"What can you tell us about your relationship with the New Primal?" A reporter of the Elven Union asked Lilica. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire
She shifted uncomfortably on her chair and threw a glare at the Elven Elders. Until now, Lilica had no idea why they would force her to keep going with these types of interviews. Nobody was interested in them since the content of the interviews never changed. Years had passed since Michael ascended the Origin Expanse throne, yet they still asked about the New Primal.
"I have been working with the New Primal for almost one century now," Lilica sighed deeply while the Elven Elders behind the camera nodded vigorously, "I have been with him from the beginning. The EmeraldLeaf Adventurer team of the Forest Elven Tribe has been working for him since he was a Tier-1 Lord, and we established a business plan to help the New Primal valuable goods in exchange for weaponry and the like. You could say the Forest Elves were the first proper business channel of the New Primal."
Lilica cursed herself a little for almost everything she’d said but shrugged inwardly at the end. Her previous interviews hadn’t been much different than this, but she still couldn’t help but feel that they were taking advantage of Michael. And that those interviews were useless.
"Your relationship with the New Primal seems exciting. The Forest Elven Tribe must be glad to have a team like the EmeraldLeaf Adventurers in their rows," The reporter put on a professional smile, "If not for you and your colleagues, the Forest Elves would have never been able to increase their standing in the Elven Union. The New Primal’s supply of Soultrait Symbols and resources changed everything for the Forest Elven Tribe. What do you say about that? Do you think the Forest Elves deserve to be put on a pedestal with the High Elves?"
’What is wrong with that bastard?’ Lilica was having a hard time controlling her facial features. The reporter’s commentary changed from the script, his words hinting at something Lilica didn’t want to pick up.
"Would have never been able to? Deserve to be put on a pedestal?" Lilica asked in an icy tone, her eyes narrowed to tiny slits. She was still smiling professionally, but given the way the reporter flinched, Lilica must have looked scared for a moment.
The reporter didn’t say anything, but they kept recording.
"We fought with our lives on the line to protect Michael when he was still weak. He grew rapidly, but our help was essential nonetheless. Michael and the Forest Elven Tribe benefited from each other. The ’New Primal’ didn’t give us thousands of Soultrait Symbols without receiving anything in return. For the records, our trades were business-minded."
Lilica clicked her tongue and considered smashing the camera with the recording but decided against it.
"We deserve everything we’ve obtained. Many good people died fighting with Michael. Every one of the Forest Elven Adventurers knew what awaited us when we decided to fight for Michael, but we accepted the danger. The benefits of fighting for Michael were great. Of course, we accepted them. That being said, I tell you that we deserve everything we’ve acquired through our effort and the connections we’ve established with other forces throughout the last century.
The Forest Elven Tribe is, for the records, not the only race who had been in contact with Michael early on. He also worked with the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs, helping them grow much stronger. However, not everyone gains anything from Michael. He was also in a business-minded relationship with the Valyr. They had a great relationship for a while, and Michael sold them a Beginner Region called the "Savannah." Yet, instead of working with Michael on equal standing, they tried taking advantage of his generosity."
Lilica took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.
"Since you haven’t heard of the Valyr yet, given the disgusting expression on your face, you should be smart enough to visualize that Michael’s relationship with the Valyr ended. They didn’t treat him well and demanded impossible things without giving him anything in return. In contrast, Michael likes the Forest Elves and often visits us. We are still on equal standing, according to Michael. That was literally what he said the last time he visited us. So…why are you telling us that we would have never achieved anything without his Soultrait Symbols and resources? We worked hard to achieve so much in the last century, and your words make it sound like our accomplishments aren’t worth a dime."
The reporter’s lips parted, but Lilica lifted her hand.
"As for standing on a pedestal with the High Elves. I couldn’t care less. I am not in a competition with the other Elven races of the Elven Union. They can do whatever they want if they don’t annoy me like…" She didn’t speak the last words aloud, but that wasn’t necessary. The reporter was well aware that she meant him.
***
"Don’t you think you went a little bit too far?" Elder Silram asked Lilica, who shrugged nonchalantly.
"I don’t really care. These reporters are slowly transforming into fierce flies. They’re still shitty and hover around dung but started to approach the dung of the nearby dragon just because he is hibernating."
"Calling yourself a dragon," Elder Silram clicked his tongue but smiled faintly.
He had been annoyed at the insinuations made by the last few reporters, just like his grand granddaughter.
"We have our copy of the recordings, so we shouldn’t be in trouble when someone comes visiting us to tell us off about how we’re treating the Elven Union’s reporters, but this will be annoying.
"’When’ and not ’if’?" Lilica asked, the corner of her lips curling upward.
"Yes, when. Because I know the Elven Union has been waiting for an opportunity like this. To be precise, their heads, the High Elves, have been waiting for an opportunity to crush us."
Lilica was now smiling like someone had given her a precious gift.
"They’re scared of us. Scared of getting replaced."