NOVEL NEXT Chapter 246
The design of the laurel crown of Eramenia is not limited to just laurel leaves. It symbolizes authority rather than power, representing respect instead of mere obedience. In other words, it is something that should be conferred upon someone by the hands of all, not merely taken on by someone out of their own volition. There was a reason the elders of the council were so taken aback when Margaret unexpectedly requested permission to wear the leaf crown, even though none had asked for such self-criticism after her faltering in the council.
“Of course, Your Highness, you are certainly qualified to wear the leaf crown.”
Hamad Defiris spoke.
“However, suggesting it myself would have made wearing that crown more difficult due to tradition. Expressing the desire to wear a crown made of leaves may come across as seeking personal gain or profit rather than a noble purpose. Of course, I do not imply you are like that, but when speaking…”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t express my desire to wear the crown?”
Margaret questioned with a proud demeanor, causing the elders to lower their murmurs toward one another.
“Honorable members. Is victory and slaughter noble, or is it for personal gain and profit?”
“That depends on what kind of victory and slaughter it is…”
“No, winning in battle is unconditionally for profit. What do you expect to achieve by turning a blind eye? What meaning does pretending otherwise have now?”
Margaret shouted.
“Eramenia has been peaceful for many years, allowing us to deceive the world with deceitful deceits. But is there any reason to continue that way now, when the entire elf race is at the risk of extinction? We desire unprecedented slaughter. The blood of the demon race, to be precise! Yet, until now, no elf has openly expressed a desire to kill more enemies or wish for greater victories. Denouncing the desire for the leaf crown is merely hypocrisy!”
“Is developing the gunpowder weapons that we have looked down upon in the Empire Workshop in that context as well?”
One of the elder councilmen asked in a calm voice. Margaret nodded.
“Now that the sanctity of the forest has burned away, we are no longer in a sanctuary. The most terrible battles we sought to avoid have infiltrated our lives. We must be more honest than ever. That is the reason I declare that I will wear the crown myself.”
“Very well.”
Councilman Defiris nodded.
“An extreme age necessitates an extreme symbol. If you wish to be that symbol and an unparalleled hero, I will say there is no fairy better suited for that role than you. But do you realize? Such extraordinary achievements will merely pave the way for a thorny path toward being the Great King of Eramenia. In this country, being the Great King is a seat that seems to exist yet not exist, a position that requires restraint from jarring actions that break the very foundation of our culture.”
“I know. By wearing this crown and setting forth, I will already rise to a position almost equal to that of the Great King of Eramenia. I have no desire to ascend twice.”
“That means…”
Defiris widened his eyes in surprise at an unexpected reply. Margaret spoke in a relaxed tone.
“There is a child qualified to be the Crown Prince. It means this Margaret doesn’t have to be a Crown Princess forever.”
“Um, ahem.”
Hamad Defiris couldn’t hide his astonishment at the level of resolve Margaret possessed. After a moment of organizing his thoughts, the elder of the Grand Council cleared his throat, bit his lip tightly, and knelt before Margaret.
“Then, my lord, I will prepare for the dispatch ceremony. Please tell us the number and arrangement of the army you will lead. We will prepare it in front of you personally.”
Together with Defiris, all the council members of Eramenia knelt before Margaret. Margaret looked down upon all the members of the Eramenian council and nodded with poise.
“Ten thousand cavalry. Mobility is crucial, so I will lead an army composed solely of cavalry, disregarding the existing royal army’s formation. Execute my orders!”
“Yes, my lord.”
The Eramenians are always a people ready for battle. In particular, after the last dragon invasion, everyone has been in a mobilization state, prepared for combat.
What was needed for dispatch was the monarch’s decision, and that decision has just been made.
The next day, the cavalry of Eramenia, consisting of the best warriors from all walks of life, lined up before Margaret in a formation of five hundred rows.
The Great King Richard of Eramenia personally handed over the leaf crown he had woven with his own hands to Margaret. This was also the result of Margaret’s request.
A crown is not something one simply wears upon their own head. Especially when a living Great King remains on the throne, it is customary for the father-king to place the crown upon the head of the heir.
However, Margaret chose to lift the leaf crown with her own hands.
To conceal her vulnerability, Margaret needed to appear stronger than ever. She had to be someone who had perfectly resurrected, or gone through a resurrection beyond mere resurrection. She had returned from a short period of rest. That rest should not be perceived as a recovery period until she could barely function as a human again. For example, if it was seen as two steps back for one step forward, there was a fear it could dampen everyone’s morale.
Margaret wanted to distort the perception of her rest from reality. As if it were a stationary rest for three steps forward. Although she had not even returned to the starting point, she needed to create an illusion of having grown into a completely different being during her disappearance.
She was an absolute superstar who could excite the masses. And she had to meet those expectations as well.
Holding the crown high, Margaret began her speech.
