Thud!
The heavy entrance door to the Senate’s main meeting hall closed.
“Now that everyone seems to be here, we will begin the emergency strategy meeting.”
The two chairs positioned at the highest seats in the hall.
The elf woman, seated to the left of the two consuls, called the meeting to order.
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“I will introduce the agenda. Yesterday, there was an intrusion into the Senate.”
At the words of the Primera family head, the voice of the ruler and head of one of the three major families, all the elves focused their attention.
“The intruders managed to bypass all security and entered the children’s sanctuary within the Senate’s main building. Fortunately, most of the children were not present at the time, but two children were kidnapped. They then identified themselves as Baraklava and sent us a statement.”
Snap!
With a snap of her fingers, a yellowing sheet of paper with scrawled writing appeared on the large screen.
“We have the kidnapped children. If you want their safety, you must meet our demands. First...”
As she read through the demands, the hand of the Primera family head trembled with rage.
“This is outrageous!”
“I went as far as to free them from their slave status, and now they dare behave like this!”
“We must send the army to suppress them immediately!”
“Quiet! The explanation of the agenda is not finished!”
At her shout, the Senate hall fell silent once more.
“Baraklava. They are presumed to be a dark elf group. According to the reports from the trackers, they have fled to the underground city, Darkhood.”
“Darkhood? That slum?”
“Darkhood will be impossible to track.”
“This is becoming a nuisance.”
“The agenda for today is to devise a countermeasure. If any senator has a proposed solution, raise your hand and request to speak.”
The meeting began, and various opinions were put forward.
“First and foremost, the safety of the hostages is the most important. We should pretend to comply with their demands while secretly checking on the condition of the children.”
“How will you locate the hostages?”
“They mentioned Darkhood! The criminal hotbed that doesn’t even show up on the statistics!”
“How about seeking cooperation from the dark elves? Haven’t we implemented a number of policies to support them recently? They may be willing to cooperate with us.”
“Those stupid dark elves?”
“They wouldn’t do that! We’d be stabbed in the back for sure!”
“What if something happens to the hostages? Let’s fulfill a few of their demands while negotiating for a hostage exchange. We don’t need to save both children. One of the children is a dark elf, so there should be no danger.”
“That’s utter nonsense!”
“Accepting demands from criminals! Is that the kind of thing a senator should say?”
Among all the opinions voiced, the one that gained the most support was:
“Send the army and crush them right away!”
“Right! We shouldn’t leave any gaps in security!”
“There’s no guarantee another Baraklava won’t form. We need to nip this in the bud.”
The Primera family head, watching the meeting unfold, was filled with frustration.
“You don’t look happy,”
A green-haired elf sitting next to her spoke.
She was Arcilla Atrie, the head of the Atrie family, another of the three major families and the co-consul.
“You’re worried, aren’t you?”
She asked with a playful smile.
“...No.”
The Primera family head hastily concealed her emotions.
As the head of the Primera family and a consul, she couldn’t afford to show personal feelings.
“I’m just... angry at these criminals who are disrespecting our high elves.”
“That’s right! How dare they disrespect us high elves!”
Arcilla’s smile deepened.
“Shouldn’t we just crush them immediately? These criminals.”
Her beautiful high elf features were twisted into a sinister grin.
***
Underground City Darkhood, Somewhere
“Ugh!”
“It hurts!”
The white elf girl and the black elf boy were thrown into the damp, cold room.
“Hm... This one was inside that white bastard's tower?”
“What... what is it?”
An old dark elf woman examined the dark elf boy’s body.
“I heard a dark elf consular was recently born. Is this the child of hers?”
“So why did you bring this one? He’s no use in threatening them.”
“We don’t like our ally thinking and acting like those white bastards. We brought him here to fix his mindset. To undo the brainwashing from those white pigs.”
“Hmmm...”
The dark elves examined the boy and girl closely, as if scanning them up and down.
“What do you want from us!”
The boy stepped in front of the girl to protect her, retreating slightly.
“Look at that.”
“Yeah. He’s acting just like those white ones, huh?”
“Anyway, it’ll take time for the white pigs to respond to our message. While we wait, we might as well make use of them for something else.”
“Hmmm... that’s a good point. Very well.”
As the dark elves closed in with a threatening aura, the girl pushed the boy back.
“Stupid Lust! You, weaker than me, are trying to protect someone!”
The girl, stepping forward and pointing at the boy, drew a toy sword from her cloak.
“I am Safira Primera, the heir of the Primera family! Do you know who you’re messing with? Do you know who my mother is!”
The tip of the girl’s sword wavered.
“Of course, I know, little white lady. You’re the highest authority among the elves.”
“...You know?”
Slash!
A dark elf moved swiftly, striking the girl’s sword away and covering her mouth with one hand.
“Sorry, little lady. But this isn’t the upper city. The strange, boring common sense of the white ones doesn’t work here.”
“Let Safira go!”
The dark elf boy rushed forward, but he too was easily subdued.
“I don’t get it. Boy. Didn’t you get bullied by this white girl? Judging by your reaction just now, I can tell. Why are you trying to protect her?”
“B-Because what you’re doing is wrong!”
“...Look at you. Even brainwashed, you’re firmly under their control. To hear ‘right’ come out of a dark elf’s mouth.”
“We’ll need to fix this, urgently.”
The leader, grinning, crouched down to meet the boy’s eyes.
“Alright, boy. Let’s make a deal.”
“...?”
“We’ll accept you into our group.”
“...Why would I join you?”
“Because of her.”
“What?”
“If you pass our training and trials, and officially join us, we’ll release her.”
“...How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
They were criminals who had come into the Senate building and kidnapped children.
Even if they were dark elves, there was no way he could trust these complete strangers.
“What will you do if I don’t believe you?”
The leader grabbed the girl’s throat and lifted her.
“Cough!”
The girl struggled to break free, but she couldn’t escape his firm grip.
“Safira!”
“You should know who holds the sword. Don’t forget: never make a bet unless you’re sure.”
“Let Safira go, you villain!”
“Will you accept?”
“I’ll accept! I’ll accept!”
The leader’s grin showed white teeth, contrasting with his dark skin.
Thud!
When the leader released his grip, Safira dropped to the floor, landing with a thud.
“Cough! Cough!”
“Are you okay, Safira?”
“That... stupid Lust. Why would you accept an offer from those criminals?”
“I had no choice. Just wait a moment. I’ll figure something out.”
The boy stood up, a determined expression on his face.
“If I accept, I have one condition.”
“Do you think you’re in a position to make demands?”
“Anyway, it won’t be a bad deal for you. And it’s better if I participate more actively, right?”
“...What do you want?”
“As long as I receive the training and pass the trials, guarantee her safety. Feed her well.”
“You want us to take care of the white one? Why?”
“Didn’t you bring her here as a hostage? The safety of the hostage must be guaranteed. And most importantly, if she’s safe, I can become part of your group properly, right?”
The boy smiled awkwardly and added,
“Don’t forget: never bet unless you’re sure. How about it? Is it a sure win now?”
“...Tch.”
The leader turned and headed toward the door.
“Fine, I’ll follow your conditions. But don’t forget, kid. The condition only applies if you follow through with the training. Whatever it may be.”
Ha ha ha ha
Bang!
With the leader’s boisterous laughter, the heavy door slammed shut.
Click
It was locked.