The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

The Ladies of the Holy Palatial Gardens (Part 1)

***The Saint's Tree Palace, Cherwoods***

"So, how's the situation at the city of Hurren?"

"The city elders are giving us updates on the events," the captain of the Elf Saint's Life Guards, Sir Eldarv, reported. "The city militia, though they were surprised at first, got back to their feet and suppressed the rioters."

"Anything they need to bring back order in their place?"

"I already sent a company of the Life Guards to help them. I'm only worried that the unrest might spread to other cities along the coast of Cherwoods."

"Well, as long as nothing is happening yet, we can only wait." Kuro looked towards the windows of his room, massaging his head, "And that reminds me, how about the elf column heading to this place?"

"We sent scouts to trail them. Three companies of the Life Guards are already deployed at the borders of the Saint's Tree, ready to block their progress."

"Thanks for the hard work, Sir Eldarv," the human gave him a folded paper. "Now send for some food supplies and direct it to the first line of the blockade."

"But sir, aren't we condoning their actions by 'rewarding' them with food?"

"Hmm...it's not like they are protesting the border closures because they just wanted to. Your people is worried that their source of food supply will be gone soon, and they can only find solace in the other saints' guidance and blessings. And we took those from them."

"Aren't we trying to force Her Holiness the Lady Hinwe to rule properly, so she can work out a solution to these problems?"

"That's the point, and it's normal for people to get angry; after all, even you would be pissed if the last thing that gives you hope is taken away," Kuro explained. "What I'm saying is, it's not their fault they reacted like that."

"I understand, Sir Kuro. Now what's next?"

"Let's try to quell the elves' anger peacefully by appeasing them with food supplies, and tell them, 'the Saint's Tree is working on the situation about the irrigation system'. Make sure you imply to them that the construction of that project is about to begin soon. I'm working with some officials from the Treasury regarding the release of funds for it, so I guess it will take some time. As for the protesters, be on your guard; the situation—no matter how peaceful it may be—can reverse at any moment. That's all; you may leave."

The captain of the Life Guards saluted. However, he remained on his spot.

Kuro was quick to notice it and asked, "Is there anything else to report, Sir?"

"Sire, we already found where Her Holiness is hiding," the elf captain showed him a folded parchment.

Kuro's headache vanished the moment Sir Eldarv said those. He immediately grabbed the parchment from the elf captain's hand and read its contents. "So the news of the overthrow of the palace officials finally reached her," he mused.

"I think that's the case, Sir Kuro," Sir Eldarv confirmed. "The spies observed that Her Holiness, along with her maid Meanor, and the guard, Gerard, are taken in under the Holy Palatial Garden's protection. This is after the attack on them on their way to the city of the Mouth of Calabria."

"Attack?" Kuro raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Apparently, some of the hired knives of the palace officials traced them and attacked, with an intention to kill," the elf captain said. "Fortunately, they were helped by another group of paladins led by the captain of the Paladin Guards herself, the Lady Sylvia, Duchess of Henristone."