◈ Episode 164. Another Natural Enemy (2)
Elves.
Beings born from the World Tree.
It seemed the World Tree’s blessing was an innate, irresistible law for them. If not…… I looked at Elsidor, kneeling before me. ‘With that insolent personality, there’s no way he could endure this humiliation.’ No matter how much he had been influenced by Grandfell.
To abruptly tell an elf to kneel.
I’m not such a severe case that I would say that.
If it were about enforcing formalities, that would be one thing.
That was it. What I said to Elsidor was just one sentence.
“A frog in a well needs etiquette training.”……
For a moment, I wondered if “frog” was more insulting than “kneel,” but.
It’s not wrong, is it?
Maybe because he’s only stayed in Sisselier, the land of the elves, and just came outside.
In Elsidor’s case, far from formalities.
He didn’t even have the level of manners that could be called common sense.
[Blessed Hierarchy manifests toward the Elf, Elsidor.]
Then, after a brief flicker.
The message flickered.
And now.
“……How dare you.”
Thud—Elsidor fell to his knees.
And he even dropped the sword from his hand.
This was precisely the effect of [Blessed Hierarchy].
‘So he can’t defy my words?’ Just how strictly did the World Tree drill into them!
Even I, who roughly guessed the circumstances, flinched at the sight. Need I explain the gazes of those watching?
It seemed the saying that words fail when one is too surprised was true.
“…….”
Was that why? The Players’ side was rather silent.
“Chief. This is……?”
Even the peerless Matisse trailed off.
I was gradually realizing what I had done.
Anyway, it was fortunate. Truly.
I looked toward Rakid. ‘First, thank goodness he’s safe.’ If one is a senior mage of the Magic Tower, they can manifest intermediate-level magic even in other fields. Matisse could easily handle first aid, I was sure.
Bow—Had they all rushed here to save their comrade?
The Shadow Mercenaries, who had revealed themselves at some point.
Wolf, acting in place of the unseen commander, Kichi, lowered his head to me.
Since his comrades had arrived, there was no longer any need to worry about Rakid.
In that case.
“……Do not think you will be safe after making me, Elsidor, look like this.”
All that remained was disposing of the arrogant elf.
But to say “look like this.”
Unfortunately, he was quite mistaken. ‘The real disposal hasn’t even begun.’ Now that I knew what effects [Blessed Hierarchy] had, my confidence had grounds. I spoke in a bolder voice than ever.
“This place is not suitable for conversation, Elsidor.”
“How dare you speak my name……!”
“Refrain from insolent remarks first.”
“……!!!”
[Blessed Hierarchy manifests toward the Elf, Elsidor.]
First, let’s start by shutting that mouth.*AAU.
This time, there were no excuses.
The US West Branch Chief.
Jim Joshua opened his mouth heavily.
“We did not anticipate this situation in the slightest.”
Back when Arcana was merely a game.
Elves were unfinished content that would appear in the distant future.
Because the established settings were nothing more than a few background details.
It meant they never could have foreseen that elves born from those settings would blatantly reveal overt hostility toward humanity.
The butterfly effect, was it?
One of the few background settings.
Elves live for eons.
Who would have thought a monster like that would be born from such a brief setting.
I dared not even imagine it.
Because it was so overwhelming.
A martial force that could only approach as the terror of the unknown.
It was a strength of a different dimension from anything seen until now, including the Demon King.
But humanity had one Player.
Even before the Demon King.
Even before the terror of the unknown.
There was a hero who stood equally unbending.
“And we are once again in debt to Player Lee Hoyeol.”
Lee Hoyeol.
He not only stopped the elf rampaging like a malicious spirit but made him kneel.
Did he use force in the process?
Not even that.
He merely exchanged a few words with the elf.
Jim Joshua, bowing his head once, declared.
“From now on, the United States will join the Holy War. We will not spare full-scale support. We also fully withdraw our opposition to the establishment of the AAU Yusra Branch and to help the development of the Yusra Branch…….”
Has his stubbornness finally broken?
“Then it’s unanimous.”
Park Minjae shrugged his shoulders.
Of course, one may know the deep waters but not the hearts of men.
Whether that action sprang from pride.
Or from thorough calculation.
Was still unknown.
But one thing was certain.
The end of the video conference.
Park Minjae opened his mouth quietly.
