Chapter 139: In Alfheim(4)
Chapter 139: In Alfheim(4)
If one had to choose the most beautiful city in the world, anyone would point to Yggdrasil, the capital of Albenheim and the pride of the elves.
A land flowing with milk and honey, the cradle of the first civilization, the city of gods, the standard of the world—Yggdrasil was the source of elven pride and dignity, earning every one of its many titles.
Three thousand years ago, during the war against the demons, the elves planted the "World Tree," a seed given to them directly by the gods. They had protected it ever since, and over time, it grew into a colossal tree that became their ultimate symbol.
As a tree grown from a seed bestowed by the gods, it possessed various extraordinary abilities. First and foremost was its mana, which purified the energy of evil. The reason Albenheim remained safe even when the rest of the world was in chaos during the Demon War was due to this purification ability.
Demons would find their flesh and bone scorched upon mere contact with that mana. Furthermore, the elves were able to borrow this power, allowing them to successfully repel the invaders.
The second ability was healing. While the World Tree’s mana exhibited a power similar to divine energy, the Dew of the World Tree possessed immense curative properties.
It was a key ingredient for the "Elixir," a legendary medicine said to revive those on the brink of death. Since only the caretakers knew when and where the dew would fall, it commanded an astronomical price.
Finally, there was the World Tree itself. It was the most sacred gift from the gods to the elves and served as their temple. However, it was no ordinary temple; among humans, only those of the rank of Pope or Cardinal would be permitted to enter.
Even the Queen could not enter at will, which spoke volumes about its sanctity. Even the Holy Theocracy of 'Savior' was currently putting in painstaking effort just to set foot upon the World Tree.
Thus, the World Tree was the symbol and pride of the elves, a natural fortress against demons. Moreover, since its power could be borrowed in times of crisis, it also served as the elves' final line of defense.
"That’s really just a single tree?"
"Indeed it is."
"It completely defies perspective."
After passing through the immigration inspection—which had been eventful in many ways—we finally arrived in Yggdrasil.
I couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration, much like Marie, who stood beside me with her jaw dropped. What spread before our eyes was a sight so beautiful that the word "spectacular" felt inadequate.
The various buildings harmonizing along the wide road were beautiful in their own right, but they paled in comparison to the giant tree standing at the end of the narrowing path. The city and nature were distinct yet perfectly harmonized, looking like a masterpiece of a painting.
No, even a painting couldn't fully capture this scene. The World Tree merged with the city without a hint of awkwardness, showcasing the pinnacle of natural beauty.
The sight of a man-made civilization becoming one with colossal nature was more than just refreshing to me.
"As you’ve probably guessed, that tree over there is the World Tree. It grew from a seed the elves received from the gods three thousand years ago. There’s a reason people say the elves were chosen by the gods."
While I was admiring the city's scenery, Lina explained the history of the World Tree. Being well-versed in history, I already knew the facts, but hearing the explanation while seeing it in person made it feel new.
I was amazed by the majesty of the World Tree, which had stood firmly in one spot for three millennia, and I became acutely aware of the existence of the gods once again. Unless one were truly a god, giving out a seed like the World Tree would have been impossible.
I admired the World Tree for a while longer before lowering my gaze. Beneath the giant tree that seemed to mock the laws of perspective, a street as beautiful as the World Tree itself stretched out.
If the World Tree was a gift from the gods, then Yggdrasil was the first civilization built upon the earth. It certainly lived up to its reputation.
If the capital where Halo Academy was located felt close to Medieval European style, the streets of Albenheim exuded a strong Ancient Greek vibe. Since Ancient Greece had a massive influence on European civilization, it felt strangely fitting.
The most noteworthy thing here was the citizens on the street. Since it was the land of elves, it was natural for there to be many elves, but it was still fascinating to see.
In terms of my past life, it felt like going to Europe and seeing white or black people whom I didn't often see on the streets back home. Moreover, being elves, both men and women boasted dazzling beauty that was a feast for the eyes.
I stopped people-watching and turned my gaze to the side. I saw Marie, who was just as busy as I was looking around the streets.
"...Hm?"
