Souta leaned back in his seat, letting the gentle creak of the carriage and the rhythmic trotting of the horses lull his thoughts into a quiet hum. He stared at the canopy of Verdale Woods above, where sunlight pierced through in soft, golden streams that danced with the sway of the leaves. His lips curled into a small, satisfied smile, the kind that made him look like he had just stumbled into paradise.
I've already forgotten my past life, Souta thought, folding his arms smugly. Deadlines? Gone. Annoying bosses breathing down my neck? Gone. Waking up at 7 a.m. just to sit in traffic? Long gone. He tilted his head to the side and sighed dramatically. This second life… it's exactly what I needed. No responsibilities. No stupid rules. Just freedom. Freedom to—
"Oi, Souta!" a voice shattered his mental celebration like a rock through a window.
"Huh? What?" Souta blinked, whipping his head around like a startled squirrel.
"Were you dozing off?" Elena leaned toward him, her arms resting on the edge of the carriage. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity as her attention shifted back to the driver. "I was asking something important."
"Uh, no. I wasn't dozing off," Souta muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was… uh… reflecting."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "Reflecting on what? How to survive without a brain?"
Souta opened his mouth, but before he could retort, Elena turned her attention back to the driver, her excitement bubbling over like a soda shaken too much. "Driver! I was asking about villages in the Verdale Woods! And—" she leaned forward like she was sharing a state secret, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "—are there… elves? Do they actually live here?"
The driver chuckled warmly. "Yes, miss. Elves live in Verdale Woods. And not just anywhere—they have a village right nearby. Sylvara Village, it's called. A magical place with ancient tree-bound homes and an aura of mysticism."
Elena gasped, her jaw dropping. "Tree-bound homes?!"
Souta blinked, raising a hand. "Wait, wait. You're telling me these elves actually live on trees? Like… squirrels?"
The driver gave him a sideways glance, clearly deciding whether or not to dignify that question with an answer. Finally, he said, "Not on trees. In trees. Their homes are seamlessly integrated into the trunks and branches. They use a blend of natural growth and their own magic to craft them. Sylvara is a testament to their deep connection with nature. It's peaceful, timeless, and breathtakingly beautiful."
Elena clasped her hands together, practically bouncing in her seat. "Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing! I can't wait to see it!"
Souta squinted at the driver, his skepticism refusing to let up. "Okay, but how does the whole tree-house magic thing even work? Do they just… wave a stick and say, 'Tree, become house'? Or is there, like, a construction permit involved?"
The driver chuckled again, his laugh hearty and unbothered. "Magic doesn't work quite like that, young man. But I can tell you this: Sylvara is the most serene place you'll ever see. When you get there, you'll understand."
Souta leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Elena, meanwhile, was giving the driver a curious once-over. "You seem to know a lot about Sylvara. Have you been there before?"
The driver's chuckle deepened, turning into something more personal, more nostalgic. "Been there? Miss, I live there. My wife is an elf, and we have three kids together—half-human, half-elf."
Elena's jaw hit the floor. "WHAT?! You're married to an elf?! That's amazing! Wait, wait—what do they look like? Do your kids have pointy ears? Can they do magic? Are their names something cool like 'Lorithal' or 'Thanduil'?!"
Souta, meanwhile, leaned closer, eyeing the driver suspiciously. "Hold on. You live in a magical elf village and yet you're driving us around in a rusty carriage?"
"Rusty?!" the driver repeated, feigning offense. "I'll have you know this carriage is a family heirloom."
"Family heirloom or not, it's got more creaks than a haunted house," Souta muttered.
Elena ignored him, still grilling the driver. "So your wife—what's she like? Does she wear those flowing green dresses like in fairy tales? Oh! Is her hair long and sparkly?!"
The driver let out a hearty laugh. "She does wear green dresses, yes, but her hair is white, and she has green eyes, like the leaves of the trees. As for my kids, yes, they have pointy ears, and yes, they can do a little magic. But their names are simpler—Kiel, Nora, and Aron."
