Volume 2 Chapter 20 – “Hold On a Second”

“If your legs are numb, then don’t keep holding me like this?!” Teresa tried to wriggle free, but those snow-white, lotus-root-like arms that looked more like art than flesh wrapped gently around her. They clearly weren’t using any force, yet she couldn’t escape no matter how she struggled.

Well, it wasn’t surprising. She was currently so weak that even her Divine Authority and Domain might as well have been nonexistent. A gust of wind might knock her flat.

“Don’t move, Little Sha. You’re not wearing your hair ornament—your body’s fragile right now, so you mustn’t strain yourself.” Bilodis rested Teresa’s head on her soft, snow-white thighs and gently smoothed out her slightly messy bangs.

That was when Teresa noticed a faint golden shimmer radiating from Bilodis’s body, like rippling water, slowly flowing into her own.

At the same time, she could feel her hollowed-out shell gradually filling up—like a doll being stuffed with cotton.

So all this time, Bilodis hadn’t just been casually snuggling her—she’d been transferring power and vitality into her. Teresa tested her strength by lifting a wrist. Sure enough, she didn’t feel nearly as weak as before.

So this “bargain-bin sister” wasn’t just taking advantage of her—well, not only taking advantage of her.

“How do you feel, Little Sha? A little better now?”

“Mm, I feel… better,” Teresa replied after a moment’s hesitation. “Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking your sister?” Bilodis gently bopped her on the forehead with a cool fingertip.

Teresa let out a tiny “ow,” then lifted her head to see Bilodis gazing at her with eyes full of affection and a trace of a pouty, girlish grievance—like she’d been wronged by someone dear to her.

“…Can you put me down now?” Teresa asked, having regained a bit of strength.

“Before that, Little Sha… can you explain what’s going on with the clothes you’re wearing?”

“That’s your fault!” Teresa glared at her. “Do you know what time it was when you had me dragged out in the middle of the night? I didn’t even have time to change—I’m still in my pajamas!”

“This outfit really is quite… inappropriate.”

“Eh?!”

Suddenly, Teresa felt herself lifted—Bilodis had scooped her up at the waist and knees into a full princess carry.

“Where are you taking me?!”

“These scraps can’t be worn. Naturally, I’m taking you to change into something proper,” Bilodis said as she carried her out of the throne hall.

The Goldenwood Palace was far larger than it appeared. It didn’t have just a single hall; at its center was a vast courtyard surrounded by multiple buildings.

Flowing gowns trailed behind them. Translucent golden gauze fluttered like butterfly wings around the girl’s elegant shoulders. Her crown, adorned with wings and pure white lilies, marked her as a messenger of the Mother Goddess of All Forests.

The noble, unmatched Elf girl carried a similarly beautiful Elf girl who looked very much like herself, the two of them gliding gracefully through the central courtyard.

Teresa finally got a full view of the place. Picturesque mountains and clear streams. Butterflies danced like flower petals through the bushes and flowerbeds. Fallow deer and songbirds flitted through the forest—an idyllic world of nature in harmony, a perfect blend of architecture and the wild.

Elves viewed all nature as the Mother Goddess’s creation, and thus coexisted peacefully with every living thing.

Unlike humans, animals didn’t scheme or deceive. They were far easier to live alongside—so long as you knew how to communicate with them. Elves often found naive beasts more pleasant than complicated human minds.

Teresa noticed the deer here were different from the ones outside. They had larger bodies and antlers, the latter blooming with vivid pink petals.

She also spotted a few unicorns—entirely purple—from within the woods.

Noticing a new visitor in the palace, the magical beasts peeked out from behind shrubs or tree trunks, curiously eyeing the golden-haired girl in Bilodis’s arms.

They weren’t afraid. Magical beasts didn’t fear Elves. But they were shy—especially unicorns.

These proud, nearly extinct creatures only allowed themselves to be ridden by girls who were utterly pure in body and soul.

And the plant life here was also drastically different from Kaleburn’s.

The towering trees blocked out the sun—who knew what species could grow to such heights. There were even young, sprout-like plants that stood taller than clocktowers.

Perhaps only in an ecosystem this unique could such rare beasts thrive—of course, there was also the factor of humans driving them to the brink through ruthless hunting.

Though this was a different dimension entirely, its distance from human greed and slaughter made it the perfect sanctuary.

Enthralled by the courtyard’s wonders, Teresa no longer minded being carried.

Everything here fascinated her—things that once wouldn’t have interested her at all.

Just as they crossed the courtyard, a gaze shot out from the forest—locked firmly on Teresa in Bilodis’s arms.

“This is the origin of all living things, the birthplace of the Mother Goddess of All Forests. The Golden Sacred Tree was born here, and we Elves… sprouted as buds upon its branches.” Seeing Teresa’s curiosity, Bilodis smiled with elegance and gently stroked her hair as she explained.

“It is thanks to the nourishment of the Golden Sacred Tree that this land flourishes. The vegetation is abundant—even a roasted seed dropped on this soil could take root and grow into a towering tree.”

“This is the blessing of the Golden Sacred Tree—a wellspring of overflowing vitality.”

Following Bilodis’s gaze, Teresa looked toward the courtyard’s edge—and saw the immense tree that seemed to rise from the very core of the world.

This palace was built upon its uppermost branches, and even from here, its canopy still stretched into the heavens.

