Chapter 178

Chapter 178
## Chapter 178

Elf and Dwarf

The space was adorned with an understated elegance, mirroring the design philosophy found throughout the rest of the grand residence.

“Ah, yes. Truly remarkable.”

Harris, having completed his initial pleasantries, took in his surroundings with a steady nod while conversing with the caretaker who had volunteered to show him around.

This modesty in architecture was to be expected, given that Elves naturally prioritized balance, order, and clean lines over ostentatious displays of wealth.

However, because this specific sector was dedicated entirely to physical upkeep and daily labor, it offered very little in terms of spectacular sights.

It functioned merely as a residential quarter for the staff to recuperate between their shifts, complete with a shared mess hall and basic training grounds.

Objectively speaking, there was nothing extraordinary enough within these walls to warrant the intense, calculating gaze he was casting over every corner.

“Um… Harris?”

“Yes? Is something the matter?”

“…Are you searching for a specific item or location? If you inform me of what you need, I would be happy to direct you.”

“Oh— no, please don’t concern yourself. As you are aware, it has been quite a short time since my arrival in the Elven Kingdom. I am simply still adjusting to the unfamiliar environment, so please think nothing of it.”

Harris, who had been scanning the perimeter with a sharp, discerning focus, quickly masked his scrutiny behind a warm, polite expression to appease the caretaker’s growing curiosity.

He certainly had a specific objective in mind, but because there was no immediate rush, he saw no benefit in disclosing his true intentions.

“Ah, that is true. I recall hearing that your origins lie across the sea on the Ion Continent. It is quite fascinating that the two most recent individuals to undergo awakening both hail from foreign lands. It gives one hope that the Elf bloodline remains resilient and active out there.”

Harris offered only a muted, polite curve of his lips, finding it rather awkward to respond to the caretaker’s optimistic assessment.

‘In all honesty, I seriously doubt our lineage is thriving out there in any organized fashion.’

Cecily’s survival was merely a stroke of extreme fortune, having been rescued just before she could be offered up to malevolent warlocks, and he had received absolutely no indications that other clusters of Elves existed in those territories.

Granted, he had not conducted a formal, thorough investigation himself, but if a significant population had emerged, a development of that magnitude would have inevitably reached his extensive network, which kept tabs on various global affairs.

The complete absence of rumors suggested that any remaining kin were either deeply sequestered in entirely isolated regions or had simply assimilated into human populations over generations.

“Speaking of external affairs, word has reached us that the second Continental Summit is fast approaching. They say a substantial delegation will be journeying over to Ion this time around. The chatter was so loud that even those of us completely detached from global politics couldn’t help but overhear.”

“Ah, yes. It is indeed a massive undertaking.”

Just as the servant mentioned, a major deployment of military support along with a follow-up diplomatic assembly were slated to take place at the sacred sanctuary of the Main God Church in the near future.

The primary objective was to ratify the initial agreements established during the preliminary conference and delve into the finer strategic details moving forward.

Regrettably, however, Harris would not be counted among the diplomatic corps representing their nation this time.

The same restriction applied to Cecily, despite her participation in the previous expedition…

‘Well, it is completely logical. It makes no sense to continually risk inexperienced, newly awakened High Elves on international excursions.’

Allowing them a single journey to broaden their horizons was one thing, but repeatedly exposing vital assets with immense long-term potential to active combat zones was an entirely different matter.

Furthermore, three highly revered, seasoned High Elves—including the formidable Rapori Granwood—were being mobilized for this specific reinforcement effort and the subsequent construction of the holy sanctuaries!

An unproven newcomer like himself simply had no business being included in such a high-stakes roster.

‘When I really think about it, my own abilities are still in a state of rapid development, so there is no reason to force my way onto the front lines yet. The most logical path is to remain in close proximity to the World Tree.’

While it was true that every elemental entity under his command had successfully transitioned to the Advanced rank following his elevation to a High Elf—and his Lightning Spirit was actively on the threshold of achieving its ultimate form—his overall combat readiness still paled in comparison to the older, established incarnations.

