Chapter 400

Extra Chapter. Forever the Elf Princess

All fairies in the world were born in that forest, from the cradle of warm and comfortable leaves created by the Mother Tree that connects the earth and the sky. Although the Mother Tree loved all of her children equally, she couldn't take care of all the children who went out of the cradle and set foot in the world...she gave birth to the most beautiful and pure child, making her a queen over all the fairies in the world.

"I'm going out. I'm going outside today!"

"Princess, please, no. There are many dangerous things out there."

They were at the center of the Mother's Forest, known as the birthplace of all fairies globally. Even today, under the shadow of the Mother Tree that stretched high in the sky with no end, she was committed to running away for the twenty-one millionth time since her birth.

"Even at this moment, dangerous monsters are hurting our fairies, so how can I stay still?"

She had pure gold hair that all fairies admired and praised and green jewel-like eyes that resembled the Mother Tree. She was hiding her immature body, which might have been only fifteen or sixteen now compared to a human girl, in a dress resembling a leaf. She was the owner of a beautiful appearance that would be able to melt into nature. Still, unfortunately, the small birds sitting on the nearby trees were frightened because she was talking with excitement.

"There are dangerous monsters, so you shouldn't go out! Because Mirole is more precious than all the fairies added together!"

The one stopping her firmly was her escort Dupa, the Forest Fairy of the Sunset. At her words, the girl let out a deep sigh.

"Dupa is an idiot. It doesn't mean I'm safe just by staying in here."

"The Mother is protecting this forest. The outside world is so cluttered these days, so stay inside until it's stable."

"When?"

The girl, High Elf Mirole, questioned her words sadly.

"When will the outside world be stabilized?"

"Ugh, that's..."

Dupa couldn't answer. Facing the girl's eyes, she couldn't bear to lie. She replied, biting her lips gently and putting her gaze elsewhere.

"One day...it will surely be one day. So please, wait."

"Dupa..."

No matter how strong the fairies were, there were many more powerful creatures than the fairies in this huge world. And most of them weren't friendly to the fairies. That was the reason that the ruler of all fairies, Mirole, couldn't go outside. Mirole, who noticed that it was too late to forcibly go through Dupa this time, had a sullen expression.

"You know, Dupa. Does my existence have any meaning?"

"Of course, Mirole. It wasn't until Mirole was born that the fairies in this forest were able to gain intelligence."

"Intelligence."

The High Elf muttered in front of the fairy, who made a strange face while reminiscing the distant past. Looking at it, it seemed that when she was born, Dupa wasn't what she was now. No, at that time, they couldn't even talk to each other like this. There was no language yet among the fairies.

"Dupa, how long has it been since I was born?"

"...It has been 700 years this year."

"Hmm...700 years."

The girl squatted on the floor and sighed. Obviously, 700 years wasn't that long. The only change that had happened to her in the meantime was that she had grown a little bit taller. However, many other fairies were born, died, and changed a lot in the meantime. Perhaps theirs and Mirole's concept of time was a bit different.

"Then, how long before I can get out of this place? Seven thousand years? Seventy thousand years?"

"The brave fairy warriors are growing fast. The power of the spirits is also growing. So, soon they will bring peace to this world."

At Dupa's words, Mirole pouted her lips.

"That's a lie...it's impossible with our strength."

"It's not a lie, Mirole."

"It is a lie. I don't know exactly what's going on outside, but I still know all the fairies..."

A slightly sorrowful smile was on Mirole's lips. It was something she knew because she had the authority to rule over all the fairies with the Mother Tree's power. Although the fairy tribe was obviously strong, it was weak compared to others that made up the world. At this rate, the forest would be destroyed by the evil men who sought the power of the Mother Tree.

"It isn't. We can overcome it! Even today, the fairy warriors won a battle and a lot of loot."

"If you're talking about the wild boar that we had today, even I can catch one."

