Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Tree and Iron
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The trees, having shed all their leaves to reveal bare branches, were cloaked in snow like a garment, while the fields were blanketed in it like a quilt. It was a world of pure white, devoid of vibrant flowers or leaves, yet it felt utterly beautiful. Gazing at the snow-covered fields lifted my spirits.
"Ugh..."
Everything except for the one sound beside me—the chattering of teeth from someone shivering in the cold. Arhil, looking freezing, had her arms crossed inside her robe, her teeth clacking together loudly. She must have been really cold. Judah watched her quietly before silently pulling a pair of gloves from <Bag> and offering them to her.
"? ...Oh! Wow! Thank you so much."
Such a thing existed, she seemed to think as she slipped them on with a delighted face. In the meantime, Judah removed the hood she was wearing and placed a fur hat on her head. She still looked cold, so he fetched a scarf and wrapped it around her neck too. He nodded in satisfaction at the sight of her bundled up snugly.
"Better now?"
"Hmm—I'm not sure yet, but probably?"
Though her tone suggested it wasn't quite enough, Arhil's blue eyes sparkled with a satisfied smile. Clearly taken with the gloves, she clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly, letting out a goofy "Hehe."
Watching her brought a swell of pride, and a smile naturally crept onto his lips. He felt eyes on him and turned to see elves gazing at him warmly.
When their eyes met, some elves quickly looked away with an "Eek," while others shot him sly glances. They seemed to be misunderstanding something. Should he explain? But in this situation, even if he clarified, they probably wouldn't believe him.
Judah gave up without trying and simply walked alongside Arhil with his hands in his pockets. One elf, however, didn't look away even after their eyes met. He tilted his head curiously at Arhil's fur hat, gloves, and scarf, peering intently.
Judah gestured, mouthed words, and pulled out spare gloves to show him, asking, "Want some?"
But the elf shook his head slowly, palm out as if to say no thanks, then looked ahead again.
'Don't they get cold?'
Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, Judah put the gloves back in <Bag>. Back in the Descharman Mountains, they had seemed somewhat susceptible to cold, yet now in this snowy weather, they walked lightly with hoods off, faces upturned to the falling flakes.
Sniff—
"Elves don't get cold, huh? Or am I the only one freezing?"
Arhil, walking beside him, seemed to share the same thought as she sniffed back a runny nose and muttered enviously. An elf following behind must have overheard, as he quickened his pace, poked his head over her shoulder, and beamed.
"Right! You're the only one cold right now, Arhil."
"Huh?"
"Sorry for butting in, but you seemed curious, so I thought I'd tell you. Hehe."
The elf nodded cheerfully, looking thrilled, then pointed toward the forest and continued.
"Elves like us gain resistance to cold, heat, and illness when near the World Tree. The closer we are, the stronger the effect!"
"So you're not cold now?"
"Yes, of course. For me... hmm, it actually felt colder back in the mountains."
Arhil's eyes widened in awe as she yanked off her glove and grabbed the elf's hand.
"No way, it's warm!"
"Hehehe. See? Want me to hold your hand on the way?"
"Really? Is that okay?"
"Of course. I'd love to carry you, but I can't while walking."
The elf smiled kindly and took her hand. Arhil squealed happily and fiddled with it.
Is it that warm?
Her reaction sparked Judah's curiosity. He wanted to feel an elf's hand too. But Judah wasn't feeling the cold like Arhil was. Even if he held one, he'd probably just think it was soft and feel nothing more.
"Hmm."
He pulled his right hand from his pocket and flexed it. Thanks to the fragment—and becoming the Spirit Sword's owner—this level of cold didn't faze him. He wiggled his fingers; sensation was fine, joints moved smoothly.
'World Tree, huh...?'
Judah glanced at the elf chatting amiably with Arhil beside him. Sensing his gaze, she smiled lightly. It was a friendly smile, devoid of hostility.
"Something wrong? Got something to say?"
"I have a question. Is there a barrier around the elves' forest?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I've heard the World Tree is enormous, but I can't see it. I wondered if it's hidden by some invisible force. No deeper meaning."
"Hmm..."
The elf pondered briefly before nodding. They'd chatted on the way here, so it seemed they were heading to the elves' forest anyway. Sharing info they'd learn naturally inside shouldn't be an issue, she judged.
