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

They were smart; they didn't immediately reveal what they wanted—after all, there's a saying that goes, if you want to open a window, there will definitely be people who object. But if you're planning to open a ceiling, then people are more willing to open a window for you.

The elven ranger said that Gaparia was willing to offer assistance, but hoped to purchase an ironclad warship in return. The representative of Isgard, upon hearing this, looked displeased and repeatedly shook his head in refusal. Afterwards, the rangers huddled together and whispered a long string of strange remarks before finally reaching an agreement with the Isgard side.

Issugard would absolutely not sell their ironclads, as they still needed them to return home and deal with the threat posed by the Alessar pirates, who also possessed ironclads. However, while the ships were not for sale, there was still room for negotiation regarding some personal equipment.

The exorbitant demands of the Isgardians were painful even for the elves.

New rifles—they were willing to sell them. The first one was for the elves to send a mage to heal a black dragon that was naturally resistant to magic. This was as difficult as starting a fire by rubbing sticks together in the dampest forest, but the elves gritted their teeth and thought it was feasible.

For the second gun, they made an outrageous demand: you have to trade the core technology of the Roman Empire's steam factory for it!

This gave the elves a headache... After all, to put it bluntly, it was a clear indication that they were unwilling to trade for a second gun so that the elves could disassemble the weapon, put it back together exactly as it was, and use it as a reference for replication.

But the problem is... the people of Isgard don't know that the proponent of the steam factory is located within the Elf Kingdom, do they?

Finn looked at Yang Hao with a half-smile, while Teresa covered her mouth, clearly struggling to hold it in: Yang Hao is here, he knows the core technology, so the exorbitant price of the second gun is practically free.

After pondering for a moment, Yang Hao said that he would certainly provide the technology, but he would need to modify the core technologies...

"How could I possibly sell them the original technology? I'd be crazy not to trade advanced original technology for a gun—but this makes me feel at ease."

"Are you relieved?"

"Isgard needs a steam factory, which means their industry may not be advanced enough to mass-produce new rifles. I will give them the core technology of the modified steam factory, but that's like unscrupulous merchants in the capital using rat meat instead of pork. I'm not stupid enough to let them take off all at once."

Yang Hao muttered to himself, then summoned paper and pen and began scribbling on them. Theresa leaned over to take a look and discovered that he was drawing simple sketches, along with all sorts of strange annotations, and most importantly, sketches about steam machinery.

“This part of the sketch needs to be handed over to Arthur for processing tomorrow. The first design for the steam plant was actually done by the two of us,” Yang Hao explained. “He understands my ideas, so you can leave it to him without worry—but more importantly… Finn, please tell the rangers here that [the former regent of the Roman Empire is in the Elf Kingdom].

"Oh?" Finn blinked, clearly curious about Yang Hao's plans. "Do you want them to have a clearer understanding of the Roman Empire's strength?"

"To be precise, I want the Elven Kingdom to establish a five-year non-aggression pact with Isgard. Isgard is, after all, a powerful empire, and establishing trade relations with her will greatly benefit the Elven Kingdom's upcoming transformation."

"But the parish will launch its invasion around October this year."

"If all goes smoothly, the voyage from Isgard to the continent of Elusia will only take two months. Including rest and recuperation, they can send over a significant amount of supplies while the Elven Kingdom is at war with the diocese... Of course, it doesn't matter if they can't send them over, but establishing trade relations would be ideal. Please give it your consideration."

Faced with Yang Hao's explanation, Fen simply nodded thoughtfully. She wasn't incapable of understanding the profits of cross-sea trade; allowing goods from Isgard to enter the isolated elven kingdom should indeed, and could indeed, further inspire new ideas in the people trapped in a cycle of perfect conservatism...

Um...

Okay then. Let's leave it at that.

She smiled, and under Theresa's wary gaze, gestured for Qinna to go prepare the midnight snack and bring it over, then said:

“Now that you are the regent of Gaparia, there are some things you don’t need to report to me—during your time as regent, you and I were basically equals.”

“But Fern, you are the King of the Elves.”

Yang Hao remained unmoved by Fen's smiling expression, seemingly unaware of her hint.

