How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 218

—My name is Vita. Pleased to meet you.

“Pleased to meet you too, Vita. I’m Nepheli. This is Killis, and this is Isaac.”

Vita nodded. Her mysterious light green hair was striking. Even seeing it again, it was fascinating. How could such a hair color suit someone so well?

‘Is it because she’s an elf?’

Not wanting to make her uncomfortable with my staring, I quickly averted my gaze.

From what I heard, Meliana had already gone with Natura to where the Nex were.

It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel pressured…….

‘Even the elves couldn’t easily eliminate them. I doubt Meliana can solve it right away.’

For that reason, we decided to wait to reunite with Reno first.

‘While waiting for Reno, I should gather information.’

With that resolution, I looked at Vita and spoke.

“Should I call you Vita?”

—Whatever is comfortable for you.

“Alright. Can you tell me more about the Nex that we need to eliminate?”

—Didn’t the Guardian tell you?

“I did hear about it, but I’d like to know more. Like their characteristics, or previous attempts that have been made. I’d appreciate anything you can tell me.”

—Even if you say ‘anything,’ we don’t know much either. Most of the warriors who consistently tried to exterminate them have died. Even those who returned died after suffering from poison contamination.

“Poison?”

—Yes. The Nex possess poison.

“Thank you. That’s exactly what I wanted to know. Can you tell me more?”

—If it helps, certainly.

Despite her blunt tone, Vita was friendly towards us. She continued to share what she knew.

—I’ve heard that if it weren’t for Brother Pinus, our village would have been quickly conquered by the Nex. And they are quite systematic.

“Systematic?”

—Even though they’re a small colony, there are individuals that act as sentries, and each seems to have a role. Beyond that, I don’t know much either.

The Guardian had said the Nex were insects, but from Vita’s description, they seemed more like ants or bees. With the mention of poison, perhaps they were more like hornets.

‘Either way, I should prepare myself mentally.’

Beyond the aftermath, I had an ominous feeling that the actual creatures would be quite repulsive.

“By the way, about this elf called Pinus. How can he hold them back alone?”

—Brother Pinus is a high elf. Like the Guardian, he is a noble branch directly from the World Tree, with a soul whose dignity few can match. Naturally, he has a contract with a high-level wind spirit befitting his status.

“A high-level wind spirit?”

—It’s the highest grade of spirit after the Spirit King. Only dragons can contract with Spirit Kings, and even among high elves, contracting with medium-level spirits is the average. In that respect, the Guardian and Brother Pinus can be called exceptional branches.

“Ah……. Then, are there dragons nearby as well?”

Vita shook her head.

—Dragons have been out of sight for a long time. Your ancestor, was it? They disappeared following Lublin. It’s been several hundred years already. They’re said to be somewhere at the top of the World Tree, but nobody knows for sure.

“Can’t we just go to the top to find out?”

—That’s not possible. The closer to the summit, the stronger the influence of the World Tree becomes. We can’t withstand that power for long and would burst.

Your body would burst?

—The reason dwarves and merfolk live underground is similar.

“By dwarves, do you mean ‘dwarves’?”

—That would be correct. I heard that’s what you call them. Just as they call us ‘ear-folk,’ we simply call them ‘short-folk.’

“Then what about ‘water-folk’?”

—Those are beings that hide in the groundwater where the World Tree’s roots reach deep and don’t come out. So in your terms…….

Vita slightly frowned before saying.

—Sirens? Mermaids? That’s probably what you’d call them.

Ah, so she was talking about mermaids.

—Anyway, since they’re not born of the World Tree, they can withstand the World Tree’s power even less than you humans. Giants can go upward, but for some reason, they coexist with the dwarves.

“I see…….”

Listening to Vita’s stories, I still felt disconnected from reality.

Actually, elves also seemed unreal. But perhaps because I had first encountered Reno, who is half-elf, I could imagine them. The other races, however, felt endlessly unfamiliar.

‘And we have to find them and undergo more trials.’

If the elves’ trial was already world-ending, I can’t even imagine what trials the other races might demand.

—Our conversation has digressed. Anyway, Brother Pinus was originally meant to be the next Guardian. But suddenly, he announced he was giving up his qualification as Guardian.

“What? Why?”

—He said he wanted to live with humans.