Chapter 1162: Opening The Borders

With concerns over the man known as the Doctor at an all time high, the Queen quickly arranged for scouts to find out as much information as possible.

Not only that, but she ordered them to make the most out of the local intelligence.

There was even mention of a certain… Vampire who dealt with information which made Alice raise her eyebrow but she didn’t say anything.

While she wasn’t someone who would simply sit around and watch, Caelan’s situation was special in that his movements are very much limited.

There is only so much he could do so if he rejects this request, she won’t be surprised.

Of course, if he was to reject for other reasons, she wouldn’t mind making a quick trip to discuss a couple of business opportunities with him.

Namely forcing his hand.

With three issues now addressed, it was time for the final and main issue.

“Nyer. The man behind everything. A traitor of the old era.” The Queen exhaled softly.

This was the most pressing issue as he wasn’t someone they could deal with. Even if the entire race banded together with Extalia.

Everything Nyer has done to put the world on its knees proved this.

His connections and experiments, the results.

All of it was beyond what mortal mind could comprehend.

“We have discussed the Void, the Nightmares and even the Zenia family. But these are merely symptoms of the main cause. Everything we do will amount to nothing but a quick fix rather than a permanent one if we fail to understand the one behind it all.

“If we cannot understand the man orchestrating the events from behind the scenes, how can we hope to resolve this issue permanently?”

She glanced at Alice’s group.

“What is his ultimate objective? What does he hope to accomplish by taking control of the Void? What connection are shared between the Nightmare Realm and the Doctor?”

Pulling her gaze away, the Queen closed her eyes.

“We cannot continue reacting to very crisis as it emerges. Doing so would always leave us one step behind, forever failing to catch up. We need to anticipate the dangers and place counter measures ahead of time.”

There was also another issue however…

Where the Elves stand in this conflict.

There are no doubt elves who may consider swapping sides, especially with how overwhelming his forces are.

This was an issue she must address. Failure to do so would simply let this cancer grow in the darkness while she averted her eyes.

“As Elves who have guarded the world tree for generations, the side we must stand on is the one that will ensure the peace of the world and the stability of the realms. If we simply focus on protecting our own territory, the chances of the enemy succeeding grows exponentially.

“Nyer is not an enemy we can fight while thinking about safety. This is a battle where one must fight with the intent to kill even if we must take damage in the process. But even with this said, we must understand that we cannot blindly throw bodies at the problem and hope it resolves.”

The Queen stood up.

This was a message for both Alice’s group that wanted their support and passionate elves who wanted to throw themselves into battle.

Just because things are desperate doesn’t mean they should blindly charge forward in hopes of a miracle.

“Therefore, I shall issue a royal decree!”

*BANG!!!

Slamming her staff into the ground, energy seemed to pulse through the land they’re standing on.

Everyone fell silent as their eyes focused on the Queen.

“From this day forth, the borders of the Elven Realm shall be reopened to our allies. Our gates, our transport, all of it shall be mad available to those who stand against Nyer.

“Our mages will establish a secure route, provide transportation and coordinate movement of supplies and personnel. We will become a logistics hub to help our allies cross wide distances in an instant. Where our allies lack the means to reach the front lines, we shall become the bridge that leads them to the battle!”

Reaching this point, the Queen closed her eyes for a moment before opening her mouth.

“However, opening our borders does not mean abandoning our vigilance. Every individual entering our territory will be subject to inspection. A system of verification will be put into place capable of identifying concealed identities, foreign influences such as the Outer Gods as well as any forms of interference that may allow spies to slip through our defences.

“I will not have the Elven Realm become a back door through which our enemies can exploit. We shall open our gates but we shall not leave them unguarded.”

Several nobles nodded in approval, especially those who wanted to take to the battlefield immediately.

In their eyes, this was a sensible decision, especially with the state of the world right now.

The Elves possessed extensive transportation routes thanks to the World Tree, a boon that would no doubt help tremendously in the war effort. If properly organised, this will become the path needed to reach their enemy’s pace.

There was, however, one problem.

The Quen had not yet explained how she intended to ensure the new security measures would be effective.

They simply didn’t have time to develop something so advanced unless…

“To ensure that our defences can distinguish friend from foe.” The Queen took a deep breath in order to calm the trembling of her hand.

“I shall offer my own eyes as sacrifice.”

“Your majesty!!!” Several Nobles and retainers shouted in unison, unable to believe what the Queen had just considered as their faces drained of colour.

“Please reconsider! Your Majesty, there must be another way! The Royal bloodline has suffered enough already. To sacrifice what remains of its legacy on top of everything else-“ 𝚏𝗋ℯⅇ

“Enough.” The Quen cut off their complaints.

The hall was filled with an uncomfortable silence.

The elves present understood what her eyes meant.

They were not merely a source of power, a symbol of her status nor were they simply an inherited trait of the Royal Family. They were the last remaining remnants of authority and power that had endured for generations.

With the Royal Bloodline reduced to a single Queen, those eyes presented the final struggles.

To surrender them was to relinquish any hope of the family’s history enduring for another generation!

There was another concern. One that none of the retainers dared voice aloud.

The Queen had no heir.

Should she sacrifice the final inheritance of her bloodline, what would remain for the next generation? What would become of the Royal family if she left no successor?

It was an impolite question, particularly in the presence of foreign guests.

So they swallowed their words though their expressions betrayed their concerns.

To sacrifice so much was an honourable trait. But when everything is destroyed in hopes of taking down their enemy, the elven children who are responsible for the next generation will only grow to curse her name.

Was it really worth?

“I know what these eyes mean to our people. I know what they represent and I understand what I stand to lose…” She closed her yes.

“But tell me… my retainers, what value does an inheritance hold if we allow the world to collapse? Sacrificing these eyes and being cursed by a future generation is much better than keeping them and not having a future. ℓ.

“At least one of the choices mean we were able to endure this calamity. Am I wrong?” She smiled softly.

“Our ancestors did not preserve these eyes so that I might keep them to my final breath. They did not preserve these eyes so that I could watch my people die.

“Now that the day has arrived, how can I simply turn away because the price is mine to pay? I will not betray our ancestors nor will I betray our people. If these eyes can open a path to peace then so be it.”

Whether it was a matter of stubbornness or simply obligation, the Queen quickly wrapped up the meeting with that as the final topic that needs to be discussed.

Even if she was to give up her eyes, the mages still need to sort out an array that could properly put their power to good use.

With the nobles leaving one by one to pass on the news, the Queen had Alice and the others stay behind while giving the elders the occasional glance.

Usually they’ll be against her decisions or cause trouble in a myriad of ways.

But today, they were being strangely quiet. She couldn’t tell whether or not they were planning on causing trouble or if trouble was already brewing.

Yet the fact that they remain silent was a cause for concern.

“Esteemed Elders.” The Queen turned around.

“You have been unusually quiet today. If this girl has made a mistake, please enlighten me. As you know, I am not quite experienced in the ways of leading my people. If there are any suggestions or advice, please share.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty hahaha.” One of the Elders chuckled before standing up.

The Queen frowned inwardly.

“We merely believe that in times of great adversity, a person’s true worth is revealed. We simply decided that it would be best for us to observe how things unfold before passing judgement.” Another added.

However, their words only caused her frown to deepen.

“Observe?”

“Indeed, You have made your decision and we have no intentions of standing in your way. For now, we shall leave the matter in your hands and watch as the world comes together under the banner of denying Nyer’s plot.”

Without any intention of saying more, the Elders left, leaving just Alice’s group and the Queen along with her guards…