Chapter 479 The Country of Mortals
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The negotiations regarding Carley-the Ancient Elf known as “Mother” who hailed from the Empire of Wielope-continued day after day. For some reason, I seemed to have caught her fancy, and now she was after my “seed”¹ on a daily basis. Honestly… “seed”? I’d only ever heard that term in adult doujinshi.
”Heh, sounds like you’re having a rough time,” Cecile said with a dry chuckle.
”I don’t think it’s a laughing matter, you know?” I replied.
”Kento-chi, why do you only attract the weird ones? Should I perform an exorcism on you?” Loire-Rose teased.
”Do you honestly think you aren’t on that ‘weird’ list?” I asked.
”Even setting myself aside, you truly are a man of many worries, noja,” Mother Carley added.
”I really don’t want to hear that from you,” I muttered.
I fired off retorts to Queen Cecile, the Holy Figure Loire-Rose, and Carley respectively while I waited. Today, at the request of the Empire of Wielope, we were scheduled to bring their envoy face-to-face with Carley.
From our perspective, it was an event we’d rather avoid; we couldn’t risk her slipping away. But from their side, it was still unconfirmed if Carley was even alive, and they were likely desperate to see her. We had no choice but to make thorough preparations and welcome them.
Furthermore, the Empire of Wielope wanted to confirm Carley’s own intentions. Apparently, the current Emperor, Demandyl, frequently sought Carley’s counsel during critical turning points. Since Carley had been the catalyst for this entire incident, and her return might force a total pivot in imperial policy, they were desperate to hear her thoughts.
I was participating mainly for the “thorough preparations” part. I had her fitted with a full set of magic restraint circuits, ensuring there wasn’t even a one-in-a-million chance of escape.
Then again, seeing her behavior lately, I felt those worries might be unnecessary. But even if she seemed cooperative, the Empire might not be-or her entire attitude could be an act.
For our country, this was a vital negotiation to determine if we could finally restore our international standing. I wanted to do everything in my power to secure a win. Feeling a bit of nerves, I waited for the imperial envoy. And then…
”Mother! You are safe!” a voice cried out.
”Oh, well now. So they sent you, Aldiro?” Carley asked.
The man who entered the meeting room was an elderly gentleman Carley called Aldiro. To put it bluntly, he was a total geezer. Seeing an old man rush toward an Elf who looked like a young girl, calling her “Mother” and looking ready to cling to her, was… well, it was a bit much. It was an indescribable sight, though I suppose it was a moving reunion for him.
”Yes! Truth be told, Emperor Demandyl wished to come himself, but circumstances would not allow it. I have come in his stead, milady,” Aldiro said.
”But didn’t you say you’d become the head of diplomacy or something? To be sent on a measly errand like this… is your work going alright?” Carley asked.
”That was thirty years ago, Mother Carley. I resigned ten years ago in opposition to the war with the Kingdom of Canaria,” Aldiro explained.
”Oh, was that it? I see. So they sent you to soften our impression of them. You’ve had a hard life, Aldiro. You’ve done well,” Carley said.
”I… your words are more than I deserve!” Aldiro replied.
Indeed, Emperor Demandyl had dispatched the semi-retired former Foreign Minister for this meeting. Within the Empire, he was a member of the pro-Canaria faction and apparently had a fair history with our country’s predecessor and the Queen.
It meant he, too, was one of Carley’s “children.” More than that, it turned out Aldiro was actually Emperor Demandyl’s older half-brother. The fact that an older brother who had lost the throne and opposed state policy was still alive and returning to the stage told me everything about the true nature of the Empire of Wielope’s government.
”Oh, Gustav, are you safe as well?” Aldiro asked.
”Safe enough, I suppose, Lord Aldiro,” Gustav replied.
”I see. I’ve put you through a lot. Now that I am here, I shall see you all released immediately. Demandyl simply tried to rush things too much…”
As the head of the Shadows, Gustav seemed to have a close relationship with him. Aldiro offered him words of comfort, though I suspected the reason Gustav looked like a burnt-out shell was for a completely different reason.
”Now then, we have confirmed their safety, have we not, Lord Aldiro?” Queen Cecile began. “To reiterate the demands of our country and the Church: first, we require the total abolition of high-handed policies toward both our factions-whether overt or covert.”
”Yes, Your Majesty. I have authorization from the Emperor of Wielope as well. In the future, I believe we can coexist as good neighbors,” Aldiro said.
”Good. And now for the main issue… you must make a choice. Will you cast away the title of ‘Empire,’ or will you provide full reparations to the neighboring countries?”
The Queen got straight to the point. In exchange for the restoration of diplomacy and trade, this was the “blood” they had to shed so that our country wouldn’t be misunderstood by other nations.
Option one: Discard the name “Empire.” Abandon expansionism. Returning to a “Kingdom” status wouldn’t stop them from ever invading again, but the international impact would be massive. The retreat of an “Empire” that had spent decades doing as it pleased would signal a new era.
Option two: Keep the name “Empire” but pay reparations for past aggressions. This meant paying off the countries they’d harmed-including ours-and withdrawing troops from active war zones. This was a demand for substance over symbolism, but the prestige of the “Empire” would remain.
