Chapter 462
Despite someone’s wailing in the background, the energy transfer operation was successfully wrapped up.
“World Tree! World Tree!”
“It’s smaller than before! But it’s still great!”
“Our home, our home!”
As proof, the fairies fluttering around the tree didn’t even think about leaving it alone.
Although it wasn’t a complete resurrection, they still referred to it as the World Tree—those beings who once called it their home. Given some time, the World Tree would surely be back to its former glory after hundreds of years.
“It’s definitely changed. I don’t really know how to describe it because I’m not knowledgeable about the divine, but it’s become more splendid than before.”
Trixy, who was behind me, nodded at the tree that could now be referred to as the Semi-World Tree.
Mana and divine power are different in nature, yet they share a common aspect as energy that constitutes this world. Perhaps that’s why even Trix, who was used to mana, noticed the anomaly.
“Oh my.”
If Trix, who was completely clueless about the World Tree and divine power, could detect such changes, it went without saying that my grandmother, who had experience managing the World Tree, would recognize it instantly.
With her face full of anticipation, my grandmother looked up at the World Tree, tears welling up in her eyes. Like the fairies, she, too, saw the tree as the World Tree.
After stargazing at the tree for quite some time, my grandmother quietly wiped her eyes and turned to me with a smile.
“Thank you. Our race owes you a great debt.”
“Debt? It’s just a human returning the treasure that was burned by humans.”
I quickly shook my head at my grandmother’s gratitude. Sure, if it was for something else, I could accept it, but when it comes to the World Tree, it felt a bit embarrassing to be thanked.
After all, it was those little Apels who burned the World Tree in the first place. Even if Krasius tore apart that Apels nation, the fact remains that humans are the ones cleaning up the mess.
“The wicked who burned the World Tree were punished by the current Empire, so not all humans bear that sin. In such circumstances, how could you not warrant gratitude for reviving the World Tree?”
Even if my grandmother was seeing Apels and Krasius as separate entities, that was a gracious statement.
Though she may have reservations about all humans, I could tell that in her rational mind, she was trying to view them as separate beings. Maybe this reflects her personal disposition or a sense of responsibility as an elder to her race; in any case, it was a relief for the Empire.
“And…”
Then my grandmother approached me, gently patting my shoulder.
“It’s only natural since our mother doesn’t blame humans.”
When she heard Constantina’s voice, I withdrew a bit, feeling a faint warmth on that part of my shoulder.
It seemed the elder of the elves held a position that combined both secular and religious leadership. Just on the surface, she could pick up on things that were usually hard to notice.
‘Northern priests couldn’t even recognize it after seeing it firsthand.’
—Hey!
That thought popped into my head, and I could almost hear the Eternal Blue Sky shouting.
I felt bad, but what could I do? It was the truth.
*
I found myself dragged into an elven feast.
The gathering was informal, just a table and food spread out beside the World Tree, but standing awkwardly alone in a space filled with elves was undeniably strange. Even Trix was half-elf, while I was the only pure human.
“Benefactor! Why are you standing there like a statue? Don’t just stand there; you have to try this!”
“Oh, right. Thank you.”
The silver lining was that the majority of elves in this interspecies protection zone weren’t hostile to humans. I didn’t hear any disrespectful remarks like, ‘How dare those filthy short-lived creatures…!’ reminiscent of the novels from the world before my reincarnation.
Moreover, as the grandson-in-law of the elder and the hero who revived the World Tree, they couldn’t very well be hostile; it went beyond that.
“You’re eating well! Looks like you’ll be a beloved son-in-law!”
After popping a piece of food into my mouth from a blue-haired elf, he nodded in satisfaction.
To be loved for eating well—then my stomach’s sacrifice during lunch wasn’t in vain. What a relief!
“But, it’s been a while since we’ve all gathered like this. It feels like the first time since the fall of Apels.”
However, the blue-haired elf’s murmured words made me flinch.
‘The first time since the fall of Apels?’
It felt as if he was implying he was alive during the collapse of Apels.
It was bewildering. I couldn’t discern whether I was talking about current events or history when chatting with the elves. Given that I intended to have one of them as a daughter-in-law, I’d have to get used to this quickly.
“Huh, surprised? You see, I was a warrior active during the fall of Apels.”
As if he picked up on my confusion, the blue-haired elf grinned and gave my back a friendly pat.
So he didn’t just survive but was actively fighting back then? He looked barely over thirty, yet how old was he really?
“Don’t go thinking anything weird, okay?”
“Not at all.”
“Good, then.”
It seemed elves were sensitive about their age, just like humans.
The blue-haired elf chugged down his drink and continued chatting about how rare it was for the elves to see a revived World Tree, how relieved they felt that the young ones still had some vague affection for it, and how they didn’t expect the one who revived the World Tree to become the grandson-in-law of their elder.
This was about ordinary happenings, not history.
“Oh, looks like your wife is coming.”
At that moment, I turned to see Trix, who had been beleaguered by the other elves, approach with a weary expression.
I barely stifled a chuckle. Trix was a respected elder in human society, but here in this protection zone, she was just the cute little younger sibling.
“Trixy! Thanks for bringing the good liquor!”
The blue-haired elf waved his hand excitedly towards Trix.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll bring some more next time.”
Even with that exaggerated expression of gratitude, Trix flashed a soft smile.
