“…What impressive evidence you have.”
[Ah, you really call me into such an interesting situation.]
“My life’s a bit spectacular, you see.”
Having possessed a castaway on a deserted island for 10 years, escaping, and somehow finding myself saving the world. If someone heard that, they’d probably tell me to shut up and stop talking nonsense.
[Hmm, so what is it that you desire?]
“I need a guarantee of my identity.”
[Hmm. Calling me for such a matter.]
The Phoenix turns its head toward the queen. She looked at me and the Phoenix in turn with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
[Hmm, Avatar of the World Tree, I assure you this child is quite useful. He is the one who successfully murdered a demon for the first time on the continent.]
“If the Phoenix says so, it must be true.”
[Can I return now? The Wendigo is quite vexing… It drops me down to the Snow Mountain every week, and I don’t know how it manages to keep bothering me… ]
“I understand. Please proceed then.”
The flame flickered out, and the heat enveloping the meeting room dissipated. I quietly withdrew my hand and looked at the queen. I spoke to her, who was silently gazing back.
“How do you feel?”
“Yes. I can tell you aren’t an ordinary human.”
The queen spoke in a low voice, tapping her finger on her cheek as if lost in thought. She’s pondering, I guess.
Well, that makes sense. The World Tree holds a position equivalent to a god for the Elves, so it’s only natural she would hesitate to allow an outsider access to it.
“Don’t you want to resolve this situation quickly, Your Majesty?”
“…”
“The fact that the corruption has progressed that far means… you haven’t found a solution yet, have you? I’m sure you’ve tried all sorts of things; how about trying my assistance this time?”
“…If you promise one thing, I will allow it. Regardless of the outcome, do not divulge this matter outside.”
“Of course.”
A kind of non-disclosure agreement, huh? The Elves wouldn’t want their private matters getting out, so I can fully understand that request. Given how things are with the Empire right now, not letting this slip would also be the right thing to do.
“You must be fatigued from the journey. Let’s meet tomorrow.”
The audience was dismissed. I quietly stood up and turned my body.
Then, let’s head to Sandulbaram’s house.
——————
“This is Sandulbaram’s house.”
I slowly scanned the house pointed out by Seongnaniri. It looked much like any other house. However, it had a relatively withered atmosphere. Maybe it’s because the owner hasn’t been home for months.
“Thanks for guiding me.”
“I only did what I had to.”
…There’s a hint of tsundere in her tone.
I quickly turned my head to avoid showing my face and glared at her for a moment before walking toward the door. I could hear sounds of something scraping and rubbing inside.
Cleaning up, perhaps?
I quietly knocked on the door three times.
Knock knock knock.
“Who is it~?”
“It’s me.”
“Just a moment.”
I heard footsteps, and the door slowly opened. Sandulbaram stepped aside as if to invite me in. I slightly bent my knees in accordance with her courtesy and entered her house.
“I’m back after a long time, but the state of the house is terrible… I appreciate your patience.”
“No problem. At least there’s a roof over my head.”
In the early days of being cast away on the deserted island, I always spent my time looking for roofs… Compared to that, a house that hasn’t been cleaned yet is not much of a problem at all.
“Where’s Sif?”
“She went up to sleep already.”
“…I see.”
Has she gone to sleep because there’s nothing to do? Should I just sleep too?
No, wait, maybe I should gather some information first.
I wandered around the living room, watching Sandulbaram clean and then spoke up.
“Do you need assistance?”
“No, I’m fine on my own.”
As expected, that was her answer. This was a line I heard in the original as well. Hearing it now feels oddly nostalgic.
Silence fell between us again, and I quietly asked her.
“You don’t seem too happy to be back after a long time.”
“Do I have to be happy?”
“Not necessarily.”
“…Half-blood Elves are considered undesirable.”
Sandulbaram shot off that short line and returned to her cleaning. Staring blankly at that scene, I took out some jerky from my pocket and chewed on it. The salty, subtly greasy flavor spread in my mouth.
This doesn’t seem like pork, though.
“For someone like you, you seem quite worried about the World Tree. To the extent that you’d ask me for help.”
“Like it or not, I’m an Elf. The World Tree is like our mother; what child would ignore their mother in pain?”
I recall there was a similar line in the original too.
Swallowing the last piece of jerky, I stood up. Eating a meal seems too bothersome; I should just go to bed.
“Where’s the guest room?”
“I’ll show you.”
She placed her cleaning tools on the table and climbed up the stairs along the outer wall. I followed her steps. Once we reached the 2nd floor, there were three rooms.
Sandulbaram pointed to the innermost room.
“You can use this one.”
“Thanks.”
“Treating guests is a natural duty.”
She said that in a nonchalant voice and went back down the stairs. I looked at the wooden bed, wooden pillow, and Rue rolling around on the bed.
There’s really nothing else to see besides that. I changed into more comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed. Surprisingly, the wooden bed felt soft. It was as if I was buried on a pillow shaped like wood.
