Ch.125125. Alfheim

Only elves live in the Great Forest of Albheim.

A vast sea of trees stretching hundreds of kilometers around the World Tree. Though humans are occasionally permitted entry for special reasons, it’s an unsuitable environment for permanent settlement.

While called a “nation,” it lacks much compared to other countries. Its closed nature has rejected other races, and consequently, Albheim has fallen behind as the world progressed over centuries. Charitably, one could say they’ve preserved ancient ways; less charitably, they’ve failed to adapt and have become obsolete.

‘No.’

In the end, these are merely judgments made by humans. Non-elves cannot enter Albheim. While some may occasionally be permitted to the outskirts for special reasons, none have been allowed to reach the central area where the World Tree stands. This means no one has witnessed with their own eyes where the true elves live.

The last time elves intervened in world affairs was during the Great War. Hundreds of years have passed since then. The common perception is that elves still live primitively, their minds filled with a sense of superiority. But these perceptions are mostly fabricated by people who will never meet an elf in their lifetime.

‘They’re definitely different.’

Except for Elin, Rex had never met another elf before. Elin is an elf too, but they were close, and Elin herself had such a complex personality that his curiosity about elves remained.

Childhood legends his father told: Elves are beloved by the forest and possess beauty far surpassing humans. When elves walk through forests, the forest opens paths for them. Every elf is born with powers transcending humans, using those powers to protect the world.

They certainly had appearances superior to average humans, but not overwhelmingly so. Both Chloe and Charlotte standing nearby were prettier than the elves in the delegation. This wasn’t favoritism—it was objectively true.

Being beloved by the forest… that’s ambiguous. What is love in the first place? Can a forest give love?

The claim of powers transcending humans is equally vague. Compared to ordinary humans, elven bodies are certainly superior.

‘On average, they seem to be at the level of Seong-yeom.’

Thinking about it, this makes sense. Elves live several times longer than humans. Every elf receives the blessing of the Life God at birth. While humans must conquer dungeons and receive divine selection to become Seonggakja, elves are born as Seonggakja from the beginning.

What an absurd race. It’s rather surprising that despite their longevity, they remain at merely the Seong-yeom level. Lifespan equals time for training, and the longer one lives, the higher the possibility of reaching greater heights. Even without talent, the potential ceiling becomes higher.

“That’s the difference between humans and elves.”

“Pardon?”

Clunk. The carriage shakes slightly. Charlotte speaks with a composed face.

“Being different races, you cannot understand. Humans burn their short lives like flames. Instinctively, they strive to climb higher. Whether farmers, merchants, or warriors… they’re never satisfied with what they have and struggle to grasp more. Not everyone is like that, but most are.”

Like ants digging tunnels or bees searching for honey, racial instincts guide actions unconsciously.

“To be specific, elves lack the emotion of ambition. By ambition, I mean the desire humans typically possess—for material wealth or physical training to ascend to higher realms. Effort? Of course they make efforts too, but the direction of their efforts is completely different from humans.”

More money. More power. More pleasure.

Ordinary humans live to fulfill such desires.

“Elves’ desires are different. They’re a race devoted solely to nurturing forests, making flowers bloom… making nature flourish. Their thinking is so different that it’s natural humans could never understand it, even if they died and were reborn.”

Accepting new cultures and opening Albheim’s doors to interact with other races? If that would help grow the Great Forest, perhaps, but human development means destroying nature. Cutting trees, flattening mountains, building cities on empty land. Elves, who must protect the forest, would never accept human culture.

Clunk. The carriage shakes again. Elves are beloved by the forest. The specific meaning wasn’t clear. After hearing Charlotte’s explanation, it made a bit more sense.

Elves receive special treatment in forests that humans don’t. Even now, the large carriage was speeding through the bumpy forest path. The densely packed trees moved themselves to make way whenever the carriage passed.

“They must have received some blessing that makes forest journeys convenient. The delegation members aren’t ordinary elves; they must have earned their positions through recognized abilities. It wouldn’t be strange if they had some kind of blessing.”

This was a phenomenon Rex had never experienced when traveling with Elin.

“At this speed, we’ll arrive within a week.”