‘This current period must be dedicated entirely to elevating my capabilities and anchoring my foundations.’

And given his unique circumstances, this phase would likely pass far quicker than standard timelines.

With powerful intrinsic attributes such as “Chosen of the World Tree”, “Assimilation with Nature”, “Stargazer”, and “Call of Nature” working in tandem with an array of developmental accelerations, his progress was bound to be explosive.

“Oh?… What do we have here?”

Right at that moment,

Harris, who had been casually drifting through the residential quarters of the estate, finally stumbled upon the exact destination he had been quietly seeking out.

“Ah, this structure serves as our primary repository for the materials collected during our daily maintenance routines. They are, of course, mere fragments when compared to formal artifacts forged directly with the essence of the World Tree, but the raw components themselves possess immense inherent value. It functions essentially as a secure storehouse, given how vital these elements are as catalysts for complex, high-tier incantations.”

“…Is that so?”

“Indeed. They are frequently utilized as tokens of appreciation for individuals who perform great services for the realm, or as premium commodities when negotiating trade agreements with external groups. The Dwarves, in particular, are absolutely infatuated with acquiring these specific goods.”

“That stands to reason. After all, they originate directly from the World Tree itself.”

He stepped across the threshold into the secure chamber, offering a relaxed reply to the caretaker’s thorough commentary.

Under normal circumstances, entry into this vault was strictly regulated, but such bureaucratic barriers did not apply to someone holding the rank of a High Elf.

“Good heavens— look at the sheer scale of this…!”

Spread out across his field of vision,

Massive piles of preserved limbs and foliage, sorted with meticulous precision, completely dominated the expansive room.

It was an overwhelming volume of material that rendered the concept of scarcity completely irrelevant.

“Yes, these are the fruits of several years of careful gathering. We make it a point to preserve a robust surplus here to guarantee we can handle any sudden external demands or emergencies.”

He was well aware that these resources played a critical role in numerous domestic functions across the Elven Kingdom, and even low-ranking citizens could obtain minor portions for personal use, meaning a sudden disruption in supply would cause widespread operational issues.

This was precisely why the ruling council rejected the vast majority of foreign purchasing requests, despite the lucrative offers they consistently received.

‘Still, when one accounts for the colossal scale of the World Tree, a hoard of this magnitude is entirely logical.’

In reality, it could even be viewed as a relatively modest yield.

When measured against the gargantuan canopy that stretched far enough to cast its shadow over the entirety of the capital city, a single warehouse filled to the ceiling was a drop in the bucket.

And this represented the accumulated savings of multiple years of careful hoarding…

‘Nevertheless, this provides a massive abundance that I can easily utilize all by myself.’

It was an undeniable reality of their societal structure that Harris, by virtue of being a High Elf, faced absolutely no administrative roadblocks should he wish to draw from these reserves.

“The inventory here is far grander than I anticipated. Would there be any objection if I were to select a portion of these resources for my own purposes?”

“None whatsoever. While a standard citizen would require extensive authorization, those of the High Elf lineage are entirely exempt from such protocols.”

As the designated chosen of the World Tree and its direct spiritual conduits, High Elves maintained an intrinsic, living link to the holy organism merely by breathing.

Consequently, attempting to restrict their access to its physical remnants was fundamentally counterintuitive.

Furthermore, even with such absolute freedom, their consumption rarely impacted the collective stockpile because their total population was so incredibly small.

Most of them merely took a handful of leaves to steep into rejuvenating beverages or to conduct localized magical research, which barely registered against the total volume.

As a result, the inventory was generally left unmonitored, and a deficit had never once occurred in their history.

At least,

Not until this very day.

“Uh… Harris? Are you… truly intending to withdraw that entire section?”

“Ah, forgive me if it looks alarming, but these are essential for my advanced regiment.”

“Oh—! I understand completely. If it is for the sake of your training… then it is an absolute necessity. Utilizing these will undoubtedly accelerate the accumulation of your internal raw energy. Haha…”

The caretaker, momentarily struck by anxiety as he watched Harris systematically deposit large bundles of timber into his spatial dimensional device, forced himself to nod along in a desperate attempt to rationalize the sight.

