“Wafa, guruo varuao ruaaooan?” [How did you know that we had a seed of the World Tree?]

“Oh my, you don’t know anything, do you. We White Elves are connected to the World Tree, so if there is a seed nearby, then we will know immediately… Those are very precious to us.”

According to a story that I heard during my days as a mercenary, all Elves have magical qualities and lives by utilizing the magical power that surrounds the World Tree. They built cities around the Tree which was the source of their power and placed wards around them and created a civilization that was distinct from other races.

And it seems that the one who is connected to the World Tree and oversees the state of affairs and survival of the Elves was none other than the White Elf in front of me who possessed fair skin and jade green eyes.

“Sir Archer, can you show me the seed?”

“…Wafu.” […Sure.]

After thinking about it for a while, I took out the “living seed” that was about the size of an almond from my waist bag and handed it to her.

“Hmm… This did not come from the Ancient Forest, but this is a seed of the World Tree that comes from the outer forests.”

“Woruwoan, kuaoaaan.” [I don’t know where it came from, I just received it.]

“No, that’s fine. I just wanted to see if I could make it sprout…”

As she said this, she placed the seed in her bosom which was quite well-endowed for a White Elf.

“Gau…” [OI…]

“I am just warming the seed to make it sprout though?”

Is that so? Come to think of it, Greio, the Steel Sage also took it out of his breast pocket…

Could that guy have… That’s ridiculous.

Well, it is kind of understandable why that old man Greio would be fixated on the World Tree.

The only Western country that possesses a World Tree is the Philland Republic which received a World Tree sapling as part of their end-of-war agreement with the Elves.

The Kingdom of Riastize must have been envious of the wealth acquired by the country after conducting studies on the World Tree on a national scale and exporting its branches and leaves to other nations, but…

“… Guoruvoan?” [… Is that really necessary?]

“Yes, of course. We White Elves have to keep it warm with our skin for a while until the conditions for germination are satisfied.”

“Waoa, varua van kuruoaaan…” [So for humans to be able to sprout a World Tree…] 

“That must be some kind of lie… Not just for the Humans, but it is also impossible for the Bronze and Black Elves, you know?”

Stia cutely tilted her head… I see, so that record of a far-off Eastern country being able to sprout a World Tree was a lie. So the effort that old man Greio spent on this was just a waste of time… I feel kind of bad for him.

Anyway, I got up from my seat after finishing my meal. Then, after a quick clean up, we all got into the wagons and left for the Royal Capital Selkram, where we arrived at the Castle’s inner gatehouse in the evening of the next day…

“Welcome back, Archer~”

“Thank you for your hard work… It seems your operations went without a hitch.”

Ernesta and the dark-skinned Knight Glen were already standing by the entrance waiting for us when we arrived… When we entered the Royal Captial earlier, the Tempest Witch’s white dove familiar was circling overhead, so that’s probably how they got wind of our return.  

After grasping the situation through the increase in the carriages we brought compared to when we left, Glen walked around checking the insides of the carriages, found the children abducted from the Capital, and confirmed some things.

“We will take care of the children that were taken from the Capital.”

“Uaooon…” [Yes, please do.]

“And you must be the one from the town of Wyald, right? We will be sending a carriage to accompany you back to the town so please rest assured.”

“Yes, thank you very much, Miss Knight.”

After she returned the greeting to Serena who quickly bowed, Ernesta froze as she turned her gaze further inside.

“…An Elf? And she’s a White Elf too. How did this happen!?”

“Uerua…” (It’s nice to meet you…)

The silver-haired, blue-eyed mage examines Stia as she says something in Elvish and curiously looks up at the castle built by the Humans.

“Guoa garuouu, woaruguuvaaru.” [We picked her up during the raid, so we’ll bring her along on our way back to the forest.]

“… As always, anything goes with you, doesn’t it?”

After he made the necessary checks, Glen returned to report his findings to Ernesta who still had a dumbfounded look on her face.

“Hmm, that’s right… Archer, we will also be taking these illegal traders in. After all, we also have to clean up after your rampage… As long as we take their testimonies, Count Wilm will be satisfied.”

“Gaoaruoon.” [Then I’ll leave that to you too.]

After hearing those words, Glen instructs the waiting guards to take the slavers away.

When the children and the town maiden Serena were also led away by the maid who was called to come out, the Werecat gentleman Wallace took their place and approached me with Esther and Lilia following behind.  

“Archer, it’s about to get dark, so we will be looking for a place to stay in the town.”

“…Gauarua?” […Ernesta?]

“Hmm, Glen, can you prepare a room for them and the Werecats?”

“Yes. We already have some rooms ready.”

After saying that, the dark-skinned Knight turned on his heel and led the Werecats inside the castle.

“Gurua, guruou kuruoua.” (Boss, let’s get some rest too.)

“Waonn.” [I guess we should.]

“Kuann, wafuon～♪” (Alright, we get to sleep on a bed～♪)

“…Gaou, guarukuaan?” (… Is it really that great?)

Dagger happily wagged her fluffy tail and seemed eager to slither into the cozy bedding and cover it in fur again…

In the end, we spent the night at the Castle that day and set out for the central part of Easteria Forest in the covered wagons they prepared for us the next day.

When he heard that there was a White Elf amongst the rescued people, the old sorcerer left his duties and asked Stia to teach him how to sprout the World Tree, but after learning that it was impossible for humans, and found out that the records were fabricated, he got on his hands and knees and looked depressed.

According to Ernesta, he had spent several years conducting research and experiments on the seed of the World Tree. 

By the way, those records were deemed as spurious books that spread false knowledge by the Steel Sage Greio, who ordered all copies of the books to be burned in the Kingdom…