Eve Nirvana Yggdrasil.
Most elves are called by simple names related to plants like Lemon, Apple, Lavender, and Mint Cocoa, but this one’s name is quite fancy.
And the complicated names from medieval times symbolized authority and power.
It’s an modifier to show they’re a special being different from others. That’s why such intricate names were attached, and… Eve was no different.
The last descendant of the World Tree, the eternal queen, a thousand-year-old ancient being scheming in the shadows, the puppet master of all dark forces on the Pan Continent, and the legendary virgin.
There were countless phrases to describe Eve, each one more extraordinary than the last.
And in reality, Eve’s abilities were extraordinary too; had she set her mind to it, she could’ve turned the world upside down….
This made me think that a darkening event was upcoming, starting with her suddenly disappearing one day.
It’s the so-called “Meeting with Eve was the worst.” plot.
And now.
“C-Crisis, Jonah-nim!”
“The boss has run away, Jonah!”
“Eh.”
Eve really disappeared.
…Could it be because of what happened last time? Is Eve’s darkening my karma?
It felt like someone hit me over the head with a hammer.
Of course, Ellie, who didn’t know about Eve’s situation, just replied indifferently to the unexpected guest that arrived this morning.
“Well, she might just be out for a bit after all. She doesn’t have to explain to everyone where she’s going.”
“Ellie, the manager, is right.”
“But the boss is a bit special.”
Lemon and Apple exchanged cautious glances and tentatively spoke up.
“The boss hasn’t left Pangrave in several centuries.”
“But when we checked the shop today, all of the boss’s important items were completely gone. It was like she was preparing to leave for a long time.”
They were clearly worried that something had happened or that she was planning to do something.
Just like there are other kingdoms outside Pangrave, elves have their own kingdom too.
The Great Forest where the World Tree used to be was on the verge of being absorbed into a maze, but under Eve’s leadership, they managed to overcome all those competitions and claim a land just for elves once again.
But the simple reason why Eve is living here running a magical device shop that doesn’t sell well is that she is no longer a queen.
Staying in Pangrave is a testament to her resignation from her royal duties.
However, if she were to return to the elven kingdom…
“The queen’s return?”
The elves would gladly offer her the throne they left vacant for her.
Hearing my idle thought, Ellie jumped in surprise and asked.
“What, what? Jonah, did you know? How?”
“You know that there’s someone watching my back. Even if I don’t want to, certain things come to light.”
I shrugged it off while wrapping it in the name of the Goddess of Love. Strictly speaking, it’s a memory from my past life, but since it’s the goddess who brought me here, it’s not entirely wrong.
Only then did Ellie nod in understanding.
“Indeed, if it’s that person, they’d surely know. By the way, Jonah, I’m not saying this because I have some strange feelings or anything…”
“Speak your mind. Even if you have a bit of strange feelings, it’s fine.”
“Umm… you look a bit more handsome today?”
“How can you say that! Come to bed! Let’s sort this out there! …I want to say that, but actually, maybe it’s because my powers have been enhanced thanks to defeating Morgana this time around. That’s probably it.”
“Oh.”
To be precise, I received new powers, but… it also has a reinforcing effect from the existing powers.
Ellie kept nodding vacantly while Lemon and Apple kept silent.
Come to think of it, did I not tell them that I’m a saint of the Goddess of Love?
No, surely when I hinted with the full statue of the goddess in front of Eve, Lemon and Apple were right there.
“Hmm….”
I realized everything by looking at both of them, who were eagerly tapping their feet, expecting something.
Sure enough, just as I discovered Eve’s true identity, they must be hoping the goddess whispers Eve’s whereabouts to me.
I gave a wry smile to the two who were anxiously waiting for my reply.
“First of all, I must say this is a secret, okay? If you go around talking about it, it’ll interfere with finding Eve.”
“Don’t worry! I can keep a secret!”
“If Lemon spills it, I’ll have to kill her!”
Lemon thumped her AAA-level chest confidently while Apple shot a determined glance at her sister.
As Lemon tried to back off from Apple in shock, my answer came out half a beat earlier.
“I don’t know where Eve is either.”
“Ah….”
“So then….”
“However, I do know that if anything goes wrong, it could bring great destruction to both Eve and all of Pangrave.”
“Is that a guaranteed truth?”
“What should we do?”
