[Johann! Look! The houses are all made of wood!]
Are you not interested in the World Tree?
Listening to Rue’s voice, filled with excitement like a child, I slowly admired the elven city of Yggdrasil. True to their nature as a nature-loving race, the elves lived in homes carved out of enormous trees, which were spectacles in themselves.
Not only was it just hollowed inside the wood, but it also borrowed the power of spirits to be fire-resistant and sturdy.
The shapes varied with the type of wood, making it quite a delightful sight. There were pure white tree houses and brown ones, and seeing all the colors mixed together brought a charming atmosphere.
By the way, is that a bow made from the branches of the World Tree? I’d like to get one if I can. I may not be good at shooting arrows, but, hey, it’s the World Tree!
It would be a huge loss to leave without obtaining material comparable to the finest mithril I’ve ever touched. If it’s the World Tree, it would definitely help in fighting against the outsiders.
“Don’t look around too much. Human.”
“Is there a problem?”
“If our eyes meet, you’ll be scared.”
Racist just because I look a bit scary? I mean, is this human discrimination? Anyway, discrimination is still discrimination, so can I just shout ‘racist’? I nodded along with her words while pondering these absurd thoughts.
Maybe I should talk to this creature.
“Hey. When will we arrive at the palace of the great ones?”
“We’ll get there in just a bit.”
But contrary to her words, the palace wasn’t in sight even after walking for an hour. It must be the capital of the elves, after all; it’s ridiculously huge.
The elves, being so agile and light, might think this is indeed a ‘short distance,’ but for an ordinary human, it’s quite a long way.
Bored from even sightseeing, we silently followed Seongnaniri, killing time.
“We have arrived.”
“…Impressive.”
The atmosphere was on a whole different level compared to the palace I saw on the monitor. The thick roots intertwined to form the main entrance, guarded by two elf guards, and the enormous tree looming beyond it.
“This is the dwelling of our revered great ones.”
Seongnaniri’s voice revealed an unmistakable sense of pride.
It seemed she was filled with respect towards the high elves as per the setting.
“Seongnaniri. What is happening here? You bring outsiders…”
I quietly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and showed my respect.
“I seek an audience with the great one, blessed by the Phoenix.”
“Phoenix’s blessing…?”
“Do you have any proof?”
I silently extended my hand, conjuring flames on my palm. Unlike the flames made by magic or nature, this flame radiated a divine energy. I quietly extinguished the flames and lifted my head.
“What an intriguing flame… I will inform the queen.”
The twisted roots that acted as the door slowly parted to reveal the path. The rare sight drew an awed gasp from behind me.
Naturally, it was Sif.
Is it time for me to get up?
I stole a glance at the guard stepping inside and got up, brushing off my knees.
“…”
“…”
We waited in silence for the guard to return in the solemn atmosphere. How long had it been? The guard came back with good news.
“The queen has granted you an audience.”
“That’s a relief.”
“However, only you may enter.”
“Uh, then what about us…?”
“Since my home is still standing, you may wait there.”
Sandalbaram’s house. That was a place you couldn’t visit in the game.
“Understood.”
“And when you enter, all weapons must be surrendered.”
That wouldn’t really mean much. Still, I complied with her words. I handed over my shovel and pulled out various tools from my pocket. A cooking knife, the reagents I got from Viola, and…
“Hand over that book too.”
“That’s not a weapon.”
“If a magic book isn’t a weapon, then what is?”
She had no counter to that. I willingly handed Rue over to the guards. I didn’t think they would harm her, and if something went wrong, she could brainwash herself and run away.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Have a safe trip.”
Sif’s voice, which had grown closer since the incident at the top, was filled with undeniable concern.
Who’s worrying about whom?
“Don’t worry, just rest well.”
I followed the guard toward the elven queen’s palace.
——————–
“Do not commit rudeness before the queen. Do you understand?”
“I don’t know the elven etiquette; could you tell me?”
