For Sale. Fallen Lady. Never Used.

Chapter 332: Circulating Life

The path leading to the upper levels of the World Tree where the Circulating Life resided.

Perhaps because I had caught the assassin from the Boiling Silence, Milone and Nariell showed even more favor towards me.

...Though it might be a bit too much.

“I’ve heard a lot about you! You became an intermediate magician at such a young age and thwarted several evil plots of the cultists!”

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. However, to add to that slightly outdated information, I’m now a high-level magician. I’ve also cleared numerous dungeons besides dealing with cultists.”

“Wow...! Isn’t it usually around 200 years old when someone becomes a high-level magician? How old are you now?”

“I’m 20 years old...”

“Ha! You’re just a baby! Are you okay? Don’t you miss your parents? To think the Empire would burden such a young child...”

“......”

This reaction was unexpected.

Milone, forcibly holding back her rising smile at the innocent Nariell, spoke up,

“Your Majesty. Humans are a fast-growing race. Their average lifespan is just under 100 years. At 20, one might be young, but they are an adult.”@@@@

“Ha! Right, I forgot about that. I apologize, Count Lindelheit. It seems I made a mistake since it’s my first time meeting someone from another race.”

“It’s fine. That can happen.”

Elves lived long lives, and High Elves even longer among them. As you could see with Iris, the concept of time and age for High Elves was quite unique.

Maybe they were born that way to prevent their souls from wearing out like Rebecca.

Normally, such gaps were filled by experience, but Nariell was severely lacking in that regard.

She remembered the time when the former king was still the power behind Alfheim, along with Milone, who was considered one of the best chancellors in history. ꞦaNòᛒƐS

Ever since Milone took office, they clashed on every issue, and it was always the former king who lost.

In the end, tired of everything, the former king retired immediately after the Circulating Life designated Nariell as the next ruler.

Thus, Nariell ascended to the throne at a very young age.

She grew up almost entirely within the World Tree, with little contact with others.

Her knowledge of the outside world came only from stories by Milone, who had looked after her since childhood, and books.

So, it was understandable that she would sometimes say nonsensical things. Even if she were over 100, if she’d lived secluded, she might not know much.

...Wait, then Milone has been in love with Nariell since she was toddling around?

Good heavens. This isn’t just yuri; it’s age-gap yuri.

Did she sense my gaze, looking at her like she was a thief? Milone tilted her head, asking,

“Why are you looking at me like that? Ah, if it’s about catching the assassin targeting Her Majesty, I promise a proper reward for this as well.”

“I was thinking of that... May I clear one of the dungeons managed by Alfheim?”

“Hmm. Given the unusual activities of the cultists, we were planning to deal with them soon, so that should be fine. Which dungeon do you want?”

“The nameless dungeon at the southernmost part of the Great Forest.”

“There...”

“You mean... they’re still researching the complete replacement of spirit magic with elemental magic? Even after our decree made them slaves?”

I grinned at the speechless Milone.

“Iris, who was the most outstanding Elven magician for nearly 500 years, and Elisha, whom Iris acknowledged as a candidate for an archmage. They will definitely find a way. From what I see, they might have already found a clue.”

I could assert this because I knew the future through H&A.

Elisha, once an archmage, would succeed in implementing nature itself and replacing spirit magic with elemental magic.

And... even if Iris’s approach was somewhat different, she shared the same ideology, so it would be possible for her too.

Milone just nodded, marveling at my unwavering response. However, it wasn’t just her who was shocked.

“You...”

“Master...”

Overwhelmed, Elisha and Iris looked like they wanted to rush at me right then. I gently patted their backs, asking,

“How about it? Can you do it?”

“Huh? When have I ever failed to meet your expectations?”

“Hmm. I’ve received quite a bit from Master. It might take some time, but it’s definitely possible.”

Elisha and Iris confidently puffed out their chests. Seeing this, Milone chuckled and nodded.

“If that time comes, I would gladly hand over the position of chancellor to both of you.”

“Eh? That’s a bit...”

“I-I have no interest in being chancellor!”

“......”

Milone’s eyes lost focus, as if hurt by the sincere rejection of what was half-meant as a jest.

Then, she started muttering to herself, staring at the ground,

“It’s not like I wanted to work without sleep for days... I thought I could change this country by becoming chancellor... but everyone else is an idiot without me...”

Seeing her troubled state, Nariell gasped and started comforting Milone by holding her hand, a reversal of roles from just moments before when Milone was consoling her.

They already looked good together, which was why I couldn’t let Nariell be assassinated.

Not only would there be chaos in Alfheim, but there would be serious issues for Milone.

If luck were on her side, she might give up in despair and disappear somewhere, paralyzing Alfheim. If luck wasn’t on her side, she’d burn with vengeance, ordering all forces to fight to the death and die in battle herself.

Since elves couldn’t possibly win against the army of the Grotesque Proliferation head-on, their doom would be certain.

Although I felt like I’d handled it somewhat haphazardly, I was truly glad I could deal with the assassin quickly.

How long did we walk, trying to suppress the laughter of satisfaction that kept rising?

Before we knew it, we had passed through the lower and middle levels of the World Tree and reached the entrance to the upper level, where the Circulating Life resided.

A gift, huh...? Should I say something about my friend’s (Fafnir) son or my friend’s (Solaris) husband to get something better?

With a fluttering heart, I looked up at the door in front of me.

Somehow, the door resembled a knot.