“Intruder!”
“An actual intruder has entered!”
The spirit reached out to bind the one who dared to invade its space.
Crack! Crack!
The wooden tendrils forming the room moved as if alive.
A power granted to the spirits by the World Tree long ago.
A part of the World Tree immediately bound the two intruders.
“Pretty tight.”
“Uh…?”
Thud!
White light unraveled the wooden tendril.
The intruder casually brushed off their clothes.
“…It’s not as I expected.”
“Who, who are you!”
“Oh, I’m Lily Elbrite. I’m looking for a person, no, an elf.”
I tried to pull out a photo from the space.
But I quickly stepped back without retrieving it.
Thud!
The wooden tendril swayed violently, sweeping away where I had been.
“You invaded the World Tree’s domain for that pathetic reason? How dare a lower race!”
“I didn’t invade.”
“You did!”
“I knocked.”
It was already the third knock at that point.
I had just knocked a little ‘harder’ since no one opened the door.
“…That’s not really what you call knocking.”
“Um… I guess that’s true.”
I nodded to Elisha, who looked horrified.
That’s true.
[Why are you agreeing? Haha]
[Hahahahahaha]
[Hey, I’ve seen this somewhere]
[-Oh-]
[Hahahaha]
[That’s refreshing]
“But I need to find the person, you know? It was unavoidable.”
It’s truly unfortunate, but I had no choice but to open the door due to the urgency.
Really, how unfortunate.
“A lower race like you…”
Crash!!
“Graaaaah!!”
The green horn glowed, and the wrath of the World Tree rained down upon us.
A little less fierce…
“Yap.”
Crashhhhh!!!
“Ah.”
The deer fell down.
I hope it’s not dead?
■
“I’m sorry…”
The deer finally raised the white flag after taking a hit.
I didn’t intend for this… well, I wouldn’t mind if it had gone better.
It’s just a little disappointing.
“You don’t have to apologize. I’ve already healed the wound, so get up now.”
“Y-yes…”
[Hahahaha]
[Is Lily a bully?]
[Throwing a punch and then healing?;;]
[Kindness injection complete]
[Wow, she’s become kind Hahaha]
[Kindness (Physical)]
[Lily is really scary Haha]
[Look at the elf next to her staring in disbelief]
[So cute Haha]
Next to me?
When I looked over, Elisha was staring at me with a dazed expression.
“…Is this really okay?”
“I don’t intend to harm anyone. Besides, I’m just asking about their whereabouts.”
After all, the reason I invaded was to find the Child of the World Tree.
Even if the Spirit looked down on us as “lower” beings and attacked with the determination to kill,
that alone isn’t worthy of punishment.
“That’s merely nothing.”
If I were to punish for things like this, the path I’ve walked would always be filled with blood and corpses.
There were plenty of beings with this kind of mindset.
“Uh… Spirit?”
“Monster…? Huh?”
“Have you seen this elf?”
I shoved a picture of Asuka Elposis, the Child of the World Tree, in front of him.
The Spirit tilted its head, its green horns glinting, before shaking its head.
“How would I know all of them? Below…”
“…Hmm?”
“No, the elves. Well… I don’t know.”
[LOL]
[Totally brainwashed]
[It’s the Professor, after all, LOL]
“Then what about the Child of the World Tree?”
“…I don’t know. I just know they disappeared. I don’t really feel like looking for them… Yikes!”
“You’re connected to the World Tree, right?”
“Uh… yes. But why is that…”
“Please connect me.”
I need to talk a bit.
“…Huh?”
■
The Spirit is connected to the World Tree.
As the Spirit is currently by my side, I can communicate with the World Tree without needing to go to the heart of it.
Of course, I would need to go there eventually, but I should contact them in advance so they won’t be surprised.
“I’m already shocked.”
“That’s why I knocked.”
I only knocked a bit harder.
“……”
“Are you ready?”
“…I don’t think they’ll pick up.”
“We won’t know until we try.”
I nodded, and the Spirit, with a worried expression, began to move its fingertips.
The Mana of Life swirled around, creating a screen in thin air.
There was nothing but a black screen.
“Are we in contact?”
“They usually don’t answer. If we wait a bit, they might…”
“Hmm…”
“Oh, no! They’ll definitely respond! I’m sure of it!”
The Spirit focused anxiously on the screen.
Please pick up. I fervently prayed for something to be said, but…
[Not picking up]
[Looks like they’re unavailable, LOL]
“They’re not answering.”
Even after more than ten minutes, the World Tree did not reply.
“It seems like we’ll have to go look for them ourselves…”
I cast a glance sideways.
The Spirit trembled, asking almost in desperation,
“…You’re not saying to guide you, are you?”
“Correct?”
“Oh, no! If that happens, I’ll really die!”
“It’s alright. I’ll talk it over nicely.”
I’ll make sure to communicate well with the World Tree.
Surely, they won’t threaten their own child just because I asked for directions.
“No way!”
