Visiting Alvenheim for the second time.
Helium had often visited Alvenheim due to his long-standing friendship with Cecily, but this was not the case for Alvenheim itself.
Cecily was a princess with fewer restrictions, while Arwen was a queen of a nation.
Even though Sirius served as a messenger, she was not a slave—she was, quite literally, a messenger.
Even now, she would fetch books from the holy land with just a request.
Thus, visiting Alvenheim as a Zenon, and not as an ordinary person, felt inherently awkward.
Even Helium, following Cecily or Gartz’s guidance, had never visited as a Zenon—only once had he come as such.
That alone was enough to give me a complicated feeling, but Alvenheim added another layer of pressure.
“So… who are you?”
“I am Beatrice Stashiker, former Captain of the Alvenheim Guard. I oversee the Alvenheim Royal Guards.”
A woman with long, glorious blonde hair pushed behind her ear and bright, emerald eyes—glowing as if they contained the aurora—spoke to me.
Her high, clear voice left a strong impression, with an undertone of warmth. I looked at the elf who had greeted me.
True to the elven embodiment of beauty, her appearance was strikingly lovely.
She wore light white leather gloves that accentuated her slender figure.
From the sword at her waist, it seemed she was a practitioner of swordsmanship.
Judging by her graceful and sophisticated appearance, it wouldn’t be surprising if her swordplay was just as elegant.
“And this person…?”
“This is Captain Haas Stormhoff. He oversees the Alvenheim Magic Corps.”
A man with smooth, pale green hair tied into a small ponytail greeted me in a polite tone.
Unlike the elf woman introduced as Beatrice, Haas was wearing a simple robe, giving off a more intellectual vibe, especially with his round glasses.
His soft smile was the kind of thing you wouldn’t expect from someone with such a bold appearance—so much so that, at first, I mistook him for a woman.
I alternated between looking at the two of them, who had introduced themselves as the captains, and awkwardly greeted them.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you. As you might know, my name is Isaac Duker Michelle, also known as the Zenon who is writing the Zenon Chronicles. But… are you two really the captains?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“We’re in a position that’s too much for us, honestly.”
Beatrice responded confidently, while Haas spoke humbly.
You could immediately tell their personalities from their answers.
Rather than feeling confused, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
These two had been the ones escorting me ever since I left for Alvenheim.
Back then, we were in too much of a hurry, using teleportation to prepare for any possible dangers, so there hadn’t been time for introductions.
It was only after arriving in Alvenheim that I learned who they were.
“So the ‘Captain’ position I know of… it’s the one given to the most capable person in the military, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s true, but magic has no end, does it?”
While Beatrice gave a concise answer, Haas always responded humbly.
I nodded, and inwardly let out a wry laugh.
As I had asked, the position of “Captain” in Alvenheim was one held only by those with the highest skill in their respective fields.
Since this was the military, strength was a given, but one also had to have leadership, command, political skills, and public favor to become a Captain.
To understand who they were, I’ll give you an analogy: a regular knight might be a tactical weapon, but once you reach the level of Captain, it’s more like strategic-level warfare.
As such, the position of Captain was one of enormous prestige, both domestically and internationally.
To think that they had sent two Captains to escort me—this was more than enough to make me feel a sense of awe.
When considering there were only five Captains in Alvenheim, this meant that more than a third of their military power was devoted solely to my escort.
All for the sake of one simple task: protection.
‘But they all seem so young…’
We had just gone through customs and were resting in a space reserved for guests.
Once Arwen’s preparations were complete, we would head straight to the Wigr Drasil.
We could go to Elodia, where Arwen resides, but I was told we would need to walk slowly, as we wouldn’t meet Arwen immediately.
Alvenheim, as a nation, had gifts prepared for me, and it was necessary to make a favorable impression with the public.
I’d heard that Arwen hadn’t personally chosen the gifts, but rather, the citizens had volunteered to do so.
In many ways, it made me think of Elven-style communism.