Harris, observing the servant’s internal struggle, offered a reassuring, gentle smile as he continued his work.

“I appreciate your understanding. I shall return to gather more once I have depleted this initial batch.”

“Uh… pardon me?”

There was absolutely no scenario where a mere handful of visits would suffice when faced with a hoard of this magnitude.

To be fair, he had no intention of liquidating these assets on the black market for personal profit.

‘My explanation wasn’t a deception. Every single piece will be funneled directly into my cultivation.’

He simply needed to regulate his intake enough to avoid triggering a systemic shortage within the domestic sectors, as an overly aggressive depletion would inevitably draw unwanted scrutiny.

Of course, he fully expected that the casual trade agreements the kingdom maintained using their excess stock would become significantly restricted in the coming months.

There simply wouldn’t be any surplus left over for outsiders.

—

Clang—! Clang—!

The rhythmic, energetic strike of iron striking iron resonated through the workspace.

“What in the world is going on in here…?”

Zaonic, crossing the threshold into his private atelier for his daily routine, froze in sheer astonishment at the wave of oppressive, scorching heat that slammed into him.

The presence of high temperatures was standard for a forge, but the distinct, vibrating essence woven into this particular heat wave was something he rarely encountered in his profession.

It was an incredibly pure, majestic flame signature that he had only ever experienced a scarce few times throughout his entire career.

“No… it can’t be!”

A sudden realization struck him, prompting him to sprint frantically toward the primary hearth situated deep within the workshop.

Positioned beside the forge was Howard, completely locked in a creative trance, bringing his hammer down with rhythmic fury while ignoring everything else—and inside that hearth, dancing amidst the roaring fires, was the exact object Zaonic had suspected.

“…A branch from the World Tree?”

His jaw dropped entirely of its own accord.

There was absolutely no room for error.

That legendary material, which he had only ever managed to touch once in his youth—a piece no larger than the center of his hand, secured only after weeping and begging his village patriarch for weeks…

An entire log, easily several times the volume of his childhood treasure, was currently being consumed by the flames right inside his own workspace!

“Ah, master, you’ve arrived! You’re running a bit behind schedule today. Hehehe!”

Right then, Howard paused to swipe away the thick layer of perspiration coating his brow, turning around to offer a vibrant, cheerful grin.

Zaonic could only stare back in stunned silence, his mouth working wordlessly before he finally raised a trembling hand toward the heart of the forge.

“H-Howard? That material inside the fire…”

“Just as expected of a master smith, you identified it instantly! Your eye for quality is unmatched!”

“That’s not what I’m getting at! Are you telling me that is an authentic World Tree branch?!”

He thwacked his own chest in utter bewilderment at his apprentice’s incredibly casual demeanor.

How on earth had the boy managed to lay hands on such an invaluable relic here on the Ion Continent, an item that Zaonic had only ever encountered during his time in the distant lands of Titania?

“Hehehe! A close companion of mine forwarded it to me as a personal token.”

“A companion? Are we talking about Hubert? Or perhaps Harley?”

“Harris… he’s an Elf I formed a bond with. He used to travel the world alongside Harley back in the day.”

“…It seems that Harley fellow is intertwined with every story under the sun. Then again, given the sheer scale of his travel journals, I suppose it fits.”

Zaonic pulled a face, having been subjected to the exhaustive retellings of ‘Harley’s Great Adventure’ on multiple occasions.

“But for an Elven associate to casually gift you a portion of the World Tree? Well, I never…”

He let out a heavy, regretful sigh as the gravity of the situation fully settled on him.

He had no idea what kind of profound camaraderie could inspire an Elf to surrender such a treasure to a Dwarf, but the logistics of their friendship were irrelevant at this moment.

‘To squander such an exquisite resource with so little foresight! He should have locked it away securely, reserving it for a time when his craftsmanship had reached its absolute zenith! With his current technical proficiency, he lacks the refinement required to properly harness and direct that level of elemental fire essence…!’

