Ch.127127. Alfheim

Elves are naturally born with green hair that resembles leaves. Snow-white hair like moonlight is a characteristic granted only to High Elves, and currently there are only three High Elves in existence in Albheim.

The moment the voice was heard, the young man was already standing in front of them. Rex hadn’t even sensed his approach. Since attaining Hwigwang status and gaining Shimryeontu, Rex had battled countless spirit entities. This wasn’t arrogance—throughout the entire continent, only a select few could penetrate Rex’s senses.

‘Elandir.’

There was no need to ponder who this elf might be. The Apostle of Regeneration. Elandir swept the gathering with cold eyes.

“I need an explanation. Why have humans entered Albheim?”

Silvaren’s shoulders trembled slightly. He had guided the humans to Albheim’s territory at Elin’s request, but he never expected to encounter Elandir so quickly.

As Elandir said, King Elturas had ordered only Elin’s return to Albheim. Albheim was the sacred cradle of elves and never permitted the intrusion of other races. Allowing humans in without verification was grounds enough for reprimand.

He knew this. He had prepared an explanation: that the princess stubbornly insisted she wouldn’t return without her companions, and that he had no choice but to let them in. Even invoking King Elturas’s name couldn’t persuade her. This was the best he could do…

But his explanation never left his lips.

“You speak, Elin.”

Just as Silvaren was about to carefully begin, Elandir raised his hand. Silencing Silvaren, he pointed at Elin.

“They’re my friends.”

“Friends?”

Elin nodded with an expressionless face.

“Rex, Chloe, Charlotte. Friends I met while traveling the continent.”

“Charlotte, you say…”

Elandir’s eyes narrowed at the name. Though elves were reclusive and lived within their territory of Albheim, they didn’t completely ignore continental affairs.

Like the delegation that visited Elysium for the Imperial Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony, some elves traveled outside their territory. For minimal exchange, or to gather information that might affect Albheim.

Naturally, they kept track of information about the Apostles.

“…The Apostle of the Sword?”

“Charlotte von Edenhard.”

“Why would someone of your stature accompany Elin?”

Elandir asked with a puzzled expression. He harbored no doubts. Though Charlotte merely stood with a crooked posture, looking indifferently in their direction, Elandir’s eyes saw the sharp blade dormant within Charlotte.

“We got entangled somehow.”

“What brings you to Albheim? No matter how distinguished an Apostle you may be, Albheim’s laws are strict. Unauthorized humans cannot be admitted. Don’t humans also dislike uninvited guests?”

“I have Elin’s permission. My eyes aren’t knotholes. I know you’re Elandir, one of the High Elves. Though you were active hundreds of years ago, the name ‘Apostle of Regeneration’ still remains. I’ve heard many stories about you.”

Today’s world is peaceful, but hundreds of years ago, it wasn’t. Wars that bloomed across the continent swept up everyone regardless of race, age, or gender. Albheim was no exception. Ironically, elves, born with beautiful appearances and long lifespans, weren’t granted the strength to protect themselves.

The one who stood at the forefront to protect Albheim then was Elandir, the Apostle of Regeneration. Only two Apostles who were active during the Great War era are known to have survived until now. Excluding one whose whereabouts are untraceable, Elandir is the only Apostle whose survival is certain.

“You must enjoy the second-highest rank in Albheim. The highest would be King Elturas. Since High Elves seem to be treated like royalty in human terms, I assume that’s the case. But isn’t Elin the same?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I mean that Elin is a High Elf like you. Judging by how the delegates address her as ‘Princess,’ does a princess inviting guests to her own kingdom require such complicated procedures? I don’t quite understand.”

Charlotte spoke with a nonchalant tone. Silvaren, still kneeling with his head bowed, contorted his face and shouted.

“How dare you! Such disrespectful words to Lord Elandir…”

“Silence.”

His words were cut short. Silvaren looked up with a startled expression. Ignoring his reaction, Elandir looked at Charlotte.

“I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness. Strong loyalty is good, but sometimes he crosses the line. Indeed, your words are logical. You asked what’s strange about a princess inviting friends to her kingdom? To answer: Albheim’s rules are sacred, not easily broken even by High Elves.”

“Sacred, you say?”

