Myungho rarely initiated conversations with me unless he absolutely had to ask something, and I only spoke to him if there was something I truly needed to say.
How could anyone remain so calm after what happened? Even though we tentatively pretended nothing had occurred, that didn’t make it disappear.
“…Uh, Alterra, about the books… Should we buy a grammar book too? Now that we’ve got the vocabulary…”
“Um, yes. Let’s do that. It’s probably better to stock up on as many resources as possible. And… maybe a map…”
I vaguely suggested buying more items to him, and he seemed to understand, asking no further questions as he silently picked up the books and brought them to the counter.
“Pitiful. So you chose to flee from there? Sure, sure. The usual excuse of those who pity others—perhaps you wanted to avoid falling for the tricks of flesh and instinct. I understand.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Did something happen between Myungho and Alterra while I was asleep?”
“No! Nothing happened! I swear!”
“No! Absolutely nothing!”
Faced with Akashi’s discontented muttering, when Yuna grew curious about what had happened, Myungho and I simultaneously denied any incident as if we were one person.
Yuna blinked her wide eyes in bewilderment but replied that she understood. Though she looked at us suspiciously, since even Akashi remained silent, she had no way of knowing.
After telling Myungho that these were items I would use and thus should pay for myself, I pulled out 1 gold to hand over to the shopkeeper just as Myungho tried—and awkwardly stopped—reaching out to take my hand.
“…Ah, got it. So how much should I give then…?”
Since silver coins and copper coins were far less valuable compared to gold, I wasn’t sure if they’d be enough to cover the cost. Myungho said around 25 silvers would suffice, fortunately, I had that amount.
The shopkeeper, initially looking somewhat disgruntled, grinned widely upon receiving the money and even waved goodbye, wishing us well. We returned the greeting awkwardly before continuing our walk with Mari between Myungho and me.
“…Alright, so we’ve bought spices, books, repaired equipment, and potions. Now let’s head to the elves. Yuna, if you don’t want to go, feel free to say so.”
“…No, it’s fine. I had to visit them eventually anyway. I’ll handle things with my kin myself.”
Yuna answered with an expression that was unclear whether she was nervous or reluctant. Was something wrong? But with no way to know, I stayed silent.
It also felt inappropriate to ask Myungho right now.
Perhaps because of the clothing—or lack thereof—that I wore, the gazes directed at me weren’t much different from when I walked around half-naked. Some even stared at me as if I were some kind of pervert not worth associating with.
Even if I had an exhibitionist streak, I certainly didn’t want to receive leering or contemptuous looks. Admiration or reverence would have been preferable.
Why does it take so long to reach the guild? If only we could have gone straight through that accursed tower, we would have arrived much sooner. With such thoughts in mind, we finally reached the guild by taking the longer route.
Lately, why am I so aware of people’s gazes? Since when did I start caring? But ignoring them felt uncomfortable. Threatening them to stop would likely harm my reputation.
Complicated. While brushing my hair back, I greeted the receptionist.
“Hero! And the star of the great hunt, Miss Alterra! I’ve heard your tales! Are you here to claim the reward you missed yesterday?”
“Yes. Besides collecting the reward, I also wanted to negotiate its amount and inquire if we can accompany them back to the jungle they’re returning to.”
“To the jungle… Hmm, a hero party, so it should be safe. Yes, they’ve been waiting for you since yesterday. Please, this way.”
The receptionist opened the counter door and led us inside. As Yuna entered resolutely, Myungho and I followed awkwardly, while Akashi slouched in. Inside, despite the absence of any plants, the air smelled of grass. The elves sitting quietly like statues suddenly stood up in unison to greet us.
“Greetings, half-dragon of Golsamet. We’ve heard much about you from the General Assembly. And thanks to numerous terminals, we’ve received information updates. Although there was once tense dialogue involving formidable powers, let us now set aside past grievances and engage in peaceful conversation.”
Before I could respond to the elf’s rapid-fire speech, Myungho informed him that I didn’t understand their language.
“…Whatever has transpired, she does not understand our tongue. Therefore, if you wish to convey anything, please address me.”
