Chapter 350: The Elves’ City (5)
If I were to think a little bit about their current situation, the answer would come quickly.
The Eberian Kingdom had been able to live a wealthy life while maintaining its closing policy until now, all because of the World Tree.
I had no choice but to think that something was wrong right now.
The continent’s resources were not infinite. The reason why the Kingdom of Eberia, completely disconnected from the outside world, could continue to develop was nothing else.
‘It means the resources are endless.’
I didn’t know with what mechanism the city was working, but it was undeniable that most elves depended on the World Tree, and considering that soil and drinking water were also affected, the answer was already there.
The same went for defense systems. Historically, the Kingdom of Eberia had constantly resisted external threats. Many countries were now adopting laws to ban the interracial slave trade, but it was not in the past.
Most of the authoritative n.o.bles had elven slaves. There was even a precedent that they invaded the Kingdom of Eberia on a national or territorial basis, so there was no need to explain what the situation was like.
The World Tree was closely related to their lives as well as the existence of the Kingdom.
However, said World Tree was rotting.
‘It can be said that it is on the verge of breaking down.’
From their standpoint, they had no choice but to find an alternative quickly. If the World Tree collapsed as it was, the future of Eberia was almost as obvious.
They would be struggling with resources and would not be able to cope with external threats properly. If I exaggerated a bit, troops would be sent to bite them from all over the place.
I didn’t know if that would become a reality or not, but at least it was enough to make the leaders nervous.
At the same time, the Laios’ demon summonsing case bursts. The State was still a country that could be cla.s.sified as a powerful country, and the image of Laios, who spent most of their time as a neutral country, was inevitably better.
It meant they would have thought that joining us was their way to live. If they could trade with the outside world, they could get out of the situation of limited resources and even prevent other threats.
Of course, the fact that they reacted negatively to black magic also helped to encourage the choice, but the fundamental reason lay in their own crisis.
When I looked at Elena slightly, she looked serious, but she didn’t seem to think that the alliance had political reasons.
‘She’s naive.’
By comparison, Elios must have acted with all of this in mind.
It seemed that the State was worried that this would be a cause of concern, but even in there, Eberia was prey that they did not want to miss.
There were many resources in the forest and the external image we could get from joining them.
Of course, if we knew that their resources were on the verge of running out, we would not have proceeded with the alliance on equal terms.
In a way, we were scammed. It wasn’t enough that the back was tingling, but it was correct to say that we had suffered minor damage.
“The root of the World Tree…”
“It is still in progress. The investigation continues from the point of discovery to the present, but the cause has not been directly discovered. At first, the rotting area was very small, but now, about a third of the roots are completely contaminated. The rate of erosion is very…”
“It’s fast.”
“Yes. It even continues to accelerate.”
“How much is left?”
“It’ll be gone in 30 years, if long…”
‘It’s too fast…’
They are pressed by urgent business.
“Then, Hyunsung has…”
“He said he could solve the problem.”
“You mean Hyung-ssi?”
“Yes. He’s still talking to my father.”
“Can I check it with my own eyes?”
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I hope you’ll stay here until his Majesty finishes the conversation. It’s really not because I don’t trust you. I just want you to understand that the situation is that much serious.”
“I repeat, but you don’t have to be sorry.”
This was because there was no guarantee that we would not aim for the roots; I would have made the same choices as he did.
Rather, it was correct to think that this was not too much. Although it was a little twisted initially, the quarantine measure was enough evidence that they were showing sufficient consideration to us.
Of course, I felt curious about the case when things didn’t go well afterward.
‘Because Kim Hyunsung is not good at speaking.’
One way or another, I could only grasp the exact situation when he returned. It was then that I could just hear the knocking on the door.
I was happy to see him momentarily, but I was forced to harden my expression.
‘That b.a.s.t.a.r.d.’
Although it was for me, it was an undeniable fact that he acted without a word to me.
Of course, it was Kim Hyunsung who showed up. His face, with a smile, was somewhat proud.
‘Was he successful?’
It was only right to think that he at least elicited a positive response. Kim Hyunsung, who entered the room with several elves, explained to the guild members as soon as he arrived.
The elves who had come together were also having a conversation with Elios in an atmosphere that could be said to be quite harmonious.
Naturally, I was worried that he would leave it up in his mind and then suddenly go off. He should have been like this straight from the beginning.
When I went straight to the door with a hardened face, not looking at him, I felt his gaze focused on me, but this method was the most effective to uncover the secrets that he kept.
‘You don’t know why I’m angry?’
It had been a long time since Cho Hyejin’s case that I used this skill. When I looked back for a moment, our eyes met, but I saw a bright smile as if he felt proud, rather than if he had made a mistake.
It was only natural to frown. It was only then that he realized he had made a mistake, and I saw him running towards this side.
It was a sight to see him following me through the door that was about to close. Other guild members seemed to be wondering what was going on, but they did not come inside together as if Kim Hyunsung restrained them.
“Er, Kiyoung-ssi.”
“…”
“Kiyoung-ssi…”
“…”
It was only right to ignore his voice.
“You heard about it from Elios-nim… Fortunately, things seem to have worked out well. Of course, he said that he would think about it a little more, but I was told that he would give a definite answer within tomorrow as soon as possible. He also said he was positive.”