Sensing my gaze, Marie turned her head and met my eyes. Her eyes blinked with curiosity.
Unable to resist her cuteness, I gave her a deep smile and stroked her hair. It wasn't just my bias; Marie was just as beautiful and lovely as any elf.
"Marie, if your ears were just a bit longer, I’d believe it if someone said you were an elf."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Hehe."
At my sincere compliment, Marie hugged me and rubbed her face against mine. The elves who saw our display of affection cast strange glances our way, but they were soon busy going about their business.
However, that wasn't the case for all of them. Many stopped in their tracks to whisper or react with bewilderment.
This wasn't because of Marie or me, but because of Cecile and Gartz standing next to us. As expected, it was because they were demons.
Unlike the elves, who generally wore light-colored clothing, Cecile and Gartz were dressed entirely in black, making them stand out even more. Added to that was the nobility and dignity they naturally exuded.
Some elves even wore expressions of blatant disgust, making no effort to hide it. Those elves were most likely of the old generation.
They only refrained from acting out like the immigration officer because Cecile and Gartz clearly looked like high-ranking individuals; if they had been ordinary demons, it was obvious what would have happened.
And Cecile, who was receiving countless stinging glares...
"Achoo!"
She let out a sneeze that was far too cute for her mature appearance. She followed it up with a sniffle, her face slightly flushed.
Her condition had turned strange ever since we arrived in Yggdrasil, and the symptoms were gradually worsening. It wasn't just her; even her guard, Gartz, was in a similar state.
True to his stoic impression, he seemed to be enduring it somehow, but he was drenched in a cold sweat. He was also sneezing frequently; the condition of those two specifically was deteriorating.
Worried, I called out to her in a cautious voice.
"Noona, are you okay? You and Mr. Gartz have been sneezing for a while now..."
"I know. It’s definitely not a cold... Could it be the mana from the World Tree? Sniff."
Cecile sniffled and shifted her gaze toward the World Tree that seemed to tower over the city. Since everyone else was fine while only the two demons were affected, that was the most likely cause.
In fact, the World Tree was constantly emitting mana that purified evil, so it was bound to have a significant impact. The symptoms were very similar to an allergy.
Perhaps this phenomenon was occurring because the holy energy emitted by the World Tree was antithetical to demons. Fortunately, it only manifested as allergy-like symptoms and nothing more serious.
However, if they were continuously exposed to it, like a pollen allergy, more problems would likely arise. Recognizing this, Cecile spoke in a slightly nasal voice.
"...I think I’ll have to give up on looking around the streets. Let’s go straight to the inn."
"That would be best. We were planning on heading to the inn anyway."
"Then let’s get moving. I’ll lead the way. Cecile, you made a reservation at the inn I told you about, right?"
"Yeah, I di—Achoo! Sniff."
I thought this earlier, but her sneezing was really cute. Sniffling and all, it was far from Cecile's usual image, which made it feel even more charming.
"Pfft!"
...Gartz's was just unique. Though his face was covered by a mask, he was sneezing into his fist.
Regardless, we moved toward our reserved inn without having a chance to look around further. Countless gazes were fixed on Cecile and Gartz as we walked, but we were busy heading to our destination.
Unlike at the immigration office, we were surrounded not only by Gartz but also by several of the Empire's guard knights. No matter how much of an elf someone was, if they posed a threat, the knights had the right to deal with them immediately.
Unless someone was completely out of their mind, they wouldn't pick a fight. Thanks to that, we were able to move much more comfortably than before.
"A-choo!"
With the addition of Cecile's sneezing. Thanks to some measures, the redness in her face seemed to have subsided, but she couldn't seem to help the itchiness in her nose.
"Is it bearable?"
"I think I’m getting used to it now. I’m using my mana to trigger a defense mechanism. It’s a bit annoying, but... Achoo! It can’t be helped."
"I’ve been thinking this for a while, but your sneezing is really cute."
"Is that a compliment?"
It was a bit ambiguous to call it a compliment. She was cute, but it was the sneezing that was cute.
When I remained silent with my mouth shut, Cecile chuckled and sidled up to me. She then linked her arm with mine and leaned her head slightly against my shoulder.
