After being forced to step down, the once-annoying nun eloped with me.

no way!

Chapter Seven: Finn's Meeting and His Desire for a Regent

Inside the meeting room of the verdant courtyard in the Hanging Gardens of Fingel.

Fin is holding an important council meeting with respected old elves, a meeting that will determine the future direction of the elven kingdom.

"I think we have to face this big issue squarely."

At the meeting, Finn solemnly surveyed the old elves around her—these elves had lived for hundreds of years, were much older than her, and were far more stubborn than she was. Precisely because of this, their determination to protect the elven kingdom was even stronger than anyone could imagine.

These old elves are masters in their respective fields, possessing powerful abilities that are unmatched by humans or even elves—but precisely because of this, these old elves can easily overlook the threat posed by the new humans.

The new humans of the Roman Empire... or rather, the barbarians, are a major threat the elves are about to face. Finn knows that the old elves will certainly scoff at this, believing that weak human barbarians would never risk invading the elven forests, but it is indeed the case.

The parish has already begun training its militia, assembling more than half of its formally trained fanatical soldiers in preparation for an invasion southwards into the Elven Forest. While the majority of the militia and soldiers are indeed weak and insignificant, the powerful priests and bishops pose a real threat to the elves.

Not to mention, the parish had assembled far too many soldiers.

With the Elf Kingdom having fewer than 2000 regular soldiers, the diocese mobilized an army of over 20 at once—the difference in numbers was simply too great.

On average, each elven warrior would have to fight 100 human soldiers. While elves were capable of fighting to the death and even gaining the upper hand in the elven forest and the parish, if humans went berserk and decided to burn down the entire forest, it would be an irreparable and devastating loss for the elves.

After all, Finn knew very well that the humans of the Roman Empire were this kind of race—they would plunder anything they wanted, and if they couldn't plunder it, they would rather destroy it. They were the epitome of barbarians.

That is why their threat is so significant.

Thinking of this, Fen's expression became even more serious:

"The parish has amassed an army of approximately 20 men in preparation for invading our borders and forests. While the vast majority of these 20 soldiers are militiamen who would collapse at the first sign of trouble, I think everyone is well aware of the actions of the parish soldiers."

They once invited the simple natives of the monster forest into human cities under the guise of "invitation," and then slaughtered them when they were off guard.

They will destroy everything in their path, devouring everything of value or worthlessness. They will trample our lawns, cut down our forests, harm our people, and may even gain a foothold in our homeland.

This is an unacceptable disgrace for us... but the Elven Kingdom simply lacks the strength to stop the parish's invasion with minimal losses—a fact I believe the master tanners and bow makers understand best.

Finn stated her points in an operatic, solemn voice, and the two masters she had named nodded solemnly, then rose together and answered Finn's question in the same singing manner:

"Yes, just as the great Finn said, our current equipment is not enough to cope with the losses to come."

The bow maker spoke first. The longbows commonly used by the elves were made by craftsmen like them, and because of this, the bow maker knew very well that while the longbows of the elven kingdom were perfect, their production was extremely complicated.

“It takes a hundred years to make a single longbow, but the parish’s army will launch an invasion within a year. We have about six thousand replacement longbows in our warehouses, but considering the intensity of the war that is about to begin... these weapons are far from enough.”

"Moreover, the Bayern Empire did not fight alongside us in this war."

The old tanner who spoke sighed helplessly. He was a veteran who had participated in the last great war against the demons. He had extremely rich combat experience and could naturally see the flaws in the elves' perfect longbow tactics at a glance.

"Our Elven Longbow tactics are the perfect product of years of cooperation with the Bayezid Empire's Shield Wall and Javelin. But now that the Bayezid Empire has sunk underground, we will no longer have the tenacious warriors of the Bayezids to hold the front line, nor will we have the Bayezid cavalry to protect our flanks."

In this situation, if we were to engage the parish's army in direct combat, we would inevitably be forced to choose between retreat or hand-to-hand combat after ten volleys of fire.

Retreat means our front lines will keep retreating until they reach the edge of the Elf Forest, giving them the opportunity to trample our land and burn our forests.

