Chapter 40: The Nun and Fen’s Deal

“How about handing over the Regent to me?”

When Teresa heard Fen’s proposal, her smile didn’t waver in the slightest. She responded with her usual calmness to Fen’s slightly anxious tone.

Then, she shook her head, indicating that they should pause the topic for now, and said, “Elves do not lie, but they do conceal things. So, I must confirm if there are any hidden details in the conditions you mentioned.”

The nun—no, the Purple Princess—smiled as she summoned a pure, white light.

“I will use the remaining power of my Lord to verify each condition. If the elves truly have no ill intentions, they shouldn’t refuse my request, right?”

“Of course. So, Purple Princess, what would you like to verify?”

Fen remained unmoved, confident that the elves harbored no ill intentions. Except for intending the Regent’s term to align with elven time perception rather than human time perception.

“The conditions I discussed with His Highness Yang Hao earlier. Do you have any further questions?”

“Indeed I do. Let’s start with honor. Will the elves swear that he will receive praise and recognition under the conditions of not being restricted in any way, being free from any life-threatening danger with full protection from the elves, and not facing any form of threat, rather than the Roman Empire’s practice of killing someone and then praising their grave?”

“What do you take us for? Those uncivilized brutes? Ah… forgive me, that’s an insult to brutes.”

“The answer?”

“We elves are willing to swear that, after His Highness Yang Hao leads us through the reforms, the praise of the bards, the adulation and celebration of our people, and the honor of the entire kingdom will be bestowed upon him under the conditions that he lives freely without any restrictions, receives lifetime protection from the elves, and faces no threats of any kind.”

As Fen responded, the white light in the Purple Princess’s hand transformed into a pen, writing the elves’ language in the air.

The princess looked at the written content, then raised her hand.

“Add one more condition. Including the young Empress and his lifesaver, the former chief Judge, I, Teresa o’Justinian the Second, the chieftain of the Ling tribe, Narujia, and all her people, as well as Joseph, the chief doctor of the Red Cross, and his family, shall not be subjected to any form of house arrest or imprisonment by the elves, nor will they be used as resources to compel him to stay in the Elven Kingdom.”

“That’s impossible, Purple Princess. You humans even consider your parents’ status and use friends’ embarrassing stories to ease the mood before getting into bed, let alone a matter of national importance like this?”

“Then exclude the Ling tribe and Doctor Joseph’s family.”

“No. We cannot make that promise. What do you want us to give up?”

“Since the elves cannot reach a consensus on this matter, then…”

The Elves’ reception room suddenly became a battlefield, a battleground of words where both the Purple Princess and Fen fought fiercely to secure their respective conditions.

As the last princess of the Bayerzost Empire, who was well-versed in elven affairs, Teresa had never personally negotiated with the elves but had learned everything about them from her family’s inherited books.

This stubborn race, much like their obstinate nature, would never break a promise once made. As long as a meticulous promise was reached, there was no need to worry about the elves playing tricks behind the scenes.

Conversely, the elves knew that once a promise was made, they couldn’t engage in any underhanded tactics—so Fen would never relent on things they were certain they could do. For instance, this time.

‘Does this lovesick blonde sparrow think I don’t understand her intentions?! I have no problem with him staying in the Elven Kingdom forever, but you want him to live in your palace for the rest of his life?! No way!’

Teresa was genuinely anxious. While she and Yang Hao planned to settle in the Elven Kingdom, they never said Yang Hao had to live in the Elven royal court, specifically the Green Courtyard under their feet.

At that point, although her little puppy wouldn’t actively seek a new master, who could guarantee that he wouldn’t be patted by someone when he finally let his guard down?

After all, the Elven lands were truly relaxing, and the likelihood of him being patted was indeed high. So Teresa had to remain vigilant and truly prevent such things from happening.

As for Fen, the Purple Princess’s vigorous interference left the young elf girl puzzled. According to her rangers and advisors, the Purple Princess might be traveling with Yang Hao to restore their homeland and revive the original religion, “Light,” as the prophecy suggested. But now it seemed that wasn’t the case?

‘What’s going on? Could the prophecy be wrong? But so far, the prophecy hasn’t been mistaken, right?’

Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at the serious expression on the Purple Princess’s face, feeling a bit tired.

‘And is her protective instinct too strong? Even my mother doesn’t have such a strong protective instinct. If possible, she’d probably prefer to keep His Highness Yang Hao in her embrace at all times to feel secure… But ultimately, we elves must also have His Highness Yang Hao.’

Teresa’s intense protectiveness clashed fiercely with the elves’ strong desire.

In the end, their open and covert struggle over the conditions temporarily came to an end.

Through her efforts, Teresa secured the elves’ comprehensive promise of protection for Yang Hao, ensuring freedom, life, and wealth for three generations, including almost all of his good personal relationships.

Of course, excluding the little witch and the little saintess, and all traitors were not considered.

On the other hand, Fen also secured the minimum assurances she needed.

She did not make any promises regarding whether Yang Hao would be asked to continue serving as Regent, thus exploiting a loophole that Teresa hadn’t anticipated.

Given the current situation where Teresa held the upper hand openly, but both sides were equally matched in secret, or rather, each had gotten what they needed.

The pure white light in Teresa’s hand disappeared. Witnessed by the setting sun’s light, the contract was established.

There was no need to argue further about this matter, and they naturally moved on to the main topic that most concerned Teresa and Fen.

***

The elves, in exchange for supporting the restoration of the Bayerzost Empire and assisting with the migration of the new empire’s population, hoped that Sister Teresa would hand over the Regent to Caparia, to Fen of the Elven Kingdom.

For the elves, this was a costly transaction.

In human terms, the elves were willing to exchange half of their heart for a friend by their side.

After all, this involved the elves’ population, wealth, and a commitment that might need to last for millennia.

“According to the agreement between the Bayerzost Empire and Caparia from a thousand years ago, the elves preserved some of the empire’s territory on the surface,” Fen said solemnly, while the nun in front of her gave a sarcastic smile.

“In the Monster Forest west of the Elven Forest, some parts of the Bayerzost Empire that did not sink underground still remain. The elves have protected them well, just like a thousand years ago. You can use them as soon as you enter. This is the legacy of the Bayerjans Empire, and it is meant to be inherited by you, the Purple Princess. So, this is not part of the transaction but a ‘premise’ for the upcoming deal. As we all know, the Bayerzost Empire and Caparia once jointly fought against the demonic surge to protect countless lives behind them. During the period when Caparia and the Bayerzost were jointly resisting the demonic surge, naturally, some… hybrids were born between Caparia and the Bayerzost, which we can see. Many of these half-elves have lived for generations at the border between what was once Caparia and the Bayerzost. They have learned everything about the Bayerzost from their elders and have a strong sense of belonging to the Bayerzost. If you are willing, the Elven Kingdom is prepared to offer the relocation of these half-elves as one of the costs for the new Bayerzost citizens.”

Before the elf could finish speaking, she saw the nun instinctively swallow—a sign of being tempted.

However, before the elf could feel pleased, she saw a complex and hesitant look flash through the nun’s eyes, followed by a firm response.

“No.”

“I refuse,” Teresa sighed and shook her head, muttering to herself that if there really were such assistance from the elves, the Bayerzost might not be fully restored, but at least new seeds would be planted. “Although I’m very tempted, I refuse. The Bayerzost are already a thing of the past, and I am just the last princess. Counting on a princess to restore the country is less realistic than hoping that one day the barbarians of the Roman Empire will remember his good deeds in the face of disaster. At least that has happened before, so I chose to accept reality. Not to mention, these half-elves are also important citizens of Caparia. I’m not so ruthless as to plunder the citizens of an allied nation to rebuild my own country. If my ancestors heard of such population trading, they would probably crawl out of their graves to beat me up. So, given that I myself have no intention of restoring the country. I refuse your proposal.”

‘Is it because… What I offered isn’t enough, or perhaps it doesn’t carry enough weight in the Purple Princess’s heart?’

Seeing the nun shaking her head in refusal, Fen couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised, but considering her identity as a nun, she felt somewhat relieved.

After all, for religious figures, the secular matter of restoring a country might indeed not carry enough weight.