This world was different in many ways from the game, so I needed to confirm if what I knew was accurate. I didn’t want to irk the elf queen for no reason.
“…When you see the queen, immediately kneel and bow your head. And do not take any action until she commands you to.”
Hmm, that’s the same.
“And even if you see the queen, do not show surprise.”
“…Understood.”
“I will now open the door.”
The guard knocked on the door three times. Then, the massive wooden doors slowly began to open. The guard stepped aside and said to me,
“Enter.”
I quietly followed her instructions and stepped into the audience chamber.
Inside were knights in wooden armor and the high elf queen resting her chin on her hand, along with middle-aged elves standing beside the path leading to the queen.
Countless elven eyes scanned over my body. Was it wariness towards an outsider, or mere curiosity? With so many gazes mixed together, it was hard to make an accurate judgment.
I walked a reasonable distance, kneeled as the guard instructed, and bowed my head.
“I am Baron Johann Quartz of the Empire. I present myself before the queen.”
“Raise your head, blessed one of the Phoenix.”
I quietly lifted my head.
And there before my eyes was the beautiful visage of the high elf queen.
Vibrant green hair, a voluptuous body for an elf, and breathtaking beauty. It became evident why high elves were referred to as ‘the epitome of beauty.’
…But Karina was prettier.
“You are quite an interesting human. To not be flustered even upon seeing me.”
“…I’m somewhat of a dullard, you see.”
“Hmph, a human who speaks amusingly.”
The queen smiled as if in good spirits. It seemed she liked me. The queen was known to dislike boredom, so even my presence alone might have uplifted her mood.
In a city where no one came in or out, I was indeed a long-awaited guest.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I came because I thought the World Tree had been polluted, and it’s a serious situation.”
Did I touch on a sensitive subject? The eyes surrounding me sharpened. But I wasn’t the type to scare off easily.
No matter how intense their gazes were, they were nowhere near Harpas’s level, and these beings were beneath Harpas’s underlings in the original story, after all.
“Who told you this?”
“Sandalbaram.”
“Sandalbaram, huh… That half-breed child.”
“I will impose strict punishment.”
“There is no need for such.”
“Yes.”
…Should I have just deflected it?
Of course, there was no room for lies here, so apart from telling the truth, I had no choice.
“…Your concern is commendable, but the matters of the World Tree are entirely ours. Humans likely do not need your assistance.”
A summoning of sorts. I expected that response. There was no way they would allow a human to meddle in such a sensitive issue. Considering what the empire and elves had done to the World Tree hundreds of years ago… well, it was completely understandable.
If I were an elf, I’d get furious if some human waltzed in and said they’d help.
“…What if I indeed had knowledge regarding the contamination?”
“What?”
“How dare you claim to have safety when you lie!”
“Your Majesty! We must imprison this scoundrel immediately!”
“Your Majesty! Expel this blasphemous one from the city at once!”
Still, it seems they’re being compassionate by only exiling me rather than throwing me in prison.
“Enough! Human, is what you said true?”
“Indeed.”
While I couldn’t guarantee a 100% match with the original story, I thought I could derive something from the information I had gathered so far.
In any case, I just went for it.
I couldn’t return like this.
If they couldn’t solve the World Tree problem, they wouldn’t be the only ones to suffer. The humans would also face horrific damage. I recalled one of the bad endings from the original story and locked eyes with the queen.
“I faced the demon Harpas in the west of the continent and encountered an ominous energy on human lands.”
“…You defeated a demon?”
“Indeed.”
“That’s not a lie, is it?”
“The reason I am blessed by the Phoenix is to exterminate demons. And I can show you evidence that I have done so.”
How was it done again?
As I dug up information buried deep in my memory, I quietly clenched my fist and extended my palm forward.
Oh, Phoenix.
Help me!
[You’re doing well without me teaching you.]
A warm heat filled the room. As I looked at the phoenix that appeared the size of a pigeon on my palm, I said,
“This is my proof.”
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