Under the vast branches of the World Tree.
Elves were gathered in groups, chatting or sipping from cups that emitted a sweet aroma.
"Hmm…."
Raon rubbed the back of his neck as he watched the small gathering of elves.
'The atmosphere is cheerful.'
He had heard that the gathering was to console the spirits of deceased elves, but the elves were drinking fruit wine and smiling gently.
Having expected a funeral, he was a bit taken aback by the lighthearted atmosphere.
-Don't worry about unnecessary things!
Wrath settled on his shoulder, rolling his eyes quickly.
-The priority is to eat before the food gets cold!
The creature pointed to the table filled with food, urging him to eat quickly.
'Wait a bit.'
-Why on earth are you so lacking in appetite! You need to eat a lot to grow tall!
'Are you my mom….'
Raon shook his head as he listened to Wrath's whining.
-I, the great king, am taking care of you in place of your mom!
'Yeah. Yeah.'
Since Wrath had helped with this, Raon put a well-baked pie into his mouth.
It was a bit hard, but the savory bread and the filled raspberries harmonized well, filling his mouth.
The ingredients were so good that it tasted both luxurious and familiar at the same time.
-Ahh! It's sweet!
Wrath clenched his fist and sighed in satisfaction.
-This is it! This is the taste of life!
He danced on Raon's shoulder with an expression of true happiness for the first time in a while.
-This time, that one! That food that looks like it's coated in honey!
'Honestly.'
Raon chuckled and ate the food Wrath wanted. Even though he only took a bite of each, he felt somewhat full because Wrath wanted to eat so many things.
'Where's the fruit wine?'
As he turned his head looking for something to drink, he heard Rimmer and the voices of young elves from under a tree in the right corner.
'What is he doing with the kids?'
Raon tilted his head and approached the tree where Rimmer was.
"This is called a flush when you have five cards of the same suit. If the numbers are in sequence, it's called a straight flush."
Rimmer grinned as he showed the kids the ranks in poker.
"The probability of a flush is less than 0.2%, and a straight flush is 0.01%. But when you actually sit at the table, it comes up more often than you think. That's the charm of poker."
"..."
Raon swallowed dryly as he watched Rimmer teach poker to the kids.
'This pointy ear is really...'
He was so pathetic that the word "pointy ear," like Wrath would say, slipped out naturally.
'But it seems like he's only teaching it as a game.'
If he had been teaching them to gamble, Raon would have kicked him out immediately, but it seemed Rimmer was only teaching poker as a game.
"Shall we all take them out then?"
After explaining a few more ranks, Rimmer snapped his fingers.
"Yes."
The children nodded and took out small pieces of gold or gems from their pockets.
"Yes! You need these shiny things for this game. Let's try it with me first..."
"You rascal!"
Raon couldn't hold back and kicked Rimmer in the back.
"Ugh..."
Unable to withstand the sudden impact, he planted his face into the ground.
"Who did that!"
Rimmer sprang up with his face covered in dirt.
"Who dares to hit the Spirit King Summoner's teacher!"
"That Spirit King Summoner is me."
Raon revealed a cold gaze, as if he was about to draw his sword.
"Hahaha."
Rimmer laughed awkwardly and approached, grabbing Raon's shoulder.
"Hey, you came?"
"What do you think you're doing?"
Raon sighed as he looked at Rimmer's now pale face.
"Kids get bored when only adults are around. I was just trying to entertain them a bit..."
Rimmer shook his head as if it was nothing.
"Then what are these pieces of gold for?"
Raon frowned and pointed to the gold and gems in the children's hands.
"As you know, elves don't value gold or gems highly. They're just unused items anyway. It's better for someone who understands their value, like me, to use them..."
-Oh, this pointy ear is so tiresome!
Even Wrath sighed in exasperation. Coming from someone who finds everything tiresome, it was even more impactful.
"That man is a bad person. You should never trust him."
Raon shook his hand, making eye contact with the children.
"Put the gold and gems back where they were."
"Yes!"
"Okay!"
