Linea didn’t miss the wavering look in her teacher’s eyes. She pressed on even harder.
“It’s such a shame to let the World Tree go like this, Teacher!”
“Th-that’s…”
“Are you really okay with just letting the World Tree go like this?”
Amelia couldn’t confidently respond to Linea’s words either. She, too, was one of the elves who worshipped the World Tree and wanted to stay close to it. There was definitely something regrettable about letting it go like this.
Amelia hesitated and asked Linea once more.
“Did you really wish for the World Tree to stay for a month?”
Of course, there was a bit of coercion from Linea, but Hana had agreed to Linea’s words entirely. Hana had made it clear that she could return after a month, so she spoke with reassurance. A month felt like a vacation, living here as if on a trip.
It wasn’t like joining the military or anything; it was more like going on an overseas trip, so the desire to stay was even more stimulated. She could comfortably tour this world and, when the time came, return home under Linea’s guidance. A month was just the right amount of time, especially since her hair reserves were getting a bit tight.
At least, if Starlight Food went under, she couldn’t stay longer than a month.
“Yes! Since the World Tree, by nature, has no memory, it’s like touring a new world…”
Linea was about to continue when Amelia gestured for her to stop. After a moment of deep thought, Amelia seemed to make a decision.
“Then let’s announce to everyone that the World Tree’s Avatar has arrived.”
“Huh?”
Linea’s plan to monopolize the World Tree with her teacher alone was foiled. Amelia had no intention of keeping it to herself. Instead, she wanted to show the World Tree’s form to many elves. This was a first, and it was sure to be a big deal.
—
Hana didn’t know, but the elves here had only one faith: the World Tree Church. While humans had various religions and gods, for the elves, there was only one god—the World Tree.
In a way, it made sense. Unlike human faith, where gods couldn’t be seen and only scriptures remained, the elves’ faith had a clear form. If you lived in this city, you could see the massive body of the World Tree just by walking a little. Its grandeur was awe-inspiring, making it impossible not to believe when you could see it with your own eyes.
99.9% of the elves worshipped the World Tree. The remaining 0.01% were just children too young to understand.
And because the elves received affinity with spirits and nature from the World Tree, staying close to it naturally boosted that affinity. Of course, it would slowly decrease if they stayed away, but they could replenish it by visiting the sacred site. That was one reason why elves consistently visited the sacred site.
The elves running the church were hard at work today. Although the elven kingdom separated faith and politics, the influence of faith on daily life couldn’t be ignored. Religion, after all, is deeply intertwined with people’s lives.
Hana had no idea where she was now. Surrounded by female elves inside a dazzlingly colorful building, she was at a loss.
The reason was simple. Her teacher, Amelia, had politely asked her:
“If it’s not too much trouble, may we reveal the World Tree’s form to the public? If you’re uncomfortable, you can refuse!”
Linea was shaking her head behind her, signaling to refuse. But Hana, feeling contrary, nodded at Amelia’s request. It felt rude to refuse when they asked so politely. Plus, there was something about the elves that made her feel a strange, tickling sensation in her heart. It was like taking care of a pet, though she felt bad thinking of the elves that way. Since she was the World Tree, she felt a fondness for the elves.
Seeing Amelia’s moved expression, Hana realized there was no turning back now.
The female elf devotees dressed Hana in incredibly lavish robes, makeup, and various accessories. If she had to put them on herself, she’d be sweating buckets.
And so, Hana ended up wearing an outfit that Jiyu and Yumi would have pointed at and teased her for cosplaying.
The World Tree Church announced that the Avatar of the World Tree, the idol and deity of the Elves, will appear at the upcoming regular service. The shockwave of this news hit Elf society hard.
“Wait, we can actually see the World Tree in person?” said an elderly Elf, who had heard of such things in his lifetime but had never met an Elf who had actually seen the Avatar of the World Tree.
“Is this for real?”
“Why would the World Tree Church lie about this?”
“Good point.”
Among the younger Elves, there were many who were eager to catch a glimpse of the World Tree.
Even Elves residing in distant human kingdoms heard the news.
“To see the World Tree in person! This is something we absolutely cannot miss!”
Thanks to the unique plant-based communication methods of the Elves, even those living thousands of miles away began to gather. The entire nation was buzzing with excitement over the appearance of the World Tree. It was as if the most famous superstar on Earth had arrived, and even that wouldn’t compare.
Since the World Tree Church wouldn’t lie, it was confirmed that the World Tree’s appearance was real. This fact sent Elf society into a frenzy.
—
“Uh-oh…”
I realized things had gotten way out of hand, but there was no turning back now. I had no idea how many Elves had gathered to see me. According to the World Tree Church’s estimates, it could easily surpass a hundred thousand.
Wearing a crown made of plants, I slowly boarded the Flower Cart under the guidance of Amelia and Linea. Amelia and Linea were high-ranking Elves in the World Tree Church, which made sense—they wouldn’t send low-ranking Elves to manage the World Tree.
The vehicle was a bit ambiguous—was it a cart or a palanquin? It was pulled by horses like a cart, but the top was open like a palanquin. Probably so the crowd could see me, since being inside would’ve hidden me from view.
Elven guards moved slowly alongside, keeping pace with the cart.
The cart moved through a path cleared by the massive crowd of Elves.
“World Tree!!!”
“Ahhhh!!!”
“Such an honor!!!!”
“Hana!!! Look over here!!!”
Somehow, they knew my name, and the cheers for “World Tree” and “Hana” were mixed in equal measure. Hearing tens of thousands of people shouting my name was… an indescribable feeling.
The Elves scattered flower petals and beautiful blooms along the streets, cheering wildly. It felt similar to a wedding procession, except this time, I was the one being cheered for, not the spectator.
As I passed through the cheering Elves, I finally arrived at a massive altar. It was clear that the World Tree Church was the center of all Elven faith. I’d heard they received offerings, and I wondered if those offerings had been invested in building this altar.
The design and grandeur of the altar were on par with anything on Earth. I couldn’t help but gape in awe. An altar like this… wow.
At the front of the altar, I switched to a palanquin. I could’ve walked, but the Elves seemed to think it wasn’t fitting for me to do so. I waved to the cheering Elves, putting on a proper performance.
The saying “the position makes the person” was spot on. Seeing the Elves worshiping me as a deity, I decided to act the part. When I reached the top of the altar, hundreds of musicians began playing in unison. The majestic sound of the instruments echoed grandly throughout the area.
Standing at the highest point of the altar, I looked down at the countless Elves cheering for me. I couldn’t help but feel like coming here was the right decision.
