I Became My Healer Elf Character - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Elderwood Inner Chamber
“What is your purpose for entering Elderwood?” The elf escort asked as the group entered the city.

It was the princess of the Sha’kin to answer. “We’re hoping to seek refuge, even if it’s just temporary.”

The escort looked to Hikari next with a raised eyebrow. “Your excellency? What about you?”

“I’m hoping to learn a few things. There are still many things I don’t understand myself.”

The elven man nodded. “I heard this would happen. I was given a set of instructions. We will house the Sha’kin under the condition that your excellency will come with me to the Great Hall of Elderwood.”

All of the Sha’kin looked hopeful at Hikari. She didn’t want to deny the request, but she was curious about the Elder’s situation. Did they know she was coming because of the tree? Or was it something that was preordained even before then?

Still, Hikari nodded. “These are acceptable terms. As long as Kurayami may accompany.”

The man’s eyes turned towards Kurayami. “Ah yes, the dragon can come too. As all of this is above my station, I cannot question who your excellency brings. And if you find anything undesirable, we can make different arrangements.”

At that, the escort led them down a root road. Several elves looked on in awe at the arrivals, especially at the so called Elder. As they walked, Hikari noticed something fundamental. There were less elven children than she expected. Also, the population density was too low given the size of the place. It was not small, mind you, but the amount of elves per capita was lower than one would expect.

Through the winding wood and hanging vines, they made their way towards ginormous wooden structures in the back. One of them was easily recognizable as the Great Hall. Pillars of wood surrounded the entrance, and people who entered walked through a tangle of self-opening roots.

However, they first went to another large building next to it. This one contained the sleeping quarters for the Sha’kin. It seemed there were already several beds open. The place was like a large hotel for disposed peoples.

“Sarana will take the Sha’kin from here,” the escort said, “don’t worry. She’s already been told what to expect.”

As if on queue and elven woman greeted the group at one of the living quarters inside the building. She performed a bow to the Sha’kin group. “Please, come with me. We will get you situated.” Then she looked towards the escort. “Thanks for bringing them to me, Quinten.”

“It’s of no consequence. Now, if you’ll excuse us…”

“Right,” Sarana said. She gazed at Hikari. “Your Excellency, I hope I can see you again.”

Hikari frowned. “What’s with everyone here and being so cryptic and formal? I have no need of titles. I am simply who I am. If you want to see me again, then treat me more normally, okay?”

Sarana’s mouth opened like a fish. She grabbed the hem of her leafy green skirt and curtsied. “In that case, I am Sarana.”

The healer elf smiled and pointed her golden staff at herself. “Hikari.”

Hikari and Kurayami said their farewells to the Sha’kin. Well, it’s not like they wouldn’t meet again, but fate is strange. Hikari felt that while staring at the large structure of the Great Hall. She wondered if she had a connection to this place. It shouldn’t be so, yet she was growing more and more certain that she did.

The oddity was Kurayami in this situation. Surely, the dragon would have told Hikari if she had a connection.

“Your Excellency,” Quinten said as the roots of the hall parted. At the same time he bowed and gestured forward with his hand.

The inside of the building was similar to even the buildings of the human kingdom, yet it was all wood. There were giant painted murals on the wall of the wilderness. There were paintings of fairies, and the whole place was open. It was like a big entrance to a museum.

They went down the main hallway, and a door covered in barbed vines was at the end. Several spirits clustered around the door, and the vines receded as Hikari got close.

“This is as far as I go,” Quinten said. “This door will never allow me passage, Your Excellency.”

Hikari sighed but didn’t correct him. She walked forward into another smaller open room. She felt her body pass through a thin barrier like a bubble. Hikari had entered a circular room with a round wooden table. Several people were already there—no doubt the elders of this place.

She knew this couldn’t be all of them. Two of them were elves, one of them was a fairy, and to Hikari’s surprise, the last one was a human with a witch hat. This witch had black hair and deep blue eyes. Her appearance being the most notable and for some reason striking a chord with Hikari.

