Ch.124World Tree, Truth, and Possession (3)

“What are you going to do now?”

The subjugation of Hatan was completely over.

Though it had taken a short time of just one day, the imperial army’s casualties reached 2,000, excluding reinforcements. It was quite different from the Roman subjugation that consisted of only three people. Without the 9,000 knights, dealing with that many ghouls would have been quite difficult.

In this situation, they couldn’t continue advancing.

“We’re thinking of returning to the imperial capital. We need to reorganize the knights anyway, and it would be difficult to advance anywhere in this state. Besides, there’s no place as large as Hatan to advance to.”

“Well then, I should return too. I need to welcome the elven delegation.”

“Speaking of elves, I recall hearing that elves had visited Yuris.”

Elves coming down south during winter was quite common. Especially since Yuris, located in the northern part of the continent, had winters much less cold than other places. Even though elves received the blessing of the World Tree and weren’t particularly bound by seasons, when the cold winter arrived, they had no choice but to come down to where humans lived.

They had occasionally interacted with Yuris for hundreds of years already, so upon hearing Evan’s words, Kaisel nodded and cast his gaze into the empty air.

What would happen if elves helped Yuris fight against Extinction? Though not much time remained, he couldn’t even begin to guess when the ancient dragon Mavet, which they were trying to resurrect, would awaken.

If it truly awakens on the day of the lunar eclipse, where on this vast continent would Mavet be resurrected? Roy, the head of Hatan, didn’t reveal anything about Mavet’s resurrection until the end. Saying it couldn’t be stopped and not to go against the natural order, Kaisel, who had been suppressing his anger, finally let out a deep sigh.

“Then we’ll part ways here. You’ll head to Eldrasil with the elven delegation, right? Take care… and I hope we meet under better circumstances next time. For example, a wedding.”

“Somehow you seem more interested in my marriage than I am.”

“…I’m a fan. I’m rooting for you.”

“I… see.”

Looking at Kaisel with a slightly bewildered expression, Evan soon awkwardly smiled and let out a chuckle. Marriage, huh? Well, he thought it wasn’t far off.

When next year comes, and spring arrives. Everything that remained ahead would be over, leaving only the results. After briefly looking at the knights, all thousand of whom remained intact, Evan began moving toward the duke’s residence again.

#

“Anu Bellore Delena. The sun guides us.”

Airin slightly bowed her head to the elves, who boasted their characteristically elongated ears and eyes filled with green mana without any whites. Although she was the young lord of Yuris, human status meant nothing to elves, whether emperor or slave. After greeting them according to their greeting, the elf at the front, dressed in splendid clothes, spoke.

“It’s been exactly 70 years since I last came to Yuris. So much has changed.”

“Since it was when my great-grandfather was alive, I suppose that’s natural.”

“…I know it’s impolite, but may I state our business first? The situation is not very good.”

Contrary to her expectation that various greetings would be exchanged, the elf ambassador lowered his posture and tried to bring up their business first. After briefly looking into the elf’s eyes, Airin eventually smiled gently and guided them to a table with teacups.

Numerous flowers and plants preserved by magic. The elves’ faces began to fill with favor at the garden that had been tended for days upon hearing that elves were coming.

“You seem quite urgent.”

“Indeed. Originally, we wouldn’t have wanted to ask for help like this, but this winter, even the World Tree is struggling. Have there been any unusual occurrences in the human world recently?”

“As for unusual occurrences, there’s nothing particularly notable besides Extinction.”

“…The organization called Extinction might be the cause of this matter.”

At those words, Airin’s expression slightly hardened. The information gathered so far clearly indicated that Extinction had been taking steps to clearly draw the line, not wanting to be at odds with other races.

But now, to hear that elves coming south was due to Extinction’s influence. Unable to understand these words, Airin, who had been momentarily lost in thought, looked at the elf sitting in front of her and parted her lips.

“Could you explain in more detail?”

“Recently, the outskirts of the forest where we live have been undergoing desertification. A significant amount of Eldrasil’s power has been consumed trying to suppress it, and eventually, the plants that need to withstand the winter’s cold have withered, making it impossible to live there anymore.”

“In other words, the cause of this desertification is Extinction.”

“We don’t have complaints about humans passing through the forest. We’ve allowed passage to some extent for hundreds of years, as long as they don’t harm the forest.”

But, the elf quietly bit his lip.

The traces left where humans had passed were clearly darkness.

Traces that remained like shadows and wouldn’t disappear, where life vanished, and the land died, leaving the forest desertified. The elves had already experienced these beings before.

The organization known to humans as Extinction, and to elves as the followers of the ancient dragon.

“Could it be that Extinction’s goal is to resurrect the ancient dragon Mavet?”

Those words struck right at Airin’s core. The reason why the imperial army had not hastily moved to eradicate all Extinction organizations, the reason why they couldn’t feel at ease even after subjugating Hatan and Roman, was ultimately because they were wary of the resurrection of the ancient dragon Mavet.

After confirming Airin’s expression, the elf soon smiled bitterly and continued.

“If that’s correct… the ancient dragon Mavet might have already been resurrected.”

“That’s… no, do you have any evidence to prove this?”

“The desertification of the forest is not something that can be achieved by human power. Unless it’s an archmage who has reached the 9th circle, basic black mages can’t accomplish such a thing. And it’s not something achieved by magic in the first place, but a naturally occurring phenomenon.”

