[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 117 - Isra’s Great Forest (16)
It wasn't until the early morning sunlight stread through the ceiling at the base of the World Tree that Isra, seemingly satisfied, collapsed beside .
"That was the best lesson of my life..."
In contrast, my lower back felt dull and sore, likely from being overworked.
My body was covered in bite marks from Isra, drenched, and utterly disheveled.
"We should get up now..."
Even so, we couldn’t just lie around here forever, so I slowly got to my feet.
"There are people waiting for us. Both in the Great Forest and at the Academy."
"Yes... But I think we need to wash up first."
We entered the pond together, washing each other clean.
"This scar on your neck... it’s from back then, isn’t it?"
Isra gently touched the large burn scar on my neck, unable to continue speaking.
"It’s okay. It’s just a simple scar. It didn’t threaten my life."
"But even so, it’s because of ..."
"Look at this."
I showed Isra the various scars all over my body.
"This one’s from being impaled by a demon’s horn, this one’s from an axe wound, and this one—well, a spear went through , but fortunately, it narrowly missed an artery."
Tears began to well up in Isra’s eyes as she looked at the scars etched across my body like a battle record.
"So many scars..."
"In comparison, this burn scar is nothing."
"But still, I’m grateful and sorry..."
Isra whispered, kissing each scar. The sensation was rather peculiar.
# # # # #
After leaving the pond, I carried Isra on my back as I walked toward the exit of the World Tree.
Isra’s legs were trembling like those of a newborn fawn, making it impossible for her to walk properly.
"Um, by the way... isn’t this weird for you?"
Isra quietly asked from her spot on my back.
"What do you an?"
" calling you ‘Mister’... I’ve grown so much now... Most people probably think I’m older than you."
"It’s not weird at all. When I saw you crying and fussing, you looked just like that little girl back then."
"Oh... How embarrassing..."
"I’m just teasing. And besides, elves are all like that, right? You grow rapidly in a few years and then maintain that appearance."
"That’s true. I suddenly grew a lot before leaving for the human city. That’s why I was worried... that you might find it gross..."
"Not at all. Don’t worry about that. What we should think about is how you’ll address from now on."
"Yes..."
"You’re not going to keep calling ‘Mister’ in front of other people, are you?"
Isra let out a small laugh.
"Of course not."
"Good. So, except when we’re alone, we’ll act like we did before."
"Understood."
We walked side by side, chatting about various things.
When I ntioned how Kirrin grabbed by the collar in a panic after Isra disappeared, she seed a bit surprised.
"I always thought she’d be happy if I were gone since she’s constantly criticizing and nitpicking ."
"That’s not true. Headmaster Kirrin isn't that kind of person. She was really worried."
"I see... Headmaster Kirrin..."
"Even though she’s a Dark Elf, she’s mixed-blood, so her personality is quite mild and gentle."
"That’s true. Compared to the real Dark Elves I saw during the competition, the headmaster might as well be a completely different species."
Oh, that reminds . I still haven’t given her the note that the Dark Elves from that ti addressed to Kirrin.
I’ll make sure to hand it over when we return to the Academy.
"And about rilda. You’ll be taking her on, right?"
"You an student rilda?"
"rilda would benefit more from learning from you. She’s better suited to support roles rather than the front lines, and she’d excel there."
"That’s true, but she seems more eager to learn from you than from ."
"I helped her village during the war."
When I shared the story of Tatanok Village, Isra’s eyes sparkled with interest.
"How did that connection co about...?"
"It’s amazing, isn’t it? Anyway, that’s the reason. It’s not because she dislikes you or thinks you’re lacking. I’ll explain it to her properly, so if you’re okay with it, please take rilda under your wing."
"Understood... If you entrust her to ... I’ll do my best. Thank you so much..."
Isra began to tear up again. I found a new opportunity for a joke.
"I never realized this, but you’re quite the fountain, aren’t you? Gushing water from both above and below?"
"D-don’t say things like that...! It’s embarrassing!"
Isra bit my neck in response.
Isra, like most adult elves, had a very mature appearance.
Given her typically cold and nearly emotionless deanor, I never expected her to do sothing so cute.
Well, last night, Isra was a complete ss, crying and begging non-stop.
