Chapter 33

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: World Tree's Favor

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The road to Eltea was quite a long journey. There was no warp portal connected all the way to Eltea.

They could reach a nearby border city close to the forest, but from there to Eltea, they had to go on foot.

It was a considerable ordeal, but Ian made it to the heart of Eltea without lifting a finger. An elven escort had come to meet him.

They even brought a carriage and treated him to the finest state-guest hospitality. Looking back, the trip to the Eltea palace had been pure bliss.

And the elves... they welcomed him so warmly...

He even felt like he could live here for good.

Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. He had no real intention of doing so.

The elves despised alchemy.

As long as Ian refused to give up alchemy, living in Eltea was out of the question.

In any case, not only did Ian arrive at the heart of Eltea without moving a muscle, but he also received the utmost hospitality.

After an exquisite meal, they sipped tea for dessert and got down to business.

"To be honest, I've been assigned a rather tricky mission, and I could use some help."

"Of course we'd help. What brings you here in person?"

Ian explained the mission to Edelin. Sightings of fairies had multiplied, causing a stir in the empire. He'd been ordered to come here because of it.

"So they told you, the Guide, to capture a fairy alive."

"As you know, fairies are unfamiliar to us humans. The empire suspects these mysterious magical creatures might pose a threat. We don't like leaving unstable elements around."

Edelin nodded. Ian had braced for anger at the order to capture a fairy, but she seemed surprisingly calm.

"I understand. From a human perspective, it's reasonable to be wary. Even if they're small, fairies are powerful."

"But how did young fairies end up spotted by humans?"

"Fairies are naturally curious. The young ones must have wandered out of the forest on an excursion and drifted into human cities."

"Ah."

Ian nodded. That made sense. How else could they have been discovered?

'In that case, it was only a matter of time before the fairies' existence came to light.'

Whether it happened sooner or later, that was the difference.

"You're in a tough spot, Guide. If you bring back a fairy, they'll experiment on it or kill it. But you can't ignore a direct order either."

"Exactly. You know the empire well."

"Of course. They're the type to do just that. Utterly shameless... Oh! I didn't mean to insult your nation, Guide. I was just commenting on humans in general..."

Edelin stumbled over her words. Ian chuckled.

"It's fine. You didn't insult me, and it's just the truth."

"Eek, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be rude to you."

"I said it's okay. No rudeness here."

Ian spent a while convincing her before she finally calmed down.

"Don't worry about a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thing, Guide. I'll handle it for you."

Regaining her composure, Edelin rolled up her sleeves with enthusiasm.

"I'll go to the empire myself and have it out with the emperor!"

"Pardon?"

"Fairies are the eternal companions of us elves—and the children you birthed from your heart, Guide. Treating them roughly is an attack on the elven race and an insult to you. I'll warn them that Eltea won't stand for it!"

"No!"

"How dare they insult our Guide! These damned humans, I won't let them get away with..."

Ian hurriedly clamped a hand over her mouth.

"No need to be that forceful!"

"Pwah! What? You have to be firm to make them listen!"

"No! A friendly talk will do the trick!"

"Really?"

"Of course. Don't you trust me?"

"I do, absolutely. If you say so, Guide, I'll follow your lead."

Ian let out a sigh of relief.

'Phew, that shaved ten years off my life.'

He'd nearly sparked an all-out war between elves and humans.

These hot-blooded elves were exactly the type.

Edelin vowed to resolve the fairy issue herself and told him not to worry.

"Leave it to me. I'll tell the emperor directly that fairies are our eternal friends, and if they touch one, Eltea won't stand idly by. My word carries the weight of my mother the Queen, so the imperial emperor won't ignore us."

"That would be a huge help, but are you sure? It's a long way to the empire."

"No problem. I have to visit for diplomatic matters anyway."

"In that case, it's fortunate. When do you plan to depart for the empire?"

"The delegation leaves in a week."

"A week..."

"Is there a problem? We can adjust the schedule. Pull it forward? Or delay?"

"No need. I can't ask you to change an official state schedule for my sake."

Truth be told, he was a bit disappointed. With the delegation leaving in a week, they'd reach the capital in less than ten days total. His rest time here was shorter than expected.

Once Edelin arrived and discussed the fairies with the emperor, Ian's mission would naturally conclude. His return deadline was effectively capped at ten days from now.

It was a shame, but he couldn't whine about delaying a national event. Ian decided to stay positive.

'Staying long in Eltea Forest is inefficient anyway. Can't do alchemy research under the elves' watchful eyes. Better head back soon and get to work.'

He wasn't leaving right away, though. He'd come all this way; he couldn't skip something important.

"Edelin, I have another request. Is it possible?"

"What is it?"

