Chapter 57
The Sleeping Queen
The forest had grown quiet again after the fierce battle, as if the trees themselves had decided it was time to rest and heal. Soft winds moved gently through the tall, ancient branches, carrying the sweet scent of fresh leaves and rich, healing earth that smelled like rain on moss and blooming wildflowers after a summer storm.
The elves slowly gathered around the wide clearing, their steps light on the soft moss carpet. They whispered among themselves in gentle voices, eyes wide with wonder at everything that had just happened.
Some stared with quiet smiles at Luna and the playful spirits dancing around her like happy little friends. The wind spirit twirled in silver sparkles, the fire spirit bounced with warm golden light, and the water spirit flowed in gentle ribbons that left tiny sparkling drops in the air.
Others looked toward Alex with deep respect, their wise faces soft with thanks. The young prince stood tall in the middle of it all, his cloak still lightly dusted from the fight, but the golden glow around him made him look like a hero stepped right out of the oldest forest songs.
The elven chief stood before Alex, his expression calmer now, though the weight of the recent betrayal still lingered in his kind eyes like a small cloud on a sunny day. He placed a hand over his heart, a sign of deep gratitude among his people.
Alex looked around the peaceful forest for a moment, his golden eyes thoughtful and warm. The leaves above rustled softly, as if listening.
Then he spoke in a calm, friendly voice.
"Tell me something, Chief."
The chief looked up, tilting his head with gentle curiosity.
"Where is the elven queen? She is the true ruler of your people, right? The one who watches over everything with a kind heart?"
For a moment the chief looked surprised by the question, his eyebrows lifting slightly as if Alex had asked about a secret from long ago. Then his face slowly turned serious, full of quiet sadness and respect.
"Well…" he said quietly, his voice like the rustle of old leaves. "Our queen is not in the village with us."
Alex crossed his arms, listening carefully.
"Where is she?"
The chief exhaled slowly, as if remembering something painful but important. His eyes turned toward the deeper parts of the forest where the ancient mountains rose like gentle giants beyond the trees.
"Our queen has been in a deep slumber near the World Tree for the past fifty years," he explained.
"The corruption of the World Tree began fifty-two years ago, like a hidden shadow creeping through the roots. At that time our queen used every bit of power she possessed to stop it. She fought against the darkness day and night, trying to protect the forest and every elf who called it home."
The elves around them lowered their heads respectfully, some touching the small wooden charms around their necks.
"But her power alone was not enough," the chief continued, voice heavy with love and sorrow.
"In the end… she sacrificed herself. She placed herself into a deep slumber beside the World Tree. Even while asleep, her spirit continues to resist the corruption, holding back the shadows so our home can stay safe."
He looked back at Alex, eyes full of quiet hope.
"She has been fighting that invisible battle for fifty long years, never waking, never resting in peace."
Leon blinked in surprise, his young face full of wonder.
"Fifty years?" he whispered.
The chief nodded slowly.
"Yes, little one. She is the heart of our forest."
Alex rubbed his chin slowly, his mind drifting back to the memories of the game he once knew. In the original story, after defeating the Eclipse Covenant, Leon had come here to find a special fruit from the World Tree. He had faced one last hidden enemy and left with the prize, but the queen had stayed asleep.
The saintess had not awakened yet, so the forest had slowly fallen into chaos later on—corrupted gates spreading like dark weeds, and the main character had no time left to help.
Alex sighed quietly inside his heart.
"Hm… But things are different now."
He looked down at his glowing hand. Golden light shimmered faintly across his fingers, warm and bright like a promise from the Goddess.
"I have divine power now. And that means I can save her."
Leon looked at him with shining admiration, like a little brother watching his hero. Luna's spirits fluttered excitedly around her, spinning in happy circles as if they could feel the hope too.
Alex looked back at the chief with steady eyes.
"Take me to the queen. I want to help her wake up and bring peace back to your home."
The chief hesitated for a moment, searching Alex's face with careful eyes. Then he nodded slowly, a small smile touching his lips.
"Very well. If you truly possess divine power, then perhaps you can succeed where we could not. The forest has waited long enough for a miracle like this."
He turned and began walking deeper into the woods, his steps sure and graceful.
"Follow me, friends. The path to the World Tree is sacred, but today it welcomes you."
---
The group moved quietly through the ancient woods.
