Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Elf Standards...
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We'd reached the entrance to the lush forest and were all craning our necks to gaze up at the colossal tree that seemed to scrape the heavens.
To human eyes, it was little more than a massive air purifier. But to the elves, legends swirled around it as the guardian of the world's memories.
Legends, my ass. Anyone living beside a tree of such overwhelming scale would naturally develop a sense of awe.
A tree that size looked like it could suck up every ounce of the forest's vitality on its own, yet the woods stretching before us were as dense and thriving as ever.
This was the border of Albheim, the elves' realm. We'd teleported from a neighboring kingdom and made our way here together.
"It's huge..."
"Yeah... huge..."
"Big, huh..."
[Whoa.]
Everyone marveled at the tree, which had grown in blatant defiance of natural science. Veronica crossed herself and began to pray.
For some reason, the elf princess wore a smug look that screamed, You guys don't have anything like this, do you? It was annoying as hell, but I let it slide—poor things, clinging to their trees like that, it was kinda pitiful.
"Enough gawking. Let's head in. Hey, Princess, lead the way."
"I sent word ahead yesterday, but no one's here to greet us..."
"Halt!"
"““?”””
I figured some arrogant bastard was blocking the path of the imperial crown prince, so I looked ahead and...
"This is Albheim, the elven kingdom that reveres the World Tree! We cannot simply allow outsiders to enter without permission!"
A sharp-eyed male elf with a bow slung across his back stepped forward and declared it boldly.
I was dumbfounded and turned to the elf princess beside me.
"Didn't I tell you to send word?"
"W-Well... it was decided so suddenly..."
"Weren't you the one who came to the academy to forge an alliance with the Empire?"
"..."
As I debated whether to chew her out, the shouting elf butted in.
"Princess! Over here! The humans can enter only after proving themselves worthy of the forest!"
'Worthy'?
We came to help, and they want proof of worthiness?
Elves were supposed to be arrogant, but this real-time display of their average joe attitude had me considering turning back. Still, I held onto my reason and glared at the elf bitch next to me.
"Explain."
She hemmed and hawed, clearly guilty, before finally speaking.
"The forest's approval is a test for outsiders. They must live in the woods for a month, attuning themselves to nature, before entering Albheim... Eek!"
'These fuckers are joking, right?'
A month for elves was like a camping trip. For us? A whole month?
"Even if, by some miracle in a thousand, I'd agreed to marry you, would I still have to go through this?"
"..."
"Answer me, pointy-ears."
"Y-Yes..."
If Albheim were nothing but a pest to the world, I'd have seriously considered razing it.
The sheer gall from this speck of a kingdom left me speechless.
"Li-Liam! Managing the World Tree is such a hassle... No way!"
"Patience, honey... okay?"
"My lord..."
Patience... As the future ruler of a nation, losing my cool over this would just scream incompetence.
I barely reined in my fraying temper and stepped forward to face the elf who looked like their leader.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm the crown prince of the Luminaria Empire. You're aware of my urgent message, I trust? I don't even need to see the queen—just let us through, as I have business to attend to."
I'm the crown prince. I'll overlook the rudeness, so open the way. We're here to help—is this the queen's will?
I admitted my haste was partly my fault and spoke reasonably. Surely they'd get it?
The elf leader would quickly contact the queen, and we'd enter peacefully...
"Even so, tradition demands otherwise!"
"K-Knight Commander! I'll explain later—just open the path! Hurry!"
...Even so?
Already pissed, the formal speech snapped my last thread of patience.
Unless this bastard was staging a coup to seize the elven throne, he had no right to say that.
I could practically see his intent to provoke me into a fight, and it just made me laugh.
"...The forest's approval, was it?"
"Indeed!"
"Consider it approved. Now."
"Wha—?"
'What? Mind your tongue.'
-Snap!
With a flick of my fingers, the trees shook off their hidden elf watchers like dust from their branches, flinging them all to one side.
-Kyaaak!
-Wh-What's happening!
Vines and rocks erupted from the earth, binding the elves' bodies.
"What is the meaning of this, Crown Prince?!"
"Trapped in your tiny world, biting at each other—you think you're hot shit?"
"Urgh! Retract that statement!"
"Arrogant elves, take note: Humans leave you be only because of your rarity and because there's no profit in taking over World Tree maintenance."
Time to drill some fear of humanity into these tree-hugging elves who thought they were natural monuments...
Mouths sprouted on the trees encircling the bound elf knights.
Not just trees—mouths emerged from the earth, beasts, underbrush, everywhere, all aimed at the elves.
"Everyone, plug your ears."
"““Got it~”””
I muffled the sound with magic and confirmed Lumie up top had her ears covered tight...
-Snap!
-Humans! Are great!
-Humans! Are nature's friends!
-Humans! Are great!
-Humans! Are nature's friends!
"Aaaahhh!"
