Elowen stepped down from the Escalatree first, her movents calm and composed as always. She glanced back at Liora, who was still standing frozen in awe, mouth agape at the breathtaking sight before them. "Co on, Liora," Elowen called out teasingly, breaking the spell. "Don't just stand there gawking."
Snapping out of her daze, Liora scrambled after Elowen, stamring slightly. "O-okay... okay, wait for !" Once she caught up, she began walking behind Elowen, slowly spinning around to take in every detail of their surroundings. Her eyes sparkled with wonder as she marveled at the scene unfolding around her—it felt surreal, almost dreamlike.
"How is it possible to turn a tree into sothing like this?" Liora finally asked, her voice brimming with curiosity. "This area doesn't look much different from the squares we have in Sanctora. It's flat, stable—people are bustling about, trading goods enthusiastically, and the buildings are neatly arranged."
Elowen chuckled softly at Liora's observation. "This district is called the Royal Tree," she explained. "It's nad so because this is the largest tree in the entire kingdom. Its diater is vast—almost as large as your own kingdom. The ancestors of this land carved away the outer and middle layers of the trunk but left the inner layer intact. That's where the nutrients and water flow, ensuring the tree remains alive."
Seeing Liora's stunned expression, Elowen continued. "Of course, they also used various magical tools to enhance the supply of nutrients and facilitate the tree's natural processes. This combination allows the tree to thrive despite being transford into a city. Humans and trees coexist here, supporting one another symbiotically."
Liora's jaw dropped even further as she processed the information. "So... so these trees are actually still alive? Even though they've been turned into living spaces? And there are more trees like this?"
Elowen clicked her tongue playfully, amused by Liora's endless fascination. "Yes, of course, the tree is alive. If it weren't, it would have collapsed long ago. And yes, there are other trees like this throughout the kingdom, each serving as a district, though none are quite as massive as this one."
Unable to contain her excitent, Liora spun around again, taking in the incredible view. Everywhere she looked, people greeted her warmly, bowing slightly and stepping aside to let her pass. Their friendly smiles and respectful gestures made her feel both honored and humbled. For once, she decided not to question why everyone treated her this way; she was too captivated by the wonders surrounding her.
As they wandered through the bustling streets, Elowen suddenly gestured toward a nearby food stall. "Over here, Liora. You absolutely must try this. No trip to Verdantia is complete without sampling this delicacy."
Liora hurried over, eager to follow Elowen's lead. Again, the crowd parted respectfully, bowing and smiling as they passed. So even seed thrilled to catch a glimpse of the two won, their expressions reminiscent of fans eting their idols.
Elowen handed Liora a small plate containing what appeared to be a sweet cake-like snack. "This is called 'gethuk.' It's made from finely mashed cassava mixed with palm sugar, grated coconut, and a pinch of salt. Trust —you'll love it."
Without hesitation, Liora took a bite. Her eyes widened dramatically, nearly popping out of their sockets. "Th-this is amazing!" she exclaid, speaking with her mouth still full. After swallowing, she added excitedly, "The sweetness and savory flavors blend perfectly. I bet Evelyn would adore this dessert. Remind to bring so back for her, okay, Elowen?"
Elowen nodded approvingly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Now try this next one," she said, handing Liora another dish. "This is called 'urap.' People usually eat it as a side dish alongside rice and other main courses. It's made from boiled vegetables like water spinach or spinach, bean sprouts, and long beans, all tossed together with spiced grated coconut."
Once again, Liora dug in without hesitation. But this ti, her reaction was quite different. As soon as the spicy flavor hit her tongue, she started coughing, her face turning red. Gasping for air, she grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down quickly. "Th-this is spicy, Elowen! I thought it would be sweet like the last one!"
Elowen burst into laughter, clearly delighted by her protégé's reaction. "Gotcha again, kid," she teased, patting Liora lightly on the shoulder.
Liora pouted good-naturedly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "You really enjoy pranking , don't you? Just wait—I'll get my revenge soday."
They shared a laugh, their bond growing stronger with each passing mont. Still grinning, Elowen pressed on. "But seriously, wasn't it delicious?"
Liora nodded reluctantly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah, it was tasty, but definitely spicy. No wonder it's usually eaten with rice and other dishes."
Their playful banter brought a wide smile to the vendor's face, who watched the pair interact with evident amusent. When Elowen moved to pay for the snacks, the vendor shook his head vigorously, bowing deeply. "Oh no, Your Highness, please don't trouble yourself. These treats are on the house."
Elowen accepted graciously, returning the man's smile. "Thank you so much. That's very kind of you."
With that, the two resud their journey toward the palace. However, Liora couldn't help but revisit the vendor's words. Turning to Elowen, she asked cautiously, "Did that vendor really call you 'Your Highness' just now?"
Elowen shrugged casually, chuckling under her breath. "The people here are incredibly polite, Liora. Rember, we're not in Windoria anymore."
Liora swallowed the explanation whole, nodding slowly. "Ah, I see. Well, thank goodness for that," she replied, relief washing over her features. With renewed vigor, she returned to marveling at her surroundings, soaking in the beauty of the verdant kingdom.
