Chapter 160
Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Capital Invasion Aftermath (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, as the delegation arrived at the outskirts of the Elven Kingdom in the Enamel Continent's forest, the other races' members exchanged brief farewells and parted ways toward their respective nations.
'Come to think of it, the Elven Kingdom is perfectly suited as a gathering point, being at the continent's central hub of transportation.'
Saying it like that made it sound as if High Elves were some kind of transport service.
Still, they were the leaders of their race, after all.
"Huff, huff— This was tougher than I thought. Even with Sir Rapori's assistance, it's this bad already... I can't imagine how you crossed the ocean like this..."
Cecily, who had trained in operating the 'Path of the Forest' alongside Rapori as practice, wiped away sweat nonstop while complaining.
In truth, the others had simply walked the forest path, but she had to stick by Rapori's side the entire round trip, receiving instruction related to it.
On the way to the Ion Continent, she learned the theoretical aspects like how to use the energy, and on the return, she gradually assisted while leading the path, completing actual operation.
And right after entering the continent's interior, Cecily took the lead and finished her practice...
"Even I struggled with it for just a bit, yet you maintained it for so long. Sir Rapori, you're truly amazing!"
"Hahaha, it just takes practice. Lady Cecily, you'll get the hang of it in no time."
At his reassurance, Cecily beamed and gazed at the towering World Tree in the distance, her voice filled with emotion as she spoke.
"By the way, it feels kinda weird. The first time crossing the sea, I awakened, then it was Harris next time. It's like there's some jinx. Who'll it be next? Hehe."
"Ah, next is my turn! I'll reserve it first!"
Shaphiron seized the chance and jumped in, her eyes gleaming.
Though she hadn't shown it outwardly, she must have been quite frustrated at being overtaken by Harris, whom she saw as a rival.
With that brief exchange, the delegation soon began their journey toward the World Tree.
Days of walking toward the colossal tree that defied perspective.
Harris could sense that his cultural infiltration plan had achieved partial success from the evolving music genres heard in the villages they passed.
'...Impressive. They've absorbed it all and created entirely new genres. Well, since they've been influenced, I guess it's a success?'
As expected of a race passionate about music.
His goal had been to gather karma in another way anyway, so this was more than satisfactory.
'Finally.'
But that hardly mattered now.
They had finally arrived after repeated travels.
At the base where the branches of the massive tree, soaring as if to hold up the sky, reached down.
"Ah!"
And Harris...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The World Tree gazes upon its child. could sense the World Tree's presence more clearly than ever.
The Main God was too vast to even feel a fragment, but the World Tree wasn't quite at that level.
Of course, it was still profoundly distant.
Its trunk soared skyward as if reaching the cosmos, its branches that enveloped the world bore stars instead of fruit, and its roots clutched the planet he stood upon.
An overwhelming presence that instinctively inspired awe.
Compared to it, he was merely a tiny mite parasitizing the tree.
Whoooosh—
As Harris was awestruck by the wondrous sight, he realized a small, fist-sized red fruit was floating right before his nose.
Supported by the branch it hung from, along with colorful spirits swirling around him.
It was a scene he had witnessed once before.
He took a deep breath, and refreshing air filled his lungs to the depths.
Back then, he could only breathe this pure air from outside while watching Cecily undergo her awakening ritual...
Harris grasped the 'Fruit of the World Tree' and unhesitatingly brought it to his lips.
Crunch—
'Ah!'
He thought he'd chewed once, but the pulp had already slid down his throat.
The high-density energy condensed in the fruit spread through his body in an instant, transforming every part from head to toe.
And the energy coiling through his entire body converged on his eyes.
A stabbing pain throughout his eyeballs.
Once the process ended, he truly understood why the High Elf awakening was called 'enlightenment.'
As if a filter had been lifted, the world shed one of its veils.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has met the conditions and grows. Acquired Special Skill 「Stargazer」. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has met the conditions and attained enlightenment. Skill 「Spirit Magic」 evolves into Special Skill 「Call of Nature」. It wasn't just expanded vision.
He could perceive his surroundings as if in third-person view, and the world reflected in his eyes was far more ethereal than usual.
Just like the scenery seen through the 'Path of the Forest'... no, even more so.
'「Stargazer」... So this was the core of the various abilities High Elves have shown all this time.'
The ability to traverse the forest path beyond space, to bestow blessings on others, to detect targets through the forest.
All miracles achieved by borrowing the World Tree's power through this skill.
Vmmm—
At the same time, a brief but intense will from the World Tree shook his mind.
Far clearer than the Main God's, yet still not definable by any specific language...
Harris intuitively grasped its meaning.
-I will watch over you, my child.
Interest in him, anticipation for something, and a hint of doubt.
With that short will, no further direct intent came, but he could certainly feel a leyline firmly connecting him to the World Tree.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Entity Information
👤 Entity Name: Harris 🧬 Race: High Elf 🔗 Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mirror Still Water」 🌿 Entity Traits: 「Heir of the World Tree」, 「Nature Assimilation」, 「Stargazer」, 「Call of Nature」, 「Fairy Spellcraft」, 「Melody of Harmony」 📝 Special Notes: As a High Elf priest of the World Tree, can now borrow its power through the leyline. Affinity for natural forces has surged dramatically, placing all spirits on the verge of evolution. Receives infinite love from all flora and fauna. Perhaps due to the aftershocks of the rapid changes.
He felt strength draining from his body and his mind growing hazy as he slowly closed his eyes.
"Lord Harris's awakening ritual is complete..."
"Carefully move him inside..."
And so, at last.
Harris, who had come to this world as an unknown bastard even the World Tree was unaware of, was formally adopted and proudly entered the family register.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hoo—."
