Chapter 29

“Was Xian  and your princess in such a relationship?”

If Xian had started dating someone, he would have reported it to me or Feltz himself.

Besides, if I remember correctly, Duke Fael's daughter, Riel, also has feelings for Xian.

“Not yet. But soon, it’ll likely be so.”

“Tsk.”

What would happen if Xian and the elf princess ended up together?

I began calculating the possibilities in my mind but soon gave up.

“If that’s what Xian wants.”

Even if Xian married an elf and it caused a disadvantage to the empire, it wouldn’t outweigh the harm that could come if Xian failed to kill the Demon King.

It’s not as if we were planning an all-out war with the elves anytime soon. If anything, this would buy us time to unite humanity’s forces. So, it wasn’t much of a loss.

And honestly, I don’t want to meddle in the romantic affairs of Xian, whom I consider a friend.

“For now, come inside. It wouldn’t be right to keep a guest standing around when I’m the host.”

The green dragon Areubo led me into the great forest.

“Fewer than ten humans have set foot in this forest. Consider it an honor.”

Guided by the green dragon, I entered the great forest, and it was nothing short of majestic.

The empire has its share of renowned forests, but none could compare to this one. It was vast beyond imagination, with trees so tall that craning your neck to look up made it ache. The entire place felt like another world.

Additionally—

“What’s with all these barriers?”

Even compared to the Imperial Palace, the barriers here were of an extraordinarily high standard. Without the guidance of its master, no ordinary person could set foot in this forest.

“Safety first. It’s the elves’ motto.”

“Did you set these up yourself?”

“I created the outermost one. The rest were set by the elves.”

Even the barriers set by the elves were nothing short of formidable.

From our side—no, not just the empire but all of humanity combined—how many people could even hope to penetrate these barriers?

“What’s occupying your thoughts so much?”

“I was wondering how many humans could make it past these barriers.”

“…Are you always this blunt?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”

“Goodness, you really can’t hide your lineage.”

Letting out a sigh, Areubo spoke to me as if offering advice.

“Don’t entertain such pointless thoughts. Even if someone manages to get through these barriers, fighting the elves in this forest would be nothing short of suicide.”

There was pride in Areubo’s voice as he spoke of the forest.

“And besides, it’s not just elves who dwell here.”

“That’s true.”

The more I saw, the stronger the elves seemed, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

Even without the dragon, the elves alone might be stronger than the combined forces of humanity. But with that dragon standing guard…

“By the way, is that law of yours still in effect?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

Would they intervene if I attacked the elves?

When I indirectly posed the question, Areubo looked at me as if I’d lost my mind and replied.

“I don’t need an answer if you’re unwilling to give one.”

I could always ask the Archduke later.

“The law is still in effect, but the rule has exceptions for situations where a transcendent’s domain is attacked.”

Areubo explained that if the great forest were attacked, he would intervene, and if the empire were attacked, Artemia would take action.

“Well, that’s not exactly good news.”

“Have you, by any chance, lost family to the elves?”

No, I hadn’t. The former emperor was killed by demons, not elves.

When Areubo asked why I disliked the elves so much, I answered,

“It’s because they’re stronger than the empire, isn’t it?”

The empire must be the strongest on the continent, but the elves surpass us, so I dislike them.

Hearing my response, Areubo sighed deeply and remarked,

“…You’re insane.”

“I know.”

As I followed Areubo deeper into the forest, elves began appearing here and there.

Perhaps it was because there were already other humans in the great forest or because I was with Areubo, but none of them seemed particularly wary of me.

“So, how much longer do we have to walk?”

This forest clearly isn’t the kind of place you can traverse on foot. How much farther are we going to walk? Shouldn’t we use teleportation or, at the very least, a carriage?

To my question, the dragon calmly replied,

“Why don’t you enjoy the scenery instead? Where else would you find something like this?”

“I didn’t come here for sightseeing.”

“Tsk, tsk.”

