Stuck as a Dungeon Mob - Chapter 549: Appointing an Elven Leader

Flying above the empty skies, where there was nothing to be used as cover other than the bright sheen of the scorching sun, was the one and only W. There was a purpose to his spying.

W would routinely inspect the elves from up in the skies to ensure they were all fulfilling their duties. He was also up there to see who wasn’t fulfilling their duties.

Occasionally, W would see things he didn’t like, namely crime. Most crimes were petty crimes like stealing food but W could see the severity of the crimes slowly escalating. There had been various instances where couples for example were close to fighting it out which W supposed wasn’t a crime on its own but certainly could be.

W almost felt the urge to interfere in these brawls and punish the small crimes but…

The body he received wasn’t a powerhouse body and doing so might also reveal that Ed was absent. Only possibly so it might be worth the risk but… W was merely in charge of keeping watch so doing this was technically outside his list of duties.

That said… W couldn’t rule out the possibility that he had already been spotted. In fact, it was very well possible that these crimes were happening thanks to the fact that he was witnessing these events but not at all interfering.

‘That would give them a sense of lawlessness’ If there was no higher power or authority to condemn the actions of criminals then it would be very hard for them to hold back their urges.

‘Well, food stealing is on us’ A person that stole food wasn’t sick and depraved, they were just hungry. Despite the fact that the elves were undergoing punishment, Ed as the person in charge of the elves had to make sure to properly accommodate them.

Anything like fighting however showed a lack of any self-control. If there wasn’t any power in place to control these individuals then their hidden darkness would break loose.

Just as W was contemplating reporting the matter to Ed, he received a transmission.

‘W, an update on the situation’ Ed’s voice echoed in W’s mind who instantly beamed after receiving this command. The mark told him that Ed had returned to the library forcing him to stop his aerial observation.

‘Sure!’ W said as he rapidly descended from the sky and flew over towards the temple. He then quickly started to explain the activities of the elves. Ed listened silently as W continued to list out multiple elves and examples of their misconduct.

‘Hmm… We should move on to the next step for this society then’ Ed had just come back from teaching his skeletons and so he was in a teaching mood. It was time to teach the elves!

It was just too bad that Ed’s elven body didn’t have the instruction skill to assist him in this case.

‘The arid elves should have their unique racial skill though, it should be fine’ They should be able to learn at least a similar rate as the skeletons if not at an equal one.

With this thought in mind Ed looked around the elven library, he had only recently gotten off the dusty floor so he dusted himself as he observed.

‘I didn’t think I would get sent back to this body’ Ed mused as he gave the library one last glance. The orc body would end up becoming ill from remaining bedridden in Sanctuary for too long at this.

Ed didn’t think that was possible for his bodies considering how special they were but who knew?

‘I think I’ve wondered about this before…’ Ed commented silently before shaking away the idle thoughts. The first thing Ed had on his teaching agenda for the elves was arrays.

‘I would prefer to teach them alchemy but arrays will do for now’ There were no materials with which to teach alchemy in the elven desert. It wasn’t impossible for Ed to give them materials but there was no point if the elves couldn’t be self-sufficient. As for why Ed would prefer that…

‘Drawing arrays is easy in comparison, but it’ll be handy to have lots of potions stashed up’ It was actually quite a tragedy that Ed didn’t have his storeroom chock full of potions with all sorts of weird effects.

Of course, alchemy wasn’t just about potion making either. The inks for the arrays for example was something that also fell onto alchemists and surely there were other uses for alchemy aside from these two Ed had discovered.

‘Well, I can always teach them Alchemy later on’ Ed could try to teach them alchemy once he managed to reforest the arid desert with the help of the elves.

For now, there was actually a small preliminary step to the teaching portion.

‘I need some confidants’ Ed could trust Trench to handle crypt matters, he could trust Sharog to handle Sanctuary matters, and he could trust Var Agus to handle tribal matters. But who could he trust to handle elven matters?