The elf children, knowing him as the Spirit King Summoner, nodded with sparkling eyes.
"Ugh..."
As Raon watched the children return to their parents, Rimmer groaned in pain.
"It was so close."
"Be thankful I stopped you. If the Guardian had seen this, you'd be full of arrows."
"Yeah, that's probably true..."
Rimmer shivered and nodded.
"But the atmosphere of the funeral is brighter than I expected."
Raon glanced back at the funeral and clicked his tongue lightly.
"Ah, that's because..."
"Elves become one with nature through death."
The answer came not from Rimmer, but from Leylan, who approached from the left, holding two round cups of liquor.
"Become one with nature through death?"
"For elves, death is not an end but a new beginning. They dissolve into nature and return to a new life."
Leylan explained that this gathering was not a funeral to mourn death, but a farewell party to send off a loved one.
"She's right."
Rimmer nodded with a faint smile.
"Elves don't just accept the death of their kin with sadness."
Despite his words about not accepting death with sadness, his eyes showed bitterness.
"I see."
Raon nodded slightly. It seemed that this light atmosphere at the funeral was due to the differences between humans and elves.
"You should enjoy the food too. Here, that's how we console the dead."
As Rimmer said that, he reached out to Leylan.
"You brought that for me, right? Thank..."
"No."
Leylan brushed past Rimmer and handed the cup to Raon.
"This is fruit wine made by the Cotton Branch Tribe. It's not just delicious, it will also help with physical and fatigue recovery."
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the transparent liquor in the cup. Whether it was Leylan's scent or the wine's, a pure fragrance tickled his nose.
"Thank you."
Raon bowed his head and took the cup.
"Such a precious drink going to someone who doesn't know liquor!"
Rimmer clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"A precious drink?"
"Yes. The fruit wine from the Cotton Branch Tribe is a treasure that even the elves of Sepia can't get enough of."
He gestured for Raon to taste it quickly, saying he would be moved.
"Hmm…"
Raon clicked his tongue as he looked at the clear fruit wine. Hearing Rimmer's words made his mouth water.
He sipped the fruit wine slowly, like drinking wine.
-Ah! The aroma is amazing!
'Oh...'
The sweet and refreshing taste and aroma of the fruit invaded his tongue and nose. It felt like it was cleansing his mouth, which had become greasy from eating various foods.
What followed was the stimulating taste unique to fruit wine.
His tongue tingled slightly, but it was amazing. The stimulating aftertaste was more satisfying than the sweet fruit flavor.
-Ahhhh!
However, Wrath staggered, clutching his throat, as if he didn't like the aftertaste.
-Liquor! I hate liquor!
The creature, who had been smiling at the sweet taste, started wiping his tongue with his palm.
Raon noticed it during the gambling monster incident too; Wrath couldn't handle alcohol. He had the palate of a child.
"Raon."
As Raon sighed while looking at Wrath, Leylan approached and clasped her hands together.
"I'm sorry. And thank you."
She knelt on both knees and bowed her head as if she were a human, not an elf.
"What?"
Raon was taken aback by the sudden situation and widened his eyes.
"What is this..."
"I want to apologize for the day Eden attacked, when you suggested going on a reconnaissance because you had a bad feeling, and I dismissed it as nonsense."
Leylan bowed her head, saying she was sorry.
"No need to apologize."
Raon smiled gently and helped Leylan to her feet.
"Anyone would have done the same."
He had suggested a reconnaissance to the Guardians, who hadn't slept for two days and were about to eat for the first time, just because he had a bad feeling. It was natural that the reaction wasn't positive.
It was amazing that Erian had believed him. Leylan had no need to apologize for this. Complaining about something like this was pathetic.
"..."
Leylan bit her lip as she looked at Raon, who held her arm and helped her up.
'He's completely different from the humans I've known.'
Humans usually nitpicked over every little thing to gain some advantage, but Raon had none of those traits.
He had saved the World Tree and Sepia but did not brag or elevate himself. He seemed like a completely different being from the humans she had known, which was bewildering.
