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Chapter 11 - The world tree is in severe crisis

In the cozy confines of the living room, Rayden, Anastasia, and Miranda found themselves in the company of the adult elven woman whom Rayden had earlier rescued. They sat leisurely, sipping on warm tea accompanied by a selection of fresh fruits that served as delightful accompaniments to their conversation.

After a brief introduction, the silver-haired elf revealed herself as Sylvia von Aestherlina, the esteemed elder of the high elf village nestled within the distant reaches of the forest. Sylvia's beauty was both captivating and refined, exuding an aura of mature elegance. Her stature was notably tall, though she didn't quite match the heights of either Anastasia or Miranda. Her skin gleamed with a luminous fairness akin to freshly fallen snow, unmarred by any imperfection. Her pointed ears, perfectly proportioned to her face's golden ratio, added a unique aesthetic charm to her overall appearance. Her striking emerald eyes gleamed with an inherent nobility, enhancing her regal presence. Her nose was delicately shaped, providing a graceful balance to her features.

Sylvia possessed a magnificent figure, with her bust measuring an impressive 36 G cup, reminiscent of majestic twin peaks. Her waist was exceptionally slender, and her hips were taut, leading to a posterior that boasted both volume and an impeccable firmness. Her legs were long and elegantly sculpted, free from any flaw in their bone structure.

**Chapter: The Threat to the Balance of the Elf World**

Though Rayden was always accompanied by two figures whose beauty was unparalleled, akin to goddesses from ancient mythology, he found himself irresistibly drawn to the unique allure of an elf from the Isekai anime that often graced his vivid imagination.

"Lady Sylvia, if you wouldn't mind, might I inquire about what has prompted your lengthy journey to our abode?" Rayden asked with a gentle yet attentive tone, seeking to uncover the urgency implied by her sudden visit. "Given your hurried steps, is there an emergency you are currently facing?" he queried once more, ensuring his initial assessment was not entirely off the mark.

Sylvia took a deep breath, her face reflecting the somber expression of a heavy heart as she began to explain. "In truth, our high elf village is beset by a grave crisis. The World Tree, which has been the life sustainer since the dawn of creation, has suddenly withered and ceased to emit its life-giving energy." She paused momentarily, sipping her tea delicately before continuing with a tone filled with profound concern, "I fear that in a few years, the balance of the world will be in jeopardy if the life energy from the World Tree vanishes completely."

Hearing such a candid explanation, Miranda furrowed her brow, sensing the same urgency that Sylvia felt.

"The situation is indeed critical. If a solution is not found swiftly, the entire continent risks collapsing within a mere few years. The World Tree not only serves as a pillar but also acts as a conduit for all forms of life on this planet. Should it perish, the planet will become an uninhabitable place for all living creatures," Miranda added with a heavy and serious voice, underscoring the dire nature of the situation.

Rayden found himself grappling with a crisis that was profoundly more unsettling and intricate than anyone else in the room could fathom. The mere thought of this world teetering on the brink of inevitable destruction was unbearable to him. It threatened to obliterate every cherished dream he had recently begun to nurture—dreams suffused with hope and promises of a future brimming with happiness. Each carefully constructed plan and visionary blueprint for his life now hung in the balance, poised to dissolve into nothingness, as if they had never existed.

"I cannot, under any circumstances, accept the stark reality that this world might collapse, taking with it the life I've so ardently envisioned, all due to a singular, unforgivable error," Rayden declared with fervor, his voice imbued with a profound mixture of rejection and deep-seated disappointment. The simmering anger within him morphed into an unstoppable wave of emotion, bursting forth with undeniable intensity.

To the others present, Rayden's reaction might have seemed excessively dramatic or out of proportion. However, for Rayden—who had weathered a life riddled with relentless challenges on Earth—the prospect of beginning anew in a world replete with promise was everything he had longed for. He was resolute in his determination not to permit anything, not even the most minor anomaly, to disrupt or obliterate the peace and happiness he eagerly anticipated.

"Mira, Ana—we must hasten to the village of the High Elves. If the World Tree is indeed some form of plant, then perhaps my magical prowess can effect a change and avert this impending disaster," Rayden proclaimed with a steadfast resolve, his voice resonating with determination as he outlined his urgent plans and fervent hopes.

Acknowledging Rayden's uncommon determination, Miranda offered a gentle, understanding smile. "If this is my husband's desire, then we, as your devoted companions, shall support you unconditionally," she responded with a soft yet firm assurance, maintaining her elegant composure as the wife of a distinguished nobleman.

Hearing her mother's affirmation of their shared life with Rayden, Anastasia nodded with an enthusiastic zeal. "Indeed, we shall stand by your side and engage in this endeavor to resolve the crisis together," Anastasia added, her voice infused with a robust confidence and unwavering determination.

