Chapter 36 [Ancient city]
Calm madman: We were transported to one of the branches of Yggdrasil.
???: Greetings, Calm madman.
The calm madman: And good health to you, Isilendil. I brought my brother and his translator.
Isilendil: Hello, as you have heard, my name is Isilendil. As I recall, you are Faceless, and this is Chloris, right?
Faceless>Chlori: That's right.
Isilendil: Since we've met, maybe for a welcome dinner? Or maybe you won't be for long?
Calm Madman: Actually, we didn't plan on staying for long. And we have a lot to do, taking into account your request.
Isilendil: Yes, that's right. In that case, wait a bit while I gather the entire imperial family. You can go straight to the reception hall, and we'll come over.
Calm madman: Good. Faceless, let's go.
"The calm madman led the Faceless One and Chlori after him. Passing through the arch, entering the depths of the tree, they entered the reception hall. It looked like someone's handiwork, but in fact, if you look closely, you can see that the branches of the tree are intertwined so that a spherical room was created."
Calm madman: Have a seat.
"The calm madman and Chlori sat down on two sides, near the Faceless One."
???: Hello, I am the oldest Taurendil high elf. The others are already coming.
???: Hello, I am the daughter of the Emperor, the high elf Tauriel.
???: Hello, my name is Arquene and I am the mother of Tauriel, also a high elf.
Isilendil: Since everyone has gathered, we will discuss some issues. Let's start with the question of getting to know each other.
Calm madman: I agree. You know me, and my brother, the Faceless One, is sitting on my left. It is a being created as something that does not have certain personality differences. Therefore, it is unlimited in the abilities assigned to individuals. Next, to the left of the Faceless One sits his translator, who will voice what the Faceless One says. I think that's the end of the matter.
Isilendil: I agree. Next, a question about joining your territory. As you remember, the condition on our part for coming under your rule was to find a way to reconcile Cthulhu and Ermungand. As you all know, Cthulhu was here before the appearance of our distant ancestors. Ermungand was brought out by us for protection. But Ermungand wants to take over a larger area of waters, and Cthulhu does not allow him to do this, because of the disturbance of the waters.
Calm madman: Yes, it happened.
Isilendil: Then how will this happen?
Calm madman: First of all, we agreed with Cthulhu. More specifically, he will join our empire, but on the condition that we solve the problem with Ermungand. So we need to talk to him and come to a compromise.
Isilendil: So, then this issue is also closed. Next, the question of the Faceless mana. How safe is it for us?
Calm madman: In fact, it is not safe for you. But, since the world tree is powered by concentrated mana essence, it is even useful for the world tree.
Isilendil: Okay, Taurendil, you can lower the barrier.
"A barrier collapsed around the Faceless One and, splitting into small fragments, were absorbed by the world tree."
Taurendil: Since we've solved all the issues, can I get started?
Isilendil: Yes, please start.
"Taurendil stood up."
Taurendil: Greetings to all present once again. As you remember, the Calm madman said that he needed to talk to Ermungand. In order to do this, it is necessary to move to the second half of the continent, since, predicting his movements, he will be around the time at which you arrive and if you are late, he will be there for several more days.
Calm madman: The question is, how is the second half of the continent?
Taurendil: That's a good question. A long time ago, even before I was born, there was only one continent.
"The elves and high elves lived on a vast continent all alone. There was silence and tranquility. The high elves cultivated the world tree. It was the same every day. Small and large settlements of elves were engaged in research, some did nothing, others developed the technology industry together with the dwarf empire. The elf race was developing and nothing foreshadowed trouble. But at one point, the mainland was divided into two parts and all because of one incident... The middle of the continent was submerged under water... A huge hand fell on the mainland. The mana flows were disrupted, the elves were lost, confused and did not know what to do. There was no connection with the other half. Therefore, the high elves decided to bring out the huge creature Ermungand so that it would protect them from such an incident."
Calm madman: So, the hand fell? And whose was she?
Taurendil: According to the legends that were passed down to us from our ancestors, it is said that there was originally one huge continent. But it disintegrated from the shock waves. And in the middle of the split, the fallen son of God and the archangel are fighting.
The calm madman: In theory, the essence of the problem is clear. To sum up, we need to get to the second part of the mainland, talk to Ermungand, then to Cthulhu, and then, as far as possible, head to the middle of the split. Right?
Taurendil: That's right, that's it. I give the floor to my daughter.
"Taurendil and Isilendil sat down."
Arquene: Good day to all. I just have one question. No, two. First, how are you going to deal with the battle with this demon and angel?
Calm madman: Please clarify, the fallen son of God, who accepted the power of evil, became one of the devils. Also, it is not an angel, but an archangel.
Faceless>Chlori: If I don't think about your words, then I realized that they are still fighting.
Calm madman: Yes, two factors influence this. That they are both angels of regeneration and restoration. And also, because of their size, they fight at normal speed, but for our size, their battle is slower.