"The wine tastes good. Thank you."
Raon smiled at Leylan and handed back the empty cup.
"Ah, well, there's plenty more. Feel free to come and drink."
Leylan nodded, saying there was plenty of wine and he could have as much as he wanted.
Raon bowed his head to Leylan and jabbed Rimmer in the waist with his elbow.
"Division Leader. Please come with me for a moment."
"Where?"
"You'll see if you follow."
He dragged Rimmer and approached Sterin, who was sitting at the base of the World Tree as if guarding it.
"You're here?"
Sterin tilted his chin, holding a small cup of liquor.
"How is the gathering? It must be boring compared to human events."
"I'm not one to enjoy gatherings usually, so it's fine."
"I see."
He gave a faint smile, as if pleased.
"But why did you bring that scoundrel?"
Sterin tilted his head, looking at the dazed Rimmer.
"Calling your grandson a scoundrel! That's too harsh!"
"Isn't he a scoundrel? It's enough that you're ruined. Don't ruin the children too!"
As if he had seen it all, he slapped Rimmer's forehead with the back of his hand.
"Ouch!"
Rimmer fell to the ground, still holding his cup.
"Sigh..."
Raon sighed and took a step closer to Sterin.
"I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"Could I possibly get a branch of the World Tree?"
Raon clicked his tongue as he looked up at the World Tree, with branches that seemed to hang stars.
"A branch of the World Tree?"
"Yes."
He nodded and looked at Rimmer.
"They said that the material that supports the frame of your prosthetic arm should be as familiar with mana as possible. I was asked to bring a branch or root of the World Tree if possible."
"Hmm..."
Sterin frowned, looking at Rimmer.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to live with one arm? That way, you might cause fewer accidents."
"Is that something you should say, Grandpa?"
Rimmer shouted back.
"Ahem."
Sterin cleared his throat and turned his gaze to Raon.
"Originally, the rule in Sepia is to never give even a leaf of the World Tree to humans. However..."
Unlike when he looked at Rimmer, he gave a gentle smile.
"It's not difficult to give a branch to someone who has already received the fruit."
As Sterin said that, a branch of the World Tree, sparkling transparently like it was reflecting the night, naturally fell into Raon's grasp.
"This is..."
Raon widened his eyes as he looked at the branch of the World Tree in his hand.
"It seems I didn't even need to answer."
Sterin laughed, saying that the World Tree had never taken care of anyone like this, even among the High Elves.
"Thank you. I'll use it well."
-A good place?
Wrath frowned, questioning if that was true.
'It's not a bad place...'
Raon changed his words a bit and patted the World Tree.
Whooosh!
The World Tree spread its branches as if pleased. The leaves, catching the moonlight, swayed, creating a spectacle like a galaxy.
"I thought you came back with your personality, character, and skills all ruined..."
Sterin turned his gaze to Rimmer as he watched the scene.
"But you brought back a disciple who makes up for all those losses."
"He lost so much luck to that side that he loses money every time he goes to a gambling den."
Rimmer clicked his tongue shortly, brushing off the dirt on his hands.
"You said you came to return that sword, didn't you?"
Sterin clicked his tongue as he looked at the sword still hanging from Rimmer's waist.
"Yes."
Rimmer nodded and was about to unfasten the sword from his waist when Sterin shook his hand.
"No need to give it back."
"What?"
"You also fought the Crimson Flame Demon with Raon, didn't you?"
"Yes..."
"Since your desire to hold a sword hasn't been broken, there's no need to let go of it. It seems the sword doesn't want to leave your hand yet either."
Sterin shook his head, looking at the faintly trembling blade.
"Whether you hold the sword with your left hand, return with a prosthetic arm, or put down the sword."
Sterin grabbed Rimmer's right shoulder and gave a soft smile.
"Decide after properly contemplating yourself."
He said he would keep the sword until then and turned his back.
"Sigh..."
Rimmer sighed deeply and nodded.
"Got it."
"And..."
Sterin's gaze softened as he looked at the sword that had returned to Rimmer's waist.