Charlotte muttered, gazing at the rapidly changing scenery outside the window.

After Princess Tiara’s coming-of-age ceremony concluded grandly and the elven delegation arrived, when Silvaren announced they must return to Albheim, Elin suddenly declared she would invite the group to her homeland.

Though it was a sudden invitation, Rex didn’t think long about it. There was no particular reason to refuse.

‘Will you come to my homeland with me?’

A month ago, on the way to Elysium, Elin had already asked him to visit her homeland together. He hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so quickly, but it didn’t matter. Even without Elin’s invitation, he had reasons to go to Albheim.

Time is running out. Ellisis. In the Great Forest.

Those broken words. The voice he heard when looking at Kaiserion’s portrait. He needed to visit Albheim at least once to find their meaning. Though Kaordix had said it was better not to get involved with the Great Forest and to just forget about it…

‘If he had at least told me why… but he keeps hiding things. I can’t just ignore it.’

Kaordix wouldn’t have discouraged him without reason. Rex is soul-bound to Kaordix. The emotion transmitted then was clearly concern. But he has always hidden his secrets and offered Rex no explanation.

Saying everything is fine, that Rex should just live his own life. Rex initially accepted this. He deliberately ignored Boreas’s question: “You smell of Kaiserion.”

After seeing Kaiserion’s statue in Elysium and experiencing the vision… he could no longer ignore it. The specter in his mental world, his connection to Kaiserion. Now he wants to discover what that secret is.

That’s not the only reason.

Elin’s expression. Her stiff cheeks and trembling eyes. The hand that gripped his conveyed not a desire to let go, but fear of being let go.

He’s going to Albheim for Elin’s sake too. With that thought, he accepted the proposal. Though not for the same reasons as Rex, Chloe also nodded readily in agreement.

And then.

‘Shouldn’t you return to your marquis estate, Lady Charlotte?’

‘If I send just you two, who knows what trouble you’ll get into. You might think you’ve achieved something significant, but you’re still unreliable in my eyes.’

‘…’

‘Besides, I’ve always been curious about Albheim. Or what? Are you suggesting that while you enjoy your travels, I should be stuck alone in a stuffy office drowning in work? If you’re not that cruel, stop talking nonsense and get ready.’

That’s how Charlotte joined the journey. This was actually expected. Despite her grumbling, Charlotte is a woman with deep affection. She was concerned about Rex and Chloe going to a foreign land beyond her reach, and ultimately decided to accompany them for protection.

‘That’s a shame. I was curious about Albheim too.’

Despite her words, Vivien didn’t seem particularly disappointed. Muttering incomprehensible things about mines and development rights, Vivien returned to her trading company with a grin.

They visited the Emperor again to pay respects, promised the regretful princess they would meet again, and made arrangements. Everything up to this point was as expected.

What was unexpected was…

“Are you sure this is alright?”

Rex asked with a sour face.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m concerned whether it’s okay for you to leave your post right after the coming-of-age ceremony… I’m worried.”

“Haha, don’t worry about it. The Empire’s laws and order aren’t so fragile that they’ll collapse just because I’m away for a while.”

Alvar laughed heartily as he answered.

The Apostle of Judgment, Alvar. Rex never imagined he would join the journey.

As they quickly packed their belongings at the delegation’s urging and were about to board the prepared carriage, Alvar suddenly appeared and asked if he could accompany them to Albheim. Though phrased as a question, one couldn’t ignore an Apostle’s request.

Three hours after the carriage departed, Alvar was sitting in the same carriage as Rex.

“Unlike you, I’m not going for personal reasons. If I had to put it into words, I’m fulfilling my duty to protect the Empire. I was already ordered by His Majesty to visit Albheim soon, and when I heard you were accompanying the delegation, it seemed like a good opportunity for me as well.”

Alvar shrugged and turned his head. His gray, turbid eyes stared directly at Rex.

“Normally, I would have traveled on horseback. Unable to cut straight through the forest, I would have had to go around… quite troublesome, don’t you think? You’re still young so you might not understand, but when you get old, various parts of your body start aching.”

