episode_0217

LLIX.

[I was very sleepy when I uploaded the first episode, so there are some parts that were missing. I added and revised the first episode, but I thought there might be people who missed it, so I added it to this episode ‘as well.’ Even if you exclude the duplicated parts, there’s still plenty of characters. I apologize.]

At the gardener elf’s words, screams erupted among the elves who had been silently watching the gardener’s every move with respect and anticipation.

It was like a writer’s younger sibling who was just dazed out on the weekend without washing up and screaming ‘Ouch!’ involuntarily when his mother, who played volleyball in middle school, hits him on the back.

Shadow of the World Tree.

It is a place that most of the elves, who are a long-lived species, have never been to before they die.

The real world tree.

It wasn’t simply a place where the remnants of the World Tree’s energy flowed out and touched, but it meant entering a space of dimensional water that was no different from another space.

The reason the elves show such reverence is because Sylvia, an elf with impressive silver hair that looks like it’s sprinkled with mithril, is a gardener who can enter and exit the dimension of the World Tree as she pleases.

And although it is not Sylvia who decides whether or not to bring in elves or other races, it is a widely held belief in the Sumerian kingdom that when she voices her opinion, it has considerable influence.

In fact, the elf who had most recently entered the shadow of the World Tree was the elf who had been like Sylvia’s sister since childhood. That elf had not achieved any outstanding achievements, and was not a high-level superhuman, but was just an ordinary spirit master, which made the rumor even more believable.

Anyway, Sylvia is now a candidate, but she wants humans to go to the shadow of the world tree.

He also said it was an ‘invitation’. It’s not like humans said they would go to the shadow of the World Tree and were ‘allowed’ to do so.

The elves’ surprise is only natural. But then something happens that makes them even more surprised.

“Hmm… …. What would you like to do? Master.”

Even if he said he would go straight, it would not be enough, so the punishment asked Gray what he would do.

“Wouldn’t it be better to eat something first?”

A human named Gray is hungry in this situation.

“Yeah! Oppa!”

And the young human woman next to him, one of the few women in the history of elves who are loved by both light and darkness, also agrees with it.

These crazy people!

The elves who were about to rebel,

“Then there’s a restaurant I know well. Shall we go together?”

At Sylvia’s continued words, his face changed as if he had been hit by Circle 9’s mental magic.

Isn’t Sylvia, the gardener of the World Tree, acting like a tour guide?

“Then please.”

And that human man accepts it again without any problem. The elves and half-elves who were left behind after Sylvia disappeared with Gray and his party,

“A dream…?”

“That’s right. It must be a dream, right?”

“Sylvia, who destroyed the entire Elder family because they were obsessed with her… … ?”

I started to deny reality.

Sylvia, who was leading Gray’s group to the restaurant, actually found this situation amusing.

Isn’t that so?

All the elves look at themselves and have a hard time.

Some might argue that Sylvia’s actions were inevitable.

But the elf elder who ruined Sylvia was a piece of trash who seemed more like a human noble than an elf.

Rather, I cannot understand why such a person maintains his position as an elder.

To Sylvia, who was like that, Gray’s actions were refreshing, as he treated her normally, without showing any expectations of her or showing any difficulty. It was also fun.

also,

“So you’re managing the World Tree?”

“A mortal like me is not a being who can discuss management. The World Tree. All I do is make the World Tree a little more comfortable and convenient.”

Even to his claim that he manages the World Tree, his response is limited to simply obtaining new information.

They do not try to gain anything, nor do they desire things like the elves.

Are you saying that because you don’t know?

“The dimension where the World Tree resides is a bit special. Master. Rather than managing it, the gardener’s job is to prevent it from being invaded by outsiders, so that the World Tree’s wrath does not turn against the continent.”

Even though there is a princess of the Pasa clan who kindly explains things to you?

Ah, in fact, that spirit knight of the thunderbolt was also strange from Sylvia’s perspective. Who would have known? In the spirit world, the tyrant princess, feared by all spirits regardless of their attributes except for the spirit king, would become the woman of one man.

Anyone can see that the princess is yearning for love even more from a human man.

Moreover, the way the tyrant princess answered the two cute ladies’ really useless questions with a smile without showing any sign of displeasure!

Sylvia found this combination so amusing.

