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Shione and I stepped out of the mansion, guided by Fletta. The expansive grounds near the towering World Tree felt reminiscent of the Arielte family’s palace. It didn’t take long to find our way.

“That path is the only route to the World Tree and leads to the center of the Great Forest where the Grand Elder resides.”

At those words, Shione glanced at the trail ahead. Elves, with their bows and swords at the ready, stood vigilantly around.

“Even at a glance, the security seems pretty tight.”

“Of course. With the World Tree and the Grand Elder present, it’s only natural. But their posts are limited to the entrance of that path.”

“Only the entrance, you say…”

“The area near the World Tree is protected by a powerful barrier set up by the Grand Elder himself. Anyone trying to enter from anywhere else will just get lost in the forest and end up being thrown back out. If you’re not a permitted Elder-class elf, you’ll just wander around. They’re just fulfilling their duty based on tradition.”

Fletta casually explained as she moved forward.

“They only check the identities of those trying to enter or if there’s been a prior word from the Grand Elder.”

As we approached the trail, the guards tightened their grip on their bows, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.

With each step closer, they finally lowered their bows but placed their hands closely on their sword hilts, ready for any movement.

“I am Fletta Arielte. I have matters to discuss with the Grand Elder. Clear the way.”

“Those accompanying Elder Arielte are…?”

The guard’s eyes flickered over us before settling on the most obvious detail—the shape of our ears, not quite like theirs.

“I’m sorry, but those we cannot confirm the identity of cannot enter.”

“I vouch for them. No, there’s no need to vouch—they are the humans the Grand Elder mentioned.”

The soldiers’ expressions shifted subtly.

“…So you’re not the humans from the Kalia Marquis Family. I apologize for the rudeness just now.”

Shione waved her hands dismissively at the bowing soldier. Thankfully, her quick reaction meant her head stayed high.

“I see the Kalia Marquis Family still wishes to meet the Grand Elder.”

“Yes, even after the work was done, a soldier came searching until the end. It seems the timing isn’t right. I should inform the Head of the Chelness family instead. Still, how relentless.”

“Hmm, I’ll have a word with Lady Kalia about that.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“In that case, our conversation will have to be held with the Grand Elder, so please step aside now.”

“…Understood. I hope for a peaceful discussion.”

The soldiers moved aside, bowing their heads. We passed them and finally stepped onto the dirt of the path.

How long had we been walking in silence? Just as I started feeling a peculiar sensation on the path, I noticed a thick wave of mana radiating from Fletta.

“Ah…”

Shione also began to sense Fletta’s increasing presence of mana and gasped quietly.

And I, too, felt a resonance in Fletta’s mana that matched Shione’s surprise.

‘She truly is the head of the family.’

Fletta’s mana bore the heavy weight of nature’s essence. It captivated spirits and even ordinary beings, making them lose themselves in its purity. It was no wonder we were drawn to it.

They said a barrier was set up along this path. This excessive release of mana likely had something to do with that barrier.

After walking for a while, as we got closer to the World Tree, the spirits began to take notice of us, growing in number as they approached with curiosity.

It seemed they were drawn to the aura emanating from Fletta. Soon, their number had increased enough to encircle us.

Unlike Fletta, who was accustomed to such spirits, Shione, who knew little of them besides Cotton Puff, marveled wide-eyed at the surroundings.

“Ray, look at this! Where did they all come from?”

“If we’re talking spirits, you can find quite a few out on the streets, right?”

“True, but not this many. The street spirits didn’t pay any attention to me at all. They flocked around you instead.”

Shione seemed a bit downcast that the spirits showed no interest in her, aside from Cotton Puff. But what could she do? It was only natural for someone without an innate charm.

“Humans aren’t typically close to spirits, you know. It can’t be helped.”

“Then what about you, Ray? You’re human too.”

“Well… I’m a bit special.”

“…So annoying.”

I shrugged off Shione’s remark, scanning the surrounding spirits like her.

Most were low-level spirits, with only a few mid-level ones mixed in, and those were very few in number.

‘I heard the roots of the World Tree were burning away and quite weak.’