“Yes…”

“To think I’d have to travel to Albheim, which is months away. Of course, I’m fully prepared to sacrifice myself for the Empire’s peace, but isn’t it too harsh on an old body like mine? Fortunately, thanks to traveling with the elves, that period has been reduced to a week.”

Rex nodded with a bitter smile. He didn’t take those words at face value. Though his appearance was certainly that of an old man, Alvar is one of only ten Apostles on the continent. For a Seonggakja, appearance is merely an external facade. Age is just a number, and inside lurks a monster that cannot be confronted.

“Alvar. Stop bothering Rex.”

“What are you talking about? When did I ever bother that child?”

“It’s obvious he’s finding you difficult to deal with. Yes, like a child wondering how to avoid an unfamiliar adult who’s imposing himself.”

“That’s unfair. Didn’t the child speak to me first?”

“You’ve said what you needed to say, so I’d appreciate it if you’d back off now, instead of obliviously continuing to hold him captive.”

When Charlotte clicked her tongue in reproach, Alvar looked at Rex with a puzzled expression.

“Is that true?”

“…Absolutely not.”

It was actually true. But how could he admit that to his face? Honestly, Rex found Alvar difficult to deal with. He had quickly closed the distance with Charlotte and Vivien. Alvar also showed goodwill toward Rex and approached him without reservation.

So… is it because Alvar looks like an old man, unlike the other two?

‘That would make me seem like a scoundrel who’s only nice to women.’

Rex quickly erased the thought that had just occurred to him. Anyway, he couldn’t easily become friendly with Alvar. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable. Though Alvar hadn’t done anything particularly offensive, conversing with him brought up an uneasy feeling from within.

“Miss Chloe. I’m very interested in you as well. I hear you received arcane training from Charlotte? Indeed, your attainment is quite remarkable for your age.”

“What? Oh, th-thank you…”

Alvar had already shifted his attention to Chloe. Having kept quiet and reading the atmosphere until now, Chloe responded with a startled voice. Though Chloe sent Rex a desperate look for help, Rex kept his mouth shut and turned away.

“To be at the late stage of Seong-yeom at that age. Even knocking on the wall of Hwigwang, that’s far more impressive than when I was young. Soon, two new Apostles will be born on the continent. If you two become solid walls for the Empire, how could that not be welcome? What a joyous occasion!”

“Ah… yes. Thank you.”

Seeing Chloe’s flustered appearance, Rex smiled slightly and gazed out the window.

He could see the back of the carriage ahead.

Elin was riding there. Though the delegation allowed their visit, they wouldn’t permit Elin to ride together with humans.

***

“Princess.”

Silvaren sighed as he spoke. Elin didn’t look at him. Since boarding the carriage, she had been constantly looking through the window at the carriage following behind—the one carrying Rex and the others.

Silvaren knew this too. He continued in a subdued voice.

“What are you thinking?”

“…”

“Lord Elturas will not welcome the humans’ visit.”

“That’s already settled. Do you know how many times you’ve said that now?”

“…Five times.”

“Aren’t you tired of repeating it? If you were so anxious, you should have refused from the beginning. Said they couldn’t come.”

If I had refused, you wouldn’t have come along either, Princess! Silvaren barely suppressed the complaint that rose to his throat. It was true, after all.

The sacred land of Albheim. Though Elin had declared she would invite her friends there… ultimately, it was Silvaren, the delegation’s leader, who permitted it. Though he had no choice but to allow it, anxiety crept into his heart as they approached Albheim.

“…Even when we arrive in Albheim, your friends will only stay in the outskirts; they won’t be able to wander near the World Tree. They’ll be strictly monitored and their movements restricted. If they commit any disrespectful acts… even if they are your friends, Princess, they won’t escape punishment.”

“I know.”

Elin replied indifferently.

“I just want to show them. It’s fine.”

“…Show them what?”

“You know too.”

Elin turned her head. When Silvaren met that cold gaze, he trembled and couldn’t speak. What she wanted to show. Could the Princess… possibly already know everything?

In the end, Silvaren couldn’t continue the conversation. Elin shifted her gaze back to the window, watching the carriage following behind.

Clunk. The carriage shakes slightly.

The world’s largest and densest sea of trees, Albheim, was gradually drawing closer.