Chapter 272: The Reason I Knelt Was... (6)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 272: The Reason I Knelt Was... (6)[R-18]
The day of the Succession Ceremony, the Heart of the World Tree.
There was light.
Every time the massive stalks stretching from floor to ceiling pulsed, a golden light infused with warm mana surged forth.
This was a sacred space permitted only to the Elders.
Though its name was the Heart of the World Tree, it felt more like being inside a giant womb made of wood.
In the center of it all stood Elfriede, her expression calm and composed.
“Elfriede Karleya. Kneel before the World Tree and show your respect.”
Elder Sa’s voice echoed deeply.
—Ssh.
Without a word, Elfriede dropped to one knee and placed her right hand over her heart.
Thump— Thump—
Was she a bit nervous?
A heartbeat slightly faster than usual was transmitted through her palm.
‘Stay calm. I’m almost there.’
Elfriede whispered to herself and closed her eyes.
“──Elfriede Karleya.”
Elder Lee was the first to step forward, calling her name.
“Do you swear here and now to rule over all forests, rivers, and Elves according to the laws and customs?”
“I swear.”
Elfriede’s unhesitating answer rang out.
Next, the Third Elder followed.
“Do you swear here and now to always uphold justice, yet deliver judgments that never lose sight of mercy?”
“I swear.”
Finally, Elder Sa asked.
“Do you swear to protect the World Tree with all your might and ensure the eternal prosperity of the Elves?”
“Yes, I swear to uphold everything I have promised here today. May the World Tree watch over me.”
“Your oath has been engraved into the Heart of the World Tree. May the World Tree watch over you.”
Step— Step—
Elder Lee approached, holding a crown woven from roots that glowed with a golden light.
As if it held the very power of the World Tree, the crown radiated the same warm energy as the chamber.
“...This crown shall serve as proof of your oath.”
Just as Elder Lee was about to place the crown on Elfriede’s head—
—Grab!!
“Ugh?!”
Elfriede stood up, her grip tightening painfully around Elder Lee’s wrist.
“What is the meaning of this, Elfriede!! The Succession Ceremony for the Grand Elder is not yet over! Kneel again at once!”
“No, wait a second, Elders... Man, this is weird... I remember it clearly.”
“R-Remember what?!”
“When the ceremony happened a few years ago, there wasn't any ‘crown’ like this. We did the oath just like now, I kissed the ‘Essence of the World Tree,’ and that was it. So... why did a crown suddenly appear this time?”
At Elfriede’s question, Elder Sa struggled to hide his flustered expression as he replied.
“...Back then, you were so rebellious that we skipped it for fear the crown might be damaged... but this time, we are proceeding formally.”
“Ah, is that so? Well, I guess I was like that. Fine, let’s say that’s the case.”
Elfriede shrugged nonchalantly and stared intently at the crown.
“But... what should we do? I don’t really want to wear that crown. Since we skipped it last time anyway, it doesn't seem that important. Let’s just kiss the ‘Essence of the World Tree’ and get this over with, yeah?”
“Elfriede... why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“Acting like what?”
“We didn't even force you this time!! We merely made a suggestion! Weren't you the one who chose to become the Grand Elder? So why are you suddenly throwing this tantrum?!”
“I told you. I have a bad feeling about that crown. It’s like... how do I put it? It feels unlucky. I have a gut feeling that I absolutely shouldn't wear it. And Elder, watch your mouth. I haven't even started throwing a tantrum yet.”
Crack— Crack—
As Elfriede cracked her neck, Elder Lee, realizing something was going horribly wrong, grew visibly tense.
“So... if you really don't want to see me throw a tantrum, just bring out the ‘Essence of the World Tree.’”
“Y-You’re misunderstanding the crown, Elfriede. This is a treasure that allows you to become one with the World Tree. It is something every Elf living in the embrace of the World Tree desperately yearns for!!”
“Really? Then give it to whoever wants it so bad. I don't need it~.”
“Elfriede!! I knew you were frivolous, but!! To have such an attitude in a place like this...”
“What!! Fuck off!!”
Elfriede’s profanity dared to explode within the Heart of the World Tree.
The Elders’ faces were stained with horror at an event unprecedented in the long history of the Elves.
