The beautiful girl elf was sleeping peacefully on her back with fur that didn't seem like it belonged to an animal, as if it was woven from the finest silk.
　I'm not sure if she was tired or heartbroken, but that sleep, which seemed so restful even though she was forcibly knocked out, would not say that even Aisha, the quintessential Aisha, was robbed of Tama's beloved seat.

''She's sleeping quite comfortably - she seems to have a crazy, intense hatred for you guys, but who is she who is different in color even from you?
　Nacht asked Ursus that.

'She's tentative, but she's the guardian now.

A guardian, sir?
　Aisha asks timidly.　
　She seemed slightly nervous, perhaps because of their first meeting, or perhaps because she didn't know how to treat her kindred for the first time.

''Ah--Guardian of the World Tree, is the official name for the elves who were given the mission to protect the World Tree, as the name implies.

Didn't you hear that Aisha's mother was one of her protectors?
　Urs nodded at Nacht's words.

'Of course, not everyone can become one. It is customary for the best person in the village to serve as the guardian. That's why the guardian is everyone's dream. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. He was a master of powerful spirit magic, intelligent, conceited, hard-working, and a mentor to young people like us - well, I'm sure he'd get an itchy feeling if he heard it, so he'd be mad at us to stop.
　Ursu's eyes showed a kind of longing in them as she said this.

''We don't have a chief right now, although it's tentative, her abilities are also higher than ours. Because Sylphy, named after the great spirit king, was able to have a heart-to-heart with Sylphid, the spirit king of the wind.''
　It was done, right?
　Urs said that, even though he seemed somewhat uneasy.

"Guardians of the World Tree--
　Nacht looks at the withered world tree.

'-- was that something that Aisha's mother couldn't have accomplished even if she had been there?

..........
　The air was heavy with Nacht's words.
　Aisha also continued to look somewhat uncomfortable all the time, as if she was worried about her mother's safety.

''That was........a nightmare.......''
　Urs barely managed to squeeze out a shaky voice.

'Yes, to put it plainly, it was like you were right in front of me... I couldn't do anything, I couldn't understand what had happened, and before I knew it, I just lost consciousness... and the next time I opened my eyes... -- it was all over.
　Urs somehow tries to dispel the despair that assaults his body with his steel will.
　Even though he was only speaking out, there was a sense of tension there, as if he was walking on a battlefield.

''Our elven village was destroyed in just one night - under the attack of the demon tribe........''

"...　So, Momma?!
　The word "demon race" reminded me of what happened in Estor, and Aisha shouted out.

'I want you to calm down, Aisha-dono - the Elven village was attacked twenty years ago, almost twenty-one years ago, probably before you were born. And Lord Floria, who was unknowingly alive and dead that day, has a son. I have no doubt that he will live.
　This year, Aisha said she would be turning twenty. So Urs's words made sense.
　Aisha let out a breath of relief.

'We were defeated by only two demon clans - Chieftain-sama, the Old Ear Chief Clan (Ender Elves), and Floria-sama, who was even said to be the best user of all time, and yet we were defeated........ .....
　It was dark.
　I heard a voice full of terrible resignation.
　There was the sadness of a warrior who couldn't choose to fight because there was too much of a level difference. Dying in vain is not a fight, and Urs understands that.
　He must have seen and been reminded of something that could cancel out his love for his countrymen and his love for his people. He must have been shown that there is an overwhelming difference in power.

　The difference in power is overwhelming.

　That's why Nacht speaks out.
　He smiled wryly, as if to say that there was nothing to worry about.

I'm sure they have laid their hands on the great mother who gave birth to my Aisha, haven't they?　And even tried to destroy the home, right?　Even if Aisha was born as a result of that, it would not be something that could be forgiven. Then it would be--
　Nacht tells us.
　He's condemned to death, like the Grim Reaper.

　--my enemy.

