It was already afternoon when I returned to E-Rantel with Arshe, and it was time to go back to Theocracy.
I had wanted to spend more time with Arshe's two adorable younger sisters, but time was indeed not very ample.
I had indeed snuck out, and although my status in Theocracy wasn't too bad now, disappearing for too long would still cause suspicion. However, I still needed to tell Sister Yuri and Pestonia about the 'agreement' I had just reached with the Blood Emperor.
After listening to Ellie's instructions, Sister Yuri and Pestonia both expressed their incomprehension. While it was good to supplement teachers, they didn't understand why fifty Undead Arch-Mages had to be given to the Empire.
Arshe felt the same way. After returning from the Empire, Arshe looked completely bewildered. They had already said they would send them, and although she understood Ellie's reason for not wanting to owe a favor, wasn't the Empire now considered a vassal state of the Magic Kingdom?
Isn't it natural for a suzerain state to ask its vassal state for a few people? What kind of favor debt is there?
"Let Sister Yuri tell Albedo Mama about this. She will understand my thoughts. Oh, and remember to tell Albedo Mama that after the Empire sends over the exchange request document, have her add another clause to those document terms, asking the Emperor of the Empire to pay an additional fee for disguising the Undead Arch-Mages' identities. As for the amount! Double the original price... no, triple it," Ellie said. Anyway, after sending those Undead Arch-Mages over, the Blood Emperor would definitely try every means to disguise their identities, just like Ainz Papa wears a mask and gloves. It's better to extort another sum of money from him.
Then, the three people in the reception room, Sister Yuri, Pestonia, and Arshe, all exchanged glances, becoming even more confused about the intention of Princess Elizabeth.
Although they knew that everything Princess Elizabeth, who inherited the wisdom of Lord Ainz, did was absolutely correct, they also wanted to know the full scope of Princess Elizabeth's plan, so as to avoid doing anything that contradicted her plan when Princess Elizabeth was not present.
So, Pestonia was the first to raise a question.
"Princess Elizabeth, thank you very much for solving our troubles, but I don't quite understand why you would exchange with Nazarick's Undead? Woof!"
"Hm? Is there something wrong?" Ellie was sitting in the reception room, drinking the tea Pestonia had personally brewed for her, planning to slack off a bit longer before returning. Hearing Pestonia question her actions, she was a little happy, much like Ainz Papa in the Lizardmen arc, when Insect Lord Cocytus could independently offer opinions!
"No, we are not questioning Princess Elizabeth's actions, but we do not understand the reason why you wish to do so. We fear that after you leave, our unauthorized actions might disrupt Princess Elizabeth's original plan. Therefore, we humbly ask Princess Elizabeth to enlighten us, the dull-witted, who cannot grasp the full scope of your plan," Pestonia said, this time without her usual tail-word, indicating that Pestonia was very serious about wanting to know.
"I don't mean to blame you, on the contrary, I'm a little happy to see you ask questions. It's a good thing to have doubts!" Ellie said, putting down her teacup.
"Please enlighten us, Princess Elizabeth," Sister Yuri also said with a humble expression, though more out of admiration.
"Earlier, the Emperor of the Empire offered to give them to us for free, and I think that as a suzerain state, it shouldn't be considered owing a favor to ask the vassal state of the Empire for a few people, right? Princess Elizabeth must have other considerations for doing this, please enlighten us, Princess Elizabeth," Arshe also expressed her opinion.
And Ellie noticed Arshe's choice of words; she used "we" when referring to the Magic Kingdom. It seems Arshe has completely considered herself a part of the Magic Kingdom, which is a good thing!
"It's very simple, you see, because I want to further control the Bahaus Empire. It's not enough for just the Emperor of the Empire to kneel to us, Nazarick," Ellie said.
"You mean you want all the people of the Empire to kneel to Nazarick? Woof!" Pestonia asked.
"Yes, that is my goal, to infiltrate starting from their people... and these fifty Undead Arch-Mages are just the beginning. This way, even if the Emperor of the Empire wants to rebel in the future, he won't get the support of the people. An Emperor who loses the support of the people cannot stir up any trouble," Ellie nodded and continued.
"But what does this have to do with those Undead Arch-Mages?" Sister Yuri looked confused.
"Of course it's related. You see, humans are very fragile creatures; they get sick and injured... However, expensive alchemical medicines are unaffordable for ordinary people, so their only option is the relatively cheaper Healers from the church. Now that the Empire has become a vassal state of our Magic Kingdom, the church has withdrawn from the Empire. The current situation in the Empire is probably still being supported by the few remaining Healers from the Adventurer's Guild, but it seems to be reaching its limit," Ellie picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and said with a slight smile.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"