Kidnapped Princess C48

Chapter 48

Elvin thought for a long time, trying to answer my question, but in the end he only shook his head, having found nothing.

“My apologies. I do not know why they would take that branch. Isn’t it simply a decaying piece of wood?”

“Decaying, huh… not wrong. Just don’t ever say that in front of elves. They’ll stone you.”

As nature withered, the World Tree’s strength faded, so calling it “decaying” wasn’t inaccurate.

Whenever I thought of the World Tree, I was reminded of The Last Leaf—a leaf desperately clinging to life, trembling as though it might fall, yet refusing to let go for years as if for the sake of those gazing upon it.

“My guess… the World Tree is similar to a god. And that demon who once tried to kidnap Luminas held both holy power and demonic energy.”

“Oh, right. After Your Majesty easily caught him, he never appeared again.”

“That power of his was unstable. Perhaps now he’s searching for a way to obtain a stable force. A branch of the World Tree could be one method.”

Natural force, if categorized, was close to holy power.

“Or perhaps they want the elves’ power.”

Albredor had told me about their ability to command fairies. Demons were greedy—no different from humans.

“In any case, Your Majesty will win in the end!”

Elvin said it with absolute conviction, as though it were law. I silently shook my head.

“Don’t get overconfident. And this practically confirms that demon joined hands with humans.”

He had hidden from the temple’s sight and sold elves into slavery for humans. Yes, demons might have sold elves independently to acquire funds in the human realm—but had that been the case, Dylan would have discovered it long ago.

Someone operating for years without being found must have had help.

“The question is whether the temple aided them, or a powerful human.”

Temple members weren’t all kind. Just as their god was flawed, so were they. The king and pope held similar power—already enough to explain their extremism. Declaring nonbelievers as heretics was excessive.

Their devotion had crossed into mania.

Believing only those with holy power were chosen by god, they treated other races as lesser. That was why enslaving beastfolk and elves caused them no guilt.

They acted noble and merciful—but only toward humans.

Thinking like this nearly made it seem like killing them all would be the cleanest way to purify the world.

My people might look down on other races, but they did not enslave them or burn their homes. And if someone showed great power, they respected it.

Humans hated anyone stronger than themselves.

“That explains why they requested our protection. I didn’t know because I never cared about the human realm.”

“You should care a little…”

Their supposedly safest sanctuary had been breached. Of course they fled.

“Humans enslave elves. Demons do not. Elves were enslaved after being attacked by demons, but they knew the demon was opposing the Demon King. Staying there would have meant extinction. As a king preserving his race, it was the correct judgment.”

If I had watched my people violated by humans and demons alike, I would have done the same.

“No more information from Dylan?”

“No. He confirmed there are demons active in the human realm, but their hideouts have not been found.”

“I see.”

“No matter how I think, there is only one conclusion.”

I sighed deeply. I already knew what he wanted to say, and honestly, I could not deny it completely.

“Your Majesty should rule the human realm!”

“I don’t want such a troublesome task. I only took the Demon King’s throne because you all forced it on me. Let humans deal with their own world.”

Still, complacency was dangerous. Sitting in the Demon Castle listening to secondhand information had limits.

My people were being slain by heroes, my labyrinth defiled. Maybe it was time to see for myself.

“I will go personally.”

“You will go yourself?!”

Elvin’s eyes sparkled as though expecting a glorious conquest.

“I’m not going to destroy it.”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Dylan cannot act freely. And demons cannot see everything there. I must go. I have resistance.”

The temple. The one place demons could not touch.

“It is dangerous to enter the core alone!”

“I know. I will check the outer area first.”

The temple’s innermost sanctum was like the Demon Castle—magic useless, clairvoyance blocked, demonic energy purified. And like the World Tree, it was a divine barrier; only the chosen or the pure could enter.

“There is a reason I must go.”

If the World Tree truly had little time left, I had questions. This might be my only chance to speak with it. The World Tree, symbol of light, could never be brought to the Demon Realm.

“Not immediately. I care for my safety. Besides, I have all of you.”

Elvin, who boasted confidence when sending others to danger, always tried to cling to me when I did so. Affectionate, but too protective.

“I should ask Luminas too.”

Perhaps she would like to see the human realm. And it wouldn’t hurt to spend time with her—she seemed overwhelmed by many things lately.

I sent letters: to Dylan, saying I would visit the human realm soon, and to Albredor, asking to see the World Tree.

Thinking of Luminas waiting in my room, I teleported. It looked exactly as I left it—clearly she hadn’t risen yet.

She lay in bed. I assumed she was catching up on lost sleep. I approached.

But up close, her face was twisted in agony.

She seemed asleep, yet her expression contorted, fists clenched, lips torn and raw from holding back sound.

“…Growing pains, you said? This severe?”

She looked worse than yesterday. I hurriedly conjured a cold cloth and placed it on her forehead.

“Has your constitution weakened?”

Though her bones seemed broader, she looked much thinner. To be fair, she had always been thin—never eating enough.

Breakfast of just salad—hardly fitting for someone training their body.

“I don’t want to be alone… I won’t become like you…”

Sleep-talking. Even in dreams, she clung to someone, terrified.

“If I could enter dreams, I would comfort you…”

But I wasn’t a succubus or incubus; I didn’t know such magic. Clicking my tongue, I dragged a chair and sat by her bed.

“Humans really do require constant care.”

Perhaps that was why they became so dear. Watching her, I dozed lightly.

A rustling sound stirred me.

My neck was sore. The cloth lay discarded. Luminas was gone.

I jerked upright, scanning the room. She stood by the window.

Removing drenched clothes—!

I bowed my head immediately. She spoke calmly:

“Oh, you’re awake?”

“That is not the point! Change somewhere else at least! Don’t be so defenseless—”

I tried to erase the faint silhouette from my mind. Thankfully, her front had been covered—I only saw her back.

But once a sight is burned into memory—

Wait.

“How thin are you?!”

Even from that glimpse, she looked emaciated—not slim, starved. I rushed over, hands hovering in panic. Clothes had hidden it too well.

“That’s why I told you to eat properly!”

My chest ached. Was this how mothers felt when their child skipped breakfast and ran out?

I held her shoulders and ordered her to eat three meals a day. Then, she looked at me, wide-eyed.

And she smiled. Brilliantly.

I was the one left stunned.