Chapter 07: Greyleaf Forest

"Herris, I'm sorry I couldn't save you," 

The man whispered, collapsing to his knees and pulling Herris into a tight embrace, tears cascading down his face.

The man was a teenage elf with hair as white as snow and eyes as green as emeralds, mirroring Herris. He stood at a height of nearly 5 feet 5 inches and was clad in a tattered brown dress crafted from animal skins. Unlike Herris, he boasted a well-sculpted physique, which accentuated his striking features.

"Taro!" 

Herris murmured under his breath as fragments of the previous Herris's memories started to resurface, unveiling the identity of the man before him.

'This bastard, Taro, is the brother of the previous Herris. He's the one who told their father that Herris has a colorless insignia. I'll make sure he pays for this.'

Herris seethed with anger towards Taro and attempted to shove him away, but his frail body lacked the necessary strength.

Taro rose to his feet after embracing his brother, hoisting Herris by the hand and draping his arm around him for support.

Taro gently placed his right hand on Herris's right cheek.

"SHINE!" 

A radiant white light emanated, bathing Herris in a warm sensation. The stinging pain in his cheek gradually subsided.

As the light dimmed, Taro shifted his hand, this time to Herris's bruised abdomen.

Herris tried to swat Taro's hand away, but the comforting warmth from the light reassured him that Taro was healing, not harming him.

"SHINE!" The white light flared again, its brilliance surpassing the previous glow.

Previously, Taro had laid his hand on Herris' cheek, oblivious to the healing miracle. This time, he was a firsthand witness.

The light slowly enveloped Herris' body, pulsating as the bruise progressively healed, as if time was rewinding. The bloody bruise faded, and Herris' abdomen was restored to its original state.

"We need to leave, Herris," 

Taro voiced out, his face etched with concern after completely healing him.

Herris grasped why Taro had healed him and the implications behind Taro's words. He pondered over the decisions he needed to make to lead a life devoid of excessive trouble.

'Taro may be a tool who doesn't disobey his father, but he plays a pivotal role in Herris's future.'

Herris started to scrutinize Taro's actions.

After Rome's demise on Earth and his transmigration into Herris's body, one of the primary reasons Rome led a tranquil life for a few years before the demon invasion was due to Taro.

After Rome and Taro fled from their village, they sought refuge in the Human Kingdoms and served there as servants until Taro enlisted in the Royal Guards. 

This marked a turning point for Herris because Taro's enlistment in the Royal Guards paved the way for Herris to join the Academy, where he encountered most of his allies who fought alongside him.

From perusing Rome's novel, Erik, now inhabiting Herris's body, was convinced that this peaceful life would unfold in the future if he played his cards right.

'Let's act pathetic and act like a loser, just as Rome did when he transmigrated here, to earn Taro's trust.'

While Herris was strategizing on how to win over Taro, Taro assisted him in walking since, despite his wounds being healed, his body was still considerably weak.

Taro swung the door wide open, and warm sunlight graced Herris.

As Herris stepped out of the house, his initial thought was, 

'You bastard, Rome, how could you suck at describing this paradise.'

In Rome's novel, he simply stated that they reside in a huge tree in Greyleaf Forest. That's all he wrote, leaving the rest to the readers' imagination.

Herris was aware that Taro and his family resided in Greyleaf Forest, a forest exclusively inhabited by Wise Elves.

Wise Elves was the name of the species to which Herris and everyone here belonged. Unlike other species, Wise Elves dwelled on the World Tree.

It was unlike any tree Herris had ever seen on Earth. The World Tree towered over 1,000 meters tall and showed no signs of halting its growth.

Herris gazed in awe at the tree trunks, which housed intricate dwellings built into them. These houses boasted multiple levels, windows, and bridges interconnecting them. The architecture suggested a harmonious coexistence with nature, as the houses were constructed around the tree branches without disrupting them.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting hues of blue and green, lending the scene a mystical and ethereal ambiance. A soft glow radiated from certain points within the forest, possibly from bioluminescent or magical light sources, enhancing the enchanting feel of the scene. The air was filled with the sweet scent of the flowers, adding to the tranquil beauty of the moment.

Herris took his first step into this otherworldly, breathtaking scene. He looked down to see what he was standing on: a pathway crafted from the tree's leaves, twirled to form a path. The soft yet sturdy leaf bridge connected to another tree trunk, forming a connected community within the forest.

Taro guided Herris along and traversed the bridge. As they walked, Herris didn't spot any other elves, which made him wonder why there was no one around.

Herris couldn't clearly recall everything that had transpired, as he had read the novel more than two years ago and primarily remembered the Academy Arc.

As Herris strained himself to recollect every chapter he had read in Rome's novel, Taro led him towards a trunk branch that towered above all the houses, bearing a solitary house.

After a few minutes of walking, devoid of any elves, they finally reached the house Taro intended to visit.

They stood before the house. Herris examined it closely. It was nothing special or extravagant, akin to any other tree house he had seen so far.

A few steps ascended to the house, which had a curved, shingled roof with what appeared to be moss or small plants growing on it. The closed windows were adorned with purple curtains on the outside of the house, and a massive door stood prominently in the center.

Taro knocked on the door, and within a few knocks, the door surprisingly swung open on its own.

Herris entered the room and saw a simple setup: a single bed made of roots coiled together, with stem roots tied on four sides connecting to the ceiling like a swing. Beside the bed, there was a table and a drawer near the door on the left. Yet, Herris could feel an eerie sensation that sent shivers down his spine.

"Is this your younger brother you mentioned?" a deep, bass male voice echoed from their right.

Herris swiftly shifted his gaze and saw an old elf with gray hair donning a green robe. What stood out most were his white eyes devoid of irises, twinkling like moons, but that wasn't what startled Herris.

'How did this geezer appear out of nowhere? Where did he come from?'

"Leave the room, young Taro. I will tend to his curse," the elderly elf commanded with authority, advancing towards the bed.

Taro released Herris, bowed respectfully before the old elf, and responded obediently, 

"Take care of my brother, Elder Sage."

After uttering that, Taro exited the house, leaving Herris alone. Herris's mind was preoccupied with more significant thoughts, making him barely notice Taro's departure.

'I read about this Elder Sage, but I don't remember very well. Try to remember. Ahhh…'

While Herris grappled with his recollections, the old elf issued an instruction, "Take a sip from my flask, young man."

"What?!" A sudden realization dawned on Herris.

'This fucker is going to rape me.'

[End of Chapter]