Chapter 183 - Limits

The place the High Elf Elder brought Ferda and Erika to was a prison beneath the World Tree, enclosed by bars woven from its roots.

The elves lived in such an isolated society that criminals were exceedingly rare, making the prison a place occupied by virtually no one but them.

"What are you planning to do with us?"

Erika asked the elder.

"What else would we do? That human has caused exactly what we feared would happen."

The elder jerked his chin toward Ferda.

Now that he finally had something to accuse him of, he had no hesitation in dropping all formalities.

"You're imprisoning us before even verifying the truth? Isn't that basically declaring hostility?"

"The High Chieftain is in critical condition, Tower Master. Surely you understand that we cannot simply stand by."

"..."

To all elves, High Elves were akin to nobility, and the High Chieftain was the equivalent of an emperor.

That emperor had suddenly fallen into critical condition without anyone understanding why.

That was why Erika and Ferda had quietly followed them without resistance.

"Remain here until the High Chieftain regains consciousness."

With those words, the High Elf Elder turned around and left.

No further restraints were placed on them.

Despite imprisoning two mages—one of whom had been among the heroes who saved the continent—they were not shackled or bound.

It was not because they were treating them with noble courtesy.

It was because there was no need.

The moment they tried to release Mana and draw a Magic Circle, every trace of Mana was immediately absorbed somewhere.

The roots forming the prison drank it away as though feeding on nutrients.

Erika gripped the wooden bars.

She wanted nothing more than to smash them apart and walk out.

But doing so would only make things worse.

"Haah..."

She let out a long sigh.

Then she glanced sideways at Ferda.

He simply sat there in silence.

"Haah..."

"..."

"Haaah!!"

"...You're being noisy."

"Hah? You think this is the time to stay quiet? Look at our situation!"

Crossing her arms, Erika glared at him.

"Now explain yourself. What exactly happened with the High Chieftain?"

"..."

The space between Erika's brows narrowed.

"Regent. Whatever happened, the High Chieftain of the High Elves is dying after being alone with you. If I'm going to defend you, I need to know exactly what happened. Understand?"

Ferda wondered how he should answer.

For now, he chose to reveal as little information as possible.

"The High Chieftain became interested in the Mana I possess and attempted to examine it."

"Your Mana?"

"Yes."

"If it's because of your Mana..."

Suddenly, realization dawned on Erika.

Her face turned bright red as she cautiously asked,

"Don't tell me... you nearly worked that old man to death in bed...?"

"...It wasn't anything like that."

Honestly...

She really was like a teenage girl sometimes.

Apparently realizing even she had gone too far, she quickly changed the subject.

"Still... there really was something different about Regent Ferda's Mana."

"You screamed rather disgracefully."

"Y-Yes, but it was just because it happened so suddenly and startled me! It wasn't because of... any other reason! This conversation is going in a weird direction. Let's focus, okay?"

She rambled nonstop before causing a scene all by herself.

"Regent Ferda's Mana is definitely strange, but... there's no way that old man would've been completely helpless against it... And if the World Tree shook like that... then he most likely did it of his own free will..."

She was right.

Ferda remembered the High Chieftain's eyes.

The man had looked at him with a face completely overwhelmed by terror.

"Just... what did you...?"

What exactly had the elder seen to make him say those words?

No...

Ferda already had a good idea.

He had seen Ferda's own appearance—consumed by rage and hatred.

He simply didn't want to believe he himself had looked like that.

Did I make an unnecessary mistake?

The High Chieftain had brought it upon himself.

But Ferda had been the one who provided the opportunity.

Impatience always made people reckless.

That recklessness had led to this outcome.

Which meant the fault ultimately lay with Ferda.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes?"

"Would you mind answering now? Specifically, what exactly did you do?"

With sharp eyes, Erika pressed him again.

"Tower Master... how much do you know about the Demon King?"

"Answering a question with another question? I don't like that."

"It's related."

Though clearly displeased, she answered.

"Not much. I know he suddenly appeared, became Godwin's descendant, and was the first to begin conquering the world through the Demon Race. That's about it..."

"I see."

"If we're ever able to enter the Far East, we might finally begin a proper investigation. So what does that have to do with any of this?"

Since she had answered sincerely, Ferda gave her an answer in return.

"I cannot answer that."

"...Are you kidding me?"

"It's for both of our sakes."

Erika glared at him with obvious dissatisfaction.

