Chapter 592

Latricia’s expression had hardened like a stone. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

As a leader who had guided the High Elves for many years, she had understood why Zeon said such a thing.

“...Hoo! So you’re saying the races of Kurayan will become scavengers in order to survive.”

“That’s the only way they can survive.”

“Haah!”

“I’m sorry. For saying something so heavy…”

“No. We must prepare for it.”

Latricia, like Zeon, had gone through all sorts of hardships. She knew all too well how harsh the world was, and how cruel humans and elves could become in such a terrifying world.

No matter how noble and moral an elf was, if left alone in the desert and starved for three days, they would turn into a bandit.

That was the kind of place the desert was.

Here, an elf’s lofty pride meant nothing.

To survive, one had to do anything, and murder and plunder were not particularly difficult acts.

“The world will become even more chaotic.”

“There’s no sign that this place has been exposed yet, so for the time being, you can rest easy.”

“Even so, we must prepare. I’ll tell the other elves to be more cautious as well.”

At present, the World Tree Village was thoroughly protected by a barrier and Arisedon. But that didn’t mean the High Elves did not engage in outside activities at all.

They continuously scouted the surrounding area and gathered information, preparing for when the World Tree’s influence would grow even greater.

Because of that, those High Elves who went out scouting might be spotted by humans or other races.

Hundreds of thousands who had lived in El Harun had now come out into the world.

Most would move together following Del Roa, but there would always be those who slipped out of control.

Those who broke away might even make their way here.

“Hoo…”

Latricia let out a sigh, as if the mere thought was terrifying.

They could not hide the World Tree forever.

Once it grew larger, it would inevitably be revealed.

And when that happened, countless people would come on their own.

Until then, she wanted to hide it as much as possible while building up their strength. But things in the world never went as one wished.

Out of ten plans, six or seven would always fail to go as intended.

Latricia prayed that the people of El Harun would discover this place as late as possible.

Her gaze turned toward Zeon.

‘It’s a relief that man is on our side.’

When he was on the same side, Zeon was even more reliable than Arisedon.

There was nothing more reassuring than having him as an ally.

Just then—

“Zeon!”

Brielle came running up, calling out to him. Her face was full of excitement.

“Is it true?”

“What is?”

“That there’s a way to teleport.”

“You heard from Levin.”

“Yeah! Is it true?”

“It’s true.”

“Waaah!”

Seeing Brielle cheer, Latricia asked with a puzzled expression,

“What does that mean? Teleport?”

“It means that if we install a portal here, you can go to Neo Seoul or the Primordial Forest whenever you want.”

“Is that really true?”

Latricia looked at Brielle in disbelief.

Brielle, with eyes full of anticipation, looked at Zeon.

“Hurry and activate the portal.”

“Wait a moment.”

Zeon took out a teleport gem from his subspace and looked around.

He was searching for a suitable place to install it.

The place Zeon chose was right in front of the World Tree.

It felt as though the World Tree wanted it to be installed right before it.

Zeon immediately activated the teleport gem in front of the World Tree. A portal appeared.

Latricia’s eyes widened.

“A portal…”

“If you use this portal, you can move to wherever another portal is installed. However, I ask that you refrain from using it for the time being.”

“Of course. We cannot let it be known yet that the World Tree exists.”

“I’ll grant administrator authority only to you and Brielle.”

“Thank you.”

Latricia bowed her head in gratitude.

Brielle ran around the portal, shouting,

“So that means we can go to Neo Seoul anytime using this?”

“Yeah.”

“But for now, I’d rather you not go directly. If you really want to go, I recommend going through the Primordial Forest.”

“The Primordial Forest is connected too?”

“I stopped by there and installed one before coming here.”

“Waaah! Then I can see Har unni anytime?”

“If you want, even right now.”

“Then I want to go right away.”

“Are you okay with the World Tree Village possibly being exposed?”

“I trust Har unni. Did you forget? Who was the first to give birth to a spirit on Earth?”

“Of course I know.”

By giving birth to the light spirit Yuri, Har had made it possible for other spirits to be born.

In a way, Yuri could be considered the mother of all spirits born on Earth.

Zeon looked at Latricia.

“What do you think, Lady Latricia?”

“You’re saying we can go to this place called the Primordial Forest right now?”

“If you wish.”

“The World Tree wants it.”

“What?”

“Forests always desire to be connected. If connected by a portal, this place and the Primordial Forest will be able to exchange spiritual energy.”

“That may be so. Understood.”

Zeon nodded.

He felt it might still be too early, but since those directly involved wanted it this much, it seemed fine to connect them right away.

Zeon immediately linked it to the portal in the Primordial Forest.