Elena squealed. "That's so cute! Souta, did you hear that? Pointy-eared magical kids!"
Souta rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Pointy ears, magic—cool. Can we focus on getting to this elf village already?"
"You don't have to wait long," the driver said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Look ahead. We're already here."
Both Souta and Elena leaned out of the carriage, their eyes widening as the yellow wooden bridge came into view, its golden hues glowing softly in the sunlight. Beneath it flowed a crystal-clear river, sparkling as if it held shards of diamonds in its depths.
Elena clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh my gosh! Look at that river! It's so beautiful!"
Souta squinted. "Yeah, but is it drinkable? Or is it one of those rivers where you drink it and grow a third arm?"
The driver sighed. "It's perfectly drinkable, kid. Now pay attention. This is just the beginning."
At that moment, the carriage rolled onto a wooden bridge painted in a soft yellow hue, arching over a crystal-clear river. The sunlight danced on the water below, making it sparkle like diamonds. Elena leaned out of the window, gasping in awe. "This is incredible," she murmured, her eyes wide with amazement.
Souta, still in a daze from the beauty of the surroundings, barely managed to raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, it's almost too perfect," he muttered, his voice sounding a bit dreamy.
As they crossed the bridge, the forest around them transformed. Towering oak trees with sprawling branches came into view, each one adorned with houses that seemed to grow naturally from their trunks, as if the trees themselves had decided to offer up their homes to the elves. The entire scene looked like something out of a fairy tale or an artist's fantasy.
"There it is," the driver announced with a sense of pride, tapping the side of the carriage. "Sylvara Village."
Souta and Elena leaned forward, eyes wide as the village came into view. The houses were connected by Whispering Bridges, delicate pathways interwoven with vines that seemed to pulse with magic. The driver continued, clearly excited to show off his village. "The vines hum softly when the wind passes through, creating a melody unlike anything you've heard before. It's as if the village itself is alive, breathing in rhythm with the trees."
As if on cue, a gentle breeze rustled through the village, and the vines hummed, a soothing, ethereal tune filling the air like a lullaby. Souta and Elena froze, mesmerized by the sound.
"It's like… the forest is singing to us," Elena whispered, her voice barely audible.
Souta rubbed his eyes. "Or casting a sleep spell. I could fall asleep right now, it's so peaceful…"
Elena nudged him, her eyes sparkling. "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!"
"I think the trees are trying to hypnotize us into never leaving," Souta deadpanned, still fighting the urge to doze off.
The driver chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "It's not just the trees, but the elves themselves. They've lived in harmony with this forest for centuries, and their magic is deeply tied to the land."
The carriage glided through the village, and the driver pointed to the ground below. "Look down there. That's the Lumina Gardens. A sacred grove filled with bioluminescent flowers that glow at night, illuminating the entire village. The elves tend to those flowers with great care, and they use them in their rituals."
Souta and Elena peered down, eyes wide. The garden was a riot of soft glowing colors, and even in the daylight, the flowers shimmered like tiny stars. The entire grove looked enchanted, as if it existed in a dream.
"They look… magical," Elena said in awe. "Like something out of a storybook."
Souta nodded, unable to form words. "This place is unreal."
Then, the driver gestured to their left. "And over there—that's the largest tree in the village, the Elderwood Hall. It's where the elves gather for meetings, rituals, and storytelling. The bark glows faintly with a golden hue, said to hold the memories of Sylvara's ancestors."
Souta's jaw dropped. "I can't believe what I'm seeing right now," he muttered, completely enchanted by the majesty of the tree.
"Me neither," Elena agreed, her voice filled with awe. "It's like we've stepped into another world."
As the carriage slowed down to let them take in the sights, elves began appearing. They had an otherworldly beauty—pointed ears, graceful features, and hair in shades of gold, green, and white. Their clothes were crafted from fine, enchanted fabrics, adorned with jewelry that shimmered like starlight. Each elf seemed to be a living embodiment of nature's elegance.