Lemon and Apple looked at me with desperate eyes, like believers seeking salvation. But I’m neither a true saint nor a cult leader, so I couldn’t provide the answer they wanted.
“I don’t know.”
I let out a long sigh and continued.
“I don’t know if this disappearance is the start of the destruction, and I don’t know where to go to find Eve. All I know is there exists a foreboding possibility within Eve’s fate, and that possibility is quite high.”
No clues were given. If Eve intentionally hid herself, it’d be hard to find her.
But it’s also true that I’m worried. It could be for other reasons, but… just yesterday, such events occurred that made her heartbroken and possibly despairing.
I once vowed to gather all the seeds of calamity I had sown.
And this vow still holds.
If I were the author, once the creator of the Pan Continent… I want to take responsibility for this incomplete world.
After this gacha, I discarded all the plans I had neatly organized in my head.
Until now, I had been moving in a way that wouldn’t attract attention to the guild… specifically, the temple might discover me.
But now, I can’t help but step out, even if it means facing some problems.
“Lemon, Apple. Even if you’re treated like a virgin loser amongst elves, you do know the elf community in Pangrave, right?”
“That’s too much…”
“While it’s true I’m a virgin, being a loser and destitute is just Lemon.”
Lemon frowned at the sudden blow, and Apple subtly distanced herself, sacrifice-ing her sister.
I chuckled and nodded at their antics.
“Anyway, if you know, spread a rumor in the elf community.”
“A rumor?”
“It’s possible, but… what kind of rumor?”
I closed my eyes quietly. A brief contemplation. But if it’s necessary, there’s no other way.
“Say that the new king is looking for the youngest daughter of the World Tree to welcome his partner.”
As I spoke, I quietly activated my power.
The Crown of Thorns was placed atop my head. Lemon and Apple murmured in reverence at the sight.
“Basilieus…”
“The symbol of the first king…”
The two declared with fervent vigor, failing to deliver a half-hearted example.
“Got it! We’ll spread the word thoroughly!”
“Count on us to make sure every elf—and everyone in Pangrave—knows!”
“Just remember, don’t reveal my identity. As long as Eve comes looking for me, I’m fine. Those who need to know will find out somehow, but I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”
“Understood!”
“We absolutely won’t mention that Jonah-nim is like that with the boss!”
“……”
Not that it’s like that, but it seems she’s just gone dark and run away…
I wanted to correct them, but Lemon and Apple, now fired up after seeing my crown, dashed out before I could.
“Sigh.”
I released a deep sigh and undid my power.
The instant the expanded cognitive abilities and the feeling of omniscience faded, there was an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
Strangely, I felt the power of Basilieus might be stronger than before… or is it slightly different?
Basilieus is the power of a dead god. Unlike the still-living Goddess of Love, the power of the god who disappeared long ago.
Naturally, there’s no room for growth here.
There’s my passive ability for personal growth acceleration, and an active ability that hastens the growth of plants, but….
Strictly speaking, both of these function essentially the same. It’s simply a matter of where the power is directed, but at the end of the day, it’s rapid growth.
I can amplify my capabilities through active use by consuming divine power, but that just boils down to whether I swing my fist normally or with force.
The powers of a deceased god cannot achieve essential growth.
However, it felt like Basilieus’s power had increased even though I hadn’t consumed divine power.
The feeling of expanded cognition and omnipotence I experienced while wearing the crown just made it feel like I could bear more power.
But this wasn’t because the power of Basilieus increased.
It’s just that I’ve become capable of handling more power.
One of the effects of the Avatar of Love being a substantial enhancement of mental strength.
Perhaps thanks to that, I was able to unleash the full extent of Basilieus’s power, which I used to control moderately before.
At least one must be careful with the power that expands the senses; if misused, it could harm the user, so there likely were instinctive safety measures.
Heck! Truly, it’s a 5-star power. I’ve already discovered a function that’s beneficial in practice!
While I marveled silently and nodded, a pale Ellie squeaked like a rusty tin doll.
“C-Consort?”
“Ah, the third consort. The first is obviously Ellie.”
“Oh.”
Only then did Ellie seem to relax, taking a deep breath. But soon she realized something was off and tilted her head in confusion.
“I’m going to check on Benny for a bit! Let’s keep up the fighting spirit today, Ellie!”
I managed to slip out of the Fairy and Silver Coin without a hitch.
… It feels oddly like deja vu.