Between her scent stimulating my nose and the soft sensation pressing against my arm, I almost lost my mind, but I managed to suppress it. We weren't alone; Lina's guard knights were here too, and I wasn't sure if this was appropriate.
"...Noona?"
"Just stay still. I’m doing this because I’m cold."
"Ah... okay."
If she said so, what could I do? I looked at Cecile, who had closed her eyes while leaning on me, with a bewildered expression.
It would have been nice if we could just pass by like this, but there was no way our jealous girlfriend would stay quiet. I looked away from Cecile and glanced in the other direction. Sure enough.
Marie was looking back and forth between me and Cecile with sharp eyes before our gazes met. She then puffed out one cheek and turned her head away with a "Hmph!"
It looked like I’d have to soothe her at the inn. For now, since Cecile wasn't feeling well, I decided to pay her a bit more attention.
After walking for a while...
"This is the inn I reserved. How is it? Isn't it wonderful?"
"Ooh... it looks pretty."
"Elves really are different."
We arrived at the noble-only inn that Lina had reserved in advance. As Marie and Cecile noted, the exterior of the inn wasn't flashy; it exuded a beauty that came from simplicity.
The walls were generally white, but well-maintained vines clung to them here and there, giving it a natural feel. At a glance, it looked like a ruin, yet it also looked like a building that had been carefully tended to by human hands.
I wondered what the interior was like. I followed Lina as she stepped inside first. Cecile, who was still linked to my arm, and Marie followed suit.
"Welcome. Welcome to the Sanctuary of Stars."
As soon as we entered, a pleasant female voice reached my ears. Turning my head, I saw a neatly dressed elven woman greeting us.
Like the colors of the building, the dress she wore was white. Her wavy blonde hair and refreshing smile naturally put one at ease. From the looks of it, she seemed to be an employee or the owner of the inn.
Lina simply nodded at the elven woman's hospitality and got straight to the point.
"I have a reservation under the name Lina Urmi Christine."
"Ah! The distinguished guests from the Minerva Empire. I see. You reserved one single room and one double room, correct?"
As everyone knows, the single room was for Lina alone, and the double room was for Marie and me. Since Marie and I were engaged, it was expected.
Marie seemed happy at the thought of sleeping and waking up in the same room as me, as she clung tightly to my side. For the record, Cecile let go of my arm as soon as we entered the inn.
"Yes. Where will the guard knights be staying?"
"Separate accommodations have already been prepared for them. Distinguished guests, please head to the third floor; guard knights, please head to the second floor."
"Thank you."
"And..."
The elven woman's gaze shifted and fixed on Cecile. At the same time, an unidentifiable tension settled within the inn.
Would she also spout discriminatory remarks like the immigration officer? Everyone's eyes, including mine, were on the elven woman and Cecile.
After a brief silence, the elven woman finally spoke.
"You are the Princess of Helium, correct? Lady Cecile Drat Aisilia bin."
"...Yes. That’s right."
"I sincerely welcome you to the Sanctuary of Stars and to Yggdrasil. You may also head up to the third floor, Princess."
Surprisingly, what we feared didn't happen. It was only natural, considering that just because that previous officer was an idiot didn't mean all elves held discriminatory views toward demons.
Furthermore, from the elf's perspective, Cecile was a VIP among VIPs; if she were to turn her away, the inn's very existence could be at stake. I didn't know her true feelings, but she was at least being wise.
"Thank yo—Achoo!"
"Oh, I will make sure to deactivate the purification magic in the rooms where the Princess and her guard knight will be staying. As demons, you must be sensitive to the mana of the World Tree."
She even went as far as to be considerate. She seemed to have an open-minded way of thinking, much like Keir.
Afterward, we moved to our respective rooms to unpack, and Marie and I settled into the double room. It was called a double room, but it was large enough that it wouldn't have felt cramped even for four people.
"Wow~ it’s really soft! Isaac, you should lie down too."
"I will in a bit."
Unlike Marie, who flopped onto the bed as soon as we reached the bedroom, I began to slowly unpack. Actually, since I only had a few books, it didn't take long.
I then checked the time. It was exactly 5:20 PM. It would soon be time for dinner.