　I was trembling.
　Whether it was the air trembling, the spirits threatening me, or my own body reacting on its own, I was scared, and no one could understand.
　It was not unreasonable.
　It is no wonder that Nacht had a clear intent to kill in his eyes. Even though I knew it wasn't directed at me, I still felt a shudder rush through my conditioned reflex and my body reacted.

''Haha........it seems that they have touched something they shouldn't have.......''
　The voice that Urs uttered, which should have been terribly frightening, did not contain a single millimeter of the fear that existed until just now.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

I'm going to have to get a tour of the village first. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Nacht said as he stroked Aisha, a change from his sharp voice.
　Nacht's words were essentially directed at only one person.

'Yes!　Aisha can help with that too!
　Aisha, who clenched her fist with full force, seemed to be moderately reliable.




◇




　The road to the elven village was exactly like walking through a labyrinth.
　Although it's not a hidden village since it's under the World Tree, the intricate, path-less paths and harsh, prickly vegetation would be difficult to reach for those who aren't used to walking and don't know the way.

　But it won't be much of a problem for Aisha, who wears fairy green robes, and Tama, who seems to be a powerful demon in her own right, despite her curves.
　While following Aisha, who occasionally seems to lose her balance, while poking the sleeping elf's cheek on Tama's back, we saw a slightly manned path.

'We're almost to the elven village,'

　Urs said.
　The existence of the World Tree, which was only vaguely perceived from the middle of the mountain, felt reasonably large when it was right up close. The World Tree (Yggdrasil) that Nacht knew was itself a vast dungeon, one of the supermassive labyrinths known as the 《Unexplored Seven》 because no one had ever been able to capture it before now.
　It was cute compared to that extremely dangerous dungeon, but I walked on, thinking that it was an enjoyable journey in its own way.
　It's not as if he remembered such a road trip, but Nahat suddenly became curious and opened his mouth when he saw the girl who was asleep.

''Come to think of it--this guy seems to have a lot of reasons, but did something happen to him in the past like you?''
　Urs gave him a divine look and eventually nodded a little.

'I probably shouldn't be the one to tell you the details. But she too has lost something important. We are all survivors, we are all survivors, and she is still young. When she was young, she lost it.

So he attacked me. I guess I looked like an enemy - an avenger, I guess.

'I'm sorry - but I don't want you to get the wrong idea, but she's a sweet girl. Otherwise, there's no way the Great Spirit would approve of her. It's just that the way things are going--
　As if to interrupt Urs's voice.

You talk a lot, captain.
　A strong voice rang out from above his balls.
　His gaze looked sharply at Nacht, and he felt hostile, as if he was about to pounce on him. He was like a different person from when he was asleep.

'Are you awake, Sylphy?'

What do you mean by that?　Why are you so comfortable with the enemy?

"Lord Nacht is our guest--Lord Aisha, who is there, is Lady Floria's daughter.

That's... that's Floria's kid?　Seems half-assed for that, but is it true?
　A sharp gaze turns to Aisha.　
　Nahat gently strokes Aisha's head, which trembled with a buzz.

You'll be able to see the face of that person in the huge magical power she possesses, although it's difficult to prove. And it's rare for an outsider to know the name of an elf from my village. Unless they're connected in some way.
　Sylphy was looking at Aisha's figure with his severely muddy blue balled twin eyes as if he were trying to price her.
　He was very rude.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Sylphy spat, as if he was a heartfelt fool.
　A streak floated across Nacht's forehead.
　But before Nacht could say anything, Aisha took a step forward.

''H--!　Why does your mother have to be bad news!

'Ha!　He couldn't do anything on the night of the tragedy, abandoned the chief and the world tree and ran away, and left his village to make babies in the middle of the night - what do I call it if I don't call it foolish? A traitor blown by the winds of cowardice.
　Sylvie says, condescendingly.

“H--!

Come on, Sylvie!
　Beside Aisha, who was gasping for breath, Urs couldn't help but shout out.

''Ha!　I'm sure you're the same way, Urs!　You abandoned Ulysse, the traitor who abandoned Ulysse and escaped!