She seed like a completely different person from the one I knew at the Academy.
Then again, people aren’t made up of just one consistent persona.
But still, Isra... She just won’t stop sucking on my neck.
This could be a problem. If she leaves too big a mark, others might get suspicious.
We passed through the crack and erged from the World Tree.
"Dian? Professor Isra?"
I squinted against the sudden burst of bright light and heard a voice.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Linus, Nierta, and the Elf Elder of Tyraellen standing before us.
"We were about to co looking for you since you hadn’t returned by morning. Have you only just finished talking?"
"Oh? Oh, yes, that’s right."
"Please put down..."
Isra whispered in my ear, so I set her down.
Isra tried to stand beside , but her legs gave out, and she collapsed.
"Isra!"
Nierta hurriedly knelt down, supporting Isra.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"Oh, um... I guess I’m just tired from staying up all night, haha..."
"Wait a minute... What is this?"
Nierta carefully inspected Isra’s exposed neck.
What she was seeing now were my bite marks.
When she rolled up Isra’s sleeve, she found more similar marks on her arm.
"Isra, don’t tell !"
"I-I can explain...!"
As Isra stamred, Nierta cried out.
"You were attacked by a beast when you went into the forest alone!"
"Huh?"
"Now that you ntion it..."
Linus pointed at .
"Dian, you’ve got similar marks on your neck and wrists."
Following Linus's gesture, Nierta’s eyes lit up.
"Lord Dian! You saved Isra again, didn’t you?"
"Huh?"
"You rescued Isra from the beasts again... As expected of Lord Dian."
"Well, yes, yes. It was nothing. Just what I had to do, really. Haha."
"Thank you for saving Isra, Lord Dian."
The Elf Elder, who had remained silent until now, bowed her head to .
"It’s quite fortuitous that we happened to et here."
The Elf Elder smiled warmly at all of us.
"Now then... Why don’t we go inside? Though we strictly prohibit others from entering, it’s only right to show the interior to Lord Dian and Lord Linus."
"Hey, Isra..."
I whispered to Isra.
"Are other races usually not allowed inside the World Tree?"
"Of course not... You absolutely mustn’t ntion what happened yesterday..."
"Co on in, you two."
Linus called out, and we followed a short distance behind.
Since Isra was struggling to walk, Nierta had to support her.
"Thank you so much, Lord Dian. Isra is my dearest friend. I’m deeply grateful that you saved her."
As we walked toward the World Tree, Nierta showered with words of gratitude. I felt a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, this is amazing."
As we entered the World Tree and saw the scenery inside, Linus exclaid in admiration.
"Look, Dian. There’s another forest inside the World Tree. Isn’t it incredible?"
"Yeah, it’s incredible."
Having seen it the night before, I found it hard to react as excitedly as Linus.
"Ten years ago, everything inside was completely burned, but as you can see, it’s teeming with life again."
The Elf Elder spoke with imnse pride as she gazed at the forest within the World Tree.
"Initially, no matter how hard we tried, trees wouldn’t take root inside here. But when Isra made her oath, everything changed."
"Professor Isra made an oath?"
"Yes, Lord Linus. After the war, Isra secretly entered here and made an oath to the World Tree. Amazingly, the World Tree, which we thought was completely gone, responded to her oath. Since then, this new forest has rapidly grown."
"That’s truly miraculous."
"I’m sure Lord Dian and Lord Linus must be curious about what this World Tree’s Oath is."
Linus responded with great curiosity, and I nodded, trying to look puzzled.
"This way."
The Elf Elder led us further into the forest.
"This is the pond where the essence of the World Tree gathers."
It was the very pond where Isra and I had just been frolicking.
"Eek!"
Isra gasped, and Nierta, unaware of the situation, wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
anwhile, the Elf Elder walked alone into the center of the pond with a splash.
Standing waist-deep in the water, she raised her arms high, just as Isra had done the night before, and cried out in a clear voice.
"World Tree! Your daughter Isra and her savior, Lord Dian, have co to fulfill the oath made ten years ago!"
The forest within the World Tree emitted a faint glow.
"Excuse ? What did you say?"
The Elf Elder, having received the World Tree’s response, suddenly looked flustered.
"The oath... has already been fulfilled...?"
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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