Chapter 180: The World Tree

It was a rare sight to see not only an ordinary human but even a famous duke-ranked noble riding in a Sky Carriage alongside a Dragon Spawn.

They soared swiftly through the sky with the Cerdes Continent spread out beneath them.

"Is this your first time riding a Sky Carriage?"

I've ridden one several times before. I even learned how to pilot one.

I only stopped because I never had a reason to use it.

"It is."

Ferda simply nodded.

"They're hardly ever put into operation. Humans, especially, can simply use a Teleport Magic Circle whenever something is urgent."

Just as Erika said, the Sky Carriage was an awkward invention.

It lacked the leisurely elegance nobles desired, yet it wasn't nearly as immediate as a Teleport Magic Circle. If handled by an inexperienced pilot, it was little different from loading a giant piece of furniture into a catapult. Even the Empire mostly kept them on standby rather than actually using them.

However, in places where teleportation was impossible and speed still mattered, nothing surpassed a Sky Carriage.

The homeland of the High Elves was exactly such a place.

"When will we arrive?"

"Considering our speed, about an hour. Shall we talk while we wait?"

"I'm not particularly fond of idle chatter."

"Hehe, do you think I brought it up just to gossip?"

Her laughter carried an unusual weight, as though something had been bothering her.

"I wanted to discuss the black liquid you gave us."

The black liquid.

Among the items taken from the Dark Elf, Research Director Linne, there had been two important things: a journal and a sample box.

"After conducting our research, we have both good news and bad news. One thing is certain—it resembles Dragon Blood."

"That's both good and bad news?"

"When I say it resembles Dragon Blood, I mean it's about as similar as humans are to monkeys. They both have arms and legs and enjoy being fed, but they're still different creatures."

Though her tone carried a subtle hint of disdain, Ferda chose to ignore it.

"Anyway, to summarize, since they can't actually produce Dragon Blood, it means they're incapable of creating artificial dragons. That's the good news. Do you understand?"

During the Dragon-Demon War, the thing everyone had feared most had been Godwin's magic.

Every dragon had been mobilized to stop the influence he spread, and only through tremendous sacrifice had they managed to save the continent.

Now that dragons had become so weakened, if another Godwin were to appear...

No one knew what would happen.

"Then what's the bad news?"

"The bad news is that the Dragon Blood has effects similar to what is used during the Ascension Ceremony."

The Demon Race had been created from Godwin's blood.

Nowadays they were called by another name, but once upon a time they, too, had been known as Dragon Spawn.

They couldn't recreate another Godwin...

But creating members of the Demon Race was entirely possible.

"Is it because Godwin's Essence still remains?"

Essence, the very core of a dragon's existence.

Whoever could claim its power would obtain immense strength and become capable of accomplishing what had once been impossible.

Erika shook her head.

"The Essence is probably related, but I don't think it's the decisive factor. Even if some Essence remains, Dragon Spawn who aren't actual dragons can't perform the Ascension Ceremony."

Ferda recalled Silverwind's situation.

After the Dragon-Demon War, Silverwind's descendants had never been born again.

Godwin had absorbed all of Silverwind's Essence and reached a realm nearly identical to Silverwind's, yet he had never performed the Ascension Ceremony—not because he didn't want to, but because he simply couldn't.

"In any case, this black liquid itself has very little to do with dragons. Which is why I suspect it may be connected to the fact that Research Director Linne was a High Elf. While we're asking them to analyze it, I'd also like them to investigate that."

Erika held up the bottle containing the sample.

"I hope the results prove meaningful."

"So do I."

With that, the discussion about the black liquid came to an end.

Ferda turned his gaze outside.

Before he realized it, their destination had appeared in the distance.

The World Tree.

A colossal tree that towered into the heavens, its roots said to spread across the entirety of the Cerdes Continent.

People living in the western regions of the continent supposedly began every morning by marveling at the majesty of the World Tree.

He had later learned that saying had originally evolved from a rather vulgar joke.

Even so...

Seeing the World Tree in person was an entirely different experience.

When looking up from the ground, people often described cathedral spires as piercing the heavens.

Yet once one actually reached the sky, those same structures felt like nothing more than insignificant creations beneath it.

Especially after mages learned spells that allowed them to remain airborne for long periods, they often repeated such boasts out of vanity.

But the World Tree was completely different.

Even from this incredible distance...

Even flying this high...

Its top remained invisible.

Its branches faded into the color of the sky until it looked as though the heavens themselves had become lush with leaves.

It truly seemed to uphold the sky itself.

"Is this your first time seeing the World Tree?"

Unable to tear his eyes away from the view, Ferda heard Erika ask quietly.

Inside, he answered.

This is the second time.

