Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Guardians of the World Tree (5)
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"Melissa's losing it more and more."
Everyone flinched and shuddered at the words of the First-Tier Guardian, 'Blue Fang' Borduel.
Gathered around the round table were elderly elves. Their common thread was that every member belonged to the 'Guardians of the World Tree' as First-Tier Guardians. In what was essentially the highest council of elven society, Borduel repeated his shocking declaration.
"I knew she was crazy before, but it seems to be getting worse by the day. Who knows, she might even set the Mother World Tree ablaze soon enough."
"...Lord Borduel, you should show some restraint. Even so, she is the one carrying out the World Tree's will. Isn't your speech going too far...?"
"What, did I say something wrong? You've all heard the news and must have thought about it at least once. Our esteemed 'World Tree Keeper' has finally gone off the deep end."
"... ."
"Well said. And you, Lord Tevio, were the one who personally reported that one of the 'branches' got snapped not long ago, so you know better than anyone."
Even as the eldest, 'White Turtle' Tevio tried to dissuade him, Borduel didn't back down. The initially shocked assembly gradually fell silent in agreement, bowing their heads.
They had no choice but to think that way. When they reported that one of the 'branches' blocking intruders had been broken, she went ahead and burned three more on top of it... No sane leader would do such a thing.
Thanks to that, the guardians were scrambling. They hastily dispatched investigation teams, formed additional patrol units, sealed lips to keep the news from spreading... For the past few days, they hadn't even had time to catch their breath cleaning up the mess.
Such reckless acts by the World Tree Keeper, Melissa, weren't a one- or two-day affair.
Since ordinary elves rarely met her in person, they saw Melissa merely as the noble proxy of the World Tree. But the First-Tier Guardians, who knew the truth, viewed her differently. She was docile only within the 'Dream of the World Tree,' but upon awakening, she inevitably brought disaster like a tyrant.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the peace of elven society hinged not on the guardians' efforts, but on the whims of a single human woman. Yet the sole reason she hadn't been ousted was one thing.
Power.
Overwhelming power.
No one could challenge that power. Even judging solely by destructive prowess, she surpassed the highest druids, and she had even repelled dragons, beings once deemed supreme. Add to that her myriad tangible and intangible authorities and divine prerogatives, and Melissa's dominance was absolute beyond words.
But now, someone had dared to defy that tyrant, so while they empathized, they couldn't openly cheer him on. Borduel scowled unpleasantly at the bowed guardians.
"Do you know what I'm seeing right now? Livestock! Livestock too terrified of the master's whip to flee even as their barn burns!"
"...So what do you propose we do? Standing up to the World Tree Keeper now would leave us as nothing but ashes, body and soul. Our spirits would wander this world as ghosts, forever barred from the 'Dream of the World Tree'... ."
"Ha, since when did the 'Dream of the World Tree' become the exclusive domain of that short-eared wench? She never had the right to wield it in the first place! Leashed her whole life, she's even forgotten that the Mother World Tree, Lady Hesilia, is the true goddess of the elves!"
"Sigh... Listen, Lord Borduel. Get a grip. I know your tongue is sharp, but that puny fang of yours won't even scratch the World Tree Keeper's skin."
"Exactly. The other guardians aren't sitting idle because they're fools. Don't stir up trouble and just behave... ."
One by one, the prideful guardians opened their mouths to condemn 'Blue Fang.' Soon, everyone around the table joined in, leaving Borduel to fight alone. Yet he didn't blink.
"Ah, of course, if you stab at a healthy spot, sure. But what if you strike at the World Tree Keeper's 'reverse scale'?"
"Hah, 'reverse scale'? Someone who felled a dragon single-handedly has a weakness...?"
"'The grim-faced, hulking Atalain.'"
"... ."
"... ."
The heated denunciations died like rats in a trap.
No guardian misunderstood what those words meant. The human whom the World Tree Keeper, Melissa, would trade her life to find.
"If we find him first and secure him, even the mighty World Tree Keeper won't be able to move. Of course, we'd need to first devise a way to confine him somewhere she absolutely can't reach... ."
