novelslam Chapter 259 World Tree
Chapter 259 World Tree
Chapter 259 World Tree
Leaving the old director's office
Peng Liang scratched his head. He had originally thought that the old director would give him a good scolding, but to his surprise, the other party didn't say anything.
Outside the door,
A woman with exquisite features stood there, her face small and beautiful, wearing a black uniform skirt with black stockings underneath. This outfit, combined with her tall figure, exuded a cold and aloof charm.
"How is it?"
"What else can we do? Just the same as before."
Peng Liang's gaze swept over the other person quickly, without lingering for long. During working hours, his mind was only on work, but at other times it was a different story.
"Sigh, you gave up on Xiaolu, and the old bureau chief, who is your father, didn't even give you a good scolding."
"You're kidding, the old director is the person I respect most. How could he be the kind of person who makes things difficult for his subordinates?" Peng Liang retorted irritably.
"Besides, I didn't really do anything to Xiaolu."
"In the end, it's all because you ran away without permission."
"Pfft, why don't you admit you're a womanizer? Look at your good brother, Bai Yuze. He said he likes Hoshino Seri and he only likes Hoshino Seri. He gave up on his childhood sweetheart just like that. He's all about being devoted and single-minded. I'm just helping you make a choice faster."
Su Xinran curled her lip in utter disdain.
"Alright, enough of that, let's get down to business. The old director mainly gave me two tasks this time. First, to find out who is behind this corrupted magical girl. Second, to find out who the Abyss Twins are and give Ninomiya City an explanation."
The only survivor of the former is now at the Yeqiu City Comprehensive District Hospital. If we want to obtain information about the person behind her, she is the only breakthrough. We think this way, and the other party must think the same way. They will either rescue her or eliminate her completely.
Regarding the latter, according to satellite footage and intelligence, the Abyss Twins have not left Yeqiu City, so finding them is still possible.
After Peng Liang finished speaking,
Su Xinran rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment, then said with a furrowed brow:
"Both of these tasks look complicated. The first one, just take this calamity incident for example. The other side is an evil organization that can send out seven corrupted magical girls. Just thinking about protecting them and fighting them makes my head spin."
The second task was even more like finding a needle in a haystack. Yeqiu City was so big, and it was the front line. If the enemy were to sneak into the eastern district of Yeqiu City, would we go in or not? Going in would be suicide.
"It's okay, take it easy. It's not like only our Special Operations team is on the front lines. We can also seek support from the Arbitrator teams. The Arbitrator Exchange Competition is about to begin, and I believe many Arbitrator teams will be willing to come and help us."
Peng Liang smiled nonchalantly. The Arbiter team could earn a lot of points by helping the Security Bureau complete the major calamity event.
"Forget it, let's not talk about work anymore."
Su Xinran waved her hand, as if to put these annoying tasks behind her. She tucked a few strands of hair that were hanging in front of her forehead behind her ear, reached out and took Peng Liang's hand, looking at him with a meaningful expression.
"Today is our fourth day of working together. Where should we go on our date?"
"Ah—this!"
Looking into the glistening eyes before him, Peng Liang shook his head and said slowly, "Your work as the special operations team leader isn't finished yet. If you're tired, you should go home and rest!"
"Hmph, all you ever think about is work, work, work. Don't you know that workaholics like you are the easiest to snatch away by someone else?"
Su Xinran snorted coldly.
"Then I'll go find Xiaolu," Peng Liang said jokingly, glancing at her.
"Well, you little rascal, you still haven't given up your wicked intentions."
Su Xinran was instantly enraged and reached out her slender arm to pinch Peng Liang's ear.
"Cough cough~"
As a female colleague coughed softly in the corridor, Su Xinran immediately moved away from Peng Liang and stood aside, looking around as if she were admiring the scenery.
At this time,
A girl in work clothes walked up to Peng Liang with a list in her hand and said somewhat apologetically, "Um, hello, Captain Peng, excuse me, this is a list that the former director asked me to give you. He said it's for the expenses you incurred for tea and meals at his house a while ago, and you need to settle them."
"what?"
Peng Liang was taken aback.
"Hahaha, I knew it! How could the old director not get revenge for his precious daughter?" Su Xinran, who was standing to the side, burst into laughter.
Looking at the list in his hand,
Peng Liang glanced at Su Xinran, who was gloating beside him, and said, "Weren't you tired? Why don't you go back and rest?"
"If someone has to work overtime, then I guess I'll just have to work overtime with them!"
Su Xinran hugged Peng Liang's arm helplessly, "If the old director doesn't pay me overtime, I'm definitely going to the Magical Girl Headquarters."
"Shouldn't you go to the Security Bureau headquarters?"
