Chapter 498

Chapter 498

The high elf village, where the World Tree had sprouted, had changed so drastically it was almost unrecognizable.

The greatest change was the land itself.

From the moment the World Tree emerged, the orange desert sand gradually began turning into fertile soil.

Latricia, leader of the high elves, explained that this transformation came from the World Tree’s power.

The World Tree was, as its name declared, the tree that upheld the world.

It held power of unimaginable magnitude.

One of the powers the World Tree possessed was prosperity.

It enriched its entire domain, turning vast regions into habitats for countless forms of life.

The World Tree that had sprouted in the high elf village was still young, and did not yet possess such immense power. But once it grew, nurtured with great devotion by the high elves, tens of kilometers around the village would eventually turn into fertile land.

Right now, the high elves had gathered around the World Tree’s sprout, singing songs of joy.

The older elves shed tears of ecstasy, while the young elves, born on Earth, burst into bright laughter.

Latricia spoke to her people.

“The young World Tree does not yet possess the power to protect itself. From this moment on, our duty is to safeguard it. Once the World Tree’s existence becomes known, many will covet it. Beastkin, humans, elves, and all manner of beings will come seeking to claim it. We must prepare.”

For now, the World Tree was still small, and its presence did not stand out. But once it grew, its existence would inevitably be revealed.

Latricia had to prepare for that day.

At her words, the high elves nodded.

High elves were beings fundamentally tied to the World Tree.

Elves could sometimes be influenced by humans, but high elves never lost their identity.

Brielle’s case was a little unusual, but even she had never forgotten that she was a high elf, not for a single moment.

Moreover, she had become the new High Priestess after Tamulana.

She was young, raised in the human world, yet no one doubted her ascension to High Priestess.

They had seen for themselves that she was worthy.

—Kyarrr!

Even just looking at Riri, who circled cheerfully around Brielle, made it clear.

Now Riri appeared without hesitation.

The World Tree and spirits were inseparable from elves.

Their presence alone gave great courage to the high elves.

—Piiii!

At that moment, Gaia pushed through the clouds and revealed herself.

Gaia flew around the World Tree alongside Riri.

A look of awe appeared on the high elves’ faces.

Gaia was a spirit-being none of them had ever seen before.

Across both Kurayan and Earth, no existence like Gaia had ever appeared.

She had carried the World Tree seed and allowed it to sprout, and had also played the role of catalyst that made spirits like Riri possible.

The high elves revered Gaia as a sacred beast.

True to that title, Gaia remained near the World Tree, gracefully circling it. Thanks to her, approaching monsters were repelled before they could get close.

Latricia bowed deeply to Zeon in gratitude.

“Lord Zeon, I do not know how to repay you. Thanks to you, our people have escaped disaster, and even gained a World Tree. And you protected my inadequate daughter as well… I cannot fathom how to repay such grace.”

“It’s too early for thanks. There is still a thorny road ahead.”

“That is true. Protecting the young World Tree safely is our first problem.”

“Perhaps Brielle told you already, but there is another place where the forest has revived.”

“Yes, I heard. You called it the Primordial Forest? Riri was born there, wasn’t she?”

“That’s right.”

“It is a good sign. Forests give birth to spirits.”

“The Primordial Forest has been sealed off with a strong barrier. It’s best if it remains hidden from the outside for now.”

“We plan to do the same here. The young World Tree will become the target of many monsters.”

Latricia looked at the sprout of the World Tree with deep affection.

Ever since the World Tree sprouted, many high elves had regained their vigor.

Brielle also opened the devices she had brought from Neo Seoul. Exposed to these artifacts, blends of magic and science, the high elves were astonished by human technology.

As a result, a wave of enthusiasm for human magi-tech spread among the young elves.

A community that had once lived day by day without hope was beginning to change.

In the past, such changes would have been unwelcome, but now things were different.

Even the older high elves felt the need for change.

Zeon also told Latricia about El Harun.

Latricia already knew of El Harun.

When she first arrived on Earth, Dell Roa had invited her to join their settlement.

“Dell Roa and I did not share the same values. She believed only she was qualified, driven by a sense of chosenness. I believed our identity as high elves must be protected. If we joined El Harun, we might have found safety for a time, but surely our identity would blur as we lived intermingled with other races. So we chose our own path, and traveled here. I heard nothing of them afterward… and now, I learn that she has become one with that World Tree.”

Latricia let out a faint sigh.

She understood Dell Roa’s choice.

If her own World Tree had been dying, she too would have done anything to preserve it.

But El Harun’s World Tree was not whole.

It wasn’t Earth’s World Tree, it was Kurayan’s, and not even the original trunk, but merely a transplanted branch.

It lacked the true authority of a complete World Tree, no more than a degraded imitation.

