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

"Feel sorry."

"Hmph... By the way, how are the preparations going?"

For example, it would take some time to get to the Elf Council, and despite her anger, Theresa remained concerned about her man's work situation.

Yang Hao was full of confidence in this.

For the past five days, he, Arthur, and Naruja have been preparing for today's elven meeting.

Putting aside the important matter of the second successful transaction with Isgard and the other party's renewed request for a meeting to discuss a trade alliance, Yang Hao and his team have made thorough preparations in the industrial sphere.

The Oak Factory, considering that it was impossible for the Elf Forest to grow a normal-sized actual building within five days, what Yang Hao and Arthur got rid of the ancient trees was actually a miniature model the size of a carriage.

The model includes scaled-down versions of distinctive lathes, molds, extraction chambers, and other wooden enchanting equipment characteristic of elves. After repeated experiments over this period, they have finally produced a result on the microscopic model.

This is a factory model that can produce cheap arrows with extremely high efficiency and without human intervention after metal ingots are dropped. This completely changes the current situation of elven consumables that need to be recycled after use, allowing elves to unleash a rain of arrows in the future without having to worry about reserves and use them cautiously.

The arrow is just the beginning; the real goal is to enable the Oak Factory to produce high-precision barrels and bullets. Based on current testing, the Oak Factory truly possesses this capability—the only trade-off for increased accuracy is a further decrease in production efficiency.

This is acceptable, though. After all, these factories don't need elves working inside except for the porters. And considering that each oak factory in the budget will specialize in the production of one product, Yang Hao, at Arthur's suggestion, left considerable room for modifications to the factories.

...The elves will need approximately 10 Oak Factories to meet the demands of the upcoming war and [Change]. Two will be used to produce [Arrowheads], which are still needed now, and the remaining eight will be used to produce various parts for the new rifle—more precisely, the new rifle that Arthur [imitated].

When discussing the new rifle, one cannot ignore Arthur's shrewdness.

This man is indeed a lecher, but if he channeled his lustful energy into his mind, he could unleash unparalleled power.

Thanks to Arthur's efforts, they completed the copy of the new rifle from Issugard in less than two days: an improved version called the Japa 1404.

This rifle is more powerful than its "mother". Not only does it use minerals unique to the Elf Forest, but it also has a larger caliber to suit the physical attributes of elves, and uses the abundant "Explosive Ore" from the magic ore, which was previously almost non-existent for elves, as the primer, which further enhances the bullet's initial velocity and penetrating power.

After actual testing, the effective killing range of this new rifle in the hands of elves is 900 meters. According to elven standards, at a distance of 900 meters, the bullets can penetrate ordinary wooden shields. If the elves use their talents to enchant the gun body and bullets, then the power will only be greater.

This was exactly the weapon the elves needed. When they saw the testers abandoning the longbow and instead admiring the Japa 1404 like a wife, Yang Hao and Arthur felt gratified and proud that they had done a great thing.

Not only did they achieve tangible results in firearms and industry, but even Naruja's golems underwent significant improvements with the assistance of the elven mages.

According to the mages, Golems can only be created by the Listeners using their unique magic. Therefore, production must rely on the total population of the Listeners, without a doubt.

However, after working together with the Listeners, they still managed to improve the control over the Golems.

Just like robot scripts on Earth, the golems can now automatically determine who is an ally and who is an enemy based on preset instructions and magic, and respond accordingly.

Naturally, even with rudimentary control, the Listeners can now easily make Golems perform relatively complex tasks under the guidance of improved magic—such as drawing a bow and shooting an arrow, theoretically.

Since it is theoretically possible to start shooting arrows, conversely, it also becomes possible to have large-caliber muskets—or cannons—specially customized for Golems.

This would take time, a long time to design. Yang Hao didn't have that much time, so he had to ask Arthur to put in the effort with his hair.

The poor blond scumbag accepted the job, but he started taking frequent leave of absence a couple of days ago... Considering that Arthur was also on the verge of getting into a love triangle, Yang Hao was understanding.

"But then I'm really worried that Arthur might die in some elf's bed one day."

After washing up, Yang Hao, still holding the sulking little nun in his arms, glanced furtively at the mess on the other bed while pondering how to get someone else to clean up without Fen noticing...

But thinking about it, that seemed impossible—so, seeing that he still had some time, he decided to talk about Arthur again before heading out for breakfast and meeting up with everyone.

During this time, Yang Hao gained a full understanding of the elves'...morbid emotions.

