Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

It took me only a few minutes to reach the main base of the elves.

The place was same as before with hundreds of tents stretched across the place.

Elves walked all around as they bowed when they noticed me.

'Jezz, these guys are so hypocrite.'

Time and time again they have shown how fragile their mind is.

Those who were once used to glare at me were now bowing in respect.

'They change colours depending on the situation.'

I really hate these fuckers a lot.

"Tch."

Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I looked to my side where Nymeria was walking with me.

Iffa wasn't with her as I forcefully separated both of them.

'I really don't want my daughter to get influenced from this psychopath.'

Noticing my gaze, Nymeria frowned. "What?"

"Why are you following me, elf?" I asked, looking into her spiral pattern eyes. "Don't you have anything else to do?"

"My job is to make sure, you don't run away." She replied with a straight face. "I have to—."

"If I really wanted to run then no one here could stop me." I cut her words off. "Not even you."

She didn't reply but instead she kept on staring at me.

To be more precise she was staring at the necklace that I was wearing.

Uncomfortable by her gaze, I put it inside my shirt.

'Damn this ugly elf.'

[<Can you stop hating her for no apparent reason.>]

'She is Ragnar's daughter that's more than enough to hate her.'

[<Is that all?>]

'…What?'

[<You aren't pitiful enough to hate a traumatised girl just because she is the daughter—.>]

'She in herself is a fucking maniac, just because she is acting gloomy and pitiful doesn't mean she is good natured.'

[<So, you hate her cause she is like you?>]

'....'

What the hell that supposed to mean?

[<It's just my own observation…But I think there is more…like you subconsciously try to hate her.>]

'…Don't make things up—.'

[<You have done this before, Qais.>]

'...'

I kept my silence as I let her words sink in.

Of course, I have done this before and with a lot of people.

But they were a lot different from this elven girl.

'Urgh, I have a headache even by thinking about it.'

I threw away all those thoughts as I walked towards the main tent.

Two guards were stationed outside but they didn't stop us.

I slipped past the soldiers as I walked inside the tent.

The place was bigger than all others with a few maps laying around.

Three people occupied three chairs.

One of them being the vampire, Siersha.

The other two were the elves, Mariam and Daina.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked as I took a seat beside Siersha. "Mariam?"

Nymeria also sat beside Daina, lost in her own World.

I tilted my head as I stared at Mariam who was unusually quiet.

Sensing the tense atmosphere between them, I frowned. "What happened?"

"Lady Elife is dying." Mariam broke the silence. "She doesn't have long to live."

My fingers froze halfway to the table.

"…What?"

"We thought she would have a few more months but…."

Mariam didn't complete her words but the intention was clear.

'…She is going to die soon.'

No, more importantly….

"If she is dying that means—."

"The World Tree is going to die out soon." Daina completed my words. "We are going to lose everything."

My lips tightened as I leaned back in the chair.

The words hung in the air, heavy enough to crush the breath out of the room.

"…How long?" I asked.

Siersha was silent beside me, her crimson eyes fixed on nothing.

Mariam replied after a few moments of silence. "Weeks… maybe less."

"..."

Once the World Tree is dead, there will be no point of elves living here.

I closed my eyes as I thought about it more seriously.

'....'

Yeah, no matter how I see it…the elves are done for.

"Why tell me all this?" I said, opening my eyes.

"Lady Elife has asked to see you." Mariam replied. "And you as well, Nymeria."

I turned to look at the girl who blinked in confusion.

I let out a sigh. "So, when should we move?"

"Now." Mariam replied standing up. "Daina please ask to start the teleportation portal."

The elven woman nodded before she walked out of the tent.

"Can I talk for a second?" Mariam said, looking at Nymeria.

She nodded and they both walked out as well, leaving me alone with Siersha.

"Why are you here?" I asked, turning to look at her.

She didn't say anything for a second but just stared at me.

"Grandfather sent me here to tell you…" She replied softly. "He is going to eradicate the elves within a month."

"..."

I silently blinked at her words.

So, that motherfucker is trying to play mind games with me now?

