"And this Elven Codex was established under Hubert's initiative, and over the years it has been arbitrarily modified according to his wishes. It is essentially a weapon used to serve him, a tool for powerful families like his to control ordinary elves. How many elves have struggled in despair, how many elves have paid with their lives for it? If there is such a thing as equality of life, when those powerful families kill ordinary elves, does the so-called Elven Codex contain the words 'a life for a life'?" Irina looked at Helena and sneered, "No! Then what is the point of such a codex? Just because ordinary elves have no right to object, does that mean you can amuse yourselves? Even the humans of Luo Du are not as filthy as you."
"So I killed him, because he made many elves homeless, because he caused many innocent elves to die, because he deserved to die." Irina raised her voice, full of sarcasm, "Helena, do you know how many elves have left the Wind Forest and wandered the continent since you started promoting the family system after the racial war? They make up one fifth of all elves! Because their souls are free, they are the true elves! And you are becoming humans wearing elf skins."
The members of the Kroll family lowered their heads, and some of the enslaved elves began to weep. The weeping seemed to be contagious, spreading from the castle gates into the castle itself, until the elves in the hall were all crying together.
"The Elven race is becoming stronger, so this is a correct and great decision. The Elven race has never been more united in history, and we will become even stronger, strong enough to defeat any powerful opponent and protect the Wind Forest." Helena looked at Irina and said in a somewhat forceful tone, "This is a transformation that will lead the Elven race to prosperity. There will inevitably be sacrifices in this process, but for the entire Elven race, these sacrifices are worthwhile."
"Transformation? To become the elves you few dream of?" Irina scoffed, pointing a finger at the enslaved elves. "Have you asked the majority of the elves if they are willing to participate in your so-called transformation? Are they willing to become the sacrifices of your so-called transformation? If your scum can become stronger by eating, drinking, and having fun, then what is the point of this world striving?"
"Thump!"
The enslaved elves all knelt down at once. Many elves emerged from the castle and knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty the Queen, please rescue your people! Leave this endless swamp of humiliation! We believe in the God of Life, and we consider flowers and plants equal to our own lives. Yet now we endure the inequality brought upon us by our own people. Even resistance is illegal! Even if you banish us from the Wind Forest, we will not continue to suffer this endless humiliation!" The lead dancer looked up at the Elf Queen and pleaded.
"We beg Your Majesty the Queen, banish us!"
The elves echoed loudly, many with sobs in their voices and grief-stricken expressions, and many of them had injuries of varying degrees.
"The God of Life will bless you. From this day forward, you will regain your freedom and return to your respective homes. Whether you stay in the Wind Forest or leave, it is your freedom." The Elf Queen's eyes were filled with sorrow and heartache. With a gentle wave of her hand, specks of green light descended from the sky and landed on the elves, instantly healing their injuries.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Highness the Princess!"
The elves looked at the Elf Queen and Irina with excitement and gratitude, smiles finally appearing on their faces.
Irina's expression also softened slightly.
"Your Majesty…" Helena's expression changed slightly, and she wanted to speak.
The Elf Queen raised her hand to interrupt her and continued, "Issue my decree: from this day forward, all laws in the Elven Codex concerning the ownership of elves are hereby repealed. All elves who have been forced into servitude by various families are hereby pardoned and restored to their freedom. They have complete autonomy over their own fate, and no family may force them to stay or leave."
The expressions of the Kroll people and the guests changed drastically.
"Great!"
The enslaved elves looked delighted. This meant that even if they remained in the Wind Forest, they wouldn't have to worry about the same thing happening to them again.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! If this were to happen, the hearts and minds of our Elven race would be completely shattered." Helena said, somewhat agitated.
"Little Yi is right. Without freedom, they are no longer elves." The Elf Queen looked into Helena's eyes and asked, "Helena, what we need is the hearts of the people, not the hearts of a few. If we gain power at the expense of the suffering of the majority of the people, what are we protecting? Shouldn't we be protecting them, who are free, unrestrained, and lovable?"
Helena looked at the Queen, slowly lowered her head, and remained silent.
"Princess Irina, for killing the Chief Punisher Hubert without trial, you will be imprisoned for one year and stripped of your right to the Elf Queen's throne as punishment." the Elf Queen said, looking at Irina.
"I accept." Irina nodded, looking at the Elf Queen, then glanced at the newly freed elves, a smile appearing on her face, before turning and leaving.
"Your Highness the Princess, thank you." the lead dancer said.
"Thank you." the elves nodded in agreement, looking at Irina with concern.
"Elves look prettier when they smile than when they cry. You all look ugly like this." Irina stopped and turned to look at the crowd, her face beaming.
The elves, seeing Irina's smile, seemed to be infected by it, and smiles returned to their faces.
"Farewell." Irina turned gracefully, waving goodbye to the crowd.
"Little Yi, you haven't finished explaining why you killed Hubert." The Elf Queen's voice rang in Irina's ears.
Irina paused for a moment, then continued walking forward, transmitting her own voice: "If someone had forcibly taken me from your side when I was just born, intending to kill me, would you have killed them?"
"Yes." the Elf Queen's answer was quick and firm.
"Three years ago, I didn't know who did this, but now I do, so I've come to kill him." Irina smiled slightly, then with a light step, vanished from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.
"Get up, you are free." The Elf Queen raised her hand to help the elves up, then with a flash of pale golden light, she too disappeared without a trace.
"Let's go, we can go home now, we are finally free!"
An elf cried out happily, echoing the sentiments of many more.
A decree of pardon from Her Majesty the Queen sent shockwaves through the Wind Forest.
…
"Write me a list. Who in the Mage Tower might have been involved in what happened three years ago? And are there any other members of our Elven race involved? Write it all down. These guys will live in fear from today onwards." Irina returned to the cave and coldly said to Snar, who was standing at the cave entrance.
"Yes." Snar nodded and quickly followed her into the cave.
"Is Lord Hubert really dead?" Phyllis tiptoed and looked curiously in the direction of the Kroll family, stuck out her little tongue, and followed them into the cave.
...
"Why does it take a man so long to change clothes? Almost an hour has passed and he still hasn't come out." At the entrance of the Elven Embassy, Engelwey sighed, glancing at a beautiful female elf who had appeared beside him at some point. She was probably here at the embassy on business. Then, somewhat bored, he turned his head to watch two human children playing by the street.
"Tsk, it's almost mealtime and he still hasn't come out. There are so many people queuing up at that restaurant." Ten minutes later, Engelwey checked the time again, turned his head, and found that the female elf was still standing there, looking at him.
"Which family is she from? I've never seen her before, she shouldn't be from the Bebili family." Engelwey squinted at her. This female elf had blonde hair and blue eyes, was extremely beautiful, had fair and delicate skin, and was very tall with a full chest and a pert bottom. Her face, however, was extremely noble.
"This young master is really unreliable." Another ten minutes passed, and Engelwey sighed. The unreliable third young master had probably fallen asleep while changing clothes. He turned to go in and call him again.
"I said, didn't you see a big, living person standing right in front of you?" Just as Engelwey turned around, a lazy voice rang out from beside him, startling Engelwey so much that he fell to the ground with a thud.