"No, what are you even saying? Didn't we conclude that human is... just dead? How could someone who vanished centuries ago still be alive... ."
"I never said he was alive. How could a human live for centuries?"
"... ."
Borduel finally revealed his true intent to the scowling guardians, who looked at him like he was spouting nonsense.
"But."
"... ."
"We could always fetch someone who looks similar and fool her. As you know, our World Tree Keeper isn't exactly in her right mind."
"...!"
"...!"
The reckless plan brought stunned silence once more, but only briefly.
The guardians raised their voices, demanding where in the great forest he'd find such a barbarian. Borduel wagged a finger leisurely.
"I thought the same until recently. But yesterday, one of the patrol members brought back a most amusing tale. Lord Tevio? Didn't your prized disciple Parneo pick up a barbarian somewhere yesterday?"
'White Turtle' Tevio's aged eyes bulged at the sudden splash of blame. The other guardians stroked their chins and murmured.
"Parneo... you mean that young whippersnapper who shapeshifted into a 'black panther' and rose to Second-Tier at the youngest age?"
"I thought that greenhorn was hanging around the confinement area all the time because he was tangled up with that dark elf wench... Turns out he was scavenging barbarians... ."
"What? What do you mean, frequenting the confinement area? Are you all sane? You knew and let it slide... ."
"...Ahem."
"...Cough."
It wasn't that they'd known and ignored it on purpose. The guardians shot sidelong glances at the eldest, who had quietly covered for his disciple's misdeeds. Tevio smoothed his wrinkled face and met Borduel's gaze.
"...Old age has moss growing in my skull too. I'm no good at pondering or negotiating anymore. If you have something to say, spit it out straight, 'Blue Fang.'"
"Gladly, 'White Turtle.' Bring the barbarian your disciple found here. If his appearance truly resembles the one the World Tree Keeper seeks, we'll overlook your disciple's minor transgressions."
"... ."
'White Turtle' Tevio's face creased like a turtle lifting its shell. So he'd let it slide all this time, waiting to seize the weakness... Truly cunning, just like his shapeshifted form.
"Ah, and of course, from now on, entering or exiting the confinement area will be strictly forbidden."
'Blue Fang' Borduel smiled slyly, like a snake striking its carefully hunted prey.
A dwelling carved from a tree stump.
Duncan looked back and forth at the elves standing guard with wide eyes.
"...By human years, you're 26?"
"Yes, more or less."
"And you're 31?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And the average elven lifespan is around 50?"
"Yes, that's correct as well. Is there some problem, friend of the Great Druid...?"
"Heavens... No, not really... ."
Aside from their striking beauty, the two elves looked just like any others their age. Duncan mentally revised his assumption that elves were long-lived, deciding rumors had some truth after all.
Kadim didn't accept it so easily.
"...I smell blood from your pouches."
His sharp gaze pierced the elves. Startled, they pulled out red fruits the size of cherry tomatoes from their pouches.
"Yes, impressive senses indeed. Correct, these are called lifeblood fruits, containing the blood of elves. And these... double as our currency."
"...What? Blood is currency?"
"Indeed. The Mother World Tree requires not only nutrients from the soil, but also from flesh. Thus, all elves are obligated to offer blood to the World Tree periodically. But some find it hard due to pain or laborious work. So others offered extra on their behalf, until someone suggested calculating wages and taxes in blood for fairness."
And so, the lifeblood fruits became currency.
The guard elves spoke as if it were the most natural thing. Duncan recoiled as if facing bloodthirsty cultists, but his question about whether this led to kin-slaying for blood was met with reassurance: only blood sealed in fruits could be used as currency, preventing such issues.
Kadim's thoughts went a step further.
In this world, the three ways a human could exceed their lifespan were: a god's blessing, a demon pact, or drinking elven blood.
It didn't seem unrelated to the elves' shortened lifespans. As he pondered the causality silently...
"...Did you rest well, Great Druid? Ah, it seems you haven't slept at all."
...The 17-year-old elf, Parneo, had returned. In talking with the guards, dawn had broken unnoticed.
