Dragon Country was undertaking large-scale city construction in the magic world. In addition to building cities in the former beastman territories, they were also constructing cities on islands in the vast oceans of the magic world. Numerous cities and farmland began to appear, and the food supply of Dragon Country's people was rapidly increasing.
Meanwhile, the elves in the magic world were increasingly feeling the pressure from Dragon Country. Although Dragon Country was focused on construction and had no intention of attacking the elves, the situation was becoming tense.
In the elven imperial palace, the Elven Empress Sylphxija was summoning several elven ministers to discuss how to coexist with the people of Dragon Country.
One elven minister stated, "Those Dragon Country people have already built cities and reclaimed farmland in the beastman territories. In the future, more and more people from Dragon Country will appear. Empress, we need to figure out how to get along with them."
"Then let's deploy heavy troops along the border with Dragon Country to prevent them from attacking."
"The strength of Dragon Country is too great. The beastman tribes and the Order Dragons are no match for them. Even if all our elves joined forces, we would still not be a match for Dragon Country."
"If that's the case, then tell me, what should we do?"
"Deploying heavy troops is definitely not an option. If we deploy heavy troops, the Dragon Country people will think we elves want to go to war with them."
The elven ministers argued for a long time without reaching a consensus.
Just then, an elven guard announced, "Your Majesty, Valentine Vanessa, the Lord of Gabo City, and Annacy, a high-level ordinary elf mage, are waiting outside the hall."
Although Annacy was a village chief, he did not receive a salary from the elven dynasty, so he was referred to as a high-level mage here.
After Annacy and Valentine Vanessa paid their respects, the Elven Empress said, "Please sit down."
The elves sitting at the conference table were all ministers. When the Elven Empress invited the two elves to sit, it immediately drew objections from the other elven ministers.
"Absolutely not! Their status is too low to sit at the same table with us!"
The Elven Empress said, "Enough. Stop this. I have summoned these two elves precisely for the matters ahead. I will be making an envoy to Dragon Country, and you two will accompany me as officials of the diplomatic delegation."
The elven ministers vehemently objected.
"Impossible, Elven Empress. If you go alone, you might be detained by the Dragon Country people."
"Indeed, it is far too dangerous for the Elven Empress to go to Dragon Country."
"..."
The Elven Empress replied, "Detained? If the Dragon Country people wanted to detain me, they could do so even if I were here in the Elven Imperial City."
Amidst the chorus of objections, the Elven Empress, overriding the opposition, decided to proceed with the envoy. Valentine Vanessa and Annacy then took their seats by the conference table.
The Elven Empress then stated, "Valentine Vanessa, Annacy, you two will serve as deputy envoys with me to Dragon Country."
The elven ministers once again began to object to Valentine Vanessa and Annacy being appointed as deputy envoys. After all, they worried that appointing elves of such low status as deputy envoys might anger the Dragon Country people.
"No, this will anger the Dragon Country people. If these two elves are deputy envoys, the disparity in status is too great."
"Exactly! Allow me, an elder minister, to serve as a deputy envoy."
"No, I should do it. You are already old. Let me. I am still young and full of energy."
"..."
The Elven Empress explained, "Valentine Vanessa and Annacy have had contact with the people of Dragon Country for a long time. Both have met with Su Han and Chu Shi from Dragon Country and are familiar with them. If these two elves accompany me, the high-ranking Dragon Country officials, Su Han and Chu Shi, will surely not be angered. Instead, it will foster a sense of familiarity."
After the Elven Empress's persuasion, the elven ministers reluctantly agreed.
Thus, Valentine Vanessa and Annacy became the deputy envoys of the delegation.
Valentine Vanessa and Annacy looked at each other and said in unison, "Your Majesty, may we decline this?"
However, their objections were completely ineffectual.
Several elven ministers sternly reprimanded Valentine Vanessa and Annacy.
"How audacious! You dare to refuse such an honor as accompanying the Elven Empress!"
"Precisely. Not every elf has this opportunity."
The Elven Empress intervened, "Enough, do not frighten these two elves. Valentine Vanessa, Annacy, this matter is crucial, and it must be you. This is the Elven Empress's command."
Three days later, after the delegation was assembled, an envoy ceremony was held in the elven imperial palace.
The Elven Empress, seated on her throne, issued appointments to Valentine Vanessa and Annacy.
After an elven minister read out the appointment document, Valentine Vanessa and Annacy received the appointment papers.
The impending envoy to Dragon Country had already been made known. Dragon Country had even established a liaison office in the Elven Imperial City. Any communication or exchange between the elves and Dragon Country was conducted through this liaison office.
The envoy was, of course, also notified to Dragon Country through the liaison office. Dragon Country inquired if they would like to provide dedicated hovercraft. The Elven Empress initially refused, but after witnessing the speed of the hovercraft, she agreed to travel by Dragon Country's provided aircraft.
After the ceremony, the delegation departed from the elven imperial palace, first traveling by magical carriage to the outskirts of the Elven Imperial City. There, a hovercraft was already hovering, awaiting them.
The advantage of a hovercraft was that it required no airport and flew faster than hovercars.
The Elven Empress showed a hint of surprise upon seeing the dedicated aircraft prepared by Dragon Country, as it was adorned with many elven-style patterns.
Upon boarding the dedicated aircraft, the Elven Empress observed the interior, finding it to be exquisitely furnished.
The Elven Empress took her seat in the most luxurious chair. Elves around her quickly attended to her.
The Elven Empress beckoned Valentine Vanessa and Annacy over.
The Elven Empress asked, "Upon boarding this hovercraft, have you discerned any information?"
Valentine Vanessa and Annacy both shook their heads, indicating they had not.
The Elven Empress said, "From the arrangements Dragon Country has made on this hovercraft, it is clear that they welcome us."