Elves love nature. They are protectors of the forest, a race defined by order and tradition. The histories of the Astral Continent told that they were once an open people who freely interacted with other species. That changed with the rise of humanity, whose lust for war and domination shattered the relationship. Now, they live in seclusion within their sacred forest, home to the World Tree, regarding all humans with suspicion and hatred. Intruders are eliminated on sight. They are a people who would hunt a slaver to the ends of the world to inflict unimaginable pain.

And yet…

"Eeek! No!"

"D-demon! What is this bizarre ritual you're forcing on us? S-stop it at once!"

"My body is moving on its own! Is this some kind of demonic ceremony?"

Those same proud elves were now dancing. In a perfectly straight line, no less.

'Hmm.'

Sitting in his Master Room, Taehyun observed them intently. Their movements were clumsy, but they were following his instructions more or less perfectly. The image of modern pop idols had popped into his head, and on a whim, he'd decided to test it. The result was surprisingly entertaining, likely due to the elves' innate flexibility.

"Um, Sir Taehyun… is this a hobby of yours?" Riel asked tentatively.

"Why? You want to join them?"

"…If that is your wish, Sir Taehyun, I will do my best."

"Never mind. I'm just testing the limits of the forced contract's control."

The elves, summoned via forced teleportation, were bound by a forced contract that set their Obedience to 100. While they reacted instantly to simple commands, he needed to know how much detail they could follow. The complex choreography of pop singers had been a random idea, but they were executing it far better than he'd anticipated.

"Stop."

Having gauged the limits of his command, Taehyun gave the order. The elves immediately collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.

'So they can even interpret simple commands like that on their own.' For a Dungeon Master, this forced contract was incredibly convenient.

"Hah… hah… H-how did I end up in a place like this…"

"It's unbearable. We're being tormented by a demon."

"Ugh! I would rather take my own life than suffer this humiliation!"

Saphaella, the strongest-willed of the group, tried to slit her own throat.

"Ugh! W-why won't my body obey?"

But having been forcibly bound to Balak, she was destined for a life of absolute obedience. The sword clattered from her grasp as she slumped in despair. The forced contract made even suicide impossible.

Pleased, Taehyun summoned Grai.

"I am in the middle of intense training, my Lord. I would prefer not to be disturbed."

"Sorry to interrupt. Take these newly summoned soldiers and run them through the Ice Palace once."

"Hmm. I understand." Though devoted to his training, it was a command from his master. Grai nodded in acceptance. He hadn't equipped them with new weapons yet, but they should be able to clear the first stage of the Ice Palace without any trouble.

Taehyun rose and walked toward the High Elves. They flinched and trembled as he approached.

"A-a demon!"

"What are you planning to do?!"

"Don't touch me, you fiend!"

Their belated attempts at resistance were useless. Taehyun's lips stretched into a wide, predatory grin, his eyes gleaming.

"Time to work, kids," he said, his voice dripping with the satisfaction of a wicked merchant.

---

Haven Territory fell overnight. The fortress once called the Wailing Wall was now a sea of flames, and Count Dinen's soldiers roared in triumph. The territory's master had changed in an instant.

'That Gelix is a truly useful pawn,' Dinen mused. 'To conquer Haven from within… a strategy I never would have conceived.'

He still couldn't forget the sight: slave soldiers inciting a rebellion, Haven's own troops thrown into chaos by expertly planted rumors. It was all a plan born from Gelix's mind. He hadn't used brute force; he'd shattered the Wailing Wall from the inside with words alone. The memory still sent a shiver down his spine.

Dinen surveyed the lord's office in Haven with deep satisfaction and took his seat. This chair should have belonged to Marquis Dietrich, but not anymore. Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Enter."

"It is I, Count Dinen."

It was the architect of the victory himself, Director Gelix. He entered with a deep bow.

"Hahahaha! If it isn't the old fox who conquered Haven Territory. Well, what brings you here?"

"Is the office of your new territory to your liking, my Count?"

"It is more than to my liking. There could be no better place."

"Then I am relieved. First, an update regarding the Derk Empire. The envoy they sent has requested the subjugation of Balak. The royal court replied that it is impossible for now, but they appear to be considering it."

The imperial family of Derk was caught between Count Dinen and the Peyton Duchy. Duke Peyton, the famed Sword Duke, commanded over two thousand elite knights. Not even the emperor could issue an unreasonable command to such a man. On the other hand, Count Dinen was the true power behind the Raider Association, a man who could move every raider in the kingdom. Now, having seized Haven, his influence was on par with the Duke's. Trapped between them, the imperial family was in an impossible position. Their attempt to appease both sides with an envoy was futile. Count Dinen already had the royal court in his pocket; the final decision would come from his lips alone.

Dinen stroked his chin. "What are your thoughts?"

"We must oppose it, of course," Gelix replied without hesitation. "Balak is currently the only engine for developing the West. While its growing influence may become a problem later, for now, it is drawing in raiders from every region. For the sake of the West's kingdoms, cities, and the Raider Association, you must refuse the envoy's request."