The beautiful woman with bright golden blonde hair and turquoise eyes, Fifth Princess Riley Carte Azerion of the Azerion Empire, let out yet another sigh while strolling the garden.
It had been over a week since she was kidnapped by the Immortal King and confined.
'The environment is cleaner than I expected, and the treatment isn't bad.'
Her residential area was centered around a large garden with several small lodging buildings.
Quite unexpected for her, who had imagined a prison-like setup, and the assigned lodgings were spacious enough for solo living.
'The guards even seem considerate in various ways... At least toward me.'
She had no idea what was happening outside, but the man named Andrew, who always looked exhausted upon arrival, treated the crown prince like a slave...
In contrast, her handler, Lilith, took care of her with the meticulousness of a personal maid.
Of course, there was still distance as a warden, but compared to the man who constantly harassed Simon as a stress outlet, she was practically an angel.
'Serves him right. Guess I got lucky.'
But it wasn't enough to blindly rejoice in her dire situation.
No matter the good treatment, she was still a captive without freedom.
All she had done was wander the assigned area, bicker with Simon when they crossed paths, or meditate quietly to practice magic.
'Perfect environment for secluded training. I've been slacking off under the excuse of being busy, so maybe I should get serious again... Not like I have anything else to do.'
She had learned magic since childhood for refinement, so she had a certain aptitude.
It was only natural—she was the one who first taught Isea the basics of magic.
'Though she quickly surpassed me. Isn't it too much that she overtook years of my study in less than a month?'
She herself hadn't crossed the beginner threshold since then.
Muttering complaints while thinking of Isea, the princess wore a small smile and gently closed her eyes.
Her current composure stemmed entirely from her trust in Isea.
No telling when she'd escape, and she might end up worse than death at the Immortal King's whim.
The sole pillar enduring that despair.
'As long as I survive... Isea will surely come rescue me.'
But for now, all she could do was wait.
Overwhelmed by helplessness, Riley crouched and buried her face in her knees.
An emperor who prioritized heir selection through competition over parental love.
Her mother, the Fourth Consort, who left only Riley behind before passing early, the empress and consorts who saw her as a thorn in their side.
And the siblings who had fiercely vied for the throne since childhood.
'Isea... Sis.'
With family like that, her distant baron's family offered no protection, merely pandering everywhere.
Even her attendants were the same, leaving her distrustful of the world's people.
'...Should've called her sis sooner. What was so hard about it?'
In that environment, the only true familial warmth Riley felt was from Isea.
Honestly, she had initially brought her like a stray pet...
Vmmm—
As she brooded alone in the garden corner.
Lilith, the princess's warden, emerged from the 'Invisible Door' at the residential center.
Dragging a seemingly unconscious man by the scruff.
"Haa— Andrew must be tormenting the crown prince again. Honestly."
She glanced at Riley's direction, then ignored it and summoned mana to call him.
"Lil... I mean, Sis Lilith! You called? What's up so suddenly... Huh? Th-that guy?"
Andrew, who had been forcing Simon to deep-clean his lodging, sauntered over but widened his eyes at the fainted man and rushed forward.
Unlike his usual fatigued look, he scanned the man's attire with childlike wonder.
"He suddenly appeared near the castle side. The undead nearby tried to attack, so he fled inside. Space transfer shouldn't be possible around here, though."
"Sis! No doubt about it! This guy's from my world!"
The man's unfamiliar style of clothing, reinforced vest, and self-defense items.
He blurted it out excitedly, barely listening...
'Same world?'
Riley's ears perked up as she awkwardly eavesdropped from her crouch.
"Yeah, figured as much. His Majesty anticipated it and ordered separate management here. Anyway, another valuable sample—lock him here, and he can't escape."
"Hahat— A random newbie, and of all places, here... Pfft."
Andrew grinned slyly, plotting something nefarious, but it didn't last.
"Oh, right! Andrew? You don't need to come here anymore. That's what I called you for initially."
"Huh? Then my current duties..."
"Sigh— I'll handle this side from now on. You just focus on what you were doing over there."
"Uh, then work hours..."
"With this gone, that's entirely up to Olivia now, right?"
As if hearing ill tidings, his face paled instantly.
"N-no! Let me work here, Sis! I'll really die otherwise!"
"It's His Majesty's order—no choice. Oh, and your lodging moves to that side too, so don't mix it up."
"Th-that place with the vicious guys...?"
Andrew pleaded desperately while Lilith shook her head helplessly.
Yet Riley's curious gaze remained fixed on the fainted man.
'Otherworlder... Like Isea...'
Andrew being an otherworlder was surprising, but her interest was in this black-haired newcomer.
His attire and the circumstances matched when she met Isea.
Except then it was her family's garden, now near the Immortal King's lair.
'Poor guy. Worst possible starting point.'
Knowing about otherworld transfers from Isea, Riley looked at him pityingly.
Isea would've been in trouble without her offer, but still not like this.
"Princess? You heard the gist—he'll be staying here too."
"Ah!"
Lost in thought, Lilith approached unnoticed and spoke softly, looking down.
"...You're in no position to know how long you'll be here. Wouldn't more company be nice, beyond the crown prince?"
"......"
"Oh, he apparently gave his name first— What was it?"
Lilith pondered, glancing at the still-unconscious man in her grip.
His soft features visible even unconscious, droopy eyes, a black-haired young man of similar ethnicity to Isea.
"...Hesperon, I think? Details from him directly. Anyway, I need to drop this guy at the lodging."
Thus, the moment Earth's Awakener, freshly transferred to this world, Hesperon, became the Immortal King's prisoner.