Her furious eyes bored into him before she puffed out her cheeks.

"Ugh... Seriously! You're really testing my temper!"

"..."

"Why is everyone treating me like this lately!? I'm the Tower Master of the Blue Eye Magic Tower! I'm Lady Iorga's favored child! Why do I have to suffer this kind of humiliation?!"

"..."

"Damn it! I seriously feel like crying!"

"Please don't cry."

"Why? Because it'd become troublesome for you?"

"Yes." 1

Ferda covered his ears.

Erika's eyes widened.

"Oh really!? Fine then! I'll just stand here and cry out every bit of misery I've got!"

"..."

"I'll bawl my eyes out! Tears and snot everywhere!"

"P-Please don't..."

As she continued shouting at the top of her lungs, someone interrupted.

They turned toward the wooden bars.

Someone was standing outside.

It was Rizera.

The last traces of Erika's slipping self-control barely returned.

"Are you two alright?"

"...Does this look alright to you?"

Looking embarrassed, Erika answered curtly.

Rizera lowered her head.

"I'm sorry. My father was attacked, and Mr. Ferda was the prime suspect. There was no avoiding this."

"Forget that. Tell us what's happening outside. What's the situation now?"

"First... everyone is deeply worried because the High Chieftain remains in critical condition."

"So they're furious with Regent Ferda."

Erika deliberately emphasized Ferda's name.

Rizera quietly nodded.

"But fortunately, the High Chieftain briefly regained consciousness."

"Then the misunderstanding has been cleared up."

Erika assumed everything was over.

However, Rizera shook her head.

"No. Father didn't explain his condition. Instead... he left me a message."

"What message?"

There was something unusual in Rizera's eyes.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she said,

"He ordered me to secretly escort both of you out."

Erika frowned.

"Wait. Doesn't that make us fugitives?"

"...It would seem so."

"So the descendant of Iorga is supposed to flee from the elves? Is that his idea of humiliating me?"

Rizera awkwardly tried to persuade her.

"Please. He earnestly asked that this matter be handled in complete secrecy."

"I don't care about his request. I came here to have the High Elves' journals translated. I can't leave empty-handed."

"He said you'd say exactly that..."

Rizera carefully opened the bag she was carrying.

Inside was a huge stack of disorganized documents.

"He also instructed me to give these to you once you left the World Tree."

"That old man..."

The fact that he seemed to be one step ahead of her irritated Erika immensely.

"Are you sure about what's inside?"

"I... haven't read them myself, so I don't really know..."

"What if there's nothing useful in there? What if we're being tricked?"

Still sulking, Erika clearly had no intention of doing exactly what the High Chieftain wanted.

In the end, Ferda spoke in Rizera's defense.

"The situation isn't good enough for us to be picky. Wouldn't it be wiser to leave?"

"Isn't all of this your fault?"

"Yes. It is. But we can still obtain what we need while avoiding a pointless conflict."

Ferda believed the High Chieftain would not make such a request without good reason.

Still crossing her arms, Erika bit her lip before roughly running her fingers through her hair.

"Gaaah! Fine! As long as we can still obtain everything we came for... I'll trust him!"

"Th-Thank you! I'll unlock the door."

Rizera inserted a wooden key and opened the prison.

Only after doing so did Ferda think of something.

"By the way, Secretary Rizera... aren't you a High Elf?"

"Yes."

"Then wouldn't everyone already know about this?"

High Elves shared a collective consciousness.

The elder had imprisoned them.

Even if Rizera secretly released them, everyone should already know.

"I am a High Elf, but..."

Scratching her cheek, she replied,

"I'm constitutionally incapable of linking my mind with the others." 2

***

The inside of the World Tree closely resembled a Magic Tower.

Naturally so.

Magic Towers had originally been modeled after the World Tree.

In terms of magical efficiency and practicality, the World Tree represented the ideal structure.

Highly condensed Mana emitted a soft white glow that illuminated the interior.

Green moss and vines flourished beneath that light, covering the walls.

Massive tree trunks formed staircases and platforms, creating paths throughout the interior.

The three of them carefully climbed upward.

The waterfall flowing from the crown of the World Tree was neither violent nor turbulent.

Instead, it possessed an almost miraculous tranquility.

"It's peaceful."

Ferda commented.

"It really is."

Erika replied.

"Normally no one enters this inner area."

Rizera assured them there was nothing to worry about.

Ferda and Erika exchanged glances.

Neither of them found her confidence particularly reassuring.