Faceless>Chlori: Then I can answer this question. To begin with, I already surpass the various limits of a living organism in terms of physical strength, as I have noticed. Example, recently, a test of my impact strength was conducted, in which I almost stopped time by moving. Also, I broke a mountain that was very far away from me. Then, given the length of their battle, I can say with confidence that I will have time to study at the magic academy.
Arquene: Okay, the question is closed. Next, none of you are claiming my daughter?
Calm madman: No. Can I ask you a counter question?
Arquene: Yes, please.
"The calm madman stood up."
Calm madman: Due to lack of knowledge and loss of past knowledge, I ask you Arquene and you Tauriel to help me explain to the Faceless One what sympathy is. That's all.
"The calm madman sat down."
Arquene: I don't mind helping.
Tauriel: I don't mind either.
Isilendil: Then the meeting is over. As soon as the main issues of calm waters are resolved, we will sign a contract. You can disperse.
"Tauriel's mother and she stayed."
Arquene: So, what kind of help do you need?
Calm madman: As you remember, I told you that he has no human differences from birth, which means that he does not have human emotions and so on. Therefore, I ask you to try to explain what it feels like.
Arquene: I kind of got it. Mr. Faceless, do you like someone?
Faceless>Chlori: I don't know.
Arquene: * So he is interested in this problem.* See if there is a living being that attracts you with its appearance, or behavior, or attitude towards you, or the way it communicates with you?
Faceless>Chlori: Let's say.
Arquene: When you are attracted to a creature on any of these points, it means that you like it.
Faceless>Chlori: Let's say.
--- At this time---
Isilendil: Do you think you can trust them?
Taurendil: It depends on what you consider a threat.
Isilendil: Of all the threats, only one bothers me. Won't he destroy the world tree for us with an oversaturation of mana concentrate?
Taurendil: If he leaves before sunset tomorrow, then everything will be fine. And then we won't have to feed the roots.
Isilendil: Phew. Then everything is fine.
Taurendil: Except that I'm scared of him.
Isilendil: How is it?
Taurendil: Well-established circumstances will lead us to peace. Bad circumstances will be fatal for all of us.
Isilendil: What do you mean?
Taurendil: We'll wait and see.
--- At this time---
Kradr: Rostolia!
Rostolia: Yes, I'm coming!
"Rostolia, out of breath, approached Kradr."
Rostolia: And why did you rush me? Anyway, we arrived earlier than scheduled.
Kradr: Actually, no.
Rostolia: What do you mean?
Kradr: Hin was already standing here when I arrived, and now he went to the next shop for food.
Rostolia: Damn it, ah!
Hin: Don't swear.
Rostolia: Yeah.
Hin: So, where's the cart?
Kradr: Well. She's not here.
Hin: We're not going to walk, are we? It seems like the path is not close.
Kradr: Have you ever flown?
Hin: Nope.
Kradr: Look.
"Kradr has spread his wings."
Kradr: That's how we'll get there.
"Kradr, making a flap of his wings, took Rostolia and Hin by the shoulder with his claws."
--- A few hours later---
Kradr: Grituun! Meet me!
"Kradr was slowly coming down."
Grituun: Did you complete the task?
Kradr: Yes.
Grituun: And who is this?
Kradr: I don't know the details, but bringing him here was my assignment.
Grituun: I see. You and your brothers did something together. Is there a brotherly connection?
Kradr: How is that? And where were they?
Greetoun: Ah, you don't know?
Rostolya: And I do not know.
Greetoun: Dachshund, when the Faceless One came back, these two fools were rude to him. He sent them after the half-goblins and giants.
Kradr: Yeah, apparently they were very rude... Did they at least come back with someone?
Grituun: You won't believe it. About a hundred half-goblins and 36 giants.
Kradr: How much?!
Grituun: That's it.
Kradr: I'm going to go find out everything now.
Greetoun: It won't work. As soon as they arrived, they closed up and slept. The giants are sitting in a clearing behind the fortress. We locked the half-goblins in the basement because they were too violent.
Kradr: It doesn't sound good. There is a possibility that if we don't let them out of the basement, the Faceless One will scold them again.
Grituun: It's still not worth it. My personal advice. I think you know how violent goblins are. And now add the ability to think like a human being to their behavior, what happens?
Kradr: Mmm, an uncontrolled crowd?
Grituun: That's right, so let them be closed. Boy, what's your name?
Hin: My name is Hin Dol.
Grituun: And why were you brought here?
Hin: Once upon a time, a Calm Madman liked me, and that's why I'm here.
Grituun: I see. Then come into the waiting room. Rostolya, ask me to bring him food. If possible, yesterday's. Today there was a pickled octopus, but it turned out to be with a concentrate of scarlet mana, so the goblins had to eat it.
Rostolia: Yes, it's good.