Melee combat... This isn't meant to be derogatory; we elves are all sword saints, masters of close combat—but there's an old human saying, "Even a master can be defeated by a novice's fists." Surrounded by nearly a hundred people, even veterans who fought in the Demonic Calamity War lacked the confidence to break through the encirclement, let alone the "new generation" who now make up more than half of the army.

The army structure of the Elf Kingdom is generally divided into two types.

One type consists of veterans who participated in the war against the demons a thousand years ago. They are known as the "Old Age" and are called the "Old Trees" in the elven army. They are true veterans and trustworthy officers.

Another type is the new recruits, collectively known as the "new generation" or "seedlings"—these elves are newborns born after the Demonic War. They have not experienced war. Although they have sufficient training, compared to veterans, new recruits who have never seen blood are always impulsive and eager to establish merit. Compared to veterans, they are more easily lured into traps by merit.

The former are few in number but are all elite, while the latter are more numerous but more impulsive—of course, they are both formidable opponents for ordinary human soldiers, that is beyond doubt.

But they are just formidable rivals.

Once engaged in close combat, even the most skilled spirits may become physically fatigued due to prolonged battles, causing their blades to wear down or even crack.

As time drags on, fatigue will affect the nerves, leading to mistakes and injuries. Injuries will further reduce the Pokémon's combat efficiency, and may even result in the death of one Pokémon on the battlefield.

Even without injury, an elf's blade can become stained with blood from prolonged chopping, potentially leading to dangerous situations such as the blade bouncing off or even breaking, ultimately resulting in the death of an elf on the battlefield.

Not to mention, the parish's army also had priests who were particularly troublesome for elves—surrounded by numerous believers, these priests were as annoying as tower firing positions on a city wall. They would constantly cast divine spells to heal their followers, constantly cast divine spells to interfere with the elves' battles, and even directly use divine spells to kill every elf they could see.

While the divine spells of a single priest are as insignificant as those of an ant, the priests among 20 fanatical followers... in some ways, might even be more troublesome than a dragon.

Under these unfavorable conditions, the elven soldiers will die one by one in melee combat.

This is unacceptable for the sparsely populated elves.

The elves have grown accustomed to the peaceful times a thousand years ago when human allies created a safe environment for them to fight. Now, few elves can adapt to fighting in such a dangerous environment.

But that's precisely why Finn said they need to face the facts.

In an instant, all the old elves found their footing. Although a few hot-tempered ones still scoffed at the parish's power, at least in this setting, they would calm down and discuss the elves' future with everyone.

Everyone is discussing what to do.

Some argue that "preserving people and losing land is better than preserving land and losing people," but when asked, "Where will we live after losing the resources of the Elf Forest?" they can only remain silent: after all, the elves' current resource production all comes from the Elf Forest. This land cannot be abandoned under any circumstances.

Some advocated a preemptive strike, believing that eliminating the enemy commander would cripple the parish's invasion—but within two minutes, a wry smile from the archery master killed the plan in its infancy.

The priests of the Church of Light possess power proportional to the number of their followers when they are around them, and the commander who invaded the Elf Forest this time is a bishop.

A pastor facing a thousand worshippers is difficult enough, but a bishop personally leading 20 believers...

...Hoping to kill the enemy commander while surrounded by 20 people? It would be more realistic to hope that the elves will slaughter all 20 people.

"After all, although I can accurately hit a human's head with an arrow from five kilometers away, altitude, suitable weather, unobstructed space, and most importantly, [magic] are necessary conditions for achieving such an assassination."

But when I draw my bow and shoot an arrow, the gathering of magic will inevitably attract the attention of that bishop. He will use divine power to resist my magic, and may even, with the blessing of divine power, engage me in a race to decide who lives and who dies.

It's not that I'm afraid, but it's a fact: I will undoubtedly lose this battle, and the best outcome will be to escape back to the safety of my base with my broken body.

After all, it's true that my gem arrows can penetrate more than a dozen layers of holy barriers, but surrounded by 20 believers, he might have nearly a hundred layers of holy barriers on him! He's destined to be impossible for me to kill. It would be more practical for me to single out their priests one by one than to have them assassinate him.”

Although the elves usually appear proud, they are not arrogant. They are well aware of the objective differences in strength and do not become complacent because of their power.

Therefore, now that even the Archery Master, who has the most authority on assassination, has spoken, all the elves have acknowledged a fact.

