I am back – Chapter 186

As important as a royal castle is to a human kingdom, the World Tree holds the utmost significance for the Elves.

A royal castle may be vital, but it isn’t something that can’t be rebuilt if destroyed. A castle is merely a building, while the truly important element is the ‘person’ residing within it.

If the king, the princess, and other royalty, along with high-ranking nobles and public officials managing the kingdom, remain, the castle could function just as well, even if its location changes. Of course, if the castle were to be utterly destroyed, those individuals likely wouldn’t fare much better.

For the Elves, the most crucial entity is the World Tree.

The World Tree is not something that can be constructed. It cannot be uprooted and moved, nor can it simply be planted anew. Towering as high as a multi-story building and with a base so wide it surpasses any common structure, it has a distinct aura that sets it apart from ordinary trees.

No other entities like the World Tree have been discovered yet. Even limited information from other countries suggests that there’s no mention of a towering white tree like this one.

Yet, thanks to this unique presence, the Elves have been able to maintain their civilization.

Of course, Elves are by no means weak beings. Their long lifespans and the wisdom accumulated over centuries enable them to thrive even without the World Tree.

However, the World Tree allows the Elves to gather in one location and combine their strength. The power of the Elves is transmitted through the World Tree to one another. Hence, even those with long lives and high pride do not abandon each other but continue to live together.

Without that, they couldn’t enjoy the ‘civilization’ they have now.

This is why the World Tree is not a place anyone can approach carelessly. Even among the Elves, only certain individuals are permitted to draw near, and the leaves or fruits of the World Tree are not granted to just anyone.

You might wonder if it’s possible to sneak up. However, as I mentioned, the World Tree is connected to the Elves. Moreover, since the World Tree itself is a living being with its own consciousness, if someone unwanted climbs upon it, that knowledge is transmitted to the Elves.

This is how the Elves are able to protect such a grand tree.

Yet, at this moment, I was with my older sister atop the World Tree.

Having protected the world, as well as the World Tree itself, it prompted me to ascend without any rejection.

One cannot harm the World Tree. That would be an overly sacrilegious act for the Elves.

“I can help.”

In fact, it’s not uncommon for Elves to climb the World Tree. The fruits need to be harvested periodically; otherwise, they will simply fall to the ground. Given the sheer size and height of the World Tree, those fruits are anything but small. If a massive fruit were to fall into the village below, someone could get seriously hurt.

Therefore, thick, long ropes are tied to the branches of the World Tree so that they can climb up periodically and pick the fruits.

Naturally, it’s far too high for just anyone to climb, so it’s truly something only the Elves can manage over time.

If not, one would have to ride up on the World Tree itself.

And my sister was a regular person without any extraordinary strength.

That’s why Dana stepped in.

“I’ll lift you with magic. I brought a levitation magic scroll just for this.”

“Is that okay?”

My sister’s question was not simply asking, ‘Is it alright to be in your debt?’

Looking at it, the place already appeared to be higher than most buildings. There were certainly no safety measures like an airplane, so levitating one’s body with magic is terrifying when it’s the first time flying.

So, my sister’s words included the meaning of ‘Is it safe?’

…Perhaps, if a person from Irrelaysia were to ride an airplane on Earth for the first time, they would say the exact same thing. To them, the idea of ‘flying without magic’ must sound quite precarious.

Well, in fact, flying with magic is risky in a similar sense. It’s akin to boarding a plane for an overseas trip. Planes always carry the risk of crashing, yet most of the time, they land safely at the destination.

And just as the skill of the pilot matters, in magic, the same applies.

“There’s nothing to worry about. The greatest mage in this world is right here! No, there aren’t any mages on Earth, so by that measure, I’m the best mage across both worlds. The stability of magic depends on the ability of the mage wielding it.”

Dana said, thumping her chest with a fist.

“Just trust me!”

“….”

However, my sister still looked a bit worried.

That’s right. No matter how great Dana is, in order to reassure my sister, who had never experienced just how powerful that magic was and had never adventured alongside Dana, it was quite lacking in many aspects.

“I’ll go with you, so there’s no need to worry.”

At my words, my sister looked at me.

Her eyes were trembling, resembling that of a frightened puppy, which was quite adorable.

How could someone older than me have such a face?

I stepped closer to my sister, who still appeared frightened.

…Elf attire is thinner than I expected.

That thought crossed my mind after getting closer to her.

“…No, seriously. I really am the greatest mage….”

Seeing my sister relaxing a bit after coming into my embrace, Dana muttered in a slightly dispirited tone. Side by side with Dana, Pia patted her on the shoulder.

“Well, it’s fine.”

But Dana quickly regained her energy. A determined expression rose on her face after dropping her head.

“If the other person doesn’t believe me, I’ll simply have to prove it with my strength! I’ll make sure they know my magic is safe!”

Saying that, Dana pulled out a scroll from within her robe.

“Huh?”

And in that moment, I froze.

…Isn’t that the scroll we used for emergency escapes?

It’s the emergency teleportation magic we used when we absolutely couldn’t hold out any longer in battle, without worrying about being discovered, when we had to escape somehow. It’s not just any standard levitation magic.

It’s a magic Dana personally devised, so its stability is excellent but…

Even though I generally enjoy rides, I couldn’t easily adapt to that kind of magic. Soaring upward like a rocket with no safety measures isn’t something one gets used to easily, no matter how safe that magic’s effects are.

“Uh, wait—”

What’s more, my sister is notoriously bad with rides.

But Dana had already pressed the other end of the scroll into my sister’s hand, who was feeling relieved in my embrace.

“Don’t worry! This will be the fastest and safest way to reach up there!”

“No, wait, Dana…”

Upon seeing me call her name, my sister finally realized something was off and widened her eyes.

For reference, every other companion also wore expressions of fright.

It seemed that magic wasn’t something easily accepted, even by those who already understood its existence.

But before my sister could ask Dana something,

Tzzziiip,

Dana ripped the scroll apart.

And then,

“Huh?”

In an instant, our feet lifted off the ground. As if we were levitating, our feet gently left the surface as we floated up.

My sister visibly tensed at that moment, but the real issue was the next moment when the magic activated.

“Whoa?”

Suddenly, it felt as if gravity had vanished, prompting my sister to murmur again,

“Ahhhh!?”

My sister’s nearly shrill scream escaped her lips.

I clenched my teeth to avoid screaming alongside her. She was already scared, so I couldn’t add any noise to it.

But the wind rushing past us at a maddening speed was genuinely frightening, even for someone who had faced the Demon King.

…

Well, it was indeed scary.

Dana really is the greatest mage.

Thus, we soared at a speed far greater than we could ever imagine and safely landed atop the World Tree.

“Ah, ah….”

My sister fell into my embrace, seeming relieved now that something solid was beneath her feet.

“….”

I’ll definitely have to talk to Dana later.

Unless it’s a really dangerous situation, there’s no need for someone to fly at that speed.