Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Chapter 5. Tree and Iron
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Afterward, she asked about Silran's forces invading the elven forest, and Judah told her everything he knew without holding back. The elves who had come with them had heard the same information, so verifying its truth wouldn't be difficult. They could even send out scouts beyond the forest right away and confirm that human armies were marching in.
"We don't have time to waste like this."
Via's face turned serious as she walked up to the scouts ahead, had a brief conversation with them, and then left alone. Judah, left behind, quietly rejoined Arhil, who was with the elves.
As they walked aimlessly, the scouts ahead suddenly vanished from sight. Startled, with eyes wide open at their disappearance without a sound or trace, an elf beside him chuckled softly.
"They've entered the barrier. Here, take my hand. Don't let go until we've passed through, or you might get lost in the forest's maze, and it'll be hard to get out."
She extended her hand to Judah. Arhil, walking ahead, was also holding another elf's hand.
'I wanted to touch one once.'
It was a small wish, but he hadn't expected it to come true so soon. As he stared at her delicate, reed-like hand, the elf smiled and lifted it, urging him to grab it. It was a stark contrast to the cold Via.
"Oh."
"Yes?"
"Ah—it's nothing."
Holding her hand, Judah could understand why Arhil had been so impressed. Despite the cold winter, the elf's hand was soft and warm. And small. He gripped it gently and followed her lead.
Woooong—
For a moment, a ringing filled his ears, as if passing through something invisible. Nothing had visibly changed, but the elves moved forward without hesitation, as if drawn by an unseen force. Whether they saw a path invisible to him, they sometimes turned directions mid-stride or took detours around straight paths.
"We're almost there. Just a bit further, and our forest will come into view...!"
The elf replied in a voice thick with emotion, more to herself than to Judah. Upon passing the barrier, an astonishing sight unfolded before them. Far in the distance stood a colossal world tree, so tall it hurt his neck to look up at it. The surrounding trees were bare branches in the winter wind, yet the world tree was lush with vibrant green leaves.
It was unbelievable that this massive world tree had been hidden by a barrier. It felt like stepping into another dimension. This world, set in a fantasy realm, hit home once again.
Just gazing at it seemed to infuse his body with a warm energy. Mouth agape like a fool, he stared entranced at the world tree. No matter how long he looked, the view never grew tiresome. It must feel like this at the Grand Canyon in America. He'd never forget it. But Judah's awe was nothing compared to the elves'.
"Ahh...!"
The hand he held slipped away, and glancing sideways, he saw the elf who had offered it covering her mouth with both hands, tears streaming down her ecstatic face. She wasn't alone. The elves Judah had rescued wept and trembled in rapture before the world tree towering like the Tower of Babel. Their tears carried profound meaning.
"......"
The scouts silently watched the elves kneeling, sobbing, or clasping hands in prayer toward the world tree, without urging them on. Once they'd shed enough tears, sniffling, they rose. There was no room for conversation with the elves now. Entranced, they pressed forward, tears dripping.
Without a word, Arhil and Judah naturally matched strides. The world tree's impact was profound, but not enough to bring them to tears like the elves. They walked while gazing at it and the surroundings.
"Judah, look over there."
Arhil pointed beyond the forest, having spotted something. Through bare branches, a distant wall like a city battlement came into view. The elves' capital and the first fortress leading to the world tree revealed itself.
The wall stones were uniform in size and color, suggesting fired bricks, overgrown with thorny vines pulsing with mana. The gate, perhaps opened by Via who went ahead, stood ajar, with elves waiting atop the walls and near the entrance.
'Good thing we made it before sunset.'
As he thought how hard they'd walked, an elf ahead turned back abruptly. It was the one who had offered her hand before the barrier. Her bloodshot eyes fixed on Judah, lips pressed tight. Suddenly, sobs burst out as she bowed deeply right there.
"Truly, truly... thank you...! Thanks to you, we could return to this place we thought we'd never see again, forever! Sniff! Truly! Thank you...!"
Her thanks prompted the other elves to express their gratitude to Judah. Among them was Syrin, the first male elf he'd saved. Tears streaming silently, he repeated his thanks, overwhelmed by returning to the forest. Watching them, Judah felt a pang in his chest. To keep his own tears at bay, he clenched his teeth.
