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Chapter 40 – Uninvited Guest
Elandos.
A pure white tree that repelled miasma just by taking root in the land of El Ragnile.
With a huge trunk that connected the sky and the earth, with branches that stretched wide enough to fill the sky, and with white leaves that filled the gap between them—these were the characteristics of Elandos.
It gave birth to the children of Elandos, took care of them until they grew up, taught them the truth of life, prolonged their lifespan, and prevented them from getting sick.
So, the children of the tree respected it like a teacher, loved it like a parent, and appreciated it like a benefactor.
Since the wisdom of Elandos was equal to the laws of nature, the children of Elandos knew that the tree was not simply a symbol of divinity, but the very providence of the world.
Even so, of course, they couldn’t help but love the tree.
The branch was neatly placed under an old tree in the center of the village.
No action was done after Jiwoo touched it, but it was still white as if it was shining alone. And everyone in the village woke up early in the morning and gathered in front of that small branch. The sky was still dark and it was drizzling, but no one cared.
They laughed with tears in their eyes, sat down on the ground and cried, and looked at the white branches several times in disbelief, but did not dare to touch it.
What did this mean for them?
Did it feel like their deceased parents have reopened their eyes? Or was it the same as feeling that they found something that had since been forgotten?
Jiwoo, who thought of the tree as just a tree, could not comprehend. As she was watching them from behind, she felt someone tap her arm lightly.
“Why are you standing in the back like this?”
“What? Ah…”
After replying blankly, she saw it was Tevon. When he asked why, she couldn’t answer easily.
For the Akarna, this was the usual. When she was sent out to treat the sick or purify the land, people were happy and rejoiced and praised the Lord.
There were times when they thanked the priests or the Akarna separately, but it wasn’t that common.
In the first place, the Akarna was treated as a symbol rather than a person, so it was not surprising.
A long time had passed since she worked without any reward. She was told to be humble when she acted out even a little. And to be modest when she tried to get her hands on even good food at temple events.
Seo Jiwoo was just watching them from a distance, as was her habit after becoming the Akarna.
Besides, it was actually just a branch of a tree to Jiwoo, so she couldn’t understand what made them so happy.
“Tevon, you aren’t going there either?”
“Hmm… Actually, I don’t have much affection for Elandos.”
“Ah… I heard you’re the youngest here.”
It was apparent with Jiwoo’s expression that she was feeling a bit dazed. Tevon was quick to notice her mood, but he was clumsy at grasping the other person’s feelings.
So he couldn’t easily leave Jiwoo’s side and walked around. And he spoke again.
“But how did you do it?”
“It just… changed when I touched it.”
“Hmm.”
Tevon put a finger on his chin and paused.
“Seo Jiwoo, don’t you know how to exaggerate?”
“Exaggerate?”
“Yes. If something like this happens, you should take a few days off because you worked so hard. You should get a big reward and show off. You have to take the upper hand and be condescending.”
Tevon patted Jiwoo on the back.
Taking several steps forward because of him, Jiwoo then saw the ears of the people who had come to look at the tree branch pricking up at her in unison. Their gazes turned this way right then. And one of them came running to her.
Ta-dak, ta-dak, ta-dak!
“Kyaah!”
Before she could confirm who it was, Jiwoo was pulled into a hug. Long black hair flew along the trail he ran.
“Helka?”
“Thank you. Thank you… I don’t know how to express my joy.”
“It’s okay. I don’t really… Ack!”
Someone snatched Jiwoo from Helka’s arms and hugged her. So strong that Jiwoo’s feet left off the ground in an instant.
“I was dying that day when I met you… It’s a lifetime honor to be your first.”
Lanceil picked her up and spun around. Perhaps that wasn’t enough, he kissed her on the cheek and lips and turned around again.
Helkainis and Lanceil did not stop. Jiwoo received a one-sided rain of kisses by men who she had never held hands or spoken to. They hugged Jiwoo once in a while, and even those who were a little shy at least kissed the back of her hand and withdrew.
Even though they put their hands on her body freely, she didn’t get offended. Because they really were expressing their abundant joy. All kinds of flowery fragrances wafted like pheromones between them.
So, Jiwoo can’t say that it wasn’t a big deal.
“Stop, stop it…! I’m dizzy! Stop it now!”
The men took turns holding Jiwoo and turning her around the tree.