I glanced at the two Captains again, and as they knew I was a Zenon, their eyes were different.
One of them had eyes that sparkled like stars, while the other was full of curiosity.
They weren’t ordinary people, and as Captains, they were even a bit intimidating.
Moreover, this only made the situation feel even more awkward, and I cautiously spoke up.
My question might have been a little rude, but I had to resolve my curiosity first.
“I know this might sound like a foolish or rude question, but may I ask it?”
“If it’s a question from a Zenon, I’ll answer anything.”
“I’d like to have a conversation with you.”
Thankfully, I had already built up some goodwill with the elves as a race, so I didn’t expect any issues.
I collected my thoughts briefly before speaking cautiously.
“Perhaps it’s because I’m human, but I find it hard to guess your ages. Given that you’re Captains, you must be quite old…”
“It’s not as much as you’d think. I’ll be exactly 250 years old next year.”
“I’ve spent many years, over 650 springs.”
“…”
They gave answers that matched their generations.
Beatrice, being a new generation elf, answered in a straightforward manner, while Haas used the grammar of the older generation.
The divide between the new and old generation of elves occurred 300 years ago during the Race War. Beatrice had never experienced the war, while Haas had.
I turned to Haas, who seemed more fitting for the history books, and looked at him with wide eyes.
Elves, like those from a certain manga, maintain their youthful appearance for a long time, with aging slowly starting around the age of 800.
And while old-generation elves were typically rigid and narrow-minded, Haas didn’t seem that way at all.
“Indeed, it’s difficult to guess an elf’s age.”
“That’s not something a Zenon should say.”
“Huh?”
What was he saying? I stared at Haas, my eyes wide in confusion, not understanding his words.
Then, he gave me a gentle smile, which was enough to leave me feeling flustered.
“You, Zenon, are even harder to guess in age. My body and soul’s age align, but yours do not, do they?”
“…”
I was unsure what kind of misconception he had, but to my surprise, he had hit the nail on the head.
It felt like there was kindness underlying his words.
Perhaps because I had only dealt with the rigid elders like Peren, I had assumed that older elves would not like me, but it seemed I was wrong.
Flustered, I rolled my eyes and replied nonchalantly, though I couldn’t prevent a drop of sweat from rolling down my cheek.
“That’s an interesting thought. What made you think that?”
“I’ve lived through hundreds of winters, but it seems like you’ve experienced a broader world than I have.
Back then, it was just an imagined story, but who else, who would dare think such things?
You saw demons not as devils but as people, and directly criticized the Senate’s corruption and incompetence.”
Hmm.
Now I had nothing to say.
In hindsight, fantasy novels themselves had made significant cultural advancements, and web novels were no exception. Even I had been culturally shocked by playing an intergalactic war game in my past life.
How much more so the people in this world.
I didn’t refute Haas’s words but instead let out a wry smile.
Haas, perhaps now convinced, gave a subtle nod while smiling faintly.
“Then, when we go to Elodia to meet Arwen, could you tell me what we’ll be doing?”
In order to break the awkward atmosphere, I needed a change of topic. I hastily directed my question to Beatrice, not Haas.
She blinked at my question before raising a smile and answering.
As I’d sensed earlier, though her voice was pure, there was an underlying boldness to it.
“Since it’s a gift from Alvenheim, it was prepared on our side, but we will fulfill whatever you wish, Zenon.”
“Is it possible to visit the holy land?”
The holy land was known as the first library, and it held an immense collection of books.
For a book lover like me, it was truly a ‘holy land’ in every sense.
Up until now, books had been supplied through Siris, but now I thought it might be time to confidently enter on my own, so I asked.
“Of course. Additionally, Her Majesty’s…”
“Hmm. Hmm. Ms. Stashiker?”
“Ah.”
Beatrice almost made a slip of the tongue, but fortunately, Haas stopped her.
Though I was slightly disappointed, it seemed like it was a secret, so I decided to leave it at that.
There was also something I was very curious about, though—it’s a famous “sanctuary” that even Arwen cannot pass through without permission.
