Chapter 64

“I’m saying that you ran away, leaving Araya behind.”

“There’s a flaw in your words. It’s not that we abandoned Araya, but rather, the two giants, who are Araya’s disciples, left the battlefield to relay a message by Araya’s will, preparing for any possible event. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to gather information about the current situation.”

“Are you just making excuses for being scared and running away?”

“When we arrived, the injuries of the two giants were serious. That’s proof they did their best. Furthermore, if the opponent was a danger to Araya, the full power of the two wouldn’t have helped much. Araya must have known that as well. Someone of your caliber must already be aware of this, right?”

“…Tch.”

Pallas clicked his tongue, unable to refute the words of Alia, the succubus and chancellor at the center of the human world, despite not being human himself.

The Harmony Guardians flinched at Pallas’s disrespectful attitude towards Alia, but they did not act recklessly, recalling the long and tumultuous wars of the past.

They could not be completely sure that the three monstrous beings resembling Alia, who was their sister, along with the elves referred to as Forest Keepers, were beneath them.

As the surrounding air grew a bit cooler, a voice broke the atmosphere.

“Hey, Pallas, keep your rude attitude in the forest and don’t go around creating disputes outside.”

“Shut up.”

Saraswati, who was watching as Pallas lost the verbal skirmish against Alia with a smirk, spoke without paying attention to the mood, examining the statues scattered throughout the space with interest.

“Hmm. It’s a bit strange to call you ‘you.’ What should I call you? Alia? …Or should I say step-sister?”

“Call me however you feel comfortable. In fact, Araya usually just calls me Alia.”

“Then I’ll call you sister. That’s impressive. I was surprised when I saw you outside the city wall, but I was even more amazed to see the core of this structure in person. Did you make this, sister?”

“If I didn’t have Araya’s help, it would have been impossible.”

“Even so, considering that you thought of making something so interesting… and dangerous, you don’t seem normal either. Is this actually possible to complete?”

“…At this point, I believe it’s impossible, but someday.”

“Well, you seem similar to us, and if you have time, it might be possible someday. By the way, have you heard anything from Araya?”

Saraswati’s green eyes turned piercing.

“We elves are a race born with the mission of valuing harmony and removing things that disturb balance. Araya, being insensitive to danger and having a certain clumsiness, is curious and desires attention, which is why I wonder why this was allowed. However, my siblings and I are quite different from the foolishly lenient Araya. Right now, there are more urgent matters at hand, and while we can overlook this as something Araya has done…”

A colorless, transparent aura began to ripple around Saraswati.

“If you engage in strange pranks with this, I guarantee… we will erase everything you have built.”

Tension rose as the Harmony Guardians’ hands moved to their weapons, freezing the air more than their conversation with Pallas.

Only Pallas and Alia remained calm.

The tense atmosphere that filled the Room of Worlds was shattered by the sound of applause.

“That’s my thought, but you don’t seem that foolish, sister. Can I trust you?”

“Even if I guarantee it with easily spoken words, you might not easily believe it. However, the control of this Deus Ex Machina is not solely in my hands; it is also in Araya’s.”

“But right now, that Araya is missing?”

“Do you, Lady Saraswati, and the elves intend to stay longer in Pohelrn?”

“Hmm, I hope so.”

“In that case, how about you stay in this Grand Temple where Araya lived for that time, and you, Lady Saraswati, can examine this directly?”

“Oh! Really?”

“…Saras…”

Anart called Saraswati, who was glowing with delight.

Realizing her excitement, Saraswati cleared her throat and continued the conversation.

“Indeed, um, yes, I think that’s a good idea. I need to verify if this is dangerous or not. It’s not a bad suggestion.”

“What duration do you expect to stay?”

“Did I promise my sister that I would return by spring before leaving?”

“That’s correct. You promised me before you left.”

“Then can I stay until spring? I want to see Araya return with my own eyes.”

“As long as you abide by the laws and rules here during your stay, there is no problem.”

“Of course. We can extend a helping hand as long as the work is simple while we owe a favor. However, I cannot assist with the expedition you plan after spring. While Araya may seem to be scatterbrained, the principle is that we should not interfere in the natural disputes of species.”

“On the contrary, this is something we would like to request of you. Thanks to Araya, the authority of this new faith and the elves has grown excessively among humans. If there is further intervention, the balance of power within the human side will collapse.”

“It was a mutually beneficial proposal. I look forward to the time until spring.”

“If you need anything, please let me know at any time.”

“We elves are not a race that relies heavily on consuming many things, so it shouldn’t be a burden.”

Saraswati and Alia smiled at each other, satisfied with the concluded negotiations.

◈ ◈ ◈

“Was that settled with that?”

“No, try this; it’s delicious.”

“Ugh… Okay.”

“I think it’s a dried fruit that looks similar to the one that was opened from Mother’s avatar. Can this be grown in the forest too?”

“Saraswati.”

The three High Elves were guided to the room originally used by Araya.

Pallas grumbled as he watched Saraswati forcibly sharing the dried jujube with Anart.

