The elves were surrounding them, projecting a threatening aura.
“Human, you’ve completely lost your mind.”
“What kind of confidence possessed you to come here with only three people?”
“Did you come here to hunt elves?”
Accusations rained down on Evan from the angry elves in the vicinity. Among them, a person who appeared to be the leader stepped forward.
“Human. Hand over the hostage while I’m still asking nicely.”
She was a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair falling below her shoulders and eyes of the same platinum hue. She wore what looked like leather armor—a specialized elven armor designed to protect only vital areas. It was clearly lightweight to maximize movement. Every elf present was dressed in similar attire.
Evan spoke to her with a relaxed demeanor. “You were the ones who attacked first. We simply entered the forest.”
The elves flared with rage at his words.
“Humans truly are nothing but liars. Do you not know where this place is?”
“We cannot let these humans leave alive, Lady Ainis.”
“Silvia. You pathetic girl, getting caught by humans.”
Ainis, the platinum-blonde elf, took control of the crowd with a loud shout. “Everyone, be quiet. I will be the one to speak with the humans.”
The area became deathly silent in an instant. As the leader of this group, she possessed considerable charisma. Her sharp eyes glared at Evan, who met her platinum gaze unflinchingly.
“Human, what is your scheme for coming here? If you give me some nonsense about simply traveling, I’ll put a hole in your throat, so answer carefully.”
The killing intent in her voice was genuine. Evan gave a small smirk as he replied.
“I am not your enemy. I came here because I want to talk to you.”
Ainis responded with a cold expression. “I have no intention of talking to humans. Release the hostage and go back while I’m being reasonable. I will grant you this special opportunity in the name of the forest.”
Evan spoke as if he were uninterested. “I never took her hostage in the first place, and I told you, you attacked first. I wanted to have a conversation. Elves, guide me to where the World Tree is. I simply wish to check on it.”
The atmosphere turned even more frigid at Evan’s request. Silvia, who was still bound, snapped at him.
“I knew it. You’re after the World Tree too.”
Evan replied firmly. “No. If that were the case, would I come with only three people? Use your head and think.”
Ainis looked as though she couldn’t understand his logic at all. “The World Tree is not something your kind should concern yourselves with.”
“Actually, the World Tree and I share quite a connection. I couldn’t just ignore it. I heard its condition was unusual. I will restore the World Tree to its original state, so cooperate with me.”
Ainis was flabbergasted. “Restore it? How arrogant for a human. I’ve heard many lies, but such an absurd claim is a first.”
“I wonder how I can make you believe me.”
Evan pretended to deliberate for a moment before pulling an item from his inventory. It was the hidden piece he had obtained after defeating the Hydra.
“Th-that is!”
“How do you have that!”
What Evan had pulled out was a World Tree Branch.
“I heard the World Tree was contaminated. I thought perhaps I could use this to help it recover.”
The elves stared blankly at Evan, their eyes wide with shock.
***
Ainis let out a deep sigh as she led the humans back toward the village.
‘How did this happen? Why is a human…’
Her mind was a mess of questions regarding Evan. Initially, when Silvia’s scouting party discovered the intruders, they moved to drive them away. Judging by the fact that there were only three of them, the elves assumed they were simply lost.
Elves were a race of nature. They cherished the World Tree, the root of all things and the symbol of life. Thus, they preferred to avoid innocent bloodshed whenever possible—though inevitable wars were another matter. Regardless, they thought a proper threat would send the trio running.
Instead, those three possessed terrifying strength. They had fended off the elven attacks despite the disadvantageous environment, eventually forcing Ainis to bring in reinforcements.
However, the strange occurrences started from there. While the other two humans were unremarkable, the forest said nothing about the blonde human. In fact, it felt as though the forest was trying to protect him. This was something that should have been impossible. She had never heard of the forest protecting a human.
And then, during their conversation, she had heard that ridiculous claim.
‘To recover the World Tree.’
While saying it was contaminated wasn’t quite accurate, it was true that the World Tree’s life was currently in danger. Throughout history, the tree had been threatened by invasions from human kingdoms. In the human world, the World Tree was treated as a source of panaceas or mystical lumber. As a result, the World Tree was now covered in nothing but scars.
But humans were overlooking something. Just as all living creatures require the forest to live, the world can only exist if the World Tree exists. Humans never considered such logic. She despised them for acting solely for their own profit.
‘But why is this human different?’
The forest was protecting him, and he held a piece of the World Tree in its pure state. It was a part of the World Tree that shouldn’t exist in this era. The appearance of the World Tree in its prime only existed in records from the distant past. It was a form Ainis had never seen in her life.
‘Even if it’s just a branch, I can feel a powerful life force.’
She thought that perhaps, just as the human said, it might really be possible to save the World Tree. The forest did not lie.
‘The forest seems to trust this blonde human.’
However, she couldn’t make the final call herself, so she decided to leave it to the Chief’s judgment. Honestly, she was desperate enough to grasp at straws and hoped his words were true. If not, she would deal with him right then and there in the elven way.
