can't stand this kind of work, then if the ruler can't adapt to the work, it's very likely that significant flaws will emerge.

All I can say is that Vanilla was right to ask Rand for help in time.

"In short, you can try using more aggressive methods to deal with the enemy first. If that doesn't work, I'll help you try other options. I'll stay here for a while," Rand summarized.

Vanilla nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Then the next question is," Rand said. "Now, in your judgment, when will the enemies of the Royal Court faction and the Restorationists launch a full-scale attack on us?"

"I estimate it will take another year and a half. Although they have theoretically made up their minds, it is not easy to send out an army on a long expedition in the now sparsely armed Elven Forest. Moreover, the Restorationists and the Royal Courtists have to be wary of each other. They are not allies."

When it comes to regular work, Vanilla is quite familiar with it, even to the point of being an expert.

“Actually, I’m not too worried about the attacks from the Restorationists and the Royal Court. I’m more worried about the interests of our Sanctuary and the evil source of the Restorationists.” Vanilla personally moved stools for Rand, Lysa, and Elsa, and then found a stool to sit down herself.

“The reformist elves have improved their perception of human senses, but if we succeed in the future, it may still be difficult to strengthen our cooperation with the elven forest and obtain the rewards mentioned earlier.” Vanilla sky-blue eyes gazed at Rand.

"The problem is that the Elf Forest currently only sees us as an opportunistic outsider, is that right?" Rand asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I believe the Elven Forest should also be part of the Moon Phase Kingdom,” Vanilla said.

"Vanilla, I don't think there's anything wrong with the Elf Forest becoming independent. Taking too big a step is not good."

“If the Elf Forest is the Elf Forest and the Moon Phase Kingdom is the Moon Phase Kingdom, then we elves who joined the Moon Phase Kingdom would truly become traitors to the Elf Forest. But our Moon Phase Kingdom is not a kingdom of a single race, is it?” Vanilla’s gaze was somewhat pitiful.

Rand had no intention of directly annexing the Elf Forest, as the Moon Kingdom and the Elf Forest were too far apart.

In any case, Rand's plan has always been to gradually establish a friendly relationship with the Elf Forest after gaining control of the upper echelons of power, and then naturally achieve "mutual benefit and win-win results, and common development".

As for whether they can further cooperate later, that's a matter for much later.

In short, Rand currently views the Elf Forest as a nation, not a race.

“Vanilla, we can’t go too far. At least for now, all we need is to obtain those ancient technologies and the secrets that seem to be related to the evil god,” Rand said.

Vanilla understood. Actually, what she said before was just a thought, but she really hoped that the Elf Forest would become a race of the Moon Phase Kingdom.

“However, we do need to strengthen the influence of our Moon Phase Kingdom now. The key point is to emphasize the help of the Moon Phase Kingdom, not the help of humans,” Rand stressed.

Vanilla nodded again.

"Any other questions?" Rand felt that he had done enough work for the day and it was time to go home.

“There’s one more question,” Vanilla said.

“What?” Rand raised an eyebrow.

"Does this mean I don't have to work overtime today and can leave work at a normal time?" Vanilla asked.

Rand smiled: "Of course, I will follow the Sanctuary's working methods."

Then Vanilla gave a quiet cheer.

After saying goodbye to Vanilla, Rand went to meet Nidhogg.

Nidhogg also looked somewhat tired.

It can only be said that Nidhogg has been in a relatively exhausted state ever since he decided to rise up for the innocent elves.

Unlike vanilla, Nidhogg has always held a high position among the elven races, and many problems that are not suitable for vanilla to handle are left to Nidhogg to solve.

Nidhogg also wanted to take a break, but seeing his former student, the once naive Vanilla, now working tirelessly every day as a governor.

Nidhogg felt embarrassed to rest, as this was indeed the time to decide the fate of the elves, and relaxing too easily could lead to some unbearable consequences.

“Long time no see. You seem to be working just as hard as Vanilla,” Rand said to Nidhogg.

Nidhogg rubbed his forehead: "So now Archdeacon Vanilla has decided to take a break?"

“Yes, Elder,” Rand said with a faint smile.

"Then I can finally rest too." Nidhogg finally felt comfortable taking a break.

“Vanilla has been very tired lately. I suggest you don’t hold a grudge against her. She’s been too embarrassed to truly shut herself off from visitors, and I suspect it’s partly because you’re still at work.” Rand, with his keen insight, saw through Nidhogg’s thoughts. Nidhogg snorted coldly and said indifferently, “Enough with the nonsense, let’s get down to business.”

“Vanilla believes that the Sanctuary’s working model is the right one, and I’ve decided to implement it here,” Rand said.

Vanilla struggles with a job that lacks a clear distinction between work and off-get off work hours, while Rand happens to want to implement the Sanctuary work model.

This is something I just discussed with Vanilla, and now we need Nidhogg's assistance to move forward.

"how do you want to do it?"

"It's the same system as our Sanctuary. You've worked in the Sanctuary before, so you must be familiar with it. It's a six-day work week with one day off, and you have to be on time to arrive and leave on time," Rand said.

