Reincarnated as the Final Boss of an Eroge, but I Just Want a Peaceful Life After the Game Ends - Chapter 19: The Queen of the Forest Elves

Chapter 19: The Queen of the Forest Elves

To the west of Bahamul Territory lies a vast forest.

Deep within it, I had discovered a dungeon during an earlier exploration.

While I’d investigated up to the dungeon’s entrance, I had never ventured farther beyond.

“A forest dungeon, you say…? It’s possible that beyond that forest—deeper into the mountainous region—there may be a settlement of elves. If that’s the case, we wouldn’t be opposed to cooperation.”

Elves in the mountains too, huh?

All of this was new—none of it had appeared in the game.

The fact that I was here, standing at the base of the World Tree in the elves’ hidden village—

A location that players never had access to—was already unprecedented.

It wouldn’t be strange if there were other hidden places like this elsewhere.

If there really was a village of mountain elves deeper beyond the dungeon in Bahamul Forest, like the Queen suspected, I definitely wanted to check it out.

That said—before any of that could happen, I had to deal with the final dungeon.

I needed to get my hands on the [Skill Crystal: Hypnosis★].

Then, travel through the as-yet-unseen Dwarven Kingdom… and only after that could I return to Bahamul.

“Understood. Once we return to our territory, we’ll make preparations to build a dock right away. As soon as construction is underway, we’ll come notify you in person.”

“There’s no need for you to come all the way back here. I’ll be teaching Ivelia spirit magic, remember? Through it, we’ll be able to communicate. So we can share updates through her.”

Wait—spirit magic can do that?

If that’s true, it’s insanely convenient.

“Well then, shall we?”

Celebres spoke as she lifted her palm to chest height, holding it out with graceful poise.

I wasn’t sure what she meant at first, until—

“What are you waiting for? Take my hand.”

…She wanted me to escort her.

I quickly stood up and said, “It’s an honor… Please allow me to take your hand,”

Then gently held hers.

Off to the side, I could feel Ivelia’s stare stabbing into me like a knife.

It was so sharp, it physically hurt.

“I’ll have one of my attendants keep Ivelia company for a while. Forgive me, Ivelia. I’m borrowing your partner for a bit.”

And just like that, I was led deeper into the palace by Her Majesty, Queen Celebres.

◆

“We forest elves share a deep bond with spirits. Many among us can use [Spirit Magic], myself included. However, on very rare occasions, someone is born with the ability to use [Summoning Magic] instead.”

The chamber we entered led to a narrow hallway that extended even farther in—

A passage that connected directly to the World Tree itself.

As we walked, Celebres spoke cheerfully, her mood clearly bright.

Past the inner chamber, it was just the two of us walking hand-in-hand.

Her voice was calm and elegant, but…

My attention kept slipping.

It was because of her figure—soft, full, and constantly swaying in the corner of my vision.

Her clothes were unbelievably thin.

Her cleavage, the sides of her chest… all of it was clearly visible and bouncing lightly as we moved.

Even if she was a High Elf, she was a grown woman—fully mature.

And for me, still just a young boy in the early stages of puberty, her allure was far too much.

“Kukuku… You’re flustered. So you do see me as a woman, then? Hmm… I don’t mind that at all.”

Celebres had clearly noticed how distracted I was and teased me with a knowing smirk.

“I… I’m terribly sorry… I didn’t mean to stare…”

“Hahaha! No need to apologize. Look all you want—until you’re satisfied.”

She burst out laughing, full of confidence and amusement.

We continued walking like that for several more minutes, exchanging lighthearted banter as we ascended the winding path that spiraled around the trunk of the World Tree—still hand in hand.

Then, for some reason, Celebres leaned in closer to me.

“Y-Your Majesty, please… you’re teasing me too much…”

She wasn’t just teasing anymore.

She had slipped her arm through mine, wrapping it tightly—pressing her body against me.

“There’s no one here to see us. I’ve always wanted to try something like this. Forgive me for indulging a little.”

I didn’t know how to respond—her body was incredibly warm, and her chest… unbelievably soft.

Even softer—and far larger—than when Ivelia clung to me.

“B-But this place… isn’t it sacred? I didn’t think it was appropriate for a man and woman to get so close here…”

“If this were something wrong, the spirits would have shown their disapproval. But look—they’re delighted. Every time my heart flutters, they respond with joy.”

So… the spirits, huh?

That explains it.

Even when she first took my hand, I had a strange feeling something was off.

It wasn’t just flirting—

Her Majesty was being egged on by the spirits themselves.

“But this… this is something quite wonderful. I feel completely at ease beside you. That’s how much magical power you possess, Sidol. Because of that, the mana around you is thick and dense—some are drawn to it, while others avoid it entirely. Perhaps that’s what it means to have the talent of a summoner.”

“Ivelia told me something similar. That’s why she sleeps beside me every night… and kisses me every morning.”

