Chapter: 239
A place lined with charred trees, burned to a crisp.
A group of people were walking through that desolate forest.
It was Astra’s hunting party, who had entered the woods to rescue Sylvia.
Their footsteps were cautious as they ventured deeper into the forest.
Though they were in a hurry because they had no idea when Sylvia might be in danger, this was a treacherous territory filled with Fury Beasts.
If they rushed and provoked the beasts, they could be annihilated before even saving Sylvia, so they had no choice but to suppress their anxious hearts as much as possible.
“… Maintain a thorough lookout. This is a place where anything could jump out at us.”
“Understood, Elder.”
Thus, the hunting party and the First Elder leading them moved slowly toward the depths of the forest, making as little sound as possible.
Thanks to that—or perhaps just with a stroke of luck—quite some time passed after entering the forest without any beasts launching an ambush.
Only then could the First Elder observe the surroundings from a perspective different from the vigilant gaze.
‘How did it come to this? The hometown I yearned to reclaim so desperately…’
The Elder’s eyes, surveying the area, were filled with strange emotions.
Everywhere he looked, only the stark landscape of burnt tree corpses painted a chilling view.
However, the Elder recalled the tales passed down from the ancestors who had long since departed this world.
‘The elves’ hometown, the Eternal Forest, was said to be a forest more beautiful than any other…’
He closed his eyes for a moment, reminiscing about the scene where all those trees stood densely, each showcasing their green leaves and lush branches.
In his mind’s eye, an image of a breathtaking forest unfolded.
But the moment he opened his eyes, the vibrant forest was nowhere to be found; it was replaced by a grove filled solely with death.
A sigh of lament escaped the Elder’s lips due to his despair.
The forest, contaminated by the vile miasma, would never return to its former glory.
The Elder felt the resentment and hatred he had accumulated toward the being responsible for turning their homeland into this state boiling up once more.
However, the emotions that had surged like wildfire slowly began to wane, as if met with a headwind.
This was because the image of the witch he had seen earlier surfaced in his mind.
The witch who had cried out that she didn’t want to fight.
The witch who, despite being injured, had ultimately not fought back, only to fall under his sword.
And then, the witch who rose again, repelling the furious beasts and disappearing with Sylvia.
With the image of the witch in his head, the Elder felt a tangle of confusion growing in his mind.
She was the Witch of Wrath, possessing a heart that should be cursed like that of an evil being.
Yet, the witch he had seen seemed far removed from the label of wickedness.
Though she was a witch, a witch nonetheless.
For years, he had been blaming the Witch of Wrath as part of Astra.
Yet the witch imbued with the Witch of Wrath’s power cherished Sylvia and Astra—this contradiction left his heart in turmoil.
And the Elder knew that he was not the only one struggling with this.
As he turned around, he could see the same confusion reflected in the eyes of the others, who were on guard behind him.
Perhaps everyone was equally at a loss over how to handle their feelings.
What on earth should they do?
After much contemplation, he ultimately couldn’t come to a definitive conclusion.
Gazing at the hunting party for a while, the Elder closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
And when he opened his eyes again, they were no longer looking back, but gazing ahead.
His mind was still not settled.
It was just that there was something more pressing that needed his attention, and he had merely set aside his thoughts for the moment.
He would deal with his dilemma after rescuing Sylvia.
With that resolve, the Elder spoke firmly to the hunting party.
“… Is anyone in need of rest?”
“I’m fine!”
“Good. Given the urgency, we won’t camp tonight; we will head straight to where Sylvia is. Understood?”
“Yes!”
With the hunting party responding succinctly, the First Elder nodded and set his feet in motion, with the party following behind.
Even while lost in thought, their legs did not cease.
Deep into the night of the forest, until dawn broke.
*
Morning arrived.
The faint sunlight breaking through the miasma-laden sky signaled that they had walked through the entire night.
Grateful for not encountering any beasts through the night, the Elder took out a stone-shaped magical tool from his possession.
“Hmm, it’s nearby. Alert me as soon as you discover anything.”
The magical tool vibrated frequently and briefly, indicating the witch’s proximity.
As the tool pointed forward, it wasn’t long before someone from the hunting party shouted out.
“Oh, there’s Sylvia!”
At that exclamation, the Elder looked ahead and saw the witch and Sylvia appearing like tiny dots in the distance.
“Gah…!”
And at that moment, the Elder gasped.
It seemed that the witch was choking Sylvia by the neck.