”What is your will, Mother Carley? The Emperor is fixated on the name and seems to prefer the latter. However… for the sake of the country, the latter would be a far more painful blow. Personally, I feel we should throw the name away,” Aldiro whispered.
”The latter,” Carley said bluntly.
”What? Then… Mother, you also believe we should cling to the name of ‘Empire’?”
”Don’t misunderstand. As long as the name ‘Wielope’ remains, anything is fine. However, to tame the surrounding countries, one needs both a carrot and a stick. Simply discarding the name isn’t enough of a carrot, and if we lose the title, they will start to look down on the stick. Besides… it’s for Little Dee’s satisfaction,” Carley explained.
”I see…”
I wondered if it was really okay to discuss such things in front of us, but Carley didn’t seem to care as Aldiro’s shoulders slumped. She was right; to her, this level of policy shift wasn’t a “blow” at all.
The ones who see this as a blow are the mortals²-those who don’t have the luxury of starting over. Once you abandon expansionism, it takes a decade or two to pivot back. Those twenty years are a mere blink to an Elf, but for a mortal, they are a lifetime. A mortal doesn’t know if they’ll even be alive to see the next shift.
That’s why mortals make mistakes. And that’s why they rely on Carley. In his heart, the Emperor probably wanted to keep expanding for his own ambition, but he held himself back and deferred to Carley. And Carley, taking his feelings into account, decided to let the “Empire” keep its name.
Was it really okay to let this go through? Wielope had made the best possible choice for themselves.
”Do not worry, Lord Harvest,” Queen Cecile said softly.
”Your Majesty…”
”Taking immediate gains is not a bad thing. And the burden of deciding what to do with those gains is not ours alone. The next generation will struggle alongside us to secure even better results.”
”Heh, you’ve got some spine. This is why mortals cannot be underestimated. Indeed, unfortunately, even I am not omniscient,” Carley noted.
The Queen and Carley exchanged words and shook hands. It seemed we couldn’t let our guard down, but for now, we had secured a friendship. That was all well and good, but…
”By the way, Aldiro, there’s one more thing I want you to negotiate,” Carley whispered.
As she spoke into his ear, the only thing that worried me was the look on Aldiro’s face-a look that said, “Wait, for real?” as he stared directly at me.
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Summary:
Negotiations reach a climax as the Wielope Empire envoy, Aldiro, meets with Carley. Queen Cecile presents a difficult choice for the Empire: abandon their name or pay massive reparations. Carley chooses the reparations to maintain the ‘prestige’ of the Empire, highlighting the difference in perspective between immortal Elves and short-lived mortals.
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Trivia:
- Aldiro is the Emperor’s half-brother, showing the internal stability of the Empire.
- The ‘seed’ harvesting is a recurring joke referencing erotica tropes.
- Gustav’s exhaustion is a subtle character detail contrasting with the political high ground.
- Carley calls the Emperor ‘Little Dee’, showing her true authority over the realm
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Character Insight:
Carley shows her pragmatic side; she doesn’t care about names or pride, only functional power. Cecile demonstrates her leadership by accepting immediate gains while trusting future generations to handle long-term peace.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘seed’ (kodane) joke as a meta-commentary on the isekai genre’s tendency toward harem and adult themes while maintaining a serious political plot.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Carley – Ancient Elf ‘Mother’ (Haha-sama) of Wielope Empire—young beautiful elven looks w/ ancient aura, long autumn-leaf green hair, flat-chested soft body, carefree villain matriarch to assassins/royalty like Emperor ‘Dee-bou’ & Gustav. Forest Blessing granter, founder/supporter, blunt/pragmatic, Kento progeny-obsessed, chill under magic/tentacle restraints.
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Loire-Rose – Current Saintess and top of the Great Cathedral food chain. White hair, pale skin, blue eyes—the full divine aesthetic. Can literally manifest light and blessings, but don’t let the holy glow fool you. She’s pragmatic, money‑minded, and way too playful for church politics. Runs a workshop (yeah, even sells adult goods on the side) and keeps her “holy” mask on… most of the time. Originally born to a Salvation Faction family, later adopted by the previous Holy Figure. Total mix of divinity and chaos, and somehow it works.
• Kento – Lord Harvest—the unassuming owner of the Harvest magic tool shop (with a discreet adult goods side). An isekai’d Japanese salaryman resembling Kazuma Satou, with dark hair and basic magic for crafting. Recently triumphed over a Great Dragon; now juggles his harem, tinkering, and ties to Amelia and the Queen at Ddo-Buddy Manor.
• Demandyl – Emperor of the Willope Empire. Known as ‘Dee-boy’ (Dee-bou) by Karla. A man past middle age approaching old age, wearing opulent robes. He has children and wives.
• Aldiro – An elderly man and the former head of diplomacy for the Wielope Empire. He is the older half-brother of the current Emperor Demandyl. He views Carley as his literal mother figure.
• Gustav – Leader of the Wielope Empire’s elite ‘Shadow’ assassin crew—captured in royal dungeon & victory parade hit, now snagged by shop defenses. Die-hard Emperor loyalist, shakes at the thought of Carley getting hurt from political fallout.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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