The World Tree Forest...?

　If the World Tree is here, then this must be Alheime-I'm sure it is. But I don't know of any forest like this.

　There must have been a grassy field around Alheimu with a pleasant breeze passing through it.

　I don't remember such a creepy forest.
　Even the World Tree itself has a kind of evil feeling to it.


'What, even this forest has been taken from my memory?

What did I... uh, what did I lose my memory to?

The World Tree. Consider it a miracle that you've survived without your memory.

　The World Tree takes away the memories of the elves?
　How is that possible?

Mr. Dillon.

Dillon. What is it?

Okay, all right. So, Dillon. Why are you here?

I think it's the same as yours. I'm here to get the fruit from the World Tree.

Fruit of the World Tree?

My son, Cyrus, has got Vimulis disease. That's why I've been leading my men up here.

　Vimulis disease is a disease that occurs only among the elven race, and those who contract it will die within months.

　It is the only disease that can kill elves who have lived for thousands of years and have a high resistance to diseases and curses.

　But the Vimulis Disease was already gone in my time. All elves now have antibodies to the disease.

'I hear you Qurindians have Vimulis disease in your chieftain. Perhaps you have come for the fruit of the World Tree to cure it.

　Well.....

　Let's say that's how I'm set up.

　According to the story, Dylon and his friends came this far, but his friends were attacked by the demons of the World Tree Forest and all but Dylon were wiped out.

　If you look closely, you can see that Dylon also had wounds all over his body.

''Dylon. Even though you lost your friends, you still won't give up the World Tree Fruit?

'Of course!　My son is a beacon of light to the elves. I will do everything in my power to save him!　And I cannot waste the lives of my men who have come with me.

　He had a determined look in his eyes.
　He didn't seem to have any intention of running away, even if he was alone.

''I understand. I don't have any memories either, but I'll help you get the fruit of the World Tree.

　I can return to the world if I'm killed by this forest monster, but since Rifa's father - that is, my father-in-law - says he's about to die, I decided to help Dylon.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. Elnor.

Yes, sir.


　Then, as Dillon and I walked over to the World Tree, I used my amnesia as an excuse to ask a lot of questions about the World Tree and the elves.

　It seems that the World Tree in this era was a being that kept humans away. However, the incarnation of the World Tree, the Sylph, is a spirit king who endorses companionship with humans.

　If the sylphs are around, they can negotiate with her to obtain the fruit of the World Tree, but she is in the midst of being born again.

　During the roughly one hundred years of a sylph's rebirth, no race, including elves, can come close to the World Tree.

　However, it is said that only during this period of time, there is an outbreak of Vimulis disease that kills the elves.

　The elves of this era had no permanent home and roamed the world, persecuted by the human race.


''If you get close to the World Tree, they will take away your memories, right?

'Yes. You won't even know what you were doing or where you are, and before you know it, you'll be attacked by the demons of the forest. The worst ones will be killed without being able to resist the demons at all, as even their knowledge of battle will disappear.

　Hey, World Tree, it's a real mess!
　Is that a dangerous tree?
　We have it growing in our yard, just like any other tree.

　Come to think of it, I gave it to Miu.
　Should I collect it?


How can you pick the fruit if your memory is erased?

"Those who seek the fruit of the tree of the world will be put to some kind of test. If he can clear the test, he will receive the fruit.

If you fail, you'll lose your memory?

That's the way it is. Perhaps you failed once, too.

　Oh, yeah.....
　World Tree does things like the Sphinx, doesn't it?

'But you're still good. If you've lost your memory, then at least you've made it to the World Tree.

　Oh, I see.
　Dylon has lost friends in these woods.

　For an elf in this age, even reaching the World Tree is a challenge.

　Well, I made it to the World Tree, didn't I?

　Well, let's just say that I have amnesia and don't remember the trials I was put through.

　As far as following Dillon is concerned, I don't see much of a problem.

I understand. As for the World Tree's ordeal, I don't remember it, but I think I can be an asset.

　Even though I was reincarnated by the curse of an evil god, I still remembered the sword skills I learned when I was a guardian hero.

　I also remembered all the techniques that Tina had taught me.

　Moreover, this elf's body was quite well trained, and I had a mithril sword at my waist that the elves liked to use.

　So I could fight.


　The problem is the ordeal that the World Tree will bring out.

　We can't afford to lose Dylon's memory.
　He's Rifa's grandfather.

　In order to save Cyrus (my father-in-law), I'll have to clear the ordeal.

　There's another reason why I have to protect Dairon.

　Because he is a necessary person for the elves.


　The trials of the World Tree, what is it like?

　While thinking about this, Dillon and I proceeded through the forest of the World Tree.


　─ ─ ─ ********──.

Elnor. You're really strong.

　The closer we got to the World Tree, the stronger the demons that attacked us, and the more of them there were, but that wasn't a problem for me and Dylon.

'And Dylon. Out of all the elves I know, you are the strongest.

　I think he's stronger than Sarion.
　So that means...


'Dylon said his people were wiped out, but he didn't bring any of them with him in the first place, did he?

　There was no way he could be this strong and not be able to save one of his friends and annihilate them.

''Hm?　Oh, yeah. You understand ... yes. I made it this far on my own.

　I knew it.

I'm sorry. I just thought if I told you I couldn't back out now that my people are dead, you'd help me with that. I'm sorry I lied to you.

Okay. There's something I can't tell you either.

'Well that has something to do with your strength, Elnor?

Well, that's about it.

　He doesn't seem to doubt the amnesia thing.

Am I correct in recognizing that you'll continue to help me get the World Tree fruit?

No problem.

Thank you. On a different note, if you can get the fruit of the World Tree in one piece, will you serve me?　This is still the head of the clan. Of course, I'll compensate Kulindia well, and to begin with...

Do you want to unite all the elves in one?

"Why did you do that?

　Cyrus was the first elven king who united the elven tribes that were scattered around the world and established a kingdom under the World Tree called Alheim.

　It is in the history books of the elves, so even children in Arheim know about it.

　Since I married the princess of Alheim, I at least learned the history of the country.

Why is that?　But I think Dillon can do it.

　It's not surprising, because I know I can do it, or rather, I know I'll do it.


If I can get the fruit of the World Tree and I live, I will help you.

　I have to die and break the curse and go back to my time.

　And I don't have any intuition now.

　And yet I had a feeling that I would, somehow, and I promised to help Dillon.