The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 117 - Ismera’s Great Forest (16)

It wasn\'t until the early morning sunlight streamed through the ceiling at the base of the World Tree that Ismera, seemingly satisfied, collapsed beside me.

"That was the best lesson of my life..."

In contrast, my lower back felt dull and sore, likely from being overworked.

My body was covered in bite marks from Ismera, drenched, and utterly disheveled.

"We should get up now..."

Even so, we couldn’t just lie around here forever, so I slowly got to my feet.

"There are people waiting for us. Both in the Great Forest and at the Academy."

"Yes... But I think we need to wash up first."

We entered the pond together, washing each other clean.

"This scar on your neck... it’s from back then, isn’t it?"

Ismera gently touched the large burn scar on my neck, unable to continue speaking.

"It’s okay. It’s just a simple scar. It didn’t threaten my life."

"But even so, it’s because of me..."

"Look at this."

I showed Ismera the various scars all over my body.

"This one’s from being impaled by a demon’s horn, this one’s from an axe wound, and this one—well, a spear went through me, but fortunately, it narrowly missed an artery."

Tears began to well up in Ismera’s eyes as she looked at the scars etched across my body like a battle record.

"So many scars..."

"In comparison, this burn scar is nothing."

"But still, I’m grateful and sorry..."

Ismera whispered, kissing each scar. The sensation was rather peculiar.

# # # # #

After leaving the pond, I carried Ismera on my back as I walked toward the exit of the World Tree.

Ismera’s legs were trembling like those of a newborn fawn, making it impossible for her to walk properly.

"Um, by the way... isn’t this weird for you?"

Ismera quietly asked from her spot on my back.

"What do you mean?"

"Me calling you ‘Mister’... I’ve grown so much now... Most people probably think I’m older than you."

"It’s not weird at all. When I saw you crying and fussing, you looked just like that little girl back then."

"Oh... How embarrassing..."

"I’m just teasing. And besides, elves are all like that, right? You grow rapidly in a few years and then maintain that appearance."

"That’s true. I suddenly grew a lot before leaving for the human city. That’s why I was worried... that you might find it gross..."

"Not at all. Don’t worry about that. What we should think about is how you’ll address me from now on."

"Yes..."

"You’re not going to keep calling me ‘Mister’ in front of other people, are you?"

Ismera let out a small laugh.

"Of course not."

"Good. So, except when we’re alone, we’ll act like we did before."

"Understood."

We walked side by side, chatting about various things.

When I mentioned how Kirrin grabbed me by the collar in a panic after Ismera disappeared, she seemed a bit surprised.

"I always thought she’d be happy if I were gone since she’s constantly criticizing and nitpicking me."

"That’s not true. Headmaster Kirrin isn\'t that kind of person. She was really worried."

"I see... Headmaster Kirrin..."

"Even though she’s a Dark Elf, she’s mixed-blood, so her personality is quite mild and gentle."

"That’s true. Compared to the real Dark Elves I saw during the competition, the headmaster might as well be a completely different species."

Oh, that reminds me. I still haven’t given her the note that the Dark Elves from that time addressed to Kirrin.

I’ll make sure to hand it over when we return to the Academy.

"And about Merilda. You’ll be taking her on, right?"

"You mean student Merilda?"

"Merilda would benefit more from learning from you. She’s better suited to support roles rather than the front lines, and she’d excel there."

"That’s true, but she seems more eager to learn from you than from me."

"I helped her village during the war."

When I shared the story of Tatanok Village, Ismera’s eyes sparkled with interest.

"How did that connection come about...?"

"It’s amazing, isn’t it? Anyway, that’s the reason. It’s not because she dislikes you or thinks you’re lacking. I’ll explain it to her properly, so if you’re okay with it, please take Merilda under your wing."

"Understood... If you entrust her to me... I’ll do my best. Thank you so much..."

Ismera began to tear up again. I found a new opportunity for a joke.

"I never realized this, but you’re quite the fountain, aren’t you? Gushing water from both above and below?"

"D-don’t say things like that...! It’s embarrassing!"

Ismera bit my neck in response.

Ismera, like most adult elves, had a very mature appearance.

Given her typically cold and nearly emotionless demeanor, I never expected her to do something so cute.

Well, last night, Ismera was a complete mess, crying and begging non-stop.

