章節 3: Beginning of a Little Adventure in the Village

Upon leaving the house, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight. Our home and several others were nestled among the treetops, creating a serene village suspended in the forest canopy.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting blotchy patterns on the forest floor below, where numerous vibrant flowers and winding paths stretched out.

Birds of various colors flitted between branches, their songs mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Moving on from the captivating scenery, I surveyed the area for a way to get down from our lofty perch. Nearby, I spotted a sturdy staircase carved into the trunk of a colossal oak tree, its steps winding down toward the forest floor.

Alright, time to go... down...

But just as I took my first step toward the staircase, a vivid memory flashed in my mind—the sensation of falling, tumbling headfirst down a flight of stairs. My body froze in place, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

My chest tightened, and I instinctively took a few steps back, heart pounding in my ears. For a moment, the past felt like it was clawing its way back to the surface.

Okay, breathe. Everything is fine. You died once, but you're not going to die again. Not from something as simple as stairs.

"Frieren, are you okay?"

A voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. Turning around, I saw my mother standing nearby, looking at me with concern.

She approached me, her long white hair swaying in the breeze, and glanced between me and the staircase, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Then, with a knowing smile, she seemed to understand the situation

"Do you want to go down?"

I nodded, lifting my arms toward her. She then scooped me up without hesitation, holding me securely in her arms. Instantly, the fear that had been gripping my chest began to loosen.

Alright, I think I'm safe.

With my mother carrying me, we descended the spiraling staircase. My gaze drifted from the intricately carved steps to the forest floor below, where the village stretched out—an inviting expanse of life and greenery.

When we reached the bottom, I noticed a lot of elven villagers wandering about. Some were chatting by the stream, while children darted between the trees, laughing harmonously. Even a few wildlife lounged lazily in the sun, completely at peace.

It was such a sensational scene that made the forest seem more significant than it had when I was confined to the house.

"Would you like to explore?"

My mother's voice broke into my thoughts again, her tone light and encouraging. I looked up at her, nodding eagerly. She smiled warmly, then set me down carefully on the soft grass.

I sensed the cool ground underneath my feet, and for the first time since waking in this new life, I felt... free.

"Go ahead, I'll be right behind you."

With her reassurance, I took several steps into the village, my mother watching over me as I ventured forward.

---------------------------------------------

Upon exploring the village, I could get a closer look at the flowers I witnessed on my home's balcony. Their vibrant petals and unique shaped leaves were quite appealing to look at. And if that wasn't enough, every dirt path was lined with stones that lit up the way.

"They're pretty, aren't they, Frieren?"

My mother asked for my thoughts, so I plucked one of the flowers without thinking and gave it to her. She smiled, though wearily, before looking to the side. Following her gaze, I noticed an elf tending to the plants, staring at us with a deep frown.

Oops, I wasn't supposed to pick the flowers, was I?

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Gartner. It won't happen again."

Looking flustered, my mother immediately apologized. The gardener, with a huff, turned back to his work. Before I could even blink, I was gently but swiftly led away from the garden.

Once we were far enough from Mr. Gartner's garden, we both let out a concurrent sigh. Hers was one of relief, mine of... well, awkwardness, I suppose.

"Phew, that was close. Remember, don't pick the flowers next time, okay?"

I nodded at my mother's words, reminding myself to never mess with someone's garden. She smiled again, motioning me to continue venturing the village.

Eventually, we reached a circular clearing beneath an ancient, towering tree, where groups of white-haired elves were gathered here, talking among themselves. Enveloping the area were smaller trees, each with complicated carvings etched into their trunks—symbols, perhaps, or stories of the past.

At the center of the clearing stood a massive stone slate, and carved into it was an elaborate mural. My eyes widened as I took it all in.

It depicted a single white-haired elf, standing boldly in the face of a strong, towering shadow surrounded by what looked like an army of dark figures looming in the background.