Had their caution been a deception designed to induce carelessness?
Stunned by that cruel sight, the Elder dashed toward where Sylvia was.
“Si… Sylvia… it’s not the time to be sleeping like that…?!”
“Ugh… just a bit more…”
As he got closer, he quickly realized it had all been a misunderstanding.
The witch wasn’t choking her; she was simply trying to wake Sylvia, who was asleep with her head resting on the witch’s knee.
Far from being cruel, it was nothing short of playful, making the Elder feel a wave of relief wash over him.
He steadied his racing heart as he observed the two.
…At the very least, it was clear that they were close friends.
Sylvia displayed such a carefree demeanor with the witch, something he had never witnessed before.
That meant the witch truly was…
The resentment left in the Elder’s heart slowly began to dissipate.
What filled that space was gratitude.
For them, and most importantly, for protecting Sylvia.
“Ah… you’ve come, grandfather?”
At that moment, as he felt those emotions, Sylvia nodded slightly in greeting.
She looked so serene on the witch’s knee, almost too relaxed.
Meanwhile, the witch seemed flustered, not knowing what to do.
Feeling a slight headache from the situation, the Elder responded.
“Yes… I’m glad to see you’re safe, Sylvia…”
Though the situation felt a bit different than he had expected, he genuinely felt relieved for her safety.
With a sigh of relief, the Elder spoke to Sylvia.
“You have no idea how worried everyone was looking for you… this is a dangerous place, so we should head back.”
As the Elder said to return, Sylvia slowly sat up from the witch’s knee and asked.
“… Alone?”
“Who else would there be…?”
Upon hearing the Elder’s response, Sylvia’s expression hardened.
“What about Scarlet?”
“…”
“If Scarlet isn’t coming back with me, then I absolutely won’t return.”
When there was no reply, Sylvia declared as she tightly hugged the witch, known as Scarlet.
With an expression like a child protesting, refusing to move unless given a toy from the shop.
The Elder sighed.
Knowing Sylvia’s stubbornness all too well.
This was a child who insisted on getting what she wanted.
He had thought he could keep her at the mansion, but here she was after coming all the way here and demanding to stay.
If it had been under normal circumstances, he would have yielded.
After all, no parent can truly win against their child, and the same goes for a grandfather against his granddaughter.
Yet, this was something that couldn’t be helped.
The Elder resolutely shook his head and said.
“… That won’t do.”
“… Why not?”
Sylvia, unable to accept this, questioned him.
With a sigh, the Elder replied.
“… Because she’s a witch.”
It seemed Sylvia wasn’t pleased with that as she barked back.
“Is it just because she’s a witch that it’s not allowed?! You saw it! Scarlet is different from the other witches! She saved everyone from the beasts!”
“… I know. We all know. I’ll acknowledge that. That she is different from the other witches.”
At Sylvia’s words, the Elder nodded in agreement.
Then Sylvia shouted.
“Well then… all you have to do is tell everyone that! That Scarlet isn’t a bad witch!”
“Sure… that could be done… but…”
To Sylvia’s passionate shouting, the Elder responded in a calm voice.
“But that girl injured Captain Yoon Si-woo, didn’t she?”
At those words, the Elder subtly glanced at the girl, who trembled at the mention of the captain.
“Sylvia, you know better than anyone. Yoon Si-woo was a symbol of hope created to bring stability to the city in turmoil. Though the intent was successful, it was overly successful. Didn’t you see how everyone was ecstatic over Captain Yoon Si-woo?”
“Th-That’s…”
“That girl hurt Captain Yoon Si-woo. Even if they were just a nuisance, people would have been frothing at the mouth to harm him. Now, a witch who is even less than a person committed such an act…”
Though he didn’t need to complete his sentence, the Elder believed she would understand.
At that moment, Sylvia shouted back at the Elder.
“Grandfather!! We are Astra! We never forget our debts, isn’t that what Astra is all about?! So as a group, we’re going to do our best even if the chances are slim, instead of simply letting that slide!”
And to Sylvia’s passionate plea,
“Didn’t we want to do that…!”
The Elder shouted back in frustration.
“Don’t you think we have pride as Astra?! If it was just our lives on the line, what’s so scary about trying to persuade others even if the chances are slim?! But—”
What was contained within his shouting was shame, embarrassment.
Not repaying a favor is a disgrace for Astra.
But it was precisely because they could not make that choice,
The Elder spoke to Sylvia with a heartfelt voice.