“Even I, who has reached the level of an Apostle, and even my father who rules Albheim, cannot freely violate Albheim’s regulations. Human intrusion is forbidden. That’s how it was established, and once established, it must be followed.”

Elandir paused and turned his head. A reunion with his sister after ten years. Yet, Elandir’s expression revealed no emotion as he looked at Elin. Elin was the same. They silently gazed at each other.

“Just this once… I’ll overlook it. You said you’re Elin’s friends? I never imagined this child would make friends—truly surprising. Father will find this quite interesting.”

His gaze dropped. Elandir snapped his fingers. With a sharp sound, elves descended from the sky. Rex swallowed his breath and heightened his vigilance.

From the moment they first entered Albheim, he knew someone was constantly surveilling them. The presence from the trees with holes. Unlike with Elandir, he had noticed their approach. But that didn’t mean the elves’ level was insignificant.

‘All of them are Hwigwang level.’

Even within the Hwigwang tier, there are gradations of skill. The elves standing here were skilled enough to rival the knights of the Imperial Palace. While the delegation was literally formed for exchange, these elves were a group thoroughly trained with combat in mind.

“I’ll permit your entry, but since you’re humans, surveillance is unavoidable. I hope you won’t find it unpleasant. These elves will monitor you and handle miscellaneous tasks while you stay in Albheim. They’ll inform you about buildings you shouldn’t enter and rules you must follow.”

The elves who had lightly landed on the ground approached the party one by one.

“If you wish to meet my father—or rather, in this case, my father might want to see you. Humans visiting the territory after so long, and friends of Elin at that… Anyway, your purpose is to tour Albheim, right? For now, rest at your assigned lodgings. When the time comes, I’ll send a servant with a message.”

“Wait, I’ve come to Albheim on official business.”

As Elandir was about to turn and leave, Alvar stepped forward and spoke. Immediately, elves surrounded Elandir to block his approach, but Alvar continued in a solemn voice.

“I am Alvar von Drachenfelt. The Apostle of Judgment and the Empire’s Regent.”

“Official business, you say.”

“A message from His Imperial Majesty. I must deliver it directly to King Elturas. May I accompany you?”

“A message. Is it important?”

“Indeed. It’s a sensitive matter that I cannot disclose here, so I ask for your understanding.”

Elandir nodded readily and gestured.

“Very well. Follow me.”

“Thank you.”

The elves stepped aside. Alvar followed Elandir with a slight smile. Elin stared at Elandir for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Rex.

“Rex.”

Though she spoke first, Elin couldn’t continue for a while. Rex didn’t rush her and waited for her to gather her thoughts. After a long silence, Elin murmured softly.

“This is my homeland. What do you think? Isn’t it wonderful?”

“Yes. There are many trees and flowers that you like, and the air is refreshing.”

“There are more inside. The air is even cooler there.”

Elin moved her legs with a faint smile.

“I’d like to go with you right away, but since I’ve returned home, I should see my father first. Later… I’ll come find you.”

“Your father, huh. You said you’re returning to Albheim after ten years, right? Then your father must have missed you a lot. Take your time. I can’t interfere with a family reunion.”

“Reunion… Yes. That’s right. Whether he missed me… I’m not sure.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Just wait a little. I’ll be back.”

Elin shook her head and followed Elandir. Rex blinked and tilted his head. Somehow, her last smile seemed a bit forlorn. Returning to her homeland after ten years, yet she doesn’t seem happy?

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”

“Leave him be. He probably wants to camp in the forest. If he gets left behind and loses his way, there couldn’t be a better spectacle.”

Rex’s thoughts were interrupted by Chloe’s urging. Charlotte and Chloe were already following the elves’ guidance. Rex scratched his cheek awkwardly and moved along.

***

“Recently, a gathering of Apostles was detected in Lornaroc. Death, Chaos, and Pleasure. We couldn’t determine exactly what they discussed, but we can’t ignore that they’ve resumed activity after decades of silence. Though it’s still just suspicion, His Imperial Majesty is concerned about the possibility that the Apostles of Lornaroc harbor impure intentions.”

She didn’t want to come back.

Her birthplace, where she had grown up her entire life. The time she spent outside was extremely brief compared to her years in Albheim. But Elin simply couldn’t be happy about returning to her homeland.