To be honest, the Servette wine was a gift I brought for my grandmother, but sharing it for the happiness and smiles of the elves wasn’t a bad thing at all.
Anyway, Trix, who walked over to me with heavy feet, instinctively leaned her head on my shoulder. Although we were in front of elders, Trix’s fatigue seemed to trump any concerns about modesty; I gladly lent her my shoulder.
The elves around us seemed to find the show of affection between young lovers endearing as they smiled.
“You’ve worked hard.”
So, while patting Trix’s shoulder, I dashed my fingers through her hair—
“What… what are you doing?!”
The blue-haired elf suddenly shouted. The fierceness of the shout caught the attention of the other elves around us.
That was a bit embarrassing. If they had shown displeasure at my resting my shoulder with Trix, I’d think we made a mistake. But they didn’t say anything, and all of a sudden, this elf was the one reacting.
“Um, it’s embarrassing, but Trix and I aren’t well-versed in elven culture, so if we made any mistake…?”
I cautiously asked, to which the blue-haired elf’s face turned crimson as he glanced around before whispering.
“You really don’t know?”
“No, Trix didn’t hear much about elves while growing up, and I’m basically another race.”
“Oh.”
He let out a murmured exclamation and looked down.
It seemed regret washed over him, perhaps recognizing that Trix lost her parents at a young age and thus hadn’t had the chance to learn things. He looked somewhat dumbfounded by how to explain the situation.
However, the hesitation was brief. The warrior-like elf leaned in and whispered something in Trix’s ear.
“I didn’t know at all!”
“Well, looks like you weren’t informed.”
While Trix was listening, her eyes widened and started turning beet red, shaking her head vigorously.
What on earth? What’s going on?
I wanted to know, too!
‘Is it the ears?’
It seemed the ear touch was a problem, but without being told directly, I still couldn’t figure out what the issue was.
I mean, Trix just really loves it when I touch her ears because it drives her wild with joy…
…
‘No way…’
A chilling realization hit me. Could it be that elven ears are regarded similarly to other private areas for humans?
If that were the case, I could finally understand the blue-haired elf’s reaction, as simple affection had instantly ignited something wild in them.
An awkward atmosphere lingered after that.
*
While going about my usual duties, I unexpectedly received a parcel.
“Cardinal Alexandria sent this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I convey my sincere apologies for not delivering this in person.”
As I gazed at the two boxes the palace attendant was holding, I rubbed my chin in contemplation.
Since it was a delivery from the cardinal and had passed through the palace’s verification, it was unlikely to be a threat. Therefore, only pure curiosity remained.
‘Are there items connected to the cardinal to send?’
I might have thought of a gift from the Pope or Cardinal Aldino as a token of goodwill between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom of Yuben.
But the individual sending it was none other than Cardinal Alexandria—a figure who had risen among the ranks yet remained a high-ranking envoy. The most likely connection that crossed my mind was canonization, yet that had already been established during their lifetime for Saint status, so there shouldn’t be a reason to send something to me.
“Let’s open it. Since it’s directly sent by the cardinal, we should respond appropriately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After a brief deliberation, I instructed them to open it. After all, whatever the contents were, I would know as soon as I popped the box open. It would be wise to check the contents promptly and consider an appropriate return gift afterward.
“Aha.”
As soon as the first item was revealed from the box, I almost busted out laughing.
It was a portrait. Even for an amateur, it was clear that much effort had gone into painting it. The solemn expression, tightly closed lips, and hands clasping a holy book and cross made for quite a striking religious portrait.
And the subject of that portrait was the Executive Manager.
“Blessed Carl Krasius of Tailglehen.”
I bit my lip as I read the inscription at the bottom of the portrait. If I didn’t hold back, I would burst out laughing right in front of the attendant.
“The gift commemorates the canonization of the pillar of the Empire during their lifetime, presented on behalf of Brother Blessed Carl Krasius and Your Majesty.”
“I see.”
I dutifully nodded at the attendant’s words as he read the accompanying letter.
That made sense. Canonization was indeed a rare event worth celebrating. I figured a similar painting probably went to the Executive Manager’s residence.
‘What’s in the other box, though?’
My curiosity unconsciously shifted to the second box. Having received a portrait of a saint, could the other be clothing or relics belonging to the saint? Well, in that case, there wouldn’t be a need for it to be sent to me.
Fortunately, before my curiosity could escalate further, the attendant opened the other box.
“Jeepers.”
I nearly choked back a laugh.
“Saint Carl Krasius of Tailglehen.”
After the portrait of the Blessed came the portrait of a Saint.
I was losing it. Even though it was supposed to mark their posthumous canonization, it seemed the Holy Kingdom had decided to treat it as an already sainted figure, given that there was a halo painted behind the Executive Manager’s head akin to saints.
I was itching to laugh at the meticulousness and swiftness of it all.
I had to keep it together. It wouldn’t do for an Emperor to express levity in front of a subordinate.
“What an impressive gift this is. I’ll decide on a fitting return gift to send, so the attendant may now take their leave.”
With that, the attendant politely bowed and stepped back.
As soon as the door to my office closed and the sound of the attendant’s footsteps faded away, I burst into laughter.
Unlike the portrait of the Blessed, which bore a solemn face, the saintly portrait showed the Executive Manager with a gentle smile, holding a cross near his chest.
Even the Executive Manager himself would find it laughable!
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