No matter where he was, as long as he was outside the emerald green courtyard, Yang Hao could always see several familiar figures secretly observing Arthur from a distance.

Sometimes it's a few people, sometimes it's a dozen or so—they're scattered, hostile to each other, yet stubbornly in love with the same person.

Arthur didn't dare turn around and meet the eyes of the female elves. As a consequence, he took three days off to handle personal matters.

...Hopefully his leg will still be okay when he comes over today.

Yang Hao sighed, while the little nun sitting in his lap curled up and complained:

"I suspect you'll kill me someday. You pervert, an insatiable virgin! I'd rather use my hand to make you come than let you touch me..."

"Theresa, are you feeling unwell?"

"It's precisely because it's so comfortable that it's making me want to indulge in debauchery, which is why I need to restrain myself—wait?! You're trying to trick me! You bad dog!"

Despite being punched and kicked, Yang Hao felt extremely happy.

If only the little queen and the former chief judge were in the Elf Kingdom...

He sighed, yet knew he couldn't rush things. Everything would have to wait until after the parish's invasion was defeated.

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

On the other side, in the largest indoor courtroom of the verdant courtyard.

The masters of the Elf Kingdom, also known as the old elves, have begun to arrive.

Today is an important day. Masters of all professions will see today whether the human regent can bring about positive changes for the elves.

Some old, stubborn elves have deep doubts about this – after all, the human regent is still just a human regent, can he really understand the significance of the Elf Forest and the coexistence of elves, and understand the stubbornness and society of the elves?

Some reformist old elves are confident in this—even a human regent has already demonstrated his abilities in the Roman Empire. Perhaps he will find it difficult to adapt at first, but given time, the elven kingdom will surely be well-governed.

The two sides engaged in a heated debate, while the neutral party members caught in the middle said that whether they would support or oppose him would depend on concrete evidence.

In response, Fin simply expressed his approval of Yang Hao—a common practice among elves. Doubt was expressed directly. Like was shown directly. Hatred was expressed directly with an arrow.

Elves are such a free-spirited and stubborn race—therefore, Fen's words did not provoke the old elves' strangeness, but only made their discussion even more heated.

"What I'm most worried about is that the Regent won't be as concerned about the relationship between the elves and the Elven Forest as our allies in Bayrjans... I fear he still intends to carry out the corrupting reforms of the Roman Empire in the Elven Forest, especially considering the impact on us after the magic is corrupted..."

The old elf, a staunch conservative, said with deep concern.

"As a race that depends on magic for survival, pure magic is good for us. Conversely, polluted magic can damage our bodies and affect our physical condition."

Some wounded veterans who fought in the Demonic Wars have yet to fully recover from the demons' corruption. If he's truly determined to pollute the Elf Forest, it's hard to say whether that's good or bad for us.

Elves are a perfect race that relies on magic for survival. The quality of magic directly affects the quality of an elf's life—therefore, the concerns of the stubborn old elves are not unfounded. Their bottom line is that [contamination] cannot appear within the Elf Forest, or rather, any contamination that [affects the purity of magic] must be avoided.

For the reformist old elves, this seemed to be a trivial matter that they didn't need to worry about at all.

"Although the regent doesn't understand politics—after all, he was merely the adopted brother of the former emperor of the Roman Empire, and his job was to carry out reforms—he does understand the art of adapting reforms to local conditions. From my observations these past few days, he respects the forest, respects our traditions, and his recent activities haven't affected the harmony between the Elf Forest and the elves..."

So in a sense, I personally am quite confident about this. But then again, hasn't our Fen given him the appropriate reward yet?

The old foxes of the reformist faction had been watching Yang Hao's work for a long time. It's fair to say that they were very satisfied with what Yang Hao had done.

While it's unclear whether what he created actually has any real value, his respect for the Elf Forest and the elves certainly earns him their recognition and loyalty.

Even if he fails this time, he just needs some time to improve—but then again, why hasn't our Finn firmly grasped the Regent in Gaparia yet?

For a moment, this question drew all the elves' attention back to Fen, who sat regally on his throne. Fen merely gave a stiff, dry laugh, indicating that he had already made arrangements.

In fact, she had already learned about what happened between the nun and the regent last night through elven magic, and was now troubled about what to do.

...Amidst the clamor of debate, the Elf Conference was fully attended at 10:00 AM sharp.

Just after the old elves took their seats according to their social status and responsibilities, Yang Hao and his group arrived.

The one dressed entirely in black is none other than Regent Yang Hao.