Ainis glanced back at Evan.
They traveled through the dense forest for quite some time. Passing through cliffs and valleys along the way was a precarious task. Evan began to understand why this place was considered a natural fortress. Even for those who weren’t elves, defending this area would be easy if one just took the high ground.
If the narrow paths were blocked effectively, a small force could easily hold off a large army. Furthermore, this was a forest—the most advantageous terrain for elves.
‘There’s a reason the Order hasn’t been able to move easily.’
However, considering the power of the Sacred Maiden and the Order, safety wasn’t guaranteed. If they truly set their minds to it, they could probably seize this place at any time.
‘It feels more like they’re just leaving it alone for now.’
Their primary goal was to cross the Central Region and advance into the North. They wouldn’t be able to move their troops lightly.
‘I’ll have to take action before they move.’
Purifying the World Tree didn’t seem like it would be the end of the problem.
“Young Master… are we really going to be okay? These are elves. They don’t just hate humans; they look like they want to kill us.”
Alan, who was still on high alert, whispered to Evan. Evan simply gave a leisurely response.
“It’ll probably be fine.”
“What?”
Seeing Evan speak so nonchalantly made Alan’s stomach churn with anxiety. But the die was cast. He prayed to a god he didn’t even believe in, hoping that things would turn out for the best.
“Whoa! I never thought I’d see something like this in my life!”
An exclamation of admiration escaped Reynold’s mouth. Alan also began to look around in silence, appearing stunned. They had arrived at the Elf Village.
“So this is it…”
Evan also marveled at the sight of the Elf Village. He had never imagined such a place existed within the forest. There were numerous trees so massive that the sky was hidden from view, and elven huts were visible beneath them. The overall structure harmonized perfectly with nature.
It felt as if the very air was brimming with Life Force. It was a mystical sensation. Alan, his previous worries forgotten, spoke to Evan in an excited tone.
“Don’t you think we’re the first humans ever to visit an Elf Village?”
“I’m devastated I can’t record this! I bet I could get 100 gold coins easily for a record of this place.”
Alan tapped Reynold on the back. “You’ll probably lose your head before you get that chance.”
Ainis, who was leading the way, came to a halt. “Humans. Watch your behavior from this point on. If you do anything foolish, you’ll die instantly. Just follow me.”
Ainis gave them one last threatening warning before turning around. At her words, Alan and Reynold shut their mouths.
The moment Evan’s group entered the mouth of the village, the space shimmered. Suddenly, numerous elves who hadn’t been visible from the outside appeared.
‘Was there a protective barrier that blocked detection from the outside?’
Evan walked into the village, observing the many elves. The elves stopped what they were doing and stared at Evan’s party.
“H-Humans!”
“How? A human is…”
“Lady Ainis brought humans!”
One by one, they glared at Evan’s group with wary eyes. Of course, among them, the younger elves were staring intently at Evan with eyes sparkling in curiosity.
“They’re humans, but they look just like us.”
“It’s my first time seeing a human!”
Some elves followed behind them. While some glared as if they were ready to kill with weapons in hand, Ainis gave them all an instruction.
“No one is to touch them without my permission!”
With that, Evan’s group barely managed to reach the residence of the Elf Chief. Unlike the other huts, this one was larger and covered in many vines. Ainis climbed the stairs of the hut alone and knocked on the door.
“Chief. I have something urgent to discuss.”
A moment later, the door opened, and a beautiful woman revealed herself. She was an elf with brilliant golden hair tied back. She had a generally gentle aura, and she felt quite experienced. While all the elves Evan had seen so far were exceptionally beautiful, the Chief seemed to be on another level entirely.
Alan and Reynold stared at her, lost in a daze. Evan also looked at her in surprise, and when their eyes met, he gave a light bow.
“I have been waiting for you. I have known since the moment you stepped into this forest. The forest wants you. It is fascinating.”
She welcomed Evan with a smile.
“Ch-Chief! These people are humans.”
Ainis began to panic at the Chief’s lack of hostility. The smiling woman spoke to Ainis.
“It’s all right. The forest keeps telling me that this person is okay. So it will be fine. The forest does not lie.”
“Still…”
“Do I look weak enough to be defeated by humans?”
The woman’s smiling eyes slowly opened. In contrast to her soft appearance, a crushing sense of pressure emanated from her. Ainis could not say another word.
“I want to speak with him. I heard through the forest. I am also curious to see if he can truly save the World Tree. If he can’t, it won’t be too late to deal with it then.”
She was a woman who could say such chilling things with a gentle smile. Evan nodded silently.
“I’m just grateful that you’re willing to listen.”
At that moment, a message appeared before Evan’s eyes.
**[The achievement ‘Friend of Yggdrasil’ has been linked.]**
**[Forest Affinity has increased to the maximum.]**
‘This is…’
The relationship with Yggdrasil from his previous world had been linked as an achievement. He now understood the reason behind what she had said about the forest.
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