Survival 155

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Calm down.

Even if the opponent is a divine archer, there’s no need to bow down so much.

‘If she intended to kill me from the start, she would have shot my neck, not the paper.’

Although the system message labeled her as a boss, even Bathory had that label.

What mattered more was how to navigate the future relationship.

Even if the opponent harbored hostility, as long as there was no intent to kill, it would be better to act shamelessly.

“Why would the busy divine archer come here?”

“I came to find my runaway daughter. I didn’t expect her to be mingling with a ruffian like you.”

I turned around following the piercing gaze of the divine archer.

The tree behind me, a tiny ear protruding from its side was trembling slightly.

“Come out, Freesia. I can see you.”

“M-Mother…”

“I returned immediately after receiving an urgent message that you were kidnapped, but it seems that’s not the case.”

Sigh.

A deep sigh echoed through the forest.

There was no touching reunion between mother and daughter here.

Only an interrogation of responsibilities.

“It’s my fault for being busy recently and neglecting your education. Freesia, let’s go back to the village.”

“Mother, I…”

Unable to answer properly, she hesitated, so I stepped in.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible, Divine Archer.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Miss Freesia has made a contract with me.”

A talent you already gave up on, I’ve already claimed.

Trying to use parental relationships to annul it? I couldn’t stand to watch that.

The moment our eyes met, my determination was clear.

“Outsider…!”

For a moment, the divine archer’s hostility grew sharper.

Sharp enough to scare the other beastmen and elves nearby.

‘Quite sharp indeed.’

But for me, it was just a bit of a sting on my tongue.

Having experienced the murderous intent of Bathory, who was furious after her seal was broken, I could brush this off calmly.

I continued in a leisurely voice.

“Outsider? She’s someone who fulfilled the conditions I set. I have an obligation to reward her.”

Though it’s just scribbles on a piece of paper, a contract is a contract, no matter what.

Feigning calmness with shamelessness, with an expression as if made of steel, I looked not only at the divine archer but also at Freesia and the other spectators, who were all looking at me in disbelief.

“Reward? There’s no need for her to receive that from a human. Let’s pretend this never happened, and you can leave now.”

As if shaking off a nuisance, the divine archer sighed deeply as she said that.

But her gaze wasn’t directed at me.

“Eek!”

Sensing her mother’s fierce gaze,

Freesia immediately hid behind the tree, making sure even her ears weren’t visible.

Despite knowing she was already caught.

It was her way of expressing defiance and her strongest will.

‘This is just great. I’m not her spokesperson.’

Clicking my tongue, I shielded Freesia… the tree with my body.

Maybe I should speak on behalf of our mischievous elf lady.

“That’s something Miss Freesia should claim, not something for you to say as her mother.”

“What did you say?”

Ignoring her angry voice, I shook my head.

Not lightly in denial, but openly and mockingly.

“She’s now 107 years old. Am I mistaken?”

“…Has she gotten so close to this human that she even revealed her age? Please, Freesia!”

“N-No! Mother, I only exchanged names with him!”

Freesia, who had been hiding behind the tree, suddenly came out and shouted, revealing her suspicion.

“Frost Mane… how on earth did you find out my age?”

I shrugged my shoulders. 

How could I explain? 

Could I say that the moment she signed, all her personal information as a follower was in my hands?

[Freesia Evergreen] – [Distrust]

[Details]

[Race: Elf (High Elf)]

[Gender: Female]

[Age: 107]

[Specialty: Archery, Magic]

[Hobby: Playing house with spirits]

…Listing it all out like this, I suddenly feel like a stalker.

Hmm, indeed.

It’s enough if you just think of me as a sly and cunning madman.

Setting aside my slightly pricked conscience, I smoothly concocted a plausible excuse.

“Well, does it really matter how? Whether I did prior research or asked the villagers.”

“You, you…!”

Ignoring the stammering Freesia, I turned back to the divine archer.

The hostility piercing through my entire body was intensifying.

Mana was added to the sheer willpower she was emitting, and the stinging pain grew stronger.

Meeting her eyes, filled with surging anger, I lifted the corners of my mouth again.

Her gaze, which had been fixed solely on her daughter, was now staring straight at me.

That was…

‘Quite… pleasing.’

Compared to the vague indifference from before, there was a clear emotion now.

If I had to describe it, it was like a salad with spicy and tangy balsamic dressing.

“Finally, you’re looking at me properly.”

“I thought you were just an arrogant human who insulted the World Tree.”

It was clear that the divine archer’s perspective on me had changed.

From a petty criminal she could kill at any time, to a kidnapper trying to deceive her naive daughter, with the threat to my life having doubled, I smoothly continued to speak.