Is this also the power of the World Tree?
How fascinating.
[Contractor~ Did you have a good trip?]
“Yeah.”
[What did they say?]
“They said to take good care of things.”
[I see~]
“Rue, when we go to the World Tree tomorrow, we need to find out what energy has been polluting it. Are you up for it?”
[Just leave it to me!]
“…I’ll be counting on you. Then I’ll sleep.”
Maybe it’s the hectic schedule, but my body felt heavy.
I adjusted my posture and closed my eyes.
————————
“Do not break or injure the branches of the World Tree. Understood?”
“I understand.”
The next day, guided by Seongnaniri, I arrived at the entrance to the World Tree early in the morning. The entrance was crowded with the queen, several elders, and guards in wooden armor waiting for my arrival.
“Before we go to the World Tree, there are things I need to tell you.”
I looked at the queen as she spoke. When our eyes met, the queen smiled gently.
“Even if you discover a corrupted area, do not recklessly put your hands on it. Touching it wrong could be quite dangerous. And… if you spot someone standing in a contaminated area, do not call them or approach them. Do you understand?”
Her expression was more serious than ever with those words. Is it such a given? What the queen refers to might be…
“Yes. I understand.”
“Hmm, then let me cast a protection spell over you before you go.”
The queen’s beautiful voice began to generate a melody. They say Elven incantations sound like songs, and it truly felt that way. I instinctively felt a thin film wrap around my body.
“Now, let’s go.”
We quietly climbed up the wide stairs made on the outer part of the World Tree. The staircase was large enough to accommodate four or five people side by side, fitting the tree’s colossal scale.
“How much further until we see the corrupted branches?”
“It would take about two hours in human time.”
Two hours?
Well, considering the size, it didn’t seem like we could arrive in just a few minutes.
Well, if I enjoy the view outside while climbing, I guess I’ll reach there eventually.
[Johann! Look at that city! Where is that?]
“…That’s the city we passed by.”
How high up are we? If I can see a city far away beneath us, it must be higher than an ordinary mountain. Though, from the bottom, it probably looks like it’s piercing through the clouds.
…We don’t have to go all the way to the top, right?
[If we fall here, would we turn into slime?]
“…What a horrifying thought.”
I have to be extra careful not to fall. I’m a human without wings, so falling would mean turning into a gooey mess instantly.
As we climbed while making small talk, suddenly the queen and her entourage stopped. I gazed at the thick branch that protruded through the stairs. A red branch stained with an ominous color.
“That’s the corruption.”
“…Is it okay to approach?”
“Do not make contact. Bear Drummer, lead the way.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Your command shall be followed.”
I followed the Bear Drummer as we stepped onto the branch. The sensation beneath my feet was somewhat different from regular wood. It felt as if the branch was softly enveloping my feet. If it’s like this, I shouldn’t feel any pain even if I jump.
With such impressions, I arrived right in front of the corrupted branch.
“Do not touch it. Those who have made direct contact haven’t lived to tell the tale.”
I wanted to collect a sample, though.
“Rue. Do you sense any energy?”
[Yeah, but somehow… it feels creepy.]
“What feels creepy?”
[Hmm… it feels like it’s connected to something. Maybe mentally?]
You mean the World Tree is connected to something, leading to this mess?
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Did you uncover something?”
“Not yet, but… I need more information. Do you happen to have any records of your investigations so far?”
“They are kept carefully within the palace. If you produce results… access might be granted.”
How very courteous.
“Have you ever made contact using tools?”
“I have. It sticks on instantly. That being became one with those things right there.”
“Huh.”
That’s quite different from the original. Harpas’ death must have led to that position being taken by the outsiders.
“What does becoming one actually mean…”
[Johann, look over there!]
That startled me.
What now?
I turned to see where Rue was pointing.
What the hell is that?
I met eyes with a head and eyes that had emerged from the corrupted branch.
I have a bad feeling about this.
“…There were no reports of such abilities…”
The body slowly crawled upward.
The Bear Drummer and I drew our weapons.
What could that thing be? I know for sure it’s terrible for the health of my eyes. I wanted desperately to scratch my increasingly itchy eyes as I quietly spoke.
“…Regardless of anything else, I think capturing that thing would yield valuable information.”
I took out the items I prepared for these types of occasions from my bag. Two, counting for that thing’s share. I patted his shoulder and handed him the items.
“What is this, human?”
“It’s for dealing with those sorts of creatures. Wearing this will lessen the mental corruption, so keep it on.”
“You carry around some interesting things…”
He quietly placed the goggles over his eyes. They might limit his vision a bit, but it should be fine.
I put on my own goggles. The goggles infused with the power of the mist gem blocked the unidentified force that made my eyes itchy just enough to be tolerable.
“Then, let’s capture that thing and present it to the queen.”
Let’s give it a try.
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