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chapter 60
“Uncle?”
Keris blinked in surprise, looking back and forth between Eldmir and Agarat.
Ersi’s eyes sparkled as she suddenly lifted her head.
“The High Elf is Eld’s uncle? Then Eld’s father must also be…?”
Everyone held their breath and looked at Agarat. Feeling all eyes on him, Agarat slowly nodded.
“My older brother was a promising High Elf, considered a future elder even in El Rel. Though it seems he aimed not for such a position, but to become an El Sentinel.”
An El Sentinel is a sort of independent force, tasked solely with protecting the World Tree and free from elder interference.
They exist only in El Rel and are similar to a militia created purely for the protection of the World Tree.
Even when El Rel’s troops patrol the forest’s edges and engage external forces in battle, Sentinels do not accompany them; they remain at the World Tree, fulfilling only their duty.
Their sole mission is the direct protection of the World Tree.
But that doesn’t mean they lack combat experience or skill.
As defenders of the final line, they are composed only of the elite among El Rel’s Sentinels, honing their skills through brutal daily training that simulates real combat.
Thus, becoming an El Sentinel is an honor reserved only for elves with exceptional abilities who are willing to dedicate their entire life to the World Tree.
‘Although, considering they live, eat, and train atop the World Tree, they weren’t exactly famous or popular…’
Meals, daily activities, and everything else happen on the World Tree.
The tree is large and durable enough to accommodate dozens or even hundreds of elves, though the lifestyle cannot be considered particularly comfortable.
“Kyaa! So, Eld was actually a High Elf? Really? A high-ranking bloodline?”
Ersi bounced excitedly despite being restrained, her question directed at Agarat.
“Sorry, but Eldmir is not of a high-ranking bloodline.”
Agarat’s calm tone doused Ersi’s excitement.
“My brother was high-ranking, but my sister-in-law was not. The bloodline of high-ranking elves is maintained strictly through unions of pure high elves… Rare exceptions exist, but they are extremely unusual.”
Eldmir had expected this from the start, so he wasn’t disappointed.
If he were a High Elf, the species designation in the status window would have reflected it—either “High Spirit Elf” or “Spirit High Elf”—indicating his high-ranking bloodline.
“Ah… I see.”
Ersi slumped her head, disappointed that her expectations weren’t met.
Adrian, observing her, muttered in disbelief.
“Why are you disappointed about Eldmir’s bloodline?”
“Well, it’s just… if Eld were high-ranking, then for my sister’s sake… Ugh!”
Ersi screamed as Keris landed a blow to her solar plexus, rendering her silent.
With a friendly-looking smile and a pronounced vein mark on her forehead, Keris whispered something in Ersi’s ear.
Though her smile seemed pleasant, Ersi’s face grew paler with each word.
“If you’re lucky, your children might inherit it. That’s just speculation everyone imagines.”
Agarat chuckled lightly at the scene.
“Th-then…”
Esrin hesitated, unsure whether to speak, frowning as she considered her words.
Eldmir, noticing her hesitation, said calmly,
“I don’t know what happened to my father.”
He had only just learned today that his father was supposedly high-ranking, so he had nothing to tell Esrin.
Seeing him remain silent, Esrin also fell quiet.
A brief silence passed as they hurried along.
“We’ve arrived. I’ll tell you more later.”
With that, Eldmir finally caught sight of El Rel.
“…So that’s the World Tree.”
It was a tree beyond the word “huge”—its sheer magnitude was almost incomprehensible.
Even though parts of it had been visible from afar, that was only the edge of the forest canopy. Now, at this vantage point, its full scale was revealed.
The tree towered higher than most skyscrapers, with branches sprawling wide enough to cover the surrounding forest.
Vines twisted around its massive trunk, thick enough that thirty grown men could barely encircle it.
“Even from this distance, its sheer size is palpable…”
In a past life, Eldmir had heard that the Eiffel Tower could be seen from almost anywhere in Paris. The World Tree was the same.
Its presence could be felt from anywhere in El Rel, and even from beyond its borders.
Yet, that was not the most astonishing part.
“Such vitality… just by observing it, I feel invigorated.”
The World Tree—the origin of the continent and life itself. The energy it radiated seemed to embody life itself.
“So the elves of El Rel have been living with this energy daily.”
No wonder they were so strong, boosted from birth by the World Tree’s blessing.
‘Perhaps choosing the outskirts as my birthplace was a mistake… No, if I’d known this, I would’ve chosen El Rel itself.’
Eldmir was in awe. He felt vitality surging through his body, almost incredulous that a single tree could impart such life force.
Had he grown up under its blessing, he wondered how strong he might have become.
‘Though I would have likely met a bad ending anyway, caught in the schemes of traitors or expelled by other Sentinels. My choice wasn’t wrong… though luck still plays a role.’
Passing through the palisade and entering El Rel proper, the energy intensified.
