Having calmed the tumult of emotions triggered by her awe at the magical scene, where an countless number of tree roots emerged from the ground, reaching towards her as if inviting her to play with joy. Some roots were busy dancing, implying happiness about something.
'In this another world, diverse oddities, wonders, and mysteries abound. The impossible here can seamlessly become possible! I must stay composed, adapt, or risk being left behind and ostracized in this unfamiliar world.'
Finally, Elara managed to compose herself, restoring her expression to normal as if no longer surprised.
As if realizing Elara's tranquility, the roots that had previously touched her back withdrew and joined with the others.
The roots surrounded her, but Elara no longer felt fear; instead, she sensed warmth and security, confident that these roots had no intention of harming her.
They, the diverse shapes and forms of tree roots, seemed to await further instructions from Elara obediently.
Swallowing her saliva, Elara parted her lips and spoke calmly.
"Can you create a staircase that I can safely climb up to the gorge up there?" she requested, intentionally emphasizing the word 'safely'.
Although Elara was confident that the roots wouldn't harm her, she remained vigilant to ensure her safety was truly guaranteed!
The roots ceased their movement, gathering in one place, slowly transforming into a sizable floating sphere. This large floating sphere then began to move, joyfully hopping up and down as if inviting Elara to play with them.
If Elara weren't aware that this peculiar sphere was formed by a cluster of tree roots, she would surely have mistaken it for a boulder about to crush her into pieces!
'I asked for a staircase, why are they forming a ball? Do they not fully understand my words?' Elara began to wonder if she should consider another way to escape this suspicious place.
Glancing around, she once again ignored the aftermath of the battle or natural disasters behind her.
Elara glanced back at the grassland, the place where she regained consciousness from her previous unconscious state. She began to observe her surroundings closely.
The tall trees on the left and right sides of the grassland resembled a natural fence, growing to demarcate the extensive field where the grass only reached ankle height.
"Are those roots originating from all these trees?" Elara wondered. "But there's nothing here. I dare not traverse this grassland...."
Elara busily scanned her surroundings, hoping to find something, but in the end, she couldn't discover anything. She couldn't even see the end of the vast grassland.
"... What lies beyond the mysterious edge of this grassy field?"
Elara gazed in that direction with a calm expression for a few moments, unaware that her facial expression had shifted from serene to melancholy, and the refreshing atmosphere had turned somber and silent. The winds busily blew around her, seemingly attempting to capture her attention, but she dismissed them.
She stood there in a trance for quite some time until she blinked, as if suddenly becoming aware of something.
"Sniff... sniff."
Elara's seemingly ordinary nose suddenly became as if that of an animal incredibly sensitive to any scent, triggered spontaneously.
"This scent... the scent of nature...?" Elara mumbled. Her gaze fixated on the end of the grassland.
Elara wasn't certain about her current location, but besides suddenly catching the scent of nature, she could also faintly sense an aura — natural energy permeating the air, seemingly emanating from the direction of the grassland's end.
With the limited clues she gathered, Elara was confident she remained within Galatea's territory, specifically in the Eternal Forest. As far as her knowledge extended, the first and second layers comprised the Eternal Forest itself. The surroundings Elara now found herself in had transcended the forest, indicating she was no longer in the first and second layers.
"Could it be that I'm in the third layer or beyond...?" Elara muttered in disbelief.
Based on the travel notes of renowned adventurers who willingly shared information about the Eternal Forest in the Galatea territory, aiming for significant contributions in exchange for rewards and fame from the three Kingdoms, Elara managed to deduce some clues.
According to these informations, the first and second layers of the Eternal Forest are considered relatively safe, with almost none dangerous creatures inhabiting these layers. One crucial aspect to note while in these two layers is the danger of getting lost. Hence, individuals are required to carry a magical compass, permitted for entry as it was crafted by one of the former Elemental Wings.