“Let’s continue from earlier. Miss Freesia is 107 years old. By human standards, she is already an adult, fully qualified to make contracts.”

“This is the World Tree’s domain. Human laws are less than fallen leaves here!”

“That may be true in the elf village, but strictly speaking, this is neutral territory. Or rather, it was until recently occupied by slave hunters, making it human territory.”

Our gazes clashed in the air, almost sparking with electricity.

Then both the divine archer and I, as if by agreement, turned to Freesia.

“There’s no need to hear more! Freesia, come quickly. Don’t listen to this lunatic’s words and let’s return to the village!”

Maybe it was because I had freed the elves from the slave hunters.

The divine archer reluctantly tore her gaze from me and focused again on her daughter.

And, Freesia seemed quite shaken.

“Mother…”

“Well, if Miss Freesia agrees, it’s not my place to argue. There were no clauses about penalty for breach of contract anyway.”

A delicate…

No, an openly sarcastic voice.

And then,

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue loudly so that both Freesia and the divine archer could hear.

“What’s your problem?”

“Isn’t it ridiculous?”

In response to the divine archer’s sharp tone, I shrugged sarcastically.

“I’m well aware that elves come of age on their 108th birthday. But does that prevent them from making contracts?”

Mental maturity? 

Freesia is a clever girl who knows how to discern right from wrong, though she’s a bit curious and restless. 

From the moment she deliberately got swallowed by the sandworm to venture outside, it was clear. 

She could have avoided it. 

She could have escaped. 

But even after being swallowed, Freesia followed me. 

It wasn’t mere youthful wandering.

Of course, there was ambition and recklessness.

But along with that, she had the conviction to take responsibility for her choices.

What is the divine archer worried about? 

That she might stray onto the wrong path, opposing the World Tree?

No.

She has already destroyed the advance base of the beastmen who sought to attack the World Tree and saved her kin from human clutches.

‘She’s lived over 107 years; she must have matured long ago.’

Maybe because I’m not an elf, but to me, it seemed odd that the divine archer had kept her cooped up in the village for 107 years.

“Freesia, let me ask you.”

“Ask me?”

“Yes. Will you quietly return, only to be even more confined until you come of age, never to see the outside world again? This incident will bind you tighter. You might end up in an even higher cage compared to your current one.”

“…”

“Or-”

I suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Will you come with me, experiencing the warm sands of the west, the cool sea of the east, the cold snow of the north, and the bustling streets of the central region? Experience the vast world.”

“I…”

Her emerald pupils wavered with uncertainty.

The divine archer’s furious voice rang out.

“Freesia! Don’t listen to that vile human!”

“M-Mother…”

“I was going to tell you when you came of age, but it can’t be helped now. When you come of age, you will become the Guardian of the World Tree with me. What’s a village? You’ll be able to travel all over the south and enjoy the freedom you’ve longed for!”

At that, I felt my lips stretch into a wide grin.

What freedom? 

It’s just a new yoke called the Guardian of the World Tree.

“Hahaha! It seems your idea of freedom and mine are quite different.”

“…You.”

As expected, the honor bestowed by an old elf like her is worth nothing.

Freedom so tiny it’s like a grain of sand. That’s all it is.

Amidst the background noise of the divine archer grinding her teeth, I savored my mocking laughter and re-evaluated the situation.

I carefully observed the confused Freesia from head to toe.

‘Judging by the conditions alone, Freesia won’t shake off my hand. But…’

The only variable is that they are blood relatives.

She might be swayed by that bond and return to the village.

‘That won’t do. There’s so much work she needs to do.’

Traveling is just an excuse.

Not only for Freesia’s full potential, but also for the advice she can offer on the combination of magic, aura, and spirit magic as a high elf.

How could I let such a talent slip away?

‘I must include her in my list of companions.’

With that resolve, I put on a kind smile and spoke to sever her last attachment.

“Freesia, humans have a concept called ‘independence.’”

“Independence…?”

“Yes. It refers to when an adult child steps out of their parents’ shadow to build their own life.”

With that, I turned my head.

Grinning widely.

At an angle where Freesia couldn’t see, I showed a malicious smile to the divine archer.

I delivered the final blow.

“With adulthood approaching, this is the perfect time to leave your mother’s embrace, isn’t it?”

The perfect pretext for her desires.

The best paint to color Freesia’s pure canvas was the paint of rebellion.

Soon, the trembling that had been transmitted through her hand ceased.

“…Mother.”

“Freesia! Don’t tell me…!”