Sure enough, the World Tree was the World Tree. It must have opened a pathway to the spirit realm. That was why spirits still thrived here. Likely, this path and its surroundings were closely connected to the spirit realm thanks to the World Tree.

With each step closer to the sacred tree, the spirits swarmed in larger numbers, and I could feel the mana changing in the air. The energy of the spirits moved more freely and was more concentrated, making this place an ideal environment for a Spirit Mage.

As I took in the surroundings, Shione reached out to one of the spirits.

“Um… can I come over here…?”

She stretched her hand towards the curious spirit, eager to touch it.

─Kyaaaang!

─Kuhng!!

As expected, Shione lacked any spirit charm. No spirit let itself get close to her easily.

Spirits weaved in and out, avoiding her gestures. It was Shione who surrendered first.

“Why only me…”

Shione whined to herself.

Just then, Cotton Puff fluttered over her shoulder.

─Heng.

With a cheeky smile, Cotton Puff glanced at Shione as if to say she was the only one left.

It plopped a tiny foot onto her cheek, delivering the finishing touch.

Fletta, observing their antics, broke the silence.

“…Truly unique.”

Our Cotton Puff indeed had a rather peculiar personality compared to other spirits.

*

The end of the path came into view. Beyond it lay a beautiful arch-shaped white building, unlike any tree we had encountered.

The structures, built hundreds or even thousands of years ago, looked like they hadn’t been maintained at all, showing signs of decay and neglect—casting a ruinous aura. But upon continuing straight from where the path emerged, we found a shining, seemingly well-kept temple.

Shione, gazing at the ivy creeping up the pillars of the building, turned her head to catch a glimpse of its side.

“A garden.”

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she discovered the garden.

A sprawling garden lay next to the building. Spirits flitted about, playing with each other while countless flowers bloomed in stunning colors.

Even when holed up in a room, Shione became so fond of flowers that she would explore them through her illustrations in her free time. It was clear she wanted to see the garden’s flowers.

“There are so many flowers. If possible… would it be alright to request the Grand Elder to show us the garden?”

The one who replied was not Shione but Fletta.

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea. The Grand Elder would surely permit it.”

Shione immediately reacted to Fletta’s words.

“Really?”

“Well, since the garden is solely managed by the Grand Elder… he often enjoys bragging about it. Given his personality, he’d probably introduce us to it even without us asking first.”

Just then, as Shione’s hopes rose while she turned her gaze back to the garden, a gentle voice echoed from the entrance of the temple.

“It is as Fletta said.”

The voice belonged to an unknown elven woman, radiating a calm demeanor. She wore robes imprinted with the symbols of the World Tree, reminiscent of a priestess or a saint, with a mix of black and silver in her hair—evidence of a long life. At least she might have lived for several centuries, if not a millennium, yet she appeared to be a High Elf who hadn’t aged a single day.

Having seen centuries of change, she cast a peaceful smile toward us.

“I have been waiting a long time since the moment the prophecy was revealed. You… though your gaze is softer, you certainly resemble her descendant. Just like my dear friend who fought against the demons alongside her.”

Mentioning a war from over a thousand years ago hinted at her being well over a millennia old.

The towering, ancient elder fixed her graying gaze on me.

“And you are… intriguing. A man who has formed a bond with spirits.”

At those words, Cotton Puff struck a proud pose once more.

─Myaong!

However, the High Elf shook her head at Cotton Puff.

“Ah, sorry, but I wasn’t talking about you.”

─Myaong?

“This man has already formed bonds with two top-tier spirits as well. The attributes are… wind and fire. You’ve forged connections with the most free-spirited and yet unforgiving beings.”

Every eye, including Shione’s, Fletta’s, and Cotton Puff’s, turned to me.

“Though… it seems you cannot meet them now? How unfortunate… but at least this much should suffice. I believe I can help you resolve your issues.”

Especially Fletta, who always kept a gentle demeanor, locked her eyes on me with intense focus.

In that moment, a weighty interest converged upon me, and as I finally grasped what the High Elf had been mentioning, the Grand Elder spoke, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Then let us not linger here. Let’s talk in the garden.”

Unlike the tangled expressions around me, the High Elf wore her calm smile, gleaming brightly.

 

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