Sylvia found herself unable to hide her deep admiration for Rayden. This young man radiated an aura of leadership that was not only potent but also profoundly impressive. What captivated Sylvia even more was the knowledge that the two most formidable beings in existence were the wives of the very person who saved her life on that unforgettable night. Even more remarkable was Rayden's ability to cultivate a harmonious relationship with both mother and daughter, effortlessly avoiding any discord or conflict between them.

With serene grace and elegance, Miranda retrieved an adventurer's ensemble from her extra-dimensional storage space, presenting it to Rayden with a fluid motion. The outfit comprised comfortable, tactical combat trousers and a shirt in a deep, rich hue of reddish-black. Additionally, a magical longcoat embellished with intricate and elegant ornaments was included, adding to the commanding and authoritative presence that Rayden naturally exuded.

Having donned his new attire, Miranda and Anastasia prepared themselves alongside Sylvia, the high elf, for the impending journey to the village of the high elves. However, prior to setting off, Rayden took a moment to convey his instructions to the pair of giant black bears that vigilantly guarded his territory. Acknowledging that the female bear was expecting cubs, Rayden wisely determined that only the male bear would be tasked with guarding the domain, ensuring that everything remained under control and secure.

Once he made sure that the bears had ample provisions, Rayden proceeded towards the main gateway of his domain. There, the trio of enchanting women awaited him, poised and ready to embark on a new and exciting adventure.

"Alright, how can we reach our destination swiftly and efficiently?" Rayden inquired, thoughtfully considering the most effective means to expedite their journey without compromising comfort or safety.

Anastasia contemplated briefly, weighing the extent of her abilities. "Mother and I possess the ability to move at astounding speeds, yet it proves challenging to transport others with us. Our magical talents are predominantly attuned to large-scale combat and destruction," she explained, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration at the limitations imposed by the situation.

Perceiving Anastasia's concern, Rayden quickly intervened, offering reassurance and comfort. "I can manipulate the gravitational field around a substantial object that can comfortably accommodate all four of us," he suggested, presenting a solution with unwavering confidence and assurance.

Suddenly recalling a potential solution, Anastasia accessed her extra-dimensional storage once more. From within, she produced a grand and luxurious carriage. "How about this?" she asked with hopeful anticipation, wishing for it to be the perfect solution to their predicament.

Rayden nodded with satisfaction, gently caressing Anastasia's hair as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation. "This is perfect," he declared with a warm, charming smile that bolstered their confidence and resolve.

In the following ten minutes, Rayden skillfully modified the carriage. He removed the four wheels and supporting shafts, replacing them with landing skids crafted from wood as resilient as steel, reminiscent of those found on helicopters. Additionally, he reshaped the front of the carriage to resemble the nose of an aircraft, optimizing aerodynamics and reducing air resistance during flight.

As a final touch, Rayden applied plant molecular control over the entire carriage, fortifying the wooden structure until it was ready to ascend into the skies. The carriage was thus transformed from an ordinary mode of transport into a sophisticated flying vehicle, seamlessly blending Rayden's magical prowess with his technical ingenuity, prepared to transport them to their destination safely and swiftly.

With the extraordinary capabilities of spatial manipulation artifacts, the interior of the carriage unfolded into a vast expanse, lavishly appointed with sophisticated and luxurious amenities that defied the carriage's external appearance. Within this marvel of magical engineering, Rayden employed artifacts resembling cameras to vigilantly oversee the surroundings via a highly advanced magical screen embedded in the control chamber. This ingenious setup rendered the need to peer through the carriage's windows obsolete, as they were intentionally darkened to thwart any inquisitive gazes from the outside world. To ensure absolute privacy, Rayden sealed all the windows in the control room with slender wooden panels that descended seamlessly from the top of each window frame.

This remarkable carriage boasted a cutting-edge navigation and sensory system powered by enchantments of the highest order. However, the navigation aspect was of little consequence, given that the towering world tree could be seen from an astounding distance of tens of thousands of miles, serving as a natural beacon.

As the journey was expected to be prolonged, the three women quickly immersed themselves in a variety of games, relishing the delectable array of delicacies stored within the carriage's extra-dimensional storage compartments. Meanwhile, Rayden found contentment in the exceedingly comfortable confines of the control chamber, a sanctuary of unparalleled comfort.

Channeling an immense quantity of arcane energy into the carriage, Rayden deftly manipulated its gravitational field with precision. By skillfully adjusting the gravitational vectors, he orchestrated a smooth vertical ascent, allowing the carriage to lift gracefully into the sky without causing unsettling turbulence.

"We're taking off!" Anastasia exclaimed with spirited enthusiasm as she felt the exhilarating sensation of ascent, her eyes fixed on the view through the window.

Once the carriage achieved the desired altitude, Rayden deftly altered the gravitational vectors once more, propelling the vehicle forward at a consistent and controlled speed as it glided towards the distant village of the High Elves.