Chapter 326: The Invitation (4)
Chapter 326: The Invitation (4)
The interior of the Nidhogg was clean. Or rather, perhaps it was too clean.
Aside from the hull made of roots, there was absolutely nothing there.
"I thought you said it had basic facilities."
"It does. They’re just hidden normally. There’s no reason to have everything out in the open when we might be carrying passengers or cargo, right?"
"Usually, that’s why people distinguish between passenger ships and cargo ships."
"Hehe, the Nidhogg is no ordinary ship, you know?"
Elisha shrugged and reached out toward the massive, wall-like hull.
Mana gathered at her slender fingertips, soon transforming into well-refined water-attribute energy. As she pressed the mana—which looked like it might drip at any moment—into the hull...
Rumble—
With a heavy vibration, the roots of the hull squirmed, and a thick tree trunk sprouted from within.
A single red fruit blossomed on the rapidly growing branch.
Elisha snatched it, took a bite, and continued with a satisfied expression.
"If you visualize what you want while applying refined water-attribute mana like this, it pops out. Of course, only things that have been prepared beforehand are possible."
"Damn..."
Talk about over-technology. I knew from the employee's behavior earlier that not just anyone could board this thing, but... still, this was ridiculous.
As I stared blankly at the fruit tree that had sprouted from the hull, something was suddenly shoved into my mouth.
"Mmph?"
Elisha had put the fruit she was eating into my mouth.
As I took a bite, sweet juice flooded my palate. Uniquely, the aftertaste was slightly tart, which actually made it feel quite refreshing.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah."
"It’s a fruit called Elshasha, and it only grows on the Nidhogg."
"The name is similar to yours, Elisha."
"Oh my? Perhaps that’s why you find me so... delicious when you 'eat' me."
"......"
A dirty joke at a time like this?
I had to thump my chest to stop myself from choking before I could finally swallow the piece of Elshasha. Elisha giggled at the sight.
"How is it? Do you like it?"
"...I like it a lot. So much that I want to pluck and eat another one."
"I appreciate that you like it, but you shouldn't eat too many. Despite how it looks, it’s incredibly high in calories. Eating just three is enough to last the whole day without any other food."
"...I don't feel that full, though?"
"That’s why it’s usually used as emergency rations."
Did Elisha’s words strike a sore spot? Carla, who had been touching the Elshasha branch with curiosity, recoiled in horror.
"Hieeeek! Bad tree...!"
I pulled the trembling Carla into my arms and looked around.
The door to the hull had closed after we boarded, but the Nidhogg still showed no sign of moving.
"By the way, you said it would move immediately if we had a Leaf of the World Tree. Is there a problem?"
"Hmm. Maybe it’s sulking because you said you’d brew it like tea leaves and use it as an elixir?"
"Really? It’s not just a leaf, it has an ego?"
I looked at the Leaf of the World Tree with a fresh perspective.
It was about the size of a palm. However, the vitality felt within it was immense.
To the point where it wouldn't be strange if it really were alive.
Just in case, I tapped the tip of the leaf and whispered.
"Hey, you crying?"
"...Master. That’s not comforting it; that’s mocking it."
No way. I was sincerely trying to build a rapport.
While I was staggering from the shock of her words, Iris approached with a giggle.
"Haven't I told you many times? Your 'comfort' is never actually comforting. But well... there is no need to worry. Elisha was just teasing you; there’s a different reason why it’s still stationary."
"Is that so?"
I glared at her, but Elisha had already scooped Iris up and was using her as a shield.
What kind of 'Master Shield' is this?
Iris, who no longer resisted being suddenly picked up, kicked her feet in the air and continued.
"The signal was likely sent the moment we stepped inside. The route adjustment should be finishing up right about now as well."
"Route adjustment?"
"These paths stretch to every corner of the Great Forest. They can detour here and there if necessary, so naturally, it’s complex. However, since we have only one destination, it’s currently creating the fastest route to Yggdrasil."
So... it’s a bit different, but basically, it’s switching tracks to turn a local train into an express?
"Why do that...? Isn't it more efficient to just run on the set tracks?"
"It’s all the same since the roots are moving anyway. More importantly, aren't we VIPs who must be escorted as quickly and comfortably as possible?"
"Ah."
Now that I think about it, that’s true.
"Besides, we might need time to prepare things on our end. Securing the carriage, bringing out necessary facilities, and so on."
