#492 A Chat with the Elf Monarch

I decided to hear our captive elves’ story in more detail. 

I would like to find out through our conversation why they raided our farm and what’s their connection to Yggdrasil. 

“Let’s start with your name, then, shall we?”

“Very well! I am the ruler of the Elf Monarchy! In other words, the Elf Monarch! My name is Elfelf Elfriede El-Dupont Eltoerus Elcator Elza Elze Elvira Elmantos Elcador Elise Elfelf Mikael Uriel Gabriel Ariel Raphael Elle Elfant!”

...

Uh, what?

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“Did you not hear me, you fool?! I’ll say my name one more time: It’s Elfelf Elfriede El-Dupont Eltoerus Elcator Elza Elze Elvira Elmantos Elcador Elise Elfelf Mikael Uriel Gabriel Ariel Raphael Elle Elfant!”

“Isn’t there a shorter version I could call you...?”

“No! This is the sacred name of the Elf Monarch! You must recite the full name always!”

How about no?

It’s literally a mouthful. 

You want me to call you Elfelf Elfriede El-Dupont Eltoerus Elcator Elza Elze Elvira Elmantos Elcador Elise Elfelf Mikael Uriel Gabriel Ariel Raphael Elle Elfant every single time? 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               That’s just too much that I doubt it’d fit in one line when written on paper!

“Um...You can just call Milady the Elf Monarch,” says the other captive elf, unable to bear the situation. “It’s the only thing that’ll please her other than reciting her name. In the first place, Milady’s title as Elf Monarch itself is an improvised name thought up by the person who didn’t want to be bothered calling her by her full name.”

Is that so?

“Well then, Elf Monarch, let me ask you again, what brings you here?”

“I’ve told you before! I‘m here to punish you for your misdeeds!”

I guess that evil deed must be the “fake Yggdrasil” or something.

However, the rest of the story is not entirely clear. Is there anyone who can explain the situation more holistically?

“Then, allow me to explain.”

Oh, Aileron!

She’s also an elf, but at least she lives with us on the farm!

“I see! It’s only natural fellow elves would understand their situation! And since you’re on our side, you’ll be able to explain things better for us!”

“To start with, the Elf Monarch is a large settlement within the Demon Kingdom’s territory. I heard that it’s the world’s largest settlement of elves,” explains Aileron. 

As she’s from a third party, her explanation is in no way embellished. 

“The primary reason for its size is Yggdrasil.”

“I see.”

“Not only that, but Yggdrasil also sprinkles purified natural mana around to revitalize the forest. That’s why the surrounding area is the best environment for forest-dwelling elves.”

“You’ve been talking like this is second-hand knowledge to you.”

“Well of course. As someone who grew up in the Human Kingdom’s forests, I’ve never seen Yggdrasil myself.”

Ah, right.

The problems caused by the Human Kingdom led to dying forests, forcing Aileron and her friends to leave their home and roam around the world as bandits. 

Eventually, they found their way to our farm, where they came to live and work.

She, too, has lived a life full of ups and downs.

“They say the elves who live at the foot of Yggdrasil make money by selling the leaves to the demons. Didn’t you recently grow a sakura tree with Yggdrasil powers recently, saint?”

“Y-Yeah...!”

“Perhaps it’s because of those leaves invading the market that the scarcity of original Yggdrasil Leaves has diminished, which in turn has decreased the Elf Monarch’s profits. I think that’s probably why they’re mad...”

I see.

Aileron’s explanation sure is easy to understand.

As expected of an elf-turned-bandit, she even knows the market situation!

“But if that’s the case, isn’t it completely the other side’s fault?”

Platy reenters the scene.

“It’s the market principle to determine the price of things. A fair price is determined when both buyers and sellers are satisfied. If either side is unsatisfied, neither of them will bother buying the product.”

“True...”

“Until now, the scarcity and monopoly of the commodity have made these elves’ position stable. But it’s also not surprising that the price will decrease as the said product becomes more widespread and available. It’s unjustified resentment to attack the other supplier for such a reason!”

Platy makes a sound argument.

In short, our (Sakura) Yggdrasil Leaves have caused damage to the Elf Monarchy after going through multiple channels.

You never know what will affect where in the world, huh.

Nevertheless, as Platy says, if the Elf Monarchy’s troubles are the result of market forces at work, there is nothing we can do about it.

Adjusting to these women and not releasing any (Sakura) Yggdrasil Leaves to the world doesn’t sound right, either.

This cure-all leaf has helped even more people ever since its price was reduced, after all... 

“No! You people are to blame! You made a phony!”

“A ‘phony’...?!”

She’s been fixated on saying that from the very beginning, but why?

“Isn’t it obvious?! Yggdrasil is supposed to be the only tree of its kind in its world! In other words, the Elf Monarchy’s Yggdrasil is the authentic one! Any other tree is a fake!”

Well... That may be so, but still...!

“You are nothing but evil people who brought a phony into the world! Just because the leaves from your tree are similar in appearance doesn’t mean it has the same effects! That’s why you’re evil! As a righteous monarchy, we can’t overlook this!”

When did they start taking on the responsibility of justice?

Is it because they call their home the Elf Monarchy or something that they are pretending to be a system?

Also, the Elf Monarch’s claim is mistaken, but explaining that to her would be a hassle.

Our tree is a genuine Yggdrasil, just a synthetic one made by mermaid homunculus technology.

Would she understand if I explained that our tree has the characteristics of a sakura tree by mixing it with a strain of a different species through gene manipulation?

It sounds as difficult as explaining the concept of a smartphone to someone from the early 19th century.

I don’t think I could do it!

“Aileron!!!”

In times like these, we should turn to another elf for help!

As she’s an elf, she should be able to communicate better and convince the other person!

“Nope.”

She immediately refused!

Why oh why, Aileron?! You’re our only hope in this situation!

“Elves are a complicated race with different origins and factions. Our race is so exclusive that just by belonging to a different settlement, we are treated no different from outsiders. That’s why we couldn’t move to another forest when our home forest died!”

What a harsh world they live in.

Can’t elves help each other?

“Not only that, but the Elf Monarch is a High Elf—an elf more assimilated with the forest. They look at typical elves like me with condescending eyes, so persuading them is impossible. Their pride would never let them do that!”

“That sounds so inconvenient!”

If what Aileron says is true, then no other elf on our farm could persuade her, let alone someone from a different race!

“Can’t we just get rid of them, Master?” 

“Veil, no!”

You and your dragonesque methods, I swear!

Go play with Junior over there and cultivate your benevolence!

“...Wait. I think there’s one person who could convince this Elf Monarch.”

Aileron has a flash of inspiration!

Way to go, elf! You know your people! Come on, share the idea with us!

“Elves are a race of people who think they’re the best. Even if they are outnumbered in national power or military strength, elves still think they’re superior to their opponents because they live with the forest.”

“Yeesh...”

“The higher an elf’s class, the more bothersome they are to deal with. If so, the only people who can talk some sense into High Elves are fellow High Elves.” 

“Oh! I see!”

An eye for an eye, a high elf for a high elf!

But wait. Do we know any High Elves?

“There is, remember? We met her during the afforestation project in the Human Kingdom—Lady Elelelelcy.”

Oh, yeah! Her!

“Elelcy, right?”

“Wasn’t it Elelelelelcy?”

“Not Elelelcy???”

Which is it?!

Seriously, names of High Elves are a mouthful.

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#493 will be up a few hours later. im back in uni again so a delayed release will probably happen more often. rest assured it will be followed by a double release the next day! (unless there are inevitable circumstances like exams or thesis [getting in the way] which ill be sure to inform you guys in advance)