Episode 23

I examined the individual before me, stunned. Her long, light green hair was neatly arranged in a half-up style, with the knot made of rice stalks. The hairstyle somehow reminded me of someone wearing a tiara.

Her appearance was innocent yet forlorn, showing firm determination without seeming fragile. Her beauty was elf-like, closer to a painting, yet her level of beauty far surpassed that of the elves, who were known as the most beautiful race.

However, her body below the chin was not quite elf-like. Although modified here and there for easier movement, it was still excessively fluttery, closer to a dress than traditional elf attire.

She had wrapped a corset around the waist of what should have been a baggy outfit. Thanks to that, her emphasized figure was revealed blatantly, making her one hot mama. Even by the standards of women from the Pan Continent, who were open-minded about exposure and took pride in their figures, she was difficult to outdo.

Compared to her elegant face, her body was quite less demure. Of course, she wasn’t quite on the level of Lydia, whom I had glimpsed before, but for an elf, where most were on the slender side, her size was quite exceptional.

Even the men of this world, who were low in sexual desire and passive in love, would be eager to strike up a conversation with her. The problem was that there was just one element that completely reversed the image of her beauty.

“Hehehe. My name is Eve Nirvana. It’s a pleasure to meet you… or so should I say?”

Those crescent-shaped slit-eyes that always shaped into a smile, and her ambiguous tone of voice that made one tense up just by saying hello. The suspiciously suspicious aura enveloping her entire body transformed Eve’s beauty into intimidation.

In fact, Lydia, who had been excited until just moments ago, had narrowed her eyes and tensed up considerably. …But I know. That was just a pure greeting.

She didn’t intend to take control of the conversation, nor was she trying to imply that they were seeing her for the first time when she had already known them. The reason I was certain of this was simple: like Ellie, Eve was a character I had created.

The greeting that ended in a question was likely due to her often confusing the faces of others, a consequence of living too long. After all, Eve was probably the oldest being among all mortals.

In gratitude for the hospitality, I too smiled brightly in return.

“Indeed! It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. Please call me Jonah! Though we met under unfortunate circumstances, I hope we can become friends, Miss Eve!”

“Oh? Young ones like Jonah are always welcome.”

Eve giggled as if she’d heard an amusing joke. The vibe she was giving off was, ‘You? With me? Seriously?’ but she genuinely seemed to enjoy the idea.

Though she was currently living under a low profile, those who knew Eve recognized her as a legendary… no, perhaps more accurately, a historical figure. After all, she was a High Elf, born from the last flower left by the World Tree just before it became part of the labyrinth and fell into slumber.

She was easily at least 1,000 years old, and a mythic legacy that will likely live on for another 1,000 years. That was Eve Nirvana Yggdrasil… Though it seems she’s hiding the surname Yggdrasil.

Think about it. The current Pan Continent was a civilization that had once been destroyed and then rebuilt. And there was a being who had watched over it from the very beginning? And with such a suspicious appearance at that?

Fellow elves might exclaim excitedly, “She is the eldest daughter of the World Tree! Proof of the era when elves were great!” and such… But from the perspective of other races, it was easy and likely for them to misunderstand her as a crazed, manipulative elderly monster who wanted to control the world.

And since the despairing elves had actually begun to welcome capitalism and started to seize control of the continent’s financial power, it had become difficult to deny the accusation. Moreover, Eve possessed powers left by the World Tree.

As a High Elf, those created to act as mediators between the World Tree and the elves, she had powers not meant for warfare but for governance. However, this didn’t mean her powers were insignificant.

Eve was endowed with two powers: a body that never decayed until her predetermined lifespan ended, and the Eyes of Truth that could discern truth from falsehood.

Yes. Why hide it? I had borrowed the traits of elves from old fantasy novels… Nowadays, it is criticized as formulaic fiction, but honestly, I found the worldviews of that time charming. That must be why it became so popular… Although it was true that it had been quite overused.

Anyway, because Eve was born with such powers, she was considered even more dangerous by those around her. In fact, during the period when the elves were in deep despair after losing the World Tree, she somehow managed to lead her race as their queen.

If Eve hadn’t been there, the elves might have struggled to survive until they had opened their eyes to capitalism. Even so, they wouldn’t have gone extinct… but the decline of the race would have been inevitable.

Given her lineage and achievements, she could have reigned as queen until the end of her life if she wished. But Eve did not. From the beginning, she only saw herself as someone to help the elves adapt to a world without the World Tree.

The World Tree left Eve for that purpose, and Eve herself wanted it that way. Just because she was born with the ability to rule didn’t mean she was born with the personality for it. Eve’s true nature was that of a pastoral and petit-bourgeois elf from the old era.

To put it bluntly, she might seem like a mastermind on the outside, but in reality, she’s just a nerd who enjoys talking to succulents alone at home. Thus, as soon as the elves embarked on their journey with a new hope called capitalism, she immediately retired.

Currently, she embodied the very essence of harmlessness, finding joy in tending to plants, doing chores, and watching the world around her progress. The reason she was genuinely happy about what I said a moment ago was simple.

Those who didn’t know Eve were wary of her suspicious aura, while those who did know her were even more cautious. That had been her life—a life of loneliness, having lived a thousand years without friends or lovers. So, naturally, anyone would be glad if someone genuinely seemed happy to meet them and treated them warmly.

It’s somewhat like how a lonely elder appreciates a young person who spends time and plays with them. However, if one asked whether she could be trusted unconditionally like Ellie because she was a character I created… that was a different story.