The third layer is described as a neutral zone, still shrouded in mystery. On the other hand, the fourth, fifth and sixth layers are deemed highly perilous, but rumors persist about these layers being rich in hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Elara also recalled additional notes regarding the third layer of the Eternal Forest, stating that this layer is referred to as neutral and mysterious because its nature can change depending on who enters it.
From all the records Elara has ever read, none mentioned a grassland in any layer of the Eternal Forest. This suggests she is likely in the third layer, renowned for its neutral and mysterious nature.
"Why did I suddenly end up here?" Elara began to mutter anxiously. "What should I do now...?"
Elara, who from the beginning paid little attention to her surroundings due to her focus on the perilous and steep edge of the cliff above, only now realized how critical her current situation was!
'Because these roots seem utterly incapable of understanding my words, is the only way to escape here to head towards the end of the grassland over there...? But if I go there, I might end up in the fourth or maybe the fifth layer, renowned for their extreme danger! Should I just stay put and wait for assistance from someone passing by? Yet, the third layer is known to have varying locations depending on who enters, so it's not guaranteed that someone will pass by, and I don't want to wait for more than a day... So, what should I do?' Elara's thoughts began to spiral into chaos.
As panic and unease enveloped Elara, a gentle tap on her shoulder startled her. She turned to find a slender, tiny root before her.
"Ah! Oh, what's going...." Elara couldn't continue her sentence, overwhelmed by the sight in front of her.
Bathed in the radiant sunlight that illuminated the entire open space, Elara could clearly see a stunning staircase materializing before her, ready to be ascended!
This staircase wasn't just sized appropriately for adults; it exuded charm. Each step was meticulously crafted, layered with substantial roots that provided a thick and secure impression. The handrails, formed by harmoniously entwined small roots, offered a comfortable grip. Meanwhile, a protective fence made of medium-sized roots surrounded the staircase, ensuring Elara's journey upward would be safe and undisturbed.
The enchanting staircase, mysteriously radiating the beauty of nature, soared high above the forest canopy, caressed by the winds and accompanied by birds gracefully navigating the air. Its pinnacle halted right in front of the cliff, fully meeting Elara's expectations from the start.
The magical and harmonious ambiance seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature, creating a wondrous stage that made Elara's heart beat strangely.
"Wow."
That was all that escaped Elara's mouth, as if she were momentarily lost for words to describe the breathtaking sight before her.
The feelings of panic, anxiety, and restlessness that had gathered within her instantly vanished without a trace. She could leave from here using this staircase!
E
lara covered her mouth, trying to keep her mouth from screaming with joy.
'Having power is really the best!!!!!'
With eager anticipation, Elara began ascending the magical staircase crafted by the tree roots.
Despite her heart racing from nervous excitement, Elara felt a surge of enthusiasm, experiencing a supernatural and magical phenomenon for the first time.
Once again, she realized she was truly in another world!
'I'm excited, but I can't forget what happened four years ago... No, calm down. I need to safely leave this place first before thinking about anything else!' Elara steadied her thoughts and started climbing the stairs with a composed expression.
One step, two steps, three steps, and so on—finally, Elara stepped onto the last stair, her feet touching the ground.
Yes, Elara had safely arrived above the cliff!
From the summit, Elara could vividly discern traces of battle or the aftermath of an unknown calamity. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the expansive grassland encircled by trees on both sides like a natural fence, while the rest remained veiled in mysterious fog.
Upon noticing the same fog she hadn't been aware of below, Elara swallowed hard and decided to unveil what lay at the end of the grassy expanse. Fortunately, from the height of the cliff, she could effortlessly survey the entire panorama below.
"A cottage...?" Elara blinked repeatedly, seemingly questioning what she perceived from this distance.
For some reason, Elara felt intrigued after glimpsing the cottage, almost tempted to return, but a nimble root skillfully entwined around her hands, ensuring she stood upright securely.
"Ah, thank you!" Elara spontaneously attempted to bow in gratitude to the roots that had prevented her from nearly falling again. Yet, the roots wound around her back, maintaining her upright stance. Meanwhile, other roots surrounded her, as if conveying something to her.
"...?"