Even the week he’d spent here had been enough to leave Ainz with the impression that dark elves took a lot more responsibility for their own actions than humans.
A philosophy arrived at over decades and centuries would not be disrupted by the voice of one lone visitor—if it did, that was a problem in and of itself.
Besides…
Infighting among the dark elves is good for Nazarick.
“For that reason, we asked someone who knows more about the world outside to join us.”
He hadn’t expected to be roped in yet but managed to avoid acting flustered.
“I’m not sure how useful I’ll be, but I’m certainly happy to share what I know.”
An appreciative murmur went up, and one dark elf threw out a question.
“What are your thoughts, elders? We have no ‘troops,’ but are we sending someone?”
“We think we should,” the female elder replied. “We’ve heard of no dark elf villages being attacked, but that could simply be because they haven’t been targeted yet. I’m sure you’re all aware, but we’re on the outskirts of the elf country. The southeast edge of it. If these invaders march steadily forward, we’d be the last they reach.”
“And if they wipe out the elves, then we’d likely not escape unscathed. In which case, it’d be a good idea to help drive them back now.”
“…That’s my concern, elders. Just because the elves are getting attacked, does that really mean we would be?”
Fair. From what Ainz—and Nazarick—had discovered, there had been no dark elves sold as slaves.
“In fact, if we join the elves in the war, that might convince these humans the dark elves are their enemy. Worse—can we even beat these humans?”
A ripple ran through the crowd.
A natural question.
This invasion was knocking at the door of the elf capital. It would be hard to turn things around. Anyone could guess this was a losing battle.
“I agree with the elders,” a dark elf said, looking displeased. “Melon, when we fled to these woods, the elves took us in. You intend to forget that debt?”
Melon appeared to be the previous speaker. He hastily corrected himself. “Nah, I didn’t mean that. To fight or not to fight ain’t our only options. Off the top of my head, we could invite the elves to run with us. The forest ain’t exactly small. I dunno the first thing about humans, but I bet they’re not built for living here the way we are. If we head farther in, they might not chase after…and there’s always the option of moving to a forest that’s even farther away. Why are these humans attacking the elves anyway? For all we know, the elves started it.”
“…In that case, it serves them right,” the apothecary master muttered. Not that loud, but loud enough to make an impact.
“Yes, the cause of this conflict is a concern. Do humans dwell in these woods, too?” The elder looked at Ainz.
“I’m afraid I don’t know the cause of the war. I wasn’t even aware their invasion had made such significant inroads. But I can say the human country lies outside the forest. I don’t believe this is a war over the necessities for survival.”
“Understood. This forest is so vast, even we do not know the extent of it. And the world outside is larger still. So what do you think we should do?”
Huh? I’m an outsider; you’re gonna ask me that? Uh-oh. Well, it’s not like the dark elves are a particularly vital race…
The elf trees themselves and what the apothecary master knew were things he’d like to have, but he didn’t need them.
But it’s not like I want them to die off, either. Let’s avoid lying and direct them to a less permanent solution.
Aura’s and Mare’s faces floated across his mind’s eye.
He wasn’t sure his plan was going well, but perhaps they’d be sad if the children they were playing with died.
Ainz thought a moment, considering his answer.
Mm. Can’t really provide guidance here. I don’t have the data available.
He wanted to avoid hastily throwing together a messy plan and having it lead to disaster. Best to just go with his gut.
“I’d say if you owe them, you can’t afford to abandon them here. If you do, they’ll deem the dark elves untrustworthy and refuse to help you when you need it.”
The elders nodded.
“But there’s no guarantee you can win. By that I don’t mean what the elves believe, but a rational conclusion based on evidence you’ve gathered yourselves. Without that, sending everyone off to fight would be downright reckless.”
The younger villagers nodded.
“So I’d recommend neither option.”
Everyone looked puzzled. Feeling their eyes on him, Ainz remembered a guild war back in Yggdrasil, where he and his guildmates had played both warring sides against each other so they could profit no matter who won.
They’d employed some vicious strategies, but those had taken advantage of their unique position—that approach wouldn’t work for the dark elves.
“First, each village should send a handful of reinforcements. Those people are highly likely to die in battle. But they have to go. The elves may grumble that you aren’t sending enough, but if you say that’s all you can afford without risking the safety of your village, it should silence them. You have nominally contributed, after all. Then those who remain should evacuate.”
As he wrapped things up, he heard approving voices. And a few suggesting it wasn’t exactly playing fair. But the majority seemed in favor of the idea.
“City life has served you well,” an elder said. “We would never have thought of that.”
Ainz made his illusory face wince.
That didn’t feel like a compliment…
But the elder wasn’t being spiteful or sarcastic, either.
That was the first thing I thought of—if they really couldn’t manage that, does that mean they are really that inexperienced? But I feel like the lizardmen adopted similar tactics… Oops, almost forgot to respond!
“I think it’s less about city life than natural cunning.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” the apothecary master said. “Cut away a piece to save the whole—common enough in gardening.”
Several dark elves looked shocked by this. Perhaps he rarely spoke at these meetings—or even bothered to show.
“Thanks, Provisional Master. And I forgot to add something important—make sure you remember it.” Ainz double-checked all eyes and ears were on him before continuing. “This is just a suggestion. My opinion and mine alone. This is your village’s problem, and the final choice should lie with you. Your lives are your responsibility.”
This had to be said to drive the point home.
Ainz was not about to take the blame for his proposal.
If they ran with it, quite a few dark elves would lose their lives. Their deaths would help sell the other elves on the meager reinforcements. But the bereaved might hold a grudge against Ainz.
Thus, he had to ensure this was their decision. So he could insist as much later.
That won’t work against anyone vindictive, but there’s no need to maintain cordial relations with people like that. Squishy Moe once said it was impossible to have everyone like you. If they send the parents of the kids Aura and Mare are playing with, that could leave a bad taste…but it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to stick my nose in any further. I’ll have to check up on that later…although we may not have time.