Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance

The Elf that sat in front of Mira on her beautifully handcrafted wooden throne was the Elven Queen.

She looked down on Mira with slightly cold eyes, almost like she was trying to look into her soul. The Elven Queen could feel the immense amount of bloodlust within the girl in front of her and knew she was anything but simple.

She could also tell that the human girl in front of her was strong, really strong. She was powerful enough to break out of those chains holding her and kill everyone in this room. Well, except for her and a few others, but that's a given. How could the Elven Kingdom be so weak that they couldn't even handle a little girl?

However, what confused the Elven Queen was why this human girl allowed herself to be captured. With her power, she shouldn't have a problem escaping from the guards.

The Elven Queen could only think of two possibilities as to why she allowed herself to be captured and brought here. Either she wanted to kill her, or she wanted something that only the Queen of the Elves could give her.

And seeing as she wasn't trying to kill her right now despite being in front of her, the Elven Queen was leaning more towards the latter.

"So, human child, why are you here? Answer honestly. I can tell that you are powerful. Strong enough to break out of those chains and escape this place relatively unscathed. So, tell me, what do you seek?" The Elven Queen asked elegantly without any change in her expression, but her words caused a storm amongst those present, especially the guards who captured her.

They immediately turned pale and almost pissed themselves, knowing that they could've died without even knowing how if the little human girl wasn't as cooperative as she was.

Mira stared at the Elven Queen for a second, not really knowing how to answer. All of this was really too sudden. She didn't even know why she was detained in the first place.

However, she knew that this was probably a turning point in the trial. If she answered wrong here, then she might screw up the rest of the trial.

So, she looked the Queen directly in the eyes and said,"I seek a World Tree Seed, Elven Queen."

"IMPUDENT HUMAN!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!!"

"KILL THIS HUMAN, YOUR MAJESTY!! SHE DARED TO DISRESPECT THE GUARDIAN OF OUR RACE!!"

The surrounding Elven Ministers shouted and cursed at Mira, immediately wanting to kill her. However, the Elven Queen just stared at her without changing her expression even once. At least, that's what the crowd saw, but Mira noticed her brows furrow for a split second before returning to normal.

The two stared at each other for a few more minutes before the Elven Queen waved her hand to shut up the surrounding Elves, then she began to speak.

"Unfortunately, I can't give you a World Tree Seed as I don't have the rights to do so. However, if you genuinely do seek a World Tree Seed, then there might be a chance for you to obtain one. But let's put that aside for now as I have a question to ask you. Do you truly know what you're asking for? You could've asked for a fully grown World Tree, but instead, you asked for one of its seeds. Why? You should know that taking care of a World Tree Seed is nearly impossible."

The surrounding Elves wanted to say something, but the Elven Queen gave them a stern look which kept them quiet.

Mira, without hesitation, shook her head. She barely knew anything about a World Tree, much less one of its seeds.

"No, I don't. All I know is that for me to advance in my strength, I need a World Tree Seed. As for what it does or its significance, I never really cared." Mira answered honestly as she saw no reason to lie.

"Interesting. So you know what it is you seek, yet you don't know why you seek it. Well, seeing how you've been honest with me up until now, let me share a piece of information that you might find helpful. The World Tree, otherwise known as the Tree of Life or even the Cosmic Tree, is a very special existence. The World Tree in and of itself is more like a Realm than an actual tree. It holds up the Heavens with its branches, connects to the Underworld via its routes, and forms a connection with the two with its trunk, or in other words, the Mortal World."

"The World Tree can also create life. Whether it be humans, Elves, beasts, or any other race, all of them originate from the World Tree. At least that's how it is in our Realm. For us Elves, the World Tree is equivalent to our Ancestor and Guardian. It stands to protect us from outside forces so long as we worship and live within its grasp."

"I don't know if this information is beneficial to you, but you may use it as you will. As for the significance of a World Tree Seed. Well, as you now know, a World Tree is a magical existence. It's not something that can easily be replicated. If you intend to grow one, you may find it incredibly difficult as even we Elves have no idea how to do so, or else we'd have many World Trees around us."

"There's also only one way for you to get a World Tree Seed, and that's through the World Tree itself. So, if that's truly what you seek, then you have appeared in front of the wrong person. Though, I suppose I can take you to the World Tree if you are willing to do us a little favor."

After the Elven Queen said all of this, she stared at Mira.

Mira knew that the Elven Queen was probably only using this situation to extort something from her, but she couldn't do much in this situation.

For one, she has no idea where the World Tree even is. She didn't see a giant tree standing anywhere around this castle. Plus, from what she just heard, the World Tree might not even be entirely present in this Realm!

If the Elven Queen can take her to see this powerful yet elusive existence, then she has no qualms doing a bit of the Elven Queen's dirty work.

Mira nodded slightly, and the Elven Queen released a smile for the first time since she started this trial.

"Great! I only have three requests. If you can complete both of them, then I'll gladly lead you to the World Tree. One, a nearby Human Kingdom, has been looking to invade our territory for a while now. We've entered quite a few minor skirmishes with them over the years, but nothing too bad as neither of us wants to alert the other Kingdoms. However, lately, they've been attacking, kidnapping, and even r*ping innocents of our race and have even started massacring small villages. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do because if we announce we're going to war with this Kingdom, then the other Human Kingdoms won't let this slide and will attack us as well. If you could take care of this problem for us, I'd be most grateful." The Elven Queen explained, which caused the room to turn downcast.

Mira, however, thought that the Elven Queen would request something a lot more difficult. She didn't expect her first request to be so easy!

"Isn't it just a Human Kingdom? I'll be through with them within the day. What are your other two requests?" Mira asked, to which the Elven Queen nodded, not surprised by her answer.

"The second request is for you to take down a beast. There is an Earth Dragon in the Mountains to the West that has been bothering us for a while now. I request you to join me on an expedition to defeat this slay once and for all."

Mira nodded her head without giving it much thought. From the Elven Queen's words, it seems this Earth Dragon is a bit stronger than her, or else she wouldn't need help taking it down. However, Mira didn't feel much danger coming from the Elven Queen, so if this Earth Dragon was only a bit stronger than her, then it shouldn't be too difficult for the both of them to take it down.

Seeing Mira nod so easily, the Elven Queen's smile grew, and she voiced out her last request.

"As for my last request, it's a bit more private, so I'd like you to come to my chambers after this meeting, and we can discuss it there." After she spoke, her cheeks took on a healthy shade of pink, and her eyes moved away from Mira's for a split second, almost like she was embarrassed.

However, the Elven Queen immediately regained her composure and stared at Mira like nothing ever happened, leaving her speechless.

'Why do I have a foreboding feeling about this last request?' Mira thought to herself before inwardly shaking her head and giving the Elven Queen a nod.

"Good! Good! Haha! Alright, this meeting is now over. Human girl, if you could please follow me back to my chambers, we can get my last request started immediately." The Elven Queen clapped her hands, got up from her throne, and began walking towards her room.

The surrounding Elves looked like they wanted to say something, but before they could even speak up, the Queen gave each and every one of them a fierce glare.

Mira didn't know what was going on, but the faster she could get these requests over with, the faster she could complete this trial. So, hesitantly, she followed the Elven Queen back to her room.