'…He is really pushing his luck now.'

And I don't like that one bit.

---

---

[Tamriel Kingdom, Alfheim.]

The World Tree.

The pride of the elves glowed softly over the city as its branches loomed over.

The once enormous tree now looked like the shell of its past self.

The leaves that were once full and bright were nothing but few and dried.

'It really is dying, huh?'

I thought as I stared at the World Tree looming over me.

"It's been a while since the World Tree lost all of its leaves." Mariam whispered silently. "Now, everyone can see its condition."

"...."

I didn't reply as I looked to my side where Siersha and Nymeria stood.

"I will leave you guys alone with Lady Elife." Mariam said, turning around. "Come with me Siersha."

"..."

The vampire remained silent as she grabbed my sleeve tightly.

"Come talk with me when you are free." She said, her voice soft. "I need to tell you a lot of things."

I nodded once as she let go and walked away from us.

I glanced at Nymeria who was staring at the World Tree.

"Let's go." I said, not waiting for a reply as I began to walk.

The distance between the World Tree and the place was enormous.

But with the help of Neplh, I could glide us towards it with ease.

Nymeria was staring at the trail of ice behind was intently.

After half an hour of travelling we arrived at the World Tree's base.

The enormous branch moved when I was close by.

It began to gently touch my face as if acknowledging my presence.

'…It used to do this a lot before.'

When I first arrived in the kingdom, I remember it pampering me before.

"You have arrived."

A voice made me look towards the base as a woman appeared in front of us.

She was same as before but her body had begun translucent now.

'..I can see through her.'

Nymeria bowed slightly. "Lady Elife."

The woman nodded as she looked at Nymeria tenderly.

"You have grown a lot, Nymeria." She said with a gentle smile. "I remember you used to play around here a lot."

Nymeria's lips trembled, but she kept her head bowed.

Her fingers clenched together like she was trying to hold herself steady.

"I… don't remember much from back then," she admitted quietly.

Lady Elife smiled faintly, though the edges of it were tinged with sadness.

"That is fine. Not all memories need to be carried. Some are better left behind."

I stayed silent, standing a little to the side.

Her gaze eventually turned to me.

She bowed deeply in front of me. "Sir Himmel."

"You don't have to do that." I replied, ignoring the glare I got from Nymeria.

She straightened her back. "I am glad you came to see me."

"About that." I said softly. "Did you call me to help you…."

She shook her head in response. "Even with your nourishment, the World Tree won't live." She replied. "Its death and mine are inevitable."

"...."

I didn't respond as I had nothing to say.

Elife slowly walked towards Nymeria as she gently caressed her hair.

"I was glad when the World Tree blessed you when you were born." She said gently.

"And I completely understand why you sacrificed your blessing as well."

Nymeria's lips parted slightly, as if to speak but nothing came out.

'Am I missing something here?'

I couldn't help but wonder as I looked at them confusingly.

There was a look in Nymeria's face that I recognised immediately.

…It was deep-rooted guilt.

"I was better off not remembering anything at all." Nymeria replied bitterly. "It's hard to live with it."

"You asked me why your mother hates you." Elife replied gently. "I merely told you the reason."

"Wait, what reason?" I couldn't help but interfere in their conversation. "Doesn't Nerissa hate her because she looks like Ragnar?"

They both didn't reply as she just left me out of the conversation.

Nymeria's gaze dropped to the roots beneath our feet.

"She has come in terms with her past." Elife replied before she walked towards me. "Even though it was painful, she did what was important."

I had no way to understand her cryptic words as I stared at the woman.

'…Wait, was she gloomy all the time because of it?'

That…does make sense.

So, did Nymeria ask Elfie about her past on the day of my trial?

'…I feel like I have been left out here.'

Elife stood in front of me as she looked into my eyes.

"Himmel." She said, her voice gentle. "I have a favor to ask."

I frowned but nodded nonetheless. "Please speak."

Hm?

Before she could reply, my phone vibrated.

I took it out as I saw the number.

…It was Aries.