“I see. That’s great.”
“I didn’t think things would go well…”
“Ah… Yes. I see.”
When I tried to make my face harden and show that I was upset, I saw a little anxious face like last time. I didn’t know if he was quick-witted or not, but it seemed that he thought I would praise him if he were to achieve some results.
It was so ridiculous that I wanted to laugh. As I was organizing my thoughts on how to speak up, I immediately heard a voice.
“Er… I’m sorry.”
“Yes?”
“I am sorry for not telling you in advance. I wanted to tell you, but it was a little impulsive. Also… you’re not feeling well, and I didn’t thoughts.”
‘Oh, if he comes out like this, it’ll be embarra.s.sing again…’
The appearance of apologizing for knowing that he had done something wrong seemed to show that he also developed tolerance. In fact, I wanted to be a little more annoyed, but the reaction seems that I didn’t even have to be.
“Sigh…”
“I’m really sorry.”
“Hyunsung-ssi, at least, shouldn’t I know how things work…?”
“I’m sorry.”
He looked like a puppy left alone in the rain.
‘I can’t get weak.’
I thought about it, but in the end, I had to surrender at his sad shoulder. The atmosphere was created roughly anyway. I didn’t even need to press him anymore. When I sighed once again, I could see him glancing at me, but he seemed to be relieved by my slightly relaxed expression.
“I don’t know how Hyunsung knows about this, but I roughly said that it might be because of Kasugano.”
“Ah!”
“I don’t know what happened or how Hyunsung knows about this issue, but it’s not the case that matters. At least I think I deserve to know what will happen in the future.”
‘Considering how much I have done so far.’
Of course, considering that he didn’t have the time to make excuses, he wouldn’t have been able to talk about this easily. He still seemed to want to hide the fact that he was a returner.
“I… I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“No. It’s not because I want to get an apology. Yes. Never. Didn’t I tell you clearly?”
“What do you mean…”
‘This slow b.a.s.t.a.r.d.’
He didn’t seem to realize that if there was anything he would be hiding, it was an expression to pay the tax quickly. As soon as I hardened my face, I could see him showing off the dog’s expression in the rain.
I was forced to open my mouth again because he seemed to be able to understand only if I were to speak directly one more time.
“I told you that I deserve at least to hear what will happen in the future.”
“…”
“…”
“But…”
“…”
Although he seemed to be wondering, it seemed he thought it was only right to talk about it in the end. I could see him opening his mouth carefully.
“I don’t know how far you have heard it, but…”
“I heard that you said you could solve the current situation in Eberia.”
“Yes. I know roughly the reason. Of course, I am not sure. It’s only speculations…”
‘Speculation, my a.s.s.’
The words Kim Hyunsung said was the right answer.
“It’s probably being influenced by the dungeon.”
“What?”
“It will be easy to understand if you think about the time of the Cursed Shrine.”
I understood. Not all dungeons do, but certain dungeons affected the surroundings just by remaining.
What I could easily guess was that a dungeon was created in the Kingdom of Eberia. I didn’t know if the dungeon was contaminating the World Tree, or sucking up nutrients, or if the dungeon’s reward was the key to solving this situation. It was likely that any of the three would have a pretty high rating.
Perhaps this was the reason he described it as dangerous.
“Do you know the exact location?”
“It’s not accurate, but it’s easy to find. I hope you don’t ask how I got to know this.”
“Okay.”
“The name of the dungeon is Twisted Demon’s Pond. Most of the main monsters are demons, and so are named monsters. The rating is above the legendary-grade. The dungeon strategy is the purification of the pond, including the killing of named monsters, and you will probably be able to heal your body there.”
‘So, it’s the third one.’
The detailed situation remained to be seen, but he seemed to believe that a pond that could cure the World Tree could cure my disease as well.
“I see. Do you think the twisted pond can solve my problem?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
‘This is pretty good.’
I couldn’t even imagine him telling me everything like this just because I put a little pressure on him. I thought that I could only know simple information at best, but his current face was quite a pleasure to see.
It seemed as if Hyunsung wanted to confess something, but his voice was not coming out properly. I realized what he was worried about and what he was trying to reveal in an instant.
‘Right. Hyunsung. You can tell it all to your heart’s content. You know that I’m full of understanding.’
“Are you not asking?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do I…?”
“Do you know all these things?”
“Yes.”
“It’s fine.”
“What?”
“It’s okay if you don’t tell me. It would be a lie if I said I’m not curious, but I don’t want to make you troubled.”
‘This is the correct answer.’
In response to my trusting response, Kim Hyunsung looked moved.
He even looked to be feeling guilty. It seemed to be telling whether it was only right to continue lying to me, who gave him such infinite trust. It felt like his eyes looking at me were somewhat changing. It was then that he nodded and opened his mouth.
“Kiyoung-ssi.”
“Yes.”
“So…”
‘Bingo!’
“It may sound ridiculous. But in fact…”
It was natural to cheer inside, but it didn’t last long, either.
“Hyung-nim!! Hyung-ssi!! Please, come out!”
The appropriate intruder appeared at the right time.
‘That son of b.i.t.c.h is really…’
Without realizing it, I clenched my fists tightly.