Chapter 27 - The Great Forest

The great forest Elfheim, and the home of these elves. My group finally arrived here at last. Looking at this forest and what came to my mind is. We truly are in a different world. Majestic trees and various plants never seen before on earth overflow with a mysterious power here.

I used to take a few classes in biology. For the life of me I wonder how such flora can exist. Only explanation is fantasy and magic. Best not to question the world and the mysteries it holds. I am no scientist, so why stress myself.

Our group enters the great forest with our elven escorts. Saber leads my crew in. While admiring the surroundings and all the exotic creatures never seen before. I hear the sound of weapons unsheathing from my crew.

Coming out of my slight state of stupor I became alert. Looking around for the possible enemy and then I witness it. Giant moving trees with creepy humanlike faces surrounds our group. The monster treants and they also exist in the game Arlenia Fantasy Online.

Treants are annoying monsters that tend to agro. They are very hard to kill without a mage. Being trees their weakness is fire. I recall having to hunt many of these monsters for a quest with my NPCs. A very tedious endeavor I never want to do again. It was one of the requirements for my god class weapon.

“Put down your weapons. These are the guardians of the forest.” –Byron

“Treants are monsters.” –Dasas

“They are not monsters. They are spirit trees. Our friends.” –Calista

These elves attributing everything to spirits are annoying me to no end. I despise treants and used to fantasize of wiping their kind out. However, this is another world and things are different. Having a lot of violent urges lately and it won’t help my situation. I gesture for my crew to put away their weapons.

”Outsiders. Not. Welcome. In. Forest.” –Treant

These damn trees can speak? Monsters in Arlenia can’t talk. Once again I am reminded we are in a different world. I should not be surprised at anything this crazy world does.

“I’m sorry my good friend. These people are with us. Orders from the spirit priestess.” –Byron

Byron is bowing and showing reverence to a treant. The other elves are doing the same. All this tree-hugging make me want to vomit.

“It is as Byron says. Please let us pass.” –Calista

“Order. From. Priestess. Okay. Pass. Granted.” –Treant

“Such inferior elves. Lowering their heads to a monster.” -Saber

I hear Saber comment silently in response about the elves showing deference to the treant. She has a very disappointed face as she witness the scene. The elves in Arlenia live in a breathtaking castle and only bow to their elf king. She should really give the otherworldly elves some slack.

The levels of these treants are around thirty to forties. Strong monsters considering the levels of our elven escorts accompanying us. The tree monsters finally made way and let us pass.

“What makes those monsters so special?” –Dasas

“You…to call our spirit trees. Monsters…” –Byron

Again the annoying face full of spite appears on Byron’s face. The face I haven’t seen in a while. He was friendly almost disgustingly so. Wanted to impress Saber and failing.

“The spirit trees. Guards the great forest from outsiders.” –Calista

Calista interjects. She probably wanted to prevent a fight. I commend her silently in my heart. The only cool elf I met so far.

“I see.” –Dasas

“This way. I will take you all to meet the priestess.” –Calista

We make our way through this exotic forest and came upon the village of the elves. Again I can only think fantasy when I witness the scene. Large hulking trees with hollow interiors made as living spaces. Various wooden houses also are attached to the outside of the trees. Almost like the trees came alive and built them as part of their bodies.

Various ropelike bridges made of vines run across the various trees creating pathways. All the buildings are elevated up high almost two to three stories. A defense strategy to avoid magic beast attacks probably.

The elven residents look down at our group as we made way through their village. I notice looks of hostility and wariness as they see Lancer and me. Archer also got some of those looks, but not as much. They probably really hate humans.

Saber was different. They gave her looks of curiosity and wonder. Makes me think do they rarely meet elves outside of their forest. We probably would have been attacked if the elven escorts were not here.

While my crew are looking around the elves are leading us to their leader. The priestess I wonder what she is like. Soon we will find out as I get excited in anticipation.

We came to a large crystal clear pond. The water looks like glass as it shimmers with various lights. There are a small herd of white unicorns drinking from the pond. Then I saw her.

A tall slender light skinned female elf and very long straight blue natural looking hair. She is wearing a robe showing a lot of skin and her modest chest. Her clothing was very different from what the other elves are wearing. It would not look out of place on an angel and was colored white and blue.

She was close to Saber in height and gives off the air of a charismatic ruler. Her gentle blue eyes resemble the color of her hair almost and displaying great wisdom.

The sight of her petting a white unicorn before a pretty pond was very enchanting. Caused my heart to beat in excitement. Gazing upon the surreal picturesque scene before me was overwhelming. The feeling of “love at first sight’ almost grips me. I was able to control my emotions before it got out of control.

