The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 46
“I really hope that happens. Please!”
Nike’s thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
She had lived for a long time as a nymph symbolizing Jupiter’s prosperity, but since her relationship with the elves was clearly distinct, it would be a lie to say she didn’t have various grievances.
It was not just a day or two that Nike could hear whispers and mocking laughter from everywhere like auditory hallucinations whenever she made even the slightest mistake. But a cute new nymph lady seducing the Elven King himself? Even eating bunches of fresh grapes wouldn’t make one’s mouth water this much—this was the most enticing story in recent times.
‘Heheh… if I play this right, my long-cherished wish might come true.’
Feeling a strong need to help Evelyn, Nike fluttered her wings.
When the world gets old, it needs to be turned upside down once in a while. Who would have thought such a fortunate key would roll in by itself? Where else would there be such an opportunity!
‘Wait, Evelyn. I’ll definitely help you form a smooth relationship with our King.’
Nike moved her feet busily. It felt like little doves were flying from her chest—a feeling full of joy.
Meanwhile, Evelyn was walking more than she had since entering Jupiter Castle.
How far was it planning to go?
The unicorn, true to its nature, wasn’t galloping wildly, but it also didn’t look back or stop. Evelyn, who didn’t understand what was happening, followed along obediently before suddenly feeling scared.
‘I’m worried about what Lord Cassis said. He told me not to trust anyone except the four elves allowed to enter the hall, and absolutely not to go outside the castle. Is it really okay to have come this far?’
No sooner had her footsteps slowed hesitantly than Ruba flicked its pointed ears backward and turned around sharply.
「Aren’t you coming?」
“Um… where are we going?”
「You ask only when we’ve arrived, how foolish. Don’t rush me and look at the sky.」
“What? Oh…!”
She had thought the sunlight shining down on her head had become quite thin, but something massive was distinctly blocking the sky.
Had they somehow entered indoors? No, that wasn’t it. This was a tree. The World Tree! Would her outstretched arms even encompass a small portion of it? Her mouth remained open, unable to close at the sight of the enormous circumference, too vast to even estimate its age rings.
“This is… the World Tree…”
「That’s right. Really now, when a newcomer arrives in Jupiter, they should properly greet the World Tree first. Instead, you’ve been confined to the King’s bedroom, merely thrashing about happily under the blankets?」
Oh, perhaps Ruba knew everything about what happened with Cassis?
Gulp.
After swallowing nervously, Ruba approached and pulled at Evelyn’s clothes with its mouth.
「Come over here quickly.」
“Yes!”
Now that she knew their destination, there was no reason to be aimlessly afraid. Below the thick, visible roots of the World Tree was a gently hollowed space.
The World Tree—her heart suddenly raced at the thought of approaching this wondrous entity she had never expected to encounter in her lifetime. As she placed her hand on her chest to calm herself while entering, she noticed something faint and white floating in the air. Startled, she impulsively grabbed Ruba’s luxurious tail and pulled.
“Ruba, there’s smoke. Could there be a fire?!”
「It’s not fire but incense. The World Tree is so enormous that different parts require different conditions. This root area prefers the scent of light vanilla, so we burn it.」
Though she didn’t quite know what vanilla was, Evelyn was nevertheless relieved.
“Oh… it’s not fire. Thank goodness. I was worried about what would happen if the tree suddenly burned down.”
Ruba snorted dismissively.
「Are you stupid? This is the World Tree, the WORLD TREE! Even its smallest leaf hardly withers—it’s a magnificent tree. Unlike your pitiful trees… Hmm. Never mind. Even if a fire broke out near the World Tree, you can rest assured. Water spirits are constantly patrolling around, so they would extinguish it immediately. Of course, before that, the World Tree would handle small fires on its own. Now hurry up and come this way!」
“Yes.”
Ruba hastened her steps, feeling sorry for making such an unnecessary comment. Though she wanted to take good care of Evelyn in her thoughts, when actually facing her, Evelyn’s dejected appearance troubled her, causing her to be more demanding.
The proud unicorn Ruba understood better than anyone what it felt like to see one’s kind disappearing. The unicorns, unlike thousands of years ago, had dwindled to fewer than ten in number. For this reason, when Cassis explained the situation and asked her to look after Evelyn, she readily agreed.
Of course, a much greater reason was that she knew Cassis’s secret as the ancient guardian of the World Tree and could not refuse his request. Because of this, she remained indifferent to truths that would horrify other elves if they knew. Hadn’t he said he would save her by having intercourse only with that nymph for the time being, giving her his vitality?