After such a stormy meal, Gray was having dessert and tea.

“So. What does that great person want from me?”

When she said that, a smile that was 100% sincere appeared on Sylvia’s lips.

‘This guy. He’s really fun!’

◈ ◈ ◈

The moment the elf named Sylvia offered to show him the World Tree, Gray guessed that the woman wanted something.

This is an elf that all the elves take a posture of extreme reverence. Even if the legendary high elves appeared here, the elves probably wouldn’t act like that. They’re just a bunch of useless pride.

But how could such an elf suddenly offer to guide us to the World Tree? Even when I suggested that we eat first just in case, his expression didn’t change and he introduced us to a restaurant.

So I tried increasing the dosage a bit more.

I deliberately ate my meal leisurely, had two desserts, and even drank tea.

But Sylvia just smiles brightly.

“So. What does that great person want from me?”

Gray couldn’t help but ask:

Then, this elf named Sylvia. She immediately smiled. And she smiled so brightly that the corners of her mouth hung over her ears.

“It’s true that I have something I want from you, Gray. But I can’t tell you in advance.”

“Hmm… …? Then what do you want me to do? Is this something like that? Guess what I think?”

“Hohoho. Really. I like you.”

“Yes?”

Gray looked at the elf who had suddenly barged in and confessed with a puzzled expression.

“First of all, one thing is certain: Gray-nim is not going to the shadow of the World Tree because he is a candidate. That is, if there was no request from the World Tree.”

“Hmm… … . I see.”

“And one more.”

“What is it?”

“If you go to the shadow of the world tree, you will definitely get something. For sure.”

Gray’s response to Sylvia’s confident words was a dry ‘Peek!’ laugh.

“Is there anything to gain? Well?”

Whatever it was, it didn’t matter now. In fact, right now, at this very moment, Gray was getting stronger.

As the rest he needed continued, not only did the amount of divine power increase, but the quality of divine power also changed to become more pure, as if it had been filtered. It was as if he was not satisfied with the quantitative expansion, so he was going to change qualitatively.

Gray judged himself as not being able to properly control the power he was currently gaining. But something given by others? Benefit? Gain?

To Gray now, that was like asking him to eat more when he was already full.

Sylvia smiled even more deeply at Gray’s reaction. In fact, this smile was not of her own will, to the point that she couldn’t help the corners of her mouth rising.

When Gray said ‘well’ just now, he meant it.

It’s not like I’m just trying to bargain, nor am I being greedy for something more.

Truly, truly, be content with what you have and don’t be greedy for more.

“You’re serious.”

“Huh? Of course. Is that the rumored one? The Eye of Truth? Something like that?”

“Hehehe.”

There are some weird prejudices that humans have about elves, such as the idea that elves can’t lie.

It’s not that elves can’t lie. Even elves often tell small lies. Think about it. There are fathers who compromise by saying, “It’s edible,” for the sake of family peace, even though their wives’ food is really bad.

It’s just that the spirits hate serious lies, so they don’t tell them.

And the illusion that the elves that Gray is talking about now have the Eye of Truth that can discern lies is in the same vein.

The reason elves can tell when humans lie like ghosts is because they detect changes in the human body with the help of spirits.

Of course, that’s why it doesn’t work on trained humans. Also, it doesn’t work on people with a significant difference in skill level.

However, humans already knew that elves had the Eye of Truth, and the elves felt no need to correct it.

Because it was advantageous for the elves to survive among the greed of humans on the continent.

So, like all elves, when Gray said ‘the eyes of truth’, Sylvia just smiled broadly. Without confirming or denying.

however,

“But you said there’s no such thing? To the elves.”

Sylvia’s expression hardened for the first time at Gray’s words that followed. The elves who were watching around also did so.

The atmosphere of the restaurant, which had been cheerful until just a moment ago, suddenly changes. It’s as if the atmosphere just a moment ago was some kind of illusionary magic.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is heavy with silence that is comparable to life, but not lifeless. It is a moment that fits the expression “on the brink of disaster.”

Oh, of course,

“Brother. Can I have one more of this dessert?”

It’s unlikely that Gray and his group would be interested in such an atmosphere. Not to mention Catherine,

“Me too!”

“Me too. What kind of fruit is this that is sweet and refreshing?”

