Book Eater

Chapter 334: Promised Night (1)

Jerem might’ve sacrificed all his undead as a last resort, but it ended up being good for the Great Forest. The two hundred thousand undead would have caused a catastrophe if they had run around out of control in the forest. It would have made cleaning up far more difficult. Undead bodies contained a deadly poison and tainted mana. This mana contained the power to deny life and would cause damage if it overflowed everywhere.

However, Jerem had destroyed the undead. It had been a decision he made in order for Nídh?ggur to last even one minute longer. As it happened, this misjudgment had saved Elvenheim and the Great Forest.

The undead had lost all the mana and poison, and become great fertilizer for the forest. There was no need for an unnecessary struggle, and the residents of the Great Forest could disperse throughout the devastated forest. The southern part of the battlefield was damaged, but the east and west areas received relatively little damage and regained their original appearance.

It will take more time to be completely restored, but... well, it isn’t considered a long time for elves.

There was a big difference between the concept of time for humans and elves. Unlike humans who grew impatient with every wasted day, elves could wait weeks for tea leaves.

Theo sighed with relief as he looked around the forest. “I’m glad there isn’t any damage that can’t be recovered.”

Essentially, this situation had been caused by Theo. He hadn’t thought about the future and released Jerem during the fight against Invidia. This had developed into a catastrophic threat to the entire forest. Jerem had been somehow defeated and the forest was safe, but over a thousand elves had lost their lives in combat. The high elves comforted him, but he couldn’t ignore the responsibility.

The restoration of the world tree was the least Theo could do for this forest.

Step, step.

At that moment, a number of elves entered Theo’s room. Well, not exactly. They were the true keepers of the world tree, those who inherited the Arv’s lineage, and the representatives of Elvenheim.

Among the high elves, the dark skinned Alucard asked, “Theo, what is going on?”

It seemed he was worried about why Theo gathered them here when they were busy. Theo looked around silently before tapping the table, as if telling them to sit down.

Then he began his story, “First of all, thank you for coming. I wanted to talk to you after your work was done, but there is something you have to be prepared for.”

The expressions of the high elves changed at his words. Naia still looked sleepy, but her ears flicked toward him. There was something regarding the Great Forest or Elvenheim which the high elves needed to know...? They couldn’t help wondering about it.

As the story flowed from Theo’s mouth, astonishment filled the eyes of the high elves.

“What?” Alisa’s voice rose an octave. “The power of the world tree has really weakened?”

Theo nodded. “Yes, it is true.”

She followed up instantly. “T-The time remaining? You didn’t tell us as soon as you discovered it. Does this mean the situation isn’t urgent?”

Theo nodded again. “My calculations put it at fifty years at the earliest and seventy at the latest.”

Alisa blanched. “This is an emergency!”

Theo hadn’t expected the high elves to panic this much. Alisa was white, and Alucard tightened his grip on the wood. Meanwhile, Lumia covered her mouth with a grim expression, and Ellenoa was similar to her. Titania had no expression, and Theo couldn’t read Naia’s expression.

Theo belatedly realized the reason why and sighed.

Damn, humans have a different concept of time.

Human life was really short compared to the high elves who lived for a thousand years. The elves found it difficult to understand the urgency of the human race, but this perception was reversed when it came to decades. Ten years was a long time for humans, but for an elf, it was equivalent to one human year. It wasn’t a long time for them. Therefore, fifty years to them was like five years. It was no wonder why they felt the issue was urgent.

“... Are there any measures to be taken?” Naia asked Theo before anyone else. “You wouldn’t call us if you didn’t have any solutions.”

Theo gratefully grabbed the chance to calm things. “I have three ideas.”

Naia nodded. “Tell us.”

The two conversed, while the rest focused. Normally, she would be sleeping, but Naia was famous for her wisdom. In some ways, she was the best candidate to handle this situation.

Theo nodded. “The first thing is to restore the destroyed forest beyond its original state as soon as possible.”

Naia asked, “Beyond the original state?”

Theo confirmed, “Yes.”

A lightbulb went off in Naia’s head. “You want to reverse the link of mutual growth, so that the forest can help the world tree grow.”

Theo smiled. “That’s right.”

But Naia frowned. “But the strength of the forest alone isn’t enough. The second method?”

The conversation between Theo and Naia continued before the other elves could understand.

Theo nodded. “That’s right. Even before the undead attacked, the forest’s vitality wasn’t higher than the world tree. If so, it will be lacking even if we raise the vitality.”

Naia mused, “It is impossible with the current ecosystem. Are you going to bring an outside source?”

“Yes, look at this.”

Theo pulled out a sleeping Tres from inside his robes.

Yiippp??

The three-tailed fox woke up and snuggled into Theo’s elbow when he saw the six high elves looking at him.

“This fox?” Naia asked with a strange expression.

Theo laughed and revealed Tres’ identity, “It is a spirit.”

Naia rolled the word around in her mouth. “Spi... rit?”

Theo explained. “They existed on the West Continent in ancient times, but now they are only found in the East Continent across the sea. They affect the growth rate of animals and plants, and the world tree is included in that category.”

Of course, the world tree’s power was too great to compare to spirits, and the world tree itself was comparable to a mighty divinity. The high elves looked convinced as Theo stroked Tres’ tail.

“If you accept this young spirit in the forest, you can generate a much greater vitality than the old forest.”