"When you return to Zieghart, there's someone you'll take with you."
"Take with us?"
"The elders have given permission, so we want to have some exchange with Zieghart."
"Great decision!"
Rimmer smiled brightly and slapped his knee.
"Zieghart is almost back to its prime now. You won't regret it!"
He raised his hand, saying it was a good choice.
"A delegate is important too, but who will you send?"
"That's already decided."
Sterin looked at Raon again and smiled faintly.
* * *
The next evening.
Raon, having been summoned by Sterin, headed back to the World Tree.
Contrary to his expectation that Sterin would be alone, the Chief Elder, Rimmer, and Siyana were waiting under the World Tree.
"You're on time."
Sterin nodded as if pleased.
"Unlike someone."
The Chief Elder glared at Rimmer.
"Ah, you're nagging a lot over being a little late."
Rimmer scratched the back of his head and turned his gaze away.
"Raon, hello..."
Siyana bowed her head, her face hidden by her hair.
"Why is everyone here..."
Raon tilted his head, looking at the four of them.
"Now you need to eat the fruit of the World Tree. The best place to absorb its energy is right under the World Tree."
"Ah..."
"The four of us will stand guard, so don't worry and focus on your training."
"All four of you will stand guard?"
"You never know."
Sterin smiled faintly and nodded.
"Isn't it too much..."
"It's not too much. You've done more than that for us."
The Chief Elder waved his hand, telling him to skip the nonsense and get to the point.
"Alright, let's start right away."
Rimmer patted Raon's shoulder.
"I-I'll protect you with my life!"
Siyana's blue eyes sparkled through her golden hair. She seemed ready to give her life.
"Then I'll count on you."
Raon smiled faintly and sat under the base of the World Tree. Normally, he would have been humble, but due to Wrath's words, he decided to accept everyone's goodwill.
-Finally!
Wrath looked at the fruit of the World Tree with eyes full of joy.
-At last, I can taste that sweet juice!
The creature sniffled, saying it was worth sticking around despite the scolding.
As Raon took out the fruit of the World Tree, Rimmer's lips curled into a long smile.
"It'll taste good to you."
"What?"
"Never mind."
He smiled, urging Raon to eat quickly.
'Something feels off.'
Hearing Rimmer say that made him feel uneasy.
-What's there to be uneasy about!
Wrath shook his head.
-Can't you smell that sweet aroma from the fruit! It's definitely going to be delicious!
The creature waved its chubby hand, urging Raon to eat quickly.
'Alright.'
Raon calmed his mind and bit into the fruit of the World Tree. Before he could even feel the crisp texture like an apple, the taste of the fruit hit his tongue.
-Sweet... huh?
Wrath, who tasted it first, widened his eyes.
-Ugh! What, what is this! Why does the World Tree fruit taste like Nadine bread!
'It's true...'
Raon blinked as he took another bite of the fruit. Contrary to the sweet aroma, the fruit tasted just like Nadine bread, filled with the flavor of rubber.
'No, it's even stronger.'
It tasted even more strongly of rubber than Nadine bread. It was like having a mouth full of rubber.
As Raon thought it was strange and widened his eyes, Rimmer chuckled and pointed at Siyana.
"The taste of Nadine bread is based on the flavor of the World Tree fruit. Actually, the World Tree is a rubber tree."
"A-Are you okay?"
Siyana blinked, asking if he was okay.
"...I'm fine."
Raon nodded. He had gotten quite used to the taste of Nadine bread, so it wasn't a big problem.
But there was one demon king who felt differently.
-Kill me...
Wrath staggered and fell to the ground.
-Just kill me! This is too much! Why does the World Tree fruit taste like rubber! Spit it out quickly...
Wrath tried to tell Raon to spit it out, but Raon had already chewed and swallowed the whole fruit, entering a state of enlightenment. Now, Wrath was the only one tasting the rubber.
-Ahhhh!
Wrath trembled and reached out to the World Tree with his lips quivering.
-I, the great king, will definitely burn it all! Everything!