A Sudden Trip to the Divine Realm
From the window of the guest chamber, I could look down on the plaza. Tents were already being set up early in the morning, and as colorful decorations were hung between the tree branches, the aroma of food wafted up from below. It was that distinctive nutty scent of meat grilling outdoors.
Oh, this is bigger than I thought.
It was around the end of our conversation at the restaurant last night.
"……I have one request."
"A request?"
"My subjects believe this visit is the descent of a god. They're preparing a commemorative ritual…… Though it's called a ritual, it's more like a festival. I know it's a bother, but would you join us?"
"Food included?"
Kaelion paused for a moment before continuing.
"……We'll prepare a grand feast."
"Then I'll go."
Recalling that exchange, I gazed out the window when a knock came at the door.
"I've come to escort you."
It was Kaiel.
Descending to the plaza, it was far more lively than I'd imagined. I'd pictured a solemn ceremony, but the atmosphere was closer to a market— just flashier. Food was laid out under every tent, string music drifted from somewhere, and elves moved about in their finery.
In the center of the plaza stood a massive mirror engraved with ancient patterns, adorned with flowers and lights. Sitting where Kaiel guided me, I had a perfect view of the food tents right in front of me.
Oh, more than yesterday.
I started grabbing and eating from the nearest ones. As I did, the ritual began.
Elves came forward one by one, offering food and items, and I tasted each as I received them. One pastry was crisp outside with sweet cream bursting within; the dried fruit was tangy with a lingering aftertaste.
This is good. I'll take some later.
From behind, I heard elves murmuring softly.
"The god is eating so enjoyably……."
"So enjoyably…… Isn't it moving?"
Kaiel clasped his hands in front and bowed his head, while Kaelion watched quietly from a short distance away. This felt way more comfortable than anything stiff and formal.
After a good while of eating, the string music faded, and an elder elf stepped into the plaza's center. He was an old man with long white hair, dressed in ceremonial robes. As he began chanting blessings, his low, deep voice spread gently across the entire plaza.
I took another bite of my pastry, my gaze naturally sweeping toward the tents. Rows of small glasses filled with red liquid caught my eye.
What's that? Some kind of fruit wine?
The elder's voice deepened, and the plaza's air subtly shifted. The wind died down, the rustle of leaves stopped, and a faint vibration rose from beneath my feet.
Then, the mirror in the center began to glow. At first, it was a soft light. The elder continued his chant with an enraptured expression. But the light grew stronger, filling the entire mirror and spilling onto the plaza floor.
The elder's voice wavered, the music cut off abruptly. Kaelion rose from his seat with a hardened expression.
The mirror exploded in a burst, and a thick pillar of scorching light descended from the sky, enveloping both me and Kaelion entirely. My body floated weightlessly. The plaza's noise vanished in an instant, and my vision went blindingly white.
As the light slowly receded, an unfamiliar texture met my feet—not the plaza's stone, but something soft and white. The air was different too: clearer and lighter than on the ground, with a cozy scent.
……Where is this?
My eyes adjusted, revealing my surroundings. It was a vast, quiet space. In one corner, a blanket lay half-folded, next to a messy pile of scattered items. The ceiling seemed nonexistent, opening into what might have been sky or pure light—I couldn't tell. It wasn't hot or cold, a strange place without wind or footsteps, yet my ears didn't ring.
Whose room is this?
In the center stood someone staring blankly at me. Silver hair tousled down past her shoulders, dressed casually as if just woken from sleep.
I took a bite of my pastry and looked at her.
"Hi. Where's this place?"
The silver-haired woman looked at me and slowly opened her mouth.
"……Who are you."
A small sound came from beside me. Kaelion scanned the space, froze as if breathless, then slowly knelt.
The silver-haired woman glanced around, her eyes pausing on Kaelion kneeling.
"……Who's that one, acting like that."
She peered at Kaelion briefly, tilting her head slightly.
"……Feels familiar."
"He's the elf king."
"Oh, right. Forgot."
She turned back indifferently. Her silver eyes scanned me, then flicked sideways as if something caught her interest. She kicked the blanket aside with her foot and walked over.
"But why's your mana so similar to mine? It's mixed with wind and lightning……."
She circled me slowly, then peered right into my face.
"……Fire and water too. How's all that in one body."
After staring intently, the corner of her mouth twitched up.
"……I want this."
BAM! At that moment, the temple door flew open as if slamming into the wall, and Michael burst in. His wings half-folded, golden halo disheveled—he'd clearly rushed here. Without catching his breath, he spoke.
"Lady Zephyros."
His voice was low and calm. The contrast with his hurried arrival made it even more intimidating.