Saaa—!

As the portal opened, the World Tree shook its branches and leaves as if in welcome.

At that moment, someone crossed through the portal into the World Tree Village.

The girl, looking around in confusion, was none other than Har.

At Har’s appearance, Brielle jumped with joy.

“Unni!”

“Brielle? Don’t tell me this is the World Tree Village?”

“Yeah! How did you come?”

“I felt that the portal connected somewhere else…”

“Really? You came at the perfect time.”

Brielle grabbed Har’s hand, delighted.

Har was not the only one who came through the portal. Her spirit, Yuri, came along as well.

Yuri, looking around in surprise, quickly spotted Liri and approached.

—Liri!

—Yuri!

The two spirits mingled and floated around the World Tree together.

—Waaah!

—Light!

At that moment, countless spirits from all over the forest sensed Yuri’s presence and came rushing out.

All spirits felt affinity toward Yuri, the first spirit born in the Primordial Forest.

Sharararak!

The sight of countless spirits swirling around the World Tree following Yuri was spectacular.

The World Tree, as if pleased by their movement, shook its leaves vigorously.

The High Elves, startled by the sudden swarm flight of spirits, stared blankly at the sky.

Even they had never seen spirits move in such a swarm before.

The swarm flight of spirits was truly a magnificent sight.

Particles of light scattered everywhere, and the sky was dyed in five colors.

The light particles scattered by the spirits were absorbed when they touched the leaves of the World Tree. The World Tree emitted even stronger spiritual energy, and the spirits shone even brighter as they received it.

“Beautiful!”

“It’s my first time seeing a swarm flight of spirits.”

“But whose spirit is that? I’ve never seen it before.”

The High Elves, who had been staring blankly at the swarm, finally noticed Har and the portal.

“Oh, it’s a human child. I can feel an elf’s aura too—is she a half?”

“What is that portal?”

With curious expressions, they approached Har.

Brielle introduced Har to the High Elves.

“This is Har unni from the Primordial Forest. She incubated a spirit egg for eight whole years and gave birth to the very first spirit.”

“Really?”

“Waaah!”

“That’s incredible!”

At Brielle’s introduction, the High Elves all exclaimed in admiration.

Embarrassed by their enthusiastic reaction, Har’s face turned red.

Latricia approached Har.

“So it’s you!”

“Pardon?”

“The World Tree says so. It says that because of you, it was born, and the forests could come into being. Thank you so much.”

Placing a hand on her chest, Latricia bowed her head slightly.

It was the highest form of courtesy a High Elf could offer.

Seeing her action, all the High Elves followed suit at once.

Faced with their gesture, Har flushed deeply, not knowing what to do.

“Ah, I… I mean…”

Latricia smiled and gently embraced Har. Only then did Har calm down.

Once Har had settled, Latricia took her hand and said,

“Come with me for a moment.”

“Yes!”

Latricia led Har to the front of the World Tree.

Standing before the enormous World Tree, Har exclaimed,

“Waaah! It’s huge!”

“Greet it. This is the World Tree.”

“Yes!”

Har reached out her hand toward the World Tree.

The moment her hand touched it, she felt a tingling sensation, like electricity flowing through her.

Swoooosh!

The branches of the World Tree shook all at once as wind blew.

With her eyes closed, Har communed with the World Tree.

Watching her, Latricia murmured,

“Other than High Elves, Har is the only one who can commune with the World Tree.”

“That’s because Har unni is special.”

Brielle said it as if it were obvious.

“Indeed. She truly is a special child. For the World Tree to welcome her like that…”

“She can come here anytime, right?”

“If she wishes, anytime…”

“Hehe! That’s great.”

Brielle smiled brightly.

Around Har, who was communing with the World Tree, spirits including Yuri gathered.

Surrounded by the World Tree and countless spirits, Har looked almost sacred.

After a while, Har opened her eyes with a smile and removed her hand from the World Tree.

Brielle approached her and asked,

“What did the World Tree say?”

“It said I’ve worked hard all this time. And… thank you.”

“I see.”

“Brielle!”

“Tell me!”

“Can I bring my dad and Lady Floa here?”

“Of course you can. They have the right to know about this place.”

As she answered, Brielle looked at Latricia, seeking her approval.

Latricia nodded silently, giving permission.

Har immediately went through the portal and returned shortly after.

Beside her were her father, Go Du-won, and Floa, the leader of the Dark Elves.

Shock filled their faces.

“My goodness!”

“The World Tree…”

Staggering, Floa approached the World Tree.

The High Elves stepped aside to make way for her.

Floa knelt before the World Tree and began to weep.

“Ah… Mother.”