"I have a question."

"Yes!"

"How did you make it all the way down here?"

Erika asked, unable to shake her suspicion.

"I carefully read the presence around me and came down as cautiously as possible."

"So you just trusted your instincts?"

"Yes! I may not look like it, but I'm actually very good at sneaking around!"

"..."

Their suspicion instantly became certainty.

Erika straightened from her awkward posture, looked upward, and shouted,

"Stop hiding and come out!"

The silent interior suddenly became filled with movement. 1

Wood Elves clad in Elven armor appeared from every direction.

Hundreds of them surrounded the group almost instantly, leaving no blind spots.

Rizera froze in shock.

"W-What...? How...?"

"How? What kind of question is that, fool?"

A familiar voice echoed through the chamber.

The High Elf Elder stepped out from among the Wood Elves.

His eyes were filled with undisguised disgust.

It was impossible to believe he was looking at one of his own people.

"No matter how secretly you moved, did you truly believe you could deceive elves who have devoted their entire lives to this World Tree?"

A secret escape had never been possible.

It was enough to make anyone sigh.

"What's inside that bag?"

The elder demanded.

Instinctively, Rizera hugged it tightly.

Whatever was inside had to be important.

"As an elder, I order you. Bring that item here immediately."

"T-This must be delivered to Regent Ferda and Tower Master Erika. The High Chieftain personally ordered it."

"The High Chieftain is unconscious. We have heard nothing through our shared minds. How could you possibly have received such an order?"

"He told me personally."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

The elder roared.

"The reason we stand above all elves is because our minds are one! Do you truly expect anyone to believe he would bother speaking aloud to someone who cannot even join that shared consciousness?!"

Rizera trembled with fear.

Even so, she continued speaking.

"You're right. I cannot share minds with the others. But I am only telling the truth, Elder."

"I don't believe you."

Pointing at her, the elder spoke coldly.

"If you wish to prove your honesty, then bring that item here immediately!"

"You're overstepping your authority again, Elder."

The one who spoke was not Ferda.

It was Erika.

"I've told you repeatedly that this isn't your affair. The secretary is simply carrying out the High Chieftain's final instructions. If you ignore the High Chieftain's orders, how is that any different from disregarding your own traditions and authority?"

"You do not understand our people, Tower Master. That is why you can say such carefree things."

"...Carefree?"

"Return to your cell at once! If you do so now, I may still take your circumstances into consideration, Head of the House of Iorga."

Crack.

Ferda clearly heard it.

The sound of something hard and stubborn shattering inside Erika's mind.

The highly condensed Mana around her immediately began to surge.

"Hoo..."

What escaped her lips next was—

"Hehehehe...!!"

A laugh that sounded utterly deranged.

"Every single one of you... Whenever I try to be nice... you all think I'm an easy target, don't you?"

Running a hand through her hair, Erika looked up at the elder.

Her clear blue eyes, once like a flowing river, had become as lifeless as dead fish.

The corners of her mouth twisted upward into an unnatural grin.

Like Echidna Phyliaz, she began muttering to herself.

"Yeah... why bother with reason? If people keep yanking out your nose hairs while kicking your ass... then maybe you should just smash them to pieces..."

Erika reached toward her waist.

What she pulled out was a small bottle of water.

"I've been way too nice up until now... haven't I?"

With a casual flick, she threw the bottle into the waterfall of the World Tree.

Plop.

A deep resonance echoed beneath the sound of rushing water.

Then—

The waterfall stopped.

An astonishing sight.

The water pouring downward froze in place as though time itself had halted.

Water that no longer obeyed the natural order.

That meant it had been brought under absolute control.

At this very moment, Erika ruled over every drop of water within the World Tree.

Rumble—

The ground began to tremble.

The once-tranquil waters no longer merely rippled—they erupted into a wild dance.

Five massive pillars of water shot toward the heavens.

KWAAAAAA!

They twisted around one another as they rose, gradually carving themselves into identical forms.

Their upper portions peeled away as though shedding skin, taking on the shape of dragons.

The five torrents became five magnificent Water Dragons.

Erika stepped onto the head of one of them.

The dragons carrying her gracefully ascended into the air.

Unlike their elegant flight, a heavy shadow covered Erika's face.

Beneath that shadow was a terrifying smile.

With a light wave of her hand, she declared,

"Shall we wipe them all out?"

The Water Dragons roared savagely as they charged toward the elves.