"So it’s waiting for us?"
"Exactly. Once preparations are complete, you just need to place your hand anywhere on the hull and wish to depart while providing a bit of mana."
Iris explained that if the route adjustment was finished, it would depart immediately; if it needed more time, it would spit the mana back out.
"Alright. Then let’s bring out the convenience facilities first. I don't know how long it’ll take, but Yggdrasil is in the deepest part of the Great Forest, right? It won't take just a few hours."
"Hmm. It should take about three days."
"Really? Anything you recommend?"
"Miss Helena’s carriage will be more comfortable for most things, so we should start by bringing out snacks and drinks. What Elisha brought out is just fruit for replenishing energy. We’ll also need things for entertainment."
"Ooh. Sounds good. If you have recommendations, let’s start with those."
"Leave it to me. Elisha, let’s go over there."
"Yes, Master."
Still dangling in the air, Iris gave Elisha directions.
It didn't take long for the empty Nidhogg to be filled.
*
Grrrrr—
With a strange sound, the Nidhogg began to move. We gathered around a table set up in the center to enjoy the view together.
The fact that we were accompanied by glasses of liquor stored within the Nidhogg was a bonus.
"It’s impressive."
"It is technology that contains the essence of Alfheim, so of course it is. ...Though it might disappear soon."
"They’re just going to get rid of something this good? Why?"
"It’s not that they’re getting rid of it. It’s that it will become unusable."
"???"
When I tilted my head in confusion, Elisha, who was sitting next to me, gave a bitter smile and explained instead.
"It’s a simple story. You’ve heard from Master what happens to Elves who lose their spirit magic, right?"
"She said it’s like losing the very foundation that supports Elven society. Though they’re managing somehow for now with remaining spirit stones and elemental magic..."
"Spirit stones will eventually be depleted, and the efficiency of replacing spirit magic with elemental magic is far too low."
It wasn't that elemental magic was inferior to spirit magic. It was simply a matter of compatibility.
The two had enough in common that they could be substituted to some extent, but...
Spirits, which use the power of nature directly, and elemental magic, which is modeled after the basic elements of the world, were fundamentally different powers.
"The Nidhogg is the same. Originally, it was created to weave this vast Great Forest into one. At first, only High Elves or the wealthy could use it, but the plan was to gradually increase the numbers until everyone could use it eventually..."
"But it was abandoned because spirit magic was banned?"
"That’s pretty much it. It’s only been operated for important matters. The problem is..."
"The problem is that this isn't the only place like this?"
"......"
Elisha nodded silently.
I see. It didn't really sink in when I just heard about it, but seeing it in person makes it clear.
If they went all-in on spirit magic to this extent, Alfheim really could collapse. There was a reason why Elisha and Iris were so serious about elemental magic.
Perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere, Iris snatched my glass with a bright voice.
"Don't worry too much. It’ll hold up for at least another hundred years. Look even now. Originally, operating the Nidhogg required the power of wood spirits... but now we can at least send signals with water-attribute mana. We will surely find a way someday. Whether that person is me or Elisha, I do not know."
Saying so, Iris held my half-empty glass toward a large leaf nearby.
Trickle, trickle.
A milky liquid flowed from the inner hull, down the leaf, and into the glass.
"So for now, have a drink of this. No, drink as much as you can."
"What kind of liquor is this? It seems different from the one before."
"Well, as Master knows, Elves have sensitive senses, so once they awaken to sexual desire, it is easy to fall deep into it. That is why we have customs that place such high importance on chastity."
"I know that well enough since I check every night. You don't have to tell me."
"Think about it. For a woman, feeling a lot is good for her and makes her partner happy, so there is no problem... but what about the men?"
"Gasp."
Thinking of Elves who might have become premature... no, masters of the 'quick-fire,' a sense of pity welled up naturally.
Iris gave a suggestive smile as she saw my horrified face.
"Therefore, traditional Elven liquor contains many ingredients that are good for... stamina."
"Don't tell me, even in this liquor?"
"Why wouldn't it be? This is a very high-end liquor called the Tears of Psyche. Naturally, the medicinal effect is just as strong."
As soon as Iris finished speaking, I immediately downed the full glass in one shot.
Unlike the refreshing scent that cooled my head, a burning heat poured down my throat and into my stomach.
Surprisingly, that heat traveled past my stomach and straight down to my loins.
Kaaah! Now this is an elixir!