Amelia Elvenheim's POV
In the past, my father was always by our side, like a guardian angel. Father was a great presence not only for me and Elf but for the entire world. He had many names: the Great Protector, the Savior of the Elves, the Guardian of Yggdrasil—and he was my father. I still remember how we were all together as one family. But one day, he stopped visiting us. I don't know what happened, but for some reason, I haven't seen or heard from him since that day. I don't know what happened to him... I cried a lot. Even though my mother always comforted me and tried to convince me he was fine and would return soon, I felt deep down that something bad had happened to him.
After that day, the best thing they could do was to keep talking to the World Tree, hoping that my father would respond. I prayed to God repeatedly and continued visiting the tree. I just wished my father would answer; that was my only wish.
I waited.
But, as usual, the World Tree didn't respond.
I don't know if it didn't respond because it didn't have enough energy.
"It's okay," I laughed, trying to hide my disappointment.
"I won't give up. Father, I know you're there. Hear me. I don't know what happened, what put you in this state, but I will find a way... I will save you."
"It doesn't matter if the tree doesn't respond. I won't give up. I'll bring you back to how you were..."
I looked at the slender World Tree and sighed softly. Many days, months, and years passed. Whenever I had time, I would stand before the World Tree. Its condition worsened, and I didn't know what to do, what it required, or the cause of it all... No one could answer me.
"The death of the World Tree... the death of my father." This was my greatest fear. What's the solution? What should I do? My father is dying before me, and I am powerless to do anything.
"Please answer me, Father, what can we do to save you?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling and her eyes filled with tears.
I knew that my father hadn't responded to the elves since the World Tree began to suffer and wither, but what could I do? Ah...
I was overwhelmed by this truth that I buried deep inside and tried to ignore, but it seemed there was no escape from it... I cried and cried a lot, trying to run away in search of any clue that might help save my father.
It was what her people yearned for, and what her father sought an answer to.
What could I do? How could I ease the burden he carried?
And then I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years—the voice I missed the most, the voice I thought I'd never hear again.
"I don't have much time, my daughter," said the World Tree, bathed in light as if feeling sorry for him.
"The darkness is trying to swallow me, but there is still time. There will be someone to carry my light if we help... Hope will shine upon us."
"Tell me who it is! I'll find them and dedicate my life to helping them!" I shouted, my voice quivering.
As long as it could save my father from a fate of destruction, my life didn't matter.
But know this well, we will not abandon our hope and will not make the first the last.
... So, please.
Oh God, answer my prayer and heal the World Tree.
I fervently wished for this to come true.
But then...
"My daughter."
A holy voice came from my head, which was praying earnestly.
"...?"
In an instant, Amelia raised her head in contemplation and looked around.
"This is it."
When I directed my gaze towards the direction the voice came from, my eyes filled with bright light.
At the peak of holiness, my head bowed again involuntarily.
Impossible.
My eyes trembled with joy as I told myself this couldn't be true.
How could I not know?
It couldn't be the same, the one who was supposed to become an elf and lead them, didn't know this.
Are you my father...?
At that moment.
That was when.
"I'm behind you."
"...?!"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind me.
Amelia turned around in surprise.
The human imperial prince who saved her was standing there with a twisted smile.
He was terrifying as he always carried the fatigue of the empire, but with a smile, it became even more frightening.
"Are you...?"
"Now, have you heard of the World Tree?" he said with an indifferent face.
"Guide me."
"...Who are you?"
"Ash von Agnus."
Still unable to comprehend everything happening here.
"Someone who works as an agent for the World Tree as a
***
Ash von Agnus's POV
The grass and flowers I had never seen before swayed gently in the wind.
Little fairies flew everywhere, and the beautiful buildings made of intertwined trunks hung from large trees.
The water was always blue as if it contained the sky.
Jenny looked around curiously.
"Was the scenery always like this?"
The Forest of the Elves.
The largest and deepest forest in the world.
This was the first vision I saw even in the first part of the novel.
The World Tree died.
The queen was also killed by the demon, the elven race was nearly extinct, and all that remained were the wounded elves and Princess Amelia.
When the hero and the main characters tried to save her, everything was irreparably broken.
After the conversation with the World Tree, it transported me to the forest in the blink of an eye.
By the way, the World Tree could teleport anyone within its domain. Well, that was when it was in its best condition, but now it was suffering. I know to what extent it affected it.
'I have to save it.'
The existence of the World Tree holds great significance when looking at the whole world.
Because its existence alone can effectively prevent the interference of the Demon King.
But saving it is a bit complicated. Defeating the demon blindly doesn't mean the World Tree will be free.
The thing covering the World Tree isn't something we can do ourselves now.
First and foremost, it would be better to change the fate of the current fairy queen.
Fairies have a very long lifespan.
The current fairy queen must have lived for a long time, but it's not yet her time to die. If there's one reason for her death, it's only one.
The Death of the World Tree.
Once the World Tree dies, she is killed by the Demon Lord according to the original story. She died at this point.
The current fairy queen is not incompetent by any means.
She can't be left to die like this; it would be a waste.
While I was thinking, the young elf girl interrupted my thoughts.
"Are you there?"
"What do you want?" I answered with obvious annoyance in my voice.
Then she asked anxiously.
"Didn't you ask for guidance? But you're walking alone."
I said indifferently.
"It's roughly in this direction."
"But still—"
I interrupted her before she could speak.
"Tell me if I'm wrong. Then I'll move in the direction you said."
The path itself, according to the novel.
The young elf girl asked me again with an impatient face.
"Do you know what happened to the World Tree?"
"Yes."
"You know?"
The girl's eyes widened.
"...anyway."
That was when.
"Princess?!"
A guard elf rushed in and shouted.
"Princess Amelia!!!!!!"
"What?!"
What did he just say?
Did he mean that this annoying girl I saved was Amelia Elvenheim, who would eventually kill Ash?
The daughter of the Fairy Queen, one of the main heroines and one of the hero's harem. According to the original novel, Ash would become obsessed with her and try to assault her, leading to him being beaten by the hero and providing a good excuse for the imperial family to abandon him. Moreover, she would kill him in the future.
I was planning to save the World Tree quietly without interacting with her and avoiding drawing attention, especially her attention, but now it's too late.
It seems that fate has started playing its silly tricks on me.
'Damn it!'