“So Ivelia said the same. While not quite at my level, she does possess considerable magic. It’s likely she instinctively seeks out the condensed mana around you—just like I do. That’s how it is for magic users.”

“Instinctively… huh?”

“The denser the mana, the less strain it puts on the caster, and the stronger the spells that can be unleashed. The same holds true even for me, with my [Spirit Magic]. Being near you… feels comfortable. Just like it does for Ivelia.”

I wanted to say, It’s a bit hard to walk like this…

But I didn’t dare interrupt Her Majesty.

As we talked, I listened carefully to everything she shared, and before I knew it, we had reached the top of the great tree.

At the center of the summit, bathed in gentle light, I could sense something unnatural—

A dense concentration of magical energy.

“So… you sensed it too. Go ahead and touch it. I don’t know what it is myself. I was only told… ‘Touch it.’”

“Understood. I’ll try.”

I stepped forward to the center, raised my hand, and touched the concentrated mass of mana.

In that instant—

The world around me compressed inward, like it was being pulled into a single point.

The light vanished.

“I can’t see anything!”

I could still hear Celebres’s voice, but the light had been completely consumed by magic—

Everything before me had turned pitch black.

“Your Majesty, Celebres!”

“I’m fine. There’s no need to worry. What about you, Sidol?”

“I’m okay, I just…”

As I spoke, someone appeared before me—

A goddess, cloaked in a sheer, translucent garment.

Her presence was so divine, I completely lost my words.

It felt just like the awe I experienced when I first saw Celebres.

Only… this time, her robe was so thin, so transparent—

I could see almost everything through it.

“So… it was you. You’re the one who woke me.”

“Woke you… what do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. And you… I sense the scent of my protection on you.”

“Your… protection?”

“Sidol Meltrix. You’ve touched many of those connected to me. By touching me now, a fragment of myself has taken root in you. How you use it is up to you—whether it becomes sacred or profane, that choice is yours.”

As she said this, she spread her arms wide—

Revealing everything, radiating pure light.

Then, her body began to dissolve into glowing particles.

The place where she had stood filled with spiraling light,

The particles danced in circles around me—

And then they rushed straight into my chest, sinking deep into my body.

(—Agh! It burns!)

The scene around me once again faded into darkness—

But slowly, light began to return, and the world started to regain color.

“Sidol! Are you alright?!”

Apparently, I had collapsed.

I wanted to get up, but my body was burning, aching—completely drained of strength.

Still, somewhere deep inside, I knew I would be fine.

My body was telling me that much.

“Your Majesty! I’m fine!”

“If that’s the case, then good. Still, we’ll wait here until you’ve recovered.”

Celebres gently sat down beside my head, placing it on her lap.

She rested one hand on my forehead, the other over my chest.

“This is [Spirit Magic]. The pain should ease soon. For now, just rest.”

And with that—

I let go of consciousness.

◆

“You’re such a hardworking boy, Tacchan. Mommy’s always cheering you on, okay?”

My mom had always said that to me—never once changing.

“Tasuku, you did great.”

And Dad would always pat my head when he said it.

That’s why…

That’s why I always wanted to do my best. In everything.

“Ah! Big bro Takamura!”

“Hey, it’s Tasuku-nii! Let’s play! Come play with us!”

A memory from elementary school.

Uh… who were they again?

I don’t remember their names—just that it was two girls.

They enrolled when I was in sixth grade, I think.

“I want this one!”

“Okay! Then I’ll take this side!”

We walked to school together in the same group.

They always took both my hands.

“Takamura-kun, are you okay? It’s fine to focus and push through things, but we’re here too. You could delegate more to us, you know?”

“But… no one really wants to stay late. And when I do ask, they make these annoyed faces…”

“Even if they do, just ask anyway. It’s their job. You can’t handle everything alone, and we’re a team, remember?”

“Maybe they don’t see me as part of the team. That’s why it’s hard for me to ask…”

“Then I’ll take care of this one. That’s fair, right?”

That girl who used to work with me…

We were in the same year, started at the same time.

But she ended up quitting.

Why did she quit again…?

“I’m getting married. Thank you for everything, Takamura-kun.”

Ah, right. A marriage resignation.

That kind of thing.

Women… they smile, but in the end, you can’t really count on them.

“Tacchan, welcome home. You pushed yourself this far… We should’ve stayed by your side more.”

“Tasuku…”

Mom held my hand.

Dad quietly stroked my hair.

After that, I shut myself away.

Locked in my room, playing eroge like a man possessed.

Even then, Mom and Dad just stayed close, watching over me.

When I got bored, I started making mods—

Shared them online.

Some of the more polished ones even made me money.

◆

“Sidol never budges when he’s focused on something.”

That was my dad’s voice.

A memory from before I was fully self-aware.

“Come on, Sidol. It’s okay to be passionate, but you should let yourself lean on us sometimes too.”