“If we fail in persuading them, Astra would simply be known as a treasonous family that aided a witch… In that case, you too will not escape punishment… Sylvia, you are the future of Astra. Therefore, we cannot make a choice that puts you in danger…”
“…”
The Elder wept as he gazed at the now silent Sylvia.
“… As one of Astra’s heirs, I earnestly beseech you, not just as your grandfather. Please, please…”
Then the Elder bowed deeply toward Scarlet.
“I’m so sorry… I can only say that I truly am sorry… I can’t help but make this request after receiving such a favor… Please, we will inform people that we killed you, so you must live where no eyes can reach you… for Sylvia to be able to return safely, please…”
The rest of the group in line also bowed their heads towards her.
Just for Sylvia.
That alone was the most important reason for them.
As they made that heartfelt request, Scarlet briefly shut her mouth and then nodded as if understanding.
“… I will manage everything on my own; there’s no need to bow your heads.”
Then Sylvia blocked that.
Looking at Scarlet, who wore a blank expression, Sylvia gave a sharp look before addressing those who were bowing in unison.
“Ugh… this really feels weird. When you mention it’s for me, I’m not sure what to say… Anyway, Grandfather, you can’t accept what I say, can you?”
“Sylvia, please….”
The Elder could only respond thus, but it was clear what that meant.
And upon confirming this, Sylvia sighed lightly as if resigned and then slowly stood up, muttering.
“Sigh… I have no choice then. I guess I’ll have to make you follow my wishes instead.”
Having stood, Sylvia turned to walk toward a tree behind where she had been sitting.
As the people, who had been looking down, turned their gazes toward her sudden movement, Sylvia gently placed her hand on the tree.
In a low voice, she whispered.
-Alf Ad Astra
And then—
“Eep…?!”
The Elder witnessed it.
From Sylvia’s hand, dazzling starlight erupted.
Yet, that wasn’t why he was shocked.
What truly astonished him was what happened immediately afterward.
The bright light emanating from Sylvia’s hand began to envelop the charred tree in brilliant light.
As the light gradually seeped into the wood,
Crackle, as if the bark was falling away.
The deathly color that had been staining the tree began to flake off.
The blackened wood returned to its natural color.
With brown trunks and green leaves.
And as the tree, revived from death, accepted all the starlight flowing from Sylvia’s hands—
At that moment, the Elder involuntarily gasped in awe.
He recalled records about the World Tree he had once read.
“The World Tree is… not just a peculiar tree…”
The tree gleamed with bright light.
“A tree imbued with spirits is, in fact, the World Tree…”
It radiated a brilliant light.
The sight of the tree overflowing with light seemed to cause waves of light to swirl around them.
The waves of light spilling from the tree chased away the darkness.
The deathly energy that had tainted the land.
The blackness that had engulfed the surroundings.
Erasing it as if wiping it away with an eraser.
Thus, the world that had been filled with blackness regained its colors.
The greens of the trees and grass.
The myriad hues of nameless wildflowers.
The vast blue of the sky.
In the forest where death had faded, countless colors of life began to sprout.
At the same time, the Elder felt it, along with everyone from Astra.
The light seeping into their bodies.
Filling them with warmth and satisfaction.
It was the blessing of the spirits they had thought lost.
A proof that the stars had not forsaken them.
They had not been abandoned.
They simply could not see the stars who had always been watching over them.
Realizing this, the elves could no longer hold back their overflowing tears.
What else could this be but a miracle?
As those who wept in gratitude for the miracle that had come upon them,
“You said you wouldn’t be able to grant my request, didn’t you?”
The voice of the girl, who had brought everything back at the center of the miracle, rang out.
As the Elder and Astra looked up to her, they saw—
“But what should we do now? Astra owes an immense favor to Scarlet.”
With a halo of brilliant light sparkling above her head like a tiara.
“She saved our lives and helped us reclaim our homeland.”
The girl, whose eyes held the radiance of the brightest star.
“Astra never forgets its debts.”
“So, I, as the one chosen by the stars, declare that we will repay the favor to Astra’s benefactor, Scarlet.”
The true master of Astra, who had vanished for 500 years and returned after five centuries.
“Not as Sylvia Astra, but in the name of the head of the Astra family.”
Thus, she, wearing an uncommonly bright smile, declared.
“Everyone, do you have any objections?”
Who among Astra would not delight in receiving such words?
“Proceed as you will, O new star.”
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