Souta's face turned beet red. His eyes were glued to a particularly beautiful elf woman with flowing golden hair and an enviable figure. He leaned forward so far that his nose was practically pressed against the glass, his mouth hanging open like a lovesick fool.
Elena, who had been watching him out of the corner of her eye, didn't miss a beat. With a mischievous smirk, she leaned over and smacked him on the back of the head. "Close your mouth, Souta. You look like a lovesick puppy. What are you gonna do, start drooling on the window?"
Souta winced, rubbing the back of his head, but a sheepish grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Worth it," he muttered under his breath, still trying to get another glimpse of the elf woman.
The driver chuckled at the exchange, clearly amused by the antics of his passengers. As the carriage passed through the village, an elf man waved at the driver. "Hello there!" he called, his voice light and cheerful.
The driver waved back, smiling warmly. "Good day, Father! Just taking these kids to the capital. I'll be back soon."
Souta's jaw dropped once again. "Wait… that guy is your father? He looks like he's in his twenties!"
The driver burst into laughter, a deep belly laugh that made his shoulders shake. "Ah, that's the joy of being an elf. He's my father-in-law, by the way. And yes, we don't age the way humans do. We stay youthful until the end. Elves only die from natural causes, sickness, or accidents. You could meet someone who's a thousand years old, and they'd still look like they're in their prime."
"That's so unfair!" Souta exclaimed, earning a laugh from everyone in the carriage.
Elena, who had been quiet for a moment, chimed in. "So, what you're saying is that I could spend my whole life looking twenty, and still be ancient?"
The driver winked. "Exactly. You'd be a timeless beauty."
Souta and Elena exchanged looks, both now more intrigued by the elves and their timeless ways.
As they crossed another wooden bridge and reached the edge of the village, the elves waved them farewell. Elena sighed wistfully. "I wish I could live here."
Souta grinned, his thoughts drifting to the beautiful elf women. "Me too…" he muttered dreamily, clearly picturing himself hanging out in the village—preferably with an elf lady by his side.
Elena raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes. "Don't even think about it!"
Souta blinked, feigning innocence. "What? I was just thinking how nice it would be to live in such a peaceful place."
Elena crossed her arms, unamused. "Sure, sure… If by 'peaceful' you mean ogling the elf women."
Souta grinned mischievously. "I mean, can you blame me? They're so beautiful…"
Before he could finish, Elena smacked him on the head again, causing him to yelp in pain. The sound of her smack echoed through the carriage, followed by Souta's dramatic groan.
The driver, thoroughly entertained, burst into laughter. "You two are a riot. Glad to see you're enjoying the beauty of Sylvara! It's not every day I get such lively passengers." He winked at Elena and Souta, clearly amused by their antics. "I hope you both take the time to appreciate the village. It's a place of peace, beauty, and a little bit of chaos," he said with a grin, before turning the carriage toward the next destination.
As they drove away from Sylvara, Souta and Elena couldn't stop smiling, their faces lit up with the shared memory of the enchanting village they'd just visited. The carriage rumbled down the winding path, the faint hum of the vines still echoing in their minds. Despite their humorous exchanges, there was no denying the awe that had settled deep in both of them.
Elena leaned back in her seat, stretching her arms with a content sigh. "I can't believe how beautiful it all was. The glowing flowers, the singing trees… I feel like I've been in a dream." She let out a dramatic sigh, as if mourning the loss of the magical place they'd just left. "I'm going to miss that place so much."
Souta glanced at her, his grin widening. "Yeah, it's like we stepped into a painting or something. Too bad we can't live there, though. I mean, you saw the elf women, right?" He leaned forward and gave her a sidelong glance. "I was already thinking of a new career as an elf husband."