She had to get away from it by slapping the shoulder of the man holding me at the end.
“Seo Jiwoo.”
“Callan. Ack…!”
Finally, Calandein approached. Normally, he asked if it was okay to hold her, and he, who had touched Jiwoo, boldly lifted Jiwoo. He didn’t do anything, but his breathing was already short.
He put his forehead on the nape of Jiwoo’s neck and rubbed his head like a child, and he said in an excited voice.
“We should hold a grand banquet today. What do you think?”
“What? A banquet?”
Tevon behind him made a round shape with his fingers. To exaggerate and do what she wants.
“O-Okay.”
“Oh, I’m so glad.”
Callan smiled broadly.
It was a much brighter and shy face than when he smiled and said he would seduce Jiwoo.
“This time there is Helka, so you’ll like it even more than last time.”
Looking at Helka, he nodded in agreement.
“And I hope you won’t refuse the reward we’ll prepare this time.”
Reward? ‘That’ was the only thing that came to mind when he said reward.
After selecting a few handsome men, they immediately came to attend to her that night. The last time she was frightened and put off. In the end, it seemed like the time had finally come, and Jiwoo’s face turned red. There seemed to be no reason to refuse this time.
“I-I… But to get a reward, what I did really isn’t that big a deal…”
“Hey.”
Enciertes, who was standing right next to the branch, called in a quiet voice.
“You have to distinguish between when you’re humble and when you’re not. No matter how pretty you are, if you’re so rude…”
“You’re the first person to say that. Is my face pretty?”
“……”
Enciertes pursed his lips shut. Turning his head around, he only brushed his reddened ear once.
Helka came over and spoke politely.
“I would like to tell you more about the details. Before you go to El Ragnile with us… I’m sure you have something to prepare. I’d like to discuss that as well.”
They had already accepted that she would go to El Ragnile. In fact, since she couldn’t decide what kind of reward she should receive, she was glad to hear that he would rather discuss it.
“Yes.”
“Then, could you give time until this morning? We need something to prepare for, too.”
“What? How…”
“You just need to go out of the village with me for a while.”
Tevon, who had only watched Jiwoo spin round and round, stood close to him.
* * *
It was a banquet for Seo Jiwoo. This time, it could have been the last banquet right before crossing over to the continent, remembering Elandos, which might be healed soon.
Because of them who didn’t even want to show what they were preparing, Jiwoo had to come out of the village alone with Tevon.
After leaving the village where the warm green-gold sunlight was shining down, she saw the wild forest. However, Tevon did not let Jiwoo step on the rough grass.
It was only after the surroundings became quiet that Jiwoo sighed.
“…I’m losing my mind.”
“I know. You don’t know how hard it is to take you out and be alone with you.”
Being held by him, she was able to see the good places outside the village in her own way.
A bluish stream running through the forest. An empty lot where there are few trees and sunlight penetrates deeply into it, and a beautiful pile of flowers has grown. And when she saw a pile of rings of red mushrooms, she marveled in wonder.
She thought she had a pretty positive reaction, but Tevon didn’t seem to like Jiwoo’s reaction.
Tevon sat Jiwoo under a large tree and put his arm next to her, trapping Jiwoo in his arms.
“You don’t smile very much.”
His fingertips touched Jiwoo’s cheek.
“Do you like us?”
“Yes.”
“Enough to get married?”
“……”
When Jiwoo couldn’t answer easily, Tevon changed the question.
“Are you going to El Ragnile with us?”
“Maybe…”
She hadn’t thought about the reward, but it seemed fine as long as she went to El Ragnile. In fact, it seemed to be a better idea to leave for a completely different place compared to staying in Caranazion.
“Then… at today’s banquet, how about choosing me again?”
She was still worrying about that. It’s embarrassing, but she was willing to accept it if this was their way.
“I…”
The moment Jiwoo tried to answer.
Thunk!
Something flew and landed next to them.
When she looked to the side, she could see that the arrow shaft deeply embedded in the tree was trembling.
Thunk!
When something flew in again, Tevon swiftly caught it. The tendons in Tevon’s forearm, who didn’t even look at the flying arrow as he grabbed it, were sticking out.
It was then that she heard the voices of strangers.
“It’s a person!”
“The Akarna?”
“That is the Akarna! Your Highness! We found Akarna!”