The World Tree was in a protective circle with the help of the elementals. The tree itself was big, it would need 10 big men to hug around the trunk to fit. It was also tall with lush green leaves swaying in the wind. There were veins on the tree, making it look ancient and historical. Besides the size, the appearance was not that impressive. However, the closer someone walked to the tree, the more refreshed and peaceful they would feel.
The tree with its usual green had some spotted yellow leaves. Several leaves had already fallen onto the ground and some branches had already withered. This phenomenon distressed all elves present.
Hamon, the warrior squad leader, was standing solemnly at the front with rows of elves behind him. The picture was majestic and powerful, making people feel the blood-boiling atmosphere of war.
As one of the only people in rank A in team 3 present, Aeson got to stand at the front of the line, giving him the chance to report to Hamon.
"Sir, reporting for duty! The fruit has been safely retrieved!" Hamon took out the fruit and stood righteously in front of Hamon.
Of course, he was asked to report how he found the fruit. Aeson explained from the start to finish and only omitted the involvement of his lover and the saint.
Hearing that the human woman took the fruit, there was a deep frown on the leader's face, not knowing if it was anger or deep thought. Aeson, with his accumulated experience of traveling through different worlds, could tell that Hamon already knew about Luciel.
Even though Aeson wanted to inquire more, he had no right to question a superior as an elf assassin. Furthermore, the Elf King appeared in front of the elves.
"Elves, as you can see, the World Tree condition has been deteriorating." Kiirion announced which startled all the elves, but with their discipline, none of them were out of line."...This phenomenon has been happening for nine months slowly. I have been investigating this event."
'Nine months? Is it a coincidence? The heroine transmigrated over at that time...' Aeson had a bad premonition.
"The extraction of World Tree's power was slow at first until I noticed the fruits were getting rarer and some yellow spots appeared. So, I traced the source of this strange event with the help of the elementals. And at the end of the investigation, it's concluded that the human noblewoman that visited our village back then was the source."
There were traces of surprise in the elves' eyes because they all had a good impression of her due to her life-saving grace. But those emotions were subtle when resentment began to rise in the air. The World Tree was one of the most important aspects for the elves and no matter how impressive the other party was, if they hurt the World Tree, they would become the elves' enemy.
'...I want to quit.'
Meanwhile, Aeson was just shocked silly. The plot this time was really too deep. How did it disguise itself as a love plot? The more complex the plot, the more work he had to do. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the plot was ruining itself.
Also, no wonder the last fish, Kiirion, rarely appeared. He only communicated and sent some trinkets to her. Even at the battle between the demon cults and the fish, he was nowhere to be found. Did something happen to the World Tree at that time?
His thought was then cut off when he heard a shocking suggestion from the king about how to deal with Luciel.
"Luciel Roth is her name. She is the Duchess of the North and is currently stationed in the capital of Aether Empire. I have been in contact with her but was suddenly unable to reach her a few months ago. Her exact position is unknown as of now. We will move soon and catch her back."
All the elves possessed a determined expression and hatred in their eyes. But, Aeson once again was shocked.
'This is not a small matter!! This is kidnapping!! And a high-ranking noble too! This can cause friction between humans and elves. The elves are too straightforward in their means.' Aeson felt distressed and panicked. He could only raise his hand and proposed a more peaceful solution.
"Your Majesty, Aeson, rank A, team 3 reporting!"
"Speak, Aeson." Kiirion moved his eyes to the cute little elf in the front row. His brows slightly frowned and quickly relaxed. No one could see the sudden gentleness in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, through my intelligence, this Luciel Roth is a noblewoman so her identity can greatly affect our relationship with the human. However, I have contact with her husband. If your Majesty allows, please invite this noble couple to our territory for some friendly exchange as your benefactors."
At least in this way, it was more legitimate than kidnapping someone.
One of Kiirion's eyebrows raised but there was no doubt in his eyes. He nodded and ordered him to be in charge of this operation. No one doubted Aeson due to his high efficiency despite his young age, and his proficiency in human culture was much more than any other elves. So Aeson smoothly got over the hurdle of kidnapping a Duchess.
Aeson needed to brief his plan to Hamon and Kiirion before being dismissed. After gaining the approval of the two, he immediately asked for permission for Alfred to enter the village. Thanks to Aeson's reputation of always completing his missions, Alfred was brought into the village under the guise of a step in reaching Luciel Roth.
