Chapter 327: Yggdrasil
Chapter 327: Yggdrasil
It was too much.
Perhaps I got a bit too excited at the claim that Elven traditional liquor was "good for men." I’d spent the last few days drinking it like a madman. Practically using it as a substitute for water.
Of course, I didn't drink it without a plan. I could flush out the intoxication by circulating my mana, and even if I didn't, I figured my body was sturdy enough to handle it.
If I were to offer a slight excuse, it was as if my limiters had been released in various ways ever since I gained the ability to use Dragonification…
You know how dragons in old legends always do things to excess?
Whether it’s piling up mountains of treasure, kidnapping a kingdom's princess because of their lust, or building the world's largest library out of an obsession with knowledge.
I was exactly like that.
Thanks to constantly circulating my mana, I wasn't drunk on the alcohol, but I suppose you could say I was intoxicated by the medicinal effects, which were far more potent than I’d anticipated.
It wasn't an exaggeration—in terms of virility alone, it was practically an elixir.
Not that I’d ever been lacking, but isn't it always better to be stronger? Especially considering how many women I have.
…I need to be able to survive at least one cycle of six consecutive drainings.
Now, here’s the problem.
The medicinal effect was satisfying, and I wasn't so drunk that I couldn't do my job. So, what exactly was "too much"?
The issue arose from a completely unexpected place.
"My erection won't go down…"
"Shall I help you let one out, Master?"
"Senior Fay just took care of me, and it's still like this. I don't think a few rounds are going to cut it."
As I let out a deep sigh, Iona, who had been listening nearby, giggled and patted my backside.
"There, there. You should have drunk in moderation! It’s not like you were lacking, so why were you so greedy?"
"When I gained that enlightenment recently, I experienced post-nut clarity for the first time in a while, and I felt a bit of a… need for it."
"Student Yandel… that’s actually normal, you know? Anyway, we’re almost at Yggdrasil, so you want to do something about this quickly, right?"
"Yes. It’s a bit much to meet the Chancellor while pitching a tent in my pants."
"Fine! Fine! Then leave it to this Professor Iona! I should at least be able to figure out the cause!"
Saying that, Iona beckoned with her finger. Out of habit, I offered my neck to the familiar gesture, and she bit down without a moment's hesitation.
Slurp—
Iona took a long draw, but only a single mouthful of blood.
She licked her blood-stained tongue, savoring the taste for a moment, then nodded with a confident expression.
"I can work with this! It’s only a temporary fix, but the effect will be certain!"
"As expected of Professor Iona! I knew I could count on you! So, what was the problem?"
"Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing major. It’s just a side effect from overconsumption; the medicinal properties weren't fully absorbed and are lingering in your body. It’ll clear up on its own over time. Until then, I can handle it for you."
"Oh! How?"
"It’s simple. I just have to suck the blood directly from your lower—"
"I’d rather just live like this until I die."
When I spoke with a deadpan expression, Iona burst into peals of laughter.
"Joke! It was a joke! It doesn't matter where I bite, as long as I drain a lot of blood! Your body will focus on recovering the missing blood and won't send any down there for a while!"
"What? That’s all? Then I’ll ask for your help once we arrive at Yggdrasil."
"Ah, if it’s alright with you…"
"You want to drink it while I'm in my Dragonification state, right? Sure, why not."
When I nodded readily, Iona hopped in place and cheered.
"A grand victory for Iona!"
She was actually a little cute.
*
A few hours later.
Upon arriving at Yggdrasil, I reverted Nidhogg to its original state and disembarked with the carriage.
Naturally, I had already let Iona drain my blood, temporarily suppressing the unexpected side effect.
As I stepped out of Nidhogg with a sigh of relief, I found a group of Elves, seemingly working under Chancellor Milone, waiting to greet us.
Had our estimated arrival time been sent ahead when we left Nidhogg?
Unusually, they were all dressed in something resembling suits. The man at the front, wearing particularly ornate clothing, bowed politely.
"Welcome, Duke Lindelheit. It is truly an honor to have you visit Alfheim."
"…Ah, thank you for the welcome."
For a split second, I flinched, wondering who "Duke Lindelheit" was. Realizing a beat late that it was me, I started to bow back, but—
"You flatter us. Please, speak comfortably. Though we handle the public affairs of Alfheim, we are but mere commoners."
"……."
Seeing him bow even deeper before I could, I managed to catch myself and settled for a dignified nod.
Instead, I lowered my voice slightly, adopting a solemn tone.