"How come I remember working five days and resting two days in the Sanctuary? Now it's six days a week?" Nidhogg said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Isn’t that to adapt to your current situation? You’re at a critical juncture right now. If you take too long off, there might really be some problems.” Rand didn’t take Nidhogg’s teasing to heart.

“The Elven Forest may not be suited to your human way of working.” Nidhogg’s statement was somewhat ambiguous.

"You don't mean to say that elves have longer lifespans, so they need a slower pace of life? The world won't slow down just because of your lifestyle," Rand chuckled.

Nidhogg shook his head helplessly: "Of course not, it's just that the elves might not be able to adapt in the short term."

“Then we’ll speed up the adaptation process. Trust me, it will definitely be more efficient and…” Rand’s expression became slightly serious.

“This is an order from Nidhogg, an order from Archon Vanilla Moonshadow, and the will of me, Rand Nicholas. Do you intend to refuse?” Rand asked calmly.

Nidhogg's expression also became much more serious: "Your Majesty Rand, if our cause succeeds, the Elven Forest will establish a lasting friendly relationship with the Moon Phase Kingdom, but the Elven Forest will not become a toy in your hands."

“We will obey the orders of Archon Vanilla,” Nidhogg said.

In fact, Nidhogg and Rand's relationship was not bad. In Nidhogg's eyes, Rand was a monarch who had no monarchical dignity or airs at all, but was definitely 10,000 times, 10 million times, or 100 million times better than the current one in the Elven Royal Court.

Nidhogg believes that Rand has many qualities and abilities that the vanilla archons need to learn.

Nidhogg was also quite happy to cooperate with Rand, a qualified ally.

However, Nidhogg could not accept that the Elven Forest had become an appendage of Rand. Nidhogg had to admit that if Rand were the king of the Elven Forest, it would now be more in line with Nidhogg's expectations.

However, Nidhogg must also admit that he is an old man from an old era, and he finds it difficult to face the possibility of the elven forest actually submitting to Rand, this human.

Nidhogg may not stop such changes, but at least now he is well aware that he also represents the ideas of many of the old folks, and Nidhogg will not agree to such changes happening now.

Nidhogg didn't finish his sentence, but he did say something else: he would only obey the orders of the Vanilla Archon, not the will of His Majesty Rand.

Rand could clearly hear the unspoken meaning behind Nidhogg's unfinished sentence, but Rand didn't care: "In short, the Sanctuary's working model must be implemented. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

The Sanctuary's operating model is based on the orders of the Herb Archon, and therefore it will be implemented.

This is the solution that Rand has come up with so far, one that will guarantee the interests of the Sanctuary in the future.

Perhaps it can be described using a very abstract and ethereal concept? Like ideology?
“There’s one more thing.” Nidhogg tacitly acknowledged the implementation of the Sanctuary’s work model. “As far as I know, a rebellion is about to break out in the city of Giantwood. I originally intended to handle it personally, but now that you’re here… how about I take a break for a while?”

Alright, alright, now that Rand has arrived, Nidhogg and Vanilla both want a vacation.

However, Rand was also planning to lend a hand. Vanilla's work reports to Rand never stopped, and much of them were complaints, such as about some stubborn opponents, insidious opponents, and stupid opponents.

"Elsa, you need to practice now, don't you? Let's go give it a try!" Rand waved goodbye to Nidhogg, leaving the elven elder with only his back turned, and then left.

Rand was actually quite interested in Elsa's fighting prowess.

Rand has never forgotten that Elsa is one of the main characters in this world. Now, after so many years of training, the highest level is probably no longer enough to describe Elsa's combat power.

The world's classification of professional levels is actually not too crude.

From ordinary professional to elite, then to superior, and finally to top-level professional.

Each tier has relatively clear milestones, and the difference in combat power between people in each tier is not particularly large.

But this is only true in general.

This does not apply to Elsa, or even other high-ranking members of the Sanctuary.

……

at this time.

The shadowy corners of Giantwood City.

Many elves are gathering together.

"I recently heard that the human lord has also come. It's a good opportunity to wipe them all out in one fell swoop." The leading elf concealed himself in the shadows of his cloak, the dagger in his hand gleaming with a chilling light.

“They actually intend to fawn over a human lord; it’s a disgrace,” the elven assassin continued. “Is everyone ready?”

The elves behind him, also dressed in cloaks, nodded.

“Very good. I’ll reiterate the plan. The first step is to seize their armory, create chaos, then we’ll disguise ourselves as guards to protect Governor Vanilla, and then take the opportunity to kidnap Vanilla, bringing the city under our control.”

"The enemy we'll be facing is Elder Nidhogg, who is incredibly powerful. But that's alright, we've gained... support, and we have quite a few of our top-tier professionals. We just need to hold him off for a bit, and then we can kidnap Vanilla."

“That human lord may have some powerful guards, but that doesn’t matter. After kidnapping Vanilla, we can use it to blackmail Nidhogg and get rid of those humans.”

(End of this chapter)