How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 206

“Give you my hand?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say it helped last time?”

“Ah…….”

Killis hesitated before shaking his head.

“It’s alright. I appreciate the thought.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m just…… afraid I might lose control. My condition isn’t stable right now…….”

I hadn’t expected to be refused. Without thinking, I pressed further—only realizing the implications of his words afterward. Killis was also wary, remembering what happened last time.

Ah, I see.

It wasn’t just me who was anxious and afraid.

I suddenly felt ashamed of my self-centeredness. Being constantly pampered by those around me must have made me take things for granted. Though I couldn’t deny that Killis’s own displays of affection had contributed too.

“Next time……. May I ask you next time?”

“Of course.”

His pleading tone left me no choice but to nod. Honestly, something as simple as holding hands shouldn’t be a big deal.

While Killis rested, I finally had time to survey our surroundings. His sudden deterioration had left me too preoccupied earlier.

Like before crossing the river, the area was densely forested except for the riverbank. But there was one striking difference…….

“A tree?”

Absently glancing upward, I froze at the unexpected sight. Towering above the forest was an enormous tree—so massive that its upper branches vanished into the clouds. Only sparse lower branches were visible from below.

How could a tree that huge even exist?

Awe and bewilderment warred within me. Something that large should have been visible from miles away. Yet I was certain I hadn’t seen it before crossing the river…… Or had I simply missed it?

Ding!

[<System> You have witnessed the World Tree. High probability of encountering other races nearby.]

The long-absent system window identified the tree’s nature.

So that’s the World Tree.

I’d only read about it in legends, never imagining I’d see it in person. Its majestic form was breathtaking, the sky-obscuring branches so mystically beautiful that I couldn’t help staring. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one affected.

“Fascinating,” Reno remarked, standing beside me as we both gazed upward. “It wasn’t visible before crossing the river.”

“Right? It only appeared after we crossed?”

“Yes. The spirits say it’s due to some powerful force.”

“A powerful force?”

“Likely the World Tree’s power,” Killis interjected, having joined us.

“You’re better already?”

“I can manage to travel.”

That wasn’t exactly a confirmation of recovery. His face remained deathly pale.

“Shouldn’t you rest longer?”

“We should move before sunset—”

“Her Highness is right, Duke Yelpen,” Isaac cut in. “We have no guarantee the elves will receive us favorably. You should conserve your strength for potential confrontations.”

“To add to Isaac’s point,” Reno said, “now that we’re here, a short rest won’t hurt. The pursuers likely stopped at the river.”

“Stopped?”

“Duke Futurum’s attackers. Even he wouldn’t dare send trackers into another race’s territory.”

He added less confidently, “Unless they’re completely invisible, of course.”

Their practical arguments seemed to sway Killis, who reluctantly agreed to rest longer.

Though I wanted to let him recover in peace, part of his earlier explanation intrigued me.

“Hey,” I said softly, sitting beside him. “What exactly is the World Tree’s power?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. The World Tree exerts influence over a certain area centered around itself.”

“Ah……. So that’s why we couldn’t see this view before crossing—the power was blocking it.”

“The World Tree’s power extends beyond that,” Killis continued.

“There’s more?”

“Yes. While safe within its domain, those who leave may suffer confusion, memory loss, and other side effects from exposure to its power.”

“Wow…….”

I’d never heard of this before, despite all my reading. The realization that even extensive research had gaps was both humbling and impressive.

“Of course, this is just conjecture. Most who claim to have seen the World Tree and other races can’t properly recall details afterward.”

“That conjecture seems credible,” Reno chimed in. “Few could witness this sight and forget it. The fact it remains so well-preserved suggests deliberate protection.”

“Lord Reno makes a valid point,” Killis acknowledged. “Though kingdom law strictly prohibits enslaving any race, including others…….”

“It’s impossible to claim it never happens,” Reno added matter-of-factly. Not that he’d know firsthand—despite being a Medietas, he’d never been enslaved.

“So the river marks the boundary of its domain?”

“Likely.”

“It appeared right after crossing. The spirits confirmed this too.”

“While we’re safe for now, returning might pose problems,” I mused. We’d need to prepare for the World Tree’s effects when recrossing.

“Don’t worry,” Killis reassured. “We’ll be less affected when leaving.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Mana and spirit affinity both originate from the World Tree’s power. Greater innate strength means greater resistance. Only ordinary people without such gifts suffer severely.”

Ah, that made sense.

Despite appearances, I was fundamentally a mage. Killis too, Reno could command spirits, and Isaac wielded sword energy……. We’d probably be fine.

“You really know everything, Killis.”

“Hardly. There’s much I don’t know.”

Humble words from someone who’d never failed to answer my questions.

“Shall we depart now?”

This time, no one objected. Killis’s complexion had noticeably improved from its earlier deathly pallor.

“Reno, how much farther?”

“About another day’s travel. The World Tree marks the central area.”

Though the distance looked substantial, on horseback we should manage.

Wait a minute…….

Something about elven habitats suddenly occurred to me—something too important to overlook. I urgently grabbed Reno’s sleeve.

“Did the spirits mention anything about what lies ahead?”

“Ahead?”

“I read that elven villages are surrounded by peculiar spells—ones that make intruders circle back endlessly.”

“One moment.”

Reno gazed blankly into space, likely conversing with his spirit. Soon, he chuckled.

“We’ll be fine. The spirits say mine can guide us through.”

“Really? What a relief.”

Facing another obstacle would have been troublesome, but this reassurance put me at ease.

Our confident departure was soon met with a new challenge: the forest interior’s complete lack of cleared paths.

“We should proceed on foot from here,” Reno suggested, earning unanimous agreement.

Unlike the relatively flat, grassy terrain before the river, this side resembled a jungle—overgrown with unfamiliar vegetation, utterly impassable by horse.

“At this rate…… three or four days instead of one. Is that acceptable?”

“Fine by me.”

“Our rations might run tight, but manageable.”

Right—we hadn’t replenished supplies since the inn.

While I worried, Reno remained unconcerned.

“We can hunt game along the way. Isaac will handle that, won’t you?”

Isaac frowned but didn’t refuse.

As we followed Reno’s lead in lighter spirits, both he and Isaac suddenly froze, moving to shield Killis and me—a familiar protective formation from past ambushes.

Instinctively, I knew someone approached.

“They’re coming.”

No sooner had Reno spoken than the foliage ahead rustled. A blue flash cut through the greenery, revealing figures—ones I recognized immediately.

“……Meliana?”