"I'd like to visit the sanctuary. Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course! There's no place in Eltea the Guide can't go."

The sanctuary here referred to the sacred site where the transcendent World Tree was planted—a place revered by the elves.

It was the forest's core; even most elves couldn't enter easily, let alone humans.

Fortunately, Ian held two free-pass tickets: "the Guide" and "Eltea Royal Token," granting him access.

"Follow me. I'll guide you."

Ian followed Edelin's lead, bringing Lara along since it had been a while. Leaving the palace, they wound around to the back, where a dense forest appeared.

A primeval woodland untouched by human hands—no paths at all. But Ian instantly saw through it.

"Illusion magic."

"Yes, exactly."

"Impressive. A massive illusion array like this."

"Hehe. I knew you'd notice, Guide. Even our elite knights can't."

Ian couldn't stop marveling.

Vast yet intricate. He couldn't imagine the manpower poured into this enormous spell array.

"Do you have the token I gave you?"

"Yes."

"Hold it up here."

He did as told. Then, astonishingly, the grand illusion melted away like ice cream, revealing the truth.

What emerged filled his entire field of vision: a colossal tree.

"That's our great mother. Isn't she magnificent?"

"She certainly is. Just seeing her is moving..."

Ian was genuinely awestruck.

He had every reason to be.

'Jackpot. This is what I came for.'

Stats rising just from looking? Incredible.

Plus the high-tier "World Tree's Blessing" among blessings.

Coming here was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the right call.

"I want to see it up close."

"By all means."

Ian strode toward the World Tree.

Eltea's finest elites, the Tree Guards tasked solely with protecting it, stood watch with stern gazes—but none stopped him.

'Insane. "Holding up the world" might not be hyperbole.'

Ian placed a hand on the trunk. The rough texture of bark met his palm.

'Feels like any ordinary tree.'

The difference? A warm sensation.

'Nothing else special...'

Hummm!

"Gah."

The tree hummed suddenly. Ian jolted back in surprise.

Whoosh!

A breeze stirred. Countless branches and leaves adorning the massive World Tree rustled softly.

Green particles like specks of light gathered before Ian, forming a slender branch with leaves that gently settled onto his hand.

Ian stared, dumbfounded at the phenomenon.

'What the...?'

Light particles coalescing into a branch and leaves on his hand?

Nothing like this in his 100 hours of playtime.

"The World Tree has acknowledged you, Ian!"

Edelin rushed over, caressing the branch on his hand and nodding.

"It's definite. A divine relic infused with the World Tree's power."

"A divine relic?"

"Yes."

Ian's face fell blank. This stroke of luck...

'Not the blessing, surely.'

The blessing had luck effects like Light's Blessing, but this wasn't it.

Effects kicking in immediately? Too coincidental.

'Did I impress her?'

Ian shrugged. Whatever the World Tree thought, who cared?

'Sweet. Epic loot.'

Time to check.

'Holy shit. Double legendaries!'

He nearly cursed aloud but held it in.

'Jackpot. Massive jackpot!'

No effects listed, but legendary gear was guaranteed gold. Proven.

"Congratulations! The World Tree is picky—even deep in cultivation, most elves don't get acknowledged!"

"Oh, really?"

"Yes! This is huge!"

Edelin's face flushed with excitement, like a fan at their idol's signing event, chattering nonstop.

Mostly about how amazing it was, though the flowery language made it hard to follow.

'Cultivation? Like faith? Or magic skill?'

"Anyway, you're lucky. World Tree relics are incredibly powerful. Keep it close; its power will protect you."

"No, I'm going to grind it up for alchemy materia—Whoops!"

Ian covered his mouth. He'd blurted his inner thoughts in excitement.

"Pardon? What did you say?"

"Uh, keep it as a family heirloom."

"Ah, that's good too. The World Tree's power could ensure your house's prosperity!"

Edelin prattled on.

Ian sighed in relief.

She must not have heard, too caught up.

If she had, it'd be blasphemy—blood feud instant.

'Two legendary materials? Can't pass that up. Research sesh as soon as I get home.'

Ian grinned. He already wanted to head back.

Ddol Ddoli halted mid-stride and looked down at the ground.

'Not black ground here.'

The earth wasn't black. Meaning he'd escaped the corpse-filled zone.

'Non-black ground, safe.'

Ddol Ddoli inspected its body. Cracked and shattered rock. Days had passed, but wounds hadn't healed.

No pain, but it was compromised. Needed fixes. A strong foe could end it now.

'Find place to heal body.'

Ddol Ddoli scanned around, seeking stone-rich spots.

Passive regen was slow.

For speed, absorb rocks.

'Ddoli goes to stone place.'

A rocky mountain loomed ahead. Target set.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Ddol Ddoli marched toward the ominously bleak crag.