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

In Yang Hao's understanding, this is like the "college entrance examination" for elves—a mature elf not only has to study literature and poetry for many years, but also has to train his physique to hit the bullseye of a target the size of a human head five times in a row with a longbow from a distance of 100 meters.

For elves, this is as easy as humans knowing how to eat, drink, and excrete. But this is only the basics.

If an elf wants to gain the respect of their people after reaching adulthood, in addition to the basic tests mentioned above, they also need to hone their special skills.

For example, the skills of a craftsman, advanced archery skills, magical attainments, and so on—

"A wandering knight...?"

Become a ranger who travels and adventures outside the elven kingdom, and bring back stories of adventures to your homeland through magic.

Yang Hao keenly realized that this meant the Elf Kingdom actually had a large number of scouts gathering intelligence everywhere... and whether they were newly adult elves or wandering elves as adventurers, they did not belong to the regular army in elven society but were ordinary citizens.

But by human standards, they were all elite warriors. It's truly terrifying; not only is the entire population militarized, but they're all elites...

Their actual strength might be greater than guessed—just as Yang Hao was lost in thought, the door behind him suddenly opened.

The air behind him was moist and sweet-smelling. He didn't turn around because, for some reason, two heavy dough balls were pressing down on his head.

"Theresa?"

"Yay! Hot baths are great! And the elves are so thoughtful~ They even prepared my usual nun's habit, and it fits me perfectly."

"Huh? It's not traditional elf clothing?"

Yang Hao was stunned for a moment. After the pressure on his head was lifted, he turned around and carefully examined the fragrant little nun in front of him.

She was still dressed as a nun as always, but her habit looked a bit newer—it must have been newly made, given the elven, intricate, and exquisite decorations that were clearly visible on it.

But they even know our body measurements? How long have these elves been observing us?

Yang Hao's gaze lingered on Theresa's chest, waist, and thighs. The elf's custom-made clothes were indeed a perfect fit, neither too tight nor too loose.

"How perfect!" Just as Yang Hao was remarking, Theresa pouted and tapped his forehead in dissatisfaction.

"I'm happy to look at my clothes, that's true! But shouldn't you be looking at my face now?"

"...Then let me hug you?"

"No! I only realized how awful you smelled after you showered—go take a shower right now! Right now, immediately! And speaking of which, it seems your change of clothes were prepared according to your preferences, huh?"

"Why do I have this feeling that they know everything about me, down to my underwear...? Oh well."

Yang Hao obediently entered the bathroom under Teresa's shoving. After reluctantly accepting Teresa's offer to come in and help him scrub his back, he looked at the change of clothes prepared in the bathroom with a blank expression on his face.

The elf did indeed prepare the clothes Yang Hao wanted to change into according to his preferences.

However, what she prepared for him was the clothing he wore when he became regent with the support of his sworn brother.

A black coat, a white inner layer, black trousers, and a matching black cape.

Unlike before, it bore neither the insignia of the human empire nor the insignia of the elven kingdom. But he roughly knew what the elves were thinking.

Is he going to become regent again?

Yang Hao sighed.

Then, in the next instant, the nun with puffed-out cheeks behind him stripped him naked.

...........

After washing up, Yang Hao and Theresa planned to leave immediately after having a quick drink of water, since they still needed to register at the Green Garden, so as not to delay Qinna and the others.

During a brief rest, while Theresa was drying her hair, he, having donned his regent's robes again, explained to his beloved the elves' ulterior motives and his anxieties about the future.

"So what are your plans?"

Theresa shrugged, wiping Yang Hao's messy hair with a towel while pondering how to dress up to make her man look better.

"You know, settling down in the Elven capital will cost us a lot of money, you know? Land prices in the Roman Empire's capital are already expensive enough. Although the Elven region is sparsely populated and has abundant resources, the Hanging Gardens will only be more expensive than in Roman Empire."

"You know that's not what I really wanted to say, right?"

"But I really am asking you what your plans are. After all, being a regent is a job, and being a chef is a job. We need to have a job so we can live with our heads held high in a foreign country, instead of having to bow our heads and accept other people's kindness and pity like beggars... Although I personally don't care, Yang Hao, can your self-esteem accept this kind of life? Do you think our home can be like this in the future?"

The nun's question made the man fall into deep thought.

As she said, the most important thing when living in a foreign country is a long-term and stable job.

Without work, they have to depend on others for everything, from food and drink to basic necessities. With work, they can live a dignified and happy life, instead of just struggling to survive.

But, did he really have to become regent? Yang Hao was still extremely conflicted. He felt he could be a staff member or a strategist for development, but... regent?

...In the past, when he was all alone, and the regent was deserted by everyone, he could simply die or be exiled, which was fine.

But now, he was no longer alone, and Yang Hao had to consider Theresa's situation.

He did not want this girl, who was already overworked and had always tolerated his tantrums and sulking, to suffer undeserved misfortune because he had become regent again.

...But what if Theresa desires a life of luxury and high status? If so, she would need not only money but also position...and then she would only be able to be a regent?

Why can't I just think for myself instead of asking for her opinion?

He shrank back, looking at the reflection of Theresa in the mirror, standing behind him like a saint, gentle and kind.

"Theresa, what kind of life do you want?"