"Just as I thought. A dungeon like Balak can be conquered whenever we wish, no matter how large it grows. For now, it is more valuable as a tool to transform the West into a land of raiders."

"I am grateful for your understanding."

"Haha. Enough with the flattery. Take out a cigar. I'll grant you the honor of smoking with me."

"Then I shall not refuse."

Soon, the office was thick with smoke. With a cigar between his lips, Dinen gestured for Gelix to be seated. "Very well. I will inform His Majesty that we are refusing the envoy's request. What is next?"

"The matter of the slaves remaining in Haven Territory."

"Ah, yes. The slave soldiers. What do you propose we do with them?"

"First, we must emancipate them. Then, grant them their freedom and allow them to spread the word."

"And the effect?"

The room fell silent. In the quiet, Gelix's eyes glinted. "Slaves from across the region will either rebel or flee to Haven. If we offer them the hope of freedom under certain conditions, they will willingly become soldiers of this territory."

"And the backlash from the other nobles?"

"You were never one to care for such things, my Count. As long as we control the rumors within the West, I foresee no significant issues."

"Bwahahahaha! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! That way, Haven will never fall as it did before, and we will naturally amass a private army."

"That is not all. By being the first to abolish the slave laws, you will earn the loyalty of every commoner in the West. It will be costly at first, but in time, we will command an immense military force."

If Balak could control the raiders, Count Dinen could control the people. Many territories in the West still upheld slavery. By positioning himself as a liberator, public sentiment would inevitably swing in his favor.

"You truly are a meticulous old fox. It was a stroke of genius bringing you to my side. Had I not, you might have one day used these same tactics against me."

"But I am your subordinate now, Count Dinen. Please, feel free to use me as you see fit."

"Bwahahahaha! Excellent. Is there more?"

"Yes, though this is a personal matter I wished to bring to your attention."

"Haha. What is it now that requires such secrecy?" Dinen leaned forward, his eyes alight with anticipation.

Gelix carefully extinguished his cigar. "It seems High Elves have been spotted near the Silent Forest. It has drawn the immediate attention of slave hunters and hunter-raiders. While no one is foolish enough to attempt a full raid on Balak after what happened to Sebastian's party, many are approaching with the sole aim of capturing the High Elves."

"Hoh. High Elves, you say? The finest of their kind. This is indeed information worth sharing personally." At the mention of High Elves, Dinen licked his lips. With the elves hidden away in their forests, elf slaves fetched exorbitant prices on the black market. The buyers were nobles of considerable power, a circle to which Dinen belonged. Though he had many elf slaves hidden in his mansion, he was beginning to grow bored of them. The news of High Elves was an irresistible temptation.

Grinning, Dinen picked up his communication device.

—"Yes, my Count."

"Send the top-tier B-rank hunters to the Silent Forest at once. Their targets are the recently spotted High Elves. Ensure this is done without provoking Dungeon Balak. Do you understand?"

—"Understood. They will be dispatched immediately."

The communication ended. Dinen rested his arm on the table. "This information is reliable, I trust?"

"Of course. I have confirmed it myself through my own hunters. As long as they can infiltrate without revealing their identities…"

---

"…is what he's probably thinking. Knowing Gelix, that's exactly what he'll think," Taehyun sneered, holding his own communication device. Slave hunters and raiders from across the continent were already flocking to the Silent Forest.

—"So you deliberately ordered them to be seen by the raiders."

Dropin's voice came through, a note of bitter understanding in his tone. Making the elves visible, using him to leak the information—it had all been part of Taehyun's plan from the start.

"I already knew of Count Dinen's interest in elves, thanks to the Peyton Duchy's intelligence. That old fox Gelix will undoubtedly use the High Elves as a way to curry more favor with him."

This would draw all the slave hunters and raiders to the Silent Forest. Count Dinen's personal hunters would come as well. He would devour them all, harvesting their Zen and equipment while directing the elves' natural animosity toward humans. As the elves grew stronger, he would continue to lure more and more prey into the forest. It was a perfect way to strike back at Gelix while turning the Silent Forest into a perpetual hunting ground. If he could capture Dinen's personal hunters and extract information, the scenario would be flawless.

Taehyun watched the approaching hunters on the screen, a cold smile playing on his lips.

'I can farm Zen and test the High Elves' potential at the same time. I've already got Raviz and a return item on standby, so there's nothing to worry about. Now, Gelix. It's your turn to take a hit.'

He hadn't forgotten their encounter in the Hylon Forest. He couldn't just let that slide. Obtaining the High Elves had been a stroke of luck, and now it was time to put them to proper use.

"Alright. It's time to feast. Show me the power you've cultivated protecting that forest for so long."

He had already assigned classes and provided basic equipment to the High Elves. They had reached level thirty in the Ice Palace, making the Silent Forest the perfect proving ground. He even had support troops stationed nearby to handle any emergencies.

—"Hey. Can I hang up now?"

He suddenly remembered the line was still open. His triumphant mood soured slightly.

"Hurry up and hang up, you bastard."

—"Damn you!"

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