Chapter 349: Aelyssa Sylvaine

Noah yawned quietly as he stood among his friends.

They had been inside the World Tree’s territory for quite some time now, and Eldrian was once again giving them a detailed explanation about the sacred tree, its history, and its importance to the elves.

For the students, it was supposed to be an educational experience.

For Noah, it was slowly turning into a very peaceful nap opportunity.

Near the base of the World Tree was a large open area surrounded by carefully maintained grass and flowers. Several stone platforms had been placed there, along with small shrines and carved pillars bearing ancient elven symbols.

This was one of the places where ordinary people were permitted to come and pray.

The students had first been allowed to walk around the enormous trunk and observe the World Tree from up close.

And up close it was simply overwhelming. The security around it was equally impressive.

Elven soldiers were stationed everywhere.

Some patrolled the surrounding area, while others stood near the roots and important locations. Magical barriers were hidden throughout the area, and Noah could sense faint traces of mana within several of the runes carved into the ground.

Clearly, the elves weren’t taking any chances with the safety of the World Tree. Yet despite all that security, there was something else that caught Noah’s attention.

The atmosphere, it was strangely peaceful. The moment Noah had entered the immediate vicinity of the World Tree, the tension he usually carried seemed to gradually disappear.

His shoulders felt lighter. His breathing became slower. Even his thoughts seemed quieter. There was something in the air.

He couldn’t quite identify it. He felt that way since coming to capital city but now from this close this was more noticeable.

Perhaps it was simply the effect of standing beneath something so ancient and magnificent.

Whatever it was, it created a soothing sensation that spread throughout his body.

The air itself felt incredibly fresh.

Every breath seemed cleaner than the last, carrying the faint scent of grass, flowers, and the enormous tree surrounding them.

Noah closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

’Haa...’

He could honestly stay here all day. In fact... ’I could probably just lie down right here and sleep.’

The thought was strangely tempting. His eyelids became heavier.

"Don’t fall asleep."

A soft voice suddenly whispered beside his ear. Warm breath brushed against his ear, almost exactly like what he had done to Lyria the previous day.

Noah opened one eye. He slowly turned his head.

Arisha was standing beside him with her arms crossed, a faintly amused expression on her face.

"Sure... I won’t."

Noah smiled. "But even if I did, I know you’d catch me. You’d probably even give me a lap pillow."

Arisha stared at him for a moment. Then she chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I will."

Noah grinned. ’She’s getting way too used to my nonsense.’

The two returned their attention to Eldrian.

The students were scattered around the enormous base of the World Tree in small groups, listening to the Wood Elf explain its history.

"The World Tree doesn’t merely provide a sacred place for our people," Eldrian said. "It also has a profound effect on the surrounding environment."

He gestured toward the enormous tree.

"The World Tree continuously produces and circulates natural mana. Because of that, the concentration of mana in this region is significantly higher than in most other parts of Elythraen."

Several students listened with fascination.

"You may have noticed that the air here feels different."

Noah opened his eyes slightly.

"The life rich mana produced by the World Tree interacts with the surrounding environment. It nourishes the soil, strengthens the plants, and maintains the natural ecosystem around the tree."

Eldrian smiled. "For thousands of years, this region has remained fertile because of its influence."

Noah listened quietly. Then Eldrian began explaining the ancient history of the World Tree.

"You have probably already heard some version of this story."

He looked toward the enormous trunk behind him.

"According to the records preserved by our people, the World Tree first appeared during the First Era, thousands upon thousands of years ago."

The students became more attentive.

"It was a time when the world was consumed by a great conflict. The Sun God and his divine allies fought against numerous evil entities that sought to destroy or corrupt the world."

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Eldrian continued.

"The war lasted for many years. Entire lands were devastated, civilizations were destroyed, and vast regions were left barren and corrupted."

He paused. "Eventually, however, the Sun God and his companions emerged victorious."

Some of the students looked toward the World Tree with reverence.

"According to the ancient records, after the final battle, the Sun God came to this very place."

Eldrian pointed toward the ground beneath the enormous tree.

