Chapter 187. The Trap

Meanwhile, at the World Tree.

Within the span of only a few hours, one major incident after another had erupted, forcing the preparations for the festival to be postponed.

The High Elves gathered to seriously discuss the current situation.

"The master of the Blue Eye Magic Tower came through and turned everything upside down. What are we supposed to do about this?"

"If we're talking about determining right and wrong... it's rather ambiguous. She certainly acted violently, but although there were many injured, there were no fatalities."

Had even a single Wood Elf been killed, they would have gained the authority to seal her within the World Tree.

Knowing that, Erika Iorga had rampaged while carefully avoiding deaths, making it impossible for only the Wood Elves and a handful of High Elves to stop her.

"If anything, we were the ones prepared to inflict serious injuries in return. If we truly intend to settle who was right and who was wrong, we'll have to give up our Enlightenment."

To them, Enlightenment was as essential as water and salt.

Eventually, someone let out a long sigh.

"What a disaster... How did everything end up like this..."

"Do not drown yourselves in grief."

The High Elf elder, Cypress, finally spoke.

Though he had changed into fresh clothes and dressed himself neatly, his left sleeve hung empty.

"The duty entrusted to us is to obtain Mother's Seed through joy."

"But under circumstances like these..."

"Are you planning to destroy everything our ancestors built because of a single personal emotion?"

The High Elves fell silent.

"Stop worrying about the High Chieftain. If there is sorrow, then believe that even greater joy will follow. Since everything follows the cycle of nature, what difference does it make if we discard a few things along the way?"

"We understand."

"Everything... for Mother..."

And with that, the meeting came to an end.

Cypress did not return to his own room.

Instead, he headed toward Mother's Heart.

Upon entering, he saw countless Threads flying across the sky as though the heavens themselves had become a lake.

The scenery was much the same as always.

Only the High Chieftain was different.

Rather than sitting, he was lying down.

His consciousness had already returned.

Without even acknowledging Cypress's presence, he merely showed him his back.

"High Chieftain, your blood relative has left."

"I see."

The High Chieftain answered bitterly.

He remained lying there without turning around, while the elder quietly stood behind him.

"This is the second High Elf to defect. Linne was supposed to be the last, yet your own blood has become the second case."

"What could I have done? Even as my own child, they never connected to the Mental Network. They were no different from a long-lived human..."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

"..."

"..."

"When did you figure it out?"

"..."

"The others never suspected a thing. But you're far too perceptive, so I watched you carefully. Judging by everything until now, I'm certain you truly didn't know... Unless I've simply overestimated myself."

"...You're right. I didn't know. Had today never happened, everything probably would have continued exactly as you intended."

"What did you sense from that human?"

The High Chieftain answered quietly.

"I realized that I had forgotten something very important."

"When a meeting comes, a farewell inevitably follows."

"When joy arrives, someday sorrow will take its place."

"We wasted over a thousand years because of that outdated way of thinking."

Cypress pointed outside.

"Look."

"Magic exists for superior beings like us."

"And yet before we knew it, monkeys have begun using magic."

"..."

"They are polluting pure Mana."

"They don't even understand the true nature of a unified consciousness."

Cypress's expression grew even harsher.

"I don't care if they use magic and pretend to be the world's saviors."

"But when it comes to Mother's Seed, we must obtain it before those inferior short-lived races."

"..."

"Do you know what they call Mother's Seed?"

"They call it a 'wish'."

"They divide it into stages like the Ninth Circle, and without understanding its true origin, they arrogantly seek to obtain it."

"So you chose to trample purity?"

The High Chieftain slowly sat upright.

His exhausted face had become even more gaunt.

"Do you truly believe you'll obtain Mother's Seed that way?"

"Of course."

"Think carefully."

"What you're doing will only lead us into emptiness."

"Our path is like something that keeps swelling because it never knows when to stop... until it finally bursts."

The High Chieftain recalled what he had witnessed inside Ferda Rosnova's mind.

Wisdom that didn't match his age.

Emotions that existed before love had ever taken root.

Thirty-two years of accumulated rage and hatred.

And emotions so immense that they overwhelmed even the High Elves, despite the thousands of years they had lived.

"Those are emotions that no one should ever possess... not humans... not anyone who walks this continent."

"We are no exception."

It was, in effect, a declaration that he had given up.

"I see."

Cypress wore an expression of resignation.

