Earth’s Doom Starts with… Me?

Murmurs erupted across the crowd as they started exchanging glances. Some of them took one step forward, but then refrained from doing so. Hmm, why were they so hesitant… Ah!

"Oh, I forgot to mention something. All of you will still receive a generous sum of money from your Queen to help your miserable living condition," I added, "but those who are willing to throw their life away for the Queen… They get an extra reward." I smirked.

"I-I'm in!" A shout immediately came from among the crowd.

"Me, too! Do we get the first pick for the items?" And another elf stepped forward.

"Then, count me in!"

I smiled in satisfaction and folded my arms as I watched a huge number of elves stepped forward, pushing each other out of the way. How could I forget the most crucial part? It was 'option'.

When I didn't mention the free-for-all money, it gave the impression that they were forced to submit to us, like they had no choice but to unwillingly obey. But when they heard that everyone still received the same amount of help, and they basically lost nothing by not participating, the situation turned around.

Instead of an oppressive scenario, it was now a lottery scenario. If they were willing to go an extra step, then they would get an extra reward. If they weren't willing to, then they were still in good hands. In my eyes, this was a good way to filter out those who wouldn't be a deadweight on the battlefield, while at the same time, building their trust in us and painting us as generous leaders.

"Geez, little cub~ How brutal~" General Zhang giggled while he walked up beside me, watching the crowd that was starting to get rowdy in front of us, "I like how you do things."

"Well, I don't want to deal with people ditching or pissing their pants while we're on the minotaur's place," I sighed, "normally, having some meat shield can be beneficial, but in this case, the traps complicate the situation. It'll be annoying if we get caught in a trap because someone gets a panic attack or something. Or if they're not taking it seriously and accidentally activates a trap."

"I completely agree," he said as he put his elbow on my shoulder, mocking my height, "but if things go wrong, it'll be okay since I'm there anyway~"

"… But you never really do anything unless it's absolutely necessary." I pouted.

"Doesn't that mean I'm good at judging situations? I never let things get out of control, at least." He hummed as he ruffled my hair.

"Why are you being so touchy?" I grumbled as I got him off of me to step forward.

"Hmm, I just wanna." He answered with a giggle while I just gave him an annoyed stare.

"Alright, everyone! Listen up!" I clapped my hands to gain their attention as they simultaneously stopped arguing and pushing each other to focus their gaze on me. Geez, the power of elves hierarchy. I was now suddenly an important figure just because Firiell said so. Spooky, but exploitable as heck so I loved it.

"Let's make this quick, alright? We will now determine the order in which you guys can claim the items," I took a glance at the pile of goods, and noticed that most of the stuff was just… Fancy clothing, some mechanic tools, and household stuff. Huh, was their living condition that bad that this stuff was considered treasures? I thought they were pretty okay-ish?

"… Yes." One of them answered with a tense expression. I guess they really needed this basic stuff.

"Now, this is where the next 'auction' phase begins. Your loyalty is just an entry fee, if you may," I giggled, "alright, let me explain how you guys are going to bid without losing any penny."

I held out my hand and made a diagram on the air with ice shards, so they could visualize it better.

"Tonight, we will be going straight to the minotaur's lair. There will be three squads. The scouts, the fighter, and the rangers." I started explaining while popping up three ice shards in three different locations.

"What do each of them do, lady assistant?"

"So we will be assigned to one of them?"

"Patience, guys, patience," I sighed, "technically, no. We're not going to assign you anywhere, since we also don't know your forte. You shall decide by yourself."

'Crackle!'

I pointed at the furthermost ice shard, "these will be the scouts. They're the safest group, and I'm pretty sure their job is also the easiest. As their name suggests, they need to keep watch of the surroundings and alert us if there's anything dangerous. But, since they're only watching the perimeter, there are only weak monsters and wild animals to be wary of, so we don't need many people here. And even if they fail, they most likely won't instantly die."

"Hmm, that position sounds good for weaklings." General Zhang chuckled.

"And the second one, this is the ranger. A bit unfair, since only those who can use ranged attacks can apply for this position, but eh," I shrugged, "anyway, these people will obviously attack from a range, but gotta remember that the minotaurs can also do ranged attacks, so, not that safe."

