Chapter 568: Chapter 568: The Temptation of Food

Upon these words, some were joyous while others were anxious, but most were more concerned about the people Yang Yu mentioned who persecuted the Elf Clan.

Queen Ailena, as if she saw through their thoughts, continued to speak:

“The reason for starting the war is quite simple.

It is the Slave Hunters from the Luoze Empire who have invaded the Elf Forest and endangered our safety, and they did it deliberately.

This situation will continue in the future. If we do not come together to resist, many more of our kin will go missing.

They have indeed affected our survival.

At this point, we can no longer turn a blind eye…”

Ailena delivered an impassioned speech in the square, which she and Yang Yu had previously orchestrated as a political show.

By directing all the blame toward the war-initiating Luoze Empire, she deepened the elves’ hatred for the Luoze Empire and made them more receptive to the decision to engage in the war.

Subsequently, the Elf Queen logically mentioned providing aid to Wansheng Country, which in turn would reciprocate with support.

Regarding Bai Jin and Yang Yu, the two humans, Ailena did not avoid discussion but instead reaffirmed Bai Jin and Yang Yu’s contributions and recognized that there were good people among humans.

Many elves were still doubtful, with continuous expressions of skepticism.

Ailena personally vouched for the two with her own reputation and earnestly beseeched Yang Yu and the others to lend a hand to the elves once more.

Yang Yu and his comrades possessed magic power, capable of long-distance communication, allowing them to establish contact with the high-ranking officials of Wansheng Country for face-to-face negotiations.

“I’m not the great good person your Queen describes, I’m an adventurer, naturally here for profit.

To be honest, I intended to borrow your Secret Treasure.

However, your initial attitude toward humans discouraged me.

Now that I have the chance, I need to raise the issue again.

Of course, I won’t borrow it for nothing.”

Saying this, Yang Yu, in front of everyone as if performing magic, made the corpses of several prey fall from the air, piling up into a small mountain in the square,

“These foods are the rental fee I’m paying you.

As the Elf Queen said, whether or not I can rent the Elf Secret Treasure is not her sole decision to make, so, after going around in circles, I need to ask for your opinion again.

If you agree, I’ll pay this rental fee in advance to help you through tough times.

If you disagree, I’ll take this rental fee back, as I’m not so generous as to give you food for free.”

The allure of a mountain-like pile of food was too great; the hesitant elves could hardly take their eyes off it.

Even those steadfast in their belief that “humans cannot be trusted” began to waver, sneaking glances now and then.

“Just as Yang Yu said.

The importance of the Elf Secret Treasure goes without saying; we also have the option not to reveal it as long as you are willing to persevere and join us through the hardships before negotiations, I will choose other ways to compensate Mr. Yang Yu, though I am not sure if he is willing…

Well, Mr. Yang Yu, considering our elves are having a tough time, could you lend us some food to help us get through these hard times…”

“No way. Now that food is hard to come by, if you all are unwilling here, then I can only consider going to the royal capital of Wansheng Country to exchange these food items for something more valuable.”

After saying that, Yang Yu nonchalantly took out another piece of red jerky, put it into his mouth, and began to eat it with relish. At the same time, he had a red apple appear in his hand without knowing when and started crunching into it.

The elves present wished they could rush up, give Yang Yu a good beating, and then gorge themselves on the food, but out of respect for the Queen, they could only stand in place and swallow repeatedly.

If they didn’t agree to the other party’s terms, all the food would be taken away.

Many among the elf community knew of the Elf Secret Treasure, but very few had ever seen it. While the Elf Secret Treasure was important, it was not something that could be eaten in crucial moments.

They thought that the Elf Queen must have considered deeply before accepting Yang Yu’s terms. Trading a Secret Treasure for their lives seemed like a profitable deal.

The elves looked unanimously towards Ailena, hoping to discern her decision from her expression.

Ailena timely responded and gave the choice back to the public.

“Please, let us all make a decision together. Those who support loaning the treasure, please raise your hands. If not, then just remain as you are.”

One child immediately raised his hand without hesitation. He didn’t understand what the Queen meant by Secret Treasure; he just wanted a good meal.

Seeing the child raise his hand, other elf children glanced at their parents’ expressions and timidly raised their arms too.

Shortly after, many adult elves also raised their hands.

Before long, the number of elves who had raised their hands surpassed half. After a while, it surpassed three-quarters. In the end, even those who initially had not raised their hands lifted them, and almost all the elves accepted the Queen’s decision to loan the Elf Secret Treasure to Yang Yu.

The word “loan” was more acceptable than giving.

To borrow is to return; to borrow again is not difficult.

And so, Yang Yu and the Elf Clan reached an agreement. He left the food behind and immediately set off for the capital of Wansheng Country to deliver the Queen’s handwritten letter to that nation’s Prime Minister, Ming Dalak.

The matter quickly came to a conclusion. Just before departing, Yang Yu approached Bai Jin and Iyas to give some instructions.

“You just now, that was really killing two birds with one stone. Eating so contentedly in front of everyone, weren’t you afraid of getting beaten up?” Iyas said irritably, then reached out her hand, “Is there any more jerky? Share some with me as a reward for my hard work.”

“Quit the nonsense, how’s your learning going?”

Tough in speech, but Yang Yu handed out the jerky to Iyas and Bai Jin.

“It’s steadily improving, still with some minor flaws, but prepare to be surprised!”

Saying this, Iyas stuffed a piece of jerky into her mouth and walked towards the crowd, found the diminutive Hake, and stuffed the remaining jerky into his hands.

Bai Jin stared at the jerky, at a loss for words, and after much difficulty finally managed to say,

“Are we leaving now? We’ve just met…”

“No choice. It’s urgent,” Yang Yu replied with hands on his hips. “The task of staying in touch will be yours, switch from once a week to once a day. I don’t know how long it will take until I reach the capital of this country.

As I get closer to this country’s royal capital, I’ll let you know, and by that time, you can facilitate the Queen to contact me from your side.

After setting off, I will share my thoughts and future plans with you. Please help me pass them on to Iyas so she can understand my intentions.”

Bai Jin nodded her head, responding somewhat forlornly,

“Mm.”