Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: High Elf
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"Divine Tree! Come with me! I'll water you every day and give you fertilizer too! I'll even sing you lullabies every night!"
"No way."
Was this a kidnapping attempt? A hyper-excited elf on all fours like a dog, begging the tiny child-like Dryad to come with her—it was bizarre on every level.
"Hmm. Master, what should we do?"
"Sigh... She's a tough one to deal with. From what she's saying, she sounds like a runaway teen."
"Runaway teen... what?"
She talked a mile a minute, which was exhausting, but I'd managed to piece together her story.
The elf's name was Lil. She was a member of a dungeon called "Cradle of the Forest," about four days' travel away, and the daughter of its Dungeon Master. One of the few remaining high elves.
High elves needed a "Divine Tree" to survive due to their biology, and her mother—who had given hers to her—was slowly dying. So she'd bolted from the dungeon to find a new one for her mom.
...Would anyone just spill all that? Especially about her mother—the Dungeon Master—being weakened. That didn't seem like something you'd casually share.
'What a headache.'
It would've been easier if she'd come with hostility like the others before. I could've just beaten her senseless, drained her spirit and blood like the heroes, or killed her outright.
-Flinch!
'...I've changed a lot too.'
Thinking in terms of killing so naturally now... Well, how many had I killed already?
"Daddyyy..."
"Sigh... First, get off Dryad."
As I pondered how to handle Lil, she kept clinging to Dryad, who made a pouty face and ran to me for a hug. I picked Dryad up casually and spoke to Lil coldly.
"I've heard your story. But Dryad is one of our dun... dungeon members. I can't just let her go."
"Yes, Father!"
"...Who said you could call me Father?"
Just a short chat, and I already felt a brain freeze coming on.
"Are you a Divine Tree too, Father? Father! Come to our dungeon with us! I can treat you well..."
"No."
With Dryad in my arms, cutting off Lil's attempts to take her, Lil latched onto the fact that Dryad called me "Daddy" and assumed I was some kind of tree... a dryad-like being. Now she was clinging to me.
"I'm not a tree or anything. Not a dryad either..."
"Aw, come on. You reek of Divine Tree energy!"
"...Divine Tree energy? From me?"
Maybe the smell rubbed off while holding Dryad? I didn't even know what Divine Tree energy was... Actually, one thing came to mind...
"Um... Dungeon Master."
As I debated whether to smack the endlessly chattering Lil who wouldn't listen, a kin guarding the entrance approached cautiously and whispered some news.
"Uh... Master. There's a guest here to see you."
"...A guest? Another dungeon merchant maybe?"
"No. It's... an elf."
"...An elf."
Hearing that, I glanced at Lil, who was throwing a tantrum about not leaving without a Divine Tree, and sighed.
'I had a bad feeling ever since the Dungeon Master's daughter showed up.'
Of course they'd come looking. Faster than expected, though.
'I figured we'd interact with other dungeons someday.'
But I never thought it'd be today... Well, better early than late.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Master of the newborn dungeon. I am Rene, the high elf chosen by the core of the 'Cradle of the Forest' dungeon."
...I didn't expect to meet the Dungeon Master right away, though.
The golden-haired woman introduced herself as the one chosen by the dungeon core—in other words, the Dungeon Master.
She had the refined air of what Lil might grow into someday, but she waited outside without presuming to enter, bowing her head humbly.
'This is a bit unexpected.'
Among everyone I'd met so far, had anyone been this polite? The Red Demon Tribe came close, but theirs was 'submission.' This Rene's attitude was one of 'respect'—that was the difference.
With high elf and Dungeon Master vibes combined, I'd expected some arrogant type. Unsure how to respond, I just used my usual tone with kin.
"I'm Jin."
"Yes, Jin. First, I apologize for intruding uninvited into another Dungeon Master's domain."
Such humility—it was hard to believe she was a dungeon lord. But I had a pretty good idea why she was being so deferential.
"Huh? Mom?"