As they ascended further into the colossal tree—known as the Royal Tree—their path led them to a spiraling staircase carved directly into its massive trunk. The stairs wound upward, encircling the tree like a coiled serpent . Along the edges, sturdy wooden railings had been installed as handholds and barriers to prevent anyone from falling off. Despite these safety asures, Liora couldn't resist leaning over slightly to peer down at the dizzying drop below.
"Wooahh," she exclaid, clutching the railing tightly. "We're already so high, Elowen! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about falling from here."
Elowen chuckled softly, clearly amused by her companion's unease. "If you're that curious, why don't you jump and see what happens?" she teased playfully.
Liora whipped her head around, glaring at Elowen with a mix of shock and indignation. "That's cruel, Elowen! If that's supposed to be a joke, it's not funny at all!" she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration.
Elowen burst into laughter, patting Liora lightly on the shoulder. "Relax, young girl. The ancestors of this kingdom have thought everything through," she reassured her. "Down there, surrounding the base of this tree, are countless magic tools designed to detect if soone falls. Once triggered, another set of magical formulas activates, creating a net made of roots and leaves to catch whoever is falling."
"A-are you serious?" Liora stamred, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're not ssing with again, are you?"
Elowen smirked, shrugging casually. "Why would I lie about sothing like that? That's exactly why I told you to jump and try it yourself—but don't expect to co down and rescue you afterward." She laughed heartily, leaving Liora flustered.
"Uurrggghh... Fine, I'll take your word for it instead of risking my life," Liora muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.
Still curious, she pressed on. "But has that ever actually happened? Has anyone fallen and been saved by those magic tools?"Elowen grinned mischievously. "Of course it has—quite often, in fact. I've even tried it myself."
"What?! You jumped on purpose? You never cease to amaze , Elowen," Liora responded, shaking her head in disbelief.
After nearly 20 minutes of climbing, they finally reached another flat area. Unlike the bustling People's Square they had passed earlier, this space was quieter, occupied only by a few families playing with their children. At the center stood a grand fountain surrounded by short trees and vibrant flowers, their colors adding a splash of life to the serene environnt.
Liora marveled at the sight before her, muttering to herself. "Wow... This place feels completely different, yet we're still within the sa tree." Elowen smiled faintly, gesturing toward the fountain. "This area is called the Royal Square, while the one below is the People's Square. Co on, let's head to the palace."
"Okay!" Liora replied enthusiastically. As they walked, people greeted them warmly, bowing slightly and stepping aside to let them pass. Their smiles were genuine, filled with respect and admiration. Liora returned their gestures with polite nods, feeling both honored and slightly overwheld by the attention.
Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of the palace gates, which stood open to welco them. An elderly man with curly gray hair and a slightly plump build approached them eagerly. His attire exuded wealth and authority, and his face lit up with joy as he recognized Elowen. Breaking into a run, he called out, "Welco back!" Arms wide open, he prepared to embrace her.
In an instant, Elowen moved with precision and grace, gripping the man's arm and executing a flawless judo throw. With a loud thud, the man crashed onto the ground, groaning in pain as he rolled around clutching his side. Two guards and an assistant rushed to his aid, concern etched across their faces.
Liora froze, utterly stunned. Her gaze darted between Elowen and the fallen man, unsure how to react. Awkwardly shifting her weight from foot to foot, she hesitated before finally breaking her silence. "Uh... Shouldn't we help him or sothing?" she asked timidly. Elowen ignored the question, raising her voice instead. "Co on, Liora. We need to rest soon."
With visible reluctance, Liora hurried after her ntor, glancing nervously over her shoulder at the scene unfolding behind them. Inside the palace, servants scurried past in the opposite direction, rushing to assist the injured man. As they neared the door to a large hall, two female attendants greeted them with deep bows, their expressions mingling respect with a hint of fear. "Welco back," they murmured softly.
Elowen addressed them without delay. "Take this girl to her room and prepare everything she needs for bathing and resting." One of the attendants stepped forward, bowing once more. "Welco to Verdantia Palace. Please follow to your quarters." Liora trailed behind her, still visibly confused. Offering an awkward smile, she said, "Th-thank you so much. You're all too kind to treat like this."
The attendant responded politely but with mild surprise. "It's no trouble at all. It's our duty to serve honored guests." Liora blinked, taken aback by the designation but quickly shifted focus to her lingering worries. "Um... How is that old man doing? do you think he's okay? That Royal Buttler seed really nice—he was just doing his job, wasn't he? Why did Elowen have to be so harsh?"
The attendant paused briefly, glancing around to ensure no one else was within earshot. Before closing the door to Liora's room, she leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "That old man isn't a Royal Buttler. He's King Darius Verdantia."
"Whaaaaattttt...?" Liora gasped audibly, her hands flying to cover her mouth as the door clicked shut. Realizing she might have caused a disturbance, she slumped onto a nearby sofa, overwheld by conflicting emotions. Her mind raced with questions and fears, wondering whether Elowen's actions might jeopardize their mission—or worse, shorten their lifespans.
For now, all she could do was lie back and hope for clarity in the days ahead.
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