# The King of Elves Signed an Unfair Contract

He had nowhere else to run.

After the heart of Eliheim collapsed, there was nothing he could do.

"Well done."

"..."

"It will be a choice without regrets, Your Majesty."

Perhaps it's true that the elves had no choice after suffering so much damage. The Empire extending its hand first had prevented Eliheim from falling into further division.

After the war ended with bitter pain, after the funerals for the fallen were held.

[Eastern Desmont Autonomous Territory]

The residents of Eliheim arrived at their new land.

Vast terrain.

Plains so wide the horizon was visible.

And.

"...We're supposed to live here?"

A desert without a drop of water.

As the king's trembling question spread through the air, the residents of Eliheim clutched handfuls of sand in disbelief.

"This isn't right..."

"What are we supposed to do in a land with no soil and no trees...!!!"

"We've been deceived... deceived by humans!"

With sand scattering from their hands, the elves, unable to raise their heads in despair, bit their lips as they stared at a hut in the middle of the desert.

[Redevelopment Manager's Quarters]

A young elf with long hair threw the sand in his hand to the ground and rolled up his sleeves, vowing revenge against the human inside the hut.

"I need to say something. This isn't right...!!"

"No!!! If we get kicked out of here, we'll have nowhere else to go."

"Let go of me!!! Are we supposed to live in a place without a single tree?"

Some elves were wiping away tears.

"Sob... what do we do now..."

Others were holding young elves tightly, biting their lips, determined to survive somehow.

Of course.

*Flutter*

The gazes directed at the person emerging from the hut were all negative.

"Greetings, everyone."

The human who came out of the hut looked at the tens of thousands gathered in the desert and smiled energetically, hoping not to start their future in this new land on a gloomy note.

"From today, I am Ricardo, in charge of the relocation and development of the Eliheim people."

As Ricardo bowed in greeting, an approaching elf turned away with a sour expression.

He didn't have the courage to question the monster who had rampaged across the battlefield.

With the uncertain reactions of the Eliheim residents, Ricardo smiled and slowly began listing what needed to be done.

"Now, everyone."

"..."

"Do you see the people holding signs in front?"

"..."

"At number 1, please line up if you are pregnant, under 20 years old, or parents with children under 15."

"..."

"At number 2, please line up if you were injured in the war or were stationed in the southern region during the war."

"..."

"Finally..."

"Ahem...!"

One of the elders of Eliheim cleared his throat disapprovingly and stepped forward, addressing me. This situation was too much.

"Listen here, human."

"Yes?"

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I asked how you expect us to rebuild Eliheim in this barren land with nothing. Human."

I smiled at the elder's disgruntled complaint and countered. Everyone can make mistakes at first.

"Not 'human,' but 'manager.'"

"..."

"When addressing me from now on, please use the title 'Manager.'"

"Grr..."

"So you're not happy with the settlement?"

"That's right."

The elder nodded at my question, folded his arms, and snorted.

"I recall that the contract signed with the human representative included a clause promising support and no discrimination for Eliheim refugees. Isn't providing such territory to refugees a violation of that contract?"

"Ah..."

"Asking us to rebuild Eliheim in a barren land without a single tree... Tsk. I need to meet with the human representative again to see just how stupid this is."

I tilted my head and questioned the elder.

"That's strange."

With the feeling that this didn't make sense at all.

"What's strange?"

"Your current attitude is strange."

"..."

"Desmont has provided a territory that, while not as large as Eliheim, is certainly spacious enough for the elven refugees."

"..."

"It's terrain where enemy intrusions can be spotted immediately and provides a foundation to protect you from invasions by the Holy Nation, yet I don't understand why you're dissatisfied."

"This isn't a joke..."

"And."

"..."

"It's not about rebuilding Eliheim, but about the survival of the elves. You are no longer citizens of the fallen Eliheim, but citizens of the Leogard Empire."

"..."

At the mention of "fallen," all the elves' expressions hardened. There was nothing incorrect about what I had said.

"Although it may be somewhat hot during the day and a bit cold at night, I think it's a perfectly habitable territory. Let's stay positive!"

"I refuse."

"..."

"I find the idea of associating with humans disgusting. I'd rather return to Eliheim and face my end there."

I nodded and replied.

"So you're saying you don't want to work."

"..."

"I understand."

As the elder turned away with a click of his tongue and his followers began to move behind him.

"Hannah."

"Yes!"

"Please take those people to the coal mine."

"Understood!"

At the mention of "coal mine," the elder's group widened their eyes in disbelief and began to protest.

"What did you say?"

"It's specified in the contract."

"..."

"From now on, all citizens of Eliheim are citizens of the Empire and cannot leave the Empire until their debt is paid."

"L-let go!!"

Watching the elders being dragged away by the approaching knights, I turned to the elves with a gentle smile.

"Now... where were we?"

"..."

"Ah, we were talking about dividing the personnel."

Clapping my hands and smiling, I addressed everyone in a loud voice. Despite the elders' disruption making the atmosphere unsettled, I assured them we could succeed and rise up splendidly.

"I hope you won't think too negatively about this."

"..."

"You are a race that loves nature, aren't you?"

"..."

"I believe you can return to your former state and create a wonderful culture living alongside humans."

"..."

"I believe in the elven race."

"..."

"I believe in your magic and your wisdom."

"..."

"So, shall we begin?"

I clapped my hands and said:

"Our tourist attraction."

*

3 days ago.

After the king's signature, Shartia, myself, and the Desmont family gathered at the eastern villa of Desmont to discuss matters.

"Well, that's enough small talk. Let's get to the main point."

About how to utilize the Eliheim refugees.

Shartia was the first to offer an opinion.

"Personally, I think we should select friendly elves, send the mages to the Academy, direct others to civilian businesses, and have the remaining personnel continue the recapture and restoration of Eliheim."

"...Hmm."

"It would be difficult to accommodate so many people in the Empire, and I don't think they would easily comply."

Darvav and I nodded at Shartia's reasonable point. The pride built by the elven race over centuries wouldn't be easily broken.

Even at a glance, their arrogance in refusing to swallow their pride despite their nation's collapse was reaching the heavens.

"I disagree with that opinion..."

Darvav raised his hand to present a counterargument.

"I want to take the refugees to the eastern part of Desmont's autonomous territory for redevelopment."

"Redevelopment..."

"There happens to be vacant land."

"Surely not... right?"

"The Crown Princess is probably right. The 'Barren Desert' is certainly large enough to accommodate the refugees."

"But there are Desworms living there..."

"Well, they'll have to figure that out themselves."

Shartia nodded in understanding at Darvav's remark, which had elicited a chuckle.

"It certainly doesn't sound bad. If we can revitalize the Barren Desert through this opportunity, it would be a great gain."

I nodded and raised my hand to add another suggestion with a smile. This matter had been difficult for me too.

"Then how about turning the desert into greenery and making Eliheim a tourist attraction?"

"A tourist attraction?"

"Yes, since elves are a beautiful race, if we create a theme of 'a village where only elves live,' I think it would attract many adventurers who dream of such things."

"Indeed... even with high prices, people would accept it, and plants grown by elves could be sold at premium prices."

"And if we make tourism the main source of income for the elves, they'll inevitably build bonds with humans."

"They'll naturally integrate with human culture."

Darvav and Shartia chuckled and nodded.

"I think you really are a good match for Desmont."

"I agree."

I'm not sure how Serena, who still hasn't awakened, would react to this news.

"I'll do my best."

But I didn't think she would dislike it.