The next day, I was allowed to see the spirit king.
I arranged my outfit and headed to the designated room accompanied by Cecil and Fran.
I couldn't get away until I completely satisfied the two. Thanks to them, I'm now a little sleepy.
However, it seems it has showed some results already.
Eeeh, Cecil is at the same age as the prince, right? And you are already his overseer"
"As we elves are long-lived species, there are very few children of the same age group as ours. At first, father took me to the castle to also serve as his playmate"
The two people were having their own conversations, and I noticed that the bad atmosphere between them has already disappeared…
It seems that the reconciliation is a success.
"It's about time to finish your talks. We will have the audience with the king soon"
"Y-yes sir!"
"The King of Spirits, huh. I'm getting pretty nervous"
Guided by the retainer, we headed to the throne.
"Here we are. Please enter"
He said, opening the door of a certain room.
From there, a certain man is sitting at the back of the throne, probably the Spirit king himself.
Though he looks like in is fortiesm he should be much older than my father.
That's because spirits are far more long-lived species compared to elves.
I made the two wait on the spot, as I advance and kneel before the Spirit King.
"Today, we would like to express our outmost gratitude for having an audience with you. The name is Allan vi Alling, your Majesty"
I talked and posed in the most formal way possible. Though I have received education about royal etiquette, I don't remember that much.
And because of that, I feel cold and sweaty right now.
"You came well, Prince of Elves. I am the Spirit King"
With that one line, my body became tense already.
Though the same is true with my father when he is talking seriously, it seems that a king's words have a certain physical pressure among them.
It is much stronger in the case of the Spirit King, as it came from a person who had lived for a long time, even for us.
"And, what is the business this time?"
"To tell the truth, I am now in the middle of a journey towards each and every country of Algarde"
From there, I explained the purpose of my travel.
After hearing all of it, he nodded calmly.
"Hmm, So forming an alliance with all the countries of this world you say... your intention is wonderful indeed"
He then pushed one of his hands towards me, moving as if it was grabbing something.
And then, a branch came out when he opened his palm.
"This is the branch of our King Tree"
Maybe he used magic to get that, but still, it's pretty amazing to see.
Pretty much next to flames then water then the warping and teleportation...
I step forward to receive it.
And I gave out the branch of the Elves' King Tree that I had brought in my stead.
"I have certainly received it. The world would only achieve true peace once all the King Tree's branches are complete. This I could only hope"
"True peace...is it?"
That being said, although I am pretty intimidated of what I'm doing due to its huge scale, still, it has to be done.
"It is difficult to form an alliance across all races, but …"
The Spirit King looked behind me, probably Fran.
"If it's you who can accept even half-elves as elves, then you swill surely able to do so"
He said so and smiled.
"Thank you very much for your words. I will do my outmost best to answer this expectations."
When I was told of it once again, I was reminded of the heaviness my role has right now.
But what will come will come. I will make an alliance with the Country of Humans and Country of Demons.
And make a triumphal return to the Country of Elves.
I will do something that will remain in history of all races, so it was worth it plenty enough.
Besides, I am also looking forward to the women.
"Hmmm...there is something I want like to remind you"
"what will it be?"
"it's about the branch of the King Tree. Do not let it get taken away, no matter what"
"We understand. It is also important to us after all"
The Branches of the King Tree are proof that one is trusted by the country.
It will become a big issue if it was used for bad things. I put away the branch with care and stood up.
"We will then go to our next destination right away"
"I see. Give greetings to your father too, from me"
"Understood. My father will surely be pleased, too"
And thus, our audience with the Spirit King has ended.
When we left the throne, we greeted the servants who have taken good care of us and headed for the exit of the castle.
Even though I'm already here, I could not spare the time anymore to pick up Spirits.
Also, the pairs of eyes that watch me increased to two people.
"Fuuu, that was tense. I'm so glad the Spirit King is a nice person."
"To be able to state to them grandly, even with the king as your partner, I have renewed my views of you, Allan-sama"
"I was frozen stiff when he turned his glance at me at that moment"
"You are not alone in that. Well, now that we'd experienced it shouldn't be harder for the next one"
"Now that you mentioned it, Allan-sama, which country ae we intending to go next?"
I turned around and answered Cecil.
"Our next goal is the Human Country, Bivnaheim"
※
We are now walking in the woods between the Country of Spirits and the Country of Humans.
To give you a visual presentation, it's similar to the sea of trees of Mt. Fuji.
Though there is a path, we would not be able to go back once we exit from here.
However, Cecil and I are elves. Even if we don't know the forest we won't lose sight of our whereabouts.
While adjusting to Fran's pae, we kept walking through the forest.
"Fuuufuuu, aren't you two getting any tired at all?"
"Well, it's because we are used to walking through the forest"
"Same goes for me. I have also been accustomed to the ways of the forest too"
That reminds me, when I was still in the village, she mentioned that she was searching for food nearby.
Perhaps she may have also entered the forests for some time.
Don't worry, Fran. Compared an average human, you are far better than them"
"Certainly...but Prince sure knows a lot about humans"
"Eh? Ah, uhhm...I have checked for a bit before we headed for the mission after all"
That was close. I almost did something completely human-like. Even though I have never left the Country of the Elves. Sure enough, Cecil looked at me with a suspicious face.
"Err, humans have the most numbers in the whole Algarde Continent right? I have to know some things somehow"
"Is it really true? Or are you hiding something else?"
While I was pressed in the situation, I heard a voice from somewhere.
"Someone...anyone..."
"What, what is that?"
I grimaced, as if it was a voice coming directly towards my head. It was a woman's, and moreover it was desperately looking for help But I could not able to hear it completely as it was lost between the noises.
"Prince, what happened?"
"Well, I heard a voice"
"A voice? But we did not hear any..."
"Yes, that elf over there, can you hear me? Please, hurry..."
The noise gradually faded and I was able to hear it clearly.
"I heard it again, and it was asking for help!"
"But we did not hear anything"
The two girls were at loss. The voice did not seem to reach them. However, I cannot afford to leave it alone.
"I'll go for a moment. I will lead the way while you two follow me"
"Ah, Allan-sama!"
I shook off from Cecil's restraints and headed to the depths of the forest.
"Just wait for a little bit, I'll be there soon!"
I moved my legs desperately as I ran through the woods. I jumped over the rocks, jumped from branch to branch, and went to the source of the voice. I did not understand why I became so desperate at this moment.
I just went there according to the voice that is asking for help. Maybe I should have noticed this already. This is still the realm of fairies, and they can use magic.
"Fufufufu, ufufufuhaha..."
I felt like I heard someone laughing at my head.