Behind us, lightly restrained and watching the exchange, was the high elf in question. It looked like we were holding a hostage, but Lil's presence was keeping them from acting rashly—a perfect deterrent.
"I've heard the rumors about your newborn dungeon. Despite being so new, you've crushed countless heroes and even slain that 'Radiant' one's disciple—a holy sensation that's all the talk..."
Rene paused there, swallowed hard, and continued with a hint of tension.
"...And lately, there's word of a 4-star hero marching this way."
'Hmm.'
...Well, yeah. We'd gathered rumors among humans ourselves, so other dungeons would've caught wind of Fallen moving out. Sure, he died and his raid supposedly cleared us, but word was spreading...
'The fact we're still intact proves we beat a 4-star hero.'
We'd won through sheer luck, but a 4-star was a calamity for any dungeon short of demon realm-grade. No wonder they were tense if we'd repelled one.
"We mean no harm to your dungeon. If you'll kindly overlook my daughter's rudeness, as compensation..."
Maintaining polite tension, Rene stressed they harbored no hostility, all while staying courteous.
"Mom! Tell them to give us the Divine Tree!"
"..."
Of course, our little gold nugget—and her even greater counterpart behind us—was busy ruining her mom's efforts with loud yapping.
"...I take it you've already heard her story?"
"Yeah."
Rene sighed deeply at my reply, shooting a sharp glare at chattering Lil, who finally clammed up with a startled look.
Whoa. Mom's a mom, huh? Shut her down instantly.
'Daughter...'
Gazing at Lil avoiding her eyes, Rene felt a deep sigh rise from her core. She appreciated her daughter's goodwill in seeking a Divine Tree for her sake... but when would she grow up?
Did she want to die? From the moment she sensed the Divine Tree's pull, Rene had planned to locate and secure it. But Lil's impulsive stunt had ruined everything.
Of all places, the pull led to this new dungeon—and right when news hit of a terrifying 4-star hero heading there. They absolutely couldn't rush in; she'd told Lil to stay put...
Her troublemaking daughter had finally lost patience in that brief window and caused a massive incident.
'Spilling why we need the Divine Tree, that I'm weakening, even our dungeon's location...!'
Every detail was lethal. Lil, oblivious to her mistakes, grinned innocently like getting the tree fixed everything.
She'd trained her as a future successor to lead the elves... yet here she was, acting without a shred of maturity.
"...Since you already know the situation, I'll be direct."
In the end, Rene scrapped her prior plans and decided to face it head-on.
"Master of the newborn dungeon. Do you possess a 'Divine Tree'? If so... we'll pay a fitting price. Would you please yield it to us?"
The negotiation started with all their cards exposed—terribly disadvantageous. But non-elves wouldn't value a Divine Tree as much, so with some sacrifice, they might get it. If they tried blackmailing with the info...
"No way!"
"...?!"
As she geared up to negotiate for the Divine Tree, the green-haired girl by the enemy Dungeon Master shrieked.
Everyone present turned in startled confusion, and Rene felt a powerful pull from the little girl.
"Divine Tree...? No, this is...!"
Staring at the green-haired child, Rene's eyes widened.
The ground trembled with her emotions, roots stirring beneath. An instinctual high elf pull stronger than ever. A vitality like an entire vast forest condensed.
How had she overlooked such a being? Despite the blood sea-like figure nearby or the dream demon threatening to steal her mind if probed...
"C-Could you be... a dryad...?"
In a trembling voice, Rene uttered the name of a legendary demon race long thought extinct. In ancient times, they birthed massive forests, creating homes for elves. The only race that could sprout "Divine Trees" for high elves born with innate "deficiency."
Hunted by humans and demons alike for their powers, they were now believed wiped out.
"Nope!"
As Rene asked shakily, Dryad puffed her chest proudly despite her excitement. Seeing that magnificent presence, Rene felt instinctive submission welling from her core toward this being.
And Rene bowed deeply to the dryad, pouring her raw feelings into the gesture.
"Qu-Queen?"
"Great Dryad... please take us in."
"...?!"
In a posture of clear, unmistakable submission.