Elf’s Forest (2)

I entered Sylvia’s office. A space naturally formed by the branches of the World Tree coiling around. The wooden walls, steeped in a thousand years of history, emanated a subtle fragrance.

“I wanted to show you my place.”

The fragrant scent of tea brushed past my nose. Spirits were gracefully pouring tea.

“I prepared wine too… but tea is better for the day, right?”

“Yeah. But Sylvia-ssi, you seem calmer, unlike during the Elder Council meeting.”

“Hoo… does it seem that way?”

She let out a small sigh. Her green eyes wandered into the air for a moment.

“To be honest… I’m the worst queen.”

“What’s with that all of a sudden…”

“It wasn’t easy from the start.”

Sylvia’s voice trembled.

“When the World Tree chose me… the elders ignored me, saying I was ‘too young’ and ‘lacked experience’…”

Her ears drooped. The usual haughty look was nowhere to be found.

“Even so, I thought the forest needed change. Increase exchanges with the human world, change old customs… but every time I tried to reform, they brought up that damn ‘tradition’. I expected the elders’ opposition, but… I guess I was too idealistic.”

Sylvia held my hand tightly.

“Besides, now I’m even being doubted for my qualifications as queen… because I went on an adventure with you.”

“Sylvia…”

“But I don’t regret it. The time I spent with Haru, no, the fact that I’m still with you now, makes me so happy.”

The next day, we decided to look around the forest. Of course, with Sylvia holding my hand tightly.

Suddenly, the surroundings became noisy. Young elves passed by the garden, sending curious glances.

“It’s the Hero-nim! It’s really the Hero-nim!”

“Even though he’s human, the spirits follow him…”

“They say the Northern region became warmer thanks to the Hero-nim!”

The rumor that I conquered another of the Four Heavenly Kings seems to have spread this far.

But the eyes of the older elves were cold. Prejudice that has lasted for a thousand years doesn’t change easily.

“A human… defiling the pure blood…”

“The Queen-nim is too reckless…”

“Just lucky to have been chosen…”

Small whispers were heard. Sylvia’s hand trembled.

“Don’t worry about it.”

I held her hand tightly.

“I’ll take care of it. The elders’ opposition too.”

“But…”

“I kept my promise to come to the forest, didn’t I?”

Sylvia’s eyes wavered.

“Trust me this time too.”

Sylvia’s expression brightened. The spirits sparkled as if responding to the joy.

“Really… really?”

“Yes, I promise.”

She hugged me. A sweet fragrance brushed past my nose.

“Haru…”

Sylvia’s voice trembled.

“Forever… together.”

“Yes, forever…”

A lie slipped out of my mouth. Sylvia’s ears trembled with joy.

My heart grew heavy. This false promise will drive her into deeper obsession.

But for now… I needed to buy time.

Until I find a chance to escape.

*

The moonlight seeping through the branches of the World Tree was cold.

Now that Sylvia’s obsession is getting deeper day by day, I had to use even that for my goal.

‘First, I need the elders’ support.’

Three families boasting a thousand years of tradition. Their power maintained the order of the forest in balance.

The Dawn Branch Family. The oldest gathering of elders, and guardians who protect the traditions of the elves. Their leader, Aurora, is the oldest elder who has lived for over a thousand years. White hair and light green eyes contained the weight of time as it is.

The Golden Leaf Family. A group of merchants in charge of trade with the outside world. Beryl, with golden brown hair, calculated profits and losses with sharp intuition. The only thing important to them is practicality.

Finally, the Black Thorns Family. A group of warriors who control the military power of the forest. Sorn’s black long hair and purple eyes gave off a dangerous aura. Ambition for power was clear in his eyes.

The interests of the three families are intricately intertwined. If I exploit their conflicts, I might be able to seize an opportunity to escape.

‘Let’s start with Aurora of the Dawn Branch Family.’

The oldest elder who has lived for a thousand years. She was the leader of the conservatives, but she was famous for her fair judgment, and although she valued tradition and purity, she also had the wisdom to recognize the need for change.

‘It was like that in the game too. If I just show a pure motive, I could persuade her surprisingly easily.’

Of course, it was simple in the game. My favorability increased with a few words of conversation, and I gained support with a few gifts.

But reality will be different. Deceiving the eyes of an elder who has lived for a thousand years will never be easy.

“Haru?”

Sylvia’s voice was heard from behind.