"Yes, there is. There's a natural barrier from the World Tree's mystical power, and ones we elves made to protect the land and tree. One hides the World Tree's form from outside the forest. You'll see its grandeur once you're in."
"Oh."
"I guarantee it'll be as tall as those mountains behind us. Hehe, I can't wait to see how shocked you all get!"
That big, huh? Judah thanked her, then crunched through untouched snow, leaving footprints. The heavy snowfall that had poured for hours suddenly stopped. Looking up, he saw the sky filled with pale gray clouds. Snow piled thickly on his head cascaded off as he lifted it.
'That much had built up?'
Lost in the scenery, he hadn't noticed. He brushed snow from his hair and shoulders. Arhil and the elves shook it off periodically, so little remained on them. As he casually dusted himself—
Rumble rumble rumble!
He felt the ground tremble faintly. Thinking he'd imagined it, he stopped, placed a hand on the earth, and closed his eyes. The vibration transmitted through his palm.
'An echo?'
Judah's brow furrowed. Not an earthquake. That left something massive moving nearby or a herd of beasts charging. He stood and scanned around. The open fields offered clear views everywhere except the forest ahead.
"Horses!"
At an elf's shout, those without hoods hurriedly fastened robes and pulled hoods low over pointed ears. Horses galloped toward them across the fields, stark against the snow. Though distant, activating Demon Eye made their forms clearer.
They were knights. Fully armored ones!
Barded horses, knights in full plate armor—the symbol of knighthood. With visors down, the elves tensed, huddled, bowed heads, and Arhil stayed by Judah, blessing him for any contingency.
'No castle nearby, right?'
Not on Roxin's map, nor in memory beyond Descharman Mountains.
Where did these knights come from?
About a hundred knights, followed by two hundred lightly armored cavalry. A standard-bearer held Silan's national flag.
'War can't be starting already...? At least a month left timeline-wise.'
Then why were they here?
Recon and training to familiarize terrain?
As they approached, confusion mixed with rising anger in Judah. Things were thoroughly messed up. The value of his <Memo>—scribbled sleeplessly over days—plummeted.
He'd expected distant future events to change, but not this much. If war schedules advanced too, <Memo> dates weren't reliable anymore. Watching the oncoming knights, Judah opened <Bag> and pulled out a wooden mask from Regen's Black Tree Tribe. Plain, with cross-shaped eye slits.
Too boyish to face them bare-faced; might get dismissed. Mask on, his adult build and Requiem coat stood out imposingly.
Masked, he awaited their approach. Spotting his group, they slowed to a gentle stop. Knights atop snorting, heaving horses eyed Judah and the elves suspiciously.
"Adventurers? What are you doing here?"
"Adventurer? Do I look like one to you?"
Judah stared them down, voice low and gravelly. He spread mana, exuding oppressive presence. High charisma would pressure without mana cost; he regretted his low stat.
But it worked—knights atop horses held breaths audibly. Horses shied back. Judah stepped forward, intensifying aura. Before they spoke, he questioned first.
"Which house's knight order? What's your purpose here? Duke Iyes informed all houses: no approaching elves' forest before war."
Stunned by his aura, knights drawing swords froze at the duke's name. Even the captain. He stared at masked Judah, silent, then replied.
"...What nonsense? His Grace issued mobilization orders himself days ago."
"What?"
"War on elves declared three days past. Who are you? Leading a group here ahead of our vanguard?"
Duke's name from Judah's mouth, yet captain remained wary. A small group heading to elves' forest in this empty place screamed suspicious. But the crushing aura made him unwittingly polite.
"His Grace declared war—that's certain? Not a lie to slip this moment?"
"Of course, but... irritating. We show respect as a skilled one, yet such rudeness? Asking twice: who are you? Or refuse to say?"
"Nah. No need to tell you who I or we are."
Judah stared as he spoke. Eyes met through mask slits; captain flinched, sensing killing intent, reflexively reaching for sword. But as fingers touched hilt, a red line flashed in air like illusion—a sharp dagger pierced his helm, embedding handle-deep in forehead.
"You all die here."
And then.
A massive slash struck the gathered knights.