Chapter 316
‘Ah, that’s it . The seed of the world tree,’ Theodore remembered this fact belatedly .
It had been several years already . Edwin had come to him after saving Ellenoa and given him a gift from Elvenheim . That was the seed of the world tree which Mitra had eaten . Theodore’s gaze naturally shifted to the top of Mitra’s head . The sprout of the world tree, the source of all life in the Great Forest, was growing from her small head . If that bud was recognized as the world tree, then it was no wonder that Mitra had power in the Great Forest .
The world tree, Yggdrasil—in the Age of Mythology, it connected three dimensions and had influence in nine dimensions . Compared to its prime, this forest was nothing more than a bunch of weeds . Even if it was just a sprout, there was nothing in the forest that could rebel against Mitra, who borrowed Yggdrasil’s name .
[Theo, did I do well?] Mitra returned to Theodore’s side after opening the path . Her eyes were shining like lanterns as she expected praise . Her innocent face was the same as always . Theodore couldn’t help laughing as he stroked her wheat-colored hair several times . “Yes, well done . ”
[Hihihi!] Mitra laughed like she was ticklish and started to dance . Someone who didn’t know her would’ve thought that she was a child out for a picnic .
[Catch me~!] Mitra called out playfully as she plunged down the forest path . Did she want to play tag? Theodore followed her with a gentle smile, while the remaining three people followed with bemused expressions .
The four people headed through the forest like that . The ankle-height roots of the trees bent, while the branches which could tear at one’s skin moved out of the way . Theodore had experienced it once, but it was still amazing . This time, the one exercising the power was Mitra . The vegetation stirred with every step she took, and when she hummed, the wind responded like it was a well-made string instrument .
‘No, it isn’t just that . This . . . !’
Theodore enhanced his eyesight . Elementals without contractors were given forms, and they danced and sang around Mitra’s body . This was an unrealistic scene where the natural world responded to Mitra’s will . It might be a trigger to regain believers . The power that overflowed in the Great Forest and the elves that worshipped Yggdrasil might restore some of Mitra’s divinity .
At that moment, Edwin asked from behind Theodore, “ . . . Benefactor, is that an ancient elemental?”
Theodore read the mixed emotions in Edwin’s voice and looked back . There was reverence in Edwin’s eyes . It was just like how the knights of Andras felt toward the emperor or how Lairon’s followers worshipped him . Emotions thickened the elf’s voice .
“Yes, that’s right,” Theodore confirmed it .
“But this feeling . . . It isn’t possible . How?”
“What do you mean?”
However, Theodore didn’t hear an answer from Edwin .
It was Ellaim who replied instead . “We can currently feel the power of the parent tree from her . The size of the power is under the top elementals, but the purity is more profound . I would like to bow down in front of her and give words of thanks . ”
“ . . . That much?”
The two guardians nodded, and Theodore finally realized the gravity of the situation .
The guardians of the elves couldn’t hide their reverence and wanted to drop to the ground . They could barely endure it with the mentality of the master level . In that case, it wouldn’t be surprising if other elves immediately bowed down and prayed the moment they saw Mitra .
‘Should I think about putting up some measures?’
Mitra regaining her divinity wasn’t a problem . It was the environment that was a problem . The foundation of her power was based on the world tree, so the elves’ limited faith was more likely to bind her to Elvenheim . If so, Mitra’s contractor wouldn’t be able to escape this land either . There was a lot of work to be done to avoid this .
Theodore was worrying about it when the uncomfortable Veronica caught his eye . “Veronica . ”
“Huh?” Veronica sensed his question and looked down at her left wrist . She was wearing a bracelet with strange characters carved on it . Surely she wasn’t feeling uncomfortable because of the accessory? However, that idea quickly vanished from Theodore’s mind . It was because his eyes grasped the function of the bracelet in a matter of seconds .
“Magic power sealing?”
Veronica nodded and explained, “It suppresses the magic power that leaks out of my body . I’m not in a good mood because I’m wearing this . Sorry to bother you . ”
“Why are you wearing this artifact?”
A magician needed to be able to resonate the mana outside the body and the circles inside the body to exert power . By wearing the bracelet, it was like Veronica had her limbs tied up . Of course, she wasn’t defenseless because she had her innate physical abilities and the draconic mode, but she was much weaker than usual . There was no reason for her to wear the artifact .
“Without this, my magic power will burn the forest . ”
However, Theodore was convinced by the explanation . It reminded him of what Edwin said when he visited as the envoy previously . Edwin had said that the world tree had burned because of her .
“Perhaps it is a problem of my lineage . I heard that red dragons live mainly in volcanic areas and have a great influence over the natural world . ”
“Then staying in the Great Forest . . . ”
“Well, I should wear it until the battle begins . How can I come into someone’s house and become an arsonist? It will be okay once a ward is placed . ”
Veronica spoke casually . However, Theodore was a magician like her and knew how frustrating it would be to be restrained like that . She was disconnected from her magic power, and it would feel like her hands and feet were suddenly broken . Even if she only spent an hour or two in this state, her limbs would feel cramped . Theodore admired her and couldn’t help muttering a few words—words which were spoken with no intentions behind them .
“I hope we get there as soon as possible . As soon as we arrive, I will set up a circle around you . . . ”
[Yes?] Mitra, who was walking a few steps ahead, heard Theodore’s words and returned to his side . [Theo wants to arrive faster?]
