Volume 6 Chapter 12 Yggdrasil
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
About a month had passed since Syusuuria and the others departed for that world. I was summoned by the Queen and made my way to the Royal Palace. There, I found not only Ms. Claudel, but also Big Sister Puruun.
”Karin-san. I apologize for making you come all this way,” the Queen said. “Tell me, how has Kashiwagi Akari’s condition been since then?”
”She’s regained consciousness, thank goodness,” I replied. “But her memory is still quite hazy. I can’t tell if she even knows who I am. The doctors say if we take her rehab slowly, her physical functions should eventually return to normal.”
”I am truly, deeply sorry,” the Queen muttered. “How many times must I be the cause of her suffering before it is enough?”
”It’s not necessarily your fault, Your Majesty,” I said. “So, what did you want to discuss today?”
”Thank you, Karin-san. Then, I’ll get straight to the point,” the Queen said. “First, regarding Akari – once she is stable, I’d like her to recover at Kashiwagi Yuuta’s side. Ideally, I should have sent them back together while she was still healthy, but…”
”Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I think Mom will be happy just to be with him,” I said. “Seeing Dad’s face might be the best medicine she could ask for.”
”I understand. I will begin the arrangements,” the Queen said. “Next, I have news regarding Syu. The spirit clan ¹‘s regular courier just delivered a report from the AWCC. Please share the details with Akari and Yuuta when you can.”
”Thank you. I know they’ll both be thrilled,” I replied.
”It seems Syu is currently in a place called Okinawa with Saran and Second Lieutenant Sheena,” the Queen continued. “They are staying with Yuuta’s parents. Apparently, your older sister Kashiwagi Tomori and her son Halt-buddy are with them as well. Okinawa has beautiful beaches similar to the Coral Fief, and it seems Syu and the others have started learning how to swim.”
Ms. Claudel added that she was also familiar with Yuuta’s parents and the Okinawan sea.
”Man, I wish I could’ve gone too,” I thought to myself. “But knowing Syu, he’s probably loving the fact that Mom isn’t around to keep him in line. I just hope he isn’t making a complete nuisance of himself.”
”On that note, Karin-san… I have a favor to ask of you,” the Queen said, her expression tightening with sudden gravity.
A direct request from the Queen? I looked over at Big Sister Puruun, but she was awkwardly avoiding eye contact. I steeled my resolve.
”I’m listening,” I said.
”Regarding the mana interference Akari suffered… there is a possibility that Yggdrasil ² is involved,” the Queen explained.
”Yggdrasil?” I asked. “I think Chieftain Fedelate mentions that name every once in a while, but what is it exactly?”
”Yggdrasil is the cornerstone of this world, governing the circulation of ki and mana in the atmosphere,” the Queen replied. “Most people know it simply as the World Tree.”
”The World Tree? Hmm. It doesn’t really ring a bell,” I muttered. “So, what do you need me to do?”
”To be blunt: I need Chieftain Fedelate’s cooperation for an investigation,” the Queen said. “And I was hoping you would be the one to deliver that request.”
”I see. So that’s how it is,” I said. “The spirit clan knows the most about Yggdrasil, then?”
”Yes. For several years now, the circulation of ki and mana has been growing increasingly unstable,” the Queen explained. “It has been a topic of concern at the Three Tribes Council. Specifically, we’ve observed a steady depletion of mana. If this continues, it’s predicted that – at worst – the survival of the Elves and the Demon Clan ³ could be at risk within a few hundred years. Our mages believe the mana drop at the Gate was a symptom of this. Something is happening to Yggdrasil.”
It clicked. That thing the chieftain was talking about before… she must have been referring to this mana depletion.
”I understand, Your Majesty,” I said. “I don’t mind asking the chieftain for a favor, but I have to ask – why don’t you just request this through the Three Tribes Council yourself?”
”Karin-san, you’re just as sharp as Yuuta and Akari,” the Queen said with a faint smile. “The truth is, while this depletion is a crisis for Elves and the Demon Clan, it might actually be a benefit to the spirit clan. Given our history, a direct approach might not be taken seriously.”