The pale-faced blond man was his subordinate, Arthur.

The woman dressed in a nun's habit and making prayer gestures along the way was Mother Teresa.

There were also several elven mages accompanying them—were they planning to use magic to let everyone know about things thousands of miles away right in the hall?

Fen was puzzled, then suddenly realized something:

Naruja, the chieftain of the Ling tribe, did not seem to have come. Finn seemed thoughtful, while her loyal servant Qinna said that Naruja did not seem to want to come because her people had recovered today.

"She's a good child who values ​​her family more," Finn commented with a smile. "And she trusts His Majesty the Regent to succeed, which is why she's chosen not to intervene... Heh, let's wait and see."

She looked forward to Yang Hao bringing change to Gaparia, firmly believing it would be the most memorable achievement the elves had accomplished in thousands of years.

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

Upon entering the hall where the Elf Council was located, everyone felt the pressure emanating from the old elves.

These ancient elves are masters in every aspect of Gaparia. Some of them are even approaching seventy years of elven life and have experienced countless wars and disasters.

On that ancient, weathered face, which even magic couldn't heal, were a pair of small, gleaming eyes. They scrutinized Yang Hao, who was walking at the front, showing him respect in the manner of old-fashioned stubbornness—but to go further, they still needed him to produce evidence.

In response, Yang Hao simply walked to the center of the hall with his head held high. After surveying the hall and memorizing the faces of every old elf, he bowed to Fen, requesting permission to speak with a gesture that would satisfy even the oldest elf.

“There’s no need for this between us.” Finn’s words were intriguing to the elves, and even drew a disdainful sneer from the nun who was bowing her head in prayer. “Please show us your work now—we can’t wait.”

"Thank you."

Yang Hao expressed his gratitude for Fen's permission. This etiquette, which conformed to the common sense of elves, had already won the old man's favor—after all, the old man valued tradition the most.

Perhaps they are willing to change, but what they would prefer to see is the coexistence of tradition and innovation, allowing good traditions to endure—and the etiquette of the elves is undoubtedly the most valued aspect.

The old elves had already shown their approval of Yang Hao's actions, but his subsequent explanation made them fall into deep thought.

He stood on the stage, surveyed his surroundings, and with the aid of magic, clearly projected his calm voice into everyone's ears:

"Longbows from thousands of years ago, food from thousands of years ago, traditions from thousands of years ago, mines from thousands of years ago, workshops from thousands of years ago, and magic from thousands of years ago."

The perfection achieved thousands of years ago has brought about the elves' current prosperity, but I must say, times have changed. Gentlemen, times have changed.

The elves' millennia-long pursuit of perfection is like a perfect stone knife—but in an era where the outside world has progressed to the point of using iron tools, even the most perfect stone knife has reached the end of its lifespan.

The time for change has come. If the elves do not wish for their perfect stone knives to shatter and injure themselves upon clashing with iron, then the time has come for them to arm themselves with iron.

Yang Hao looked at the faces of each elf. The elves agreed with everything he said, but still showed skepticism about his story.

The more stubborn ones exchanged glances, then the oldest one, leaning on his cane, stood up and asked:

"Human Regent, indeed, we agree with everything you have said. The elves have been bound by the perfection of the past for far too long... long enough to fall behind the development of the outside world, long enough for the entire nation to become like a stagnant pool, unchanging."

We approve of your reforms. But if I may be frank, anyone can talk the talk. Only by producing tangible results can we old folks be truly convinced and give our full support.

We want to see evidence. We want to see evidence that you can lead the elves toward change, prosperity, and glory, not toward ruin.

Are you ready?

"Of course." His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, but full of confidence.

Yang Hao, head held high and chest puffed out, waved his hand, and the two accompanying monks stepped forward, muttering to themselves.

As the magic was released, a circular screen appeared in mid-air in the hall, facing everyone. The screen was divided into four sections, ensuring that every elf could clearly see the image while also ensuring that no detail was overlooked.

The scene depicts a peculiar model formed from an oak tree. The old elves, representing the archer class among the reformers, suddenly stand up, for they discover that within the model, an endless stream of metal arrowheads seems to be rapidly being produced under the influence of an unknown principle.

But is it really possible to build such a structure in the Elf Forest in just five days? Even if the oak tree grows at its best, it would still take about two weeks, right?

The elves stared wide-eyed, while Yang Hao pulled Arthur onto the stage and had him explain together the powerful aspects of the Oak Factory that distinguished it from the existing elf system.