Chapter 411
Chapter 411
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 411
Chapter Title: Yggdrasil
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The great forest of Yggdrasil, centered around the World Tree.
The carriage headed toward that sacred land, which was like a homeland and holy site to the elves. As the wheels rumbled with a creak, Raniel closed her eyes. What came to mind were events from the past.
Specifically, from the time when she harbored illusions about elves.
Like any human, Raniel had once held a peculiar longing for the elven race. How could she not? In fairy tales, elves were symbols of beauty, depicted as mystical fairy-like beings.
And that was hardly all.
Tragic tales of love between heroes and elves.
There were dozens of fairy tales built around the lifespan gap between the long-lived and the short-lived. Having grown up reading such stories, Raniel had her own fantasies about elves... but.
"Come to think of it, wasn't all that just a scam?"
Unfortunately, those illusions hadn't lasted long.
Raniel cracked one eye open and shot Cardi a sidelong glance. The first elf she'd ever met. The one who'd shattered her image of what an 'elf' should be.
"Take you, for example."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You taught me that not every elf who lives for ages turns into a dignified, wise elder."
Instead of maturing into true adults over their long lives, many elves just turned into insufferable boomers. Raniel had learned that the hard way, thanks to the elf sitting right in front of her.
"And then there's Remia..."
"...I have nothing to say about that child."
Raniel shook her head with a weary expression. Remia had improved a bit since that fateful day three years ago, but their horrific first encounter was something she'd never forget.
Human-hating. Racial supremacist. Elven pride.
How agonizing had that journey been with that damned pointy-ear? Of course, now it was all in the past, something she could package as a fond memory...
"Virgin mage."
"With a personality like that, no wonder you're still a virgin at your age."
Raniel made a face like she'd bitten into a bug.
"Nah, can't package it."
It wasn't something that could be prettied up that easily.
As Raniel grimaced at the memories, muttering "Goddamn Remia, that decade-old...", Cardi let out an inadvertent chuckle.
"...What? Why are you laughing?"
"Doesn't matter if you don't get it."
She doesn't call them pointy-ears anymore, does she?
Cardi swallowed those words and glanced out the window instead. The scenery rushed by. Strictly speaking, the Yggdrasil they were heading to now... wasn't the elves' true holy site. Her own homeland, the old sanctuary, had already been reduced to ashes.
The former sanctuary had suffered near-total destruction at the hands of the King of Beasts. And when Cardi's journey finally ended, the Demon King had crushed it completely.
A land where no one could live anymore.
Abandoning it, Cardi had led the young elves elsewhere and planted the seed of the World Tree there.
"It's been a while."
She hadn't visited since then.
Cardi thought of Orbel, the one she'd taught, and smirked. She was a little curious how much that kid had grown.
"That brat Orbel being the oldest elf around..."
Raniel gave Cardi a dubious look as she muttered "What a world.".
"Hey, Cardi."
"What."
"From your perspective, how old does someone have to be to not be a brat anymore?"
The answer came right away.
"At least 1,438 years old."
"...Why's the number so specific?"
Raniel eyed Cardi suspiciously.
"Hey, Cardi, don't tell me..."
"Spit it out."
"Are you 1,438 years old?"
"No."
Yeah, figured as much.
No way she'd be that shameless...
"I'm 1,437."
"Ugh, you shameless boomer."
2.
The carriage came to a stop at the entrance to Yggdrasil.
The edge of a dense, verdant forest.
Raniel stretched and let out a long breath. The vast forest formed around the World Tree. Inhaling the crisp air, she rolled her shoulders.
"It's always so complicated no matter how many times I see it."
The great forest was land for elves.
In other words, there were no proper paths for visitors of other races. Sure, you could bash through vines and trees to find a way, but she wasn't here to wage war on the elves this time...
"The guide should be here soon..."
She'd sent a telegram ahead.
Waiting briefly at the forest's edge, the branches stretching toward the sky began to sway. Soon, an elf descended from the trees.
"Hero, are you Lania van Trias?"
She smiled brightly and bowed to Raniel.
"I've been ordered by Orbel to escort this noble guest. Please, follow me."
She started to lead the way but paused, glancing at Cardi standing beside Raniel. Cardi's hood was pulled low, hiding her face.
"And this person next to you...?"
Raniel shot Cardi a look.
A gaze asking why she was hiding her face. Ignoring it, Cardi addressed the elf guide.
"I'm her companion."
"...Pardon?"
"She's a companion, yeah. Let's just go."
The elf tilted her head, then led the way with a reluctant expression. As they followed, Raniel jabbed her elbow into Cardi's side.
"...What was that for?"
"Why hide your face?"
"I'm curious how well that kid's doing. If I show my face first, she'll put on a different act than usual."
Raniel gave her a strange look.
"You have some creepy hobbies, huh."
"Pot calling the kettle black."
"What about me?"
"Belnoa told me. How you hide your identity from students at the academy and act all great..."
Crunch. Raniel stomped on Cardi's foot.