From the shattered memories soaked in vengeance, he recalled seeing it from nearly this very height.

The sky had been reduced to ashes.

The World Tree had glowed crimson.

The smell of ash had been so overwhelming that, for an entire month afterward, he could scarcely smell anything else.

He came face to face with his former self.

The hideous man who had abandoned his purpose in pursuit of greater strength...

Who had discarded his humanity...

Who had lived only for his emotions.

"This is the first time I've seen it while in my right mind."

"You may be nervous and make mistakes, but the elves' customs aren't all that different from those of humans. Besides..."

Placing a hand over her chest, Erika smiled.

"I'm here with you, so there's no need to worry."

She wore the expression of an elder reassuring a junior to leave everything to her.

Apparently, she'd mistaken his silence for nervousness because it was his first visit.

Since there was no need to correct her misunderstanding, Ferda simply let it stand.

The Sky Carriage gradually approached the World Tree before descending to about the level of its massive trunk.

What had looked like a mere speck from afar turned out to be an enormous clearing large enough to accommodate the carriage.

"Let's get off."

Erika opened the door and stepped out first.

A refreshingly cool breeze pierced his lungs, so crisp that it was hard to believe it was summer.

The elves who had come to receive them entered Ferda's view.

They wore elegant armor forged from exquisite elven metal.

A line of elven archers stood at attention in perfect formation.

Ferda still couldn't distinguish the various kinds of elves, but he was certain these were Wood Elves who lived within the forests.

Because the man standing at their head shone too brilliantly.

Among elves, those possessing especially noble beauty were the High Elves.

His face looked as though the world itself would brighten if he smiled.

Instead, his expression was as dry and emotionless as land devastated by drought.

"We greet the noble guardians of the World Tree."

Erika offered the greeting first.

The High Elf returned it.

"May the blessings and joy of the earth be upon you. Welcome, Child of Water."

"Thank you for sparing your valuable time despite your preparations for the festival, Elder."

"There is no need to thank me. Everything has been permitted by the High Chieftain."

His voice trailed off as he glanced toward Ferda.

Erika immediately began the introductions.

"Regent, this is one of the High Elf Elders."

She did not mention the elder's name.

Among elves, one's name was never introduced by someone else.

"May the blessings of the earth be upon you. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The High Elf likewise did not state his own name.

It was his way of saying Ferda's visit was unwelcome.

"The honor is mine."

Ferda responded with an equally emotionless greeting.

The elder turned back toward Erika.

"I've heard that you require the assistance of the High Elves."

"Yes. This matter is of great importance, and only the High Elves are capable of helping us."

"Naturally, since it was approved by the High Chieftain, we must assist. But may I ask what exactly this matter concerns?"

Hearing those words, Erika sensed something strange.

Then she realized the truth.

"It seems you weren't properly informed of why we've come."

"Correct. We were merely told that guests would be arriving."

Among humans, misunderstandings occurred whenever either the messenger or the recipient made a mistake.

But for elves, whose minds were connected as one...

Such misunderstandings were about as rare as being struck by lightning in the middle of a city.

Which meant...

The High Chieftain had deliberately chosen not to tell the other elves about this matter.

Understanding that, Erika quietly refused.

"I'm sorry, but I've come here as Iorga's representative. This matter must first be discussed with the High Chieftain before anyone else."

The elder refused to back down.

"This is the land of the elves. We are the first children of this earth and the guardians of our Mother."

"I know well of your devotion and your efforts. But neither my intentions nor the High Chieftain's message has changed."

"Then we cannot simply allow you to pass."

"You're overstepping your bounds, High Elf Elder."

The icy words had not come from either of them.

They came from Ferda.

"What did you say, Regent?"

"I'll repeat myself. You're overstepping your bounds."

Ferda pressed forward without hesitation.

"Even if you're to become Valdrova's consort, does a short-lived race dare speak to me with such arrogance?"

"Do you think that's the only reason? I am the guest involved in this matter. If I say not to interfere in my business, what more needs to be said?"

"You insolent—"

The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile.

For the first time, the elder's expression twisted.

His fingers twitched.

The instant they did, tension rippled through the elven archers behind him.

Ferda gathered his mana.

Erika likewise prepared herself.

"That's enough!"

A woman's voice shattered the silence before the storm.

Another High Elf woman came running toward them.

She had a slender figure, platinum-blond hair shimmering in the light, and wide emerald eyes filled with panic.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Huff... Huff... These... these are the High Chieftain's guests! You were only told to escort them. Why are you causing such a disturbance, Elder?"

"How could I remain idle when a human sets foot upon this sacred land? As one who hears Mother's voice, I cannot."

"The High Chieftain commands that you cease troubling the guests and leave their guidance to me. Those are the High Chieftain's own words."

