Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: World Tree Rescue Operation
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FullElf: We've done everything for it~
Just as FullElf said, the elves claimed they had made every effort to save the World Tree.
But the World Tree's condition, as examined for diagnosis, looked anything but normal no matter how you sliced it.
"This is... the World Tree?"
Bare, skeletal branches were visible.
Far from the fresh, vibrant image brimming with life.
It looked like something straight out of a map called Black Swamp or Barren Wasteland.
Judak☆: What did you do to the World Tree?
But hasty judgments are a no-go.
Since I knew nothing about World Trees, I cautiously asked about these so-called measures, and the answer was a sight to behold.
FullElf: First, we gather in front of the World Tree every day and perform the Spirit Dance.
Judak☆: ?
FullElf: We climb the World Tree, commune with it, and build inner bonds with it~
FullElf: (Image of elves climbing or dancing on the World Tree)
Judak☆: ??
"What the hell is this."
But one thing was clear: the elves had no idea how to handle a tree.
Title: World Tree Current Status...jpg
Author: CuteElfElder>[(Image of all sorts of animals and bugs clinging to the tree)
(Image of various cloths and garments hung up while praying to the World Tree)
Sigh...
I'm feeling so listless lately...
The World Tree isn't recovering its energy, and I'm so worried...
Even with so many lives sharing their energy, it's still sickly... Sob sob...
- Judak☆) What's that moth-looking thing stuck there?
ㄴ CuteElder][) Those are the Elrad Fairies giving strength to the World Tree!
ㄴ Judak☆) Looks just like pests to me.
ㄴ CuteElder][) How rude~
ㄴ CuteElder][) What does a mere Judak know?
ㄴ CuteElder][) Fairies are the elves' friends!
- FullElf★) So, Judak, do you know what's wrong now?
ㄴ The elves put in so much effort...
ㄴ Sniff sniff ;o; So sad ㅠㅠ
ㄴ Judak☆) Yeah, I get it now. - FullElf★) !!
What's the problem?!
"The elves are the culprits."
Dancing and tormenting the tree.
Clinging or hanging clothes to hinder growth.
Letting pests run rampant, and so on...
The elves had been going all out in every way imaginable to kill the World Tree.
At this point, it was impressive the World Tree had survived this long.
"No wonder it doesn't bear fruit."
In this unnatural environment, the fruits it did produce were far from ordinary.
Blackened, rotten apples.
With at least one larva wriggling inside each.
Disgusting pests stuck all over.
Title: Hang in there, World Tree! (Image of elves painting the tree with natural dyes)
We went through so much trouble to get mana-infused natural dyes, so I hope it really gets better now ㅠㅠ
- Such beautiful dedication in the world!
ㄴ 22 I need to put in more effort too.
ㄴ Don't you think the World Tree will be moved by our efforts~?
ㄴ The dedicated Elrad folk are so beautiful~
And then the most vicious old elf bastards too.
That was when it happened.
Title: The World Tree is moving! Author: FullElf★ (Image of the World Tree looking at the system) (Image of branches extending toward the screen, desperately wishing for something)
Could our elves' efforts finally be bearing fruit?
The World Tree is getting healthier!
The World Tree's branches trembled, reaching out as if staring right at me beyond the system.
Far from healthy—it was a final plea for help on the brink of death.
Seeing that, I posted a new thread.
Title: It's Me Author: Judak☆ I'll help, so how about you do exactly as I say instead?
- Of course! You're helping!
ㄴ We can fetch anything you tell us to~!
ㄴ Agreed! Just say the word!
ㄴ Should we get more natural dyes?
ㄴ Or perform the traditional elf dance?
The elves' comments flooded in within seconds.
For elves, the World Tree provided food, served as their home, restored mana—everything.
Seeing the elves looking even more desperate, I left a new reply.
- Judak☆) ㅇㅋ You really have to do exactly as I say.
ㄴ FullElf) Got it~
ㄴ CuteElder][) You're really going to save it, right?
ㄴ Just tell us what to do!
ㄴ What should we start with?!
ㄴ Judak☆) First off
ㄴ Judak☆) Everyone except FullElf, get lost.
ㄴ ?!
ㄴ ! Start by eliminating the biggest problem. *
Maintaining a gallery is no easy task.
The gallers are essential for my survival, but these crazy gallers keep trying to self-destruct.
"Judak? Not easy..."
And so began the World Tree Rescue Project.
I recruited FullElf, aka Ppatak, and 30 other World Tree management elves to be my hands and feet.
"First things first, we need to deal with those pests."
I narrowed my eyes at the screen.
Not referring to the elves.
The pests plastered all over the World Tree—what the elder elves called
"fairies."
Giant moths with creepy patterns, two-headed larvae, four-winged flies, and more.
They were obvious parasites leeching off the World Tree's life force.
Judak☆: Why the hell haven't you dealt with them already?
