[195] At the Elven Forest; the Dilemma of the ArchmageChapter 195: At the Elven Forest; the Dilemma of the Archmage
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The Elven Forest was huge. Although it was far from the largest forest in the world, it was larger than the Amazon forest by a few tis. It spread across dozens of millions of square kiloters.
Walking to the Sylvanwood, the elven enclave nestled deep within this ancient forest will take a long ti. Especially since there were strategically placed illusion traps to stop us from finding it.
We had to find a guide, who could also act as a ride for Ruby and .
“It should be here.”
“Onii-chan, are you sure your 300-year-old out-of-date mory is going to help us?”
“Shut up, I'm sure this is the place…” I knocked Ruby in the head and stared at the old tree ahead.
“Yeah? We've been waiting for half an hour here and there's nothing,” she rubbed her head and said.
I couldn't really argue back since she was right. I can ascertain that this was the oak tree where the local Dryad stayed. Why's she not responding?
Dryad. A spirit residing in trees. Dryads are tree nymphs or tree spirits, specifically associated with oak trees, though the term can be extended to any tree spirit, really. Dryads were typically depicted as beautiful and elusive female figures who protect the forests and the trees in which they reside. Ah, and they seduce human males and suck their life force and kill them.
There was a little brat here who tried that with back in the day. I let her go since she was cute and small, warning her to stop acting up.
“Vaelwyn!” I shouted another ti, finally able to rember her na. “If you're not in there, I'm leaving! Ugh.” I'll need to find so other Dryad, but then I'm as lost as ever since it's not easy to find them.
I turned around, as did Ruby, giggling to herself as if she had won a bet.
Just as I showed my back to the tree, I felt a pair of eyes on . As if sothing that's been hiding all along, and waiting till my eyes won't be on it anymore.
I snapped around, moving at a speed beyond my control since I used my strength to cause it, and my hand slapped into the tree, grabbing a throat.
“Co out,” I shouted, yanking sothing out of the tree, and it took the shape of a lady in green. The dryad struggled in my grasp while wild vines slapped around. “Calm down,” I loosened my grip on her neck, still holding her in the air.
It was hard to notice her since if a Dryad chooses to hide inside a tree, it's practically undetectable. But I was sure she was in there, that's why I wasted half an hour waiting
“W-who the fuck are you?!” she shouted from my grip, and this girl in green skin sounded like she was in her late teens. She didn’t look as I had rembered. She looked a bit older than when I last t her.
“Behave if you don't want to get beaten up,” with my tone sharp, I warned her. She struggled a bit more when she realized it was worthless, and that Ruby was spinning a Firestorm Spell behind as a threat, she cald down.
“Man, what do you want?” She grumbled, not at all in the seductive tone one would assu from a Dryad. “I'll do anything, just don't burn .”
“Good,” I smiled. “That's what I wanted to hear.”
****
I was surprised that she was not dead yet. When I t her last ti, she was in her Level 10s. It was surprising how such a weak Dryad managed to live this long in this dangerous forest. Even in our little journey coming to the oak tree, Ruby and I killed a dozen beasts.
“So you're just Level 43 now? I'm embarrassed.”
“Man stop talking as if you've t before, it's fucking with ,” the dryad growled as she sat in front of us on top of the thick vine. I sat behind her and Ruby sat behind , riding a vine that moved like a snake across the forest. It was fast, too.
“Tell about the current situation in the forest. It seems pretty ta compared to the stuff in the outside world.” I ordered her.
“Is that part of the deal too? Ugh, anyways, this place is kinda safe. I heard about the Outer Gods and the war, but it didn't reach here. I guess they're scared or sothing since the World Tree is here and the entire population in this forest would give up their lives to keep it protected.”
“You too?” Ruby asked.
“Duh.” Surprisingly, the tree spirit had loyalty to its mother. Every plant here was connected to that big World Tree in the distance, one way or another, so they're like children to it.
We spent the travel ti chit-chatting until hours later we neared the destination.
“I'm saying this again because you two seem like good kids,” she said, “but if you really don't have a permit to enter the forest, they'll jail you. Don't try to fight them, you can't ever win. There is still ti if you wanna turn around.”
“Thanks, we’ll be fine,” I patted her abdon as I said so, finding the spot soft and warm since I'd been holding her for hours.