The fairy was visibly excited. Her wings seemed to flap at a thousand beats per second. She was very much unlike the lazy Senjo. Not only was she hyperactive, but her eyes sparkled a radiant golden color. Her hair was the same.

Notably, the two elves appeared to be twins. They were two girls with vibrant green hair. However, their eyes were different. Both of them had heterochromia. One eye was orange, and the other was green. They were also much taller than the other two elders, especially the fairy, and they had much larger chests.

The silence lasted until a door opened on the other side of the chamber. This one was the same as Hikari had entered.

Walking through that door was another elven man, yet he had the same silver hair as Hikari. Moreover, his face hadn’t aged past his 20s, but the aura surrounding him made it clear he was much older.

He gestured towards the table without saying anything, and Hikari took her chance to be seated.

The other silver haired elf smiled and sat across from her. He took one long breath. “Welcome to Elderwood. I am sure there is so much that everyone wants to say.” He looked around the table. “But first, we must perform introductions.”

“Ooh, ooh, ooh, me first!” The fairy shouted before flying directly in front of Hikari’s face. Her wings buzzed, and she patted her chest. “I am Tiffana, My Lady!”

Next was the human witch who tipped her black hat. On closer inspection, Hikari saw a small blue serpent insignia on the hat. “Rin Momo.”

Hikari wanted to say something, but she let the introduction continue with the twins next.

“Velia, My Lady!”

“Melia, My Lady!”

Lastly, it was the man with silver hair. “I am Sven, and we have been patiently awaiting your arrival, Mother Hikari.”

The mother in question blinked her eyes several times. She looked to Kurayami for assistance, but the dragon appeared equally confused.

“The fact that you know my name already makes this easier, but I don’t recall ever having any offspring.”

Tiffana flew angrily at Sven and crashed into his face. “Why would you say something like that!? Are you trying to anger her? Huh, huh? What happens if she just leaves?”

Sven frowned and tried to flick the fairy away, but she was faster. She zoomed away from his hands and back to Hikari.

“Don’t listen to him! He should explain things properly from the beginning, hmph!” The little fairy inflated her cheeks and crossed her arms before blowing a puff of smoke in Sven’s general direction.

Hikari shook her head. “Hold on. I am not angry. However, I am confused. Also,” she gestured to the dragon beside her. “This is Kurayami, my companion.”

“Master and I are lovers really.”

It was then that a timid witch spoke. “Is it true?”

“Absolutely,” Kurayami said.

Momo’s mouth went agape. “While that is certainly unexpected, what I meant is…” The witch looked at Hikari. “Are you truly Hikari?”

The person in question nodded.

“That means… Did you cross over here?”

Hikari nodded and confirmed the witch’s suspicion. “Now that you said that, you do have a certain resemblance to someone I once knew. I was surprised when I saw that serpent.”

“You’re really her! My master’s lifelong love! I can’t believe it!” The witch began to channel mana into a staff next to her.

“Wait a minute!” Sven cut her off. “Don’t go just yet! What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? My master has to know about this right away.”

While the two bickered, Hikari was stunned by something else. She felt the temperature next to her plummet and looked at a certain dragon. Hikari grabbed Kurayami’s shoulder and sighed.

“It’s not what you are thinking. I had no idea she even had those feelings.”

Kurayami frowned at Hikari. “Master! You need to be aware of yourself more! How can you start charming people without awareness?”

“Aha…It was never my intention of doing so.”

Kurayami sighed. “It’s fine, Master.”

Sven coughed loudly into his hand as the meeting got off track. “Please, everyone, stop bickering.” He looked towards Tiffana. “And what I said earlier is the truth in a way. Is it not?”

The pouting fairy deflated. “But…It’s clear she didn’t know! What happens if she leaves here?”

“In the end, that is for her to decide. After she listens to our story.”