It was natural because she was stronger than any fairy. But that wasn't the point. The point was that the enemy the fairy warriors caught was actually a monster that wasn't very strong. The fairy tribe had always tried to deceive Mirole by repeatedly claiming these two things, that it was safe here and that they were strong, but in fact, Mirole had been aware of their lies for a long time now.

"I heard the spirits whisper. The evil ones born in the land called Evildom are trying to enter this forest. There are giants up to tens of meters tall and big-mouthed wolves that eat spirits. I've heard that they have eaten many who tried to stop them."

"..."

The world just after its birth was extremely unstable, creating many links with other worlds that were supposed to be closed. After many world forces gathered together and collided, this world was born. And at its center, where the world's energy was condensed...ironically, was the Mother's Forest. Those who dominate this place would be able to take over the power of the world.

"You know, Dupa, I have to go out. Since I'm strong, I have to fight."

This unstable peace now wouldn't last long. Mirole had been increasingly aware of that fact in recent years.

"Still, you can't. If you die, then..."

"Then Mother Tree will give birth to a new queen. There is no problem."

"..."

If anything happened to the queen, the Mother Tree would give birth to a new queen. Other elves were also accepting it in their minds. But that's why they couldn't think of sending the queen they were serving to a dangerous place. She was the surrogate for the Mother Tree, the centerpiece of the fairy tribe...Mirole was loved not just because she was a queen but because she was Mirole.

"Dupa, I wasn't born to be pampered like this. I was born to lead the fairy tribe and fight. You know that, too."

"I'm sorry, Mirole. We need you. We can't send you to a dangerous place."

"Sigh."

Now that Dupa responded, not even trying to hide her feelings, Mirole just sighed. She, of course, knew it would be like this. How many times had this kind of conversation happened between the two? She tried to make a gap in her mind by giving avoidance was also getting better and better.

"Huh, what is that?"

Suddenly, Mirole shouted. However, Dupa snorted without even looking back.

"Haven't you already used that technique in the old days?"

"No, Dupa, you fool! I mean, look over there!"

"Even if you say that, I won't be fooled."

By that time, Mirole, who had run out of patience, took her by force and turned her. It was only then that Dupa noticed the abnormality that had happened in the corner of the forest.

"...What the hell is that?"

It was in the middle of Mother Forest. A colorful light was rising from the depths where even the fairies didn't go much. The light looked mysterious and ominous. Dupa froze at the sight she had never seen in her life.

"It seems to be the power of a summoning series."

Mirole muttered. Dupa instinctively grabbed the girl's body.

"It seems to be not too far from the Mother's shadow. Stay still, I will check the risk and return."

"No need to do that. I just have to ask the spirits."

Should she say that it was fortunate that she didn't want to go herself? Even though Dupa was relieved by it, she pulled Mirole into her arms and hugged her with anxious eyes.

"Ouch, you idiot. It's uncomfortable."

"I will be like this until you calm down."

"You talking about who?"

Mirole, while complaining, was gently embraced by Dupa and summoned the spirits. The spirit of the wind that filled this forest, the spirit of the earth that rolled around in the dirt, the spirit of the flame that protected the forest, and the spirit of the water playing by dipping his feet in the spring. And even the tree spirit that only she, who was born with the grace of the Mother Tree, could communicate with.

"Guys, the forest is in danger. Please check the place where that light is shining."

―I already checked!

―It's a man and a woman!

―Their energy was so strong that everyone was surprised as soon as they came!

The answer of the spirits was unexpected. Mirole's eyes widened, and Dupa, who was holding her, reacted.

"Their energy is strong?"

—Yes!

―They seemed to be able to make Dupa fly with a flick!

―That's because Dupa is weak!

"T-that's not what's important now!"

That was also important, but Dupa was trying to pretend not to know. Mirole lightly pushed Dupa, who was hugging her harder and harder, checking with the tree spirit who was making the calmest face.

"What kind of people are they?"

―The woman was a demon. I don't know about the man.

"If she's a demon, she's bad!"

