Chapter 103 – Code of Conduct (3)
“Yeah, it’s been a while. You were looking for me that much?”
“…!”
Among the elves enjoying the festivities, a familiar face appeared. The high elf who had instigated the budding of his immature self and then fled!
The moment the World Tree saw that arrogant silver-haired girl’s face, it involuntarily trembled its leaves. However, it quickly regained its confidence.
Look at the elves around. They are all praising and respecting the achievements of the World Tree. The feat that the young World Tree accomplished was truly remarkable.
It provided the power to save a world in crisis.
Even the most arrogant high elf had to acknowledge such an achievement.
Therefore, the World Tree was sure that Iriliana would obediently follow its words.
“—?!”
But such comfortable thoughts naturally went awry.
Iriliana showed no signs of repentance or submission; instead, she glared and stomped down hard on the trunk of the tree.
Simultaneously, the earth spirit began to strongly pressure the roots.
The startled World Tree called forth the earth spirits which were in tune with it to try and deter the earth spirit that Iriliana commanded, but the earth spirit that had traveled across the continent with Iriliana, growing its power, effortlessly intimidated the other spirits with just a glance and drove them away.
“Hey, you little tree brat. What’s got you so relaxed, acting so carefree right now?”
She thrust her face towards the astonished World Tree and glared. The previous air of dominance was nowhere to be found; the World Tree felt genuinely terrified, suppressed by the presence of the much smaller Iriliana.
“There are things happening all over the world right now. While you barely dealt with one thing thanks to the help of the elves, I’ve already handled several times more. Do you think this is the end?”
Afterwards, a delightful lecture time filled with threats and scolding ensued. The World Tree, having just sprouted a few months ago and facing a lifetime in this position, could not comprehend any of these stories.
What was going on in this world, and what Iriliana had been up to until recently.
Iriliana was no ordinary high elf. She was an unfathomable entity that had existed for ten thousand years and already wielded significant influence in this world.
The immature self of the World Tree, upon hearing all of this, could only feel dazed.
“I-Iriliana. Is there something wrong with the World Tree?”
“Hmm? It’s nothing. I’m just checking on its condition.”
During this process, a few elves cautiously approached, but Iriliana cleverly hid her actions by taking advantage of the fact that only she could hear the World Tree’s voice.
Thanks to that, the misunderstanding spread among the elves that her actions were special gestures for communion with the World Tree.
“I don’t have time to entertain your whining. Focus on squeezing out your power as quickly as possible. The fate of the world’s nature and the land where you live depend on this.”
She smirked, saw the completely intimidated World Tree, and finally relaxed her expression. Just like that, the World Tree’s minor rebellion was swiftly suppressed.
“And if you feel wronged, then try to put in some effort yourself, okay? There’s no guarantee that only high elves can hear the words of the World Tree. You should be the one trying to communicate with the elves. In the past, there were quite a few high elves, so it wasn’t necessary. But now that things have changed, if you want something, you need to go get it yourself.”
Though it shook its leaves earnestly in a plea for help, the elves could not understand the gesture. All they got was laughter from Iriliana.
However, Iriliana, seeing this, also offered some advice along with her laughter.
After all, the World Tree was the only one brought back to life with Iriliana’s own efforts. While it was hard to call it a child, it could at least be regarded with the affection of a naive younger sibling.
“Did you see everything?”
“Yeah. The World Tree will do its best to resolve this incident, so you need to help as much as possible. It needs to grow bigger to create more flowers.”
Iriliana, having disciplined the World Tree, met and spoke with the elder and chairman Elnar, who was completely unaware of these matters.
Elnar, having become the unambiguous representative and leader of the elves, looked very different from before.
“I’ve gained a lot of insight. I thought I had lived enough, that I couldn’t change anymore, but that was incorrect. A man like me lives not even a fraction of a life that Iriliana-sama has.”
“Um…”
Seeing Elnar sincerely express gratitude, Iriliana felt a bit awkward and broke out in a cold sweat. While it was true she was a being from ten thousand years ago, in terms of the time lived, she could be considered less than an ordinary human.
However, those around her recognized her as an ancient being who had lived for ten thousand years.
At first, she made corrections a few times, but it was not well received, and after publicly revealing her identity, the phrase ‘elf aged ten thousand years’ had simply solidified.
“Thanks to the efforts of the World Tree, we’ve found a way to purify the degeneration on our own, so the establishment of the Grand Coalition that Iriliana is promoting has become much closer. We elves will actively participate in the Grand Coalition as companions of Iriliana-sama and members of this world.”
“Y-Yes. That’s very much appreciated.”
Still, the elves led by Elnar are the core force that will participate in the plan with loyalty to Iriliana.
Nodding awkwardly, she watched the food platter brought directly by Elnar’s daughter, Eluria, and smiled weakly.
It was filled with meat dishes. Furthermore, they were prepared using proper cooking methods learned from humans. After having a fit over not wanting raw or vegetarian foods, now it was all meat laid out.
“Recently, the diet among our kin has changed quite a bit. There are teachings from Iriliana-sama, but as we’ve increased exchanges with surrounding powers, their methods naturally began to seep in.”
“Surprisingly, you didn’t stop it?”
“If it were the past, I would have panicked and stopped it. How dare you try to impose the sordid culture of humans on the elves, they would say. But the world has changed, hasn’t it?”
Elnar chuckled while pointing out the scenery visible from the window.
There were a few human merchants whom the elves had voluntarily invited, busy at work. Elnar also added that the human king wanted to join the Grand Coalition and had been pressuring to marry Eluria.
‘So much is changing because of me.’
Iriliana watched and listened to the scenery, wearing a strange expression.
It was a mix of joy and fear. Of course, the imminent end threatening this world was a major event that could end an era, but right now, Iriliana was acting to stop it, causing a great upheaval in the entire world.
Even if she successfully prevents the end as intended, the fact that this world is being significantly twisted because of her cannot be denied.
And this is not simply using the legacy of the past, it is purely the achievements she made in this world.
“I heard you’re going to meet the dwarves living further north.”
“They are one of the main powers that occupy a considerable territory as well. Degeneration must be spreading in their lands too, so we must urge them to join the Grand Coalition. It won’t be stopped voluntarily, I’m sure.”
Naturally, the conversation turned to her next destination.
Having already garnered the support of quite a few, including the Beastman Federation, Iriliana chose the dwarves in the north as her next potential allies to join forces.
“They are said to be a proud race with strong stubbornness and a disdain for outsiders, or rather, a slight wariness.”
“When I first mentioned this, everyone said it wouldn’t be easy.”
Iriliana chuckled at Elnar’s efforts to correct his wording and nodded.
It was true that the external perception of dwarves was such. They had an image of being as closed off as elves, greedy for wealth, and hasty in temperament.
“Still, we have to try. Who knows? They might be hoping for a helping hand.”
Her reasoning was not baseless; the will of the imminent end and the ensuing degeneration provided sufficient justification.
Those who have seriously experienced its risks, like the Beastman Federation, would hardly disregard her words.
“Large numbers of dwarf refugees are coming down from the north.”
“I heard there was a rebellion in the dwarf kingdom, and a civil war has begun!?”
However, at that moment, the rumors began to spread from the north where the dwarves lived, as if they were keeping a close eye on her movements.
It was the very moment Iriliana, prepared, was about to set off on her journey with her companions.
