The Martial Unity

Rui’s eyes lit up with eagerness.

“That does sound attractive.”

Genora was the native homeland of the elves, and he was certain that there was no other place where he could gain a greater understanding of the nature path. He was especially curious to see what elven society looked like. Given that the two species had fundamental differences, he was certain that he would run into a civilization that would be nothing short of alien to him.

Despite the fact that human civilization on the Panama Continent was very diverse in culture, they were still part of the same species.

“I would love to visit Genora,” he replied with an enthused tone. “I take it that this is an invitation?”

“I wouldn’t have made the offer if I weren’t inviting you,” she replied with a knowing tone. “We, too, wish to befriend you humans who have co-existed with nature so well. Even if you cannot follow our path, we can still teach you much about how to integrate with nature as a civilization.”

Rui was glad that they hadn’t learned about the Panama Continent’s war with nature. Though it probably wouldn’t matter since they could justify it with nature being under the control of the Authority of Alpha of the Eldritch Chimera.

Still, it was better not to let them get a bad impression of human civilization with how desperate the latter was for powerful allies.

In fact, he was certain that his father had scrapped any expansionary plans to deforest and mine the esoterified territory of the Beast Domain, formerly part of human civilization. After the Beast Incursion ended, it would have been normal to restart the expansionary process.

However, it was worth holding back with this if it meant befriending the elves more easily and quickly. Not to mention, ever since Rui gained the Authority of Alpha, the Beast Domain had become a tremendous asset. Destroying it would be a waste given how much value it could provide.

Thus, most likely, human civilization would consider establishing permanent boundaries and a benevolent, mutually beneficial relationship with nature.

“Normally, we would simply build a bridge between our continents,” the dark elf elder remarked. “However…”

She gazed in the direction of the Great Nam Ocean with respect. “The beasts of the sea do not approve of any foreign elements anymore. I sense that they are under the authority of another even greater entity, one that can be likened to a god.”

Rui smirked. “Something like that. But don’t worry, it’s friendly and is an ally of human civilization. I will have to speak with it and come up with an arrangement that allows for free travel between continents. Once that’s done, I can explore the length and breadth of Genora to my heart’s content.”

The dark elf shook her head. “I highly doubt that you will be able to explore the entirety of Genora. We dark elves reside in West Genora, and that is the only place we have authority over.”

Rui raised an eyebrow. “What about East Genora?”

“The eastern half of our continent is occupied by our sisters, the light elves,” she remarked. “They are… not as friendly. They disdain outsiders and will consider any other species aside from elves on their territory as an external invasion. They can only co-exist with us, their fellow elves, although Genora used to be one continuous swath of land, rising sea levels have severed directional connections between our eastern and western halves, leaving an archipelago in between the two continents and causing the two groups of elves to diverge evolutionarily.”

Rui’s eyes grew fascinated. “And how do dark elves and light elves differ?”

“Skin color is the most visible difference,” she replied simply. “Our complexions match the names of our race. However, the light elves are more insular and do not engage in trade with other polities, continents, or species. And they are fiercely protective of their territory. While they, too, are pacifist by nature, they are protective of their people and places to a far greater degree, overriding their pacifism. This can cause them to react abnormally violently if an outsider dares set foot on their land.”

“I see…” Rui murmured with a fascinated tone. “Probably not a good idea for me to set foot on their land, then.”

“You would die very quickly,” she confirmed. “Your odor and aura of death. The dark tint of death to your skin, almost as if you are possessed by death, will make them determined to exterminate you to the point of all their forces mobilizing against you. I have heard you defeated the Supreme Commander of the Evolutionary Army. That is highly impressive. However, not even that level of individual power will be able to save you from the collective might of East Genora.”

“I have no intention of making a new enemy in the true world, I promise,” Rui shook his head. “We do not have any intention of antagonizing the light elves. If they do not wish for us to set foot on their land, then we will respect their wishes. I don’t mind limiting myself to West Genora. Aside from West Genora, what do you recommend for the other five paths? While we have other ways of getting our hands on intelligence, it is best to get it from people who know the world extremely well.”

The dark elf elder nodded. “Very well. The path of power that we are most familiar with is the Beast Path, and the species we have the strongest ties with are the therianthropes.”

Rui winced internally at those words.

The therianthropes had been among the people who were virtually absolute enemies of human civilization on the Panama Continent. While they weren’t as bad as the Evolutionary Army of Moridia or the Imperial Tekvorian Federation of Acherialis, they were still unreasonable in their conduct with human civilization.

“I am aware of the nature of your hostilities with the Pasupati Tribes of Kiriket,” she said with a knowing tone. “However, rest assured that this will not affect your relationship with ours. We are accustomed to maintaining good relationships with both sides of a hostile conflict, and we are eager to broker bilateral agreements with both sides nonetheless.”