Mom gently took the toys out of my little hands and lifted me up in a hug.

“You really are the cutest, Sidol.”

She kissed me on the cheek.

And I must’ve been happy too.

I laughed out loud, touched her face, and kissed her back—on the lips.

◆

“Ah… good morning, Sidol.”

A soft light shone through the haze.

The first thing I could make out was Ivelia’s face.

“Oh? You’ve awakened. You’ve got some nerve—kissing someone in front of me, no less.”

Celebres’s voice followed, her face entering view.

“Where… is this?”

“This is one of the guest rooms. You collapsed at the top of the World Tree, so I brought you back here myself.”

All the way from up there…

She carried me alone?

“It’s true I carried you on my own, but I had the help of the spirits. I’ll accept your thanks—but don’t let it trouble you.”

“I’m sorry for burdening you, Your Majesty. Thank you very much.”

“I believe I already said there’s no need to apologize, didn’t I? More importantly—how are you feeling?”

“I don’t feel bad at all.”

“As expected. Your magic seems to have grown much stronger than before.”

Honestly, I still felt kind of sluggish, like my body hadn’t quite caught up yet.

“The mana around you is much thicker than it used to be. That kiss earlier—I was taking in some of your mana. [Spirit Magic] consumes a lot of it, you see.”

“So you’ve learned [Spirit Magic], Ivelia?”

“Yes. Would you like to take a look?”

That was her way of saying go ahead and check it out.

───

Name: Ivelia Milenitrum

Gender: Female Age: 14

 ︙

Skills: Magic (Fire★, Earth★, Wind★, Water★, Light★, Dark★)

Non-Elemental Magic★, Spirit Magic★, Mana Perception★

Chant Omission★, Magic Counter★, Appraisal: 8

Swordsmanship: 4, Archery: 8, Staff Technique★

Martial Arts: 6

 ︙

───

Name: Sidol Meltrix

Gender: Male Age: 14

 ︙

Skills: Magic (Fire: 8, Earth: 8, Wind: 8, Water: 8, Light: 8, Dark: 8)

Non-Elemental Magic: 8, Summoning Magic★, Magic Detection: 8

Chant Omission★, MP Auto-Recovery★, Presence Detection★

Perception Disruption★, Lockpicking: 8, Appraisal★

Art of Intimacy★, Charm★, Parallel Thought★

Swordsmanship: 8, Shield Technique: 8, Spear Technique: 8

Axe Technique: 8, Archery: 8, Staff Technique: 8

Martial Arts: 8

───

While I was at it, I checked my own status too.

Everything had been recorded properly—no issues.

Ivelia had gained [Spirit Magic★],

And I now had [Summoning Magic★].

“You worked hard, Ivelia.”

“Fufu, thank you. I didn’t do anything special, but… being praised by you makes me happy.”

“It was only natural—after all, I taught her. But even so, once I began training her beside you, she picked it up in no time. The mana around you are truly exceptional.”

“That’s because Her Majesty advised me to stay close to you while learning. In truth, a lot of spirits were drawn to your mana.”

I didn’t really get it.

In this world, mana particles are kind of like air—something most humans can’t even perceive.

Forest elves, on the other hand, can sense them thanks to their racial traits,

And Ivelia can detect them with her skill.

“By the way, I don’t really understand what [Summoning Magic] does exactly. Could you show me?”

Celebres seemed genuinely curious.

From the skill description, I’d learned that the type of spirit summoned changes depending on your proficiency with elemental magic.

The spirit physically manifests and can be commanded by the summoner.

To test it out, I decided to use a safe combination—earth and water—

And activated [Summoning Magic★].

“Dryad!”

The spirit of the forest—Dryad—appeared before us.

Her form was nearly indistinguishable from a physical being—solid, lifelike, and incredibly realistic.

She had the shape of a woman, complete with soft, rounded breasts.

Why a human form? I found myself wondering—

I couldn’t sense mana particles, but the magical energy she gave off was undeniably strong.

“Sorry. I just wanted to test it out.”

I said that as I met the Dryad’s eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to serving you in the future.”

She gave a graceful bow.

“You can return now.”

“Of course. I shall await your next summons.”

With that, the Dryad disappeared like mist.

Both Ivelia and Celebres, who had been watching the entire scene, looked stunned.

“Dryads are high-ranking spirits, right?”

“To summon a Dryad right out of the gate… that near-physical form—I’ve never seen anything like it. So this is [Summoning Magic]…”

Now that I had actually tried summoning, I noticed a few things.

The summoned spirit only seemed able to appear near me.

That was likely because it relied on the mana swirling around me to take shape.

Also, to keep that near-physical form stable, it required both my magical energy (Odo) and mana.

But thanks to [MP Auto-Recovery★], the amount of MP I naturally regained was far greater than what the summoning consumed—

So it looked like I could maintain multiple summons without issue.

…By the way, how long had I been unconscious?

I’d completely forgotten to ask.