It was like that penguin meme getting beaten senseless. The deafening chorus resonated, tormenting their eardrums.
-Humans! Are great!
-Humans! Are nature's friends!
"Stop! Sorcery! It's sorcery! Aaaah!"
"What's wrong? Nature itself has approved us—sorcery? Do you think so too?"
I grinned at the nearby elf, and his face drained pale as he dropped to his knees, begging.
"N-No, of course not! Sorcery?! P-Please, mercy!"
-Snap!
-Humans! Are great!
-Humans! Are nature's friends!
"Aaaahhh!"
The intensified roar drew blood from the elves' sensitive ears.
"H-Hwahhh! Forgive us! It's... m-my... my fault! I didn't relay the message properly!"
I saw the elf princess clutching my pant leg, groveling, and dispelled the magic.
-Snap!
The forest reverted in an instant, though the bindings on the elves held firm.
"Right? Your fault, yeah? No wonder communication broke down! Hahaha!"
"Y-Yes... My fault... My fault..."
"We nearly executed them for the princess's blunder, but the merciful crown prince has spared them, correct?"
"Yes... My fault... Please..."
"Fine, this merciful soul forgives you! Whoa—why are you on your knees, Princess?!"
-Tremble tremble...
"Oh dear... Veronica! Mind watching her? We need a guide."
"Yes, my lord!"
Veronica cheerfully approached and helped the shaking elf up.
Tears and snot streaming down her face, the elf stared blankly as Veronica spoke.
"Veronica..."
"At least my lord forgave you, Aineis. Lucky, huh?"
"...What?"
"He forgave you, right? Hehe... So merciful."
"Ha... hahaha..."
"Look at that pretty face all messed up... Come on, chin up!"
The elf, lost in confusion, began laughing hollowly.
"Alright! Let's move! We'll grab intel and handle this quick—stay sharp, everyone."
"““Yes~”””
Our group stepped over the passed-out elves and plunged into the forest.
[Tsk tsk...]
Lumie shrugged and shook her head for some reason, but...
Our lighthearted steps didn't falter.
"P-Princess... how are the humans already..."
"Oh? Word's reached the inner sanctum, has it?"
If even the gatekeeper knew, this was some kind of pissing contest.
A show of refusing to owe humans anything from their puny kingdom—they'd clearly racked their tiny brains over it.
Makes sense. No external ties, no marriage plans with the crown prince—if they accepted help, they'd crumble under future pressure.
I considered leaving, but treated it like indulging a scared kid's tantrum and called out to the elf.
A true sovereign shows magnanimity. Even a speck of a kingdom gets annoying if it flails its arms in a fit.
"Pointy-ea—ahem, Princess. Tell the queen I want no compensation—just open the damn gate."
"Y-Yes? Oh... yes! Right away!"
Why do these types only wise up after a good scare?
"P-Princess!"
"Tell Mother immediately!"
One gatekeeper dashed off to relay the message, leaving us to wait out the boredom.
"Aineis, it's okay... no need to shake."
"Veronica..."
Clueless that one word from me could roast her with holy power, the elf clung to Veronica's hand.
Eh, tossing her a carrot wasn't bad.
As we killed time admiring the surrounding woods, the gates swung wide, and a beautiful elf came out to greet us.
"Welcome, Crown Prince of the Luminaria Empire. I am Elfrida Albheim, sovereign of Albheim."
The elf queen bowed deeply, flanked by attendants. Her realm seemed on par with mine at a glance.
Fitting for a nation's leader—she packed some real power.
And what an outfit...
But focus.
"Pleased to meet you. Your 'welcome' was so entertaining, I took my time sightseeing. Looks like you prepared quite the ceremony?"
We could've started nicely if you hadn't pulled that bullshit.
The queen's brow twitched, but she quickly composed herself.
"Must be a miscommunication in the rushed preparations. Please, come inside."
You got word yesterday—that's why. Enough, come in.
"Tsk tsk. A nation's head making excuses unbecoming of her station... I get the idea, though."
Straight talk. Shifting blame to subordinates?
I felt tension grip her clasped hands, but... no intent to brawl with the crown prince, apparently.
She'd gauged me as I'd gauged her.
Fine, I'd let it slide here.
"Assign top-tier lodgings for our numbers and handle meals. Oh, our kids have refined tastes—make the food good."
"...It's all vegetarian. That alright?"
"Hear that, kids? Grass only."
Lancelot flashed a grin at my glance and hollered.
"Aw, I can't eat without meat!"
Nice one, kid.
"You heard. Plenty of beasts around—hunt some."
-Crack...
"We'll see to it."
"Veronica?"
"Yes!"
Only then did Veronica gently nudge the princess in her arms.
The princess hesitated before stepping before the elf queen.
"M-Mother..."
"Sigh... Everyone, please enter."
And so, without a single threat, we entered the castle unscathed!