Book Eater

Chapter 102: Great Forest (4)

“Ratatoskr?”

- Yes, it is the name of a chatterbox from our myths. She realized that there was a realm of space in Yggdrasil that could only be accessed by high elves.

Ellenoa had sent the seed of the world tree to Mitra, but she hadn’t realized this would happen. At best, she had thought it would push Mitra’s abilities up by a level. One of the high elves, who had been silent since then, spoke.

- Dmitra… Perhaps she’s above us…. Now that the seed of the world tree was planted in the?godhead of the earth goddess… Maybe she is higher than us…?Hrmm.

- I-Is that so?

- I don’t know exactly… Just a guess… Perhaps I am half right…

If that was the case, then Ellenoa had unintentionally created a large incident. However, the high elf who had pointed it out didn’t sound angry. In fact, the voice seemed so soft that Theo’s eyelids felt heavier just by listening.

- A human has been granted the right to Ratatoskr. Fortunately, there isn’t much use in hearing the voice of the forest... At most, he can borrow a little mana...?

- Um, that wouldn’t be a big problem.

- Yes, it’s okay if it is at that level.

The other voices agreed with the majority opinion. The power of telepathy and being able to borrow the mana of the forest was good for the savior of a high elf. Either way, ordinary magicians already had flashy powers. Above all, it had been the decision of the high elves to bring out the seed of the world tree, so they couldn’t just blame it on Ellenoa.

In any case, Theodore Miller was exceptional in many ways.

As soon as the explanation was settled, the cheerful elf spoke in a loud voice.

- Then let’s change the subject. Has the Meltor delegation entered the forest? They arrived sooner than expected, so it is a bit late to greet them, but who wants to go? Me? Or me?

- I’m not going. But you can’t either.

- ...?I’m going to sleep.

- I would like to see them, but I think there is a more eligible person this time.

The four high elves expressed different opinions, but there was one person who was most fit for the duty.

The quiet high elf, Ellenoa, slowly raised her hand, even though it was invisible to Theo who could only hear their voices. In the end, they unanimously agreed that she would meet them.

As soon as the high elves came to that conclusion, they vacated Ratatoskr one by one.

- You said your name was Theo? I’ll see you later!

The cheerful voice felt distant like an echo in a mountain, while the beast-like voice disappeared silently.

- I’ll prepare a welcome. I’m looking forward to it. The gentle voice disappeared with a respectful greeting.

- ... Good night.?The high elf with the sleepy voice said briefly before disappearing.

They truly were unique personalities. Theo was able to distinguish who they were just by listening to their voices. Theo said goodbye to them with a smile. In the end, Theo and Ellenoa were the only ones left in Ratatoskr.

She greeted him again in an excited voice,

- Long time no see, Theo! I’m glad to see you again.

Ellenoa, thank you for this invitation. I didn’t know you would call me as a state guest.

- I didn’t know this was going to happen. I really didn’t do that much.

It wasn’t exactly as she stated. Edwin was one of the elves’ greatest warriors, and he treated the high elves with great respect. That was why he couldn’t neglect the benefactor who had saved Ellenoa. However, Ellenoa thought it was burdensome since she was born in a small forest and not Elvenheim.

- Isn’t it annoying continuing the conversation through Ratatoskr?

Ellenoa said something that Theo didn’t understand.

- So, I will go to you.

Huh? How?

- Huhu, you’ll find out soon.

Ellenoa laughed lightly before closing the connection with Ratatoskr. She didn’t tell him how she was going to come from Elvenheim, which was still far away from here.

Theo opened his eyes only to see someone’s face right in front of him.

Edwin’s eyes widened. “Benefactor!”

Theo hastily backpedaled. “Ah, Sir Edwin?!”

Edwin’s approach was faster than the terrified Theo could retreat. “Did you talk to them?! Through Ratatoskr, the place only available to the parent dancers?!”

Theo was a little alarmed at his excitement. “P-Probably?”

“Ohh! You really aren’t a normal human!”

Theo was certainly different. He was the owner of a grimoire, the contractor of an ancient elemental, and a person who had inherited a war hero’s craft... Even if he only had one title, the word ‘ordinary’ definitely didn’t fit him.

From Edwin’s reaction, it seemed like ordinary elves couldn’t enter Ratatoskr regardless of their abilities; only the high elves had access.

Ah, this might be dangerous.

The other magicians were slyly watching him with excited eyes from behind Edwin. Sweat flowed down Theo’s back as he realized their curiosity was stimulated after hearing ‘Ratatoskr,’ a word they had never heard of before. It was a crisis where he would be squeezed into answering questions for the rest of the time.