I tugged my mother's dress and pointed at the mural, wanting to know its story. She glanced at me with a soft smile, understanding my silent question.

"That is our village's prophecy," she explained. "It tells us what the future holds."

Her voice trailed off, leaving me to consider what destiny awaited the village and the person standing so boldly in the mural.

I took a moment to soak in the weight of the words. Prophecy? Future? What does it have to do with the village I found myself in?

"What do we have here?"

Before I could dwell further on the thought, an elderly voice called out.

Looking ahead, I saw an old elf approaching us. His white hair cascaded down his shoulders, and his robes were adorned with intricate patterns. It didn't take me long to recognize him—it was my grandfather.

"Ah, Father," my mother greeted him warmly, "I was just letting Frieren explore the village."

"Is that so?" replied my grandfather, casting an amused glance in my direction. He squatted down to my level, his sharp eyes twinkling with delight. "Go on, little one, keep exploring."

With his motivation, a persistent sense of adventure stirred within me. Mother continued to follow closely behind as I eagerly ventured forward.

--------------------------------------

Resuming my adventure, I eventually found myself in a crowded area. The buildings were all interconnected, with open walls letting the cool breeze pass through and allowing people to see what was happening inside.

Elves within these facilities were engaged in various jobs. Some were artisans crafting magic staffs, leather armor, and garnished accessories. Others were bowers and fletchers, carefully shaping bows and arrows with precision. And the rest were artificers engrossed in producing magical tools and artifacts.

Watching them move about their tasks, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Despite their hard work, it was clear that most of them took genuine enjoyment in what they were doing.

"You like what you are seeing, kid?"

One of the elves working nearby noticed me, his voice gentle and easygoing. He had tousled white hair and wore a simple tunic smudged with bits of wood shavings, suggesting he was some kind of woodcarver. I nodded shyly in response, my eyes wide with curiosity.

"She sure does, Mister Holz," my mother interjected. "Frieren is just exploring the village."

"Ah, I see," the woodcarver acknowledged before reaching over to his workbench. He came back with something small in his hand. "Here, a little gift for your adventure."

On his palm was an intricately carved wooden pendant. I accepted it, carefully inspecting the delicate details. The design resembled a leaf with a huge gemstone embedded under a small one. Its craftsmanship was impressive, even to my inexperienced eyes.

"How lovely," my mother remarked. "Take care of the present, okay?"

I nodded, clutching the pendant delicately. Afterward, I quietly thanked the woodcarver, and bid him and the other workers farewell, continuing our stroll through the village.

As we walked further, my eyes were drawn to another area—a shooting range where a group of elves practiced archery. Their arm movements were swift and precise, every arrow hitting the target with a satisfying thud.

I stood there, captivated by their skill, wondering if I could be that accurate one day.

"Oh? Looks like my daughter came to visit me."

While pondering, a familiar male voice called out from a distance. Glancing forward, I noticed a tall elf walking toward us, his white hair was slicked back, and his emerald green eyes filled with warmth. In his hand, he held a wooden bow.

With all these characteristics, I instantly recognized it was my father.

"Ah, darling," my mother greeted him lovingly. "Frieren was going out on a little adventure."

"A little adventure, huh?" Father muttered playfully as he approached, ruffling my hair with a grin. "Did you have fun, Frieren?"

I nodded, holding up the pendant I'd just received.

"Well now, that's quite the treasure," Father remarked, admiring the fine craftsmanship.

Then, with a playful smile, he slung his bow across his back before picking me up and putting me on his shoulder.

"Alright, little adventurer," he said, chuckling. "Point out where you want to go next."

Scanning the village from this new, higher vantage point, I looked around and saw something interesting. So, I pointed in a certain direction and my father walked forward with my mother still following behind.

We strode onward, encountering new establishments like the herbalist hut, magical fountain, and enchanted bastions. Ultimately, I found myself at my last destination—the library.