Sparkling Palace and the King's Revelation
The palace was far bigger than I'd imagined. The ceiling soared impossibly high, with the World Tree's roots wrapping around the entire structure, blurring the lines between walls and pillars. Inside the corridors, where wood intertwined with white stone, shafts of light filtered through gaps in the leaves, stretching long across the floor. Every step made the light dance over my feet, and a cool scent of leaves and stone wafted from somewhere nearby.
That's when something caught my eye off to the side. Midway up one of the corridor pillars gleamed a golden ornament. It was about the size of my palm, a patterned decoration that shimmered differently depending on the angle of the light. As I passed, it flashed once, brilliantly. My feet carried me toward the pillar without thinking.
Up close, it was etched with delicate branch motifs, studded densely with tiny gems. Red, blue, green. The colors shifted with the light, scattering tiny flecks across the floor around the pillar. I brushed it lightly with a finger. Cool and smooth to the touch.
...Pretty.
Kaiel hurried up behind me, bowing politely as he explained. "Ah, that ornament has caught your eye! To tell you about it, it was made from the World Tree's first branch during the founding of the kingdom..."
I nodded vaguely, but my gaze had already wandered. Something was swaying from the ceiling further down the corridor. Looking up, I saw golden candelabra stems branching out between the World Tree's roots, with crystal ornaments dangling from the ends, tinkling faintly as they brushed against each other. It was pretty high up—out of reach—but that wasn't a problem.
I spread a thin layer of wind beneath my feet, and my body floated smoothly upward until I was right next to the candelabra. Each crystal tip was engraved with a tiny silver pattern. I tapped one lightly with my fingertip, and they chimed against each other, scattering light in all directions with a crystalline ring.
Oh...
Murmurs rose from below.
"The divine one is floating in the air...!"
"Commanding Lord Zephyros's wind so naturally...!"
The guards stood frozen, staring up in awe. Kaiel pressed a hand to his chest, his face alight with emotion. Only Kaelion watched silently, his thoughts unreadable.
These crystals even sound pretty.
I admired them for a good while before drifting back down. The moment my feet touched the corridor floor, the stone's chill returned. As we walked on, my eyes kept darting sideways. Gems studded the reliefs on the walls, golden frames edged the window sills, and smooth round orbs capped the stair railings. Every time I spotted one, my steps slowed unconsciously. I'd run my fingers over it, tilt my head to catch the light from different angles, linger for ages before moving on.
Then, something else caught the light differently on one side of the corridor. A deep blue gem the size of an egg sat on a pedestal, and as light hit it, a star-like pattern bloomed inside. Straight on, it looked like a star; at an angle, like a leaf. I tilted my head this way and that, watching the pattern shift—
A quiet voice came from beside me. "Does it please you?"
It was Kaelion.
"Yeah, this is pretty."
As I reached out, a faint tingle stung my fingertip. Ancient mana pulsed slowly within the gem.
This isn't just decoration.
Kaelion spoke softly. "If it pleases you, I shall give it to you."
...I probably shouldn't take that.
I pulled my hand back. "...Nah, I'll pass. Feels important."
Kaelion blinked, staring at me as if I'd said something utterly unexpected. The attendants behind him did the same.
"If there is anything you desire, it is yours. Anything in the palace."
"Then something else."
I resumed walking slowly down the corridor, this time skipping anything with mana and just eyeing the sparkly bits. Among the wall decorations, a string of small golden beads caught my eye. I lifted it slightly—no mana, just plain gold.
This'll do.
"Just this one."
Kaiel stepped forward at once, detaching it from the wall and offering it reverently. "Anything the divine one desires...!"
I held it in my palm, tilting it every which way. It sparkled differently with each shift of light. My lips curved up without me noticing. After staring for a good long time, I slipped it into my subspace.
Perfect.
Behind me, Kaiel murmured softly. "...Chosen by the divine one herself. There must be profound meaning in that bead..."
Kaelion heard but showed no reaction, simply turning his gaze forward in silence.
As we walked the corridors, something tickled my nose. At first faint, but when I paused to sniff properly, it was food. The rich aroma of something sizzling over heat mixed with oil—far more intense and layered than the market smells.
My feet followed it without thinking.
"Th-this way is off the tour path..."
A guard's voice trailed behind, but I'd already rounded the corner. The scent grew thicker, accompanied by clattering pans, sizzling fats, and voices. Down one flight of stairs, a thick wooden door loomed, steam seeping from the cracks.
I pushed it open, and a wave of hot steam enveloped my face. It was a vast kitchen. Multiple hearths lined up, elves busy trimming, stir-frying, chopping at each one. Shelves crammed to the ceiling overflowed with unfamiliar ingredients.
The elves froze when the door creaked, heads snapping up. An older elf in an apron hurried over, flustered. "Th-this is the palace kitchen...! To think you'd come all the way here...!"
His words fell on deaf ears as I headed straight for the shelves. I scanned the ingredients one by one. Flat brown slices, translucent dried stems, oil-preserved lumps—each wafting its own scent. I picked up one with a salty, heavy fermented aroma and sniffed it close.
Wonder what this is for.
"Th-that's a mushroom from the World Tree's depths. We mainly use it for stock...!"
The head chef rushed over with an explanation. I pressed it lightly with a finger—springy and fresh.