“Ha, I’ve been trying to be patient, but... who do you take for a goddamn sucker? Hey, you old fossils!! Would you wear something like that?! What kind of ancient cliché is this? What? Become one? ‘Becoming one’ is just a nice way of putting it! Any idiot can see that if I put this on my head, the World Tree is gonna suck me dry until I’m a shriveled corpse!!”
The Elders gasped.
The most important thing they considered while making the crown was ensuring Elfriede wouldn't feel any sense of incongruity.
But to see through it with nothing but ‘intuition’!
At that moment, the Third Elder, who had remained silent, stepped forward.
“Elfriede. Calm down. The crown is not some crude device that will suck the life out of you like you think.”
“Then what is it? No, forget it. Why don't you try it on first, Third Elder?”
“If I could have worn it, I would have done so long ago!”
The Third Elder shouted, his fists clenched.
He was sincere.
The Third Elder didn't necessarily want to sacrifice Elfriede.
If he could restore the glory of the Elves by sacrificing himself, he would have carved out his own heart with a smile.
“...But I do not have the qualification. Only you have the qualification!!”
Once, the Third Elder also considered himself a genius.
Because everyone told him he had received the ‘Blessing of the World Tree,’ just as they did with Elfriede now.
It was a delusion.
I was no genius.
I was merely precocious.
The strongest Elf excluding Elfriede?
That was the most ridiculous thing of all.
If anyone lived for over 900 years as a Spirit Mage, even a fool could achieve this much.
Yes, the only talent I possessed was living longer than others.
Even after realizing I wasn't a genius, did the previous Elders still believe in me?
Or were they simply unable to admit they were wrong?
—If it is you, who received the blessing of the World Tree... you can make the Elves great again.
They vanished, leaving behind a ‘request’ while believing until the very end that I had received the ‘Blessing of the World Tree’...
And each time, the crossroads that lay before me vanished as well.
From a certain point on, I could only see one path.
“I beg of you, Elfriede... wear the crown. It is something only you can do.”
When was the golden age of the Elves?
Back when the Human Empire was still called a kingdom, the Elves were great.
They were born with an affinity for spirits, possessed superior physical abilities, and enjoyed long lifespans.
It was only natural, as Elves were the most superior race in the world, incomparable to any other.
But unfortunately, 800 years ago, everything changed after those rootless Demon bastards appeared.
They spread bizarre technologies like magical engineering, metallurgy, and advanced agriculture...
By the time we snapped out of it, the human kingdoms had already transformed into an Empire.
Just as countless Elves were falling into shock and terror, claiming the era of the Elves was over—
Elfriede Karleya.
A peerless genius appeared, born with an affinity for all four elements and having contracted with all four High Spirits before even reaching a hundred years of age.
The moment the Third Elder first saw Elfriede, he realized.
‘It was this child.’
The one who received the World Tree’s blessing wasn't me; it was Elfriede.
The reason I had a long life, the reason the previous Elders left so much to me—it was all for Elfriede.
But...
Elfriede had fallen.
‘If you bother me one more time, I’m gonna make sure the World Tree gets real toasty, okay?’
The Third Elder despaired.
He had completely cut off her contact with the outside world and raised her with the best education possible just in case something like this happened... yet Elfriede had ultimately become corrupted.
He didn't know where it had gone wrong.
However, one thing was certain.
The Elves were finished.
Having lived longer than anyone, the Third Elder’s sense of despair was even greater because he had seen firsthand how stagnant Elvenheim had become, while other races flourished.
Would another Elf blessed by the World Tree ever appear after Elfriede?
Even if one did, when would that be?
500 years later? 1,000 years later?
No.
By then, it would be too late.
The numbers and technology of humans were increasing at a rapid pace every single day.
If time continued to flow like this, the Elves would be completely marginalized and subordinated to the advanced humans.
...He couldn't let that happen.
The result of that desperation was the plan known as Elfrincess ‘Maker.’
Even going as far as personally sealing the First Elder, who opposed him until the end, the Third Elder had brought the plan this far.
“Elfriede!! Only you can do this!!! So... just endure the weight of the crown!!”
The Third Elder’s voice was a mixture of regret and madness accumulated over 900 years.
To that desperate plea...
“Do I look like I give a fuck?”
Elfriede replied with a scowl.