Around the same time, the nation of dwarves, Dwargon, a much smaller and isolated nation, had ceased production of their specialty crafts, runic equipment. Their reasoning was rather simplistic, and more damning on them than anything else. And so, the last of these weapons made their way to Baharuth. The Emperor, pleased with the weapons, spoke while inspecting the new delivery.
"Wow, truly a work befitting Dwargon's craftsmanship! Excellent work. In just a few more shipments we'll be able to outfit every soldier with this high end equipment. Or at the very least support our strongest."
"My Emperor, about that. I'm afraid I have a message entrusted to me by the Dwarven merchants."
"Well go on then. What do they want to say?" The Emperor basked in the new equipment.
"As you wish my Emperor, "I the king of Dwargon, have decreed the production of runic equipment a lost practice. We can no longer produce them, let alone spread them outside our borders." Says the king of Dwargon. The message is also stamped with the support of their crafters, and forgers guilds."
"WHAT!" The bellowing caused many to tremble. "Damn them. You, take a battalion and get the right answer from them at once."
"As you wish, my Emperor."
A few weeks later, the man who'd been sent, returned, and kneeled before his Emperor.
"Well, what's the situation?"
"They truly can no longer forge runic weapons, my Emperor. I managed to see their current numbers. It's become a lost art, I suspect that they'd been hoping more runesmiths would be in their population, they've been sending us their stockpile ever since, to account for the agreement we'd made."
"Then there's truly no way for us to get more of these wonderful pieces of equipment. A shame. It seems like my plan won't work now… You may go."
The man stood up, bowed, and left the audience hall. I hope you don't do anything too rash, my Emperor. He thought to himself, maintaining an outward appearance of loyalty.
"Alright, suggestions, now. How are we to make up for this shortfall?" What do we need to do?"
"We could invest in domestic production of magic equipment?"
"No, that'd take far too long to start up. Though we should at least start the process. But it won't be enough to make up for this shortfall." Fluder advised.
"Then how about this, we use the elves as a way to make up the difference? The Slane Theocracy and the elven nation have been fighting a pretty fierce war lately."
"I still can't fathom why their benevolent mother hasn't come to aid them in such a crisis? What do you have to say about that Fluder?" The emperor asked, with a curious expression. "You were alive during the later part of Tus Nadair's reign, correct, why do you think she hasn't appeared?"
"My Emperor, there are few beings in this world I dare not speculate their thoughts. Goddess Night Silver is one of these such beings." He started, then cleared his throat a bit. "Though if I had to make a guess, it might be something to do with the elves, perhaps they requested their mother not to intervene? Though I have no idea if that would carry much weight on the goddess' heart, she loves all her children."
"I see, so it would be difficult to take elves for ourselves then?" The Emperor said, holding a hand to his chin, he stood up. "Bring my 5th and 8th concubines to my bed chambers. I need time to think."
…
It wasn't but a few days later when a messenger arrived in the Slane Theocracy. Penned by the emperor's very own hand. A man wearing red lined priest's robes opened and read the letter to his peers before passing it around.
"This request is crazy."
"Such a small thing to increase the resources we have to continue our decade long war with the elves. We need resources. This is a perfect opportunity for us. If we can sell some demon's spawn, we can further increase our efforts."
Others grit their teeth, each having their own feelings… However, when it came time for the vote, it was tied, half in favor, and half opposed. It took 3 more votes before everyone was on board with the plan… This permanently sullied what little hope their nation had at being redeemable in the Goddess' eyes.
…
"How dare you…" Night Silver was utterly furious. "I want to kill all of them!"
The now fully grown reincarnated Undine, in her male Nadairian body, did her best to calm Night Silver's anger. Undine, felt the fury emanating from her lover, and couldn't help but feel for her. But it wasn't just Night Silver that felt this way, it was every single one of the Nadairians, and direct descendants of hers.
"I know it's painful. But they asked you to stay out of it. And you did agree to do so, provided there wasn't a world ending threat that required you."
Night Silver, crying, as she felt the death of another one of the elves. "Give me more. I want them to live long healthy lives, not die in pointless battles like this."
"I was already going to give you more. No need to ask."
…
On the surface, the Slane Theocracy began selling the elves they'd captured as war prisoners. It would soon become a rather common occurrence. Their slavers covered a wide range, from somewhat retaining the elves' dignity, all the way to the most horrid of human kind.
With this new horrific business in place, the Slane Theocracy's power, and wealth rose to a staggering degree. Allowing them to spread their own religion through to the rest of the world. However, there were some nations that refused to accept such a horrific practice. The Slane Theocracy knew this, and so, they amped up the demi-human groups attacking the Robel Holy Kingdom, and Dragon Kingdom. And to counter Re-Estize, the Baharuth Empire engaged in its first major conflict against them, beginning the annual wars.
The Argland Council State was too far to intervene without cause, and so while they couldn't intervene, they did make their position clear, that in their eyes, elves were meant to be property. And another announcement came that said, Tsa would intervene the moment that his brother did as well.
Finally, the Dragon Mother came out with her public facing decree. "Elves are the demon spawn of that horrid bitch. They're beneath me, so let the rabble deal with them. But if Brightness gets involved, I'll take immediate action."
"YOU EVIL BASTARDS!" Brightness roared! I know her better than probably anyone… This is definitely eating away at her. After everything she did for these unworthy people. And now their descendants pull this shit. That door isn't ever opening again.
The Elven Nation was understandably infuriated. "NO MORE HOLDING BACK! IF THE WORLD IS AFTER US, DEMONIZING OUR MOTHER, RAPING AND BEATING OUR PEOPLE! YOU WANTED THIS WAR! AND NOW YOU'RE GONING TO GET IT!" The Elven queen declared.
The age of war has begun… A holy one…