“I know I have to succeed the role of the Guardian of the World Tree. I understand that you kept me in the village because you were worried about the threats outside.”

“Freesia…! You understood your mother’s intentions.”

For a moment, the divine archer’s face brightened.

“Then let’s go back to the village. I’ll make you a salad after a long time.”

Seeing her mother, who was sure Freesia would come with her, Freesia shook her head.

“I’m sorry. But I’d rather travel the wider world with Frost Mane than remain as the Guardian of the World Tree.”

She did not let go of my hand.

In fact, she held it even tighter.

“Frost Mane, I did as you asked. I stopped the beastmen and helped defeat the slave hunters. Now it’s your turn to keep your promise.”

“Of course, as promised.”

“What are you deciding on your own?”

But, there was an interrupter who couldn’t accept such a peaceful scene.

A calm voice.

Of course, it was like the precursor to a volcanic eruption.

The divine archer, struggling to suppress her boiling anger, reached for her bow.

[Warning]

[The forest spirit is boosting the boss, the divine archer, with encouraging energy.]

[Strength and agility are increasing.]

A spirit’s buff before the battle.

She was already prepared to fight.

“…I’ve been too kind to someone who opposes the World Tree.”

It seems she finally realized what works on a madman.

But it was too late.

The cunning human had already secured her precious daughter!

“I’ll pierce that vile tongue of yours.”

“If you can.”

The divine archer from the original story could pierce dozens of heads with a single arrow, take on a wyvern alone, and survive the combined attack of thousands of monsters.

But, I raised the corners of my mouth into a smooth smile.

The divine archer.

She’s certainly a strong opponent, but not unbeatable.

‘The warning alarms on my status screen are quite accurate.’

Usually, it rings at its own convenience, but at least it reliably alerts me to crises and hardships that are difficult to handle.

The calm status screen was telling me.

That this crisis could be navigated successfully.

In that case, is it utterly impossible for me to repel her?

To conclude, of course, it is impossible.

The opponent is the divine archer.

One of those who face calamities head-on, a top-tier existence comparable to Freesia.

With my pathetic stats, there’s no way I could be her match.

But this is only true in a one-on-one situation.

“Master! Why do you provoke such a significant figure while instructing us to treat elves as favorably as possible?”

Tamer, speaking politely, trying to protect me.

“Huh, Master, it’s not my place to say, but the Calamity of Many Faces has bestowed quite a harsh trial. Well, I do enjoy facing strong opponents.”

The sword demon, slicing the space between me and the high elf with just one sword, with a friendly tone.

‘And Freesia, who chose me…’

Oh, not Freesia.

Even if she decided to run away, she wouldn’t be capable of attacking her mother.

“Do you think a mere three humans can defeat me?”

Kwah!

The divine archer was about to pull the bowstring without hesitation.

“That’s unlikely. I’m someone who seeks maximum safety.”

Especially when facing a skilled opponent like the divine archer, I must also give my all.

[Manage Followers]

I immediately summoned the religious system.

With Bathory absent, I had to summon my maximum power.

Then, as if focusing,

I flicked my hand and used a skill.

[Ex rank: Divine Summons]

[Faith Skill]

[Devoted followers must naturally respond to the call of their deity.]

[Target: Iscadel]

[Do you wish to summon?]

[Y/N]

“This Iscadel, gladly responds to the call of the king. Assign me any task.”

A reindeer, emitting a strange light from its antlers, knelt halfway, bowing its head in greeting.

A black tongue slithered between the cracks in its chest.

With this, I had three fanatics who would die for my command.

A force sufficient to face the divine archer.

I sensed the divine archer’s astonishment, but I ignored it.

“Stall for time. Until this elf lady and I can escape safely.”

“I could do it alone. With these strong comrades, I won’t even get injured. Rest assured and withdraw, my king.”

The wendigo, cheerfully jesting with a reindeer’s face, exchanged glances with me.

Soon.

Pulling the still firmly held hand, I kicked off the ground.

“Frost Maneee~!”

Through the cacophony of clashing magic and spells, arrows, swords, and the teeth of monsters, the desperate cries of the divine archer echoed from afar.

The spicy taste of anger burning my tongue was quite pungent.

“Mother…”

“Don’t hold onto regrets. Instead of affection, didn’t you choose more valuable freedom? I will support your courageous choice.”

Then, I turned my back, so Freesia couldn’t see my face.

And, since she’s an archer with good eyesight,

I smiled the victor’s smile towards the divine archer who could clearly see this side.

-Aaaahhhhhhh!

The grief of a mother who lost her daughter.

That sweet emotion made my shoulders tremble with delight.

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