Chapter 116

Wendigo returned to the elves’ campsite carrying Dario, Elhemina, and Freyja on his back.

The elves guarding the campsite were greatly surprised when Wendigo returned carrying the unconscious Elhemina, and called for the centurions.

One elf soldier picked up an arrow and asked the two with a serious expression:

“Shouldn’t we tell the warriors to prepare for battle right away? I can’t understand why the priest has fainted.”

“Hmm… But Dario is also unconscious. Even the infamous spirit is in an unconscious state.”

“For now, stand by. But tell them to be ready to draw weapons at any time.”

The centurions didn’t doubt Wendigo, but they didn’t let their personal feelings cloud their duty.

The elves who received their instructions checked their sharp swords and spears while praying to the World Tree.

If they had to fight, they wouldn’t back down, but…

‘That doesn’t mean I want to die for nothing.’

‘I was planning to whisper sweet nothings to her when we returned, telling her about the experiences in this land.’

‘Surely he won’t provoke this many opponents.’

The unknown fear of death wasn’t easily overcome even by elven soldiers who prided themselves on their coolness.

The warriors recalled their memories and lovers, praying that Wendigo hadn’t shown his true colors.

Of course, their prayers didn’t reach the World Tree. It was busy enough dealing with dozens of elves wailing in the homeland.

… Plus, there was the unfair homework Wendigo had left.

Wendigo looked up at the wooden wall guarding the campsite. When the centurion’s eyes met Wendigo’s, his hand reflexively went to his sword hilt.

It wasn’t polite and unbecoming of an aged warrior, but the centurion wasn’t ashamed.

Even the so-called Blade Dancers in Elvenhome, who were obsessed with swordsmanship and dueling, would surely draw their swords when facing the being before them.

The centurion, having composed himself, slowly revealed himself on top of the wall. Wendigo confirmed his presence and naturally ordered him:

“I’ve returned after planting the World Tree, so open the gate.”

“You must have had a hard time. But… I’m sorry, may I ask why your companions have returned in an unconscious state?”

The centurion swallowed dryly and asked Wendigo in a loud voice. The soldiers took positions to climb the wall at any moment and readied their bows…

‘Well, I suppose it does look a bit strange.’

Wendigo felt troubled by the centurion’s question. It was fine to knock them out because it was bothersome, but thinking about it now, the appearance was strange.

Who would think nothing had happened when the child, no, the World Tree who had gone out together had disappeared and the rest returned unconscious?

Wendigo tried to think of the most appropriate excuse to calm the other party. He stalled for time to organize his thoughts.

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I should say this, but.”

“What on earth happened for you to say that?”

When Wendigo scratched his chin and trailed off, the centurions’ curiosity was piqued and they urged him on.

What could have happened in the forest that made the being before them hesitate to speak?

Having come up with a suitable story, Wendigo cleared his throat and opened his mouth:

“As you know, we headed into the forest to plant the World Tree. Fortunately, we found a suitable clearing not far away and planted the World Tree.”

“Could that be the reason for the earthquake?”

“Yes. As you must have felt, it was an earthquake that occurred as the World Tree grew. Originally, we were going to wait for it to grow naturally, but…”

“Was there some problem?”

“Perhaps… did those who were chasing our existence appear targeting the World Tree?”

The centurions frowned as they recalled possible scenarios. They remembered the warnings from the elf wanderers.

Some elves addicted to thrill would wander the continent hiding their identity, and they always warned to consider hiding one’s identity as important as life itself.

Continentals had fantasies about elves, making them easy targets for crime.

They had inevitably revealed their identity and received help to return to the republic, so it wouldn’t be strange if greedy individuals had followed their trail!

‘… Judging by their expressions, this seems to be working well.’

Wendigo gained confidence seeing them burning with fighting spirit as they imagined fictional bands of thieves they had never seen.

“Everyone, calm down. There was no one chasing you, and the World Tree has safely taken root.”

“That’s a relief, but what about that earthquake?”

“You who have lived with the World Tree for a long time would know well, but mystery is very helpful in growing the World Tree.”

“Yes, of course.”

The centurions nodded and agreed.