"I'm a magical girl, of course I'll seek revenge on my family!"
Peng Liang chuckled and, after returning to his office area, began to carefully examine the files of the seven corrupted magical girls.
Come to think of it, the reason why these seven corrupted magical girls went from being guardians of the city to destroyers of the city seems to be because they disappeared for a period of time and then returned to the Judgment Squad. Why does this experience seem so familiar?
Almost instantly, a petite, pale purple figure appeared in his mind.
Violet Magician.
The journeys of these seven corrupted magical girls are almost identical to those of Violet Wizard of Oz.
So,
Is there any connection between them?
But it is obvious that
Violet appeared at the scene and, as the city's guardian, began to help slay these corrupted magical girls.
Could it be that the Violet Mage was once brainwashed by this group, but later, for some unknown reason, broke free from their control?
On the other side,
The magician Kikyo is suspended in the sky, with a towering tree connecting heaven and earth standing in front of her.
The leaves of this great tree shimmer with iridescent colors. Standing at the center of the world, its roots penetrate deep into the earth, and its branches stretch to the heavens, as if connecting all living things between heaven and earth.
Generally speaking, when talking about the World Tree...
People often think of the World Tree in Norse mythology, a colossal tree whose branches formed the entire world, reaching to the heavens, from which nine worlds arose.
But in fact,
This World Tree is not that World Tree.
Although this World Tree is equally ancient and sacred, the world it created is not large; it is a small world that can only support magical elves.
but,
Magical girls can come in if they want.
The process is very simple: just greet the Elf Queen, and she will bring the magical girl in.
However, very few magical girls are usually allowed to enter.
To date, there are no more than ten.
To enter, one must hunt down a certain number of abyssal beasts to provide sufficient nourishment to the World Tree. Only then will the Elf Queen, through magical spirits, extend an invitation to the magical girl to visit the World Tree.
What benefits would there be to entering the World Tree?
That's still possible. After passing the Elf Queen's test and approval, you will receive a square crystal core, which means you have entered the World Tree Committee. You can participate in the rules and regulations that various magical elves or magical girls need to abide by, as well as the terrifying law that can directly ban any magical girl's magic core through the square crystal core.
Every year, the World Tree Committee elects a new chairperson.
This year's theme is Kikyo the Magician.
Magical girls who haven't passed the test can also receive other crystal cores as gifts from the Elf Queen.
Overall, the World Tree is treated quite well.
A faint light appeared, indicating that Kikyo had entered the core area of the World Tree.
The scenery along the way began to change subtly; the leaves rustled, and the flowers on the grass bloomed in full glory, as if welcoming this distinguished guest.
Kikyo, the magician, moved with light steps.
Each step forward created invisible, pale golden ripples on the ground.
As Kikyo, the magician, reached the tree hollow, a magical spirit appeared before her, smiling:
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty has been waiting for you at the palace for some time. Please follow me."
Kikyo, the magician, turned her gaze and sized up the other party. The magical elf before her had a well-proportioned and elegant body.
Slightly different from the magical elves she had seen in the human world before, her skin was fairer and more translucent, and her demeanor was more dignified.
of course,
The biggest difference is that in this world, these magical elves appear to be about the same size as humans, perhaps slightly shorter.
However, it is not obvious.
Upon entering the palace, the first thing that comes into view is a winding corridor, with walls inlaid with crystal mirrors that reflect countless beautiful scenes of light and shadow.
A series of exquisite crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling of the corridor, emitting a soft and warm glow.
Following the magical sprites, we gently stepped through the corridor.
Enter the hall.
Kikyo, the magician, raised her head.
At a glance, one could see the silver-haired girl sitting on the throne. This was the current Elf Queen, Elena. On her forehead was a dazzling jeweled crown, radiating a soft and holy light.
Upon seeing the familiar figure, Elena's eyes lit up with a joyful smile, and a faint smile played on her lips.
"Kikyo-neechan, it's been so long! You're still as beautiful as ever."
"Yes, it's been a long time. I never imagined you'd become the Elf Queen."
Kikyo, the magician, also said with a smile.
"Sister Kikyo, you're being too polite. How I became a candidate for the Elf Queen may be unknown to others, but don't you know?" Elena, dressed in a light white dress, exuded elegance with every gesture, and led the magician Kikyo to a long table made of ancient oak.
Plates of tempting pastries and fresh, juicy fruits were laid out on the table, ranging from golden peaches to lush green grapes, and even exotic fruits that seemed to exist only in fairy tales. All of them exuded an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.
"Sister Kikyo, you should try these rare and exotic fruits. They not only taste great, but they can also increase your magic power and expand the capacity of your magic core. You can't get these things in the human world."
"hehe."