“Weirdo humans,” Vaelwyn the Dryad shook her head and our green vehicle ca to a stop.
“Huh, why did it stop?” Ruby asked stupidly and blinked. “Oh. Wow. Damn.” There was nothing but more forest ahead of us, but I guess her eyes could see. Her Kagemimic rging with her Gold sign, the Nine Colored Eyes, could see through stuff that even I couldn't.
“Get off,” Vaelwyn said. “I'll return now, or else I'll get in trouble for bringing in criminals.”
“I'll compensate you when I get the chance,” I got off the vine, followed by Ruby. “Ah, and if you see anything suspicious or feel any threat, co here and look for .”
“Eh, I don't know, I'll be around here for a while instead of returning. I don't wanna go back so fast after taking my vine this far.” Vaelwyn the Dryad said, turning around hastily, and left the place.
I faced the direction Ruby was facing. If I had my Soulfire, I could focus it on my eyes and see what she was seeing, but I was blind.
“There is like a magic barrier shimring right in front of us,” Ruby flatly placed a hand in the air, as if she were a mi.
“In that case,” I opened my mouth, taking a deep breath. I don't know if this still works, so let's test it out. “In the depths where shadows lie, whisper soft, the spirits fly… Reveal the path where truth abides, the secret kept where magic hides."
As I spoke the magical code, the air around us shimred and warped. The forest dissolved and reford, and in an instant, we found ourselves amid a breathtaking village that seed to be pulled from a fairy tale.
The Elven enclave was a marvel of natural and architectural harmony, it was like the vision of a dream. Wooden buildings with intricate carvings blended seamlessly into the surrounding trees, their structures supported by intertwining branches and roots. There were houses on top of large trees, as well. Delicate bridges of woven vines spanned crystal-clear streams that sparkled under the sunlight. The air was filled with a soothing lody, the sound of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, accompanied by the distant song of birds and the soft hum of magical energy.
There was a market right ahead, with Elven kids running around and playing nearby. Above us, the colossal World Tree reigned supre. It towered over the hundreds of other large trees here, yet it was as tall as the atmosphere itself. Its massive trunk was a whisper of ancient power and wisdom, stretching skyward as if to touch the heavens. The tree's bark glowed with a faint golden light, and its leaves, shimring like eralds and gold, drifted down like ethereal confetti. It honestly looked like so high-graphic ga.
Ruby and I looked up as leaves fell, and each of them seed to carry a touch of magic, casting a gentle, warm glow upon the village below.
“Whoa, what the...”
"Here we are," I humd, smiling. A mont later, I raised both my arms in the air as a sign of peace.
“Huh, what are you doing?” Ruby looked around, confused. “So kind of salute or wh-” her words caught on her throat, her eyes wide with surprise.
Before she could speak, a stern voice shouted, "Stay where you are!"
“Hands on the air!”
Ruby turned to see dozens of elves, their bows drawn, shining arrows aid directly at us. Their eyes were fierce and unyielding, their presence a stark reminder of the enclave's vigilance.
"Identify yourselves," one of the elves demanded, stepping forward with an air of authority. His dark brown armor, made of enchanted wood and leaves, glowed softly under the light of the World Tree.
I smiled, maintaining my calm. "Babylon. That is my na.” I lowered my hands, just as an arrow shot at out of pure instinct. The mana-enhanced arrow hit in the chest and fell on the floor, the arrowhead dent.
“You,” I ignored it and looked at the man leading the troops, who observed the little incident with wide eyes. “Call your Chief. I am not here to waste ti.” I crossed my arms and waited.
****
The world was going to end, and she was the only one who knew it.
Sieran stood in the heart of the Elven Forest, her green eyes reflecting the sorrow that weighed heavily on her heart. The beauty of the forest around her was a stark contrast to the despair she felt. The trees stood tall and proud, their leaves a vibrant green, glistening in the sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy.
Her white hair danced in the air, while flowers of every color blood in abundance, their petals kissed by the morning dew. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and the gentle hum of nature's symphony, the birds singing their songs, and the leaves rustling in the soft breeze. It was a paradise, untouched by ti and unspoiled by the outside world.
It looked so beautiful.
And all of this beauty hid the roots of destruction that was spreading underground.
Sieran was sad.
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