As Cardi flinched, Raniel strode ahead. Seeing her flushed ears, Cardi muttered inwardly.
She knows to be embarrassed, at least.
How long did they walk under the guide's lead? The thick foliage gradually thinned, and the view opened up. Warm sunlight bathed the ground. Looking ahead through the clearing, there stood a colossal tree reaching for the heavens.
The World Tree, Yggdrasil.
The elves' homeland city, built around its massive roots and trunk. As Raniel let out a short gasp of awe at the overwhelming sight,
"The king awaits."
The elf who'd guided them here bowed and stepped aside. Then came the sound of bustling footsteps. A procession of elves gathered to welcome the guest split to the sides, and someone emerged from the midst. Click-clack, their footsteps echoed.
"A noble guest has arrived."
The resounding voice was clear and pure.
The Elf King, Orbel, approached Raniel, his attire neither ostentatious nor plain.
"I see the hero of the world, guardian, sage, and guide. But more importantly... the friend of our elves' mentor, Cardi."
The very picture of an elf.
The most elven elf Raniel knew, one who hadn't shattered her illusions. Orbel gave Raniel a faint smile and a nod.
"I've read your letter. During your stay at the World Tree, this child will assist you here... Feel free to ask for anything you need."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"It's only natural for the friend of our mentor."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Cardi beside Raniel. More precisely, to her robe. Sensing an odd familiarity, Orbel furrowed his brow.
"By the way, who is the mage next to..."
"Good to see you, Orbel."
Before Orbel could finish, Cardi spoke. The elves beside him widened their eyes at the audacity of addressing the king without honorifics.
"Even as the mentor's associate, that's too rude. To speak the king's name so..."
As several elves raised their voices, Orbel's eyes trembled. That voice. He could never forget it.
"Correct yourse... My king?"
Blocking the elf beside him with an arm, Orbel stepped forward. As the elf looked at him in confusion, Orbel slowly, very slowly, bowed before the robed mage.
"I see my great teacher."
The elves gasped at their noble king bowing. Then, as Cardi removed her robe, they gasped again.
Swish.
Silver hair and golden eyes emerged.
"She has hair like the silver moon in the night sky and eyes like a dragon soaring through the heavens."
The description matched exactly what they'd heard from the king long ago about the great elven ancestor. And from the king's actions, the elves realized who stood before them.
The elves' mentor, known only in legends.
Cardi van Armeli was here. As the elves' pupils quivered, Cardi reached out and patted Orbel's shoulder a couple times.
"Yeah, long time no see. Orbel."
Voices rose from all around: "This humble soul greets the great ancestor!" and the like. Watching the elves bow one by one, frothing at the mouth, Raniel shot Cardi a weary look.
"...What the hell is all this?"
"I told you."
Cardi shrugged.
"I'm kind of famous among these kids."
3.
The Elf King Orbel that Raniel remembered fit the word 'king' perfectly. His appearance was youthful, like any elf in their twenties, but his aura and dignity set him apart.
Noble, pure, and utterly elven.
It wasn't a pretty sight to see such a figure bowing before Cardi, tears streaming as he mumbled "Why have you come only now...".
"Hey, Cardi."
Raniel pointed at the World Tree with a fatigued expression.
"I'll go check on Kyle and Sara. You stay here and catch up. Looks like they won't let you go anyway."
"Sure."
She'd thought bringing Cardi would make things smoother, but apparently not. Sighing, Raniel walked on. The sanctuary at the World Tree's roots normally forbade entry to anyone but the king, but...
"We greet the friend of the great ancestor...!"
Elves bowed and parted ways wherever Raniel stepped. Having Cardi with her elevated her beyond mere VIP status. Feeling deeply uncomfortable, Raniel pressed on.
...This part's convenient, at least.
Alone, she'd have needed an escort of elves. Finally reaching the deepest roots, Raniel exhaled deeply.
A firmly shut door.
Opening it led to the fountain of light. Clusters of glowing orbs twinkled large and small. Vitality from the great forest converged here. The mana was purer than anywhere, the air crystal clear.
Drip-drop.
Looking up revealed blue water flowing from the World Tree's roots in the ceiling. It cascaded down the roots, circulating through channels in the room. A stream like the essence of life itself.
'Each drop is like a top-grade potion from a master alchemist...?'
Indeed, optimized for healing.
Raniel chuckled wryly and looked to the room's center. Two people lay there, as if dead.
"......"
Raniel walked over silently.
Submerged in the essence of life, eyes closed: Kyle Toven and Sara. Stopping right before them, Raniel clicked her tongue.
"Show-offs. Damn it..."
Their hands were clasped.
The World Tree's roots entwined their hands. It looked just like a fairy-tale hero and saintess, leaving Raniel with a sour expression.
For some reason, she felt left out.
Like any long-time singleton human, Raniel felt an odd pang seeing the obvious lovers. All that salting.
But that passed quickly.
"Sigh."
Seeing their peaceful faces, Raniel sighed and plopped down between them. She let out a long, very long breath.
"Long time no see, Kyle. Sara."
You're still the same as ever.