Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The Flowery City Floria, two days after Ba‘al Zəbûl Aery’s appearance in the tea house…

Crim was in a dark part of the village, having been told to go there alone. There was only the refreshing sound of a river passing nearby…and a lone house standing apart from the rest, like it was trying to avoid conflict.

…That was the house where the leader of the traditional faction was living.

Florite, the queen, had told her to visit that house, which looked like a regular log house. A young elven girl was standing in front of it.

“You must be Crim Lua Cheia. Please follow me.”

Crim followed her into the building.

A short time later, they arrived at the office of the house, where a man with handsome features and long platinum blond hair that reached his hips was waiting for her.

And…there was also a nervous young girl, who did not seem like much of a fighter. It was safe to assume that he was also unguarded.

“I am pleased to make thy acquaintance. I am Crim Lua Cheia, leader of the United Kingdoms of Lua Cheia.”
“Welcome, Spirit of the Night. I’m the leader of the traditional faction, Lawran.”

He introduced himself while holding out his hand…and Crim shook it.

She had been ready to be yelled at to leave their village alone as soon as she entered, but that did not seem to be the case.

*Oh, he’s actually someone reasonable.*

Relief washed over Crim as she thought that.

“Just to make things clear, I’m against accepting your or the United Kingdoms’ help, that hasn’t changed.”

But then he went straight to the point, expressing his mind.

“I understand we might not have much of a chance. I can see how much we could use your help after seeing their numbers.”

It had only been a few days since the sky darkened from a cloud of bugs, and Lawran averted his gaze as he admitted that.

“But what would happen after the fact? Who can guarantee you won’t be consumed by greed after you’ve established yourselves here? Maybe we could trust you specifically, but humans come and go faster than us. How many generations would it take before you go back on your word?”

…Even the best rulers eventually passed away.

Crim did not know if she counted as one, but Lawran was right. From an elven point of view, it did not take long for the throne to be passed down to a new generation, and there was no guarantee that the next rulers would be as compassionate as Crim.

“I…I’ve seen many of my brethren be taken away, some of which were eventually rescued and brought back. But their dignity and honor were so sullied they could not bear the shame and took their own lives soon after. That’s not ancient history, it’s something I’ve witnessed personally, in what feels like only a short time ago. That’s why I’d rather stand my ground and only fight alongside my own.”

After a somewhat long story, he ended it by lowering his head to request something.

“But…I also understand some of us will choose to run away and try to survive. I know it’s really selfish of me to ask this, but I hope you can help them instead.”

That was all he wanted to say, so he got ready to stand up and leave. There was no room for negotiations, no intention to fight together, or a way of finding common ground.

But…

“Wait. I didn’t come here to discuss that, there’s something else I want to talk about.”
“…What is it?”
“Please look at this first.”

Lawran seemed cautiously intrigued as Crim took out a notepad from her breast pocket and placed it on the desk in front of him.

“I trust thou hast heard that we of the Lua Cheia United Kingdoms made our way hither through Lake Galardia, once a place rife with the undead?”
“Yes…I’ve heard some stories like that.”

He nodded in response. That was enough for Crim, and she handed him the notepad.

“These are the research notes from our alchemist, who looked into a certain drug used in the Garland Citadel.”
“Why would that…”

Lawran appeared bewildered as he took the notepad and passed it over to the elven girl standing next to him. Apparently, she was an alchemist in training herself, and when she looked at the notes…

“..?!”

The noble elven girl’s eyes widened in horror.

“…Selena, what’s wrong?”

Lawran noticed that change, and the girl, Selena, replied in a low voice as her face went pale and her hands trembled.

“This drug…this is almost identical to what we’re trying to create.”
“What?!”

Lawran raised his voice in shock, and for valid reason. The miracle drug they were trying to create had already been made before, a long time in the past.

…In a land that also perished thanks to that drug.

“A drug meant to enhance healing, grant additional strength and resiliency… That’s the same, isn’t it?”
“Y-yes…”
“Then there’s no doubt, it’s the same wicked one.”
“Wait, I don’t think I follow. What are you talking about?”
“This drug’s true name is Zombie Powder, and was created by a self proclaimed devil.”

Crim pointed to the notes as she spoke, and the two elves twitched.

“I’d like to avoid another tragedy before it happens. Who is it that brought the idea of this drug here? The bugs can wait, finding whoever that was comes first.”
“B-But we’re in a really critical situation… Maybe if we limit our use of the drug until we’ve gotten rid of the bug threat, maybe then…”
“Once thou hast had a taste of the drug, would it truly be so easy to cast it aside? I deem it wiser to nip the matter in the bud, rather than place hope in it not proving too addictive.”
“That…that might be true.”
“Please… Can we put our differences aside at least until we know where this information came from…? I beg of you…!”

Crim stood up and lowered her head as she finished her sentence.

The elves had likely not expected Crim to be the one bowing like that to them. But Crim had never intended to occupy the village whatsoever, she just wanted to pass through.

…If he ended up being more narrow-minded and said, “No, we elves are better than that and we won’t fall to depravity like those humans,” then Crim’s plan would fall apart.

All she could hope for was that he was more reasonable than that… And after a long pause, he groaned a little and replied.

“……Okay, I understand. Please raise your head, leader of the United Kingdoms.”
“Th-Then…”
“Yes, you’re right. If this drug is such a dangerous substance, then we have to deal with it first.”

He had been hoping that drug would help avoid casualties amongst his brethren once the fight started, but things were not as optimistic as he wanted… So he let out a sigh and told Crim to raise her head.

“Let’s put all these things about traditions aside, and instead deal with this issue together. Does that work for you?”
“Yes. I am grateful for thy trust and thy prudence; thou hast my thanks, now and evermore.”

Crim felt like a heavy weight was lifted off her back as she broke into a radiant smile.

“…Ah, yes, let’s deal with this together.”

For some reason Lawran suddenly became flustered and looked away, which made Crim tilt her head in confusion.

◇◇◇

Crim had successfully gained allies in the traditional faction, at least until they solved this specific issue.

She left the building with a sense of relief, and then…she noticed a familiar girl running out from the rear door.

“Hey, Selena, was it?”
“…Huh?!”

The girl twitched and turned around startled, clearly shocked that she had been seen. But she was definitely the same girl that was together with Lawran.

“I failed to thank thee properly before; I do appreciate thy honesty in sharing that evidence.”
“Huh, ah…yes… I need to be somewhere, was that all you needed?”
“Hmm… very well, thou art free to depart.”
“Alright…if you’ll excuse me then…”

Her face was drained of all color as she turned away and left, clearly shaken by something.

“Hmm…”

*This could become troublesome…* Crim muttered in a low voice, her words vanishing unheard within the scent of flowers…