He clicked his tongue, filled with an artisan’s sorrow.

Naturally, he had no authority to dictate how a craftsman utilized a personal gift, but seeing such a rare substance burned so prematurely was painful to witness.

To be fair, even a flawed attempt would undeniably catalyze the boy’s professional development.

By forcing himself to grapple with flames birthed from the World Tree, the sheer act of managing that intensity would grant him invaluable insights, provided he absorbed the lessons correctly.

And Howard was an exceptionally bright pupil who evolved with every single strike of the hammer, far from a stubborn fool.

‘But the sheer extravagance of it! Burning through it just to bypass a few stages of standard progression!’

Had the boy simply consulted him beforehand, Zaonic could have engineered a methodology to extract the absolute maximum utility from the resource.

He even felt a brief twinge of resentment, wondering if his apprentice had intentionally hidden the acquisition out of fear that his teacher might confiscate it.

“Whew— what’s done is done, there’s no turning back the clock now. Still, looking at the embers, the residual energy is immense, so if we seize this window…”

“Would you care to collaborate on this project, master?”

The invitation caught him completely off guard.

Howard, who had been observing Zaonic’s shifting expressions with a knowing look, cut through the older smith’s grumbling with a relaxed proposal.

“What? Ah, well, looking at the volume remaining, those flames will easily maintain their peak intensity for several more hours, so I suppose I could run a few test trials.”

His attention shifted back to the belly of the furnace where the sacred timber glowed fiercely.

Though only a segment roughly half the length of an arm remained unburnt, the fire radiating from it was staggering, perfectly showcasing the legendary properties of the wood. It was easily capable of sustaining its heat for a long duration.

“…Tsk, but launching into a forging session spontaneously without proper blueprints or calibration is an insult to the craft. I will pass. You should focus on concluding your own work, Howard. Do not let this heat go to waste.”

Zaonic forced down his professional yearning and began to pivot away from the hearth.

While the temptation was eating at him, he genuinely wanted Howard to reap the full benefits of this developmental milestone, since the resource belonged to him.

“Oh, that piece? Don’t worry about saving it. I have plenty more!”

Howard’s cheerful rebuttal was something Zaonic’s mind could not immediately process.

“Wait… what did you just say?”

“Uhuhut! My companion stumbled into an incredible stroke of luck! He forwarded a massive crate of them and told me to burn through them without holding back! Come now, master, there is absolutely no reason to hold back! Grab your tools!”

Before he could fully comprehend the situation, Zaonic found himself dragged forward by the hand, his arms suddenly piled high with multiple thick logs of authentic World Tree timber, each matching the thickness of his forearm.

He had spent his youth begging, pleading, and lowering his pride just to secure a splinter that fit in his palm.

Yet here he was, cradling a bundle of solid, heavy logs like ordinary firewood.

Inhale, exhale—

The rich, unmistakable aroma of the cured timber drifted into his senses.

True to its divine heritage, even the raw scent of the wood carried a profound, otherworldly weight.

“…Ahem, well… if that is the case, perhaps it would be remiss of me not to participate.”

The dormant, burning passion for creation that defined his entire existence began to surge violently within his chest.

He had been exercising maximum self-control for the sake of his student’s education, but with an inventory of this scale, any further hesitation was just foolish pride, wasn’t it?

“To be completely honest, I was secretly hoping to watch you demonstrate your techniques because I still hit walls in my training! Please bestow your wisdom upon this inexperienced novice! Hehehe!”

“Hahaha—! You truly are a bringer of fortune, Howard! Fantastic, we are not sleeping tonight!”

Zaonic instantly shifted into high gear, his professional admiration for his apprentice swelling tenfold in an instant.

Now that the parameters of the evening had shifted so dramatically, there was absolutely nothing left to restrain his enthusiasm!

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

From that hour onward, the perfectly synchronized symphony of hammers striking hot iron reverberated through the night within the glowing walls of the cooperative forge…

And a young artisan of the Dwarf race began to ascend to entirely new heights of mastery.