[LOL]
[Oh, just trying to have a conversation]
[Let’s just kill them and enjoy the view]
[Kill ㄱㄱ]
The Spirit fell into deep thought.
At this rate, I wouldn’t hear any good news.
It’s nice to see living beings after a long time, but if I send someone to the World Tree who could be a threat…
If someone suitable is sent up…
Are we sending someone up?
“Then let’s get going.”
“I can’t go!”
“If you just guide me…”
“No! From the midsection onward, that’s not my territory.”
The spirit swiftly moved mana and drew the World Tree in the air.
The spirit, who painted the picture pretty neatly, divided the World Tree into three parts and struck the lowest section dramatically.
“My territory ends here. From that point onward, it’s no longer under my jurisdiction, and I can’t arbitrarily change the structure!”
Right. If it’s going to be given anyway…
“I’ll give you the map all the way to the top. If you encounter difficulties along the way, you can meet the spirit of that area for help. By the way, I’ve already opened my jurisdiction for you, so don’t worry about that.”
“…”
The deer spirit, who had shot out words rapidly, looked at me with pleading eyes.
They really don’t want to go, huh?
I received the map.
It looks like it was scribbled quickly, but at least all the markings are there.
“…Got it. Let’s just take the map and go.”
“Thank you!”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
They’ll find out everything once the job is done anyway.
■
“Phew… Finally gone.”
The spirit collapsed on the floor, tidying up the mess left by a passing storm.
I’m tired.
At first, I was just excited, but then some monster shows up, wrecking the room and stealing information.
Thanks to that, I quickly discarded the thought of just lying low and observing.
I think I need to take a break.
So, I closed my eyes for just a moment.
Suga-gaga-gak!!
Kugugugung!!
“What now?!”
The barrier split open with a sound like a sword, and two strange figures entered.
“Sis! Let’s go together!”
“Who the hell is your sis? Don’t follow me!”
A human woman dashing in with starlight and a menacing, dark-haired human man exuding a chilling purple aura.
What the heck is that…
The spirit, having welcomed four intruders in one night, was on the verge of losing their mind.
The man pulled out the exact same photo as before, as if it were some kind of appointment.
“Have you seen this person?”
“How would I know?”
“Then you must die…”
“H… Did I underestimate you too much?”
I am the spirit of the mighty World Tree!
How could I be defeated by mere humans…?!
“Eh?”
A purple Sword Saint falls from above the spirit’s head.
Isn’t this somewhat like before…
“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”
■
“…I think this is the midsection.”
Elisha placed her hand on the ground to sense it.
Certainly, as Elisha said, the flow of mana is different.
Unlike the lower sections where it flowed dynamically, from the midsection onward, mana flows mechanically.
As if someone is artificially channeling it.
“First, let’s head to the Spirit’s Room.”
“Got it.”
Elisha and I arrived at the Mid Floor Spirit’s Room based on the map and the flow of mana.
A more tightly sealed barrier stands in our way than before.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Is anyone there?”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Is nobody there?”
Hmm. No response.
I took my stance out of desperation, and Elisha stepped back, now familiar with this routine.
And then…
KAAAAAANG!
“…?”
“Huh?”
[?]
[?]
[????]
I couldn’t break the barrier.
The failed hammer strike buzzed. I rotated the hammer in my grip.
“…Looks like I’m going to need some strength.”
A pure, white holy power wrapped around my body, and the hammer, filled with holiness, prepared for a powerful strike.
Just before the holy hammer smashed the barrier…
WHAAAAACK!!!
[The ‘Consumption’ Dungeon of the World Tree is revealed!]
[Tip: The World Tree created the Child of the World Tree to protect itself. The avatar that inherits strong power showcases exceptional abilities but can also bring about strong jealousy. Be cautious! You could end up trapped in the dungeon if you’re not careful!]
‘…What?’
“Lady Lily!”
The dungeon pulled me in.
■
‘Wake up…’
I’m sleepy.
Why am I so tired today…
‘You need to wake up…’
Just a little longer…
“Young Lady!”
“…???”
“How long are you going to sleep? You’ll be late for the Academy if you don’t hurry!”
“Huh?”
“Quickly! If you’re late, your mother will scold you!”
An elf was causing a ruckus, trying to wake me.
Ignoring her, I looked around.
The beautifully decorated room looked like a princess’s suite, with soft, fluffy pink blankets.
And there was the elf servant naturally dressed in silk pajamas.
“…Ria? Are you not feeling well?”
[You are…]
“No, no, I’m fine. I’ll get ready.”
I sat up.
Then I looked at the mirror behind the bed.
“…I just have pointy ears.”
My original appearance, with just the ears sharpened.
It actually suits me quite well.
[You are Ria Elposis, the Young Lady of the Elposis Kingdom 304 years ago.]
[You must help the talent you desire become a ‘Child of the World Tree’ using your status.]
[Rewards will vary based on your Contribution Degree, and most of Ria Elposis’s abilities are sealed except for her own.]
[Sealed Abilities – Inventory, Job, Stats (some), Titles, Blessings]
[Contribution Degree – 0%]
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