Unlike Ellie, who was a steadfast ally from beginning to end, Eve’s role was that of a sub-boss. She was close with the protagonist in the beginning, building an emotional bond, but for some reason turned evil and eventually tragically died at the protagonist’s hands.

Covered in blood, she was held in the protagonist’s arms. For the first time, the face that had always been smiling became distorted, and she left behind a single word of apology before taking her last breath. She had been a character I created because I wanted to write such a scene.

…I shouldn’t have done that. I should have planned a happy ending, disregarding the protagonist’s mental growth or whatever. But this also meant that, as of now, before turning evil, she could be trusted. If the transformation could be prevented altogether, then it would remain that way in the future as well.

Since I had only roughly outlined the setting, I didn’t know why they turned evil or how she intended to destroy the world… But if it could be stopped, I wanted to stop it.

This was not only the least responsibility I could take as the author of a world that had become a reality but also my genuine feelings as someone who’d fallen into a world with no one to trust.

To do so, I first had to become friends with Eve. By closely observing what problems arose, I planned to solve them immediately if they seemed dangerous. With determination, I sat opposite Eve. Then, I tapped the seat next to me.

Pat pat!

“Please, come sit, Miss Lydia.”

“…No need. I’ll just stand. This is Jonah’s matter, so it’s right for me not to interfere.”

Her expression was as impassive as ever. However, seeing that her lips were slightly more tense than usual, she must still be keeping wary. Although Lydia was a skilled adventurer, she wasn’t high-ranking enough to recognize Eve’s true identity…

But even without knowing such things, one could see that she was suspicious. She must be preparing to take action at any moment. Although Lydia’s true intentions weren’t conveyed, Eve nodded with a slightly sullen voice, recognizing that those words were just a roundabout lie.

“Oh dear. By Lydia, you mean Noble Lydia, right? What a shame. I was curious about how noble you were.”

Curious how long the noble act could last. (X)
Truly regretting not being able to have a conversation. (O)

“Ahaha! Miss Lydia is just shy. We’ll come again as guests later, so let’s talk in a more comfortable atmosphere then!”

“That sounds good. A life where one can hope for a next time is indeed beautiful.”

Do you really think there’s a next time in your life? (X)
You’re really coming back, right? (O)

As I translated Eve’s statements in my mind, Lydia’s expression grew increasingly serious the more we conversed. Conversely, Eve appeared slightly elated by the fact that I hadn’t lied once.

Her narrowed eyes and the quick lick of her lips made that much clear. If this continued, Lydia’s misunderstanding might deepen to an irreversible point. I needed to steer the conversation elsewhere quickly.

“I would enjoy continuing our leisurely chat, Miss Eve, but… it’s getting quite late, isn’t it? Unless you plan to keep me up all night, shall we address the main point? You’ve been briefed about the situation by Apple and Lemon, correct?”

“Of course. …I’m truly sorry that things have unfolded this way.”

I will kill you. (X)
I’m sorry. (O)

“The one who should be apologizing isn’t Miss Eve. And I’m not here just to accept apologies.”

“That’s true. This is the most I can offer you at the moment… I hope it meets your expectations.”

Take this and buzz off. (X)
This is really all I have. (O)

Eve, with a bright smile, handed me a small pouch. Upon opening it, I discovered numerous coins sparkling inside, a jumble of all sorts. It was challenging to determine the exact amount due to the mix of gold, silver, and copper…

But it seemed more likely that she had hastily gathered whatever cash was available in the shop, rather than intending to mock me.

Still, counting them all, it amounted to a fortune I had never possessed before… Though it still fell short of 46 gold. 46 gold was indeed a significant sum, but not one for the oldest elf and the eldest daughter of the World Tree, revered by her kin, to fret over.

She could simply visit the Cradle store next door and declare, ‘I’m the former queen, give me 46 gold,’ and they would comply without hesitation.

However, Eve wasn’t like that. Unlike the elves of today who worshipped money, she was an old-fashioned elf who found growing plants to be more important. She had lived a long time, but most of the money she had accumulated had been spent on her kin. She started a business with the little wealth she had left, but due to a lack of business acumen, she had been running it into the ground for hundreds of years… that was her situation.

Unless it was really urgent, there was a high chance she was refusing even the money she was offered. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be apologizing to me in such a shabby store.

After a moment of thought, I took out just two gold coins and returned the purse to her.

“I’ll be fine with just this in cash. Instead, I was thinking of taking the rest in other goods. Would that be all right?”

“Of course, you are more than welcome to, but… The items in my shop may be a bit notorious if you understand what I mean.”

You think you can handle it? (X)
I’m worried because some of the items are dangerous. (O)

Looking at Eve, who was tilting her head with one hand cupping her cheek, I smiled.

“I may be young, but I have a bit of an eye for these things. If there’s more to gain, I’m willing to overlook minor issues.”

The items Eve sold were of great variety. Elixirs, equipment, magical tools, spirit stones, subcontracted labor, ordinary succulents, and more. True to the name of a general store, she sold a bit of everything… but most of what she posted for sale were just products she made as a hobby.

As a result, many items deviated from their intended purpose or had unexpected side effects. That was also probably why her business wasn’t booming. However, just as the twin elves mentioned earlier, the quality of her items was exceptional. In other words, it was all about how you used them.

For example… like the necklace hidden in Eve’s ample bosom. Pointing at Eve’s chest, I asked.

“How much is that?”

“…Oh my?”

Eve swept her hand down her chest, wearing a meaningful smile. …Is there something she’s misunderstanding here?