―Yes, but she's probably not bad.

"What is that...so, what about the man? What do you mean you don't know?"

The face of the spirit of the tree changed for the first time. It seemed that he couldn't understand, as well.

―It looks like he's a human, but...he is very different from the humans of this era.

"A human? Are you saying that a human is with a demon?"

Only strong races survive in this world now. The fairy tribe could live near the Mother Tree because they had that minimum amount of power. But humans were different. That race, which had just been born, had no talent. They had low magic power, no outstanding qualities, and weak physical bodies, so they couldn't settle anywhere and just ran away.

"Is the demon harassing the human?"

―To be precise.

The tree spirit replied with a subtle smile.

―The demon is wooing the human.

"...Huh?"

"What?"

Mirole and Dupa tilted their heads with the same expression. The spirit of flame shyly blushed.

—He's handsome.

―Yes, he's very handsome.

The spirit of water added. In addition, the spirit of the wind danced in the air and said exaggeratedly.

―He's so handsome as if he could possess the world!

―I thought he was a woman at first.

―But it's subtly different. Anyway, he's handsome. He's obviously not human.

―A human can't be that handsome.

―It would be nice if he was a spirit summoner.

―Mirole, please introduce me to him. Please.

―Yes, you should.

"..."

Spirits were those who weren't supposed to be deceived by appearances. And those spirits were saying he was that handsome? Mirole, who was curious, gently pushed Dupa's arm from around her shoulder.

"Now I'm curious."

"...Mirole?"

"You said it's near here? They may be dangerous, so shouldn't we check them?"

"I will send other fairies. You stay still here."

―Hey!

The spirit of the wind shouted when Mirole was thinking about how to break through Dupa's resolute reaction.

―What should we do? They're under attack!

―The strongest monster in the forest!

―The vulgar giant who grabbed the Mother and said he was going to pull her out!

―I guess the monster ran after the light!

Baaang! A huge vibration ran through the earth. Mirole instinctively raised her head. She saw the monster showing its head through the top of the tree growing tens of meters high.

"Humph...Mirole, hide in the shadows. I will intercept with the elite warriors."

"Dupa!"

―Dupa is the weakest among them.

― If it's Mirole, she might be able to deal with him.

―But if Mirole gets hurt, we will be very sad too.

—Huh?

However, when Dupa was determined and stepped forward, this time, the tree spirit tilted his head and said.

―The giant is dead.

―It's true, the giant is dead!

―What? How did he die?

—He's dead!

―The human killed him.

Mirole's eyes widened again while listening to the voices of the spirits talking loudly from all sides.

"The man killed the giant...?"

―I don't know how he killed him, but it was definitely the human!

―He grabbed the air and suddenly broke the giant's neck!

―I guess he wasn't human, after all!

―What do I do? He's so cool. I'm probably in love with him.

The wind spirit pretended to fall in the air. If it weren't for Mirole in front of her, she would have run to the man right now.

"You mean, the human, the giant...?"

Dupa was so shocked that she muttered blankly. No, she couldn't believe it. However, since the spirits don't tell lies, it was probably because the spirits had seen it wrong. Yes, that was definitely...

"...Mirole?"

It was then that Dupa realized that Mirole wasn't in her arms. It was obvious that she was out of her mind after being surprised by the shocking news. Even after blinking her eyes and looking around, she couldn't see Mirole, so Dupa became pale and shouted.

"M-Mirole has escaped!"

―Yippee!

From far away, she heard the sound of the spirit of the wind shouting with excitement.

―I'll meet them with Mirole and come back!

"Catch Miroleeeeeeeeeee!"

"Mirole!?"

"The wind spirits suddenly stopped listening!"

At the sound of her yelling, the fairies who were nearby also jumped up, but there was no way to capture Mirole, who joined forces with the spirit of the wind. It was the moment when the eternal elf princess, who still wasn't the queen, succeeded in running away.

The prologue of Yo-Ma Great War Zero had come to an end.