The deeper they walked, the more powerful the forest's gentle mana became, filling the air with a soft, humming warmth that felt like a loving hug from nature itself. Massive trees rose like pillars of the earth, their trunks wider than houses and covered in soft glowing moss that sparkled like tiny stars.
Glowing flowers grew along the thick roots, painting the ground in soft blues and pinks. Soft blue spirit lights floated between the branches like friendly lanterns guiding the way. Birds sang soft, happy songs overhead, and small animals peeked out from bushes with curious eyes.
After nearly half an hour of peaceful walking, the forest suddenly opened into a sacred clearing bathed in golden sunlight that filtered through the leaves like liquid honey.
At the center stood the World Tree.
It was enormous—more like a living mountain made of warm, breathing wood than a simple tree. Its trunk rose high toward the sky, branches spreading out like protective arms. Golden leaves shimmered in the air like falling stars, drifting down slowly and turning into soft sparkles when they touched the ground.
Ancient roots spread across the clearing like rivers of life, pulsing with quiet magic.
Yet something was wrong.
Dark veins of corruption crawled across parts of the bark like black scars, twisting and fighting against the tree's natural light. The air around it trembled with two energies—bright, hopeful light and cold, creeping shadow—locked in an endless quiet battle.
Near the base of the World Tree stood a beautiful altar made from smooth white stone that glowed softly, carved with gentle patterns of leaves and stars.
And on that altar… someone slept.
The elven queen.
She looked peaceful and kind, as if she had simply lain down for a short nap under the sun. Her long silver hair flowed across the altar like liquid moonlight, shining with its own gentle glow.
Her skin seemed to shimmer with natural mana, soft and warm like morning dew on flower petals.
A crown of living leaves and tiny glowing blossoms rested gently on her head, moving slightly with her slow, steady breaths.
She looked like a queen from the sweetest fairy tales—beautiful, strong, and full of quiet grace.
But the faint dark energy swirling around her body like thin smoke showed the truth. Even in her deep sleep, she was still fighting the corruption, her spirit working hard to protect everyone.
The others remained behind respectfully at the edge of the clearing. Leon and Luna watched with wide, hopeful eyes, the spirits around Luna quiet now, as if they too sensed the importance of the moment.
Alex slowly walked toward the altar, his boots soft on the mossy ground. The golden leaves from the World Tree drifted around him like friendly greetings.
He stopped beside the sleeping queen and looked down at her peaceful face.
"Hm…" he scratched his head slightly, a small, thoughtful smile on his lips. "How exactly am I supposed to wake her up? There must be a way…"
Just then—
A soft blue window appeared in front of his eyes, glowing gently like a friendly message from an old friend.
DING!
Alex blinked in surprise.
Host, the Goddess has a message for you.
He frowned a little, tilting his head.
"…What now?"
The system responded in its usual calm, almost playful tone.
Host, the Goddess says you must kiss her.
Alex froze right there, his eyes widening in pure disbelief.
"…What?"
His face twisted into a look of complete shock, and he almost laughed out loud.
"Hey. Is this some kind of joke? Or is she reading too many comic books up there in heaven?"
Another message appeared right away, sparkling with soft light.
DING!
Host, the Goddess says you are her Apostle. She will only help you wake the queen if you kiss the queen on the lips.
Alex stared at the message in silence for a long moment.
Then he sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead with one hand.
"…This damn goddess," he muttered under his breath, voice full of fond exasperation.
"Why do I feel like she's enjoying this way too much? Sitting up there with a big smile, probably laughing at me right now."
The elves behind him were watching curiously, their heads tilted in gentle wonder. They had no idea what was happening inside Alex's mind, but they could feel the warm, hopeful magic in the air growing stronger.
Alex slowly stepped closer to the altar.
The queen's peaceful face was only inches away now.
Her silver hair glowed softly under the golden light of the World Tree, and her crown of living leaves seemed to shimmer brighter, as if the tree itself was watching and hoping.
The faint dark energy around her swirled a little faster, almost like it sensed help was near.
Alex scratched his cheek awkwardly, cheeks warming just a touch.
"Well… I guess divine orders are divine orders."
He leaned forward slowly.
Closer.
Closer.
The golden light around him grew warmer, mixing with the magic of the World Tree like two old friends finally meeting. The whole clearing held its breath, leaves drifting down in silent wonder.