It’s a little longer than usual.
In the floor where the elves live in the South Tower, there is a single giant tree.
Of course, that giant tree is the World Tree.
The elves have built a settlement centered around the World Tree.
However, within a one-kilometer radius of the World Tree, there is only one facility.
To elves, the World Tree is a “sacred tree,” and it is their natural principle not to approach it carelessly.
Only a limited number of people are allowed to enter the single building and its surroundings.
These are Colette, the World Tree’s Shrine Maiden, and Kousuke, who has been approved by Esena, the World Tree’s fairy.
To be precise, one can enter if both of them approve.
Currently, approaching the World Tree with Kousuke or Colette accompanying them is tacitly permitted.
It’s a kind of unspoken understanding.
An elf was trying to enter that restricted area.
However, no one tried to stop her, even though they saw it.
This is because Colette had issued a notice permitting entry.
That elf’s name was Sheryl.
She used to be the World Tree’s Shrine Maiden.
The reason Sheryl is permitted entry is simply that she was once the World Tree’s Shrine Maiden.
To the elves, the World Tree’s Shrine Maiden sometimes holds authority equivalent to a spokesperson for the gods.
It was only natural that those who had served as a Shrine Maiden, even if only once, would be respected by the elves.
Of course, she does not have the same influence as the current Shrine Maiden.
Regardless, there is a reason why Sheryl can now enter the forbidden area.
That reason lay before her eyes.
The area was where the World Tree’s roots were spread out in multiple layers, overlapping each other.
However, the roots avoided one specific spot, leaving the ground bare.
Colette was lying on the ground with her eyes closed.
This is the reason Sheryl is allowed to enter.
Colette is currently undergoing training to enhance her powers.
***
Colette is lying with her eyes closed at the foot of the World Tree, but she is not just sleeping.
It is a different state from the sleep ordinary people experience.
Thanks to Kousuke’s blessing, Colette can now connect more deeply with the spirits, but she is not yet fully satisfied.
She is trying to expand that power.
Frankly, she is trying to evolve just like others.
While it hasn’t been explicitly stated that Peach has evolved, one can tell by looking at Silvia and Kousuke’s attitudes.
It’s clear they’re not saying anything because there’s a reason.
It’s probably the same for other members, not just Colette.
Considering that, it means she is the only one who hasn’t evolved.
However, she is not in a hurry.
Unlike Humans, elves have long lifespans.
It would be fine to evolve within that time, but she doesn’t think she should take that long lifespan for granted.
While it’s true that they have longer lifespans than humans, time is still finite.
She lies with her eyes closed to avoid receiving unnecessary information.
She is trying to take in only the information from the spirits in a relaxed state.
However, if she were to see the spirits or hear their voices, it would be no different from before.
Even elves who are sensitive to sensations can do it.
If that’s the case, then Colette’s goal of evolving into a High Elf must be something entirely different.
Watching Colette lying there, Sheryl spoke to the air.
“What is her condition?”
In response to her words, Esena appeared in Sheryl’s line of sight.
Near the World Tree, Esena can manifest even if not by Kousuke’s side.
Esena appeared, tilted her head for a moment, and then replied.
“It’s not going well yet.”
Sheryl sighed at the reply.
“…I see.”
Three years have nearly passed since Colette began this training.
Sheryl doesn’t know if it’s going well or not.
The reason Sheryl visits to check on her is to see if there are any changes in her condition.
Recently, Colette has been in this state for several days.
She occasionally wakes up, drinks some water, and then returns to the same state.
Sheryl is not only visiting to check on her condition but also entrusted with the management of this South Tower.
However, she isn’t doing anything new; she has just been asked to be notified if any major changes occur.
Sheryl also has no intention of meddling with the tower’s management unnecessarily.
Even though she has Kousuke’s permission.
She is assisting because she understands what Colette is doing, but she doesn’t desire more than that.
In the end, Colette did not wake up that day, and Sheryl returned to the settlement as usual.
***
One day, amidst those unchanging days.
Finally, a change would occur.
Sheryl visited the management layer and heard from Shurein that Silvia’s child had finally been born.
Colette, who had awoken before, had been informed that Silvia was pregnant.
Colette, who had heard from Silvia, with whom she had formed an adventurer party before meeting Kousuke, that she had a child, was extremely happy.
At that time, she had even ended her training and gone to see her.
The news that Silvia had given birth safely would be the most she’d want to hear.
As it had been many days since she entered her sleep, it was a surprise that Colette had not woken up by now.
Sheryl, with the information Colette had been waiting for, was about to head to the foot of the World Tree when she was stopped by some unexpected people.
Who were they but the High Elf trio?
“Is something wrong?”
Surprised to see three High Elves, who rarely appeared, together, Sheryl asked.
“Don’t you realize? No, she hasn’t returned yet.”
Without answering Sheryl’s question, Riston nodded to himself.
Seeing this, Zepar gave advice with a bitter smile.
“That’s not an answer, is it? … The Shrine Maiden did it. You should go see her condition immediately.”
“We’ll be waiting here, so please bring her back as soon as possible. We want to give her our blessings,” Serara added after Zepar.
There is no need to say who “the Shrine Maiden” is.
After all, among the High Elves, there is only one person they would call Shrine Maiden.
After bowing to the three High Elves, Sheryl hurried to Colette’s side and confirmed that she was glowing.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t Colette herself glowing, but spirits flying around her, as if to bless her.
As Sheryl approached, the light immediately disappeared.
Sheryl mistakenly thought it was because she had gotten closer, but it was simply that the spirits had moved away slightly because Colette had woken up.
“…Hm? Sheryl?”
“Colette! You did it?”
Sheryl rushed to Colette, who was squinting at the light of the spirits flying around her.
It was an achievement she couldn’t accomplish when she was the Shrine Maiden.
Sheryl could tell that Colette had definitely evolved into a High Elf.
However, Colette wore a slightly troubled expression.
“Ah, yes. I was able to evolve, but it seems I became a different species from a High Elf.”
“…Huh?!”
Sheryl was surprised by the unexpected words.
“So, what did you become? And how did you know?”
“Before I woke up, God Spica told me in a dream. She said I successfully became a Spirit Elf.”
Hearing Colette’s words, Sheryl’s mind went blank for a moment.
Colette, still with a troubled expression, scratched her cheek.
Spirit Elves are said to be primordial elves, a race different from elves and High Elves.
However, even when people say this, their existence is something that only appears in myths.
Some people even laugh about it, calling it a tall tale.
“Wh-what on earth…”
Sheryl, who had recovered from her blank mind, was stunned by the magnitude of the event.
She knew that the elves in this floor would not do anything to Colette, but she would undoubtedly become an object of worship.
At worst, she might even surpass Kousuke.
Perhaps sensing this concern, Colette said with a smile.
“It’s alright. Kousuke won’t mind. Besides, neither Esena nor I will allow that.”
Sheryl’s concern was that the elves might say they would break away from Kousuke’s protection.
For all elf species, the existence of a Spirit Elf is as good as a god, so it was not unreasonable to have such concerns.
“Yes. Yes, that’s right.”
However, above all, Esena would not allow such a thing.
Of course, as Colette herself said, she would never allow it either.
Thus, with Colette’s evolution into a Spirit Elf, the elf settlement began to undergo gradual but sure changes.
To all the Colette fans (if there are any lol), thank you for waiting!
Finally, the last one, Colette, has also evolved.
Although it ended with a seemingly final tone, the elves will not do anything to Kousuke from now on lol.
In the first place, there is no way the elves would choose to betray Esena, so it is entirely the杞憂 of Colette and Sheryl.
