Reincarnated with a Military System in Another World

Chapter 195: The Elves' Uncertainty



The council chamber inside the quarters provided by Vincent was a far cry from the grand elven halls the elders were accustomed to. The room was simple, with polished metal walls and large windows that offered a view of the sprawling military base. The furniture was practical, lacking the intricate designs and craftsmanship that the elves cherished. Still, Princess Elara knew this was the best place for the conversation that needed to happen.

She sat at the head of the table, facing the five elders from the Elven Council who had accompanied her on the mission to Akarios Island. Their expressions were calm, but Elara could sense the tension simmering beneath the surface. This was not going to be an easy conversation, but it was one she had to have.

Elara took a deep breath, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the table. "We've made significant progress since our arrival here," she began, her voice steady but respectful. "The humans have been open in sharing their technology with us. I've seen the potential it holds for our people, especially in defending ourselves against the demons."

The elders remained silent, their eyes fixed on her. High Scholar Elion, the eldest of the group, was the first to respond. His silver hair shimmered slightly under the artificial lighting, and his weathered face held a look of cautious skepticism. "Progress, you say?" Elion's tone was calm but questioning. "You speak of machines and technology that run without magic. But what of our traditions? What does this technology mean for our identity as elves?"

Elara had anticipated this line of questioning. She met Elion's gaze steadily. "Our traditions won't be erased by learning from others," she replied. "Instead, this knowledge can strengthen us. The technology we've seen here can complement our magic, not replace it. We can defend ourselves more effectively, with better tools. The demons we face do not discriminate between magic and technology-they only seek to destroy."

Elion's expression remained thoughtful, but before he could respond, another elder, Caladorn, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "You mentioned something earlier that concerns me, Princess," he said, his tone sharper. "An alliance with the dwarves. I trust this is not a serious consideration."

Elara felt a pang of frustration but kept her composure. She had known this was coming. "It is a serious consideration," she said firmly, but respectfully. "And I believe it is necessary. The humans have made great strides by working with the dwarves, especially in metallurgy. Their expertise in crafting weapons and armor is unmatched. If we join forces with the humans and the dwarves, we could create something far greater than we can alone."

The room grew tense, the silence heavy as the elders exchanged uneasy glances. Caladorn's frown deepened. "The dwarves have never been our allies," he said, his voice lowering. "We have fought wars against them. They coveted our lands, our resources, and our magic. You ask us to forget centuries of conflict and join forces with those who once sought to destroy us?"

Elara held his gaze without wavering. "I haven't forgotten our history," she replied. "But this war isn't about land or resources. The demons do not care whether we are elves, dwarves, or humans. They will destroy everything if we don't come together. Our survival depends on setting aside old grievances."

Elion, who had been quiet during this exchange, finally spoke. His voice was softer, but no less weighty. "You speak of survival, Princess. But at what cost? If we abandon our values and our heritage in the name of survival, what will be left of us?"

Elara leaned forward slightly, her gaze intense but composed. "We're not abandoning our values," she said. "We're adapting. Our traditions have carried us for centuries, but we must face the reality of this war. If we cling to the past, we may have no future."

Another elder, Seraphiel, spoke up then, her voice calm but cold. "Princess Elara, you know that the Elven Council is not easily swayed. Many of the elders will see any collaboration with the dwarves as a betrayal of our people's heritage. They will resist this idea, no matter the logic behind it."

Elara nodded, fully aware of the political complexities involved. "I understand the difficulty of what I'm asking. But I'm not asking for immediate, unconditional cooperation. I'm asking for us to take small steps. If a full alliance with the dwarves is too much for the council to accept, then let us start with specific projects, limited in scope. The goal is to protect our people, and we need every advantage we can get."

The silence that followed was heavy with thought. Elara could see that her words were sinking in, but the resistance was still palpable. She needed to push further, to appeal to their logic, not just their sense of tradition.

"High Scholar Elion," Elara said, turning her attention to him directly. "You have spent your life studying the deeper mysteries of magic. Imagine what we could achieve by integrating the dwarves' craftsmanship with our own. Their skill with materials-metal and stone- could enhance our magical practices. We could forge weapons infused with magic, far stronger than anything we've ever known."

Elion's fingers tapped lightly against the surface of the table as he considered her words. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "You speak with conviction, Princess. But you know as well as I do that the council will not easily be convinced. There are many who view this vision as dangerous."

Elara's shoulders relaxed slightly, sensing a small victory in his words. "I understand that. But I believe that once they see the benefits, they will come around. I will need your support, all of you, to make this work."

Caladorn's frown had not entirely disappeared, but his tone softened. "Perhaps... we can begin with smaller projects, as you suggest. But we must tread carefully. Our people will not accept this easily."

Elara nodded. "That's all I'm asking for now. Let's take small steps. We can demonstrate the benefits of working together, and if the results are as promising as I believe they will be, we can expand from there."

The elders exchanged a few more glances, some nodding in tentative agreement, others still wary but willing to consider the possibility.

"We will consider your proposal, Princess," Elion said at last, his voice measured. "But know this: the path ahead will not be smooth. Convincing the council will be a challenge, and there

will be resistance."

"I'm prepared for that. But we must do what is necessary to ensure our survival. I believe this is the best path forward. After all, isn't our goal to defeat the very threat of our existence? The demon race. Not just ours?" Elara reminded them.

The room remained quiet as the weight of Elara's words hung in the air. The elders, despite their cautious agreement, still bore the marks of centuries-old grudges. Elara knew that these sentiments wouldn't be easily swept away, even in the face of impending doom. Yet, she pressed on, the survival of her people, and indeed the survival of all, depended on it.

"You are right about it. There'd be no grievances if both the dwarves and the elves were to be wipe out from existence," High Scholar Elion finally said, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. His voice was laced with reluctance, but there was a hint of resignation. "We cannot let our past cloud the present realities. The demons are a threat we've never faced, and they do not care for our history or our pride. Perhaps it is time to consider a

different future."

Elara felt a surge of hope at his words, but she knew the road ahead was still uncertain. "I know that the wounds between our people and the dwarves run deep, but this is not about giving up who we are. It's about ensuring that we remain that there is a future where we can continue to honor our traditions, our magic, and our heritage. But to do that, we must survive this war, and for that, we need allies."

No one responded, as if all of them were accepting the decision.

"Very well, I will inform sir Vincent of the council's tentative agreement to begin small-scale collaborations with the dwarves," Elara said, standing up. She glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of each elder. The tension in the air had not dissipated completely, but it

had softened to an uneasy truce.

High Scholar Elion gave a slow nod, his expression thoughtful. "Inform him, but make sure he understands the delicacy of this arrangement. This is not a full alliance-merely an exploration of cooperation. If the dwarves show any sign of ill intent, we will withdraw

immediately."

Elara bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. "I will convey that clearly. I agree that we must remain cautious, but I believe this is a necessary step for our future. Thank you for yourn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

cooperation."