"...You're the one who disrupted the communication between the King and Luciel?"
Aeson was already back in his tree house with Alfred. He sat on the small bed with his hands crossed in front of his chest and his legs crossed domineeringly. His chin lifted slightly high, looking down at the man kneeling at his feet with his head hung low.
"Baby... I have no intention with her at all! I only disrupted the power flow when she gave me the fruit as thanks. I didn't know your people have been observing her. I was wrong! Don't think that I like her! You're the only one! I have already removed the disruption!"
Alfred pleaded with the cutie that was wearing a cold expression. He lifted his face, looking like a puppy to ask for forgiveness. Alfred had always been arrogant and had never thought of a day that he would be like this. Weirdly, he never felt shameful doing these kinds of things in front of the little elf. His intuition told him that this look would definitely work on the little elf.
Unfortunately for Aeson, Alfred's intuition was completely correct. Every time Aeson looked at the pitiful face of his man, his heart always softened, and could not bear to be mad anymore.
Aeson sighed and loosened his crossed arms. His hand reached the pitiful kneeling man's face, making the man happy to know that his tactic really worked. Before Alfred's eyes could sparkle with joy, there was a loud crisp sound on his forehead.
Alfred fell back on his butt and his forehead was swollen and red. Even though Alfred was feeling aggrieved about being flicked on his forehead, looking at the softened expression of the cutie, he felt that he could endure all torture for Aeson's anger to be vented.
Aeson already stood up from the bed and stepped closer to the wizard. Alfred scrunched his eyes, waiting for more punishment to come but felt a soft sensation on his forehead this time. So he opened one of his eyes and saw the affectionate gaze of the little elf, making his heart beat wildly.
Aeson's anger dissipated after that forehead flick. But after seeing the redness on Alfred's forehead, he felt distressed and regretful, not wanting to hurt his lover at all. He could only give a light peck to make up for that flick.
Alfred stood up and pulled Aeson into his arms. Then he gave plenty of pecks and kisses everywhere on Aeson's face, expressing his remorse.
'If I had known that girl was so much trouble, almost losing my chance twice, I would have never talked to her!' Alfred spat in his heart.
"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Aeson had to push the kiss addict away before being too overwhelmed, they had to rest tonight and then picked up Liliana tomorrow.
Alfred felt unsatisfied, but looking at the sun that was about to set, he would be transforming soon. He had never felt this curse was really a curse because it helped him deceive a lot of people, but then he knew that his little elf preferred men, and he finally felt this was a curse.
Aeson did not know what Alfred was thinking, he just wanted to rest after a long day. So he took a shower and got to bed to sleep. Alfred followed suit, and despite turning into a woman at night, he still slept in the same bed as Aeson, already forgetting his previous concern.
The next morning, Alfred had no other excuse to carry Aeson like before so they directly teleported to the inn. Liliana was happy to see the familiar faces.
"Duke of North, we would like to invite you to the elf's village." Aeson bowed his head, handing over an invitation the King had prepared for him before. In the invitation, it expressed the desire to compensate for the life-saving grace of the Duchess so they wanted to reward her directly.
One of Angus's eyebrows rose, looking at the invitation seriously and curiously. He glanced at the blond-haired boy in front of him with an inquiring look.
"This is too much, saving a person was a natural matter. The Duchess is not lacking in anything." Angus rejected the invitation. His hunch was telling him the reason for the invitation was not that simple. The Duchess was really living the best life without lacking anything. Even though it was an honor to be in the elf's village as a human, what could they possibly offer when the elves were known to be frugal? They would never give out a World Tree fruit.
Sure enough, Aeson gave out another letter to Angus. The Duke looked at the letter carefully and his frown deepened. His eyes once again looked at the boy in shock before returning to his cold face.
"It is my pleasure to be invited." Angus stretched his hand out.
Alfred looked at Aeson's rising hand with cold eyes. His hands tightened around the little elf, pulling him back away from Angus. Aeson glared at Angus, but only to see the puppy expression again. His eyes softened and his hand started caressing Alfred's hair.
"..." The Duke with his hand still hanging felt embarrassed for the first time.
Liliana, on the other hand, was excitedly chewing on food from beginning to end.