CHAPTER 146 – MY PERSONAL TOUR GUIDE
LYSANDER FARADEISS
It’s my second day here in Yggdra. As dawn broke, Hiraya and I dressed in our casual attire, ready to explore the enchanting Elven Island. We met in her front yard, where she stood, radiant like a divine light.
Hiraya wore a pure white sundress that fluttered in the gentle breeze, paired with a wide-brimmed summer hat that cast a delicate shadow over her face. Her golden eyes twinkled like stars, and her smile was so bright and warm that it could melt the coldest of hearts. She looked like a vision of perfection, the kind of girl anyone would dream of.
As for me, I opted for semiformal leather shoes, dark jeans that fit just right, and a crisp blue polo shirt. I wanted to look my best for this special day.
“I’ll be your tour guide for today, Mister Faradeiss,” Hiraya announced with an adorable smile, her hand proudly placed on her puffed-out chest. “I will show you the best tourist spots of Yggdra. Follow me!”
We began our walk side by side, with Hiraya humming a cheerful melody that filled the air with an infectious happiness. I couldn’t help but smile. Finally, I was on a date with the girl of my dreams, a moment I had fantasized about for years. The reality was even better than I had imagined.
Our journey led us to a colossal, square-like structure made of a giant stump, resembling a vast warehouse filled with bustling stalls.
“Our first stop is the Elven Mall, a must-visit for anyone arriving in Yggdra,” Hiraya announced with enthusiasm. “The shops here are renowned for their unique offerings. You can find luxury jewels, flying cars, and even mystic sex toys—if you have enough gold to spare. Unfortunately, the mystic sex toys are out of stock at the moment. But we can always come back another time.”
“So that’s the only thing you cared about, huh?” I muttered under my breath with a smirk.
“Just beyond the Elven Mall is the plaza. Follow me! I’ll treat you to a nice breakfast!” Hiraya’s smile widened, promising more delightful surprises.
We continued our walk until we reached the open grounds beyond the mall. The area was filled with tree buildings, their branches intertwined to form natural storefronts, each one offering a variety of vegetarian foods. It was just what I expected from an island inhabited by elves—an abundance of greenery and plant-based delicacies.
We chose a charming little restaurant and settled at a cozy table. Hiraya handed me the menu with a bright smile. “You can order anything you like. They have local delicacies here—vegan pizza, spinach cake rolls, fruit salad, and their specialty fizzy green tea. Feel free to get whatever you fancy! It’s my treat!”
“A-Are you sure? You know that my metabolism is super fast, right? I need like a thousand calories per day,” I said, feeling a bit hesitant.
“Hahaha, it’s fine. I’ve saved enough money for this outing. You can just buy me a nice meal next time,” Hiraya replied with a reassuring smile.
“Okay then,” I said, signaling to the waiter. As he approached, I began listing my order. “Um, I’d like a vegan pizza, spinach cake rolls, fruit salad, and a fizzy green tea.”
Hiraya let out a slightly nervous laugh. “A-And I’ll have a Cobb salad,” she added.
After the waiter left, Hiraya glanced at her wallet and sighed softly.
“D-Did I order too much?” I asked, feeling a pang of guilt for potentially overstepping.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Hiraya shook her head, still smiling. “You… you have great taste! Haha… Are you done ordering?”
“I-I’m done,” I replied, inwardly cringing at my own insensitivity. I had let my hunger cloud my judgment, not considering the impact on Hiraya’s finances.
Despite her cheerful demeanor, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had caused her unnecessary stress. She was too kind to show any resentment, but I resolved to make it up to her in the future.
As we enjoyed our meal, I couldn't help but steal glances at Hiraya. She ate her Cobb salad with such grace and elegance, each movement refined and deliberate. It was fascinating to see her adapt to eating the bacon, something she usually avoided unless it was so heavily processed it barely resembled meat. Her willingness to try new things never ceased to amaze me.