"Me? Hmm... I guess I'd rather have a peaceful and stable life?" Theresa pouted, knowing the real purpose behind her man's question. "I'm not one of those vain girls who want a mage tower like a little witch, or who wants you to join them in religion like a little saint—actually, my requirements for life are very low."

"Very low?"

"A man who is willing to go shopping with me, a little dog who doesn't make me worry about whether he will come home at night, a family with enough money to support us for the next three meals instead of worrying about whether we will have enough to eat, and a home with a fireplace to keep warm in the winter."

"In the modern Roman Empire, this would be considered a lifestyle only landowners could afford, right?"

"Do you think you can provide me with that kind of life?"

"...Can."

He turned around and embraced the nun tenderly, rubbing his stubble against her lower abdomen for a while.

"I am confident that I will not become regent."

"Then it's settled. Let's live a peaceful life."

The nun smiled, clearly pleased with her man's promise.

Before leaving, Yang Hao and the nun specifically instructed the Ling clan and Joseph's family to stay in the manor for the time being and not to go out on the streets until they received permission from them upon their return.

They then met up with Qinna and the others who were waiting outside. They headed towards the verdant courtyard and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, should be back before 10 p.m.

"After all, sir, you only need to prove your identity and register in the population registry of Gaparia. Your past is distinguished, and this is necessary."

"I understand."

Yang Hao nodded. Just then, the group passed through the square in the center of Fingel City. Looking at the bustling street scene across the Friendship River, and the elves discussing newspapers on the white bridge connecting the two banks, he truly felt that this was a good place to settle down.

"I'll just find a minor official position here and live a peaceful life with Teresa," Yang Hao thought to himself. But then he overheard a conversation between a group of passersby:

"Have you read the latest newspapers? I heard that those barbarians from the Roman side actually cut out their little queen's tongue while their regent was on his way to the border to negotiate with us!"

"This is really too barbaric... How old is the little queen among humans? Not even 10 years old yet?"

"I heard that the one who did it was the Queen's uncle... The Regent is pitiful; he's already too busy with work to spend much time with his students, and now it turns out the one who laid a hand on him was the young Queen's uncle..."

"Even the barbarians of the north wouldn't do such a thing..."

The step that was about to be taken was abruptly stopped.

Yang Hao turned around and stared intently at the backs of the elves with his bloodshot eyes.

What...did they just say?

Chapter Ten: Will You Become the Regent of the Elves? (Part 1)

That night, when Finn finished her afternoon rest and sat back on her throne, her loyal servant Chinna stepped forward and said that the Regent wanted to see her.

"Oh? At a time like this... Heh, it seems you've been captivated by the newspaper articles and are eager for a definitive answer from us?"

With a smile, the blonde, blue-eyed Fen crossed her legs rather inelegantly in front of her loyal servant. This elven girl only did this in front of her loyal servants, partly out of complete trust, and partly as a way for her to vent the pressures of her race.

Therefore, Qinna couldn't say much about it. She simply asked thoughtfully if the information in the street newspapers was Finn's idea.

Finn shrugged at this:

"I simply told His Majesty the Regent the answer to a question that has always been of great concern to him in an inconspicuous way, nothing more—after all, judging from the observations of the wandering knights, His Majesty the Regent still has his little empress in his heart. For such a sentimental and righteous person, if he doesn't even know the truth, and can neither hate nor love the little empress for the rest of his life, it would be too cruel for both of them."

"...To put it bluntly, it's all about giving His Majesty the Regent a reason and motivation to join Gaparia, isn't it?"

"Yes, of course I admit it. But, well, it's all to help him, isn't it?"

"That's true."

Fen seemed to know a lot about Yang Hao's past, that he fought alongside the late emperor, that his late emperor died in the conspiracy of villains, and that Yang Hao loved the little empress—he truly cared for the little empress as if she were his own daughter. It was precisely because of this that, during the Quiet Exile incident, he hated all those who betrayed him, was grateful to the court chief who provided the intelligence, but was at a loss only when faced with the silent little empress.

For parents, nothing is more devastating than being betrayed by their most beloved child. His Majesty the Regent was ashen-faced, yet a sliver of hesitation remained in his heart.

Should one hate the child who abandoned her, who was like a father to her, or understand her, or forgive her?

His Majesty Yang Hao must still be pondering this question, right? Because he still doesn't know why the Little Empress isn't speaking up for him, leaving him in such despair.

So Fen gave him an answer, freeing him from confusion, entanglement, and bewilderment.

Ha ha.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed Finn chuckled: "So this can hardly be called a scheme. On the contrary, the elves have been of great help."

not to mention...

If he wants a peaceful life in the Elf Kingdom... he must first ensure the kingdom withstands the crazed enemies from the parish. Logically and emotionally, the elves must use any means necessary to make him regent of the Elf Kingdom.

Fen's smile turned serious in an instant.

Even if it changes the elf's evaluation from "perfect creature" to "despicable villain," so be it.

The elves need to change at all costs... because if they don't, even if they survive this parish invasion, they will become victims of another demonic calamity in the next twenty years as the "perfect race".

...It must be done, at all costs.

"Tell him to wait a moment—I'll be there once I've changed my clothes."

"Yes."

Fen floated away.

She needed to go back to her dormitory to get ready, so as not to leave a bad impression on the future Regent.