”I see. So you want me to use my personal connection to get us in the door,” I said. “I’ll do it. But if I’m asking the chieftain for help, what specifically do we need?”
”It is a bit embarrassing,” the Queen admitted. “But currently, neither we nor the Empire know where Yggdrasil is actually located. We can’t even get close to it. We need to find its location and the procedure to reach it. Only the oldest elders of the spirit clan likely still hold that knowledge. We will handle the actual investigation, but we need their help to find the way.”
”Wait, Your Majesty,” I said. “Wasn’t the spirit clan’s whole goal to reclaim this continent and unite under Yggdrasil? You’re telling me that after all that, neither the Elves nor the Demon Clan even know where the tree is?”
”That is the case,” the Queen replied. “It happened tens of thousands of years ago. Records and traditions have been lost. However, it was a Great Mage of the Demon Clan who originally took Yggdrasil from the spirit clan and hid it within the Celeste Corridor ⁴. Once we find the path, we must confirm Yggdrasil’s status.”
”The Celeste Corridor… this sounds like a massive responsibility,” I said. “But I understand. As soon as Mom is safely with Dad, I’ll head out to see Chieftain Fedelate. Also, make sure you clear this with the Emperor. I’m still technically a diplomatic coordinator for the Empire, after all.”
”Don’t you worry about that, Karin. I’ve already handled the groundwork,” Big Sister Puruun said with a wink.
* * *
A week later, after getting the green light from the doctors, we began moving Mom to the Kashiwagi Fief. Sir Aaron organized the caravan and even provided a squad of soldiers as bodyguards. I’ve already contacted Dad via magical communication, so he’ll likely meet us partway. I truly believe this is the best thing for Mom right now.
”Mom, Dad’s coming to meet you,” I whispered. “It’ll be a bit cramped in the carriage for a while, so just hang in there. I can’t go with you this time… I’m sorry.”
”…Th… thank you…” Mom murmured.
My heart leaped. She definitely said it. She said thank you.
It’s going to be okay. Mom is going to get better. I’ll leave her in Dad’s hands and focus on finishing my own job. Besides, if I don’t solve the mystery of Yggdrasil, Syu might never be able to come home.
—
Trivia:
- Akari is still suffering from memory loss and cannot fully recognize Karin.
- The spirit clan might actually benefit from the mana depletion, creating a political conflict of interest.
- Yggdrasil was hidden by a Demon Clan Great Mage tens of thousands of years ago.
- Karin holds an official title as a ‘diplomatic coordinator’ for the Empire.
- Syu and the others are currently in Okinawa, Japan, practicing swimming
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Character Insight:
Karin shows significant growth as a diplomat, navigating a high-stakes request from the Queen with tactical awareness. Despite her personal worry for her mother, she steeled her resolve to take on a mission that involves the survival of multiple races. Her decision to move Akari back to Yuuta shows her prioritizing emotional healing for her parents.
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Behind the Scenes:
The use of the term ‘Celestial Corridor’ (天空回廊) suggests a mythological or high-altitude setting, common in late-stage isekai world-building where the geography shifts to hidden realms.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Syu – A Dwarf Engineer with a large, sturdy physique and boisterous personality.
• Sheena – A Lizardman from the Apocalypse Empire, specifically a junior researcher in the teleportation research team of the empire’s army. She is the 47th resident (hence ‘No. 47’) of the secret underground facility in Nevada, where she has been living for several years after accidentally being transported to this world through a failed gate experiment. Yuuta’s saffle too. Grey hair, long hair.
• Saran – An elf; part of the joint team working on the Gate. A Royal Palace Guard Officer from the Zerlant Royal Family. She has very white skin, is small in stature, and is described as incredibly cute. Despite her appearance, she is a master of all martial arts and exceptionally strong. She is described as ‘stiff’ or serious.
• Halt – A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. He is the grandson of the President of the United States and is recognized as a severe otaku by his peers. He attends a prestigious high school for children of celebrities and elite families.
• Fedelate – The clan leader of the Spirit Clan. He is kind, gentle, and shows a unique interest in Sofia. Fedelate is powerful, capable of using telekinesis and healing magic. He is intrigued by human emotions and experiences, especially love.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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