“We got to see so many interesting things today,” I commented after we were done with our walk.
“You looked like you were having a lot of fun, Lady Witch!” Teto said.
The elves were known for their magic abilities, and you could really tell that they took that stuff seriously; all of their magic items were much more refined than the ones you’d find in other towns. I also had a good time browsing their other wares: hair ornaments and accessories inspired by the spirits the elves worshiped, daily necessities, folkcrafts, and so on and so forth. The elves also happened to be well-versed in pharmaceutics, so I dropped by an apothecary to check out their stock. They had all sorts of ingredients and medicine I had never seen before.
We didn’t come anywhere near close to touring the entire town, but we decided to call it a day when the sun started setting, and the four of us started heading back to Elnea’s palace.
“I guess that’s all for today, huh? Thank you for showing us around, Miss Elnea,” I said.
“Today was a lot of fun! But Teto is a bit sad Lady Witch didn’t get to go see the books.”
“It’s fine; we didn’t have time.”
Teto and I both sighed with a mixture of contentment—for having finally gotten to visit the elves’ capital—and disenchantment at not having seen everything we wanted to.
On seeing our reactions, Elnea suggested, “How about you stay here a few days more? I do not mind entertaining you longer.”
She didn’t just “not mind” us staying longer in her palace; she seemed to really want to show us around the forest again. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
“It’s a kind offer, and Teto and I would love to stay, but we’re actually planning on going back home soon.”
“Beretta and the others are looking forward to Lady Witch coming home!” Teto supplied.
“Oh. Well, I shall miss you,” she said, a slightly dejected look on her face.
This time, I was the one who had a suggestion for her. “How about you come visit our forest?”
“Oooh, good idea, Lady Witch! Teto wants to introduce Miss Elnea to the others!” Teto chirped.
“What...are you two saying?” Elnea stammered in bewilderment.
“Thanks to the spirit tags you had Miss Rorona make for us, we can install a transfer gate in your forest and connect it to ours. We’ll be able to visit each other whenever we want,” I explained.
“Yeah! You can even come to see Lady Witch when you feel like it!” Teto added.
Elnea stayed silent for a few seconds before muttering, “I have never even thought of leaving this land.”
I valued my bond with Elnea and wanted to spend more time with her. But I didn’t want to always be the one imposing on her. We were both immortals; there was no reason she should be the only one inviting us over. I’d feel bad if I was always freeloading at her palace. Besides, I wasn’t interested in a life where I’d just spend my time fooling around without working at least a little. It just didn’t seem very fulfilling to me. I could technically stay in the elves’ kingdom and find some sort of job there, but that option didn’t feel right with me either; the elves probably didn’t want or need an outsider like me to contribute to their society. If anything, I’d be bothering them. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that resuming my life in the forest and having the option of visiting each other whenever we felt like it was better suited to me.
Besides...
“That is not the only reason, is it?” Elnea—who had broken out of her shock—asked me, a serious look on her face.
“You’re right; it’s not. To be completely honest, I want you and Miss Althea’s opinion of our forest.”
I wanted them to tell me what they thought of our World Trees and our forest as a whole, as well as to ask them for advice on how to prevent trespassers from sneaking in once Liriel’s barrier came down.
I told all that to Elnea, and she seemed to carefully ponder my questions. “We shall lend you our wisdom when it comes to your World Trees. As for ways to deter trespassers, we must first get a feel for your land. You most likely would not be able to incorporate our security system,” she said. “We shall come to take a look at your land. However, I have a request as well.”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I wished to wait a little longer before asking it of you, but I was wondering if you could spare us some World Tree seeds.”
This time, I was the one finding myself at a loss for words. It wasn’t that outrageous of a request; I just hadn’t been expecting it at all.
“I mean, I don’t mind, but can I ask why?”
“You already have a huge World Tree in your forest!” Teto added.
We could see it even through our window as we talked.
“Our World Tree has long stopped producing seeds,” Elnea said. They didn’t know why that had happened; was their World Tree simply too old to produce seeds? Or was there another reason?
“I see...” I muttered before opening my magic bag and taking out a handful of World Tree seeds, each roughly the size of a walnut. “Here you go, then. World Tree seeds.”
Elnea pursed her lips into a pout. “We have been wishing for these for so long, yet you are willing to part with them that easily? You could have at least attempted to negotiate with us—to ask for something in return.”
“I don’t mind just giving them to you. The ground of our forest is basically covered in these anyway. And besides, if for one reason or another all of the World Trees in our forest came to disappear, I’d at least have the peace of mind of knowing that you can replant more in your land,” I explained.
In addition, more World Trees meant more mana, which was exactly what Liriel and the other goddesses wanted.
“You have my thanks, Chise,” Elnea said. She hadn’t made a grandiose speech to thank me or anything, but her words were laden with such sincerity that it made me feel a bit embarrassed.
“In the end, we ended up talking about work, huh? And here I thought I would just spend a nice, relaxing day visiting your guys’ capital,” I mumbled with a sigh.
A wry smile curled on Elnea’s lips.
“That is business for you. You start by inviting the other party to relax with some idle chatter, and when you both begin to feel comfortable with each other, then you can begin to do the real work.”
I supposed she had a point; no businessperson would listen to a stranger’s request out of the blue, nor would they make a proposal without first establishing some level of rapport and trust.
“Teto had fun going out with Lady Witch and Miss Elnea and Miss Althea!” Teto said innocently. “Next time, Teto will show you around our forest!”
I instantly felt myself relax at her innocence and kindness, and I could tell Elnea felt the same.
“Well then, it appears that this discussion has reached its conclusion. You two are welcome to install your teleportation device in your chamber and leave whenever you so wish,” she said.
“Thanks, we’ll do just that.”
“We’ll get everything ready with Beretta and the others to welcome you two into our forest!” Teto chirped.
“I am looking forward to it.”
With those words, Elnea took us back to our guest room. I took a transfer gate out of my bag and installed it in the room, connecting it to the forest. Then, when everything was ready, Teto and I took the transfer gate back home to tell Beretta about Elnea and Althea’s upcoming visit.