“Ah. So you are the Hero of Koluscia, are you? Forgive me. I was recalling memories from other terminals. If you lack recollection of me, then the sister standing beside you must not be connected to our network but rather disconnected… Alas, how pitiable…”
“Stop feeling sorry for us. Your sympathy is unnecessary. Most importantly, you’ve never answered any of my questions.”
“I apologize for the oversight. Have you ever asked the General Assembly anything? Ah, surely you’re the one who’s been inquiring about finding someone via letters?”
During the ongoing conversation between the elves and the group, I observed another elf who hadn’t moved a muscle the entire time.
Their demeanor… should I describe it as corpse-like? They appeared alive, yet lacked vitality. There was no sense of will or consciousness; they merely moved their bodies.
As my attention was captured by this unsettling sight, the conversation among the group ended, and Myungho relayed the message the elf had intended for me.
“…General Assembly? Past grievances? Terminals? What exactly are they talking about? I’ve never met that person before…?”
“Ah, well… That’s strange…? I’m not entirely sure either… Akashi, do you know anything?”
“Sure, I know. Elves usually inherit a parasitic plant from their parents shortly after birth. This connects their minds to the World Tree, which they call the General Assembly. Additionally, those infected by the World Tree share consciousness.”
“Parasites? Plants? Wait a second. But Yuna isn’t connected to the World Tree, and they called her ‘disconnected.’ What does that mean…?”
“Either the parents refused connection for unknown reasons, or they themselves were never connected. Perhaps the offspring of those who fled the collective due to dissatisfaction with the World Tree. Don’t worry too much about the parasite thing. You’ll be safe as long as you don’t voluntarily consume the sapling.”
“So you must be Akashi, given how you refer to us as ‘infected.'”
“And what of it? You creatures whose brains are rooted with vines. Do you dare touch me? Considering all you’ve done, where’s your conscience? Oh, right, you’re plants.”
Myungho glanced in shock at the elves, then turned to me, preemptively admitting his own ignorance before explaining as best he could.
“So, most elves are mentally connected, and that’s why these individuals recognized me as someone they’ve supposedly met, having inherited the memories of the elves who originally sought me out…?”
“More or less. Except for cases like Yuna…”
Hearing that made the ones present seem even more unsettling. Does that mean their minds contain everything about how I brutally slaughtered their comrades?
And yet they still extend a hand?
“We’ve spent too much time chatting. Shall we discuss your compensation now?”
—
Regardless of the shocking revelations, the elves offered us a surprisingly generous reward.
When we asked why they gave so much, they explained that if the turtle had continued heading toward their forest, they would have had to sacrifice countless terminals to drive it away. Since we prevented that, they owed us fair recompense.
“Even for us, who remain as information within the General Assembly after death, dying is frightening. Moreover, the General Assembly itself considers such deaths meaningless and tries to avoid them.”
“That makes sense. Anyway, this has been a satisfactory transaction. Oh, and by the way, might we ride in your carriage? We need to visit a place in the elven jungle.”
“Certainly. We can offer that much to our benefactors.”
The elves readily agreed. The leader-like elf inquired if there was anything else we needed to do, but since we had already finished everything, I replied that there wasn’t.
Then, suggesting we leave without delay, the leader handed over documents to one of the motionless elves in the back and exited outside.
Though it seemed like he was belittling the subordinate elf, perhaps he treated them like his own limbs.
…Or was the leader himself also a limb of the World Tree? It still confused me.
The elves’ ecology was both difficult and shocking to me. In exchange for belonging to a greater entity, the connected individuals could communicate instantly, making them feel less like individual organisms and more like a collective.
Yuna looked displeased, almost irritated.
“Is something bothering you, Yuna?”
“Yes. They treat me like I have some sort of disability. To me, they’re the ones who are creepy.”
“I agree.”
“They should naturally be creepy. These are beings who abandoned themselves and sold their souls to the World Tree.”
Alterra seemed to sense something as well, her expression far from relaxed. I wanted to hear her thoughts, but the lingering awkwardness kept me from asking.
“By the way, don’t eat anything they offer indiscriminately. If they give you grass or anything similar, absolutely don’t eat it. Heat any food they provide. They secretly mix seedlings into their offerings.”
…Was this the right thing to do?
In fear, we climbed aboard the elves’ carriage.