But unlike his face, his hands moved swiftly as he drew runes.

Whooom!

A razor-sharp gust shot toward the High Chieftain's head.

Yet an even faster Thread intercepted it, scattering the wind before it could reach him.

"But what choice do we have?"

"..."

"We've already reached the point where we're approaching the Origin."

"To tell us to stop now... would not be for everyone's sake."

"Do you truly believe you can stop me?"

At the High Chieftain's will, the Threads transformed into enormous white hands.

Each little finger alone was as large as a grown man.

The gigantic hand vanished in the blink of an eye.

When it reappeared, it was already closing around the spot where Cypress stood.

"Hmph...!"

The hand abruptly recoiled.

Half of the white Threads forming its palm had been sliced away.

The power was unmistakably ominous.

"I know I can't defeat you alone."

In his right hand rested something black and viscous.

It was a black Magic Grimoire.

Sinister, sticky Mana surged from the grimoire, amplifying itself.

"A demon?"

"You think I'd sell myself to creatures like demons?"

If it wasn't a demon...

Then there was only one possibility left.

"The Demon Race..."

"So they've lent you their power..."

"You seem surprised."

Cypress smiled faintly.

The High Chieftain slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Given your current state of mind, I'm not surprised at all."

A power worth obtaining even if everything else returned to nothing.

To Cypress, Mother's Seed was exactly that.

"Don't grow complacent, High Chieftain."

"As things stand now..."

"I can defeat you."

Cypress raised a finger.

Mana gathered at its tip, weaving runes into existence.

Unlike before, however, the runes gradually turned pitch-black.

"I'll cast you into the abyss of the Void..."

"...And take the position of High Chieftain for myself."

This was no longer the same opponent as before.

The High Chieftain steeled himself.

Even if it cost him his life, he would stop Cypress here.

Every Thread within the chamber gathered together, forming dozens of enormous hands.

"As with all things in this world..."

"It won't be that easy."

***

Eastern Cerdes Continent.

Valdrova Castle.

After escaping from the World Tree, Rizera's residence at Valdrova Castle had been officially decided.

The very first thing he did...was greet everyone.

"Hello. My name is Rizera. I'll be in your care from today onward."

"Huh? O-Oh... It's nice to meet you...?"

A beautiful woman had suddenly approached them with a warm smile and polite greeting.

Naturally, everyone—men and women alike—was left bewildered.

Completely unaware of their reactions, Rizera continued greeting every single person one by one.

Eventually, Ferda approached him.

"Former Secretary Rizera."

"Yes?"

"You don't have to greet everyone."

"B-But according to human customs... since I might be an uninvited guest, shouldn't I greet everyone individually so no one feels offended...?"

An uninvited guest?

Who could possibly treat Rizera that way?

With such innocent manners and impeccable courtesy, anyone would find themselves liking him after exchanging only a few words.

Ferda still had trouble believing he was actually a man.

"If you're greeting anyone, greeting the owner of this castle alone is enough."

"L-Lady Valdrova..."

Rizera swallowed nervously.

"There's no need to be so tense."

"Ah! I'm sorry! It's not because I'm afraid."

"Is that so?"

Most people reacted that way because of Valdrova's infamous reputation.

Rizera was different.

"Yes."

"As you can probably tell, I'm still quite young among the High Elves."

"So... this is actually my first time seeing a dragon in person."

His sparkling eyes made it obvious he wasn't lying.

"I suppose you could say... I'm really excited."

One thing was certain.

He was incredibly curious by nature.

Seeing that reaction, Ferda simply replied,

"It'll be the same."

"Huh? The same as what?"

The excitement you feel...is exactly what Valdrova feels.

He had a feeling those two would get along surprisingly well.

He was even more ladylike than Penelope or Lyudmila.

If only he weren't a man...

He found himself silently blaming the heavens.

"Former Secretary Rizera."

The one who called his name this time was the maid, Luri.

"Y-Yes!"

Though Rizera was slightly taller than Luri, the overwhelming pressure she exuded made him seem much smaller.

"It's nice that you're greeting everyone..."

"But shouldn't you be taking care of the Spirits you brought with you?"

"Uh... D-Did they cause trouble?"

"Yes."

"They're causing trouble... again."

Luri pointed toward the garden.

Three Spirits were happily playing there.

"Kyahaha! It looks like poop!!"