Thought I got used to being around beautiful girls due to my NPCs. External forces can make things appear so different and alluring. This holds true as I am feeling it right now. If not for the fact the danger of that bitch goddess is looming in the horizon. I would be jumping at the chance to get close to this woman.

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Not to mention I am also with my crew. If only I came to this world alone. No freedom of movement for me. This means no time for possible intimate relationships with so many things going on.

“Spirit priestess we have returned.” –Byron

“Priestess we return completing our mission.” –Calista

The elven escorts we traveled with bowed deeply to the blue-haired elf woman. She is the spirit priestess. Makes sense she is the highest order for these people. One look was all it took for me to think so.

“Good work you two. I believe you all would succeed. Thank the spirits.” –Priestess

The spirit priestess started to look around at the members of my crew. Then her eyes finally landed on me. A frightened expression came across her face as she saw me. Then the expression vanished as it never was. I saw her closing her eyes like she was deciding something.

She started to nod her head. Opening her eyes with a weird smile on her face and she moved. Coming closer and she started to kneel. The priestess was only a few meters away from me.

“It is an honor. Contractor of the spirit kings.” –Priestess

“What!!!” –Byron

“Ehhhh!?!” –Calista

The elves around us are shocked at what was happening. Never before has the spirit priestess acted in such a manner. What she said was world shattering to the elves. Fear and confusion were running through the ranks of the elves.

The most shocked and confused of them all was me. I did not know what she meant. I never met any spirit kings. Then I recall about my job class being summoner. I wonder if she was referring to the spirit avatars I contracted.

Makes no sense as those spirt avatars was contracted on Arlenia. They were beings or should I say creatures of great power. They each have control over different elements depending on their nature. At most they were considered powerful monsters close to gods.

“Our great spirit kings. Ones we worship and revere. Nature itself is their domain.” –Priestess

“But I thought it was Saber…” –Byron

“..…” –Calista

“Errr…” -Dasas

I’m confused and thinking what was so special about these spirit kings. The elves are acting all agitated at the situation. They keep staring at me with various emotions I cannot tell. At the very least I know these spirit kings are very powerful.

If they are my spirit avatars then that would explain the power displayed. When summoning them to attack. The magnitude of the damage scaled so much while using only the low tier abilities. The connection with Arlenia and Anahita was now a blur.

More questions than answers came to me. This world keeps giving me more surprises. I wonder if a stable life will ever be possible again. Almost missed my previous life as I only had petty worries then and it was overall boring.

“Woman. What is the meaning of this? Master is disturbed.” –Saber

“Boss is awesome. This elf can’t help but kneel to ya.” -Archer

“Master can do anything and everything.” –Lancer

“You guys…” –Dasas

My crew is spouting off nonsense. I do not need their commentary on the situation. I want information and an alliance, which might be possible now.

“My apologies. I got caught up in my emotions. Never before have I witnessed a contractor of the spirit kings.” –Priestess

The other elves are silent and only observing. They probably want to leave the matter in the hands of their priestess to deal with. The spirit priestess finally got up from her kneeling position.

“Can you tell me. What makes you think I’m this spirit king contractor?” –Dasas

“Ah. This is not a good place for it. How about I explain inside my humble abode?” –Priestess

“Sure. Lead the way miss.” –Dasas

“To address the priestess in such a manner…” –Byron

Someday I will have to kick the ass of this arrogant Byron fellow. He just won’t let up. I can only stand so much before I rage.

“I permit it.” –Priestess

“Wah?” –Byron

“You should know what this means.” –Priestess

“Yes…” –Byron

The other elves move away. Only Byron and Calista will be accompanying us to the home of the priestess. The Priestess then turns around and starts to lead the way.

“Well then. This way please.” –Priestess

“Sure thing.” –Dasas

My crew and I start to make way around the pond. Leaving it and following the priestess to wherever her home is. The direction we heading was not up but forward. I wonder where she is taking us. Seems it is not the same place as the homes up in the trees of the other elves.

 While following behind this priestess. I cannot help but stare at her lower region. Some of my feelings still linger from when I first saw her. At least I am still a man. Now that I think about it.

My sex drive has decreased a lot compared to my previous life. I wonder about life and other things such as immortality. Humans have shorter life spans so the need to create offspring is stronger. Does that mean it is the opposite for an immortal?

Weird thoughts come into my head as I ponder the meaning of life. The ever elusive question we always ask. Doing this as I am still staring at the behind of the Priestess. At least my base desires are still functioning and the same.

I can only give a wry smile to myself. The priestess finally led us to a cottage of sorts as it appears to be made from a tree. No. More like part of a tree. Such a thing cannot be created by normal hands.

“Welcome to my sanctuary.” -Priestess