After looking around cautiously, I asked carefully.
“Then… may I approach the World Tree?”
“The World Tree… you mean?”
“Yes.”
During the Demon War, the Goddess of Nature, Hirth, gave the Elves a seed, which ignited and grew into the sacred tree, the World Tree.
Anyone with even the slightest bit of evil inside them cannot approach it, and even a single drop of dew from it is a precious elixir ingredient.
Even after 3,000 years, it continues to grow steadily, and now its scale is large enough to cover an entire city.
When I first visited Alvenheim, I heard that it ignored all sense of distance.
However, without the permission of the priests who guard the World Tree, even Arwen cannot enter or exit.
I expected it would be difficult, but…
“Of course. The priests would gladly grant permission if it’s for you, Zenon-nim.”
“Really?”
“Yes. After all, you’re the one who saved the roots of the World Tree from corruption. If they refuse you, the people would never forgive them.”
That’s a relief.
I had been hoping to see it up close, and it looks like today that wish will be fulfilled.
Of course, I don’t plan to pick up fallen leaves or collect dew from the World Tree.
I just want to see it once.
Everyone has a desire to visit a famous tourist spot, right? It’s the same feeling.
“I’m glad. Have you two ever been to the World Tree?”
“I haven’t.”
“I haven’t either.”
“I’ve visited for research purposes, but I only observed it from afar or picked up leaves that had fallen to the ground. I’ve never approached it closely.”
Even the two former commanders, who are quite experienced, have never been there.
I didn’t stop there and asked another question.
“What about other races, excluding Elves?”
“At least in the hundreds of springs I’ve witnessed, none have approached it. Even prominent scholars have never tried. Zenon-nim, you might be the first.”
“The first…?”
So, I’m the first among humans. Just imagining it makes my heart race.
Scholars dream of visiting libraries, of going to sacred places, but how much more so with the World Tree.
‘But they say there’s a soul dwelling there…! I hope it’s not something like a demon being tortured and then blown up, refusing to accept it.’ I suddenly had a humorous thought.
“Well, it looks like it’s time. We should start heading out soon.”
“Yes. How long does it take to walk to Elodia?”
“It won’t take long.”
“Good.”
At that moment, I thought it was all fine.
“…What’s that?”
“It seems like people have gathered to see Zenon-nim.”
A red carpet… no, a street split apart like Moses’ miracle, I had to see it with my own eyes first.
It was the same scene I had seen at the academy.
People were swarming on both sides, and knights were blocking the way to prevent them from getting closer.
And this wasn’t a special institution like the academy; this was the capital.
The center of the capital was clearing the path for me.
Thankfully, I hadn’t revealed myself, so it was calm, but I knew that as soon as I took one step, I could imagine what would happen.
“Do we really have to pass through there?”
“Yes. This way, the people can see that they are offering gifts to Zenon-nim with their own eyes. You don’t need to worry about attacks.”
“No, that’s not it…”
It seems like Arwen is trying to embarrass me. But I can’t just ignore it and pass by.
I squeezed my eyes shut and took a step forward. Then…
“It’s Zenon-nim!”
“Where? Where?”
“He’s over there! The one with the red hair!”
“Wow!!!”
With the sound of clapping and loud cheers filling my ears, my face inevitably turned red.
‘…I’m not made for this.’
How did those called heroes pass through such paths?
I’ve always been a homebody, so just walking through this street feels embarrassing.
“How about waving your hand once?”
“Yeah! Everyone came to see Zenon-nim!”
“…”
Let’s see, Arwen.
At that moment, Arwen, who had been waiting in Elodia, suddenly felt a jolt.
Zzzzt!
“Huh?!”
“Your Majesty?”
“No, it’s nothing. I just suddenly felt a strange jolt…”
The sudden feeling of a sharp tingle in her body made her jump in surprise.
‘What is this? Why do I feel…’
It was an odd sensation, and she tilted her head, feeling her face turning red.
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