NOVEL NEXT Chapter 58
Negotiations with the Elven Head Elder.
This woman seemed to already be enraptured by heroin.
Even through the magical communication device, it could be felt.
“Human. Surely you understand that peace does not merely mean the absence of conflict. Peace is built on mutual consideration, and I believe only active exchanges of wisdom can dismantle walls of conflict. If you were truly sent as a envoy for reconciliation between both sides, you would know this. Is that not correct?”
Though her speech was long-winded, it ultimately boiled down to a request for heroin.
Business was fine, but first, I had to address this packaging issue. Drug dealing was not something that could be done honorably.
Quantity, price, location, method—that’s all there was to it.
So, I deliberately spoke matter-of-factly.
“Head Elder. Peace has already been established, has it not? All conflicts have ended, right? The Empire withdrew all its facilities from the Great Forest and pulled its army back. … So, why must we go so far as to offer heroin in order to gain your good favor?”
Even after saying this, there was no answer for a while.
‘Perhaps they never imagined asking for favor from humans.’
The Head Elder must be around 650 years old, I believe. Having guarded the Great Forest since before the founding of the Empire, it must be difficult to humble themselves before a human who is around 630 years younger.
Still, giving up heroin must be even less desirable.
To apply further pressure, I added:
“I wish to show respect to the sovereign of the Great Forest and the representative of the Five Great Clans. However, without any specific requests from your side, I’d prefer to end this magical communication. I’m busy with plans to return to The State.”
“Human! …Ah, wasn’t your name Alan Medoff?”
“A human will suffice. You may call me whatever suits you.”
“….”
“Do you have anything to say? With no further developments, I’ll be departing from here tomorrow.”
This was a notification that this was their last chance to buy heroin.
Eventually, the Head Elder capitulated.
“Envoy Alan. Provide the heroin… We will pay for it. It’s not that we’re asking for it for free.”
That’s the way it should be.
We didn’t negotiate immediately. Instead, I sighed dramatically for the Head Elder to hear as I considered what conditions to propose.
It would be better to supply at a reasonable price until they settle—this would give them the impression of equal trade rather than submission.
‘I need to help them preserve their pride—for now.’
While pondering this, an elf came to mind.
Marcela.
The elf leader who was among the first to taste heroin.
I needed to check on her current situation.
Though she wasn’t an elder, she was staunchly supported by the hardliners among the elves. Last time I saw her, she looked like she was probably high, too.
I casually asked about Marcela.
The Head Elder’s response was somewhat unexpected.
“Sending the Great Warrior Marcela as a representative was my mistake.”
“Marcela tried to monopolize the heroin you gave us using a petty trick, but I uncovered her plans. She even tried to steal the pipe from me, claiming not to use it. From now on, Marcela will not represent the Great Forest in negotiations with the Empire.”
“By the way, when and how much heroin can we receive? And I have another question. About that strangely shaped pipe… Our pipes didn’t combust it properly. If possible, perhaps you could also provide…?”
‘Now they don’t even try to hide it.’
Nevertheless, it wasn’t a situation to celebrate just because the Head Elder was desperate.
I had just received news that Marcela tried to prevent her kin from smoking heroin.
It was hard to believe. She was the type who could sip lemon tea while tearing up dramatically.
It’s possible that she was just trying to monopolize the heroin, as the Head Elder said. After all, realizing the dangers of heroin within such a short time would be almost impossible.
‘Still, I can’t let my guard down.’
Marcela’s martial prowess was real. She was a seasoned veteran over fifty years into mastering her craft, a force not to be underestimated.
The reason the Empire’s overwhelming army struggled against the Great Forest was largely due to Marcela and her small guerrilla team.
Naturally, she was very belligerent, and if the elders had supported an all-out war, she would have readily led the charge against the Empire.
‘Not only is she powerfully skilled, but she also holds considerable influence within the Great Forest—a level of influence that even the elders can’t ignore.’
What if she were genuinely trying to stop the spread of heroin?
For me, it was like hitting my first wall.
Marcela alone wouldn’t be able to stop the spread entirely, but she could definitely interfere. Given the knowledge that I’m the heroin manufacturer, there was a high probability she’d try to kill me if I were to personally engage in the deal.
I had flashbacks of wielding my Morning Star but getting stabbed instead.
Thanks to the Head Elder’s resistance, it seemed I could keep Marcela in check.
I immediately starting scheming.
“…Head Elder, are you implying that the Great Forest’s representative warrior has declared heroin a poison? It is extremely insulting from my perspective. Asking for heroin after such a statement also seems contradictory, and frankly, it’s not something I’m enthusiastic about.”