"Mine's an ugly tree!"

"They look exactly the same!"

They were freely reshaping the ornamental trees.

"Right now, in fact."

Veins bulged across Luri's baby-like face.

"Ahhh! I'm so sorry!"

Turning pale, Rizera rushed into the garden and hurriedly tried to calm the Spirits.

"Where in the world did you even pick those things up?"

"I was wondering the same."

Ferda answered casually before asking Luri,

"How is Lady Valdrova?"

"She's locked herself away."

"All I hear are constant female noises coming from inside."

Luri shot Ferda a glare.

As if to say, This is all your fault.

All Ferda had done was utter the name Eleanor.

Immediately afterward, Valdrova had staggered away from him like a drunken person.

Was the name really that terrible?

Maybe he should ask later if she'd like to change it.

"Your Highness, the Regent!"

A cheerful voice called out.

It was Zed Swallow, sporting his familiar brown ponytail.

"I heard."

"Heard what?"

"That you brought back an unbelievably beautiful girl."

"And she's an elf!"

His instincts truly never changed.

Ferda gestured toward the garden.

The moment Zed spotted Rizera, his eyes lit up.

"Whoa... She's not just a woman who looks like an elf—she's a real elf."

"The real thing is on another level."

"Do you have some kind of illness that prevents you from controlling your lust?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"I may flirt, but if a woman isn't interested, I back off like a gentleman."

"I sincerely hope a witch curses that thing between your legs until it rots off."

Ignoring Luri's venomous remark, Zed turned to Ferda.

"So..."

"Can I try flirting with her just once?"

Ferda stared at him as though he were hopeless before answering,

"Go ahead." 2

"Huh?"

"Seriously?"

"Why would I joke about something like this?"

"What is this?"

"Do you think I can't win her over?" 4

"I guess it's time to show off my skills."

Running a hand through his hair, Zed checked his charming smile.

Ferda simply watched in silence.

Luri quietly asked,

"Does that womanizer happen to like men too?"

"Of course not."

"Then this should be entertaining."

She folded her arms and watched as well.

Zed approached Rizera with a warm greeting.

Rizera smiled brightly in return.

The two chatted pleasantly about trivial things.

Ten minutes later...

Zed waved goodbye and returned.

His face was quite a sight.

It was the first time Ferda had ever seen him blush bright red.

Walking back over, Zed quietly asked,

"...You knew?"

"Of course." 1

"Damn iiiit..."

He couldn't bring himself to curse properly in front of his superior.

Luri gave him a thumbs-up.

"Don't worry."

"I'll make sure everyone hears about your preference for men."

"H-Hey!"

"I never even flirted with him!"

"So I wasn't rejected or anything!"

"As if anyone would believe you."

"Your Highness!!"

While Luri continued threatening Zed, another lively voice echoed through the courtyard.

It belonged to Zed's partner in crime...

Penelope.

He had wondered where she had been.

"I heard a super gorgeous beauty arrived!"

"...Yes."

Ferda gestured once more.

Penelope turned around.

The sound she made was even more beast-like than when she had come running.

"Wooohoo! She's seriously gorgeous!"

"What, are you interested in her too?"

"You bet I am!"

"So, Your Highness~"

"May I humbly request permission to make her my daily nourishment?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically while using an absurdly awkward honorific.

Compared to Zed, she was in an entirely different league of ridiculous.

Before Ferda could answer, Zed spoke instead.

"Go for it." 1

"I approve."

"Yay! I'm going right now!"

Penelope sprinted off like a child running to buy a new toy.

Watching her leave, Zed chuckled.

"If I suffered..."

"...I'm dragging someone else down with me."

"..."

Ferda was speechless.

Neither of them had bothered asking the one person whose permission actually mattered.

"Come to think of it..."

"Yes?"

"Didn't that demon sleep with you too?"

"That's right."

"Then Rizera being a man shouldn't really be a problem, should it?"

"Come on, no way."

"She keeps saying over and over that she hates men."

"So there's no way she'd ever—"

"W-Wait."

"That crazy woman!"

"Where is she taking him?!"

Penelope had already grabbed Rizera by the hand and was dragging him toward a secluded corner.

Zed dashed over at full speed.

With one clean strike, he knocked Penelope unconscious and successfully protected Rizera's chastity.

For the foreseeable future, Penelope was officially forbidden from going anywhere near Rizera.