Chapter 35: The Green Forest , The Deepest Part(3)

Those with true power didn’t fight without reason.

Warriors, unless born with exceptional talent, died quickly if they were too aggressive. Those who survived countless battles were as adept at assessing situations as they were skilled in combat. They avoided pointless fights, engaging only when victory was assured.

Mages avoided fights to preserve their research time. While they could kill for their research, the potential consequences deterred them. However, anyone who threatened their research risked immediate retaliation.

Transcendent beings—those born of noble races or those who had surpassed the limitations of their species—rarely fought amongst themselves. Because—

‘This place is dangerous.’

—their battles would cause widespread devastation.

“Excuse me! I’m sinking!”

Sylvain narrowed her eyes, observing the silver-haired girl flailing and calling for help.

‘I don’t recognize her, but she’s clearly insane.’

The girl had just intruded upon the summit of the World Tree. Sylvain hadn’t even sensed her presence until the last moment. Fewer than ten beings in this world possessed such skill.

“I… I’m… not a good swimmer… Kyaaa! Help me… please…!”

For such a being to drown in a spring less than two meters deep? It was preposterous.

‘…I’d prefer it if this were a ploy.’

A trick to lull Sylvain into a false sense of security would be better. She wouldn’t fall for such a clumsy act, and a mind clever enough to devise a strategy meant there was at least a chance for communication.

“Glug! Blech! H…Help… Why aren’t you helping… Waaaaah…!”

The problem was if it wasn’t an act. And at this point, Sylvain was certain it wasn’t. No one could fake such genuine distress.

Which meant the girl was truly delusional, believing herself to be a helpless child. Rational conversation with a lunatic was unlikely.

Combat was almost inevitable. She might even have to reveal her ‘true form’.

That would be a disaster.

The World Tree was a sacred place, a nexus of the Eastern Great Forest’s life force. If it was damaged, the elves would lose their source of power, and holding back the encroaching darkness would become impossible within a year.

‘I have to move the fight elsewhere.’

Even if it put her at a disadvantage, she had to minimize damage to this sacred place. Just as Sylvain gathered her energy, preparing for battle—

“…Gurgle.”

The girl sank beneath the surface.

“…”

She didn’t resurface. And the life force she sensed was fading.

“…Really?”

Was the girl truly so committed to her role that she would sacrifice her life? …But what if Sylvain was mistaken? What if the silver-haired girl simply couldn’t swim?

Even transcendent beings weren’t omnipotent. Sylvain knew that better than anyone.

“Ugh…! Why am I doing this?!”

Her hesitation was brief. She was about to shed her clothes and dive into the spring—

—when the spring erupted, expelling the silver-haired girl. Sylvain, soaked, rushed towards the sputtering girl.

She had almost died. Why had that woman, who called herself Sylvain, just stood there watching as she drowned?

“…”

Avalli glared at Sylvain, sniffling, her lips pressed tightly together.

“…”

Sylvain avoided her gaze, unable to speak. While she still couldn’t rule out the possibility of the girl being an insane transcendent being… she was more likely to have simply been mistaken, leaving a drowning child to die. Avalli had managed to escape on her own, but it would have been much better if Sylvain had helped.

If this transcendent girl became an enemy because of this incident…

‘This is a headache.’

It would be entirely Sylvain’s fault. As the two transcendent beings stood in silence, water dripped from Avalli’s hair onto the platform of the World Tree.

“…Well, first…”

Sylvain finally broke the silence. She needed to act quickly to defend the front lines tonight. She had to salvage the situation before things escalated.

“I want to apologize.”
“…Why… did you do that?”

Avalli sniffled, glaring at Sylvain.

“I… misunderstood. I thought someone with your power couldn’t possibly drown. And… well, you didn’t.”

Sylvain’s awkward reply was undeniably true.

‘Am I an idiot?’

Even in her panic, there were countless ways she could have escaped that spring. She could have used her ‘magic’, the magic she learned from Lucy, or simply propelled herself out with her enhanced strength.

But she had simply assumed she would drown. Even though she possessed transcendental magic power, the power itself had no will of its own. If its owner envisioned their own death… Avalli’s power would simply comply, allowing her to drown. Her will to live had ultimately been stronger, allowing her to escape.

‘…My software’s outdated.’

She hadn’t fully accepted that she was a ‘transcendent being’.

“…That was still mean.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I should have acted sooner. I put you through a terrible experience.”

Sylvain apologized sincerely and spoke respectfully.

“By the way, who are you? I’ve introduced myself, but I still don’t know your name.”
“Oh! I’m Avalli.”
“Avalli. That’s a lovely name.”

Sylvain nodded and began putting on the clothes she had discarded earlier.

“Avalli, I don’t know why you’re here, but… can I assume you have no hostile intentions?”
“Fight? Me?”
“If that is your will, then please swear it. As long as the oath of non-aggression holds, I, Sylvain, will treat you as a guest.”

Sylvain made the offer, still wary. If Avalli accepted, she could leave for the battlefield without worry… but if she refused—

“Of course. I hate fighting.”

To Sylvain’s relief, Avalli nodded immediately. Sylvain was momentarily taken aback by her unhesitating agreement, then smiled.

“Heehee, it seems I was worried for nothing. Avalli, was it? I have urgent business and must leave this sacred place for a while. I’ll send someone to attend to you shortly. Could you wait here?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I’ll see you later.”

Sylvain said so and then vanished. Left alone at the top of the World Tree, Avalli finally had a chance to look around.

“…Japanese style.”

The place had a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. It wasn’t surprising, considering ‘Sword and Magic’ was a Japanese game.

The steaming spring and the surrounding architecture resembled the hot springs in Kyoto that her friend had shown her pictures of.

Except the owner of these hot springs wasn’t a black-haired Japanese person, but a being with pointed ears…

‘An elf… right?’

An elf.

Weren’t elves supposed to be blonde-haired beauties?

Like the blonde…

“…Priestess?”

…elven priestess hurrying towards her.

“Greetings, Transcendent One. Please forgive my rudeness in keeping you waiting.”

The elf priestess, dressed in a white haori and red hakama, arrived before Avalli and immediately knelt, pressing her forehead to the ground. Recognizing the gesture, Avalli rushed forward, surprised.

“Please, get up. You don’t have to do that.”

Avalli quickly helped the priestess to her feet.

“Such benevolence…!”

Avalli had simply acted out of common courtesy, but the priestess looked deeply moved.

“Transcendent One—”
“…Please, call me Avalli.”
“My apologies. Avalli, allow me to help you change your clothes.”

The priestess bowed her head and then moved behind Avalli, suddenly attempting to undress her.

“W…Wait a minute!”

Avalli yelled, startled by the sudden action, but then—

“Forgive me, Avalli!”

—the priestess immediately apologized and prostrated herself again, leaving Avalli speechless.

“No, it’s not that…”
“Please, direct your anger only at me, the one who made the mistake…”

Seeing the priestess trembling, Avalli doubted she could communicate effectively. Was it a cultural difference? Or…

“…I’m not angry. I was just surprised. Please, help me with my clothes.”
“G…Gratitude for your mercy.”

Feeling a strange unease, Avalli silently allowed the priestess to attend to her.