Infinite Adaptation: Starting As A Level 1 Slime-Chapter 59: New Threat [PART 3]

Elven Kingdom.

At the center of the kingdom stood the World Tree.

Its trunk was so vast that a hundred elves holding hands could not encircle it.

Before it knelt a woman.

Her hair was long and green, cascading down her back. Her ears were long and pointed, marking her unmistakably as one of the elven kind. Her eyes were closed in reverence, her hands pressed together in prayer.

She was the Elf Saintess.

"Great World Tree," she spoke softly, "this child offers her respects."

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the air shimmered.

A figure materialized before the kneeling saintess - a woman of ethereal beauty. Her hair was the same shade of green, her ears equally pointed, but there was something fundamentally different about her.

The avatar of the World Tree gazed down at the saintess.

"What is it?" She asked, her voice gentle.

The saintess kept her head bowed.

"This child’s heart is restless. I do not understand why."

The avatar’s gaze drifted away, looking toward something far beyond the forest.

She exhaled slowly.

"The forest is in danger. It is normal for the spirits to feel restless."

Her eyes returned to the saintess.

"Elves can be considered half-spirit. You, with the strongest connection to spirits among your kind, are bound to feel this unease more than others."

The saintess’s head shot up, her eyes wide.

"The forest is in danger?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Is it the Demon King?"

The avatar sighed again.

"Well... there is that too."

She fell silent.

The Demon King aside...

Her thoughts turned inward.

That creature.

If left alone, it really might lead to the end of the whole world as we know it.

Let alone just this little forest.

She sighed once more.

What to do, what to do...

Should I eliminate the threat before it grows?

She shook her head slightly.

No.

I remember meeting it just a while back, and it was already that frightening.

Who knows what could happen if provoked?

Especially considering I am not at my full power.

She exhaled heavily.

Forget it.

The destruction of the world is not set in stone. It is just a possibility.

In theory, I could destroy the world too. So am I to accept someone coming to hunt me down based on mere potential?

Another sigh escaped her lips.

The saintess watched the avatar with growing concern.

What is going on for the World Tree to sigh so much?

Is the threat really that dangerous?

Finally, the avatar’s eyes refocused on the saintess.

"Have you chosen the person to join the Hero’s party from our tribe?"

The saintess straightened.

"I have someone in mind. A talented warrior from the..."

The avatar waved her hand dismissively.

"Don’t bother."

The saintess blinked.

"That girl, Yuna. She is talented. This expedition could prove useful for her growth."

The avatar nodded to herself.

"She will join the Hero’s party."

The saintess hesitated.

"Yuna? Isn’t she... the mixed race?"

"Yes."

"Is she not too weak?"

The saintess’s brow furrowed with concern. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"We are half-spirits after all. Being born of a human and an elf... would that not dilute it further?"

The avatar tilted her head.

"Normally, that would be true..."

The saintess waited for elaboration.

"What do you mean by..."

The avatar yawned widely, cutting her off.

"Anyway, this matter is settled."

She began to fade, her form growing more translucent.

"I am still tired. I will go back to rest."

The saintess quickly pressed her forehead to the ground.

"This child respectfully sends off the Great World Tree."

The avatar vanished completely.

...

The saintess rose to her feet and turned around.

Her expression was serious.

What is the hero’s party anyway? Just a bunch of kids playing house.

Maybe I should meet that troublemaker Roselle.

But just thinking about it...

She looked down.

Her hand was trembling.

She shook her head vigorously.

Too troublesome, too troublesome.

That woman is insane.

At that moment...

"Saintess."

Another elf approached, bowing respectfully.

"Do you have any instructions?"

The saintess composed herself instantly, her serene mask sliding back into place.

"Expand the range of our monitoring. Report anything suspicious to me immediately."

The elf nodded.

"Understood."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

The elf paused, looking back.

"Is there anything else?"

The saintess was silent for a moment.

"...Monitor the rabbit tribe."

The elf’s eyes widened.

"This..."

She showed clear hesitation.

The rabbit tribe’s territory belonged to the demon princess, arguably the most dangerous entity in the beast forest. If one had to choose, it would be better to encounter even the demon king rather than the demon princess.

The saintess cleared her throat.

"Just from afar is fine. We simply want to know their general situation."

The elf remained hesitant, but ultimately bowed her head.

"As you command."

She departed swiftly.

...

The saintess stood alone among the tall ancient trees.

Her composed expression crumbled.

That girl doesn’t care about her own life.

And she avenges every little grievance.

She won’t come find trouble with me... right?

Her hands clenched at her sides.

Argh!

Is it too late to take it back now?

...

The cathedral was quiet.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the polished stone floor. The statue of the Eternal Moon loomed overhead, serene and ethereal.

Before it stood Lunaris.

And before him knelt Mira, her head bowed low.

"This servant apologizes for making the Lord step in personally."

Her voice was steady but laced with shame.

"I have failed in my duties. I deserve punishment."

Lunaris looked down at her.

This girl is really daring.

Spying on the King of arguably the most influential human nation in the world.

That takes guts.

Still, she was his most capable subordinate. Managing to actually evade those powerful opponents for so long was no small feat.

Hehe...

If I could train her to beat that disobedient Roselle...

He noticed Mira glancing up at him.

He realized he was showing an evil smile unconsciously.

Ahem.

He cleared his throat and composed himself.