Its bark glowed faintly gold under the lights—likely the origin of the “Goldenwood” name.

“Our Sacred Tree is the largest golden tree in the world. The Elves of every age have thrived beneath this ‘Mother Tree’s’ protection.”

“But now, the tree that birthed our people is in trouble. It’s time… for us to protect her instead.”

Bilodis’s voice grew wistful.

Teresa looked up at the canopy and noted many withered spots. If the tree were a human, it’d be suffering from severe baldness.

She recalled Litt once saying that every leaf and branch of the Sacred Tree represented a Gold Elf. When one of them died, a leaf would wither and fall.

But seeing the tree up close… that couldn’t be accurate. If one leaf equaled one Gold Elf, then their numbers would be absurd.

Judging from the tree’s current state, perhaps each branch or split represented a Gold Elf.

If the tree had once flourished in full glory, the Gold Elves might have numbered in the tens of thousands—if not more.

But now… this balding Sacred Tree might not have many branches or leaves left.

Was this “trouble” just a euphemism for the Gold Elves going extinct?

Teresa couldn’t help but wonder.

So far, she had only seen two Gold Elves: Bilodis and herself.

Could there really be no more than that?

If that were true, the Gold Elves were finished. Just two women, closely related at that—there would be no way to continue the bloodline.

Another thought crossed her mind. Unlike Kaleburn, Secret Realms like this weren’t inherently stable. They had to be continuously sustained by the power of some great being.

She glanced at Bilodis.

If that were the case, everything made sense. Why Bilodis couldn’t leave this dimension. Why was she confined even within the palace? Without her, the entire realm would collapse.

The previous Elf Empress had apparently perished in the war with the Demons. The future of the Elves had been thrust into the eldest princess—Bilodis. Even her little sister had died.

In that light, the burden Bilodis bore… was immense.

For some reason, watching Bilodis act all calm on the surface made Teresa feel a little choked up.

“…We’re here.” As Teresa mulled over her thoughts, Bilodis had already carried her to one of the eastern palace wings.

Warm golden light spilled across the Goldenwood floors, shimmering in colorful hues. Teresa took in the vast, luxurious hall. A huge crystalwood floor-to-ceiling window sat at its center, with racks of clothes surrounding it.

The dazzling variety of garments made Teresa dizzy.

Elf-style light junglewear, Empire-style strapless banquet gowns, demihuman-style long coats—designs from every race and nation were here.

“This palace only has me and Lailin left. The tailors, maids, and guards… they’re all gone.”

“Some of these clothes were made by the top Elf designers. Others came from trade. Four hundred years ago, when everyone left, I couldn’t bear to let these clothes just rot. So I enchanted every piece with preservation magic.”

Now that she looked closer, Teresa saw each piece shimmered with a faint golden mist—probably the enchantment Bilodis mentioned.

Still…

Teresa stared down the endless corridor. Just how many outfits were here? How much mental power would it take to enchant every single one?

Did Bilodis’s spiritual power have no upper limit??

“All of these are practically brand new. Most have never even been worn. Little Sha, do you like any of them?” Bilodis smiled.

“…I think this one’s fine.” Teresa tugged on her oversized pajama shirt.

“Nope~” Bilodis cut her off. “Little Sha, this is our ancestral land. You can’t wear such baggy rags here~”

“Looks like you still need some etiquette lessons.”

“Then I’ll change myself.” Teresa, though enjoying being carried around by Bilodis’s soft, fragrant body, still felt the shame of it—especially given who was doing the carrying.

She tapped her pale, bare feet to the floor. The Goldenwood planks were surprisingly smooth and well-polished.

Adjusting her oversized shirt up to her collarbone, Teresa glanced back at Bilodis—who stood there with her fingers intertwined, beaming at her.

“…I’m going to change now.”

“Mhm~” Bilodis replied, still smiling sweetly and not moving a muscle.

“…Miss Bilodis, could you shut the door?” She had to say it directly. Otherwise, Bilodis clearly planned to stand there pretending not to understand.

“Alright~” And with that, Bilodis elegantly walked over and closed the door.

But she stayed inside.

And kept staring at Teresa, like it was the most natural thing in the world for a big sister to watch her little sister change.

How the hell was she supposed to change like this?!

Seeing Bilodis’s perfect smile, Teresa gave up on subtlety.

“Miss Bilodis, could you take yourself and close the door from the outside?”

“…Even my sister has to leave?”

“Of course! Why would you stay and watch me change?”

“Waaaah… Little Sha’s all grown up. She doesn’t want her big sister anymore. She’s even kicking me out just to change clothes…”

Bilodis even made a fake crying gesture. Teresa could tell immediately—no tears, just dramatics.

Full performance.

Thinking back to the noble and majestic figure Bilodis had been when they first met, and comparing it to the shameless blonde drama queen now—it was hard to believe they were the same person.

“I remember when you used to call for your big sister every time you bathed. You’d beg me to scrub you, saying you’d never grow up if I didn’t…”

“I NEVER SAID THAT!!!” Teresa snapped like a cat getting its tail stepped on, her face flushing pink—though whether from embarrassment or outrage, even she didn’t know.

A few seconds later, she realized—Why did I react so strongly? It was almost like she remembered it… even though she absolutely shouldn’t.

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