As the crowd started murmuring again, I took the time to pause for a bit to let them process the information, and also so they could really think about which squad to choose. Their choice might be a life-or-death choice, after all.

"Okay, the last one, is the fighter. Simply put, they rush in at our command, and engage the minotaurs in close range, making sure that they're busy. Remember, the important thing is just to keep them at bay. Don't let them through, and don't let them retreat. Might die fast, not gonna lie." I explained quickly as it was getting boring, just explaining tactics.

The murmurs instantly got louder, as nervous looks were being thrown everywhere, including towards my direction. I guess that even cats would understand what it meant. Higher risk, higher reward. Simple, but quite effective.

"So? How about it? Any fighters?" I smirked as I sat on the floor, cross-legged, "c'mon, fighters get first dibs. Quite straightforward, right?"

"Pfft—Little cub, sometimes I wonder how you're so chaotic!" General Zhang exclaimed happily as he ruffled my hair.

"Ugh, come on. I'm pretty sure they don't mind, either. A good portion of them must be loyal as heck, since, you know, elf blood thingy? Even without rewards, they wouldn't mind dying for their queen." I sighed and stretched my body, feeling a little lethargic from lack of rest.

"Yes. And that's why I shall volunteer."

Both I and general Zhang looked up as we heard footsteps emerging from the crowd, and a determined voice came from the owner of the footsteps. It was a rough-looking elf with prominent muscles. And as expected, he carried a huge two-handed sword on his back. Perfect for a fighter.

"Great. Ready to die?" I grinned and tilted my head to the side.

"Yes," he answered without hesitation, "and I would've done the same, even if the reward isn't there."

"Hmm, amusing. Then, should I cancel your prize?" I teased him while I leaned back and shifted my seating position.

"Go ahead, lady assistant." He answered with their classic salute, with his arm crossed on his chest and a little bow to complete the gesture.

"You may take two, then. Instead, I changed my mind about your position. You shall stay beside Queen Firiell, and guard her with your life. Don't let me catch her dying first before you. Got it?" I giggled and gestured him over to go rummage through the pile of goods.

"Thank you for your generosity, lady assistant. But I shall refuse," he bowed once again, "if I accept the gift, I'm afraid that Her Highness the Queen might think my loyalty is bought. I wouldn't be able to live like that."

My eyes widened when I heard his statement… Was he bluffing? Huh, pretty daring. Alright, I could play along.

"Sure. Then go ahead and skip the gift." I said with a flat expression.

"Will do. Thank you very much, lady assistant," he bowed and immediately walked over to Firiell, before kneeling in front of her, "greetings, Your Highness, my Queen."

"Raise your head," she answered with such poise that made me secretly proud inside, "what's your name?"

"My name doesn't matter, my Queen," he said, closing his eyes shut, "my purpose is only to serve you."

… Oh? So, he wasn't bluffing?

"Che. Must be nice to have someone that loyal by your side." I clicked my tongue as I saw the sight in front of me.

"I'm pretty loyal." A certain white-haired eel replied without being asked.

"Will you be my disposable knight then?" I snickered, mocking him.

"You won't be able to replace me, little cub~ I can be your irreplaceable knight, instead." He grinned while using his index finger to tilt my chin upwards, meeting his gaze.

"Yeah, no thanks. I'll be my own knight." I refused and looked away towards Firiell again.

"Don't be like that. Uncle Erenduill has worked hard to demolish this caste wall. Don't suddenly revert back just because your leader has changed," Firiell answered, "this is not an order. Instead, I'm simply asking you to live your own life."

I stared at her, waiting for her to continue. It was strange how their vision was pretty similar, with both wanting to abolish the discrimination that was rampant in their own race, but their way of executing it was so different.

"I'll respect your wish of wanting to serve me, but please, serve me as an individual. Not as an empty vessel that simply exists for me. I don't like it. Be your own individual, and make the conscious choice to willingly serve me." She declared without missing a beat.

The elf kneeling in front of her widened his eyes as his chest stopped taking in air. He looked at her with awe as his mouth gaped. Truly, it was like he saw something ethereal.

"So now I'll ask again. What's your name, my knight?" She smiled brightly.

As the mentioned elf began inhaling again, he opened his mouth and stuttered, "m-my name is… Calen, Your Highness."

Firiell's lips curled upwards upon hearing his response, "nice to meet you, Calen."