Ch.169Chapter 169

To the Wendigo, The World Tree was nothing more than a somewhat large tree with a strange way of speaking, but for the elves, The World Tree was practically an entire world unto itself.

Their art and philosophy of life were based on the natural cycles originating from The World Tree.

All buildings in the Republic were fundamentally created by transforming trees and plants influenced by The World Tree through the elves’ unique summoning magic.

All elves were born under the shade of The World Tree, which was like the founding mother of their nation, and drew their final breath upon its roots.

So for elves, a problem with The World Tree was no different than having a problem with themselves…

“If I had known it was such a serious issue, I would have returned earlier.”

When Wendigo expressed his concern in a serious voice, Elhemina shook her head while waving both arms.

“No, no! Well, it’s a bit awkward to call it a serious problem.”

“Hmm?”

Contrary to what he expected, Wendigo was puzzled by the relaxed attitude Elhemina displayed.

It seemed strange that Elhemina, not just an ordinary elf but a priestess, wasn’t greatly concerned about a problem with The World Tree.

There might be some impious elves somewhere, but Elhemina was so devoted that she had even painted The World Tree when it manifested…

“Honestly, I’m quite perplexed. We’ve never had a case like this in the Republic.”

“Did it get indigestion from devouring too much mystical energy from the land?”

Wendigo asked, half-joking and half-serious. When it first took root, it had problems from absorbing too much mystical energy, so it wasn’t impossible that it might happen again.

However, it seemed this wasn’t such an absurd situation, as Elhemina shook her head in confusion.

“Ah, no. It’s not that absurd. Recently, The World Tree said that its lower part feels itchy.”

“…That one needs to learn how to speak properly. I’m sure it knows how to be more specific.”

Elhemina was about to explain that The World Tree found it difficult to respond properly because prayers were coming from all over Elvenheim, but she gave up.

She could understand as an elf and priestess, but for someone unrelated, it would certainly be uncomfortable to hear.

Having confirmed that the problem wasn’t as serious as expected, Dario asked Elhemina in a more relaxed manner.

“If it says the lower part is itchy, it seems there’s a problem with the roots, but has the Republic of Elvenheim never experienced this before? Given The World Tree’s size, it wouldn’t be strange for animals to disturb its roots.”

Setting aside all its special qualities, The World Tree was undeniably a large tree.

As Dario said, it wouldn’t be strange for moles or mice to gnaw at The World Tree’s roots to fill their stomachs.

Moreover, since it was a precious being imbued with mystical energy, wouldn’t there be at least one person among humans who might want to take a bite?

“The World Tree’s mystical energy greatly influences nature. Thanks to this, most animals are inspired by its sacred energy and don’t damage it carelessly.”

“Is there any possibility of rot?”

“……”

At Wendigo’s question, which seemed to treat it like some neighborhood tree, Elhemina stared at him with a blank expression.

Although The World Tree hadn’t warned of any dangerous level of threat, it was still an important issue…

Reading the disappointment in her gaze, Dario nudged Wendigo’s leg and whispered.

“You’re making Elhemina feel bad. No matter what, it’s a being they trust and follow, so how can you treat it like just any tree?”

Acknowledging his rudeness, Wendigo apologized to Elhemina.

“I apologize. I suppose I don’t know much about The World Tree, so I blurted out whatever possibilities came to mind.”

“Ah… no. Thinking about it, it’s natural that Your Majesty wouldn’t know much about The World Tree. It’s my fault for only considering Elvenheim’s common knowledge.”

After Elhemina’s apology, the three continued discussing possible problems that could affect The World Tree.

However, most of the issues they considered were cases that could be found in Elvenheim’s thousand-year-old case books.

A thousand years might not sound like much, but from a human perspective, it was enough time for dozens of kingdoms to rise and fall, so who knows how many incidents had occurred?

It was actually strange that there hadn’t been any problems with the roots until now.

“There’s no choice. I’ll go to The World Tree and check the roots myself.”

“What? Your Majesty intends to go personally?”

Dario looked at Wendigo with a puzzled expression.

He was worried that even if The World Tree was a great being, a king working so busily might collapse from overwork.

“If it’s a problem underground that The World Tree is concerned about, it’s probably not an ordinary issue. But if we send a summoner to try to solve it, the elves would strongly object.”

“We wanted to solve the problem with our own strength if possible. But the most we can do is clear away the soil around the roots and check…”

Elhemina bowed her head with a very apologetic expression.

Elves try to maintain young and flexible thinking, but as a race that lives over 200 years, they weren’t without rigid aspects.

It wasn’t that they became stubborn with age, but rather that their accumulated thought patterns over a hundred years made it difficult to incorporate new ideas.

As a result, even touching The World Tree was not easy for elves who weren’t priests. Moreover, roots are the lifeline of a tree.

Timid priests were so afraid of causing greater problems by touching the roots that they feared even approaching them…

“Unlike the elves, I’m on equal footing with The World Tree, so I have no reluctance to examine the roots.”

