Extras are too strong 494
There were nine elders in total in the Stolen Forest Alliance.
However, not all of them have powerful weapons like the elders of the Golden Bough.
The Lost Forest Alliance was a coalition of a small number of elven tribes, and the position of Elder was given to a representative of a tribe that contributed to the organization.
However, not all elders were like that.
Those who have lived since the myth, the great wizard Lorodish and Belsair, known as the organization’s strongest warrior, did not represent any tribe. That is why they were able to become the center of this organization.
“No, what is this… … .”
Lorodish blinked in surprise.
Well, I had prepared and waited for the long-awaited guest to arrive, but then 208 elves of various races came rushing into the base, so I had no choice.
“This is really… unexpected.”
Even Belsair couldn’t hide his surprise.
“It’s been a while, elders.”
Parwell, who had already met them, came forward and greeted them.
“I guess I should say, ‘It’s been a while…’”
The one who spoke, tilting his head as if slightly ambiguous, was the Archmage Lorodish.
She was small, less than 150 centimeters tall, and her face was so young that she looked only about thirteen or fourteen years old to the human eye. Her voice was also that of a young girl.
Her skin was a pale yellow, and her eyes were a deep green, as if they were made of glass, and her hair was bright green, long enough to reach down to her buttocks.
There were vines sprouting here and there on her body, and on her head was a white flower with a soft green center that was in full bloom. This was not decoration, but something that had actually grown from her body.
One who does not belong to any of the existing elven races.
She was the last survivor of an ancient race known as the ‘Wildflower Elf’.
“Yes. It hasn’t even been half a year yet.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if that sounded weird. As I live for a long time, it feels like a year or two has passed by in the blink of an eye… .”
Lorodish smiled bitterly.
As people age, they become insensitive to the passage of time. It is only natural that she, who has lived since the mythical era, does not feel that half a year is that long.
“I thought you’d come a little earlier… It’s definitely been a while.”
Belsair, who had a fairly deep voice for a woman, was taller than Lorodiche. Standing next to Lorodiche, who was less than 150 centimeters tall, she seemed even taller.
Her skin was as white and transparent as marble, and her long hair, tied back, was dark gray. Her eyes were a transparent sky blue, and on her forehead, which was deliberately exposed, there was a blue pattern. This pattern, which had magical powers, was a pattern that changed in real time, just like the shape of the moon.
The lower part of his face was covered with a black mask, a custom of a clan that no longer exists.
Belsair, like Lorodish, does not belong to any of the existing elven races.
He was the last survivor of an ancient race known as the ‘Moon Elf’.
Belsair asked Parwell.
“Can you explain the situation? I am very happy, but at the same time very confused.”
“Yes. So… … .”
Parwell calmly explained the circumstances that led them to bring 208 elves.
After hearing the explanation, Belsair and Lorodish looked at each other and sighed.
“…you’ve done much more than we’ve done in the last 10 years.”
“I am truly grateful. It is not something that can be done with an ordinary attitude, taking risks to save them. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“I’m glad it helped.”
Parwell added with a grin.
“They will also be happy that they have escaped from the exploitation of slavery and met their fellow countrymen. I ask for your continued support.”
“I will do my best as a compatriot.”
Belsair nodded resolutely.
“Oh, come to your senses. You’ve been keeping me up all this time. Let me lead you inside.”
Exactly.
The ground shook as Lorodish snapped his fingers.
And a disc of dirt and rock formed and rose up.
“It will take some time if you walk, so get on top.”
The group followed his words.
Belsair said.
“I’ll go after I tidy up here a bit.”
“okay.”
Lorodish nodded and turned around.
Then the disc carrying her and her party began to fly low between the trees.
“Hey. So this is how you fuse the earth spirit and the wind spirit to use it.”
Keel muttered. He could also fly through the sky using an ice spirit or an earth spirit as a mount. However, it was interesting to experience using it as a means of transportation for guests.
“and…….”
Suddenly, Dalshi let out an exclamation.
Lorodish and Belsair met them on the outskirts of their home base.
From the tree-covered outskirts, it was impossible to see what lay inside the base. However, after going a little further, the view became clearer.
And then the sight of a very large tree came into view.
“That’s the golden water channel.”
Parwell muttered.
The tree was over 30 meters thick at the base and nearly 70 meters tall. There are quite a few large plants in this world that don’t exist in Earth’s ecosystem, but that one was incredibly large.
A soft golden light flowed along its base, and the light made even the transparent leaves turn golden.
‘There’s a boundary separating the inner and outer perimeter.’
Parwell just realized that he had passed through the barrier.