"At that time, this land was nothing like what you see today. It was said to be barren, lifeless, and contaminated by the remnants of the war."

His voice became solemn. "Then the Sun God shed a single drop of his divine blood upon the earth."

A few students gasped quietly. "That drop contained an immense force of life. From the ground where it fell, a small sprout emerged."

Eldrian looked upward.

"That sprout eventually grew into the World Tree."

The students gazed at the enormous canopy above them.

"And as the tree grew, its roots spread throughout the land. Its presence gradually cleansed the corruption left behind by the war, restored the soil, and allowed plants and other forms of life to return."

He smiled. "According to our history, the barren land eventually became the flourishing region you see today."

Eldrian spread his arms slightly.

"And with the birth of the World Tree, the First Era came to an end and the Second Era began."

The students listened in silence.

Noah, however, remained unconvinced. He stared at the enormous tree.

’Interesting story.’

He didn’t believe a single part of it. Not necessarily because the story was impossible.

Rather, there were too many convenient gaps.

The story had been passed down for thousands of years, yet apparently the exact circumstances surrounding the World Tree’s birth were known with certainty.

The Sun God had fought some vague group of "evil entities." It sounded more like a religious legend than an accurate historical record.

’There was probably a war.’

Noah’s eyes narrowed. ’But the enemies Eldrian mentioned weren’t evil entities at all. Could they have been Monarchs?’

He didn’t know. It was only a theory.

Standing beneath the world tree, surrounded by its gentle aura, Noah felt that strange sense of peace once again.

His eyelids became heavy. ’Maybe I’ll just sleep for five minutes...’

Arisha glanced at him.

"Don’t."

Noah immediately opened his eyes. "...I wasn’t going to."

"Sure."

Arisha smiled knowingly.

Noah sighed. ’Why does she know me so well?’

Then Noah glanced around and noticed Marina and Ken standing several meters away from them.

Both of them appeared to be listening to the conversation, their attention focused on the group.

Noah narrowed his eyes. ’There they are... I wonder what those two are planning.’

Before he could think much further, however, he suddenly sensed something.

Noah looked up. He wasn’t the only one who had noticed it.

Everyone around them had raised their heads toward the sky, staring at a figure floating above the ground near the palace.

Someone was slowly descending from the branches of a massive tree.

’She... she is...’ Noah immediately understood who she was.

The Elven Queen. As the woman slowly descended, Noah couldn’t help but hold his breath.

Elves were renowned for their exceptional beauty, so Noah had naturally expected the Queen to be beautiful.

But he hadn’t expected this.

She looked almost otherworldly. Like a fairy who had stepped out of a mythical tale.

Her long, golden hair flowed gently behind her, reaching well below her waist. Its color was noticeably lighter than Lyria’s rich golden hair, giving it an almost ethereal radiance beneath the sunlight.

Her skin was smooth and fair, completely free of blemishes. Her emerald-green eyes were deep and vivid, resembling the lush forests surrounding the elven capital.

Two elegant, pointed ears emerged from beneath her flowing locks, unmistakably revealing her elven heritage.

She wore an elegant white-and-green royal robe, its design blending the dignity of royalty with the natural beauty characteristic of the elves. Her figure was slim and with perfect curves. Not big neither too small.

The moment she appeared, every elf present lowered themselves to one knee.

The students quickly followed their example.

Noah did the same.

The Queen’s feet gently touched the ground.

She wore elegant wooden sandals with raised heels, adding a subtle touch of regality to her already imposing presence.

While Noah remained kneeling with his head lowered, he couldn’t see her expression clearly.

But those who had a clear view of her face could see the difference.

Her emerald eyes were cold and calculating, quietly observing everyone before her.

Then, after a brief moment, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"You may all stand. There is no need to kneel, for you are our honored guests."

Her voice was gentle and dignified, yet it carried an unmistakable authority.

Everyone slowly rose to their feet. Some looked nervous. Others were fascinated.

After all, standing before them was one of the most important figures in the entire elven continent.

The woman looked across the gathered students before speaking again.

"I am the Queen of this realm, Aelyssa Sylvaine."