“Not sleeping until this hour…?”

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. A sweet fragrance brushed past my nose.

“I was just… thinking about how to persuade the elders.”

“Perhaps, am I… putting too much pressure on you?”

“No, it’s not like that. I said I would do it.”

“Um… I don’t have to be a queen. I can leave the forest. As long as I’m by Haru’s side.”

The tips of her ears turned red.

“I can just… leave the forest and become an adventurer with Haru. Like before… freely…”

I smiled, getting out of Sylvia’s arms.

“That’s not like you, Sylvia-ssi.”

“Huh…?”

“You are most beautiful when you are queen. Communicating with the spirits, protecting the forest… that’s who you are.”

“Haru…”

“So don’t worry. I’ll persuade the elders. Just trust me. Like always.”

But now it was necessary. I had to gain the support of the elders and find an opportunity to escape in the meantime.

‘Okay, let’s start.’

I hurried my steps towards the Dawn Branch Family.

***

The midday sunlight filled the World Tree. The time when elves become the laziest. It was a quiet moment as if the spirits were also asleep.

‘Photosynthesis time right after lunch… this is the best time.’

I headed to the garden of the Dawn Branch Family. I walked along the path between the old trees that had accumulated a thousand years of history.

“Welcome, Hero-nim.”

Elder Aurora greeted me with a smile. Her white braided hair sparkled silver in the sunlight.

“You aimed for this time.”

Her light green eyes sparkled playfully.

“The most peaceful time when elves communicate with the World Tree… a wise choice. It seems that the Hero-nim understands the rhythm of our forest well.”

“Isn’t it in the World Tree’s Revelation? When the sun stays at the crown of the head, the elf’s soul becomes one with nature….”

Aurora’s eyes widened.

“Have you read the Revelation?”

“Of course. From ‘The Song of the First Dawn’ to ‘The Dance of the Last Leaf’…”

A smile spread across her face.

“Interesting. A human reading our ancient books…”

“Harmony with nature does not discriminate against race. I always felt that during my adventures with Sylvia.”

“Good. So, would you slowly tell me what you came for?”

“Um, first, would you give me a cup of tea? No. I’ll brew it myself.”

“Huhu, a human brewing tea for an elf…?”

There was a light mockery in her voice. But I just smiled.

“Have you heard of Moonlight Milky Way Leaves?”

When I opened my pocket, a subtle glow leaked out.

“That’s… a very rare tea leaf…”

“That’s right. It’s a tea leaf blessed by the now-vanished spirit of the moon. I got it during my adventure.”

Turning the imperial treasury into an adventure is also an adventure.

I calmly took out the tools and prepared them in the garden of the Dawn Branch. When I carefully took out the Milky Way leaves, the glow spread.

“You’re brewing tea in the traditional elven way.”

“It’s a method of brewing with dew blessed by the spirit.”

“At first, I thought you were an arrogant human. To respect our traditions this much. I think I really have to see you again.”

“Of course. How can I ignore the meaning created by thousands of years? But, isn’t it true that tradition shines even more in the midst of change?”

Aurora’s long ears twitched.

“Interesting words.”

“Elder-nim, the cooperation between elves and humans is the providence of nature.”

I put down the teacup and continued.

“During my time with Sylvia, we protected a lot of nature. The ancient forest that the demons tried to burn, the spirit’s spring that the dragons tried to destroy…”

“But that’s…”

“The World Tree chose Sylvia, and the spirits acknowledged her. And…”

I hesitated for a moment and added.

“The spirits accepted me too.”

Aurora closed her eyes for a moment. The surrounding trees shook slightly. She waved her hand to chase away the spirit of the wind blowing a breeze.

“As you can see, my heart is pure. The spirits are proving that I have no intention of harming the forest or betraying Sylvia, aren’t they?”

“Yes… I know that the spirits have acknowledged you. It’s an unusual thing.”

She slowly got up. It was an elegant movement that seemed to contain a thousand years of history.

I also stood up.

“But the tradition of a thousand years… cannot be easily changed.”

“Elder-nim…”

“However…”

A smile appeared on her face.

“I’ll give you time. I want to watch your sincerity… more.”

“Thank you. Elder Aurora-nim.”

Silence flowed for a moment. Her thousand-year-old wisdom seemed to see through me.

“However, I’m worried about Queen Sylvia’s heart.”