Kikyo, the magician, chuckled softly, but didn't touch the delicious food on the table. Instead, she quietly stared at the elven queen Elena before her.
"Stop giving me that, just tell me what you need my help with."
Seeing that Kikyo's magic was ineffective, the Elf Queen Elena sighed deeply.
"Sigh, I knew nothing could be hidden from Kikyo-nee. So I'll just say it straight: I don't want to be this damn Elf Queen anymore. Here, the only good thing is the food; there's nothing else to do. Human world cell phones and computers don't work here, and the Elf Guard Chief considers all the novels, comics, and food brought from the human world as garbage and pollution, and they all have to be destroyed."
I can only read books and eat from the World Tree. Every day I'm either learning Queen's etiquette or arguing with human politicians on various Earth planets, trying to get me to send more magical elves down, but they can't guarantee their safety... :.:
At this moment, Elena no longer resembled the Elf Queen; she was more like a pitiful girl who had suffered a great injustice outside and ran home to cry to her mother.
Kikyo, the magician, didn't interrupt the other's lament. After listening quietly to the other's complaints, she said helplessly, "Well, there's nothing I can do. I can't become the Elf Queen for you."
"Actually, it's not that complicated, Kikyo-nee. You just need to help me find a magical spirit." Elena wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said earnestly.
"What do you mean?"
"It's actually quite simple for a magical elf to become the Elf Queen: she needs to gain the World Tree's approval. But to gain the World Tree's approval, one must naturally be a magical elf who has made exceptionally significant contributions to the World Tree or to the magical elf population. And after searching for a long time, it seems I've actually found a magical elf who is more suitable to become the Elf Queen than I am," Elena explained.
"Who?"
"Ilus!"
"?"
Upon hearing this familiar name, Kikyo, the magician, was momentarily stunned.
Queen Elena, oblivious to the surprise on Kikyo's face, continued her explanation:
"Among all the magical spirits on Earth today, there are magical spirits that can possess two S-class magical girls at the same time, but very few of them can actually grow up."
Because in the face of the evil abyssal beasts, those S-class magical girls are as dazzling as the sun in the sky. They will never allow such magical girls to rise. Therefore, many S-class magical girls will encounter various accidents. I believe you have experienced this deeply, after all, you also fought your way from Japan to Yeqiu City.
But Arus is different. She's the only magical spirit who can simultaneously possess two S-rank magical girls and help them grow successfully. I can't even imagine what kind of gifts the World Tree would bestow upon her if she could return.
After listening to Elena's explanation, Kikyo nodded. "Yes, I've got it. If I meet her again in the future, I'll ask her if she'd like to return to the World Tree."
"Huh?"
"Couldn't you just take her back to the World Tree?"
Elena stared at Kikyo with a resentful look, resembling a pitiful girl abandoned by a scumbag boyfriend.
"Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."
Kikyo, the magician, smiled and patted Elena's head.
"Hmph, I'm angry."
Elena dodged Kikyo's palm, turned her head away with her mouth closed, like a little child.
Kikyo, the magician, smiled helplessly after leaving Elena's palace.
She came to the World Tree.
This towering tree reaches into the clouds, its roots deeply embedded in Mother Earth's embrace, its dense foliage resembling a giant green umbrella, shading a corner of the sky.
Kikyo, the magician, looked up and saw countless strange fruits growing on the tree, each carrying different magical power.
Standing under the tree,
Kikyo looked up at the star-like fruits, parted her lips slightly, and softly called out, "Ai—"
Though the voice was soft, it seemed like a whisper that pierced through time and space, instantly awakening the consciousness that had been dormant within a certain fruit.
A moment later, a streak of emerald light pierced the air from the depths of the tree canopy, and a petite figure slowly rose from it—it was the magical elf, Xiao Ai.
She wore an emerald green dress, her hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, her eyes were bright like sparkling gems, and she radiated a gentle yet powerful light.
Upon meeting Kikyo,
A bright smile instantly bloomed on Xiao Ai's face. She quickly went to Kikyo, the magician, and said warmly, "Kikyo-neechan, it's been a long time!"
"How is it? Has your injury healed?"
"If it hasn't healed properly, you can continue to recuperate it," Kikyo the magician said with a smile.
"No, no, no, I've recovered. Let's hurry back to Yeqiu City!"
Upon hearing that she had to stay here, Xiao Ai shook her head vigorously, as if she didn't want to stay here for even a minute longer.
"I can't wait to see Xiaoqing. She must miss me terribly too."
Upon hearing Ai's words, Kikyo smiled without exposing her, and extended her snow-white palm.
Xiao Ai also flew to Kikyo's side without hesitation, her body rapidly shrinking before landing on her palm.