............

Communication with Ysgard went surprisingly smoothly.

Upon learning that the former regent of the Roman Empire was now the regent of the Elf Kingdom, the other party immediately displayed a completely different attitude of humility.

Not only have the requirements for commodity transactions been lowered, but they even hope that Yang Hao can go and reminisce with their leader, the Black Dragon Nia—but would Yang Hao be so foolish as to go? Of course not.

Judging from the guards' eyes in the magical vision, as if they wanted to devour him as soon as they heard his name... he was very suspicious of his past. He was afraid that he would suddenly go black and appear on the sea the next day, heading towards Ysugard.

That's not good, so he'll definitely not go to the coast—if we're going to meet, let's do it at the edge of the inner forest. Wouldn't that be better for both of us?

Isugard agreed. This seemed to make Yang Hao even more relieved, while also prompting Theresa to utter a complaint:

"Even the countries across the sea know your value. This barbarian... ugh, never mind, I'm getting a stomachache."

"...Stomach ache? Theresa, do you want to go back and rest for a while? I'm fine here alone."

"Alright, alright, we can talk about this when we get back. Now, let's get back to work!"

Letting the man who had suddenly started to care about her continue working, Theresa glanced at him with a smirk and muttered, "Who would dare leave you here alone?"

Arthur's story is still fresh in our minds. Since this elf can stop at nothing to steal the object of his affections, then Fen, in order to keep him permanently in the elven kingdom, will probably just go ahead and force himself on him...

...I have to stay here and keep an eye on things, lest my dog ​​get kidnapped.

Theresa muttered to herself and reached out to take Yang Hao's arm. Yang Hao glanced at her and then pulled the little nun a little closer to him.

Not far away, Qinna once again entered the reception room, which had been converted into an office. This time, she brought a lot of late-night snacks, as well as intelligence from within the Roman Empire.

"Fen, Your Majesty Yang Hao, Mother Teresa—something noteworthy has happened in the Roman Empire."

"?" Yang Hao raised an eyebrow, indicating that he didn't want to continue paying attention to the area that might become an occupied territory in a few months, unless it was news related to the Little Empress.

In response, after a moment's thought, Chenna said: After Prince Garsen made contact with the merchant ships of Isugard in Drake Harbor, he used the Queen's name to spread the word that food from across the sea was about to arrive, telling the refugees in the drought-stricken areas to hold on for a while longer, and that better days would come.

Moreover, I heard that they were implementing a food rationing system in the central district—as a result, the farmers were receiving nothing but sawdust bread, and while the cakes that the urban nobles had disappeared, they were instead eating roast pork and roast chicken, and even roast lamb and beef from the western pastoral areas.

Upon hearing this, Yang Hao and Teresa simply exchanged a silent glance.

"Let's not even talk about when the riots might break out... When they do, it won't be merchant ships laden with grain that arrive, but warships full of soldiers—why do they always think they're so powerful? Do they think that an empire that already has ironclad warships will treat a country like theirs, which only has wooden sailing ships, as equals? And that they can't even handle a famine? Surely they won't completely dismantle the irrigation pipes I left them?"

"They're barbarians after all. Who knows?"

They put the matter aside for the time being. After confirming some details, Yang Hao said goodbye to Theresa and Finn and went back to rest, to conserve his energy for the trip to the oak mine the next day.

While Yang Hao was taking a bath, Theresa, as always, knelt before the crystal statue of light, praying and contemplating whether she should strike first to prevent the deed from being done—but at that moment, she vaguely sensed the light calling to her.

"...My Lord, you're about to kick the bucket, what good is divine revelation to me?"

The nun, who was the least respectful of God in history, muttered to herself, and obediently lowered her head to receive the divine revelation from her Lord.

Then, she was stunned.

Because [Light] told her that He had granted Theresa the ability to directly seize the divine power of the Church of Light—but in return, [Light] would slumber for a very, very long time... until Theresa brought Him enough divine power, or rather, until final destruction came.

Whether or not the "Light" should reappear in this world is entirely up to Theresa.

After all, a true God would not command believers to do things against their will.