“What do you mean…”

“Love is beautiful, but obsession is dangerous.”

Aurora’s eyes sharpened.

“Queen Sylvia’s feelings… seem to have gone beyond pure love.”

My heart sank. It was not easy to deceive the eyes of an elder who had lived for a thousand years.

“Please watch over me. How I lead the forest with Sylvia.”

Of course, I didn’t know how long that ‘together’ would last.

I smiled and answered, but I was sweating inside.

I gained the support of the Dawn Branch Family. This was just the beginning.

***

The reception room of the Golden Leaf Union was splendid. Furniture decorated with gold leaf and rare jewels shone. It was a display of wealth obtained through trade with other races.

“For the Hero-nim to come and visit us directly.”

“I wanted to meet the head of the Golden Leaf Union-nim.”

Union leader Beryl scanned me with curious eyes.

“I’m curious. What kind of proposal did you bring?”

“I want to propose a new trade route with the Empire.”

“A trade route… please tell me specifically.”

Beryl’s eyes sparkled. Like a beast that has found its prey. He was a merchant before he was an elf.

I took out a map from my pocket.

“Let me explain in detail.”

I unfolded the map. A new trade route connecting the Empire and the Elf’s Forest was drawn with a red line.

“First, it’s a new trade route for the Empire. I’ve already agreed with Princess Iris.”

“You’re also friends with the Princess…”

Beryl’s eyes wavered. He seemed to smell the scent of profit.

“There’s also the northern route of Frostguard. Northern Grand Duke Kiara has guaranteed it.”

“Even the guarantee of the Ice Queen…?”

“The mayor of the Dwarves’ city, Iron Forge, Garuda-ssi, is also my slave… no, my friend. There’s a route that follows the underground mine.”

Beryl’s breathing quickened. The mineral resources of the dwarves have long been the elves’ romance.

“It’s also connected to the commercial city of Golden Haven. An exclusive contract with the merchant alliance led by the Estelle Merchant Group…”

“Wait a minute.”

Beryl raised his hand. His golden eyes moved quickly as if calculating profits.

“Is all of this… real?”

His eyes gradually brightened. It seems that the merchant’s instinct has been stimulated.

“But all of this can only proceed if Sylvia’s reforms are carried out. Free exchange with other races… abolition of trade barriers… tariff reduction…”

A smile spread across Beryl’s face.

“Indeed… the Hero-nim’s skills are extraordinary.”

‘What’s extraordinary is the game play time.’

I smiled bitterly inside.

“Is this enough?”

“Hmm…”

“What do you think?”

Beryl’s eyes were blinded by profit.

The dignity of the elder has long disappeared. Now, a huge vested interest was unfolding before him.

“Everything was prepared.”

“Of course. If Sylvia and I are together…”

Beryl shook his head.

“No, that’s not it. I’m curious.”

His sharp eyes turned to me.

“Why are you putting so much effort into this?”

My heart sank. But I kept my expression calm.

“It’s for the prosperity of the forest.”

“Really… is that all?”

Beryl smiled meaningfully.

“Or maybe it’s a preparation… for another purpose?”

My spine went cold for a moment. But I smiled calmly.

“The Elder-nim’s insight is truly amazing.”

“So you admit it?”

“No, it’s the opposite.”

I unfolded the map again and showed it.

“When this trade route is completed, I will be more deeply tied to the forest. As the only link connecting the Empire and the Elves.”

Beryl’s eyes wavered.

“If I were trying to escape, there would be no reason to do this.”

“But…”

“I’m showing you my sincerity to lead the forest with Sylvia.”

Beryl stared at me silently for a while. He seemed to be gauging my sincerity with the sharp eyes of a merchant.

His brown eyes moved as if calculating profits.

“Good. I promise the support of the Golden Leaf Union. The Hero-nim has enough qualifications to become the king of the forest.”

Beryl finally nodded.

As I turned to leave, Beryl threw out one last word.

“Hero-nim, let me give you one piece of advice. Trust is the first priority in a deal. And… the price of betrayal is always heavy. I hope your sincerity is truly sincere.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle even that.”

Another lie was piled up.

But for now… this was all I had.

In order to get a chance to escape, I had to be more deeply tied to the forest.

I gained the support of Dawn Branch and Golden Leaf.

Now all that’s left is the most dangerous Black Thorns Family. Just thinking about how to persuade the military organization armed with power and violence… gave me a headache.