Ch.172Chapter 172

Ancient trees that have withstood hundreds of years are naturally revered for their mere existence.

Beneath the shade of a large, sprawling tree, surrendering oneself to the passing breeze brings an inexplicable comfort.

That’s why people dream of living in harmony with nature under the shade of great trees, aspiring to a leisurely life…

In truth, the life of a great tree—or rather, its tree-life—was not so comfortable.

How noisy it must be when troubled souls approach, unburden their hearts, and leave!

In the worst cases, they even wail loudly nearby—what an inconsiderate nuisance.

And so…

[World Tree, my father has been sent to suppress another civil war. Please take pity on him—]

[I plan to confess to the woman I love tomorrow. I wish to give her a ring woven from the World Tree’s branches—]

[Merciful mother, protect us today from the malicious Djin and the touch of gods.]

The World Tree could be considered the most exhausted great tree in the world, living each day listening to all manner of stories.

Who wouldn’t share their troubles with a sacred tree nearby, just in case it might help?

What’s more, if one was lucky, the World Tree might actually solve their problems—it would be strange not to share one’s concerns.

Today, after sifting through concerns from across Elvenheim for any useful information, the World Tree of Manheimr rested in its blue leaves.

Though it was the youngest form, the World Tree quite liked its blue leaves.

Unlike the elves of Elvenheim, the elves of this land didn’t have many worries.

This was natural. They were either elves with an abundance of adventurous spirit who left their cozy homeland, or hopeful elves who came seeking a new life.

Most of their concerns could be handled by priests, making this the most comfortable place for the World Tree.

However, there was something that had been bothering it recently…

‘If only I could deal with those creatures disturbing my roots.’

Even the same noise feels louder in a quiet place.

Though not threatening enough to be a real problem, it was still irritating. Being more sensitive about the roots directly connected to its life was inevitable.

“Blue-Leaved World Tree. The King of Manheimr has responded to your summons. He is currently visiting the city…”

“?”

A priest knelt in a temple made from a transformed part of the World Tree’s body, delivering news.

The World Tree was puzzled. Though it was clearly good news, the priest spoke with a dejected voice.

[Has something happened?]

“Well, I am very sorry to say this, but…”

[It’s alright, tell me.]

As the World Tree continued to inquire, the priest closed his eyes tightly, bowed his head, and answered.

“Lady Elhemina sent a servant to inform us that the King of Manheimr is enjoying food purchased from the market, saying he was hungry from the long journey, and that there will be some delay because of this.”

[……]

The World Tree was speechless, as this news matched none of the various scenarios it had anticipated.

* * *

Elhemina, half-sobbing, clutched Wendigo’s leg and pleaded.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! This time you really must go!!!”

“I think it’s about time you went, even in my opinion. Even if it’s not urgent business, it’s more important than meeting merchants, isn’t it?”

Dario chimed in as his lover was in distress. Honestly, he hadn’t expected they would spend so much time with merchants.

Dario, who still had some illusions about elves, was disgusted by the greed of the elven merchants.

The sight of every merchant gathering with food as soon as the king showed interest in new cuisine was quite something…

“Hmm… I’m sorry. The merchants were so generous that I ended up wasting too much time.”

Wendigo admitted he had made quite a mistake this time. Since meals were one of his few pleasures, it had been difficult to resist the temptation of new food.

“Let’s go meet the World Tree now.”

“We didn’t have a specific appointment, so that’s fortunate at least…”

Dario trailed off, glancing behind him.

The merchants, each boasting exceptional beauty, were raising their dishes and fanning the aromas toward them with gleaming eyes—the epitome of greed.

If the warriors hadn’t blocked them, they would have clung like leeches, official business be damned.

“With all that commotion, the news must have reached the World Tree. I hope it’s not too angry.”

“Hmm, if it heard the news, I should apologize.”

“Squeak squeak…”

Quick, who had enjoyed the strange food with Wendigo, squeaked weakly, as if feeling ashamed.

Leaving their regrets behind, Wendigo’s party pushed through the merchants and headed inward. Following Elhemina’s guidance, Wendigo looked up at the sky.

The sight of delicate golden leaves fluttering in the wind was truly magnificent.

As they walked, admiring the World Tree, Wendigo spotted soldiers marching in orderly formation ahead.

Among the soldiers, all wearing wooden armor with a subtle golden glow, the leader was uniquely dressed in silk clothing.

Elhemina recognized the woman and greeted her with great joy.

“Senior… Priestess Messina!”

The priestess Messina, with one eye covered by silk, smiled and welcomed Elhemina.

“Priestess Elhemina, we were worried when there was no news after the report that the King of Manheimr had arrived.”

“Urk.”

But pleasantries aside, business was business. At the pointed remark, Elhemina flinched and broke into a cold sweat.

Messina stared intently at Elhemina with a smiling face before greeting Wendigo.

“I apologize for the discourtesy in the presence of the King of Manheimr. I am Messina, dispatched from our homeland to assist the lone priestess of the Blue Leaves.”

“I’ve been discourteous as well, so don’t worry about it.”

Though her manner was polite, Wendigo caught the meaning behind Messina’s actions. She was not an ordinary woman who would relax her demeanor just because she met a close junior.

Despite her exceptional beauty, a scar was visible through the silk covering one eye.

One hand was positioned to draw her sword at any moment, and her legs maintained an appropriate distance to move her body at any time.

Messina seemed more suited to be a soldier than a priestess.

‘She’s pretending to speak to Elhemina while actually addressing me. Asking if I’m being too disrespectful to the World Tree.’

As proof, when he readily admitted his mistake, Messina’s smile deepened. The smile she had been wearing until now was closer to an act.

When Messina raised her hand, the soldiers thumped the ground with their spears and split to the left and right. The disciplined movement of the soldiers was quite impressive.

