The corridor to the audience room was short, as expected.
　This is a palace built on a tree. There was no way they could make a long corridor.
　However, there was still enough room to talk to Günther on the way.

''You have met the Elf Queen, haven't you, Lord Günther?''

'Mm,' said Günther, nodding briefly.

'What impression did you get?'

'Personally, I don't like her, but from an objective point of view, she's not a bad girl. The Elves adore her and she is well governed. However, there is a bit of a lack of vision in the world.

What do you mean?

The Elves have made it their life's mission to protect the World Tree at the heart of this forest. If it extends to anything other than this, they become narrow-minded. In short, everything is centered on the World Tree. And if I may be so bold as to say it, she is a very self-respecting girl. It's the type of girl who doesn't mind giving in to the human race, but also doesn't want to get help from the demon race.

　In short, he's very stubborn, much like Eagle, in a way,' Günther let out a laugh and continued.

'However, from the letter I received the other day, I'm sure you have high hopes for Lord Ike.

"Expectations.

"Lord Ike has a reputation for taming dwarves and treating humans equally. I'm sure that even though she is not well versed in the world, her reputation must have reached her ears.

There's no way I'm grooming you. I'm just getting help.

That kind of humility also resonates.

　Günther let out a laugh at that, and then stopped speaking.

''Well, so much for the Elf Queen's gossip. That girl is not familiar with the voice of the world, but she has an unusually good ear. This gossip might be overheard as well.

　No way.
　The elf's pointed ears are no showpiece.
　That hearing is probably the best among subhumans.

　And there's no point in talking about four or five here.
　You'll be able to meet the Elf Queen in a few dozen seconds.
　So you can decide then.

　The Demon King's Army is not waging war for charity.
　If the Elf Queen is useless, there is no need to make an alliance with her.
　On the other hand, if she was a detriment to the Demon King's army, they might have to fight her.

　That's what war and politics are all about.
　I'm sure this meeting will be beneficial just to confirm that.

　With that in mind, he waited for the elven girl to open the door to the audience chamber.

　When the door was opened, a dazzling light came into view.
　Apparently, the audience room was a vaulted room.
　Sunlight was pouring down in abundance.

　Under the light, the Elf Queen was standing there. Surrounded by sunshine, the Elf Queen is beautiful.

　I don't know if it's fortunate or unfortunate, but I've had the opportunity to meet beautiful women, and the Elf Queen deserves a special mention among them.

　The woman in the sunshine was beautiful to the point of being a demigod.
　She wore golden hair and stood there like a sculpture.
　For a moment, she had such a presence that one could almost forget to breathe.
　Such an elven queen calls out to us from her throne made of green sunshine trees.

''Welcome, the messengers of the Demon King's army.

..........

　Despite his appearance, the Lord's voice was unexpectedly gentle.　　　
　And his chest is rising and falling. It's a sign that she's breathing.

　It seems that she is neither a sculpture created by God nor a magical creature. I'm relieved to hear that, and I hang my head reverently.

　This is the king of a country. You must not be rude to him.

It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ike, Commander of the Demon King's Army's Eighth Legion.

I've heard about you for a long time. They say that you are a heretic among the Demon King's army.

'I don't know what kind of rumours the others are making, but if you're aware of what they think, I'm aware of that.

　When she said that, the queen chuckled and held her mouth.
　Apparently, she was a joking partner.

''No, I beg your pardon. It's impolite to laugh at a conference.'

No, no, no, it's all right.

　When I say this, the Elf Queen first offers her thanks.

'What is it, I heard that you saved our people from the white beast just now. First of all, as their king, I would like to thank you.

I did what I had to do.

　I returned, but Günther only sniffed "Hmph".

　It's probably not because Ferrette saw it either, but he continued, "..........................I'd like to thank Günter-dono as well.

　It's a reluctant body.

　I don't know what happened in the past, but it's not good to start a fight here, so I decided to get down to business.

''The slaying of the beast is only an afterthought. And I'm not going to use saving the elves as a bargaining chip to offer an alliance. I believe that alliances are only formed when our mutual interests are aligned.

''I see, you are an honest person. In other words, since you're allied with the Demon King's army, you're asking me to give you a good one.

Yes, I know it's a very, very rude offer, but...

No, of course not. We can't ask you to protect this forest for free either. We'll give you what you deserve.

Such as?

　As for us, we would like to have the elven warrior squadron provided, but the words that the queen said were unexpected. Or rather, it was too unexpected.

'I will offer myself to you. You may do with me as you please.

..........

　I'm left speechless by too much dialogue.
　For a moment I thought she was joking, but she seems to be serious.

''If I may say so myself, my appearance is superior to that of others. You may use me as a consolation prize for Lord Ike. --You are the immortal king and you have no such feelings. Then use it as an experiment. It is said that the flesh and blood of a noble elf has long been the perfect magical material.

Well that's for sure.

　It is said that the blood of the noble elves is used as a kind of elixir (elixir).
　And it is said that their tears can be a rare gemstone.　　
　If you are a magician of the demon race, you may be able to get your hands on this material.

　If the witch Sephiro was here, she would gladly agree to this condition, but unfortunately, I don't have the makings of a mad alchemist (Matudo scientist).

　When I politely decline, she paragraphs ruefully and continues.

''Well then, what Ike-dono wants is an elven warrior force.

　It seems that the Elf Queen knew that after all.
　Even so, the reason why she refused to do so is because it seems that the elves don't like fighting that much.

　Now is not the time to talk about such things, but it was Günther, not me, who gave the explanation instead.

'O Ferret, Queen of the Elves. I know how you feel, but these are not the times. We will live in peace. That's all very well. But just because we don't have any weapons doesn't guarantee that they won't touch us.

I know that very well, sir.

　Günther, King of the Dwarves, continues as if to admonish them.

Elves and dwarves, like water and oil, have one thing in common: they both love peace. And yet the land of the dwarves has fallen. I don't like you, Ferret, but I don't want you to go the same way as my kingdom. That's all I can say.

　After saying that, Günther's mouth is tied in a straight line.
　It's a look that says he doesn't want to interrupt you any further.

　The Elf Queen Ferlet stared at Günter's expression for a long time and then turned back to me. It's a face that seems to have made up its mind.

''.........Lord Ike, to be honest, I don't trust the demon race.

　She piles on the words as she starts to cut them off.

'I don't trust the dwarf race either. Nor do I trust humans, of course.

　But," she continues, "I know this dwarf king is a stubborn, stubborn and bigoted man.

'I know this dwarven king to be stubborn, stubborn and bigoted. And I will trust Lord Ike to be that trusting.

I don't mean to be so far-fetched, but are you sure you're willing to form an alliance with the Demon King's Army?

　Ferrette nodded her head, coyly.

　Dropping her head slightly, Ferret was as beautiful as ever, but I didn't see it coming and decided to talk with her about the details of the alliance.