Case 252: Aris.
''This is so nice...''
Under the green leaves, Liana, Emy, and I simultaneously stretch out, feeling the refreshing sensation of being near a tree. For a while, we were forced to live underwater, where little green could be found, so this feels like Heaven.
Understanding our traits, the others tacitly leave us alone, focusing on other things instead.
''So, how do we enter again?''
Tina asks as Luna, our guide, begins to trace her fingers on a certain tree.
''It should be sowhere around this area... oh.''
Eventually, her hand sinks into the tree trunk with a mystical white ripple bursting out of the contacting point. The next mont, a bright door forms on the surface of the tree.
''That's...''
Divine energy. I can recognize that any day.
So, it is true that a deity has constructed this realm. Moreover, I can feel the expertise of the person who made this door. I can't explain it well enough, but the energy architecture of this door, for example, is extrely efficient, unlike the crude way we use divine energy.
After breathing in the freshness once more, I follow everyone else into the door.
Passing through the rift, a slight dizziness hits , but I soon recover.
Beyond it, though, is... another forest. Honestly, it's not much different from the one earlier, but what can I say...
''Why are they so big...?''
The trees are too big and tall. Like, really, I can't even see their peaks.
''Due to space limitations, we decided to grow them slightly bigger for housing as well.'' Luna enthusiastically explains. ''We can't give up trees no matter what, you see.''
''You call this 'slightly' bigger...?'' I stare at her in absolute absurdity.
Though, I can't deny that they do feel nice to be around. Too nice, in fact. Is this an addiction?
''...''
Peeking at my two elven girlfriends, I see their faces lting as if climaxing. Yeah, this is an addiction.
Following Luna's steps, we eventually arrive at a cluster of trees where basic living infrastructure is neatly lined up, surrounding giant trees that are hollowed for housing. At first glance, I see around two or three dozen houses, so I guess their population is around a hundred—if they don't have futas.
''Mar, stop punching the tree...''
''Hah... hah... you don't understand, July. This is the only way I can get stronger!''
''...You do realize the tree will hate you if you do this, right?''
''...Crap.''
...Sohow, there are two kids acting really deep nearby. As they belatedly notice us, so do the others. In the span of just one or two minutes, a bunch of people storm out of their houses and co to us.
They all have elongated ears like Luna, and I do, and most of all, they are all beautiful people. How should I say... aren't they too similar to elves?
''Miss Luna! Welco back!''
''Guests! We have guests!''
''Oooh! It's real elves! We have elves here!''
A lot of people rush to us three—the elves—for so reason.
''Sister, you're so beautiful! Are you a royal elf, by any chance?'' A young druid girl clasps my hands and speaks with sparkling eyes.
''Huh? How did you know?''
''I can tell by your aura! So you're the real deal...!''
''Ahahah...''
Suddenly, being treated like a celebrity for seemingly no reason, I can feel my ears drooping down in real-ti. It's embarrassing. Even the usually brazen Liana and Emy are quite shaken by the sudden enthusiasm.
clap—! clap—!
''Alright, everyone.'' Luna soon shuts down the commotion, pulling everyone's eyes toward her. ''These guests are the current Saint party mbers. I've brought them here to give them what they deserve.''
Apparently, Luna holds quite an important position here, seeing they imdiately suppress their curiosity and make way for us. With a soft smile, the Divine Maiden takes us to one of the bigger trees, which is allegedly her ho.
''Please feel free to use the second floor during your stay. Oh, you can tear apart the preservation spell on the furniture.''
''Thanks for the hospitality.''
''It is only natural for a hostess to treat her guests right.''
Leaving behind Luna, who's going to get the fragnt of divinity, we move to the second floor first. Because the tree is so big, the interior of this 'room' is not at all small. In fact, it is quite comfortable even for six people to stay.
Rather...
''She really knows everything, doesn't she?'' I mutter.
The layout of the room is interesting. It deeply resembles what I've personally arranged back in my room. It looks to that she is trying to make my stay as comfortable as possible.
''I don't know everything. I only know what I know.''
''...''
Luna pops out of nowhere and says that line. I feel like I've heard that sowhere... whatever.
''Everyone, please gather.''
Luna gently asks, placing a wooden box on the table. If I'm not wrong, she does seem a bit... restless.
''Before you proceed with your second trial... I have sothing to confess.'' She says, her ears drooping slightly. ''During your contact, you must have been curious about .''
Suddenly, the atmosphere turns solemn. I more or less have an idea of who she is, but the others clearly don't. At least, I appreciate them for not pushing Luna and to speak.
''It's not that hard to guess, really.'' Liana lets out a quiet sigh. ''Astrology is a field relating to the divine, and soone as competent as you... must not be ordinary.''
''I agree.'' Sariel nods her head. ''And it is quite concrete considering this realm's existence.''
Luna forces out an awkward laugh.
''I wasn't ant to deceive you or hide anything, but... I suppose we didn't have a proper chance to talk.''
''It's fine. The important thing is that you are willing to now. We're party mbers, so trust is important.''
Holy hell, is soone as crude as Liana actually soothing other people? Is this the power of beauty?
''Right, trust...''
'''' ... ''''
''Anyway, my identity, was it?'' Luna snaps back. ''As you have predicted, I am what you would call a goddess—a deity. More specifically... I'm what's left of a deity.''
...That sounds remarkably ominous. She won't disappear after a while or sothing, right?
''Long before the era where Eva began to reign over Aria, there existed another civilization. Humanity prospered, and a goddess was eventually born—Aris, Goddess of Stars and Moon. They spent thousands of years in peace. However... at so point, tragedy struck.''
''Dark Fantasia...'' Soone mutters.
''They... no. We failed to defend against the great evil.''
A heavy silence hangs in the room. Because we've pretty much experienced the most difficult period inside the virtual world, we know how devastating it is. And... it's going to be the sa this ti around if we fail.
It's not about suffering a great defeat. It's extinction—a hard reset.
That was what likely happened since no record of a civilization worshipping Aris was found in historical docunts.
Before I know it, sparkling tears begin to fall out of Luna's eyes. When I try to wipe them, Luna shakes her head and pushes away instead. She smiles. Apologetically.
''I failed to protect my people.''
It is as if she is saying that soone like her shouldn't deserve it. Her tone was... infinitely sad.
''Knowing that, only I selfishly persisted. Only I remained in the world, cursed to bear this sin for millenniums. Enduring it wasn't easy. It was painful. It was hard. But I didn't have the right to complain. I have to make it right. ''
''Please, my destined ones. Help atone for my sin by expelling those repulsive creatures.''
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