Chapter 265: Sign it! The World Tree is... (3)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 265: Sign it! The World Tree is... (3)[R-18]
"...Wow."
An exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily at the sight of the massive fortress wall before us.
I’d known what to expect, but Elvenheim’s architecture was fundamentally different from the Empire’s.
In fact, I wondered if it was even right to call it 'architecture' in the first place.
Not just the houses where the elves lived, but even the very walls of Elvenheim were crafted from living trees.
Step, step—
After walking for a bit with Elfriede, a signpost caught my eye.
[8 Miles to the World Tree]
"Eight miles? How far is that exactly?"
"One mile is roughly 1.60934 kilometers. So, eight miles would be 12.8748 kilometers."
"...I’ve been meaning to ask, why does Elvenheim use such complicated units?"
"Tell me about it. I suggested we change it, but the youngsters these days go on and on about 'tradition' and act like total boomers. I figured if I kept arguing, I’d end up punching someone, so I just let it go."
Elfriede nodded as if she couldn't agree more.
Step, step—
As we followed the signs toward the World Tree, the number of other races gradually dwindled until only elves remained.
"The streets tourists usually frequent are on the other side. You can't even get residency permits for this district unless you're an elf."
"...Then, won't I stand out too much?"
"Don't worry. At a glance, you don't really look human anyway, Senior."
"...?"
"Besides, it’s not like you’ve done anything wrong yet, so what if you stand out? Other races just can't live here; it’s not a restricted area. Look, there’s a beastkin over there."
"Well, if it's fine for me, then whatever... but what about you, Elfriede? If you were the Grand Elder, aren't you incredibly famous among the elves?"
Now that I’d said it, it hit me again just how impressive Elfriede was.
The Grand Elder of the elves—wasn't that a position similar to Her Imperial Majesty, 'Elizabeth Mapleflower', in the Empire?
"Hmm... probably not? I was only officially the 'Grand Elder' for exactly one day. Before that, the other elders just called me that whenever they felt like it."
In truth, from the moment she formed a contract with a Spirit King, no one could have forced Elfriede into the seat of the Grand Elder...
[Letter of Resignation]
🖕 This shit sucks, I quit 🖕
Driven by the pure desire to screw over the elders, Elfriede had submitted her resignation the very day after her succession ceremony was completed.
"And until I left for the Academy, I spent most of my time inside the World Tree, so I barely know any elves besides the elders."
238 years.
In a life that could be considered short or long depending on your perspective, it had been less than ten years since Elfriede began roaming as freely as she did now.
Before that, she was a frog trapped in the well of the World Tree...
No, she wasn't even that.
A frog in a well might not know the vastness of the sea, but it at least knows the height of the sky.
However, Elfriede knew neither the height of the sky nor the vastness of the sea—she didn't even realize the World Tree was a prison.
To Elfriede, life inside the World Tree was the natural order of things, the entirety of her world.
Until the day the Gallery appeared before her eyes.
Stop—
"...El...friede?"
Just then, a male elf carrying a box full of carrots froze in his tracks, calling out Elfriede’s name.
He was a fairly handsome man, as expected of an elf, but...
'Ah, crap... who is that?'
Unfortunately, no trace of him remained in Elfriede’s memory.
'Calling my name with such a yearning look... Ah, could he be an elf who fell for me? Ha, it’s a burden. Such a burden~. I’ve enchanted another man! Elfriede, being this much of a beautiful girl really is a sin... Truly, if being pretty were a crime, I’d be on death row.'
Contrary to Elfriede’s deduction, the male elf’s body began to tremble violently before he clutched his cheeks and let out a blood-curdling scream.
"EL-KYAAAAAAGH!!! IT'S ELFRIEDE!!!! ELFRIEDE!! HAS APPEARED!!!"
"......Eh?"
While Elfriede stood frozen at the completely unexpected reaction...
"What? Elfriede?! Sheffield! Go tell the elders immediately!!"
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
The emergency bell installed in the center of the village rang out frantically.
"Emergency!! Emergency!!! Code Reeeeeeed!!"
"Hide the children and the men first!!!"
"Whatever you do! Do not show her your back when you run!! She might pounce! Keep eye contact as much as possible!! Back away slowly and run!!"
Bang—! Slam—! Click—! Splash—!
"...."
"...."
The street that had been bustling with elves just moments ago was now a ghost town, with Elfriede at its center, as if they had encountered a wild predator.
Roll, roll— thud.
I picked up a carrot that had rolled to my feet and looked at Elfriede.
"...Elfriede."
"...Yes, Senior."
"...I thought you said they wouldn't know you."
"...I know, right?"
"...I thought you said it wouldn't be a big deal."
"...I know, right?"
"...So, what now?"
"...I know, right?"
"...Just what on earth did you do?"
"Seriously, why?! No! Senior, I’m being framed!! You saw me, I didn't do anything!! What is this!! Why are they doing this to me!! What did I ever do!!"