Zephyros turned her head slowly.
"……Oh, Michael."
"Why did you leave the connection to the mortal world open while resting in the temple?"
"Nothing's happened in thousands of years."
Zephyros shrugged slightly.
"Plus, I was bored, so I was peeking at the ground."
"I've told you repeatedly to keep it closed."
Zephyros glanced away briefly, but Michael pressed on.
"Normally, no mortal ritual could connect to the divine realm. It opened because that one's mana resembles your authority. Ultimately, you leaving the connection open was the cause."
"……True."
Michael paused a beat, then spoke again, his voice dropping another tone.
"Things are already overwhelming. The gods can rest easy because I handle all mortal affairs. You know that, right?"
"……Yeah."
Zephyros fiddled with a strand of her hair.
"Close the connection right now. Or I won't handle your duties, Lady Zephyros."
Zephyros said nothing, her gaze shifting from Michael to me and back.
Michael turned to me.
"Great spirit, I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Nah, it's fine."
Oh right, forgot to tell him I picked a name.
Michael was glaring at Zephyros again, so I chimed in.
"Michael. I got a name now."
His gaze returned.
"Call me Nox from now on."
His expression screamed really, now?, but better late than never.
Michael looked between Zephyros and me, then spoke quietly.
"……It suits you."
Up close, he looked more exhausted than I'd thought. The dark circles under his eyes were darker than before. With a weary face, he got to the point.
"Would you return now? This space isn't meant to connect directly from the mortal world."
Staying longer would just trouble Michael.
"Yeah, got it."
Michael glanced at Kaelion too.
"Will the king of the elven kingdom return as well?"
"……Understood."
Michael lightly raised his hand, and the white floor beneath us submerged in light again. My vision flashed bright, then cleared slowly as the plaza's floor, sky, and noise gradually returned.
Fluorescent pigeon, working hard even up there.
Soon, the mirror's light fully extinguished, and the sense of an open path vanished.
The plaza fell utterly silent for a while.
……Super quiet.
The elves stood frozen in place. Kaiel had his forehead pressed to the ground, unmoving; the elder's mouth hung half-open, speechless. Only the food scents drifted peacefully, oblivious.
……They got a real shock.
Only Kaelion slowly rose, brushing dirt from his knees. He glanced my way once, then looked away without a word.
Watching him, I finished my half-eaten pastry and headed to the tents, picking up one of those red glasses that had bugged me. I took a sip.
Oh.
Sweet and rich, with a bitter aftertaste, and the fermentation was subtly unique—better for it. I took another sip and grabbed the one next to it; this was darker, infused with a floral aroma.
Footsteps approached from behind. Turning, I saw Kaelion.
He stood quietly beside me for a moment, silent. His gaze dropped to the glass in my hand.
"That one aside, this should be tastier. It's made from oxidized fruit—strong aroma, so newcomers often find it challenging."
"This one's better."
"Is that so."
Kaelion fell silent briefly, then turned to the plaza.
"……This liquor has been aged in our kingdom for centuries. We brought it out for this ritual—"
I took another sip.
"Yeah? Good thing. It's delicious."
Kaelion said nothing.
The plaza hadn't fully recovered yet; elves were starting to snap out of it, exchanging glances and whispers or staring blankly at the central mirror. Kaiel finally lifted his forehead and slowly stood.
Kaelion gazed at the plaza, then spoke quietly.
"……It felt like a dream."
I took another sip.
"Wasn't a dream."
Kaelion was silent for a moment. A breeze swept the plaza, rustling the floral decorations; the central mirror now stood quietly like ordinary decor.
"……You've been inconvenienced in many ways today. Thank you."
"Eh, food was good, and there was plenty to see."
Kaelion let out a small chuckle—the same short, quiet one from the restaurant last night.
After a long wordless gaze at the plaza, he spoke slowly.
"……Lady Nox, you seem unshakeable no matter what happens."
"Yeah?"
Kaelion glanced at my glass once more, then looked away.
"We should wrap up soon. I don't want to cause more commotion."
Kaelion walked calmly toward the elder and Kaiel. The plaza began to stir back to life. Kitchens resumed serving food; someone plucked a string instrument experimentally. Not quite the earlier festivity, but tents reopened, elves started mingling, and warmth returned to the plaza.
I grabbed a fresh skewer and bit in. It looked like market fare but with a different spice blend—this was superior.
What spices did they use? Gotta ask the head chef later.
Over there, Kaelion was speaking lowly with Kaiel and the elder.
Eh, they'll handle it.
Finishing the skewer, I looked up at the sky. Afternoon light slanted gently; blue peeked through the World Tree branches as wind shook the leaves.
Time to head back.