“Human. Marcela does not represent the elves.”
“But why did you send her as a representative before?”
“That’s…”
The Head Elder faltered, struggling to respond.
After a brief pause, I spoke into the communication device.
“If you truly seek heroin, I am willing to supply it at a reasonable price in the spirit of reconciliation between our sides. As a businessman before a diplomat, I can’t offer it for free… However, I do have a condition.”
“Speak quickly.”
“The trading method will be determined by me. You simply need to follow my instructions. I’ll notify you of the specifics later.”
This was a condition to ensure safe heroin distribution while also keeping Marcela in check.
The Head Elder immediately accepted the condition I presented.
It seemed that as long as they could obtain heroin, the method was irrelevant.
**
Three days later.
It was the first day of trade with the elves.
The trading location was the barracks of the army brigade stationed in the frontier city of Antrem.
Had I personally entered Medelin to sell heroin, Marcela and her subordinates might have attacked me with the conviction that “just killing that guy will solve everything.” That’s why I chose this spot.
Soon, the elves arrived to purchase the heroin.
“I’m Essenia from the Olivbar Clan. Where’s the heroin?”
The representative elder was urging anxiously.
Though she looked young, she was definitely over five hundred years old. This was another reminder that the elf leadership had tasted heroin.
I showed her the goods to reassure her.
“It’s right here, elf.”
“Ah…!”
Three kilograms of heroin, divided into 100-gram portions.
Assuming measured use, it was roughly 300,000 doses—a quantity that far surpassed the small sample I gave them before.
Whereas last time it was presented in an elegant ceramic jar, there was no need for such frills now. After all, addicts wouldn’t care about packaging.
Still, I provided dosage measurement tools to prevent overdosing, and attached a guide explaining how overuse could diminish pleasure.
“Human…! The pipe?”
“I’ve prepared a few more. If you lack pipes, you can heat it on a spoon, or roll it in paper and inhale the smoke.”
“That lacks dignity.”
Dignity, indeed. Still, I refrained from laughing.
“It has the same efficacy and is even more convenient.”
The elder reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Now it was time to collect payment for the three kilograms of heroin.
“Did you bring it?”
“Here.”
Goods were laid out by elves whose gazes were as dark as the elder’s.
It was estimated to be worth somewhere between 400 to 500 million talers.
The reason for the vague estimate was the diverse assortment of goods.
Among them were gold ingots from the occasional trades with the Darien Kingdom, high-denomination banknotes issued by the Imperial Central Bank (essentially gold certificates), heavy silver coins presumably from the Chinguk Empire, and even several large chunks of topaz.
This demonstrated that elves weren’t very familiar with trade practices.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t looking for this anyway.”
The Empire was ultimately after the Great Forest’s resources—minerals, natural stones, and vast amounts of timber.
However, given the current state, it was too early to demand resources, so I chose to have them pay this way for now. Later on, it would likely involve the Ministry of Finance. For now, the priority was to remind them that heroin wasn’t free.
“Good. That’s sufficient.”
“Hmm!”
The elder barely paid attention to my words, instead staring blankly at the heroin.
No doubt she wanted to return to Medelin and take a hit as soon as possible. Maybe she even wanted to try the method I had just taught her.
There was one final matter to discuss before concluding the trade.
“Is Marcela still opposing the heroin?”
“Yes.”
The elder’s face darkened slightly.
“Yet you’ve managed to bring such valuable goods to buy heroin.”
“…”
“Without informing Marcela, I assume?”
“I decline to answer.”
So, it was a secret.
Judging from the elder’s expression, Marcela was strongly opposing the heroin use. Even the elders appeared to be conscious of her, carefully puffing on their pipes. She might have even rallied elves loyal to her to counterbalance their influence.
‘She really managed to resist heroin.’
I was genuinely surprised. How could she have resisted when she had every opportunity to use it if she wanted? It was unclear why she was even holding out.
Regardless, when she learned about the additional three kilograms, she’d surely go berserk.
Still, I was not unduly troubled.
Because I could use her strong opposition to my advantage.
“Good. Here’s what you should do with the other elders. It’s not difficult.”
“Human. Why would I follow your orders…”
“It’s not an order. It’s a suggestion. Don’t you want to enjoy it peacefully?”
At this, the elder hesitated and leaned closer to listen. I began explaining a simple guideline that even addicts could follow.
If this worked, Marcela’s resistance would soon be rendered powerless.