I Became My Healer Elf Character - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Yasmine
It was only a matter of time before the group reached an elven village. Off in the distance, Hikari could see tree houses circling around the giant wooden trunks. The trees had become thick and tall. From the mountaintop, they didn’t look as daunting. However, from below, the trees were unbelievable.

Even more strange was the color of some of them. There were the standard green leaves, but some trees had purple leaves. The air permeated with a thick mana. Small organisms floated through the air, glowing a soft golden or white hue. When Hikari used her inspection on them, it said they were [Lesser Spirits].

None of them were high leveled. The highest she saw was level 10, and they could be killed with a simple blow from Hikari’s staff. Once the spirits noticed Hikari, several of the curious ones floated up to her. In no time, many covered her body from head to toe.

The elf squinted her eyes at the small one that landed on her nose. For all purposes, they were like formless little light balls. The only sensation Hikari could feel was like a small warmth on her body.

“Hello, little one,” Hikari said, marveling at how it danced from her voice. She smiled and all of the spirits danced around.

Salazar regarded the scene in awe. “Miss Hikari, you must be very loved by this world. The spirits seem to keep coming.”

“Of course, Master is loved by all of the innocent little creatures. It is likely that her presence has given them the hope of evolution.”

Hikari pointed her finger up and tilted her ears towards one of the spirits resting there. Incredibly, a voice entered her pointed ears. The words were like whispers with meanings almost indiscernible. However, the elf picked apart these seemingly useless whispers.

“It seems that they are in agreement with Kurayami.”

“Wait! You can understand them?” Salazar asked. Then he scrunched up his nose. “I guess you are an elf.” Instead of talking about the issue any further, he called out to the merchant group to stop.

Naturally, a group this big would not be allowed to enter the village right away. Hikari noticed how elves had already started gathering in hidden places above the lower branches on the trees with bows drawn or staves at the ready. The interesting thing about the staves is they were purple, and they seemed to be made up entirely of the purple leaves.

Only one carriage advanced forward, and it was naturally Salazar’s. Four archers from above leapt from the trees, landing on the group with their bows drawn. Hikari could see their leafy green hair. The girls’ bodies were slim, but they were rather tall. Hikari estimated likely a foot taller than herself.

One of the girls spoke in a language she hadn’t heard before, yet the words were easily understood. “Come out slowly.”

Hikari and the others crawled out of the carriage. Naturally, the elf had already anticipated the following situation.

Those four elven girls’ eyes widened upon seeing Hikari. They instantly dropped to their knee, placing their bows beside them. Yet, the words the elves spoke were unexpected.

“Divine Elder!?”

Kahleem and Salazar were also taken aback. It seems both of them can understand this language, too?

Hikari thought of words to address the kneeling elves, but she didn’t know how to express them in the elvish language. The Divine Elder had to quickly change gears to think of words. If she understood it, since coming to this world, she had been able to commune with creatures by simply having the intention. She was reminded of the wraith in that dungeon. Had that wraith even spoken the common language?

With the intention of speaking to the elves, the sounds formed in her mind naturally.

“Greetings.”

The female elf with the only green bow raised her head slightly. She spoke in a tone of reverence.

“Lady Elder, we had no idea you would come today. Please, forgive us!”

Hikari waved her hand back and forth. “Hey, it’s okay! Also, you can raise your heads. We have come here on business.” She gestured towards Salazar on the side. “I am sure you know of this merchant, yes?”

The archer elf looked over at Salazar before nodding and placing a hand on her chest. “I am aware of this man, Lady Elder. It would be my honor to accompany you four to the chief’s abode if you would allow me.”

“I will allow it.”

At that moment, Salazar whispered into Hikari’s ear. “I thought you had never been here.”

Hikari merely shook her head. The archers picked up their bows and turned towards the village. The circular wooden platforms surrounding the trees was awe inspiring. Most of the elves simply leapt from branch to branch until they arrived at a different tree house.

The group of four were led the thickest tree of the bunch—one that just so happened to have purple leaves. A long rope ladder hung down for visitors to climb.

Upon seeing the ladder Kurayami turned a sharp glare at the two other members of the party. Salazar and Kahleem nodded and stepped back. Hikari raised an eyebrow but said nothing at their sign language.

“I will notify him of your arrival. You can go ahead, Lady Elder. If you would like, we can give you a better way up.”

Hikari shook her head. “I will use this.” She gripped the ladder as the other bowed her head.

The archer hopped up the branches of the tree, quickly arriving at the top. Hikari started her climb, and Kurayami followed right after. They climbed many rungs of rope before finally arriving at an open trap door. Once Hikari stepped onto the platform, she noticed several elves were already bowing.

The platform was a singular room that circled around the tree. The windows were open without any glass fixtures, and the village chief sat on a small purple mat. Incense burned inside of a small metal pot. It released a sweet fragrant smell. It was like a more potent version of the purple leaves overhead. The roofless interior let in plenty of natural light.

Several mats surrounded the chief, and many of the elves were already kneeling on them, including the woman from before. Across from them there were leaf chairs.

The village chief had few wrinkles on his face, but it looked like he had seen battle before. One of his eyes was completely grey, and the other one was green, matching his hair. His face was more square, and he had a more prominent chin than Hikari would expect from an elf.

“I humbly greet you, Lady Elder,” the old man said, “I am called Yasmine. To what honor do I owe our visit?”

Hikari sighed and sat down in the leaf chair. The thing was surprisingly sturdy, yet it was soft. “Yasmine, there is no need for the formalities. I came here as a request with that merchant.”

Almost as if on cue, the merchant rolled onto the platform, taking deep breaths. “Man, it’s always the same with that climb.”

Kurayami scrunched her nose. “This much even a child can handle. Why don’t you act more like a man?”

Salazar laughed as he sat up. “Still as harsh as ever, I suppose.”

Yasmine looked over the two last arrivals before grabbing a small stone pipe next to him. Some orange grass rested inside, and the old elf sparked a small flame on his finger tip, igniting the substance.

He gripped the pipe between his lips and exhaled a ring of orange smoke. “Forgive me, Lady Elder, but I can’t seem to calm down in this situation.”

Hikari waved him off as she caught a whiff of the substance. It smelled earthy and similar to grass, but there was a hint of sweetness. The Divine Elder could feel that it was trying to give her a debuff, but her absurd stats prevented whatever it was. Naturally, Salazar and Kahleem weren’t as lucky. Salazar’s expression became stupid within seconds. He had a silly grin as he took to one of the leaf seats, sinking in deep.

The chief emptied the resin into a small pot next to him. “Lady Elder, may you grace me with your name?”

It was then that Hikari realized she hadn’t even introduced herself. She felt almost as silly as the current Salazar who seemed to be giggling quietly to himself. “Hikari.”

“How come I’ve not heard of your name among the council?” Yasmine asked. “It’s clear you are so loved by the spirits, but I don’t recall your name. Forgive my impudence, Lady Elder. The spirits never tell a lie.”

Hikari raised her eyebrow. “What do you mean? To be honest, I am more curious about this situation than you are.” Hikari pointed at the girl that led her here. “Before, that girl called me a Divine Elder. What does that mean?”

Yasmine’s eyes widened. “It couldn’t be!? Did you come from outside the forest!?”