“Hey, wanna try it?” Hiraya offered, holding out a forkful of her salad. “The Cobb salad here in Yggdra is the best.”
“Are you sure? I’ve got plenty on my plate,” I said, glancing down at the table. It was then I realized that most of the plates were already empty, thanks to my voracious appetite. I've always been a big and fast eater, a trait that earned me the nickname "Dynamite Diarrhea" due to the aftermath of my feasts.
“I know you’re still hungry. Come on,” Hiraya insisted, pushing the forkful of salad closer to my face. She was determined to feed me herself.
“F-Fine,” I stammered, giving in and taking a bite. The taste was lost on me, overshadowed by the embarrassment of being fed like a child.
“See? It’s delicious, right?” Hiraya beamed, taking a bite from the same fork without hesitation. She didn’t mind sharing, which only made my cheeks burn brighter.
“Y-Yeah,” I muttered, still flustered by the whole experience. The taste of the salad lingered, but all I could focus on was the warmth of her smile and the closeness of the moment.
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After finishing our meals, Hiraya and I began strolling around the bustling plaza. Children laughed and played, their carefree joy infectious, while couples, both young and old, shared intimate moments. We made our way to the central part of the plaza, where a beautiful garden flourished. At its heart stood a magnificent silver statue of Goddess Exceria, her arms reaching gracefully towards the sky.
“Look! It’s the statue of Goddess Exceria. We elves believe that she created this planet and breathed life into our people,” Hiraya explained with enthusiasm. “Interestingly, Meike, Mariko, Earvin, and Darlix each told me their own myths. They believe the Goddess also created the dragonoids, onis, vampires, and dwarves. Perhaps she truly is an omnipotent goddess of creation.”
“Hiraya, does it pressure you to be seen as the reincarnation of the goddess?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“A little,” Hiraya admitted with a gentle smile. “The responsibility of being trusted as a messiah can be overwhelming. But I know I can rely on you whenever I feel lost.”
I blushed, my heart racing with each word she spoke. Hiraya was on a winning streak, her every sentence making my feelings for her grow stronger.
“Let’s head to the main tourist attraction of Yggdra. It’s just a stone’s throw away from here. Please, follow me!” Hiraya said, her tone now serious and determined as she took on her role as my tour guide.
We walked side by side, drawing curious glances from passersby. Perhaps it was because I was the only human around, my distinct features setting me apart from the elves. Eventually, we stopped in front of an awe-inspiring tree that stretched towards the heavens. This was the same colossal tree I had seen when we flew to the island.
“This is the largest magical tree in the world—Yggdrasil. According to the legends of Exceria, this tree is the life force of our entire planet. We elves are tasked with guarding it with our lives, a sacred duty given to us by Goddess Exceria,” Hiraya said with reverence.
“W-Woooooow,” I muttered, utterly mesmerized by the grandeur of Yggdrasil.
“Did you know? The foot of the Yggdrasil is so rich in mana that it blooms with the silver flower Éclair Damour during the summer. However, ever since the Liberation War, it only produces one to four flowers per year,” Hiraya said, removing her flower hairpin and showing it to me.
“Well, that flower is certainly worth the money then,” I said with a chuckle. “Besides, it suits a beautiful girl like you.”
Hiraya laughed and placed the flower back in her hair, her smile radiating warmth.
We both moved closer to the base of the Yggdrasil tree, and to our astonishment, we saw twelve Éclair Damours blooming there. Given Hiraya’s explanation, this was three times the maximum number of flowers expected in a year.
Hiraya turned sideways, her gaze lost in the distant skies. After a brief pause, she turned back to me and spoke.
“Lysander?” Hiraya placed her hand on her chest, her expression serious yet tender.
“Yes?” I replied, sensing the importance of the moment.
“Can I bring you to one more place? It’s not a tourist attraction. It’s my very own special place,” Hiraya muttered softly. “I want to tell you something in private.”