What if I used this for stock in a stir-fry with Abysal's ink? Would it add some depth?
Combinations swirled in my head as I wandered along the shelves. Then a bubbling pot on one hearth drew my eye—filled with something red and thick. It smelled amazing.
"What's that?"
"Stew, my lord. We're preparing it for tonight's dinner..."
"Can I try some?"
Before the chef could respond, Kaiel stepped forward. "Of course! Anything the divine one desires...! Head chef, hurry!"
The chef hurriedly ladled some into a small bowl. I took a sip. My eyes widened slowly. Deep. If the market food was simple and straightforward, this was complex harmony from long-simmered ingredients. Salty and thick, with a subtle sweet aftertaste lingering.
Didn't know you could do it like this.
I polished off the bowl and eyed the shelves again. That mushroom, the oil-preserved lump, the translucent stems—endless combo ideas bubbled up. I tucked a few bundles of mushrooms and a clump of the preserved stuff into my subspace, then asked the chef, "What if I added this when stir-frying?"
He stiffened at first, but his eyes sharpened as he answered. Soon he was explaining timings for maximum aroma, pairings for the preserved ingredients—his voice gaining enthusiasm.
Kaiel watched, closing his eyes tightly before opening them again. "The divine one inspects our kingdom's fare personally... Verifying if the World Tree's essence permeates our food..."
Kaelion said nothing, just quietly watching my small figure chatting with the chef.
We talked for ages. I sampled more ingredients, peeked at cooking methods. Before I knew it, my subspace was stuffed, and time had flown. As I stepped out, Kaelion waited in the corridor.
Walking side by side, an elder approached and whispered about dinner prep. Kaelion murmured low, "See to it," then looked ahead. Meanwhile, I'd fixated on a silver candelabrum on the wall ahead. I rubbed its surface with the back of my hand—cool and sleek.
As I peered at it, Kaelion approached slowly. "How do you find the palace?"
"It was good. Lots of shiny stuff, and the kitchen was better than expected."
"Dinner is prepared just in time. If it pleases you, may I guide you to the palace dining hall?"
Oh. Food.
The dining hall dwarfed even the kitchen. The door swung open to a rush of aromas from countless dishes. Candelabras hung from the ceiling, bathing the long wooden table in warm light. It groaned under platters of unfamiliar foods—each scent hinting at distinct flavors. Roasts, steamed dishes, pickled things with sauces. Even the stew from the kitchen sat steaming in a massive bowl at one end.
I sat and dove right in, sampling the nearest first. Thin-sliced meat grilled crisp outside, juicy within. The green-sauced one echoed the market pastes but refined to perfection. My hand didn't stop. Empty plate to next—no repeats in flavor.
Kaiel watched, hand to chest again. Attending elves bustled, swapping empties for fresh. Across the table, Kaelion observed quietly rather than eating.
Finally, I set down my spoon, belly full, subspace stocked with extras.
Good eats.
Kaelion spoke. "How was the meal?"
"Delicious. I'd eat like this every day."
"I'm glad."
He paused, then lowered his voice. "May I ask one thing? Just us two, no others."
I looked up at him. "Sure."
Kaelion glanced around—the attendants, guards by the door, even Kaiel. A single nod, and everyone withdrew silently. The door clicked shut, turning the clatter-filled hall utterly still. Only the flicker of candle flames remained.
He met my eyes. "Truth be told, the gods recently gave our kingdom an oracle."
"Oracle?"
"A guardian of the World Tree shall appear. A child beloved by the gods—serve well."
A child beloved by the gods.
...Me?
I tilted my head. Kaelion watched my expression, then continued. "At first, I accepted it at face value. We sent envoys awaiting the young divine's visit. But the moment I saw you, I sensed something amiss. I've received oracles directly for millennia—no divine power emanates from you."
A beat of silence. His gaze traveled slowly from my hand to my face.
"What are you, exactly?"
I thought for a second. Nothing to hide, really.
"Not much to it. Lived in another world, died, woke up as a crow."
Kaelion said nothing.
"That's it."
"...So you know little of the gods?"
"Yeah."
His expression hardened briefly. The hand on the table clenched, then relaxed. He closed his eyes, as if pondering, and drew a deep breath. Silence stretched.
At last, he opened his eyes. Candlelight danced in his deep green irises.
"If I may speak frankly?"
"Go ahead."
"The gods are inherently lazy. With the dimensional rift this time, you seem more victim than anything—thrust into a crow's body by accident, perhaps. And that oracle... I suspect they were too weary sealing the rift and gave us a half-hearted brush-off."
Damn... The higher-ups half-ass it, and the underlings clean up. Same everywhere.
I chuckled. "Tough job."
"...Yes."
A short reply. We eyed each other a moment, then Kaelion let out a small chuckle first. I grinned back. A comfortable quiet followed—no words needed. The candle flames swayed long, then steadied.
Kaelion straightened slightly. "...How shall I address you?"
"Nox."
"...Nox."
He repeated it, then bowed his head slowly. "A fine name."
The hall fell quiet again. Nearly empty plates lined the table; my subspace brimmed with spoils. That day—the holiest visit in elven kingdom history—the truth of the oracle was quietly revealed in the dining hall. Kaelion resolved not to record the conversation.