Elfriede hopped up and down in indignation.
It would have been more understandable if she had tried and failed a 'World Tree Arson' operation...
She never imagined that simply walking down the street would cause such a riot.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!!
"E-Elfriede!!! What brings you back so suddenly without any word!!"
Just then, a handsome middle-aged elf with long hair tied back in a ponytail came running breathlessly, leaning on a staff.
"Ohoho... It’s been a while, Elder Lee. Have you been well?"
At Elder Lee’s appearance, Elfriede first grabbed the hem of her dress and offered a polite greeting.
"Forget the greetings!! Just answer me!! D-don't tell me you’re planning to wreck the streets again?! Anything but that!!"
"People will get the wrong idea if they hear you!! When did I ever do such a thing!!"
"Silence!!! Do you think I’ve forgotten the number of buildings you’ve leveled on this street alone?!"
"No, I’m not playing dumb!! I’m saying, when did I actually do that... sir."
"Didn't you steal the liquor from my cellar because we wouldn't let you go to the Academy and then turn the whole street upside down?! Do you have any idea how much we struggled to restore the damaged trees back then?!"
"...Eh?"
At Elder Lee’s words, Elfriede searched her memories.
—Oh, is that how it's gonna be? Fine, then I'll just do whatever I want.
To be sure, she had once been so annoyed by the repeated denials of her Academy enrollment that she had stolen and drank all of Elder Lee’s prized liquor.
But...
'Wait! Was it really enough to cause this much of a fuss?'
In Elfriede’s memory, it was just a lighthearted deviance, a bit of drunken mischief...
But looking at the reaction now, it seemed the scale of the damage had been quite significant.
"Ahaha.... Now that you mention it, I think I remember something like that? I’m sorry. I must have been going through puberty. It was a mistake I made when I was young, so couldn't you find it in your heart to let it slide?"
"Puberty, my foot!! How old were you even at the time—"
Pop—!
At that moment, a small spark of fire exploded right next to Elder Lee’s ear.
"...My apologies. There was a mosquito. Have to be careful."
[M. Y. A. G. E. I. S. A. S. E. C. R. E. T. ☆]
Seeing the shape of Elfriede’s mouth, Elder Lee began to break out in a cold sweat as he continued.
"Ahem, cough... Anyway, Elfriede. Why are you here? We gave you everything you asked for!! You should still have a few years left until graduation!! We aren't ready yet!"
"Oh, come on, does a girl need a reason to return to her hometown? I just came back because I missed it... is what I’d like to say, but you wouldn't believe me anyway. Yes, you’re right. I’m here today to introduce my fiancé."
"Fiancé? Whose fiancé are you introducing?"
"Mine, obviously. This man right here is my fiancé."
"...Ho-ho, do you really expect me to believe that, Elfriede?"
"Elder Lee. Why are you so skeptical? Look. I’m even wearing a ring."
While Elfriede was showing off the ring on her left ring finger to Elder Lee.
"...?"
Someone pressed a small slip of paper into my hand.
Crinkle—
[If you have been brought here against your will through Elfriede’s threats and coercion, please shake the carrot you are holding.]
'Elfriede... what is the meaning of this...'
I barely managed to swallow the sigh that threatened to escape after reading the note.
Ever since I saw her active as UseNiceWordsOnly■ in the Gallery, I knew Elfriede didn't exactly have a saintly personality...
But I had no idea what she had done to make the elves this wary of her.
'Phew... well, we can't just stand here forever.'
Thud—
I dropped the carrot I was holding onto the ground and bowed my head in greeting.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Elder Lee. I am Ian, Elfriede’s fiancé. I look forward to your kind guidance."
"What?... You mean she really didn't kidnap you... through threats?"
"I can't believe it!! Elfriede’s fiancé is capable of such normal conversation?"
...Just how low were their expectations?
The fact that I had simply greeted them caused a brief stir among the elves watching from a distance.
"So you really didn't come here to throw a tantrum because you were unhappy about something?"
"...Hohoho. I told you, no. Do you think I’m some kind of elf with intermittent explosive disorder?"
"It’s not exactly wrong... Phew... Fine. I shall... try to believe you..."
Swish—
As Elder Lee raised his hand, the 'Wild Hunters' who had been hiding on rooftops and in alleys stood down from their combat stances.
"Then, Elfriede."
"Sigh... Yes, Elder Lee. What is it now?"
"Have you decided on a place to stay tonight? If not, come to my house. I’ll let you use the annex."
"...So suddenly? I mean, you were making such a scene just a second ago?"
"T-that’s... because you showed up without a word! I thought you were going to wreck the village again. But if you aren't here to cause trouble, there’s no reason to be so guarded. As you said, this is your home."
"...."
Flinch—!
'Well, I am going to cause trouble...'
And it was going to be a very big and beautiful mess, one that couldn't even be compared to leveling a few buildings.