“Everything is changing, Lee Hoyeol. Centered around him.”
The corners of his mouth rose.
“Raymond Sean, you couldn’t have expected this turn of events either, could you?”*Yusra Kingdom.
Golden Palace.
I had Elsidor stay in a side chamber of the palace. ‘What did this insolent guy do to deserve this luxurious palace?’ In my heart, I wanted to lock him in the underground of the Magic Tower.
In Mugan.
I knew well what kind of space Mugan was, from the appearances of elder mages.
No, from the faces of demon worshippers.
Because there was still much to extract from Elsidor.
It would be troublesome if he became a wreck.
But no matter how urgent the interrogation.
There is an order and procedure to all things.
I went to the side chamber only after handling my duties as Chief at the Magic Tower. Guarding the entrance to the side chamber were Yeshika and Enoch of the Lion Heart Knights. ‘Overtime because of me.’ Was I not someone who knew well the sorrows of a working adult who had to do what they were told?
Especially Yeshika, she was overflowing with work, what with the Succubus affair too.
I offered them some small comfort.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all.”
“Rather, I heard the news of your feat through Commander Harkon!”……
News? What news?
I flinched at Enoch’s words.
Various follies flashed through my mind.
Could it be, the news of my umbrella fighting?
If not that, then something about the endlessly deep darkness?
If not that, then the Evil Dragon Hunter?
More importantly, Mr. Harkon, why would you spread such rumors to subordinates!
“To think you’ve reached an even higher realm. Truly amazing!”
Ah, they were talking about Sword Gang?
Damn, at this point, isn’t it beyond a thief’s feet going numb—aren’t they practically breaking? The karma of black history is too cruel……. For a moment, shame surged, but there was no change in my brazen face.
I shamelessly blabbered.
“It is the law that sword energy grows denser at the crossroads of life and death.”
“……!”
“The day will come when you too gain enlightenment.”
It was merely thanks to the [Last Adventurer] effect.
Don’t wrap it up so meaningfully, Grandfell.
They say if you stay still, you salvage at least half.
Just shut your mouth, please.
“I will keep those words in mind.”
Don’t nod with such determined eyes, Yeshika.
Further conversation was no different from self-harm.
I immediately opened the door to the side chamber.
The moment the door opened, fiery gazes poured out.
Elsidor glared at me and spoke.
“■■. ■■■. ■■■■.”
To be precise, his lips moved.
[Blessed Hierarchy] activates.
I commanded that Elsidor could not leave the side chamber.
And that he remain silent.
The reason I grandly called it a ‘command’ was simple.
Truly, as if obeying a command.
Elsidor could not defy my words.
I’ll stop marveling at the effects of the Hierarchy for now. ‘Elves, beings who live for eons…….’ Even if he only stayed in Sisselier, he should have some accumulated experience.
Wouldn’t he know quite a bit of information regarding the Arcana continent? There might even be high-level information mixed in. Let’s ask slowly, one by one.
“From now on, you are permitted to answer questions.”
“……?”
“Are you elves related to the Holy War?”
Of course, the priority would be Grandfell’s pride.
Whether the elves were involved in the Holy War, in the annihilation of Akshan.
Depending on that, the intensity of Grandfell’s interrogation would inevitably differ.
“As if we’d care about the affairs of such insects…….”
Stop.
Excuse me, it seems you still don’t grasp the situation.
I cut off Elsidor and spoke coldly.
“Answer only with yes. Or no.”
“……No.”
See, how nice it is to answer politely?
Grind—a grinding sound.
It seemed Elsidor was angry because words kept popping out against his will.
Of course, from my, Lee Hoyeol’s perspective, there was no worse tantrum than that.
‘He’s much better than me.’
Not enough with past black history.
Compared to my situation of accumulating black history in real-time, he’s a gentleman.
Thanks to that, I utilized the Hierarchy without a shred of guilt.
I could roughly grasp the situation.
“In the end, was everything because of the World Tree’s blessing?”
“……Yes.”
“Not the Arcana continent, not the demons either.”
“……Yes.”
Elves.
Their homeland was the land where the First World Tree took root.
The reason they appeared in the Arcana continent from Sisselier was only one.
The blessing the First World Tree took back from them.
To find out where that blessing had gone.
“We trampled anything that hindered that pursuit.”
“……Yes.”
I thought without realizing.