The elder glared at the woman with obvious displeasure.

She clasped her hands over her chest and bit her lip, struggling not to avert her gaze.

In the end, the elder yielded.

"Since a member of the High Chieftain's own bloodline has come personally, there is no longer any need for me to receive them. I shall take my leave."

The High Elf Elder bowed slightly to Erika before turning away.

The Wood Elves followed him in perfect formation.

As the tense atmosphere finally dissipated, the woman sighed in relief before introducing herself.

"May the blessings of the earth be upon you. Greetings. I am Rizera, secretary and personal aide to the High Chieftain."

She politely bowed after giving her name.

Ferda returned the greeting.

"My name is Ferda Valdrova."

"I'm terribly sorry. I intended to come personally because I feared something like this might happen..."

"It seems our true purpose wasn't properly conveyed. We nearly ended up being treated as intruders instead of guests."

"Ugh..."

Unable to hide her displeasure, Erika spoke sharply to Rizera.

Looking utterly flustered, Rizera hurriedly explained.

"I'm very sorry. The High Chieftain deliberately didn't share any details about this meeting with anyone. That's why this happened... I truly apologize!"

Seeing Rizera repeatedly bow her head in sincere apology, Erika finally stopped pressing the issue.

"Let's not dwell on who's at fault. We have far more important matters to attend to. Please take us to the High Chieftain, Secretary."

"Y-Yes! This way, please."

Rizera chanted an incantation in the elven language while placing her hand against the trunk of the World Tree.

At once, a staircase built into the outer surface of the tree began moving diagonally upward.

Stepping onto it, they ascended toward the upper reaches of the World Tree.

As they climbed, Ferda looked down.

Since the Dragon-Demon War, the elves had gathered densely around the World Tree once more.

Roofs made of wood and straw dotted the landscape below.

Yet, true to a race that treasured harmony, the lush green foliage stood out far more than the buildings themselves.

"What perfect timing for you to contact us!"

Perhaps uncomfortable with the silence, Rizera forced herself to brighten the mood.

"The Summer Festival is approaching. Had you arrived just a little later, we'd have been completely occupied preparing for it."

"You seem to spend most of the year celebrating festivals."

Ferda spoke with genuine curiosity.

His words could easily have sounded sarcastic, but fortunately Rizera merely smiled.

"That is our way of life. We celebrate the joy of spring blooming from the earth, the joy of summer's abundance, the joy of autumn's harvest, and the joy of winter as we await the coming of another spring."

Hearing that, Ferda recalled the face of the High Elf Elder who had greeted them.

No matter how he looked at him, the elder's expression belonged to someone who hadn't experienced joy for countless years.

The contradiction struck him.

"If that's true, they certainly don't seem to enjoy festivals."

"That's because the Spring Festival has already passed. Once summer arrives, everyone naturally becomes much more tense."

"Are they different during the festivals?"

"W-Well..."

Unable to answer, Rizera looked troubled.

Erika answered in her place.

"In the past, summer and winter were seasons of endurance and mourning. Turning them into festivals is actually a relatively recent change."

"Y-Yes... that's right..."

Rizera simply nodded.

If those seasons were so difficult, was there really any need to turn them into festivals to lift everyone's spirits?

Unable to understand the elves' way of thinking, Ferda withheld judgment.

"Speaking of which... I heard you're engaged to Lady Valdrova."

The conversation abruptly turned personal.

"That's correct."

"I've never met Lady Valdrova myself, but I've heard she's someone who carries many emotional scars. I'm truly happy that she's been able to overcome them and make a new beginning."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Becoming accustomed to loneliness is never a good thing. Having a companion to share one's life with is a wonderful blessing."

Unlike the elder, this woman, Rizera, truly seemed devoted to joy itself.

"If you don't mind... before you leave, would you tell me something?"

"May I ask why?"

"I'd like to give you a present. I'll make a bouquet that suits late spring and summer. Ah... although perhaps Lady Valdrova has such a serious personality that she wouldn't care for something like that?"

"No. She'll like it."

A bouquet.

What kind of expression would she make when he gave it to her?

He could almost hear her delighted voice already.

"Oh my."

Rizera covered her mouth as she stared at Ferda.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh? N-No! It's nothing!"

She quickly turned her head away.

Feeling another gaze upon him, Ferda looked toward Erika.

She was staring directly at his face.

She looked utterly bewildered, as though she had witnessed something impossible.

"What's the matter?"

"N-No..."

Erika murmured quietly.

"I've only ever seen you wear the kind of expression that looked ready to destroy the entire world... I never imagined you could make a face like that."

"...?"

What kind of expression had I made?

Ferda had no idea.

Read more chapters here - Apexnovelhub.com