No matter how dense the trees were on the outskirts, the golden tree was big enough to stand out above them. The barrier that separated the inner and outer perimeters hid it from view.
“Welcome back again.”
Lorodishé looked back and smiled.
“We have come to the stronghold of the Stolen Forest Alliance.”
* * *
A village was formed around a huge golden tree.
The village buildings were all made of wood, but their appearance was somewhat unique.
This is because, although it was clearly made of wood, it had a shape that could not be built with wood.
It looked like a huge tree with a diameter of about 20 meters had been cut down in the middle and the inside was hollowed out to create a building. The outside of the building looked like nothing more than tree bark, but the inside had the proper form of a building.
It was a shape that seemed impossible to make unless you melted the wood and then molded it into the desired shape.
When Parwell asked such a question, Lorodise answered.
“That’s right, it was made that way. The spirit of the tree was used when making it.”
“I see. But why are they all… um. Duplex? Is that the structure? And there’s no ceiling… .”
As Parwell points out, none of the buildings in this town had ceilings.
And although it looked like it was two or three stories tall from the outside, the inside had no distinct floors and was open.
“We are different from humans in that we dislike closed environments. Many people feel anxious when the top is blocked. That’s why we keep the top open unless it’s raining cats and dogs.”
Most elven species experience severe stress in enclosed environments.
Some tribes even lived in open spaces, pitching tents under trees with open spaces all around.
Of course, as there are many different types of elves, there are those who are not like that. The most representative one is the stone elf. They do not feel much stress even when living in a closed environment like a human building.
“But since there are various tribes gathered here, we had to choose a form of housing where everyone could live without problems. After much discussion in the beginning, we decided on this form.”
“I see. Then… … .”
Parwell continued to ask Lorodish questions with sparkling eyes, and Lorodish answered them faithfully.
Far from showing any sign of disliking it, she seemed quite happy. Perhaps because she was a wizard who had lived for a long time, she seemed quite happy to have an outsider with whom she could have an academic conversation.
“But wouldn’t it be better if our existence wasn’t revealed to the local residents?”
Sedea asked.
The elves didn’t show much interest in them. They just looked at Lorodishe and chatted about something, but didn’t respond to the group.
This is because Lorodishé used magic to hide the group’s appearance.
“Nothing in particular. I don’t think it’s necessary to be a spectacle… If you find it unpleasant, should I cancel the order?”
“No, I was just curious.”
Sedea shook her head.
Lorodish seemed to be cautious, as if he was watching her closely, but Sedea had her upper face covered by a mask, making it impossible to read her expression.
Mord’s eyes were drawn to the surrounding scenery.
Compared to the human villages we have seen so far, this is a landscape that feels truly exotic.
Of course, there are significant cultural differences between human villages depending on the region. However, when compared to a village of elves, who are of a completely different race, the differences felt like they were differences within the framework of human civilization.
“Whoa!”
I hear the voice of a happy child.
A child who looked to be no more than three or four years old jumped up from a house that was as tall as a three-story building.
“Oh, that… … !”
Darcy was terrified. Anyone would be terrified if they saw such a sight.
But the child stopped about ten meters above the house and spun around. The wind spirit was holding the child.
“Ugh… … .”
Dalsi, who had a heart-sinking experience, swept away my chest.
Soon a boy jumped up from inside the house, grabbed the child, and went back down.
“…Uh, do all elves play like that?”
Darcy couldn’t hide her shock.
Born and raised in a warrior family, she has seen many people with superhuman physical abilities since she was young.
But that was a sight that only certain people could show. My mind stopped when I saw the sight of children walking around and flying dozens of meters.
When I came to my senses and looked around, I could definitely see elves using the wind spirits to fly through the sky or climb to high places.
Some people were seen calling upon the spirits of the earth to carry their loads.
Some people were filling their water buckets by summoning water spirits from the pond.
‘The cultural differences are quite severe.’
Mord was intrigued by their heterogeneous lifestyle and culture.
Basically, this kind of scene occurs because all members of the race are born with the aptitude of a spirit mage.
“… … .”
Suddenly Mord noticed that Keel had not said a word since a while ago.
I glanced over and saw Keel looking at the elves with a blank expression.
“Morde.”
But he wasn’t really out of his mind, because he quickly noticed Mord’s gaze and opened his mouth.
“why?”
“Do they live like this too?”
“… … .”
The ‘those guys’ that Keel is talking about are the golden elves.
“… No, I don’t think this is the right time to talk about it. Forget it.”
Keel smiled bitterly.
Until they reached their destination, his face was filled with complex emotions as he looked at the elves.