At that moment, the mana in the atmosphere started to tremble in a strange way.

Wuooooong!

Tree roots began to hum beneath the ground as the grass started to play a melody. The wind picked up as it caressed his skin. It was different from a violent aura or magnificent magic power. Theo and Edwin were the only ones familiar with the strange mana wave.

“This...!”

It was life force, or vitality, that was also known as Prana. A green figure of light rose from the ground. Then a lump of dirt, roots, and leaves formed a shape which looked like a human being. It was a phenomenon which even the magicians couldn’t help marveling at.

Formed by the splendor of prana, she showed up.

[Hello everyone.]

Ellenoa, in all of her natural beauty, stood in front of the delegation. While everyone was speechless, Edwin bowed politely.

“Edwin, son of the Beech Clan, third branch of the parent tree, greets the sixth dancer.”

[There is no need to bow, Edwin. This body is just a clone created with Ratatoskr.]

“Even so, this body must do its duty as a branch member. You may not actually be here but your will is.”

Ellenoa sighed and looked at Theo. Theo grasped the meaning of her look, and walked forward. “I didn’t know you would come this way. I’m really surprised.”

It wasn’t just flattery. He truly was surprised. She had created a body from dozens, perhaps hundreds, of kilometers away. There was no way to reproduce that phenomenon using the magical knowledge Theo had. It seemed like ‘Ratatoskr’ didn’t just have the power to allow for conversations.

Ellenoa smiled brightly and waved at him. [I only recently found out I could do this. I’ll guide you from here on. I originally expected you to take a fortnight, so you got here really quickly.]

The White Tower Master took one step forward and said politely,“First of all, thank you for your consideration, high elf Ellenoa. ... If possible, can I ask you one thing?”

[Yes, of course.]

“I am grateful that you came here, but you don’t have to worry. Is it not enough if we have Edwin as a guide?”

Orta didn’t seem wrong. Edwin was a competent assistant, and it wouldn’t be difficult for them to reach Elvenheim, even without Ellenoa’s help. Additionally, there was Theo’s role as the second guide. So, Orta didn’t want to borrow the high elf’s hand for no reason.

However, Ellenoa smiled like she had been waiting for those words.

[This was part of the original plan, so there is no need to be concerned. I don’t intend to disparage Edwin’s skill, but there is no guide better than a high elf in this forest.]

She turned gracefully and raised an arm in the direction of Elvenheim. The magicians watched in utter awe as earth and trees moved away from her arm. It was a simple act, but it was a miracle no one could deny.

“Hah...!”

“What a ridiculous...”

Out of nowhere, the landscape of the forest transformed to form a perfectly straight path. The overhanging tree roots sank down into the earth, while the leaves and branches moved out of the way. The hills flattened like they were welcoming the party.

“... Amazing.” Even the White Tower Master couldn’t mask his surprise. Ellenoa had manipulated hundreds of thousands of plants to create a path without destroying a single organism. Even an 8th Circle magician like Blundell wouldn’t be able to display such a sight.

Orta raised his evaluation of Elvenheim by three levels. At least in the Great Forest, Elvenheim was absolutely invincible.

[A remnant of power remains, so we will not be disturbed by monsters. If we go this way, we will be able to reach Elvenheim sooner.]

The White Tower Master looked at Ellenoa’s path with tranquil eyes. “... The natural power that the world tree produces... to think it can be applied this way.”

The world tree was powerful enough to kill any monster in the forest. Therefore, its roots were a constant threat to any monster. They would be very reluctant to approach any location the world tree had its attention on. This road, created with Yggdrasil’s neural network called Ratatoskr, was able to drive away the creatures.

However, Meltor’s own monster, Veronica, could burn this forest to ashes. The White Tower Master shook away the worrisome memory and spoke to Ellenoa, “Do we just go straight along this path?”

[Yes, it will take around three days.]

“Hmm, then it will be half a day. Then Ellenoa, am I correct in assuming this form doesn’t have the same magical resistance as your actual body?

[That’s right, but... half a day?]

Ellenoa was confused, but Orta pulled out a familiar box.

It was a spell which couldn’t be used in the forest due to various factors, but it was a different story if the path was laid out like this. The delegation placed the silver rings on their fingers. Finally, Ellenoa’s clone put on the ring, and the White Tower Master walked to the head of the party.

The green light created a shortcut straight to Elvenheim.