And as if telling him not to cry, a holographic message appeared silently in his vision, blinking.
[You rescued twenty elves from Urune and safely brought them back to their homeland, the elven forest.]
[You did not touch their beautiful forms or demand any reward from them.]
[Bringing them all back safely and courteously, without a single straggler, is truly remarkable.]
[The elves, having heard your story, will soften their hostility toward you despite being human. Some will even hold you in respect.]
[Exceptionally, the elves will harbor slight fondness toward you and your companion.]
[For safely returning elves held as slaves by Urune's nobles to the forest, all stats increase by 1. Additionally, for leading twenty elves, Charisma increases by 5.]
A quick scan showed nothing urgent enough to read immediately. It was just stat bonuses, immaterial rewards that could wait. Closing the window, Judah approached the still-thanking elves and Arhil, asking them to lift their heads since others were watching.
"Thank you."
They grasped his hand in thanks. Entering the city, an elf by the roadside shouted a name and rushed out to embrace one. Family, perhaps—they clung and wept. He worried they'd hurt from so many tears, but for them, even that pain was joy.
"Feels rewarding, doesn't it?"
Arhil, walking beside him, looked up with moist eyes, moved by the elves.
"It wasn't just me. It would've been much harder without your help, Arhil."
Blushing shyly, she ducked her head and let out a goofy laugh. Gazing fondly at her "Hehe," Judah glanced around. Elves eyed him with curiosity and wariness—every one a stunning beauty or handsome figure.
Male or female, all were attractive, each with unique charm. Finding an ugly one would be harder. The city matched any human one, not lacking.
When making the game, he hadn't set elven culture.
For villages, he'd used the editor's tools to build houses and roads with bricks. Yet here, that became their culture—brick houses, roads, and flowerbeds like the walls. No flowers now in winter, but come spring, the streets would bloom with fragrance.
The scouts leading Judah and the elves inside halted. On tiptoes peering past, he saw Via ahead in different attire, greeting them. She gathered the scouts, issuing orders.
"Ensure the returned elves get ample food and rest first, conduct a brief investigation, then responsibly escort them home. I've informed Sera of the details—go to her for instructions."
"Yes!"
"Good. I'll handle the human, so no need to worry."
Time to part. Judah waved farewell to the elves following the scouts. Their eyes held gratitude and reluctance. Like the kiss on Roxin's forehead before, one approached and kissed Judah's forehead. Was it special? Every female elf kissed his forehead. His face burned. Then the few male elves approached.
"...If it's the forehead, I'll pass."
Judah eyed Syrin, with whom he shared some bond. Seeing Judah's grimace, Syrin chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't worry. Foreheads are for the opposite sex. Same sex get the back of the hand."
Kneeling on one knee, he lightly kissed Judah's hand. Pleasant or not, it was still a same-sex kiss. The females had felt nice. Rising, Syrin met Judah's eyes.
"Truly grateful. I thanked you earlier, but it feels insufficient no matter how many times. Also... I apologize for my rudeness when you saved me from Urune's noble and when leaving Urune. Will you accept?"
"I wasn't bothered, so no need. And save your thanks—you'll owe me dozens, hundreds more ahead. Bigger favors await."
He laughed lightly and nodded. After hand-kisses from the other males, they parted.
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「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arshel]
[Title: Spirit Sword Possessor (3)]
[Level: 50]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Revival Count: 25]
[Strength: 54 (C) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 49 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 63 (B) / Potential SS]
[Mana: 46 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 61 (B) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 21 (D) / Potential A] ← Increased
[Knowledge: 22 (D) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 86 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 14]
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========== Afterword ==========
1) For reference, believe it or not.
This novel was originally meant to be an ero-novel following Greek and Roman myths.
Northern European myths felt too restrained.
That's why the fragment <Carpediem> included submission and hypnosis.
But, but.... uh....
Early feedback praised the lack of smut, leading to all these changes.
Heh.
Your seal of purity was powerful.
Some readers even said they never imagined I was the author of that gross-out stuff.