Choice

The Dark Elf issue was now resolved, but Li Lin had another equally important matter to address.

"Duergar?"

Maya shook her head.

"You're planning to have them join in as well?"

She asked in disbelief.

"Anyone who was expelled from the Five-Nation Alliance has value in forming an alliance."

Li Lin was not unaware of the Dark Elf Language's displeasure, but he decided to ignore it.

"Don't forget, the Duergar, like you, originally belonged to the same race, but eventually parted ways due to differing ideologies. However, they did not lose their craftsmanship and skills because of this. Aren't you the same, using these Duergar to build the cities of the Dark Elf?"

"Master, I understand your thoughts perfectly."

Maya spoke with great conviction, interrupting Li Lin. She stared at the mage before her, a look of doubt on her face for the first time.

"But do you really think that even with the same enemies, we would get along well with those of our own kind who once drove us out? It's true that the Five-Nation Alliance inflicted the pain of losing loved ones, and we sided with the Magic Empire, ultimately suffering destruction. But we can endure all of that; after all, we are different races. Wars between races are cruel and merciless. But what about those of our own kind?"

Maya's voice became shrill, and her expression turned stern.

"And what about our own kind? What did they do when we made our choice? They didn't support us; they stabbed us in the back! They drove us to become Dark Elf, fallen to the underworld, allied with evil and darkness. And our weak surface relatives despise our existence. They are the ones who created this situation, yet they blame everything on us Dark Elf. So what now? We Dark Elf are useful, that's why they accept us. If we are still useless, then are we destined to be abandoned and despised for the rest of our lives?!"

She clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

"We were forced into the Underdark, and to survive, we chose the Spider Queen. What's wrong with that? Even elves have the right to fight for their lives! Why is it evil for us to accept the darkness and live on? Those weak and incompetent surface relatives enjoy the sunlight, the earth, and the forests. What right do they have to criticize us who live in the Underdark?! Now, they know the bitter consequences, so they come to 'seek' our assistance, to use your hands to achieve their goals! They used to say our ideals were blasphemous, but now? Why have they accepted our ideals again? We were banished from the surface for this, and now, for the same reason, we are about to be forced to leave the Underdark? Fairness? Justice? Is this the fairness and justice that elves uphold? How are they any different from us Dark Elf?!"

"Well said."

Just then, a burst of crisp applause rang out, and Maya turned around in surprise. She saw Angela sitting at the table next to her, looking at Maya with a rare expression of admiration.

"It was definitely the right thing for me to keep you around."

She spoke with a smile, then looked at Li Lin.

"Master, I really like her."

"Don't even think about turning her into Vampire Species too."

Li Lin smiled helplessly, then straightened his expression and faced Maya.

"To be honest, Miss Maya, I never expected you to be able to think so much. Frankly, from an ally's perspective, I hope my allies can be simple-minded, the simpler the better. However, since you've already brought it up, I'll be frank with you too."

Maya gazed at Li Lin and took a deep breath.

"There's only one thing I can say: I'm not qualified to answer the question you've raised."

Then, Li Lin quickly replied.

"As you can see, I am merely a human. The strife among the elves occurred after the fall of the Magic Empire. Therefore, I know nothing of it. Consequently, I have neither the right nor the ability to judge whose methods are more correct, those of the Dark Elf or the elves. Similarly, I will not concern myself with whether the Duergar or the dwarves are right. I only care about one thing: destroying the Five-Nation Alliance and restoring the continent to its former glory. This is why the Elf Goddess entrusted you to me. She understands that the animosity between the elves and the Dark Elf is not a recent development. She also knows that merely having a common enemy will not make you abandon your hatred and join forces against it. Therefore, you will not fight side by side; you will not fight the Five-Nation Alliance as 'one of the elves.' You will fight as my subordinates— the Arcane Mage."

At this point, Li Lin stopped and stared at the Dark Elf before him.