After taking a moment to catch his breath and adopting a calmer expression, the elf spoke again.

“The ancient dragon Mavet has certainly already been resurrected. If it hasn’t appeared yet, it probably means it lacks the strength to reveal its true form.”

Upon hearing the elf’s words, Airin felt a sharp pain at the back of her head. A tingling sensation that penetrated her brain in one go and sent a chill down her spine.

It was a statement that instantly solved all the questions that had remained. The reason why Extinction was planning to execute their plan on the day of the red moon, if it wasn’t actually to resurrect the ancient dragon Mavet, but to complete the already resurrected Mavet.

After swallowing for a moment, Airin quietly looked at the elf. Although she had intended to gain some advantage from the elves who had come with a humble attitude, it seemed the urgency wasn’t just for the elves. She needed to seek cooperation somehow.

Something that could never be achieved by human power alone.

“I’m asking just in case, but do you have any intention of cooperating with Yuris to fight against Extinction?”

At Airin’s words, the elf, who had been maintaining a somewhat rigid expression, smiled and spoke.

“You’ve finally brought up what we want to hear. We elves are willing to cooperate with you under the names of the World Tree and the sun. However, what we want is—”

“An environment where non-combatant elves can safely reside, and a place where they can absorb vitality.”

“As it happens, there’s a suitable place near this Yuris, and I wonder if you could lend us that place. It’s quite far from here, and not many people visit it, so it seems fine.”

Haah. Airin inwardly groaned as she looked at the elves. The place they were referring to was obvious. Although she had intended to use Seiren as a card in negotiations, seeing them talk as if they already knew everything, Airin smiled bitterly and stroked her cheek.

But now, such things didn’t matter. If the ancient dragon was truly alive as the elves said, they would have to prepare for a battle with the dragon.

She could give everything. Yuris’s troops, mages, even if she lost all this land, it would be fine. But she had to prevent people from dying, so the best judgment she could make now was to join hands with the elves.

“So, who will be heading to the World Tree?”

“…I’d like to meet elsewhere, but that would be difficult because of Her Majesty the Queen.”

“It’s unfortunate. Even if I want to accommodate you, that’s the one aspect I can’t compromise on, regardless of all other considerations.”

“Probably me and my knight escort will go. Some knights will follow as well. But since I don’t have an escort knight right now, I think we can depart tomorrow at the earliest.”

“One day is fine. We can accommodate that much time.”

Recalling Evan’s face, Airin shuddered slightly at the rising anxiety. Evan, who would be at the Hatan subjugation by now, wouldn’t have gotten hurt, would he?

Out of concern, she had secretly cast several defensive spells on Evan… but still worried, Airin gently stroked her belly and looked in the direction where Hatan would be.

“Are you worried about a lover?”

“…Ah.”

“Human eyes always reveal emotions they try to hide. I understand. It seems you might be pregnant… if it’s not rude, may I check for a moment?”

“I’m sorry, but may I ask what you intend to do?”

“Elves spend decades to give birth to a single child. That’s why there are few elves, and also why we have long lifespans. Although I can’t guarantee a long lifespan like an elf, I can certainly ensure that the child is born without any complications.”

Seeing the clean smile without any hostility, befitting of a race known for beauty, Airin thought for a moment and then nodded. Allowing them to check her condition would be fine. After all, doctors check it too. Although Kris, who was standing next to Airin, slightly gripped his sword, the elf nonchalantly placed a hand on Airin’s belly and muttered something.

“The energy of the World Tree promises long life only to elves. However, if the World Tree itself wishes to cherish someone, it can gift a part of its blessing even to those who are not elves. Although I am not the Queen, I am one of the Great Elders belonging to the World Tree, and as a fellow woman, I understand your feelings. And as someone who will now become an ally, you can rest assured.”

“…It’s not that I doubt you, I’m just a bit sensitive lately.”

“I understand. Although I don’t have experience, I grew up watching how my mother changed when she was pregnant.”

A green light flowed down through the elf’s hand and began to seep into Airin’s belly. A warm and clean energy that made her feel refreshed. After the elf’s hand disappeared, Airin stroked her belly and indeed felt the life inside was much healthier and more vibrant than before.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to go this far.”

“We’ve been connected with Yuris for 400 years; we can offer this much goodwill. However… it seems we have a guest.”

As the elf raised her head, Airin’s expression immediately brightened as she turned her gaze in that direction. The footsteps reaching her ears, and this familiar magical power that only she could recognize, pointed to only one person. The elf smiled gently at Airin’s suddenly brightened face.

Could that knight be the person she was longing for earlier while looking into the void?

As the elf rolled her eyes looking for that knight, she eventually flinched and slightly opened her mouth when her gaze met a knight’s face.

No, she wasn’t the only one showing such a reaction. All the elves who turned their gaze in that direction were standing blankly, looking at the knight with slightly stunned faces.

A knight in white armor, who might seem young enough to be called youthful, but the beauty contained in that face was even greater than that of most elves.

Eyes that were green like an elf’s pupils, and the gentle smile he wore while looking at a woman standing far away. At the beauty that would make even fellow elves blush, the elves couldn’t take their eyes off the human knight, each at a loss for words.

“…I thought this might happen.”

Noticing the elves’ gazes, Airin frowned and looked at Evan. Although he had returned safely, now even elves were being captivated.

Thinking it was too much no matter what, she could only silently sigh.