‘Indeed, this is El Rel. It’s far larger than the outer villages.’
If Le Luel and El Lien were rural towns, this place was more like a metropolis.
Thousands of elves gathered here, many of them Sentinels, which explained their reaction to the plan for a group attack.
‘Astounding. Not only is the force immense, but each individual is elite. There isn’t a single weak one.’
Now, the countless energies of these elite elves began to focus on them.
Eldmir felt sweat break out as thousands of eyes scrutinized him. Even in his village, attention had never been this concentrated.
Keris and the other sisters seemed subdued, the earlier chatter gone. Only Adrian, having visited El Rel before, remained calm.
“Did you return safely, Agarat?”
A female voice called to them.
“Irail.”
Agarat responded to the welcoming voice.
“I heard you captured the forest traitor. The other elders are already waiting in the council room for Elder O.”
Agarat nodded at her formal tone.
Irail then turned her gaze to Eldmir, frowning.
“So this is the forest traitor. I can sense the evil in him at first glance. I’ve already heard the full story. He even killed his own mother to cover his crimes?”
“….”
Eldmir said nothing, and neither did Agarat.
Irail continued her tirade between their silences.
“What kind of wretched mindset allows one to abandon the forest and ally with evil? The Mother of the Forest must lament your existence.”
Eldmir remained silent, absorbing the scolding.
Agarat noted that while Eldmir had gathered some support, the reaction from Irail and the other Sentinels wasn’t entirely positive.
“…Hmm.”
Agarat muttered.
“Irail, did you come all this way just to say that?”
“No, not at all. Seeing the forest traitor stirred my emotions… I apologize for showing my weakness.”
“Enough. State your purpose.”
Pressing his temple, Agarat’s tone was firm, prompting Irail to lower her voice.
“Elder Sam wondered why you chose not to punish the criminal yourself, Agarat.”
“That old man?”
Eldmir was surprised by her bluntness, though Irail seemed unfazed.
“Yes. Some insisted we need only bring back the head, no need for direct action.”
“That foolish old man… tell him I’ll deal with him if he interferes again.”
“Should I inform Elder Sa as well?”
Agarat frowned at the mention of two recipients.
“Filthy brats of El Luer,” he muttered. Eldmir realized just how many elves in El Rel might wish him dead.
“You should hurry. They respect your wishes, Agarat, but they are displeased that a forest traitor set foot in sacred El Rel.”
“Understandable. Those old men are always meddlesome. Being elderly doesn’t mean they get to interfere.”
Agarat looked genuinely annoyed. Keris and the others whispered among themselves, noticing his frustration.
“…That wit comes from somewhere… I see. Even inherited, apparently. Interesting.”
“But sometimes he speaks things we can’t even understand.”
“…I can understand it all.”
I sighed and asked Agarat quietly,
“You seem burdened. Even as elders, you speak so bluntly.”
“Shut your mouth, El Luer’s filth. Your words alone taint the air of El Rel. Please, cover your nose, hold your breath, and remain silent. Perhaps eternal rest would suit you—enough happiness for a traitor. I recommend it.”
“….”
Eldmir remained silent, and Agarat covered his face with his palm.
“…Let’s move. We can’t linger here forever.”
Irail gave a quiet bow as they hurried away. Eldmir muttered to himself,
‘There wasn’t time to persuade her, Agarat.’
“Welcome, Elder O.”
An elf appearing as a middle-aged man, seated on the far left of six chairs, greeted Agarat.
The six seats formed a semicircle around a central, largest chair. The middle and far-right chairs were vacant. The rightmost vacant seat presumably belonged to Elder O, Agarat’s uncle.
‘Uncle…’
Though he introduced himself as such, I had heard nothing of his history. It was strange to have such a relative appear suddenly.
Elves are living beings, so it’s not unusual to have relatives, but to me it felt alien.
I had never inquired about my family history from my mother, and I had lost interest after a single question.
As a child, I had asked about my father—curiosity about whether he was alive, his name, and whereabouts. My mother’s sad, bitter expression had discouraged me from asking further.
Thus, Agarat’s claim as my father’s brother felt distant, unfamiliar.
At that moment, a new voice snapped me back to attention.
“I expected you to deal with that detestable traitor, but your stubborn nature refuses to follow our intentions even once? So, showing El Rel to the traitors—how satisfying that must have been, disturbing the forest’s energy!”
That must have been Elder Sam. Even among elders, starting with such scolding was unseemly.
I realized that, aside from Agarat being my uncle, these elders’ demeanor was not entirely dignified.
‘Wait… despite Agarat’s complaints about the old men, they all seem remarkably young…’
Observing their energy, I realized: all the elders were High Elves.
According to Agarat’s spirit, Isra, although they appeared youthful, their actual ages were likely over a thousand years. High-ranking High Elves live three times longer than average, retaining their young appearances well past a millennium.