She seemed like a completely different person from the one I knew at the Academy.

Then again, people aren’t made up of just one consistent persona.

But still, Ismera... She just won’t stop sucking on my neck.

This could be a problem. If she leaves too big a mark, others might get suspicious.

We passed through the crack and emerged from the World Tree.

"Dian? Professor Ismera?"

I squinted against the sudden burst of bright light and heard a voice.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Linus, Nierta, and the Elf Elder of Tyraellen standing before us.

"We were about to come looking for you since you hadn’t returned by morning. Have you only just finished talking?"

"Oh? Oh, yes, that’s right."

"Please put me down..."

Ismera whispered in my ear, so I set her down.

Ismera tried to stand beside me, but her legs gave out, and she collapsed.

"Ismera!"

Nierta hurriedly knelt down, supporting Ismera.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Oh, um... I guess I’m just tired from staying up all night, haha..."

"Wait a minute... What is this?"

Nierta carefully inspected Ismera’s exposed neck.

What she was seeing now were my bite marks.

When she rolled up Ismera’s sleeve, she found more similar marks on her arm.

"Ismera, don’t tell me!"

"I-I can explain...!"

As Ismera stammered, Nierta cried out.

"You were attacked by a beast when you went into the forest alone!"

"Huh?"

"Now that you mention it..."

Linus pointed at me.

"Dian, you’ve got similar marks on your neck and wrists."

Following Linus\'s gesture, Nierta’s eyes lit up.

"Lord Dian! You saved Ismera again, didn’t you?"

"Huh?"

"You rescued Ismera from the beasts again... As expected of Lord Dian."

"Well, yes, yes. It was nothing. Just what I had to do, really. Haha."

"Thank you for saving Ismera, Lord Dian."

The Elf Elder, who had remained silent until now, bowed her head to me.

"It’s quite fortuitous that we happened to meet here."

The Elf Elder smiled warmly at all of us.

"Now then... Why don’t we go inside? Though we strictly prohibit others from entering, it’s only right to show the interior to Lord Dian and Lord Linus."

"Hey, Ismera..."

I whispered to Ismera.

"Are other races usually not allowed inside the World Tree?"

"Of course not... You absolutely mustn’t mention what happened yesterday..."

"Come on in, you two."

Linus called out, and we followed a short distance behind.

Since Ismera was struggling to walk, Nierta had to support her.

"Thank you so much, Lord Dian. Ismera is my dearest friend. I’m deeply grateful that you saved her."

As we walked toward the World Tree, Nierta showered me with words of gratitude. I felt a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, this is amazing."

As we entered the World Tree and saw the scenery inside, Linus exclaimed in admiration.

"Look, Dian. There’s another forest inside the World Tree. Isn’t it incredible?"

"Yeah, it’s incredible."

Having seen it the night before, I found it hard to react as excitedly as Linus.

"Ten years ago, everything inside was completely burned, but as you can see, it’s teeming with life again."

The Elf Elder spoke with immense pride as she gazed at the forest within the World Tree.

"Initially, no matter how hard we tried, trees wouldn’t take root inside here. But when Ismera made her oath, everything changed."

"Professor Ismera made an oath?"

"Yes, Lord Linus. After the war, Ismera secretly entered here and made an oath to the World Tree. Amazingly, the World Tree, which we thought was completely gone, responded to her oath. Since then, this new forest has rapidly grown."

"That’s truly miraculous."

"I’m sure Lord Dian and Lord Linus must be curious about what this World Tree’s Oath is."

Linus responded with great curiosity, and I nodded, trying to look puzzled.

"This way."

The Elf Elder led us further into the forest.

"This is the pond where the essence of the World Tree gathers."

It was the very pond where Ismera and I had just been frolicking.

"Eek!"

Ismera gasped, and Nierta, unaware of the situation, wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

Meanwhile, the Elf Elder walked alone into the center of the pond with a splash.

Standing waist-deep in the water, she raised her arms high, just as Ismera had done the night before, and cried out in a clear voice.

"World Tree! Your daughter Ismera and her savior, Lord Dian, have come to fulfill the oath made ten years ago!"

The forest within the World Tree emitted a faint glow.

"Excuse me? What did you say?"

The Elf Elder, having received the World Tree’s response, suddenly looked flustered.

"The oath... has already been fulfilled...?"