Book 5: Volume 2 Chapter 5, Welcome

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Kousuke’s cheeks twitched as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes.

 

“I wonder what she was talking about when she said she was trapped in the past and couldn’t change the current situation.”

 

“Hahahaha.”

 

Even Collete, as expected, was overwhelmed and could not quite process it. Shrein, standing beside them, tilted her head in confusion. It was understandable. After all, she had not been there to hear about the conversation they had with Romana.

 

That was why she could not connect the meaning of what was happening before her eyes with Kousuke and Collete’s conversation. Of course, she had already heard about Collete’s past directly, so she had some understanding of the situation.

 

“For now, why don’t you start by accepting what’s happening before your eyes?”

 

Shrein said, directing her gaze forward.

 

Kousuke and his companions, visiting Sewri Forest village, were now being welcomed by many Elves. At least, as far as they could see, they were being enthusiastically received. The reception was completely different from their previous visit.

 

“How can I put it… When things are this different, it’s hard to believe they won’t just turn their backs on you again so easily.”

 

After pushing through the crowds and being led to a room in the mansion, Kousuke’s expression looked exhausted.

 

“I didn’t expect it to be this intense either.”

 

The Elves, upon seeing Kousuke and his companions, unanimously welcomed them. What’s more, some were ardent believers in Kousuke and Collete. Kousuke had always tried to avoid detection as a living god on the 5th floor and in other towns, but he had never expected to be treated like this in the Elf Village.

 

“That must mean the Elves have been waiting so long for children.”

 

Shrein, who was not caught up in the people’s enthusiasm, calmly expressed her opinion. Romana, smiling wryly as she watched Kousuke and Collete, nodded in agreement.

 

“That’s right. The sense of stagnation that had continued in the village for so long was suddenly blown away.”

 

“I see. So it felt like all the values that had existed until then were swept away in an instant?”

 

“I guess so.”

 

Customs and traditions inherited from the past could not be rejected outright. However, Romana continued, saying she had finally realized it was not good to become too attached to them.

 

“But that doesn’t mean we should completely discard them, either.”

 

Kousuke, who had regained his composure while listening to their conversation, looked at Romana.

 

Inherited values had value in themsElves. Kousuke believed that rather than completely rejecting them, it was important to adapt to changing times. Of course, these were his values, and they might not be compatible with Elves, who had always cherished and protected old customs. What was important varied from person to person, and naturally there were differences between species as well.

 

“Of course. They may seem enthusiastic toward you both, but for now, few people are hoping for drastic change. That will shift eventually, though.”

 

The Elves had accepted Kousuke and Collete regarding the increase in children, but as Romana pointed out, most of their other values remained the same as before. Romana thought that even if change occurred, it would be gradual.

 

The same was true in the Elf Village within the Tower. It had been over ten years since the Elves moved from their previous homes to the Tower, and apart from the children, not much had changed. The village believed that even if change came, it would be gradual over time.

 

Kousuke and Collete, who had been watching the village’s changes from the outside, shared the same view. Kousuke had no intention of forcing his own values on the Elves.

 

Romana had not invited Kousuke and the others to the village just to show the Elves’ appreciation. She also wanted to express gratitude for the two couples becoming pregnant.

 

That evening, representatives from the village gathered for a welcome party. The food and drinks made from forest ingredients delighted Kousuke and the others. As was typical of Elves, there was no wild partying even with drinking, but it was still easy to understand how the Elves felt.

 

It was clear they were truly grateful and not just showing it superficially.

 

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Kousuke and the others arrived in Sewri Forest village and decided to stay the night.

 

They could have returned to the management layer directly thanks to the teleportation gate, but the Elves insisted, and Shiomala said she had business with them. She wasn’t in a hurry and would tell them tomorrow, then left the banquet, so they didn’t hear the details then.

 

Kousuke didn’t want to push Collete too hard, but Collete herself laughed and said not to worry. In the end, they decided to stay the following day as well.

 

And the day after that, Kousuke and the others met Yuta at the World Tree.

 

The location was Shiomala’s mansion. Normally, Yuta wouldn’t show herself freely, but with Kousuke having named her, that restriction did not apply. However, given their history, it was clear she could not just appear in public, so that location was chosen.

 

If Collete were not pregnant, she could have traveled all the way to the World Tree’s base, but Kousuke and Shrein naturally stopped her.

 

“To an Elf, there’s no difference between the forest and the plains,” Collete had said, but Kousuke and the others insisted. In the end, Collete gave in, and the meeting took place at the mansion.

 

It had been a long time since they had last met. After Yuta exchanged greetings, she turned her gaze to Collete.

 

“Congratulations, Collete.”

 

“Oh, thank you.”

 

Collete bowed hurriedly, suddenly congratulated on her pregnancy. She’d never expected the World Tree itself to congratulate her on something so personal.

 

Of course, this was also Collete’s own lack of awareness. Collete herself was a shrine maiden of Esena, so it was not particularly strange for another World Tree to congratulate her on her pregnancy. And since the child was Kousuke’s, it seemed natural to Yuta to congratulate them on the child’s impending birth.

 

“…What’s with that look on your face, Shiomala? I’d at least congratulate them, wouldn’t I?”

 

“N-no. I didn’t mean to…”

 

Shiomala, who looked even more surprised than Collete, quietly looked away when Yuta pointed it out. Yuta, who had been watching Shiomala intently, sighed.

 

“In the first place, you always said, ‘I’m a High Elf,’ and never got married, let alone had children. I at least congratulated you, didn’t I?”

 

“But she never let me,” Yuta continued, and Shiomala looked stricken. Seeing the exchange between the two, Kousuke and the others covered their mouths to stifle laughter.