Chapter 78
This fool, you shouldn’t go, right? Why are you trying to do something dangerous without getting permission?
Her fearful heart tried to grab her ankles and stretch out like a long shadow, but Evelyn steadied her trembling legs and moved contrary to reason. The impulse pushing at her back was fierce, and she couldn’t refuse it.
Her staggering steps headed blindly toward the sanctuary, and countless glowing yellow spores from the World Tree flew in, disrupting her clear vision. They terribly tickled her nose and mouth as if begging her not to go, but that was all.
I have to go, I want to see it now without delay. Surely it hasn’t died and withered into a dead tree by now? I want to curl up under my tree, close my eyes, and rest.
‘I’m here….’
Evelyn stood still at the entrance of the sanctuary where wonderful golden light was leaking out. The World Tree spores that had been constantly trying to cling to her body throughout her journey were no longer being blown in by the wind, so there was no one to interfere.
No one.
Now that the choice was actually in her hands, her heart wavered like a reed.
‘Maybe it would be wiser not to enter. Should I wait for Cassis to return and ask him to go to the sanctuary together?’
What he had said before suddenly came to mind.
“This is our sanctuary. Even being an elf doesn’t mean you can enter and exit this sanctuary without permission. That means it’s a precious and solemn space, so remember that.”
…Right. She finally thought his words were correct. It’s not like they were preventing her from seeing her orange jasmine tree, and if she asked, he would certainly come along. Yet she didn’t want to trouble Cassis by breaking a taboo unnecessarily.
The fear that had suddenly overwhelmed her in the second-floor study had somehow improved. Even her chest, which had been so constricted that her breathing became rapid, was now comfortable. Though she couldn’t say everything was completely fine yet.
What should I do? Since I’ve already come this far, maybe it would be good to catch my breath before leaving.
‘Should I squat down somewhere nearby to at least be close to my tree?’
Come to think of it, her tree didn’t seem to be near the entrance but planted in a corner. If that’s the case, she would need to go around that stone wall and walk quite a distance.
Evelyn made a small fist and lightly tapped her still uncomfortable upper chest, then took a step back. And just as she turned her steps to the left to move elsewhere.
“How dare someone like you!”
“……?”
Thunk!
With a swift sound cutting through the air, something suddenly flew right in front of her face. What is this? A string? Rough tree bark? Before she could identify it, something flew past with a swish and stuck beside her freshly placed left foot, swinging faster than a pendulum. At its tip was something white and sharply trimmed.
‘A… feather? Then is this an arrow?’
Just as her bewildered head was bending down to look at it, a flash of fire erupted before her eyes. This time it was her right cheek.
“Aack!”
“How dare a lowly nymph like you lurk around the sanctuary without any fear!”
I’ve been… hit.
Evelyn, who had never been slapped on the cheek or even struck on the palm by anyone since birth, staggered as tears welled up in her eyes. Why? Who would suddenly appear, aim arrows at her with precision, and strike her?
‘Ah, it must be the elves. They knew about my arrogant intention to enter the sanctuary without permission because I couldn’t control my foolish emotions. But I ultimately overcame that wicked conflict and decided to quietly turn back. I had already reflected and decided to do that on my own, yet they’re still punishing me?’
Despite her fear, a sense of injustice made her lift her bowed head. The thought occurred to her that while people might commit sins in their hearts and make mistakes, it was sad not to be given a chance to make amends. She was truly going to leave without entering the sanctuary—she could swear with her hand on her heart.
Tap-tap!
With quick footsteps, someone approached like they were flying and stood blocking her path. Her vision was quickly blurred with tears from the impact of being struck, making it impossible to distinguish the figure before her.
The elf’s distinctive bright golden hair approached, pointing a finger at her while holding something high. What is it? A fist, or…
“Hic…!”
Thwack!
The elf who mercilessly struck her fragile shoulder with the quiver immediately lifted their foot knee-high and shouted.
“You, how dare you look straight at me so impudently? Fine, I’ll properly stamp on you to teach you a lesson so you’ll never dare come near this sacred place again, prepare yourself.”
“Ack!”
Evelyn, who took a heavy blow to her shin, collapsed with a thud as her legs gave way. But that wasn’t the end of her misfortune. Thump, thump—the kicks targeting her soft, vulnerable stomach were without mercy, and her body on the ground merely trembled helplessly with each blow, far from being able to resist. The only thing she could tell was that the one beating her now was a female elf. This was definitely different from the male elf who had previously encouraged her to climb the stone wall.
Even after forcibly vomiting up hot, bitter fluid from her throat, the incoming kicks showed no sign of stopping.
“Ugh…hic…”
The elf who had instantly knocked Evelyn down and beaten her to a pathetic state threatened.
“You’re practically caught in the act, so I’ll end your ugly life right here. And…”
“Who’s there!”
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.