Chapter 20: The Seeds of Industrial Reform, Darkness Beneath the Perfection of the Elves

[9000-word long chapter W]

Early the next morning.

When Yang Hao woke up, he found that Theresa, wearing a light nightgown, had somehow wrapped her arms around his head, and his chin was firmly pressed against her chest. He could feel the warm breath from Theresa's mouth and nose as she slept soundly.

They slept soundly like this every night for some time now. Although there were two specially prepared double beds, neither Yang Hao nor Teresa intended to separate.

However, this also creates an awkward situation.

Yang Hao is a normal man, no matter what, and Teresa doesn't seem like a woman who likes women.

Although neither of them has taken anything further, to avoid losing his temper, Yang Hao still hopes to find a suitable occasion to propose to Theresa after he can provide her with a stable life...

Is it really appropriate to do this before even proposing?

Yang Hao pondered, Priscilla had never done it with him before—but then he thought, does that mean he's the exception? Oh well.

Let's get up now.

"...Theresa? It's morning."

"Um..."

The still-unconscious nun instinctively hugged the thing in her arms even tighter. It wasn't until Yang Hao gently patted her back and pinched her ear that the usually haughty nun groggily woke up.

This was a scene only Yang Hao could witness: a dazed girl yawned and slowly sat up on the bed, her grayish eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, even clinging to his arm to make sure she was safe...

"The beautiful scenery belongs to him," the man sighed, while Teresa, who had finally come to her senses, yawned again and began changing her clothes in front of Yang Hao without a care in the world.

"I'll stay here for now."

"Hmm? Oh—good morning."

Good morning. Oh, you know that's not what I meant...

"What does it matter, little puppy? Anyway, we'll probably be playing around naked in bed for an hour or two before getting up again sometime in the future—ha...are we going to do some research outside the city today?"

“Yes. I plan to take Naruja with me—after all, we might not be able to let them live a life of idleness, and it would be best if we could find a use for the golems.”

Where is Mr. Joseph?

"They also have to take care of the wounded—after all, I've heard that limb regeneration can cause some trouble for magical organs."

"Oh..."

She took off her pajamas, then quickly changed into her nun's habit. After putting on her boots by the bed, she suddenly nodded thoughtfully, turned around, and grabbed Yang Hao's sleeve, gesturing for him to come over.

Yang Hao did as he was told. He was used to Teresa having strange ideas from time to time.

What happened this time?

He looked at the young nun in front of him, who seemed to be thinking to herself—perhaps they should change how they address each other this time they go out.

Yang Hao doesn't need to change, but Teresa reflected that she should probably make some changes herself.

"Well, how should I put it? Although when we're together I call you 'little puppy' which is a sign of our good relationship, we still need to maintain respect in front of others, okay?"

"Just call me by my name?" Yang Hao shrugged. "Besides, I think you don't need to worry about these things, Theresa..."

“But I care a lot.” Theresa said seriously. “I don’t want outsiders to misunderstand that there is any superior-subordinate relationship between us, and I don’t want anyone to mistake you for my ‘object’ instead of a person. Perhaps it’s because of the nickname I used for you before that caused this trouble, so this matter must be settled.”

Since Teresa had said so, Yang Hao had no reason to object.

He simply touched Theresa's hand to encourage her, and after asking her what she wanted to do, Theresa grabbed his chin.

"..."

The young nun gazed intently into Yang Hao's eyes. After gently rubbing the stubble that stung her skin with her delicate hands for a while, a blush rose to her cheeks.

"...Although it's better for me to call you by your name in public...when we're alone, I want to call you...darling."

She closed her eyes and took the initiative to hug me.

Feeling the moisture on his lips, Yang Hao hugged her back.

............

After leading Naruja, the chieftain of the Ling tribe, who was dressed in elven attire, outside, Yang Hao and the others waited for Arthur's arrival at the bow and arrow shop.

His leg had been healed by magic, but for some reason, he wore a golden mask—which, combined with his long golden hair, added an air of mystery to this already handsome man.

As he left, he gave Viya a sweet kiss goodbye. Their relationship is genuinely good; aside from their unusual hobbies, they seem like an ordinary, normal family.