FullElf: Well... If they spouted nonsense like fairies are friends like the elder elves, I was ready to trade for a flashbang with the pin pulled.
But unlike the elder council, the young elves (self-proclaimed) knew those were pests.
FullElf: We know they're pests, but we can't catch them~
Judak☆: ?
FullElf: It's banned by law~
Judak☆: What kinda bullshit is that?
FullElf: The elder council made it law to prohibit killing fairies~
It was all because of elf law.
The ancient elder elves who had lived forever despised killing fairies.
Even after realizing over time that they were pests.
Even subconsciously sensing they were the root cause killing the World Tree.
- Oh, you brats! Fairies have lives too!
- Heavens, end of days...@!
Some punk who hasn't even been baptized dares kill fairies?
The elder elves' stubbornness wouldn't bend.
And the biggest problem among them.
FullElf: (Image of CuteElder glaring from afar)
FullElf: She may look it, but she's the most influential in the elder council... We can't do anything...
FullElf: All the daughter elves are super pissed off!!!
VampTilDeath: Elves, incomprehensible. Idiots.
VampTilDeath: Ppatak elves too. Same. Daughter elves.
FullElf: Shut up!!! VampTilDeath: Name change. DaughterElf, how's that? lol
FullElf: Kyaaak!!! It was none other than the simp nick, CuteElfElder][. Her venomous glare from afar screamed she wouldn't let anyone touch the fairies. "That elf who threatened me with a liquor ban last time."
Plus, CuteElder had tried bossing me around ages ago. The issue was that I still remembered it.
"Time for a gentleman's revenge..."
Save the World Tree, keep the gallers alive.
And settle a score to boot.
Before executing the plan, I asked FullElf to confirm.
Judak☆: Any of you young elves who like the elders?
FullElf: As if~ We totally hate them!
Judak☆: Good. And you just said you'd do anything if I said I could save the World Tree, right?
FullElf: Duh~? Nothing's more important to elves than the World Tree! Judak☆: ㅇㅋ Then let's proceed.
FullElf: ? I began explaining the detailed plan to FullElf.
FullElf: !
FullElf: Heh heh heh. With Ppatak on board, the operation commenced.
*
Mersenne, chairwoman of the Elf Elder Council.
Gallery nick: CuteElfElder]<.
She was glaring suspiciously at the elves participating in Judak's project, interfering left and right.
"You there! Handle the World Tree more carefully!"
"Kyaaak! You're hurting the fairies! More gently, more delicately!"
Doing nothing but standing with arms crossed, supervising—Mersenne couldn't help but frown.
"What do these young elves think they're doing, treating the World Tree so roughly? What will become of them?"
Shaking her head gravely, Mersenne was seriously worried about the future of elf society.
Of course, she knew fairies harmed the World Tree.
But weren't fairies the elves' friends?
'Can't we save the World Tree without harming the fairies?'
Mersenne intended to watch Judak's methods up close.
That's when Elf Knight Captain Eliana approached.
The most promising knight captain and de facto leader of the young elves.
She never revealed her gallery nick, which was awkward, but she was reliable.
"What's the matter?"
Mersenne's eyes softened a bit.
Eliana gave a gentle smile and pointed to the shade under a vine-covered tree.
"It's hot and humid—thought you could use a cola since you're working hard."
"Cola?"
"There's dew too."
"Hmm. For the gesture, I'll have some."
She couldn't resist soju.
Mersenne innocently followed Eliana to the vine shade.
But instead of soju, there was just a glass of cola?
"Where's the dew?"
"Oh, it's being prepared. Have the cola first in the meantime."
"Hmm... Fine."
Mersenne brought the cola to her lips without suspicion.
Then a sudden doubt hit her.
'Come to think of it, where did all the other elves go? They were here just a moment ago...'
Unnaturally quiet.
As she started to pull away from the cola in confusion.
"Grab her~!"
"?!'
At Eliana's shout, elves hidden among the vines burst out.
They instantly seized Mersenne's limbs and snatched the cola glass.
"Wh-what is this outrage!"
"Sorry~ But no choice."
"Eliana, what’s with that speech!"
Mersenne couldn't comprehend.
But the young elves didn't expect her to.
If words worked, they wouldn't resort to this.
"Force it down~"
"Y-you...! Fresh-faced brat without baptism! Mmph, mmph!"
One elf poured cola forcefully into Mersenne's mouth.
The signature fizzy refreshment of cola.
As it kept pouring relentlessly, tormenting her, Eliana slowly pulled something out.
[Mentos]
"Mmph, mmph!"
"It's all for the World Tree..."
Gulp gulp gulp.
Eliana dumped dozens of Mentos into Mersenne's mouth without hesitation.
"Gek, kehok kyaaak! Kyaaaaak!"
In Mersenne's tear-and-snot-streaked final vision as she collapsed.
Judak☆: Proceed.
Judak's message visible beyond the system.
And the pesticides and insecticides the elves were pulling out one by one.