Now that the authority of Light had been taken by traitors, a princess who served the Light would naturally have her heart set on having her deity restored and reclaiming the lost power.

So, after some thought, Fen decided to offer more.

“Then, on top of the restoration and population assistance… what if the Elven Kingdom agrees to recognize the Church of Light as a state.?”

Her delicate whisper added another heavy weight to the nun’s burden, making the nun, who had only read about such grand events in books, instinctively swallow. In her gray eyes, countless possibilities flashed.

For Teresa, the “Light” she served had long been in decline due to the collapse of rites and music, and the divine power being taken away by the “God of Light.”

It was no exaggeration to say that the current state of “Light” was like a ninety-year-old man lying on the operating table, ready to pass away at any moment. Even the most devout Teresa herself had long prepared for the collapse and death of the faith that had accompanied her since childhood.

However, this did not mean that “Light” was beyond saving.

If Teresa could find enough believers to restore faith in “Light” rather than the “God of Light,” if Teresa could truly establish “Light” as the state religion in a country.

It didn’t matter whether “Light” could reclaim its power in the future.

At the very least, this faith could survive.

Moreover, if the believers in “Light” were not humans but elves, the faith could not only be preserved but visibly grow. And ultimately, it might even regain enough strength to contend with the God of Light.

After all, elves were a stubborn race.

If they loved someone, they would love them unconditionally, with no room for compromise.

If they hated someone, they would hate them unconditionally, with no room for compromise.

Similarly…

When elves sincerely believed in a religion, they would wholeheartedly and unreservedly commit to it. Once they became followers, they were even more fanatical than humans.

No religion or deity would reject the faith of elves. If any did, they would undoubtedly be an idiot, a fool, a simpleton.

The elves didn’t even retract the condition for restoration. They planned to support her restoration, provide the necessary population, and allow her to preach within the Elven Kingdom. Furthermore, the teachings of Light would become the state religion of the elves.

Teresa admitted she was tempted.

No one would not be tempted. After all, it was like being a down-and-out beggar, and suddenly a wealthy friend, who used to be your equal, decides to give you more than half of their fortune along with their sister, in exchange for letting your equally destitute boyfriend stay at their house for a few days.

Honestly, anyone hearing such conditions would feel incredibly tempted.

The difference between the cost and the benefit is simply too vast, nearly a thousandfold profit. If Teresa were a merchant, she would probably agree to Fen’s conditions immediately.

“To be honest, I am really very tempted.”

No. Even if it were an ordinary nun or a regular princess or socialite here, they would likely choose to agree. After all, they would consider it from the perspective of the nation, the faction, and other people.

But—Teresa was not one of them.

“Offering me the capital for restoration, providing the conditions and opportunities for my Lord to reclaim divine power. To be honest, I am truly, very tempted.”

The not-so-ordinary Teresa murmured to herself.

“But… I still have to refuse. Fen, please understand, Yang Hao is not my personal property. He is a person. He cannot, should not, and will not have his belonging altered because of our negotiations. The relationship between us is one of mutual choice, where I chose him and he chose me, not one of ownership where I possess him or he possesses me. We are equals, and I respect everything about him. Therefore, I will not treat him as a commodity, nor will I sell him out just because I am tempted or in need. Even if he were to abandon me, I would still hold this stance. So, Fen, to be blunt, I cannot accept any of your conditions. After all, he is just a little puppy who has finally found a home. If even I betray him, where else can he find a home?”

Teresa expressed her thoughts with considerable difficulty.

‘Damn… I should have just agreed… If I had agreed, both my homeland and my Lord could have been revived… And if I explained it to him, he would surely understand… Why am I so foolish? Sigh…’

Giving up the chance to restore her country and gain state religion status was heart-wrenching for Teresa.

But when she thought of her little puppy’s peaceful and thoroughly relaxed sleeping face every night, her aching heart felt as if it were sweetened with honey.

Forget it.

‘To hell with restoring the country and saving my Lord. Oh my Lord, if you have any conscience left, could you please die now so I can completely give up and live a peaceful life?’

The nun muttered these blasphemous thoughts to herself.

Fen, while feeling intensely shocked by her response, also envied this incredibly rare relationship among humans.