"Very well."
"We are grateful for your Grace's magnanimity."
It was a bizarre situation where I spoke informally and received gratitude for it. I suppose he meant he was thankful I granted his request?
Come to think of it, because I’d been holed up in the Academy ever since receiving the dukedom, this was my first time being treated like an actual Duke.
Is this… power?
As I stood there feeling dazed by this first taste of authority, the man fortunately spoke up first.
"I am Eda, First Secretary under Her Excellency Chancellor Milone. Would you grant me the honor of escorting your Grace?"
"I grant it."
"Yes. Then, as for the carriage…"
"It is a treasure of the Church of Righteous Light, so handle it with the utmost care. Pay special attention to the horses."
"I shall see to it that your expectations are met."
Eda bowed again and signaled to his subordinates with a glance.
It was a subtle signal, but the other attendants understood perfectly and took the reins from Helena.
They were wearing uniforms similar to Eda’s, which suited the slender Elven physique quite well.
In a world where people wore school uniforms at the Academy, it wasn't strange for there to be uniforms resembling suits.
However, Elves were a race that didn't follow trends much due to their long lifespans and generally preferred classical fashions.
There was a specific reason why these Elves were wearing uniforms.
Back on Earth, there were rumors that one of the H&A developers had a refined fetish for uniforms… but there was an actual lore reason behind it.
Before the Great War—even if they were children born before she became a god—nothing was more sacred to the Elves than the bloodline of Cyclic Life.
Because of this, the King and Queen of Alfheim were always chosen from among the High Elves, and even those not selected lived luxurious lives as royalty.
No one opposed or questioned this. It was only natural. In a world where gods actually existed, they were born as the descendants of a god.
The problem arose when the War of the Gods broke out.
It was revealed that while the High Elves' bloodline was noble, they weren't significantly different from other Elves in any other way.
There were cowards who fled from the enemy, incompetents who stubbornly clung to flawed tactics and lost allies in vain, and idiots who forced their subordinates to sacrifice themselves just so they could survive.
After countless sacrifices, the Elves of Alfheim realized that being a High Elf didn't necessarily mean one was superior.
So, they prayed fervently to their god and mother, Cyclic Life.
In the midst of the urgent war, Cyclic Life acknowledged that their wishes held merit.
Thus, the High Elves lost their practical power and were relegated to religious symbols. They still held the position of monarchs in Alfheim, but that was the extent of it.
If the High Elves reigned but did not rule, then who ruled Alfheim?
The answer was simple. Regardless of birth, the most capable individual would take the position of Chancellor and become the practical ruler.
Thanks to this, Alfheim, which had nearly faced destruction, narrowly survived and has maintained that system to this day.
And those uniforms were the symbol of having proven one's ability—evidence that they had struggled for a better future.
It was an attire that only the Chancellor and the civil servants under them could wear.
It was because of this background that Iris and Elisha, despite their status as High Elves, were abandoned by Alfheim as soon as their sentence to slavery was finalized.
To the Elves of today, High Elves were sacred, but they were no longer untouchable.
I glanced at Iris and Elisha. Fortunately, the two were following behind me without showing any outward signs of distress. They even smiled when our eyes met.
They must have made their peace with it long ago.
If anything, Famila’s family was the one looking restless, constantly checking on Iris and Elisha.
Well, Elisha’s case was a misunderstanding and a frame-up to begin with, so she’ll likely be reinstated this time. That should be fine.
As for Iris… well… good luck!
I absentmindedly stroked Iris’s white hair.
Though she tilted her head in confusion, she soon beamed, clearly enjoying the gesture.
Yeah. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters…
Anyway, we followed Eda’s group toward the surface. Before long, we reached the exit. As I took a step beyond it—
"Whoa."
An open expanse. A massive city filled my vision.
Buildings made of wood and grass. But they were far more sophisticated than the ones I’d seen at the theme park at the entrance of the Great Forest.
I had seen this sight once in H&A, but seeing it in person was a different level of awe. But the real masterpiece was something else.
A strangely dreamlike city. Located at its center was a single tree that grew to the very edge of the sky, its branches spreading wide as if to cover the entire world.
Yggdrasil.
The avatar of Cyclic Life and the spiritual pillar of the Elves was looking down upon us.
…Wait. If the tree is this big, wouldn't it be okay to eat just one leaf?
I fiddled with the Leaf of the World Tree tucked in my shirt and tilted my head.
For some reason, I felt a faint vibration against my fingertips, but I was sure it was just my imagination.