Superhumans are a given,

“Okay. Here, one dessert, two… … . Just one more for each person.”

The same goes for Gray.

In fact, even if the elves were serious, they wouldn’t have the power to do anything to Gray and his party here.

Gray and his party’s leisure comes from there. The World Tree and such may be variables, but so what?

“So what do you want?”

The words coming out of Gray’s mouth were no longer polite. Not only that,

Zzz …

The table he was sitting at began to crack. It was the aftereffect of the divine power he had been using for so long.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s just what the World Tree has requested. As the Princess of the Pasa said earlier, it’s not up to me to decide whether or not to stand under the shadow of the World Tree.”

Even though she was directly exposed to Gray’s aura, Sylvia was not affected at all.

And Gray stopped flexing his muscles.

“World tree?”

The reason Gray stopped pressuring her with his momentum was not because Sylvia was unaffected. It was because of Sylvia’s words that the World Tree had asked.

“Yes. If you have any doubts, he told me to tell him this. He said that the magic god will also be present. ”

“The God of Magic?”

A magic god out of nowhere here.

Moreover, isn’t it called ‘observation’?

Doesn’t that mean something like an event is being prepared?

“Can I now guide you? Under the shadow of the World Tree?”

When asked the same question again as when they first met, Gray could only nod his head, unlike the first time.

“Then move.”

“Huh?”

As Sylvia said she would move, a bright green light began to appear on the group’s bodies.

“Huh? What the!?”

“Hey! You!!”

To be exact, only Gray and Arcana, who are part of the group.

“Oh, I forgot to mention that. Let’s move. To the shadow of the World Tree. Only those who are qualified.”

With those words, Sylvia, Gray, and the six Arcana gardeners of the World Tree disappeared from that place.

And a moment later, Dean Hu, Vice Dean Fletcher, and the other superhumans and three dragons, excluding Shadow Master, flew towards the direction of the World Tree.

◈ ◈ ◈

The moment I accepted the elf’s question, Sylvia, I felt a strange energy surrounding me. It was an energy I felt like I had felt before.

And I and the Arcanas arrived at a different place.

A giant tree.

No, at first I didn’t think it was a tree, so I looked under the tree and thought it was a wall.

A tree whose top cannot be seen no matter how far you tilt your head back.

The World Tree was right before my eyes, breathing out that peculiar energy as if it was something special.

– That’s the power of nature.

As if reading my thoughts, a gentle voice I was hearing for the first time etched itself into my mind.

Yes. That would be the most appropriate expression, ‘the letters were embedded in the brain.’ It felt different from telepathic magic or the communication system of the Arcana and the Card Master, the ‘Fortune Telegraph.’

It literally feels like the text is forcing itself into my brain. It really is,

“Isn’t this a very unpleasant feeling?”

I felt dirty.

– I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough spiritual connection to communicate with me.

“So you wanted to see me?”

– Yes. Just a moment. I’ll be back soon.

“Who? ”

As if he was waiting for my question,

“I.”

The man who appeared next to me as if he had been there from the beginning answered.

– Long time no see, God of Magic.

“Long time no see. Long time no see for you too.”

He is the god of magic.

He greeted me with his characteristic purple hair up, and his tired expression was obvious. It was as if he had been working overtime for three days without being able to go home and instead sleeping in the office.

“Okay, let’s get started!”

“Huh? What?”

“What the heck.”

At that moment.

I thought the Magic God’s smile really resembled my 9-year-old nephew who just started elementary school and acts like he knows everything in the world.

Why are you suddenly talking about my nephew?

Let’s just move on.

Anyway, the magic god with that mischievous smile,

“Victims and.”

He pointed to me first,

“Perpetrator.”

And then after pointing to the world tree,

“A judge who will decide whether the agreement between the two is reasonable.”

He said so, pointing to himself.

“Are you a victim?”

“Yeah.”

“Me?”

“Is that so?”

The magic god was confident, while I had no understanding at all.

“Why?”

“You. You almost got screwed recently, didn’t you? In a plausible way?”

“… Are you talking about the Uhwadengseon… …? Wait a minute. Then that’s it?”

“Okay. Okay, let’s hear the perpetrator’s apology first.”

Then, with an expression that said, “The world is so refreshing,” he turned his head toward the World Tree with a face that felt like he had just drunk cider until his throat burned.