“And the elves wouldn’t express dissatisfaction if Your Majesty personally came to solve the problem. That’s true, but… hmm.”

Certainly, having Wendigo directly solve the problem was the easiest and simplest method, but how could a subject tell their king, “Please do some work”?

If the king were incompetent and lazy, making it necessary to assign work to keep the country running, that would be different, but that wasn’t the case.

As Dario frowned and wracked his brain for a solution, Wendigo chuckled.

“Usually you’re desperate to handle things easily with tricks, but now you’re acting uncharacteristically.”

“That’s because it’s work that my subordinates and I should be doing. I may lack shame, but I don’t lack loyalty.”

“Your words always flow so smoothly. Alright, tell Geron that I plan to go out, so he should prepare an appropriate number of people. As for Skadi… she’s worked hard, so I should let her rest this time.”

Wendigo considered leaving without telling Skadi. Given her personality, there was a possibility she might follow despite being tired.

“Would it be alright if I sent someone else to inform the elder?”

“Hmm?”

Wendigo, who had been pondering how to ensure Skadi could rest, was puzzled when Dario asked with a gloomy expression.

There was no bad blood between Geron and Dario, so it should be fine to ask directly… but his expression clearly showed reluctance to meet him.

Dario scratched his head and said:

“I think the elder might become furious if I tell him that Your Majesty is departing again right after returning.”

“……”

Wendigo couldn’t bring himself to say that wouldn’t happen. After all, wasn’t Geron the one who cared most about the king’s dignity and majesty?

Of course, since it was an important matter, he would nod with a deep sigh, but the person delivering the news would inevitably face discomfort.

‘…After this is over, I should stay in place like a proper king.’

Honestly, he felt somewhat wronged. He rarely initiated these situations on his own.

However, when he imagined Geron glaring at him while chewing berries and sipping tea, he couldn’t find the courage to make empty promises.

“Do as you wish regarding the message to Geron. Check with Elhemina if there’s anything else needed, just in case.”

“Yes. I’ll find out if there’s anything needed with Elhemina.”

Dario responded with gleaming eyes. Being perceptive, he immediately recognized that Wendigo was being considerate by allowing him to be with Elhemina.

Elhemina, though unable to speak about it, was pleased and smiled shyly.

“I have separate preparations to make, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Separate preparations, you say?”

When Wendigo rose from his seat, Elhemina asked curiously. Wendigo answered casually as if it were nothing special.

“There are experts suited for this kind of work, so I plan to meet with them.”

Dario and Elhemina blinked at each other, unable to think of who these experts might be.

Were there such experts in Manheimr?

* * *

In Manheimr, there was a joke that mystical beasts existed in every village at the End of the World.

Of course, they weren’t in every village. It was merely an exaggeration of Wendigo visiting some villages and bestowing mystical energy on good meat he expected.

However, it wasn’t entirely false. While not livestock, there were quite a few animals that Wendigo had bestowed mystical energy upon.

Among the birds carrying messages, there were occasionally crows or hawks that Wendigo had blessed with mystical energy.

Oneton, the leader of the wolves who had been active in the recent war, was so famous among the people of Manheimr that he was called the Wolf King.

But if one asked whether what was visible was everything, the answer would be no.

If there were beasts active in the light, there were naturally beasts active in the shadows.

Using sharp teeth, remarkable reproductive abilities, and clever minds to protect the kingdom from the dark hands that gnawed away at Manheimr’s wealth, their identity was…

“Squeak! Squeak squeak!”

“Squeak!”

They were mice who had gained mystical powers through Wendigo’s grace.

Quick, who had become the elder of a large family with over twenty children, was maintaining discipline while receiving reports from his children and subordinates today as well.

This wasn’t something Wendigo had ordered.

Initially, Wendigo had granted them the right to use the palace food storage as recognition for handling dangerous tasks, allowing them to live comfortably without working.

But true loyal subjects create work even when there is none.

Quick was protecting the capital of Manheimr from the shadows by eliminating pests and savage(?) mice in the palace and surrounding areas.

Sitting on a throne made of cheese with comrades who had shared life and death experiences beside him, looking down at kneeling(?) mice, Quick truly had the dignity of a king…

[Quick, if you’re not busy, I have a task for you.]

“Squeak!”

When Wendigo’s voice echoed in his head, Quick jumped up from his throne. As a piece of the throne flew off, the mice standing at attention gracefully devoured the cheese.

Delighted by his master’s call, Quick conveyed the news to his comrades. Naturally, they willingly agreed to meet their master.

Quick patted his eldest son’s shoulder and squeaked, while his son squeaked back with a puzzled expression.

There was no time.

Quick and his comrades entrusted everything to the eldest son and disappeared through the passage leading to the surface.

The mice watched blankly, then turned to Quick’s eldest son.

The eldest son raised his hand toward the direction his father had disappeared, then…

“Squeeeak…”

He sighed while patting his face with his hand.