Since the speech was tomorrow, it would be too much to wander around outside today; it seemed best to stay at the inn.
'By the way, even the clock is quite luxurious, as expected of a noble-only accommodation.'
It was while I was looking at the clock and thinking that.
Grab—
Marie, who had been lying on the bed, had somehow taken up a position behind me. Taking the position was fine, but her next action was the problem.
Her hand, placed on my chest, began to slither downward like a snake—what people often call "naughty hands."
I flinched in surprise at first, but I soon had no choice but to let out a sigh. Even so, we hadn't even been here for five minutes.
I grabbed Marie's hand and scolded her firmly.
"No. At least wait until after dinner..."
"But I’m hungry for something else?"
"..."
This lustful white fox.
*
"Whew. I feel like I can finally breathe."
In the single room right next to the double room where Isaac and Marie were staying.
The beautiful blonde, Lina, threw off her stifling dress and changed into casual clothes. Even though "casual clothes" were just a dress that was easier to move in, the difference was still significant.
She then sat on the plush bed and looked around the room. The scenery of an inn in Albenheim, which could be called the beginning of culture, filled her vision.
It looked frugal yet strangely luxurious, with flower beds placed here and there. Furthermore, the air felt as if it were purifying her heart.
According to the innkeeper, the mana of the World Tree purified murky energy, so it was only natural that she felt at ease. It would be the opposite for the demons, Cecile and Gartz, but since the innkeeper said she would deactivate it, there was no problem.
'Isaac and Marie must be in there, right?'
Lina turned her head and looked at the wall. Beyond that wall, Isaac and Marie would be sleeping together.
Perhaps tonight...
"..."
As a scandalous imagination popped into her head, Lina's face quickly flushed, and she swallowed hard. The innkeeper said the rooms were soundproofed, but that was just her guess; she wasn't certain.
Of course, being a noble-only inn, they must have taken all precautions. However, she had brought one item just in case something like this happened.
She pulled out an object she had kept hidden away. It was a short cylindrical tube with holes at both ends, like a straw.
It looked like an unremarkable object, but surprisingly, it was an item imbued with magical abilities.
'He said if I put this against the wall and listen, I can eavesdrop, and if I look through it, I can see through things, right?'
Since it was an item she had begged Leort to lend her, its effects were sure to be reliable. The question was whether it would work even in this inn, which was presumed to have thorough defenses.
Still, it was better than doing nothing. Lina swallowed hard and turned her head toward the wall where the couple was staying.
She knew this was a crime, but... it was impossible to stop Lina's desires, which had become intensely curious sexually. Every time she saw Isaac, that thought kept popping up, and it was driving her crazy.
So, she had brought this item to satisfy her curiosity and to check whether it was true or not.
'I-I’m just testing it. It’s a test.'
Lina didn't realize it, but her face was as red as a tomato. Her heart was pounding as if it would explode, and even her breathing had become ragged.
After looking back and forth between the item and the wall for a while, Lina swallowed hard once more and put the item to her eye. She planned to check the X-ray ability first.
Isaac and Marie would be busy unpacking anyway, so there wouldn't be anything beyond the wall...
"...?!"
What did I just see? Lina hurriedly pulled the item away from her eye.
Though it was in a translucent format, she had clearly seen it. Familiar people were on the bed.
And on that bed...
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Her mouth went dry, and her heart raced as if it would burst at any moment. She walked slowly toward the wall on trembling legs.
Upon reaching the wall, she carefully pressed her ear against it. Naturally, the soundproofing was thorough, and she couldn't hear anything.
But what if she used the item? Lina pressed the item against the wall and then put her ear to it.
"...!!"
She could hear it. Much more clearly than before.
She focused even harder and listened. Then, the sounds she wanted were delivered to her ears one after another, piercing into her mind.
Yes. This sound was definitely...
"...Haa."
Lina let out the breath she had been holding. At the same time, she pressed her ear even closer and moved her free hand downward.
How much time had passed since then?
"Huh? Where did Lina go?"
"She said she’s resting because she’s tired. She said she’ll have dinner in her room."
"Really?"
Lina did not show herself to the group for the rest of that day.