What--!
　Sylphy says, with hatred and accusation.
　Seeing this, Aisha clenched her fists tightly.
　Nacht decided to watch the bravery quietly as Aisha was about to say something.

'Your mother is not irresponsible!

What--what do you see in it?
　Even with the intimidating words, Aisha looked straight at Sylphy without the slightest bit of trepidation.

'I don't know about that!'
　Huh?
　Aisha says, leaving the distracted elves behind.

'I don't know what happened a long time ago, or how we should do this because we're guardians!　Aisha's mother is a horrible person who would leave Aisha alone and go away, but she's a horrible mother who wasn't there when Aisha wanted her the most - but still, she didn't want someone else - to be there. I'm not one to abandon my people and act selfishly!　Aisha's father would never fall in love with someone like that!
　Only Nahat smiles happily at Aisha, who tells such a baseless tirade with conviction.

''Ha--!　That's just a sophistry to defend a traitor!
　That may be true.
　But Aisha had told him that with certainty, and I suppose that's true in fact, Nacht stroked Aisha quietly.
　Terribly calmly.
　He strokes her gently, as if giving all of his love on behalf of Aisha's mother, who doesn't exist here.

　Then Nacht's gaze, which was stroking Aisha - turned to Sylphy.

'It's trivial - or should I say, juvenile -'
　Both the words he spat out and the gaze directed at him were terribly cold.

''Ha!　What does that mean?

'As you call it, juvenile and poor - you're taking it out on people because you couldn't do it?　You sound like a child, don't you?

"...　What...........
　Sylphy's mouth closes as he tries to speak.
　Nacht's shooting-san only gaze didn't need a rebuttal. No, he told her that he would not allow it.

'I don't know what happened to you twenty years ago or who was killed - do you blame and humiliate others and justify yourself?　Shame on you, you fool.
　Sylphy gasps for breath.
　Nacht looked at it as if it were a stone on the side of the road, an awful trifle to kick away.

'What have you done?　Twenty years of time and you haven't been able to do anything about it?
　The withered world tree made Nacht's words even stronger.

'Nah--now I would--'

Can you kill your enemies?
　As if to see through his mind, Nacht said.

'So what's the point of killing them?　You kill someone who took something from you, something important, and then what?　You failed to protect something important, what are you going to do when you kill someone you hate?
　He tells that to the misguided and undeserving fool who tried to kill Nacht.

'That's--I don't give a d*mn!

If I were to give you one piece of advice, I'd say that revenge is not going to get you anywhere.
　He says a line that sounds like it's been used up somewhere.

"It's not that kind of neat--

"--Clean?　No, it's just a fact.

　Nacht's words were cold, to all intents and purposes. Like permafrost, there was a coldness hidden there that would never melt away.
　Words that had been used somewhere else were just facts. That's why they are more cruel than ever.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

'I'll tell you--even if I broke your preciousness, dismembered and chopped it up, crushed it to a mangled pulp, showed you all the hells of this world, made you cry and scream, made you apologize and killed you all. --the pain that tightens in your chest, the hatred that burns in the back of your mind will not clear up in the slightest.

　He would never let that happen, but if he lost Aisha - if he destroyed everything in this world, it wouldn't lift Nacht's spirits in the slightest.
　That's why losing something so important is so cruel.

'Well then--!　What do you want me to do...　I'm going to have to kill you!　All you can do is avenge them!　If you say it's a waste of time then there's no point in my life....
　Sylvie, who said that weakly, looked like she was about to start crying.

[.........because Uris isn't here, you know?　I can't find him anywhere, okay?　Then we'll have to destroy everything.......what else do you want me to do.......?
　Nacht was a great guy, but he didn't know the answer to that question she wanted to know.
　It is impossible to imagine what is beyond the world without Aisha.

''I don't know. I don't know, but - I guess that's all you'll see beyond revenge. Revenge that only kills is not even revenge. It's just an act of self-inflicted wounds, cutting down your own body with your own hands.
　Hopefully, your courageous choices will lead to a future of hope.
　Nahat quietly remembered the words of his friends.