They don’t have even a speck of real pride!
Their only concern is their own eternal life.
I thought it was just idle talk, but Grandfell’s words weren’t wrong.
If I were the World Tree, I would have taken back the blessing from you too, sincerely.
‘By the way, who knew the blessing originally belonged to the elves.’
I just thought it was a buff.
I never imagined there was such a backstory entangled with the First World Tree’s blessing.
Now that I know the circumstances, I can guess why they show hostility toward me.
‘They must think I stole it.’
But never has there been such a delusion.
I declared once more toward Elsidor.
“I have no need for such blessings.”
“……No.”
……I said I don’t need it, so why are you saying no?
For a moment, I had a question, then understood belatedly.
That’s right, the Hierarchy.
Seeing that he doesn’t make mistakes, the discipline is strict.
“A blessing exchanged for pride.”
“……?”
“It means it’s meaningless.”
The First World Tree’s blessing to Grandfell?
As I said, it was nothing more, nothing less than a simple buff.
Was I not the one who coldly refused even healers’ buffs without going far?
Citing religious reasons that I don’t believe in gods or anything.
Of course, I am the same.
The blessing’s effects?
Tremendous.
Not just the Demon King contention, but when thinking of a future clashing with high-ranking Demon Kings, it’s so great that I absolutely wouldn’t want to give it up.
But at the same time, it’s terrible.
‘Eternal life.’
……That means I have to live my whole life being tormented by Grandfell!
Unless I grow old and gain some sense.
As if Grandfell’s pride would break with the passage of time?
“……No!”
However, Elsidor raised his voice.
The one who stole the blessing from them.
Was saying he didn’t need the blessing.
‘I can understand why he’s furious.’
Still, that’s fine.
Because everything has give and take.
So I should tell him one piece of necessary information too.
Click—I set down the teacup and continued.
“Do you wish to reclaim the World Tree’s blessing?”
For an instant, Elsidor’s expression twitched.
“……Yes.”
I thought so.
But even if it’s a blessing I don’t need, do I know how to pass it on to someone else? Unfortunately, I don’t know anything like that.
Because I too merely received the blessing passed down from the First World Tree.
Therefore.
“If you want it, why don’t you try taking it?”
“……?”
“Just as I was chosen by the World Tree.”
“……!”
“It means you too must prove your pride before the World Tree.”
I have no intention of giving it away for free, either.*Magic Tower.—Prove your worth in the designated area. (Success)
Players who proved their worth were given an opportunity.
A prime opportunity to develop their abilities as apprentice mages of the Magic Tower.
Of course, in the Magic Tower, taking the first step was not easy.
Slip!
“Uwaak!”
“Be careful!”
“Ah, thank you.”
To think they call this stairs!
The Magic Tower’s stairs that repeatedly appear and disappear in mid-air.
Before discussing adaptation, one couldn’t help but marvel.
“……How do you go back and forth so steadily?”
A person would likely stumble at least once.
But in Hoyeol going up and down the tower, there wasn’t a hint of swaying.
“It’s just Homen. Homen.”
Someone suddenly approached the murmuring Player.
“Gyaah, you surprised me!”
“Homen, you say. Might I ask what that means?”
Braided hair swaying cheerfully.
“……Yes?”
“Ahem, for reference, I am ‘Skilled’ Mage Jibril.”
A voice full of confidence.
“If you’re a Skilled Mage……?”
That’s a senior.
The Player who immediately grasped Jibril’s intent answered.
“So Homen is Player Lee Hoyeol. No, Chief Lee Hoyeol…….”
Jibril silently listened to the story entangling Hoyeol and Homen.
Jibril’s eyes gradually widened.
This, it seems I had been greatly mistaken?
“Not at the level of a great house…….”
He was in a position like a god in the world of adventurers!
To think I would gain such precious news from a fledgling adventurer.
It would be unbecoming of a noble to simply wipe my mouth and walk away like this.
Jibril continued with a satisfied expression.
“Then, what kind of existence Chief Lee Hoyeol is in the Magic Tower. For your sake, who cannot even guess yet. I, Skilled Mage Jibril, shall introduce everything from one to ten.”
“Ah, yes! Please do.”
“First, Chief Lee Hoyeol annihilated millions of demons in just two hours…….”
“Yes? Wh-what did you just say?!”
Words without legs began to soar.