“Huh? Ah . Well, the quicker the better?”
[Understood! Theo, believe in Mitra!]
“Y-Yes . ”
Mitra smiled brightly like sunshine and raised her voice . Her tone was light, like a bead rolling around on a tray .
[Shorten, hoing!]
* * *
One hour .
“ . . . ”
“ . . . ”
“ . . . ”
“ . . . ”
During their last visit, this journey had taken half a day thanks to Ellenoa’s assistance and Orta’s magic . It would take three days when walking normally and one day when flying over the trees . Yet Mitra had shortened it to just one hour . Theodore’s group was moved to the center of Elvenheim in a manner that the two 8th circle magicians couldn’t understand .
“Y-You got here quickly . Theodore?” Lumia came to meet them and couldn’t hide her dumbfounded face . Her surprise was greater because she had continuously grasped the position of the four people using Ratatoskr . They had moved a few kilometers per minute, sometimes jumping from one point to another . Unlike Orta’s space movement, this method involved the direct manipulation of space .
‘Space movement—no, space distortion . . . ? I thought there was no one who could handle the space around the world tree . . . ’
Mitra, the cause of this, had already been recalled . It was an action to avoid having elves fall in front of her . However, this result left Lumia feeling confused . The wards of the world tree were enormous . It was a transcendent existence, but in the end, the world tree was just a lifeform . The immunity inside its body was just like that of any other life form .
So, it wasn’t strange that it had moved according to Mitra’s will, since Mitra was recognized as part of its body . Lumia didn’t know about Mitra’s existence and was confused, but she soon opened her mouth and said, “ . . . Please follow me . It isn’t quite ready yet, but I have prepared a room for Theodore and your companion to stay . ”
“Ah, thank you . ”
“Additionally, Guardian Edwin and Guardian Ellaim, both of you worked really hard . As soon as the Ceremony of Evergreens is finished, we will start the healing process for both of you . ”
“Parent’s grace, the will of the dancers thanks you . ”
The two guardians accompanied Theodore and Veronica up to here . Theodore conveyed his heartfelt thanks to these two people, “Both of you can visit at any time . Meltor and I, Theodore, will never forget your commitment . ”
“It was an honor to join you on the meaningful journey . ”
“I will see you again tomorrow, Benefactor!”
The two guardians, Edwin and Ellaim, moved boldly without caring about the aftermath of their injuries . Would they be all better the next time he saw them? Theodore looked forward to the reunion as he followed after Lumia with Veronica . Lumia’s walk was rather slow, perhaps in consideration for those who were unfamiliar with this forest .
Then Theodore suddenly had a question . “Lumia . ”
“Yes?”
“What is the Ceremony of Evergreens? If it is a secret, you don’t have to teach me . ”
Lumia shook her head with a gentle smile . “No . It isn’t anything big . The world tree sometimes drops leaves that have reached the end of their lifespan . These are collected and recycled as fertilizer for the forest . However, the scale is so large that two people must go out . ”
“Two high elves . . . Ah, perhaps?”
“Yes, it is as you thought . ”
Ellenoa and Alisa had been absent when he connected to Ratatoskr not long ago . There was one high elf Theodore hadn’t met yet, but there was no way he could think of someone he didn’t know . They chatted for a while before Lumia brought up the topic first .
“Theodore, can I ask why you came here like this?” She squinted at Veronica and lowered her tone by an octave . “It must be an important issue if you came with her . ”
“ . . . Sigh, it is as you said . ”
The existence of Veronica was, after all, a threat to the world tree . Theodore wouldn’t have her accompany him if her power wasn’t needed . Theodore confirmed Lumia’s words and carefully selected his words .
Where should he start explaining? The fact that the evil dragon Nídhöggur was aiming for this land? Or that a 9th circle warlock had resurrected and was aiming to sacrifice the world tree? It was a heavy story, so he didn’t think he should say it while they were walking .
Then at that moment . . .
“―Hello . ” Someone suddenly appeared in front of Lumia, Theodore, and Veronica . The two magicians reflexively stepped back, and Veronica stared toward the front with her finger on her bracelet .
“ . . . Elf?”
The person who appeared had black hair, golden eyes, and white fur clothing . The beauty, who was different from the earthly beauty of elves, gazed at Theodore . She was around 160 centimeters tall, and her weight was unknown . The distribution of her center of gravity and her standing posture demonstrated that she was trained in fighting . Theodore evaluated the other person to be at least on the level of Edwin and Ellaim, so he couldn’t help feeling alert .
“Ah, wait a minute!” Lumia interrupted their confrontation . “Ah, Theodore! Is this the first time you’ve met her? She is the third dancer, the shaman of the Dry Pine Tribe―”
“Titania,” Titania said her name in a dry voice and stood in front of Theodore without hesitation . “You are the contractor of the ancient elemental?”
“That’s right . ” Theodore’s eyebrows frowned slightly at the high elf’s unfriendly attitude . Veronica was also unhappy, judging by the rise in temperature . At this rate, a fight would break out before they could talk . Titania ignored the harsh tension and looked at Theodore with strange eyes . “I see . If so, you are the one my master has chosen . ”
“ . . . Master?”
Titania nodded to his reflexively question with an emotionless face . “I will introduce myself again . I am the disciple of Sage Myrdal Herseim, the successor of the ancient elemental Geros . ”
She concluded her shocking self-introduction, “I, Titania Herseim, have been waiting for you . ”
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