That means the Elf Kingdom must be reformed.

But how exactly to do it? What goals should be set? And who should take the lead? These are questions that must be clarified.

The elves chattered amongst themselves, and finally, without prior arrangement, they all turned their attention to Fen.

Fen had already made preparations for this.

She smiled gently and said softly, as if singing:

"...Now, His Majesty the former Regent of the Roman Empire has entered Fingel. If nothing unexpected happens, I will invite him to the Green Courtyard to discuss [what comes next] after he has stayed for a few days to make preparations."

He is a capable man, and his contributions to the Roman Empire are evident to all—not to mention, his former diplomat, Mr. Arthur, who has now joined the Elven Kingdom as a citizen, is also a capable leader. Therefore, I am willing to appoint him as Regent of Gaparia to guide our reforms.”

Gaparia is the name of the Elf Kingdom.

But in the past, only Bayerzan, a brother country, knew this country's name.

Therefore, when Finn brought up this title, the old elves immediately understood what was going on—if Finn was willing to accept this former regent as if he were a former brother, and hoped that the other party could take on the heavy responsibility, then so be it.

Just as there are always a few opponents in human society from time to time, there are also opponents among elves.

However, what they are clearly opposing is elsewhere.

“Great Fen, you expect him to join us without offering any reward?” They objected to Fen’s apparent intention to entrust him with such a heavy responsibility without providing any benefits. “He’s not an elf, Fen! He’s a human! Elves are willing to give unconditionally for their country and homeland, but he is not an elf.”

"Regarding the remuneration, I will discuss it with him directly. If necessary, it is even possible for him to co-govern with me."

“I don’t think it will work. Fern already has someone by his side.” An old elf shrugged. “It’s Princess Purple.”

Fen just smiled and said that she would give the other party a satisfactory amount as compensation. But now, has everyone decided on this important matter?

The old elves exchanged glances, then voted in unison:

“We are willing. We are willing to let anyone with ability lead us in reform, whether they are elves or not.”

"—In that case, let's leave it at that."

Fen smiled and nodded, then adjourned the meeting.

I watched as everyone left in an orderly fashion.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon realizing that the elves possessed far greater cohesion than the Roman Empire, even the noble woman couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, which was followed by a heavy sense of responsibility.

Because the people trust her, she must do her best.

Surviving the current threat to the parish is just the beginning.

More importantly, they also have to survive the impending demonic calamity...

'In that case...we must negotiate with that princess in purple.'

The elf Fen murmured to herself in the empty conference room.

The Elf Kingdom also kept its past promises and protected the territory belonging to the Bayerzans Empire.

Moreover, the Elf Kingdom also contains a large number of "half-elves" who were once a result of the union between the Bayerzans Empire and the elves.

...In any case, the elves need the regent. The elves will keep their promise and fully entrust what they once protected to the purple-clad princess, but it would be even better if the purple-clad princess were willing to provide further assistance in entrusting the regent to the elves.

But is it really that simple?

Just as Fen was pondering something.

Inside St. Petersburg, Bishop Stephen, while enjoying a joyful holiday with a handsome young boy, spoke to his attendant:

"Elves don't trust outsiders—guards! Before we invade the Elf Forest, send scouts to spread the former regent's slander throughout the Elf Forest! That way, the former regent will be caught in a dilemma and will only be able to die in the Monster Forest without causing us any trouble!"

"What are you standing there for? Go now!"

Bishop Stephen was very pleased with himself.

Looking at the roster of his 30-strong army, he grinned, revealing a mouthful of gold teeth, and thrust forward forcefully, causing the boy beneath him to roll his eyes back, while also bringing himself unparalleled pleasure.

Chapter 8: Bishop Stephen's Vision

After his happy holiday came to an end, and after having his servants drag the boy, who was slumped on the ground with his mouth full of porridge, out and throw him away, Bishop Stephen discovered that his servants had not acted on his orders, but were still waiting outside the door for him to come out.

He frowned slightly, and before Bishop Stephen could say anything, the attendant spoke first:

“I think it’s pointless for us to smear the former regent—Bishop Stephen, don’t forget that two months after we exiled the regent, the elves sent us a semi-public letter of condemnation!”