Chapter 75

Surrounded by soldiers, I was led to a particularly large tree. It wasn't a tree that felt thousands of years old, but rather one that had evolved from the merging of dozens of trees into a massive one.

Looking up, I saw over a hundred dwellings there. Around the giant tree was a donut-shaped square where, despite the few numbers, children were running around, elves were singing with instruments in hand, sitting on the ground chatting, and playing card games, among other activities. But when the soldiers surrounded me and approached, the noise abruptly stopped.

"We are heading to the High Elf's mansion. Be sure not to cause any trouble."

"Do I need to be tied up?"

"Hmph, if we tied up a weaponless boy, it would tarnish the name of our elite Elven unit."

"Wow..."

It seems they are confident in their martial skills.

Indeed, Elves, with their much longer lifespans compared to humans, might actually have high combat abilities. I had the urge to clasp my hands and activate the newly learned [Orb Sight], but I refrained from doing so as it would feel like peeping.

Several staircases were set around the giant tree, allowing one to climb up. There were no railings, but everyone seemed to ascend smoothly, so it must not be scary once you get used to it. The staircases for going up and down were clearly separated to avoid collisions.

About 20 meters up, there was a wide landing, from which separate staircases branched out.

I was led to a spiral staircase carved into the trunk.

Passing through it, the view suddenly opened up.

This tree seemed to stand out even among the forest.

"Wow..."

I could look down on the treetops, and the green carpet of leaves stretched as far as the eye could see. The direction I came from was, as expected, clearly divided between the grassland and the forest.

Deep in the forest, more than 10 kilometers away, a particularly huge tree was visible.

Of course, there were other trees that stood out like the one I was on, but this one was in a league of its own.

Its trunk pierced through the carpet of trees, spreading enormous branches and leaves, extending its influence over a vast area.

Amazing.

What a huge tree...

"Don't look."

Suddenly, a blue gemstone elf appeared in front of me.

"Hey, hey? If it's visible, there's nothing I can do about it, right?"

"It is said that if a human sees the World Tree, it becomes defiled."

"!"

The World Tree! So that's what it's called!

"You call it the World Tree?"

"!?"

When I said that, the blue gemstone elf's face turned bright red.

"S-so you're trying to gather information! I won't let you! Hurry up and go!"

He pushed me from behind.

Climbing the slight incline, I reached the top.

"Wow."

A house stood there.

It was about 8 meters wide, not particularly large, but it was definitely a house.

The veranda-like area was open, and inside, a wooden floor with a table was set up.

That was the only room.

The blue gemstone elf and the soldiers all knelt down. There were no archer elves, only spear elves.

At the table, a single elf—High Elf—sat with his elbows on the table, resting his cheeks on his hands, looking at me with an interested expression.

"—You? The human who kidnapped Asha?"

The man said.

His platinum blonde hair was shoulder-length, intricately braided with several gems hanging from it. His appearance was incredibly refined, and his long, pointed ears clearly indicated he was an elf.

His smooth skin and sapphire-blue eyes reminded me of someone.

(Asha is the same...!)

There was no doubt that this High Elf was related to Asha.

"Hmm... For a human child, you're quite composed. Do you think you're safe because you know Asha?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then, do you think those creepy lizards will protect you?"

"...Are you talking about the Reif Magic Empire?"

"Yes. Thanks to you showing your ID so conspicuously, we immediately knew that the kidnapper, Raiji, had arrived."

In this world, there is no internet or telephone, but there are long-distance communication magic devices, so they must have obtained my information through that.

In other words, showing my empire-issued ID was both right and wrong.

"..."

"What's wrong? Are you angry? Are you angry because your lizard friends are being insulted?"

"...I am angry, but not because the people of Reif who are trying hard to live are being mocked. I am angry because an elf like you is related to Asha."

When I glared at him, the High Elf narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm... So what are you going to do? Are you going to punch me here and now?"

I could feel the tension in the bodies of the elves behind me, even though they were still kneeling.

"No, I just want to see Asha. I came here to meet Asha and talk to her."

As I said this, the High Elf put his hand to his mouth.

What did that gesture mean? I was on guard inside, and then,

"—Haha."

He,

"Haha, hahaha!"

Burst out laughing, slapping his knee.

...What?

What's so funny? He's laughing so innocently.

"Your Highness...?"

The elf behind me asked timidly, and he—indeed a royal High Elf—said,

"Ah, I laughed, I laughed. You're funny, really. Hey, Elvenguard, you can stand down."

"Wh-what? But, we are the High Elves'..."

"That's an order from the High Elf. Do you have a problem with that? Can't you follow the orders of a royal 'drop-out'?"

"N-no, of course not!"

All the armed soldiers hurriedly stood up, turned around, and left down the spiral staircase.

"Um...?"

When I asked hesitantly, he beckoned me over and said,

"Come and sit. I'm Asha's brother, Matvey. Among the dozen or so next High Elf successors, I'm the absolute last, known as the 'drop-out Matvey'."

"Drop-out...?"

"Don't look so surprised. You and I have one thing in common—"

Matvey smiled, a smile that was incredibly refined.

"—We both want to free Asha from this country."

Sorry, I seem to have a cold, so I might not be able to update tomorrow.