[Wishe Forest, Holy Tree Town]
This was a forest of elves famous throughout the world.
It was said that the forest had once been blessed by a celestial spirit, and that elves born here often possessed extraordinarily strong magic power, power that could almost rival the high elves of Alfheim.
Lefiya, the first-class magic user of the Loki Familia, was born in this forest.
Unlike other elven forests, Wishe Forest was located at an important crossroads. Its residents maintained close ties with the outside world, making it one of the few elven settlements willing to welcome visitors of other races.
Deep within Wishe Forest stood a miraculous tree known as the "Great Holy Tree." At certain times every year, it would bloom into a magnificent spectacle called the "Crown of Light", countless motes of radiance would fall from its branches and leaves, as if starlight itself were descending upon the world, weaving together into a dreamlike curtain of brilliance.
This breathtaking sight was a wonder unseen in any other elven forest in the world.
During this year's blooming of the Crown of Light, Emiya arrived at Wishe Forest together with Ryuu, Riveria, Alicia, and Haruhime.
Not long had passed since the great expedition that broke through the seventy-second floor of the Dungeon. After that, Riveria's level ascended to Lv.9. Then, she announced her retirement and withdrew from the ranks of Loki Familia's adventurers.
After her, Finn and Gareth also retired from adventuring.
Finn returned to his homeland. The empire where he was born had just recently been overthrown by rebel forces, and taking advantage of the upheaval, Finn began building a town for the Pallum race, formally embarking on the lifelong dream he had always held dear: the project of reviving his race by building a harem.
It was said that lately, Finn was scheming to acquire titles such as "Duke" or "Elector," planning to ensure his legacy could be passed down.
Gareth, meanwhile, stayed behind in the Labyrinth City. He opened a tavern, unlike The Hostess of Fertility, his establishment specialized in strong liquor. Though small in scale, it quickly became popular among certain adventurers.
As for Riveria, she chose to travel with Emiya, finally beginning the journey she had dreamed of for many years, a voyage around the world.
The "Queen Cat" Aki succeeded the position of Familia captain, while the "Ice Rose" Alicia became vice-captain, helping to manage the Familia's affairs.
Even after the three great pillars retired, the Loki Familia still stood firm at the pinnacle of the Labyrinth City, remaining one of the strongest factions in existence.
Lefiya had now become one of the executives, serving as commander of the Familia's elven division.
However, since Vice-Captain Alicia secretly slipped away to join Riveria on her world journey, Lefiya was currently serving as acting vice-captain. She was so busy every day that she hadn't even had the time to return to her hometown to witness the blooming of the Holy Tree's Crown of Light.
"So beautiful...", Ryuu looked up at the radiant crown shining under the night sky. The countless motes of light fell like stars, blanketing the entire forest, dreamlike, almost unreal.
"Does Alfheim have such a Holy Tree too?", Emiya asked, turning toward Riveria.
"Of course. However, a Holy Tree of this size and grandeur, I fear there is only one such tree in the entire world. Moreover, this particular Holy Tree seems to have been blessed by the Star Spirit, and so, when the Crown of Light blooms, its brilliance far surpasses that of ordinary Holy Trees," Riveria's gaze lingered on the falling lights, distant as the night sky, as if she were recalling memories from long ago.
During their journey around the world, the forests of the elves in various countries were among their most important destinations.
After the battle against the Black Dragon, the threat of monsters across the continent diminished rapidly, and the structure of the world itself began to change.
In the past, because of the monster menace, all nations and races had been forced to maintain a delicate balance, a general state of peace and cooperation. Except for the war god Ares's Kingdom of Rakia, few powers dared to start conflicts on their own.
But now, with their common enemy gone, long-suppressed tensions were slowly beginning to surface. Though the conflicts had not yet fully erupted, the undercurrents of unrest were already quietly flowing.
Emiya, who held the divine role of [War], could clearly sense this shift in the world's intent. Yet, he felt neither sentimentality nor worry.
Conflict shapes heroes, and strife shapes civilization. Discord is the essence of the world's motion. The gods who descended to this realm can do nothing but limit the intensity of such conflicts and maintain the lines that must never be crossed.
The world's destiny, in the end, is decided by "humankind" itself.
However, while Emiya's perspective was broad and detached, those beside him could not remain so calm. Each had their own position and responsibilities.
Riveria, for example, as a princess of the elves, could keenly sense that change was approaching, and she realized that her people would have to change as well.
Thus, the first stop on their world journey had been the sacred land of the elves, Alfheim.
Riveria had never intended to inherit the throne, yet she still fought to secure inheritance rights for her eldest daughter. Relying on her prestige, she forcibly changed the high elves' deep-rooted hostility toward the Age of the Gods.
The royal family of the elves had always been wary of the gods. As a result, very few high elves ever accepted a [Falna]. This stubborn tradition had influenced even many common elves' thinking, and the consequence was a severe decline in their race's competitiveness.
Although Riveria's father was the current Elf King, her own reputation after taking part in the battle against the Black Dragon had reached its peak.
Using that influence, she pushed the royal family into making a decision. Under her guidance, several high elves, including her younger sister and her aunt, ultimately chose to join Emiya's Familia.
For the millennia and eons to come, the main current of the world would continue to flow around the [Falna]. If the elves could not adapt to the age, then eventually, they would be cast aside by it without mercy.
Riveria had, in a sense, used forceful means to push the royal family toward that choice.
Of course, for their world journey, changing the course of the elven race was just a small episode along the way.
Riveria was a princess of the elves, but before that, she was Emiya's wife, and the mother of his daughter.
In her heart now, her family carried the greater weight.
And as a princess, she had already done all that could be considered her duty. From here on, everything would depend on the awareness and action of her people themselves.
After admiring the dreamlike beauty of Wishe Forest's miracle, Emiya and his companions set out again. Their next destination, the great nation of magic, Altina.
This country was world-renowned for its research in magic, gathering countless scholars and magi versed in the arcane arts. It was even home to two Lv.5 magic researchers.
Of course, in terms of level, even among the three elves traveling together, the lowest, Alicia, was now a formidable Lv.7.
However, "strength" and "knowledge" were two entirely different things. Even for them, the great magical nation still had much to learn from.
For instance, what exactly are the differences between a witch, a sorceress, a mage, an enchantress, and a magical girl? How to perfectly capture each one's aura? How to truly embody their charm? And on which street in Altina could one find the most accurate costumes for each setting?
Ah, the way of magic truly has no end.