The elves’ forest was truly a “green hell,” just as Akashi had said. At the forest’s edge, it was still possible to see some sunlight, but the deeper we ventured, the more it felt like entering a cave made of trees.
The trees stretched their branches and leaves so densely that not a single ray of sunlight touched the ground. Dead tree trunks littered the floor, crumbling under the wheels of our carriage, and strange glowing mushrooms grew on the broken wood.
Embedded in the tree trunks were glowing stone-like objects, which provided the only light allowing us to see anything at all. Without them, the place would have been pitch black.
Naturally, with such an environment, hunting for food was practically impossible. We had stopped the carriage and sat nearby, gathering rotten wood to make a small fire and cook what passed for food.
…If this could even be called food. It had a peculiar grassy smell, an indescribable taste with a hint of sweetness—it wasn’t entirely inedible, but every time I swallowed, it left an unpleasant sticky sensation.
“Apparently, we haven’t earned your trust yet. By Mother Tree’s oath, unless you request otherwise, we won’t mix saplings into your meals anymore. Also, boiling it worsens both the taste and texture, so it’s better eaten raw.”
“…Kehk, Ugh… What exactly do you people taste when eating this? It feels like chewing on slime…”
“Slime? This is the life-giving sap bestowed by Mother Tree. It’s packed with essential nutrients required for living beings.”
“…Tastes awful. Honestly, tearing into actual slimes might be preferable.”
Yuna was nearly choking with every bite, and Alterra seemed to be forcing herself to swallow despite her stomach wanting to rebel.
I was eating it out of necessity. Only Akashi was gulping it down, claiming it tasted good.
“…Akashi. Weren’t you the one who told us not to blindly accept everything they give us? So why are you happily eating everything handed to you?”
“Huh? It’s cooked, so it’s fine. But listening to them, there doesn’t seem to be any need for caution. They swear by the World Tree, and if they do, it’s genuine. That’s why the Demon Tribe never messed with these guys. If they swore by the World Tree to exterminate the Demon Tribe, imagine what would happen.”
The elves somehow avoided being dragged into the great war caused by the Demon Tribe—was this the reason?
It made sense. Even now, the elves can create wooden paths in mid-air with just a gesture. Imagine if they created walls or thorns instead…
“So…? Does that mean we can just eat whatever they give from now on?”
“There’s no need. We’re almost at our destination. In a few more hours, we’ll reach the capital where the Mother Tree resides. I’ll inform the others to prepare proper meals for you. Please endure the discomfort until then.”
That was the most welcome news I’d heard so far. With a grimace, I swallowed the slightly bitter sap. Yuna’s expression relaxed upon hearing about the imminent arrival, and she quietly muttered something to herself.
“…Arrival? Where exactly are we arriving? A village? Or some kind of base…?”
Altera didn’t understand what “capital” meant and tilted her head in confusion. After quickly explaining the term, I informed her that we’d arrive in a few hours.
“Oh, the capital… Still, considering how things look here, it doesn’t seem particularly special…”
“There’s the World Tree, right? Maybe it’ll be different. Perhaps we’ll finally see sunlight or even feel solid ground beneath our feet.”
“That’d be nice. I didn’t expect missing the earth so much.”
Though Alterra hadn’t had to fight much, she always expressed dissatisfaction or unease whenever stepping outside the carriage.
“If he’s alive… well, we won’t know until we get there. Phew, this is complicated.”
Yuna still looked troubled, understandably so. After all, she once confessed she was looking for her parents when I questioned why she followed me without money.
Of course, approaching the goal would naturally bring many thoughts to mind. Though I wanted to help, I couldn’t fully empathize with her concerns, so I decided to leave her be.
…The stone-like objects embedded in the trees suddenly appeared like eyeballs. Was it paranoia, or were they real? I still don’t know.
Using all my spare time to teach Alterra while resting in the carriage, I soon felt the air subtly change.
The concentration of phytoncides seemed to drop, and a fresher breeze entered the carriage.
“Are you letting go?! Crazy bastards…! I just wanted to pick up some rotten wood…! Gah, how strong are these girls?!”
“We’ve arrived… though the timing isn’t ideal. Please stay inside the carriage for a moment. It’ll be over soon.”
What was going on? I slightly pulled back the curtain covering the window to catch a glimpse outside. In the distance, an elf had forcibly knelt a man.
Without saying a word, the elves further subdued the man, pinning him completely before extracting a small plant-like object from somewhere on their bodies.
Where did it come from? They didn’t have pockets.
“Hey… hey. Surely not…? I-I just wanted to pick up some rotten wood! I didn’t touch any trees or plants! Let me go! I have a family… No, no!!!”
Ignoring the man’s cries, the elves proceeded to shove the plant into his mouth.
When the man clenched his teeth in resistance, one of the elves struck his temple with the heel of their foot, forcing his mouth open just long enough to insert the plant. Once done, they released him.
The man began to twist uncontrollably as if possessed, then collapsed.
Lying motionless, he suddenly rose in an unnatural manner, staring directly into my eyes.
That wasn’t the same person from before.
Startled, I quickly turned away. The elf responsible for communicating with us then announced it was safe to disembark.
…If I mention what I just saw, something will undoubtedly happen, right?
I kept my mouth shut and silently trailed behind the elves who accompanied us. Along the way, I caught glimpses of things I shouldn’t have and screamed a few times, but the elves paid little attention.
“Welcome. This is our capital, the place we revere. Kyie Ki Komenshigis. Stay as long as you desire. If you need me, grab any nearby entity and ask, and I’ll come to you.”
“…Uh, excuse me! If we want to ask the World Tree something… should we call for you?”
“Yes. The collective consciousness will surely welcome communication with you. I shall take my leave now. Have a pleasant stay.”
The elf, whose name I never learned, disappeared as if melting into the root-covered ground. Hardly seems like a place where one could enjoy themselves.
Even as a capital, there were no buildings or walls. People leaned against tree trunks or stared blankly into space with unsettling smiles, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The most horrifying sight was the individuals with plants sprouting from their skin.
Creating an inn for us by weaving trees and plants with gestures was less shocking than seeing someone with a whole arm replaced by vegetation—or finding a human face embedded in what looked like a tree trunk, causing me to scream uncontrollably moments ago.
Even Alterra, who usually criticized me for lacking masculinity, was visibly shaken, her eyes wavering.
“Well, these guys haven’t changed a bit. Centuries of development and all they’ve gained is more territory. Pfft. Can’t blame them; they’re just bits of grass after all.”
While we stood frozen, Akashi casually entered the wooden inn. Fortunately, the interior wasn’t too dark.
Numerous glowing stone-like objects embedded in the walls gave the place a genuine inn-like ambiance.
The only oddity was that we were the only ones there. Instead of the expected bustling, smelly common room, the eerie silence and cleanliness felt uncomfortable.
“Yuna. Let’s wait until tomorrow to inquire about your parents and the Great Worm’s nest that Alterra is searching for. I’m not sure what time it is, but it’s best to rest first before moving forward.”
“…Agreed. I’d like to rest as well. Staying here for too long makes me feel like I’m losing my mind.”
“I’ll rest too. This place is weird. And… we still can’t feel the ground.”
Altera must be especially tired from not stepping on solid ground. Come to think of it, didn’t they say they’d prepare a meal?
But I couldn’t see anyone around to do so.
“Well… good night. Just a warning: don’t wander alone. You never know what might happen.”
After sincerely warning her, I entered the room with Alterra, teaching her a few words until I noticed her exhaustion, prompting us both to sleep.
“…What is this?”
The next morning, a mysterious larva pie lay on the dining table, prepared by someone unknown.