Ed hadn’t found anyone worth trusting in quite yet. Riniya was a snake for example and the others simply didn’t seem suitable.

‘Though I suppose Alolvi might actually do’ This elven arid warrior and uncle of Riniya had proven himself to have both a kind and cold heart. His kindness could be seen from his clear moral compass but his coldness was exemplified by his continued disregard for Riniya.

For a leader, the ability to separate personal and official matters was key. While it was clear that Alolvi still cared for his niece, otherwise they wouldn’t live together, his treatment of her might seem cruel to an outsider not in the know of Riniya’s background.

If they were in the know, they would account for the fact that the two were not related by blood and also her terrible personality and come to the conclusion that Alolvi was an incredibly forgiven and patient elf.

Holding these thoughts Ed prepared to impart official positions onto the elves.

‘Elder Sud can probably be a good advisor for Alolvi’ Ed didn’t want to hand a senile old man the position of a leader so he didn’t choose him as the leader. The role of an advisor however transcended age, anyone could give advice but the elderly happened to be better at it.

‘As for what to do with Riniya…’ If there were benefits she would definitely backstab him so Ed had to give her a reason not to. He just wasn’t certain it was worth the hassle.

‘Should I just kill her?’ A dangerous thought flashed past Ed’s mind before rapidly dissipating.

Ed came up with a better idea instead, one Ed was certain Riniya would not be inclined to refuse.

‘Come here’ Ed told W who quickly approached.

‘You can return for now’ Ed added before storing away W and the body he was inhabiting.

A few minutes later, Ed walked into the room of Azalia’s chamber. His gallant figure was not missed by any of the elves working on caring for their plants.

“Huh?” “It’s the lich” “The necromancer?” Numerous quiet whispers started to inundate the chamber but these were quickly silenced by Ed’s piercing gaze.

“You, come here” Ed said pointing at the sturdy and robust Alolvi. The elven warrior didn’t flinch after seeing himself being called out, he simply stepped out from the crowd of workers and hurried over to Ed’s position.

“You are from now on the greatest authority in this city, only I am above you” Ed said to Alolvi who did flinch in surprise this time. He was being given… authority? Alolvi could not have foreseen this outcome when he was first called out, otherwise, he wouldn’t have remained so calm.

“What… What do you want me to do?” Alolvi was reasonably confused by this assignment. What could he even do with this authority?

“I need you to set and maintain order, and don’t worry you won’t be working for free” Ed had a near limitless supply of food so Alolvi wouldn’t have to ever again starve while holding the position leader.

Hearing the details from afar, the working elves couldn’t help but shoot Alolvi sharp glances filled with jealousy. These piercings gazes were noticed by noth Ed and Alolvi who were currently engaged in silence.

After another second of silence, Alolvi’s lips finally parted to speak.

“I… I refuse” The elves who heard this had their jealous expressions turn into shocked ones. How could anyone refuse such a position?!

“Why?” Ed himself was surprised by the refusal but he didn’t get angry. He simply asked Alolvi why.

“I am a warrior first, not a leader” Alolvi said solemnly. Being a leader required a lot more than fighting skills, in fact fighting skills weren’t even a requirement. As an arid elf who had always been dedicated to his swordsmanship Alolvi did not think he had ever accrued the skills required of a leader.

Ed assessed Alolvi’s answer before forming a small smile.

“I think you have the qualities of a leader” Ed said to Alolvi. It was Alolvi’s straightforwardness and morals that ensured Ed he was the only one capable of fulfilling the role.

“The tests thus far have shown you have a sense of responsibility for your people” Ed added reminding Alolvi of how he organized the climb over the wall.

“Most importantly your morals are admirable” Ed continued causing everyone in the chamber to be left agape. The evil lich admired good morals!?!?

Alolvi was put in an awkward spot by Ed’s praise.

“Accept it uncle” Riniya approached and said amicably to Alolvi who shot her an angered glance. The girl was still stirring up trouble for him!

Alolvi couldn’t afford to get angry at her there however, he just continued to silently contemplate his options.