With a small gesture, Areubo transported us instantly to the elves’ capital.

“Wha—?”

“Your Majesty…?”

There, I saw Xian , surrounded by his companions.

The elves’ capital, the heart of the great forest where the World Tree stood, was brimming with the atmosphere of a festival.

Cheerful music echoed throughout the forest, food stalls were scattered everywhere, and the hero’s companions wandered with food in both hands, enjoying the lively celebration.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness, my companions and I have been enjoying our journey. You, however, seem… much changed.”

Xian looked genuinely happy, with no trace of exhaustion, proving that his claim of enjoying his journey wasn’t just an empty remark.

While it was a relief to see him in such good spirits after all he had endured, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions, thinking about how carefree he seemed while the empire was in disarray.

Still, even though I hadn’t deliberately revealed my aura, someone of Xian’s caliber could sense the level I had reached.

With a slight nod, I said,

“Many things have happened since you left the empire. It became necessary for me to grow stronger.”

“Many things? What do you mean by that?”

“Well, there was an attempted rebellion, though that’s not particularly important—”

“WHAT?!?!”

Xian’s companion, Riel Fael, reacted with shock to the mention of rebellion.

I continued while looking at her,

“Duke Ron Fael was gravely injured.”

“…!”

“Father… was gravely injured…?”

At my words, Riel’s face turned pale, and her companions looked at her with concern.

“Wait, then the reason you came here…”

“Yes, Seria.”

It wasn’t me who answered the elf princess’s question but Areubo.

“The Emperor has come here to obtain an elixir.”

Seria seemed lost in thought at his explanation, but I paid her no mind.

After all, the authority to grant the elixir wouldn’t lie with her but with the queen.

“Your Majesty…”

Riel spoke to me cautiously, her voice trembling slightly. I tried to respond as kindly as possible.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been told his life isn’t in danger. The Duke is currently resting in the Holy Kingdom, so his condition won’t worsen. And with the elixir, he’ll recover fully. You have nothing to worry about.However, if it would ease your mind, you could visit him. The Duke cares for you deeply.”

After seeing her nod in response, I turned my attention to Xian .

“Xian. Archduke Audas. I must ask you to return to the empire now.”

Two vassals had shown treasonous intent, and Duke Fael was gravely injured.

The empire had yet to recover from the wounds of the war with the Demon King, leaving our forces weakened. Among our enemies was a Grand Mage powerful enough to defeat the empire’s greatest swordsman. If, in this precarious situation, Edelvine rallied other kingdoms to rise against us, what would happen?

The Archduke wouldn’t likely intervene in a war among humans. Even if she did, I didn’t want to owe her any more than I already did. Right now, the best course of action was to rely on Xian.

His presence alone would act as a powerful deterrent. As long as Xian was in the empire, Anon  and the cautious Jer, knowing his power, wouldn’t dare make a move.

Hearing my grave tone, Xian’s expression hardened as he replied.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Areubo, please guide me to the queen.”

“Understood. Seria, I’ll see you later.”

Leaving the hero’s companions to their thoughts, I followed Areubo toward the elf queen.

“By the way, do you happen to know the name of my dear wife?”

“…What? Oh, are you talking about the World Tree?”

As I listened to Areubo, I couldn’t help but think he sounded utterly smitten.

“Yes! You see, ‘World Tree’ is just a title. You’re an emperor, but that’s not your name, is it? Ah, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard your name either.”

“Rios. Surname, Altego.”

“Ha! Even if I’m not particularly interested in the continent’s affairs, I wouldn’t have missed the name Arhan. So, do you know the name of the World Tree?”

“I don’t.”

“I figured as much. These days, everyone just calls her the World Tree. There are even elves who don’t know her name anymore. But since you’re about to meet her, shouldn’t you at least know it?”

As Areubo spoke, a tremendous aura began to come into view—a tree of incomprehensible size and energy, the World Tree.

“Regina. That is her name. Make sure you remember it.”

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