“Our nation upholds noble values and is ruled by great people. As free people, we know what is more precious and have always treasured only the most valuable of values. For example, we did not ask what great results we produced. Instead, we questioned what great efforts we made and what noble processes we underwent to accomplish great things. Valuing effort over results and process over outcomes is our most cherished and greatest culture.”
Margaret took a deep breath before exhaling. Her voice resonated throughout the entire forest.
“But that is not the case in a war that determines the fate of our nation! If we win, we will be able to recount the efforts and processes we undertook for that victory. That alone can provide us with material for stories for a thousand or ten thousand years. But that is only possible if we win! If we lose, nothing remains!”
It was a universally acknowledged truth. Especially for these fairies, who for the first time in hundreds of years felt the fear of ‘the nation might perish,’ this truth struck deeply in their hearts.
“So, this Margaret breaks the tradition of the kingdom today and holds this crown personally. While the correct processes and procedures are important, maintaining traditional rituals also holds significance. However, just as the first thing to determine after a war is whether we win or lose, the only truth that remains after all rituals and ceremonies is this: that the leaf crown is placed upon my head!”
Margaret placed the leaf crown atop her own head with both hands. The moment she adorned herself with the crown, a thunderous cheer erupted from her followers. While some traditionalists might have been dissatisfied with her actions, her performance undeniably thrilled her supporters.
She knew how to handle her people. She even knew how to re-engage those who had turned away in disappointment from her previously abysmal performance.
Seeing Margaret sway as if she might fall over, numerous former supporters who had harbored doubts now united once more to chant her name. The fairy lord drew her sword and shouted loudly.
“We will win! Killing more enemies, charging further, breaking more, and sometimes even burning everything! The path we take may not always be sacred or noble, but if we survive after all the fights are over, let the survivors find greatness in this battle. Let us uncover the nobility we overlooked! Focus on winning right now. That is the only command I give you, Margaret!”
The mounted troops waved Eramenia’s enormous green flag vigorously, raising the atmosphere. The sound of the enormous horns rang as loud as the cheers, shaking the woods and trees.
“March out!”
Margaret took the lead, mounting her white horse as she began to advance northward. Immediately, ten thousand cavalry followed her, marching toward the northern edge of the forest. The first thing Margaret’s army encountered, as expected, was the harrowing gorge from her memories.
Her aide, Phineas Marbellius, noticed the change in Margaret’s complexion and asked.
“What should we do? Should we send scouts to search for ambushes?”
“That is meaningless.”
Margaret replied.
“If the Demon King is prepared this time, they will not reveal ambushes until the main force arrives. If they are not prepared, then sending scouts is pointless.”
“Then shall we just pass through?”
Margaret turned to look at the main force. She was not the only one with bad memories of this gorge. With a resolute expression solidified, she raised her finger to indicate the gorge and commanded.
“Burn it. Pour oil and set fire to everything, leaving nothing to survive.”
“Fire, you say?”
Phineas hesitated and stammered, unable to hide his reluctance despite it being Margaret’s order. Margaret nodded with a stern expression.
“We are a race that fears fire. But I have resolved to dismantle many constraints that our race harbors. At least until this war lasts.”
As if to prove her point, Margaret tapped her long rifle hanging from her saddle. Common sense states that it is absurd for elves to wield firearms. But the world had changed, and Margaret had gone so far as to issue special directives to the quirky artisans within the Eramenia special zone to “continue researching with the goal of establishing a battalion of artillery units equipped with effective combat power.”
Starting her expedition with flames will undoubtedly serve as a symbol and shock every bit as powerful as the leaf crown.
“Did you not hear? The northern wind is currently rebounding off the gorge and flowing southward. Such erratic winds won’t last long. Before it shifts back to the northern wind, pour oil into this gorge and burn it all!”
“Yes! My liege!”
Realizing Margaret’s resolve was unshakeable, the soldiers of Eramenia poured oil at the entrance of the gorge and set it ablaze before retreating.
The southern wind snatched hold of the flames and swept them away, soon engulfing the entire gorge in a massive fire. The army of Eramenia gazed up at the overwhelming sight of the flames, but Margaret’s expression remained impassive.
“There are those who would foolishly laugh at us and call us foolish for being afraid of fire.”
The elf lord spoke.
“Let us now show the enemy why we elves have feared fire until now. Fire and cannon fire will no longer be our fear; they will become our weapons.”
It was a terrifying declaration. Humanity lacks the ability to produce shells for operating artillery. Because the swords used by humans easily wear down, the Magic Tower and the Empire Workshop are busy creating new ceremonial swords and enchanting them all day long.
However, Eramenia’s swords do not easily rust or wear down. The Workshop special zone has not only fulfilled the demand for the vast quantities of craftsmanship requested by Jenis but also has time left over to research new technologies.
These are the weapons stockpiles of the allied forces. The moment Eramenia fully dives into developing artillery, the Demon King’s Army will face unimaginable disasters beyond their wildest dreams.