Naia nodded. “Umm… I’m convinced. Then where will we get so many spirits? Ah, don’t tell me.”

Theo smiled. “Yes, I will bring them from the East. As well as...”

Before Naia could reply, Theo pulled out a pouch. The high elves smelled the fragrance flowing from the pouch and couldn’t help sighing. The elves were more sensitive than humans, and they could feel the purity of the mana coming from the seeds and seedlings remaining of the gift that the spirits of the Baekun Mountains had given Theo.

Theo offered the pouch. “It will help if you plant these seeds. Isn’t that right, Naia?”

Naia sighed. “... It means it will also help you.”

“Yes, please don’t think of this as owing me.”

“You are different from most humans. You should be a bit more greedy.”

Theo shrugged at Naia’s compliment that wasn’t a compliment while she smiled. However, Naia still hadn’t heard the third method. “The last one?”

Theo focused, “The most important role... Ellenoa?”

“Ah, yes?” Ellenoa was surprised by her name suddenly coming up.

Theo spoke with a smile, “The power of the world tree was consumed not only because it blocked Nídh?ggur’s breath but from helping Mitra become a god. We need a mediator to obtain the faith and the strength that was passed onto Dmitra, and give it back to Yggdrasil.”

Ellenoa cocked her head. “Mediator?”

“The expression is a little vague. Just as high elves are called the dancers of the world tree, the gods have a corresponding role.”

Gods had existed since ancient times and had followers to spread the religion. The name of this special role was similar; Saintess, the one who acted as a link between gods and mortals.

“I think that Ellenoa is best suited for the role of Mitra’s Saintess.”

“That… Why?”

“Ellenoa has contracted with the earth elemental ruler, and Mitra also wants you. The final reason isn’t significant.” Theo smiled as he walked in front of Ellenoa. “I think the same as Mitra.”

Ellenoa gazed into his eyes. “...”

Theo held her gaze. “If the burden is too much—”

“N-No!” Ellenoa quickly shook her head. “I will do it.”

Theo hesitated. “But...”

Ellenoa was determined. “If Theo thinks I am the right person then I will do it.”

“Ellenoa...”

Alisa couldn’t tolerate the subtle atmosphere between the two people and interrupted, “Well, isn’t this good? I’ll leave it up to you. I’m already tired from all my other roles."

Lumia added. “I think so as well. The others?”

Alucard and the rest of the high elves nodded. The conclusion was decided so quickly that it was embarrassing, but there were no objections. Theo read the atmosphere and called Mitra.

[Hoing! The great Mitra has appeared!]

Mitra sprang up from the ground with a wild tumble. The high elves couldn’t read Mitra because she had become the incarnation of the world tree and assimilated with it. She could appear anywhere in the Great Forest that the world tree’s roots reached.

[Mother Ellenoa! You are going to be my Saintess? Really? Really?]

“Really. B-But the word, mother...” Ellenoa’s face turned red and she couldn’t finish her words.

Mitra’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

[Huhihi, are you saving it for a future joy? Well, okay. I will call you my Saintess if you prefer...]

The girl with the wheat-colored hair appeared serious for a moment before she laughed, looking wickedly between Theo and Ellenoa. Before Theo could stop her, Mitra used her power.

“Uh!”

There was a sense of pressure that didn’t contain any animosity. Theo’s body tensed, and he couldn’t keep his eyes away from the scene before him. Mitra gathered the now limited power of Dmitra in her palm. Pink, blue, red, and orange... The gathered flowers of different colors formed an elegant ring. If it wasn’t for the divine power coming from it, it looked no different from a well-made floral ring.

[Now!]

Mitra handed the ring to Theo.

Theo looked bemused. “Why did you hand me this?”

[Hihihi, Theo should put it on instead of me.]

“What?!”

[Then this Mitra is leaving!]

Mitra dove back into the ground and didn’t respond to Theo’s call. No, in this case, she deliberately didn’t respond. So, he couldn’t forcibly bring her back.

“Sigh, I guess it can’t be helped. Mitra is too playful...”

Ellenoa’s face was pink as she held her left hand forward. Theo didn’t know if Ellenoa knew human customs or not, but the situation ended up like this.

“... Thank you, Ellenoa.”

In the end, Theo placed the flower ring on Ellenoa’s finger. Simultaneously, another connection opened in the bond between Theo and Mitra. He could now feel Ellenoa’s presence in her role of a Saintess. Ellenoa looked down at the ring on her finger with a bemused expression.

Clap, clap, clap!

At that moment, Alucard cleaned up the situation by clapping. “I don’t understand everything yet, but this seems to be settled. Theo, is it okay to keep the rest of the story for after tonight?”

“Is something happening tonight?”

“A festival.” Theo’s eyes widened, and Alucard smiled bitterly. “Even if we won, we lost many colleagues. Tonight’s festival is a chance to comfort the souls of the dead and to encourage the living. As our savior and friend, we hope you will also participate.”

“... Okay, I will do so.”

“Thank you. The others will be delighted.”

Perhaps this festival would be Theo’s farewell ceremony. He nodded readily, and Alucard left the room happily.. Meanwhile, Lumia and Alisa enjoyed the long-awaited break, Titania was bored and looked for something to do, and Naia placed her face against the table and slept.

Ellenoa was still looking at her finger.

“... Tonight.”

She touched the flower ring and raised it to her nose. Ellenoa gained strength from the ring on her left hand.

“Tonight,” she murmured in an unusually determined voice.