Parneo had pulled an all-nighter too, and even accounting for that, his complexion was especially poor. Though he brushed off concerns from the guards and Duncan as fine, he wasn't.
Last night, he'd gone straight to the confined girl, Lilia. He'd heard bringing the Great Druid would free her, but now that he had, he didn't know what to do next. He'd planned to hear more of her dream story to decide.
But the confinement guards wouldn't open the door as easily as before.
'Apologies. Only those with the World Tree Keeper's permission may enter the confinement area, Guardian.'
'...What is this? Have you already forgotten the lifeblood fruits I gave you yesterday?'
'Even so, we can't now. Lords like Borduel, the First-Tier Guardians, instructed us personally... .'
'...!'
And then came the summons from his master, 'White Turtle' Tevio.
The master already knew everything. Though kind-hearted and not scolding outright, he didn't side with his errant disciple either. After Parneo quietly explained, the master firmly ordered him to bring the barbarian.
Seemingly intent on detaining Kadim as an intruder, the First-Tier Guardians dismissed claims he was the Great Druid. At this rate, the noble guest wouldn't meet the World Tree Keeper, and freeing Lilia would fail.
Yet Parneo found opportunity in crisis.
"Great Druid, I... have urgent news."
"... ."
"I searched tirelessly last night for a way to arrange your audience with the World Tree Keeper, but my lowly status yielded no solution. Fortunately, however, higher-ups desire to meet you. With their permission, an audience is certain."
"... ."
"But note... they hold very conservative views on outsiders. They might fail to recognize you, so showing your ironwood shapeshift first would smooth things greatly... ."
If words weren't enough, demonstrate plainly before all. Prove this was no intruder, but the 'Great Druid.'
Kadim, who had listened silently, gripped his throwing axe and stood abruptly as Parneo finished.
"Let's go."
"...Pardon?"
"You said with their permission, we can see Melissa."
"Ah, y-yes! I'll guide you right away! B-but, if I may, why bring that axe... ."
The boy eyed the wavy-bladed axe uneasily. The guards and Duncan swallowed nervously. Kadim replied in a flat, emotionless voice.
"My dedicated interpreter. Lets me 'communicate' even with thick-skulled idiots who won't get the point otherwise."
"... ."
"... ."
No one laughed, unsure if it was a joke.
Inside the World Tree's pillar, in the audience hall at the base.
The 'Guardians of the World Tree,' First-Tier members seated around the round table, were thoroughly displeased.
Fine, the Second-Tier youngster had easily brought the barbarian. Fine, he truly resembled the one the World Tree Keeper sought. But his arrogant attitude toward them was the problem.
"Hey, so where do I go to see Melissa."
"... ."
"... ."
He'd demanded her location the moment he sat. He bantered crudely even with wrinkled elders. His demeanor seemed less like a captured intruder and more a conquering lord forcing elves to kneel.
Evidently, unaware of his peril surrounded by high druids. Unable to endure, one guardian slammed the table.
Bam, crack-crack!
"Hey, barbarian. I knew short-ears had no sense of hierarchy, but I didn't expect this much... Even if you don't grasp your position, shouldn't you at least recognize elders?"
A sharp wooden spike erupted from the table, thrusting toward his face. Kadim didn't flinch, merely grabbing and snapping it off before asking.
"Elves aren't as ancient as rumored, huh. Who's the oldest here?"
The guardians frowned and looked to 'White Turtle' Tevio. Kadim stared too.
"How old are you? When were you born?"
"...By human years, a bit over 200. Born before even the Mother World Tree descended upon this land."
A reluctant reply from the turtle-like elder elf. Respectably old, though laughably short compared to classic elven spans.
"Ever seen the great demon army descend?"
"...No."
"Ever seen dragons nesting beyond the great forest?"
"...No."
"Seen Melissa back when she was a bookish mage ignorant of the world?"
"... ."
After the exchange, Kadim interlaced his fingers and declared calmly.
"Born way after my time. Seems I'm the eldest here, so I'll keep talking casually."
"... ."
"... ."
The elves wore expressions like snot-nosed brats fleecing grandkids for lunch money.
The warrior, transcending 300 years, leaned back brazenly without a care.