“What are you sulking about this time, Pouty?”

“…I’m saying that I don’t have to ask more about Araya.”

“That’s enough.”

Pallas crossed his arms and gestured for him to explain.

“Being rude to your sister.”

Saras, while grumbling, sighed at Pallas’s resolute demeanor.

In the end, wasn’t it because he was worried about the youngest?

Though their expressions were different, the feelings were the same.

“Honestly, what difference does it make to talk more or less? At least, we know Araya is alive, and she said she would return to the injured giants she took as her disciples.”

“But Araya has not returned so far.”

“There are various reasons, but if it’s for Araya, it might actually be better to not go looking for her.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Can you win if you truly fought your mother?”

“I would never fight my mother.”

“Don’t talk nonsense and listen closely.”

“…It would be hard to win.”

“You have some pride after all. It’ll be tough; you’d be effortlessly defeated.”

Saraswati chuckled lightly.

Looking at the slightly irritated Pallas, she popped a dried jujube in her mouth and murmured.

“Well, it’s still true that whether it’s just you or all of us, the outcome would be the same.”

“…Just say it all in one go. You filthy woman.”

“Glurp. In any case, just look at how you speak.”

Saraswati crossed her arms and continued.

“Based on what I’ve heard from Mother and the giants who are her disciples, and from what Alia says, it’s certain that what Araya has encountered is an existence at least similar in status to Mother. Alia mentioned the Elder Roa, right? While we only had Mother, I believe there are indeed similar existences in many corners of the world, so we need to be cautious when moving outside the forest.”

“If Araya has made an enemy of such an existence, shouldn’t we move even more?”

“That’s a bit ambiguous.”

Saraswati scratched her head delicately with her fine finger.

“Currently, we cannot ascertain Araya’s exact condition, but we know that she is alive. Regardless of how strong she has become, the giants’ words indicate that it was not a one-sided victory. There is a possibility of retreating or being captured, but… that’s something we can’t know at this moment.”

“However, remember the message Araya left for the giants. ‘Do not return to the north.’ That is not just a message for the giants and humans here; it is also a message for us.”

“It means they will suffer if they come until I resolve things. You were with her when the forest was first cleared, so you know her temperament, right? She craves attention from others and has a pathological fear of losing those she cares about.”

While silently listening to Saraswati, Pallas’s eyebrows twitched angrily.

“What you’re saying means that even though we don’t know what situation Araya is in, we shouldn’t go help her because she doesn’t want it?”

“Haha, don’t worry. Unlike you, who I find despicable, she is my beloved little sister.”

Saraswati lightly laughed and spoke with a serious expression.

“As it stands, Araya is missing. The exact strength of the enemy is unknown. We have three High Elves and 80 Forest Keeper elves here. If we were to lose all these resources that have not yet even started to bloom properly as a race, the damage would be substantial. And I am responsible for you all and the elves as entrusted by Demis.”

“…Are you planning to abandon Araya?”

“What did you just hear? Araya is my precious little sister. However, it’s just that Araya said she’d return by spring, and I think we have a pretty decent means, so I don’t believe there’s a need to move urgently. Frankly, it’s frustrating that my irresponsible little sister is causing me this much worry and trouble; wouldn’t it be fair for her to experience a bit of hardship as well?”

“A decent means?”

“…Are you talking about that strange object from earlier in that room?”

“That’s correct! Unlike the dumb Pallas, you’re really smart.”

“Ugh.”

Anart worriedly spoke to Saraswati, who was clinging to her and rubbing her cheek.

“It looked dangerous… Can we really use that?”

“I might not be able to control it perfectly, but I think it’s worth a try. Araya was special to begin with, but that Alia thought of it is quite impressive as well. Synchronizing the mind into a single concept to eliminate mental immunity to external forces and receiving power is an intriguing idea.”

“…It felt like the energy swirling inside was screaming.”

“Wild God… was it called Roa here? They appeared weak to humans, but they seemed to have killed that many dragons. But if used not by humans but by the elves, it would be a fitting force for us. Unlike humans who are naturally born, we originally came from the one root known as the World Tree El Prigion.”

“…Is it really a suitable power? My kind and the Forest Keepers are not your test subjects.”

“Even if it’s not the method that Alia and Araya thought of, it’s a huge power formed around the core of the Elder Roa, Ul Kanadiel, and the cores of 72 Roas are gathered. The methods of use are endless.”

“…Will Alia really allow that?”

“At first, we have to ask as much as we can. And… if it doesn’t work…”

Saraswati’s green eyes darkened.

Pallas stared at her before letting out a sigh and stepping back.

“Don’t worry too much; surprisingly, they might be doing well. They’ve been trapped here for seven years, so they might just be enjoying their freedom and not returning on purpose.”

“…Since Demis entrusted this work to you, I will follow for now. But if anything happens to Araya…”

“I understand.”

Saraswati’s voice dropped.

Then she extended her hand and gently patted Anart’s head.

“If anything happens to my precious little sister, I will surely kill that Elder Roa or Gal Dragon or whatever lizard it may be. By any means necessary.”