Perhaps they could endure for now. But eventually, its power would fade, and it would perish.

When that time came, El Harun would face crisis once more.

“What do you intend to do? Will you inform El Harun of the birth of a new World Tree?”

“It is too early. The elves of El Harun, and the other races, have grown far too fierce and warlike. Until we have the strength to protect the World Tree from them, the secret must remain hidden.”

“I understand. If that is your will, I will not reveal it.”

“Thank you. Ah!”

Suddenly, Latricia gasped.

She felt something strange.

Her chest tingled.

Zeon looked at her with puzzlement.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wait.”

Latricia lifted her hand, halting him.

At that moment, the flow of air around her shifted.

Zeon sensed that something was changing, and fell silent.

Swoooosh,

The space before Latricia wavered, and then something shyly peeked out.

It was a tiny girl made entirely of water, the size of a fist.

Latricia’s eyes flew wide open.

“An… Undine?”

—Kyarrr!

The water-formed girl smiled brightly and flew around Latricia.

She was Undine, a water spirit.

The high elves watching from afar rushed over in astonishment.

“A spirit has been born!”

“It’s Undine! A water spirit!”

“Waaaah!”

The high elves burst into cheers.

The first spirit born in their village filled them with excitement.

Latricia stared blankly at Undine as she circled her.

“The blessing of the World Tree has given birth to a spirit. Lady Ciela must be watching over us.”

Undine looked straight at Latricia’s face.

What she wanted was simple.

—Will you form a contract with me?

“Gladly!”

Latricia accepted Undine’s will and made the contract.

Flaaash!

Brilliant light burst forth.

“Mom! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations on forming a spirit contract.”

Led by Brielle, the high elves congratulated Latricia.

There was not a trace of jealousy on their faces.

To them, it was only natural that their leader be the first to contract with a spirit.

After completing her contract, Latricia spoke.

“You see? From now on, spirits will continue to be born in our village. I do not know how long it will take, but in time, each of you will form a contract with one.”

“Waaaah!”

“A contract with a spirit…”

Just imagining it made their hearts pound.

Riri, Brielle’s spirit, approached Undine.

The two spirits laughed together without a hint of rivalry.

After spending a short time with Riri, Undine drifted toward Gaia.

Undine gazed up at Gaia’s massive form, and then respectfully bowed.

—Piiiii!

Gaia welcomed her warmly.

Latricia said:

“Gaia is like the mother of spirits. She may not directly create them, but her presence alone encourages their birth, and on top of that, we have the World Tree.”

“So the combination of the World Tree and Gaia accelerates the birth of spirits.”

“That is correct. Lord Zeon!”

“Yes?”

“I beg your pardon, but could you remain in our village a while longer?”

“Because of the spirits?”

“Yes. I do not know how many more will be born, but we wish for them to receive Gaia’s influence as much as possible.”

“I understand. I’ll stay.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Go to Undine, don’t you need to give her a name?”

“I was about to. Then… please excuse me.”

Smiling, Latricia approached Undine.

Left alone, Zeon was approached by Tesserina.

“This is good news, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

Zeon looked at her in confusion.

Tesserina scratched her cheek as she answered.

“For being a dragon and still not being much help.”

“That’s not true. You helped a lot. Thanks to you, we saved the high elves safely.”

“Tch! If only my main body were intact, I would’ve wiped everything out myself.”

“So… there really is something wrong with your real body?”

“You knew?”

“I just had a feeling.”

“You’re amazing. Yes, my main body is dying. That’s why I went to Neo Seoul to find a solution. So… when everything here is settled, will you come with me to where my true body lies?”

“Sure. Let’s do that.”

Tesserina’s eyes went round with shock.

“R-really?”

“Really.”

“Do you always say yes that easily?”

“You’re my friend.”

“…Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Tesserina hugged him.

As Zeon gently patted her back,

“Waaaah!!”

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the direction of the World Tree.

Looking over, another spirit was being born.

This time, it was a small ball of flame.

The high elves shouted:

“Wow! This time it’s a fire spirit!”

The fire spirit, unlike Undine or the sylphs, did not take the shape of a human girl. Yet the high elves found nothing strange about it.

Spirits had no predetermined form.

Their shape was influenced by their contractor’s disposition, the surrounding environment, and countless other factors.

The ball of flame floated through the air, circling among the high elves.

They swallowed nervously as they watched.

Spirit contracts depended entirely on the spirit’s choice.

All the high elves could do was wait.

After a moment, the fire spirit chose a girl.

A high elf girl slightly older than Brielle.

The girl gladly formed a contract with the fire spirit.

“Waaaah!”

“Congratulations!”

The elves celebrated her contract.

And that wasn’t the end.

Another spirit was born later that day, and another contractor emerged.

Thus the high elf village was steadily becoming a land of spirits.