Young ones might think the World Tree grows on its own when a sapling is planted, but when one reaches their age, they usually get to see a new sapling being planted at least once.

Priests devoted all their attention to caring for the World Tree day and night.

Checking the leaves, branches, roots, and bark of the World Tree to confirm its condition was basic.

Not only did they procure fertilizer suitable for the soil quality and sprinkle the cleanest water, but the priests also didn’t hesitate to perform rituals to condense mystery.

“In Elvenhome, priests held rituals every month in various locations to try to draw out the mystery of the land.”

“But… we had no means to replenish mystery due to our ships being wrecked…”

“Ahem. Don’t worry about that. I shared mystery with the World Tree at its request.”

“!”

The centurions were startled and looked at each other. That’s how unbelievable Wendigo’s statement was.

It was a natural reaction since they thought of Wendigo as a peculiar and special spirit, not a being similar to the World Tree.

Wendigo swayed their hearts before they could raise doubts.

“I understand your reaction, but the World Tree’s request was something I could sympathize with from the standpoint of ruling over people.”

“What on earth did it say?”

“It said it wanted to help you return safely to your homeland. That with its help, you could return safely.”

“!”

Wendigo naturally sold out the World Tree. Recalling how he had troubled it so far, he didn’t feel sorry.

Honestly, this was no different from increasing the World Tree’s good deeds, so shouldn’t he receive thanks instead?

As proof, not only the centurions but also the elves waiting behind the wall swayed their bodies, praising the World Tree’s grace.

“To think the World Tree cared for us so much!”

“And what a broad-minded spirit, not minding even though it’s not the land designated by the priests… Oh, World Tree!”

‘… I must never let them know the World Tree’s true feelings.’

Wendigo was disgusted by the sight of the elves praising the World Tree, forgetting they had been on high alert just moments ago.

He called the centurion who was still maintaining his composure. Though his eyes were red and his body was trembling, he wasn’t so far gone as to be unable to converse.

“I-I’m sorry. I showed an unseemly side unbefitting my age.”

“Not at all. Even Elhemina fainted after witnessing the World Tree’s incarnation as a giant tree.”

Wendigo brushed off their reactions as insignificant and explained the reason for Elhemina’s fainting.

It wasn’t entirely wrong, as she had fainted after being so captivated by the World Tree’s appearance that she didn’t hear a proper explanation.

“Ohhh! Did Lady Elhemina witness the World Tree’s true form?”

“That’s right. She stared as if in ecstasy and then collapsed.”

“I see…”

The centurion nodded, understanding the reason for Elhemina’s fainting.

Even he was trembling just from seeing the World Tree incarnated through a sapling.

It wouldn’t be strange to lose consciousness from joy after witnessing a sight that every devout priest among the World Tree-worshipping elves dreams of.

However…

“But why did Dario and the spirit…?”

The centurion pointed at the two and asked puzzledly.

While it wasn’t strange for Elhemina, a World Tree priest, to faint from the joy of seeing the World Tree, there was no reason for the other two to faint.

Wendigo hadn’t given much thought to the two. After all, the safety of the World Tree and Elhemina would clearly be their top priority.

He made up excuses as they came to mind:

“Dario tried to calm Elhemina down but got hit in the jaw by her in her excited state and fainted.”

“I see…”

Though Elhemina was timid and still naive due to her young age(?), priests serving the World Tree learned more diverse skills than one might expect.

Among them was martial arts training to prepare for beasts targeting the World Tree or potential threats.

It wouldn’t be strange for Dario’s jaw to be dislocated by a sudden punch thrown in an excited state.

“And I knocked out Freyja because she was about to make a mistake, captivated by the World Tree’s beautiful appearance.”

“Indeed!”

“You did very well!”

The centurions greatly admired Wendigo’s resolute judgment.

As expected of a spirit lusting after beauty, as the stories passed down from their great-grandfathers said, to try to commit such an obscene act!

Having understood the reasons for the three fainting, they opened the barricade and guided Wendigo inside.

The centurions came down from the wall, lined up the soldiers, and saluted Wendigo; the soldiers saluted with resounding voices, showing their respect.

Wendigo responded to their salute and moved to find a place to lay down the unconscious three…

A centurion who had dismissed the soldiers approached Wendigo.