Certainly, her homeland was filled with flowers and trees she loved… but over the past ten years, wandering the world, Elin realized there were things she liked even more than flowers and trees.

The image of a young man smiling brightly flashed before her eyes, then faded. Elin unconsciously raised the corners of her mouth.

If she had continued living in her homeland, she wouldn’t have had such thoughts. The past Elin didn’t know the emotion of joy. She didn’t know what it meant to feel regret. Like an empty doll, not knowing how to think for herself, she let each day pass meaninglessly.

There was no need to think for herself. Before she could think, everything was instructed to her. Elin just had to follow what she was told.

Her father.

At first, she was afraid. Now, she wasn’t. That indifferent face, devoid of any affection… she had grown accustomed to it. She became used to receiving orders and following them. Eventually, Elin forgot how to make expressions. Except for the indifferent face like her father’s, she didn’t know what expressions to make or how.

That was easier.

But as time passed, even that comfort was shattered. On a night when twinkling stars were scattered across the sky, because of a boy she met by chance. Though he had grown into a proper young man now, he still retained the same purity as when they first met. Because of that boy.

In her homeland she had returned to, the expression she had always worn felt awkward.

“Elin.”

Her smile vanished instantly. Elin, who had been looking down at the ground, slowly raised herself. Alvar was nowhere to be seen. Instead, her vision was filled with a brown corridor, cyan lights flickering in the air, and Elandir watching from one side.

Elin faced forward with a stiff expression.

“Father.”

The elves of Albheim live inside trees. Elves are a race beloved by the forest, and trees create holes in themselves to provide environments for elves to reside.

The Elven King is no different.

His residence is the Divine Tree—the World Tree. If compared to a building, this place is the first floor of the World Tree. Though a vast space is hollowed out inside, the World Tree doesn’t die. The World Tree is the materialized body of the Life God, the Life God itself.

“Do you harbor doubts?”

The Elven King, Elturas, sat on a massive throne. It too was a chair that the World Tree had reconstructed from its own flesh. His gaze looking down from above was as cold as it had been ten years ago. Elin answered in the same indifferent voice as ten years ago.

“No.”

“Are you not curious why I revoked the thirty-year term and called you back to Albheim?”

“…If it’s a decision you made, Father, I must follow it, whatever it may be.”

“It seems you haven’t forgotten what I taught you. However.”

Elturas stroked his chin and bluntly asked.

“If you remember my teachings, why did you bring humans to Albheim?”

“That’s…”

“I’ve already heard from Elandir that they are your friends. You wanted to show them your homeland, to give them a tour?”

Elin slowly nodded.

“Is that truly the only reason?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if you brought humans here with some other intention.”

If Elandir has lived since the Great War era hundreds of years ago, Elturas is an ancient being who has reigned as king for an incomparably longer time. The years he has experienced are unparalleled even among elves granted long lifespans. Though they are blood relatives, an impossibly vast gap exists between Elin and Elturas.

Ten years ago, and now. Elin couldn’t tell what Elturas was thinking or what emotions he held as he watched her.

“…No, Father.”

Finally, Elin answered. Elturas, who had been looking at Elin with a strange gaze, rose from his seat. A tearing sound. Something being ripped apart. Dozens of vines from the World Tree were attached to Elturas’s back, but as he left the throne, they fell off limply.

The vines that had been glowing cyan lost their light and sprawled on the floor. This was a sight she had seen since childhood. Elturas spent most of his day sitting on the throne inside the World Tree, and his body was always connected to the tree’s vines.

Elin doesn’t know the true nature of those vines.

“Do not harbor delusions. Abandon attachments. Do not forget my teachings.”

“…I know.”

“The reason I called you suddenly is because the completion of the great work is near. I let you see the world to help you abandon your attachments. But contrary to my wishes, it seems you’ve returned with attachments. Will you disappoint me, Elin?”

Elturas’s eyes fixed on Elin. Elin drooped her shoulders and murmured.

“No. I… won’t disappoint you, Father.”

Elandir glanced at Elin with a complicated expression, but eventually sighed deeply and closed his mouth. Elturas reached out and stroked Elin’s head.

“Good. Do not forget the duty given to you. You are my proud daughter.”

No warmth was felt from the palm gently caressing her, and Elturas’s voice reciting affection was dry.

Elin felt revulsion from the hand stroking her head.