Elena narrowed her eyes, looking suspicious. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, I totally would," Souta said with a dramatic flair. "I could totally be the second human to marry an elf. Think about it—eternal youth, living in a tree house. The perks are endless!"
Elena shot him a deadpan stare. "And what are you going to do when they realize you're not an elf and start kicking you out for being too loud and... human?" She leaned in closer. "They'll probably send you to the elf retirement home, where they make you wear a funny hat and tell stories about 'the good old days.'"
Souta put a hand over his heart in mock offense. "You wound me, Elena. You think I'm that uncouth?" He gave her his best puppy-dog eyes, exaggerating the look to a ridiculous degree.
Elena rolled her eyes, giving him a playful shove. "I don't know, you did look pretty uncouth when you were practically drooling on the window earlier."
Souta groaned, sinking back into his seat. "Can't blame me. That elf lady had hair that was practically glowing with magic. I thought I was about to be hit with a curse or something—like, I'm not supposed to look that good, right?"
Elena leaned over and smacked the back of his head again. "That's it. You're officially banned from ogling any more elves. I'll take your human card away."
Souta rubbed his head, grumbling, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You know, I think this trip just might be the best thing to happen to me since, well… ever." He paused, his eyes twinkling. "Except for maybe that time I beat you at that game last week. Remember that?"
Elena's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't remind me. I'm still recovering from that crushing defeat." She punched his arm lightly. "I'm going to get my revenge next time. You'd better sleep with one eye open."
Souta laughed. "I'm more worried about sleeping with two eyes open when we get back to town and you show up with a bucket of water, looking like you're about to pour it over my head."
"You better be worried," she said, grinning. "But for now, I think we deserve a break. No more weird, magical forests. Just us and the open road."
Souta leaned back and sighed in contentment. "Agreed. It's kind of nice to be away from all the madness for once." He gave her a side glance. "Though, I'll admit, I will miss the elf women. They were practically otherworldly, like something straight out of a legend."
Elena chuckled. "You're incorrigible."
"And you love it," he shot back with a wink, his usual cocky grin resurfacing. "Let's face it, Elena. You wouldn't know what to do with a guy who doesn't have style."
"Yeah, and that style of yours is what got you a concussion last time," she teased, poking him in the ribs. "And I think I've had enough of your 'style' for one day."
Souta winced but chuckled. "Touché. You're lucky we're in a carriage. Otherwise, I'd be challenging you to a duel. Or at least a race to see who can find the best elf couple to join."
Elena laughed, shaking her head. "You really don't quit, do you?"
"Nope. I'm like a stubborn boar when I get an idea in my head," he said proudly, puffing out his chest. "But hey, I promise no more elf talk. I'll just be over here planning my future retirement in an elf village."
"Yeah, good luck with that," she muttered. "You're going to need it when they find out you can't even tell a spoon from a sword."
The driver, who had been quietly enjoying the banter from the front, let out a hearty laugh. "I'd pay good money to see you try to fit in with the elves, kid. You'd be the first human they'd kick out."
Souta grimaced and turned to the driver. "You're not helping, old man."
The driver chuckled again. "I can see the trouble you'll be causing in the capital. You two make quite the pair."
"Pair of what?" Souta asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Troublemakers," the driver replied with a grin. "You two have no idea what you're in for."
"Oh, we have a very good idea," Elena said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "We'll be the best troublemakers the capital has ever seen."
Souta nodded enthusiastically. "That's right. When we roll in, they'll know we're not just here for sightseeing. We're here to stir up a storm."
Elena laughed. "And maybe win a few races while we're at it. Just don't expect me to let you win this time."
Souta grinned. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As they continued down the road, both of them knew that whatever adventures lay ahead, this journey would be one for the books—if only because of the endless banter, unexpected moments, and, of course, the unforgettable village of Sylvara. And no matter how many times they told the story, they would both look back on this day with a smile—and maybe a little bit of regret, if they ever managed to find another elf village to visit.