"Miss Maya, I don't know where you intend to lead the Dark Elf, but the fact that you dare to speak like this, and that the Dark Maiden still haven't abandoned you, shows that they've already tacitly accepted your ideas. At the very least, please think carefully: do you want to beg for fairness as a weak and exiled race, or do you want to demand fairness as a victor? You are Dark Elf, and you should understand this better than I do. Fairness and equality are never things that can be begged for."

"... indeed."

Under the watchful eyes of Li Lin and Angela, Maya blushed slightly, but fortunately, she had dark skin, so it wasn't easily noticeable.

"Perhaps it's because I've been memorizing too many doctrines that are completely contrary to my own beliefs these past few days, which has made my mind a bit unclear now."

She turned her body somewhat awkwardly, then placed her hand on the rapier at her waist, using this movement to regain her composure.

"Are you planning to use the same reasoning to persuade those Duergar?"

"Of course not. I'll just tell them, 'A feast and more delicious wine await you in the dwarf kingdom than in the dwarf kingdom,' and I'll probably win their loyalty."

Seeing that Maya had relaxed, Li Lin said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"If that's the case, then I sincerely hope you can pry open those stubborn, unyielding heads."

Maya knew, of course, that Li Lin was joking, but she had to admit that it did ease the tense atmosphere that had been building up.

When do you plan to leave?

"I want to check out the other Dark Elf cities first, then I'll set off... Oh, right."

At this point, Li Lin seemed to remember something and clapped his hands.

"Ideally, I'd like twenty elite Dark Elf warriors, but no priests."

"No priest, you mean...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Maya understood what Li Lin meant. She quickly nodded and then left the room.

"It seems that sparing her life was indeed the right decision."

Watching Maya's departing figure, Angela chuckled and said.

"Master, are you really not going to let me make her family? Do you really think she will remain loyal forever?"

"Loyalty is a very expensive thing. It's not good to expect it to exist. Just like those sisters, even if you turned them into vampires, would you really expect to have their absolute loyalty?"

Li Lin touched Angela's hair.

All I can do is ensure that some people walk the same path as me. Fate is a path that can be controlled; as long as you master the right methods, you will gain something more important than loyalty.

"For example, love?"

"Um?"

"I've noticed it myself; you're surrounded by women. According to Sister Nia, your seven so-called 'Seven Ring Spirit Envoys' are all women, aren't they? Moreover, I've heard that in your previous life, besides the other twelve Arcane Mage, you never saw a single man. And most of your magic apprentices were women, weren't they? Truly worthy of being called Master; for someone who once ruled the world, a few women are naturally a piece of cake."

"... She even tells you things like this?"

"On the contrary, I feel proud. How can one become an emperor who controls a country if one cannot even control women?"

Thus, Li Lin was once again certain that his and this little Vampire Species's ideas were completely diametrically opposed in some respects. What was this? A female version of "How can one govern the world if one cannot even sweep one's own house?" or "How can one govern the world if one cannot even control one woman?"

Clearly, the little guy's way of thinking was something Li Lin couldn't easily figure out.

"So, what are your plans this time, Master? If you'd like to help pry open those rock-headed people, I'd be more than happy to do so."

"If I let you go, I'm afraid I really will become what the words literally describe."

Considering that the Duergar likely possessed the same, and even worse, temper as dwarves, Li Lin didn't plan to bring Angela along. Unlike the Dark Elf, those dwarves didn't know how to surrender. If angered, even if only one remained in battle, these Duergar probably wouldn't submit. Therefore, Li Lin didn't need Angela's help this time.

"Stay here a while longer, and while you're at it, keep an eye on those Dark Elf for Maya, and make sure they behave. If any of them are a little disobedient..."

Li Lin formed his right palm and chopped downwards.

"Do as you please."

"Understood, Master."

After understanding Li Lin's meaning, Angela's lovely face immediately lit up with a joyful smile. It seemed that tormenting these Dark Elf could indeed bring her endless pleasure.

"So, who do you plan to take with you? Sister Nia?"

"No."

Li Lin shook his head.

"You don't need those two sisters right now, but this time, I'm taking them with me."