“Please follow me. The World Tree is waiting.”

“I’ll be in your care.”

Messina nodded with a smile. As she turned to guide the way, she noticed Elhemina and Dario and smirked.

“So that’s why Elhemina was late. To think she would find a lover here when she never had one back home.”

“S-Senior!?”

Caught off guard, Elhemina involuntarily shouted with a reddened face. But there was no time for excuses.

Just as Elhemina opened her mouth, Messina quickly turned and began leading the way.

Watching Messina’s retreating back, Elhemina blushed as the soldiers whispered among themselves, then grabbed Dario’s hand and ran to Wendigo’s side.

* * *

After climbing the roots of the World Tree like stairs and arriving at the temple, Messina asked Wendigo:

“Would you mind leaving your warriors here? There are rules prohibiting soldiers from entering the temple, so I cannot allow them inside.”

“I understand.”

Wendigo, having no intention of violating elven culture, nodded and looked at the forest guardian. He thumped his chest and bowed his head, as if to say not to worry.

The warriors were disappointed but easily accepted it. They weren’t foolish enough to complain after the king had agreed.

Wendigo pointed to Dario and asked Messina:

“Dario isn’t a warrior, so he should be fine, right?”

“No… when you put it that way, it makes me sound like a coward.”

Though he grumbled, Dario didn’t deny Wendigo’s words.

If necessary, he could swing a sword on the battlefield, but even he thought his abilities shone more at a desk than on the battlefield.

“Hmm… you say he’s not a warrior, but I’m concerned about the mystery he carries.”

Messina’s smiling eyes widened slightly as she saw through the mystery Dario carried.

The mystery flowing through his body was the quality of a hero, not fixed by artifacts or magic.

Of course, there was very little chance he would cause trouble, as there was nothing to gain from antagonizing the World Tree, but as one with the duty to protect the World Tree, it was difficult to easily permit…

“Priestess Messina. Lord Dario has spent far more time holding a pen than a sword. And he only recently came to possess this mystery.”

“…Oh my.”

When Elhemina, who was usually respected for her devout attitude, blushed and defended her lover, Messina looked at her with a raised corner of her mouth.

How passionate must her love be for her lover that she, who usually acted coldly in matters related to the World Tree, would show such a biased attitude?

‘She’s probably never been in love before, being a virgin all this time.’

Finding Elhemina’s newfound love endearing, Messina turned to look at Dario. She moved only her lips to speak to him.

‘If you make Elhemina cry, be prepared to face my blade.’

“!?”

When Messina warned him, Dario nodded vigorously in great surprise. Despite her pretty face, the killing intent in her flashing eyes was quite chilling.

“If Priestess Elhemina vouches for him so passionately, I suppose we can trust him. Lord Dario may enter as well.”

“He won’t cause any trouble, if only for Elhemina’s sake.”

While Elhemina and Dario blushed and fidgeted, Wendigo followed Messina’s guidance deeper into the World Tree.

Inside, waiting for him was… a naked woman.

“?”

Wendigo tilted his head, not understanding the situation.

The woman’s ears were quite long—could it be that elves had a culture of walking around naked in temples?

The woman approached Wendigo, emanating a subtle scent of lily of the valley, and spoke to him with an expressionless face.

“You arrived later than I expected.”

“Ah, so you’re the World Tree.”

Fortunately, there was no such outrageous culture. Wendigo recognized her as the World Tree from the mystery he sensed in her voice.

“Then who did you think I was?”

Wendigo didn’t answer the World Tree’s question. No matter how he thought about it, answering that he thought she was a crazy elf with exhibitionism would be disrespectful.

Fortunately, the World Tree didn’t press for an answer. This was because Messina and Elhemina, who had realized the naked woman was the World Tree, rushed over in shock.

“W-World Tree! Please put on some clothes!”

“Lord Dario, cover your eyes!”

“Ah, but you’re not saying anything to His Majesty and only—”

“Are you saying you’re not satisfied with having Elhemina as your lover and are now eyeing the World Tree?”

As Messina’s voice sank coldly and her fingers cracked, Dario hurriedly turned around and covered his eyes.

Wendigo also turned his head out of courtesy, and Messina called for someone to bring the finest clothes.

And Elhemina…

“M-may I draw the World Tree’s form?”

“I know many elves draw my form regularly. If you wish, you may draw a picture.”

“Thank you!”

She began quickly drawing the World Tree’s form with the art supplies people had brought.

Her hands moved with the conviction to depict this form as precisely as possible to convey the World Tree’s beauty to many people.

By the time Elhemina’s drawing was complete, people had brought a light golden dress suitable for the World Tree and presented it to her.

The World Tree moved according to Messina’s guidance, muttering as if she couldn’t understand:

“I don’t understand why being naked is embarrassing. All creatures are born naked.”

Still, having no intention of refusing to wear it, the World Tree quietly put on the dress. The sight was so beautiful that some elves fainted with sighs of admiration.

The World Tree sat in a chair provided by the people and spoke.

“Thank you for responding to my call. So… have you thought of a way to solve the problem?”

“Usually one would ask about each other’s well-being first.”

Still, it was just like the World Tree to cut straight to the point.

Thinking it would be faster to show rather than explain, Wendigo extended his finger toward the World Tree’s face. Then…

“Squeak!”

Quick and his companions ran down Wendigo’s arm to his fingertip and waved their hands toward the World Tree.

The World Tree looked at Wendigo with puzzlement.

“…Mice?”

“These fellows are the problem-solvers for your issue. They’re very reliable and won’t disappoint you.”

“Squeak squeak!”

Quick thumped his chest and nodded, as if to say “trust only me.”

The World Tree looked back and forth between Quick and Wendigo with a bewildered expression.