“Forest King.”

“?”

Wendigo was puzzled when the centurion lowered his voice and spoke.

He wondered if perhaps the fraud, no, the explanation hadn’t worked, but the emotions they had shown were genuine.

Wendigo lowered his head, and the centurion whispered to him:

“The spirit might commit rudeness again. Wouldn’t it be better to severely punish that sinful spirit now?”

“……”

Wendigo silently looked at Freyja draped over his shoulder with pity… or rather, he didn’t.

Why feel pity for someone who hadn’t properly paid for their past sins?

Wendigo gave Freyja’s head a light flick and reassured the centurion:

“Don’t worry. This one is currently making amends under me to atone for the sins committed so far.”

“It doesn’t seem like a spirit diligent enough to atone…”

Wendigo heard the centurion’s muttering but didn’t respond.

Sometimes silence is more helpful than excuses.

---

It didn’t take long for Dario and Elhemina to regain consciousness. Thanks to Wendigo’s appropriate control of force when knocking them out.

Wendigo told them about what had happened with the World Tree and what he had heard from her…

“I-I’m so sorry! I committed such a grave discourtesy!!!”

Elhemina, who wasn’t originally of a bold nature, realized she had made an unsightly misunderstanding and caused trouble for Wendigo, and knelt down.

Wendigo extended his claw as if it were no big deal and raised her up.

“There’s no need to go that far. If there’s any guilt, Freyja’s crime of neglecting after hearing properly is greater.”

Elhemina repeatedly bowed her waist, expressing gratitude for Wendigo’s mercy. Wendigo pushed her back and shifted his gaze to the side.

“I have never once doubted Your Highness’s intentions. Your Highness is the caretaker of the forest, a just judge, and a beacon of the north, how could I possibly?”

“… Judging by your skill in wagging your tongue, it seems you’ve properly regained your senses.”

Dario prostrated himself in an almost perfect posture and spewed out excuses with all his might.

How on earth did such a fellow show that kind of behavior in front of the World Tree…

Wendigo clicked his tongue and pushed Dario’s arm. Dario fell over with an exaggerated pose and groaned.

Moreover, when he looked around and prostrated himself again, Wendigo couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

To think the thought of punishment would fly away due to bewilderment. Indeed, he was clearly someone who had properly mastered the art of social maneuvering.

“Fine. I’ll let it slide this time, considering that you stepped up unable to tolerate injustice.”

“Thanks to my efforts to understand your intentions by retracing the path you’ve walked…”

“Who told you to get up?”

Wendigo asked in a cold voice as Dario got up with a grin.

Dario tightly closed his lips and quickly prostrated himself again.

Wendigo watched this for a moment and then looked at Elhemina.

Elhemina stood at attention, full of discipline as if she had returned to her first day of priest training.

“As you know, the World Tree has taken root in this land. It has even grown quite large.”

“Yes! It was truly a beautiful sight!”

“Indeed. It was quite beautiful. But there’s one problem.”

“If the problem is caring for the World Tree, you don’t need to worry. Even if I have to work myself to the bone, that’s…”

Elhemina tried to appeal passionately about serving the World Tree, but Wendigo raised his hand to stop her.

He understood her passion well, but there was quite a problem.

“I know your passion well. I also know you’re a woman who wouldn’t hesitate to confront me to protect the World Tree.”

Flinch.

Elhemina slightly turned her eyes and avoided his gaze. She wasn’t thick-skinned enough to be proud after behaving shamefully.

Wendigo chuckled at her honest reaction and waved his hand.

“That’s not the problem, so don’t worry. The problem is your affiliation.”

“What do you mean by affiliation?”

“As the ruler of this land, it’s not easy to allow an outsider to continue staying here.”

Elhemina caught Wendigo’s meaning and sighed softly.

Indeed, it was diplomatically problematic for her, a citizen of the republic, to continue staying in the forest.

However, the solution to this problem was quite simple:

“So, I was wondering if you would swear allegiance to me and take on the task of caring for the World Tree. What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

Wendigo made her an offer. Surprised by the sudden recruitment proposal, Elhemina stared blankly at Wendigo.