Chapter 80

After that, I talked about her.

How she was born with a high affinity for fire magic, and how her mere speech could almost be considered a magical incantation.

How she learned to control her magic to overcome this.

This was what I had just told Matvei.

"…So, it’s not a disease?"

The king said this and took a sip of tea.

"Even so, can Asha only use fire magic even if she can control her magic?"

Yuri asked with a worried look. While she revered the king, she was also concerned about Asha… despite being a high elf, she was just an ordinary woman.

"It depends on the training, but I think she can use other types of magic without any problems."

"…Your Majesty!"

"Indeed. If that’s the case, it would be a wonderful thing… for the high elves."

"…"

?

What’s going on? Yuri and the king both had faces that were half joy and half sorrow.

Then Matvei said,

"…It’s a bit complicated as a family member. On one hand, I’m happy that Asha can be a normal high elf, but on the other hand, normal high elves have duties."

"Duties? As a royal, something like that?"

"Yes. To remain here until death and sing to the World Tree every day is their duty."

What is that?

As I was wondering,

—First the god of trees, then the god of grass, and finally the god of flowers

Celebrate the forest, rest the wind, let the rain fall, and invite the sun

Yuri sang a song in a small voice, in a language I didn’t know—yet it was a mysterious song that brought images to my mind. The air around us stirred, and the trees and leaves at our feet swayed.

"…This, which carries magic when sung, is called a 'magic song.' We are a clan that has inherited this song from ancient times and is bound to continue singing it. Our mission is to protect the World Tree."

"When Asha sings, fire comes out, so it was forbidden for her. In other words, Asha is a high elf who is allowed to leave this forest."

Yuri and Matvei said.

"But if that’s the case, why did you give her a birthstone that acts like a fetter? The abilities she had, [Orb Mimicry ★★★], [Sterility ★], and [Magic Propagation ★☆☆☆], are not the kind that ordinary parents would give."

"!"

"Is that true?"

Yuri and Matvei were surprised.

Then the king slowly nodded.

"Once she left the forest, it would be difficult to stop or monitor Asha’s actions. Mixing with other races is not a problem, but if, for example, a child was born between an elf or a half-elf who left the forest and Asha, there was a possibility that a high elf could be born. Therefore, [Sterility] had to be given to her."

"Why? Doesn’t Asha have the right to be a parent?"

"If a high elf was born and we couldn’t capture the child, the child would not fulfill their duty. This would go against the mission."

"But Asha is already going against it, isn’t she?"

"Asha doesn’t fit in a forest that hates fire. Can’t you accept that?"

"Can you talk about the mission based on whether or not someone can accept it?"

"…Indeed."

"Then, it seems like someone is controlling the mission!"

The king closed his eyes and fell silent—I finally realized at that moment.

"I see… So that’s how it is."

Mission. Duty. I had thought it was something religious, but it wasn’t.

"As a covenant holder, do you think that’s what should be done?"

The king was silent, but it was an affirmation… I knew who the covenant holder of this world was through the [Covenant of Departure]. The king standing before me was that person. The covenant holder should be chosen from the high elf royal family.

But,

"That’s wrong."

My words made Yuri glare at me sharply.

"What do you know about the human race!!"

"I know. I’ve talked to the dragon, the mediator."

"Wh-What…!?"

I thought talking about the "hidden world" would only confuse things, so I only mentioned the mediator, the dragon, of this world.

The one who was more surprised was King Sylvius.

"Y-You, you talked to the dragon…?"

"Yes. By the way, the high elf covenant is the covenant of the 'birthstone,' right?"

The content of the covenant is as follows:

'Do not take too many birthstones.'

'Birthstones are what make up the world.'

It’s only a two-line covenant.

"The covenant only includes information about birthstones. There’s nothing about offering 'magic songs.'"

"Why do you know so much—oh, the dragon told you, didn’t he? But why you…?"

"We have a fateful connection."

In the capital of the Ahnberg duchy, I was attacked by a dragon, in the Kurvaen Holy Kingdom and the "hidden world," I was toyed with by the mediator, and in the Red Gate War, I was saved by a dragon. It’s a fateful connection.

"…Indeed, our high elf duty is not included in the covenant."

"Your Majesty! Don’t say any more—"

"It’s fine, Yuri. Rage knows more than we imagined. Talking won’t change anything…"

The king turned to me.

"…But before we talk further, I want you to meet Asha."

"Really, is that okay?"

"Yes. Matvei, show him the way."

"O-Okay…"

Matvei stood up, and I followed. Before following Matvei, who was about to walk towards the mansion, I said,

"…When I meet Asha, my purpose will be fulfilled."

"I know. But you will return here… no, it’s fine even if you don’t."

I bowed deeply to the king, who has probably lived for hundreds of years.

Finally, I will meet Asha.