I blinked repeatedly, unsure if I had read the notification correctly.
The Elf_Queen operated on a completely different level than the other watching entities. She was an absolute titan among the upper spheres. Even in my past life, I didn’t think she had tuned into my stream even once as I climbed the Tower.
This was truly unprecedented.
To make things even crazier, she wanted a private meeting.
It could only mean one of two things: either she harbored doubts about how I possessed such absurd combat efficiency, or... she was preparing to offer me one of the greatest privileges in the Tower: becoming her Apostle.
[Elf_Queen has requested a private audience with you.]
[Do you wish to accept?]
I paused for a few minutes, weighing my options. There was no need to rush, since I was standing safely in the transitional zone between floors.
I knew that if I refused, the odds of receiving another invitation from her were virtually zero. On the other hand, accepting carried minimal risk; the System enforced strict non-aggression protocols during audience summons, meaning she couldn’t harm me regardless of how the conversation went.
I might even be able to squeeze some high-level information about the Tower out of her, I thought.
After all, even after twenty years of climbing in my previous life, no one on Earth had ever figured out where, how, or why the Tower had appeared in the first place.
"I accept the invitation," I declared aloud.
I knew accepting a private audience with a high-ranking entity would trigger jealousy and resentment among the other Constellations, but a one-in-a-million opportunity like this was impossible to pass up. I had to leverage every advantage for my future, and for the world’s, even if I didn’t particularly care about saving it.
[Initiating teleportation to Elf_Queen’s personal realm...]
[Notice: Absolute System Protection is active within the realm. You cannot sustain physical or mental damage during this session. However, deteriorating your relationship with a high-tier entity may result in modified floor trials.]
My vision abruptly cut to pitch black. Senses severed, I floated in silence for a brief second before a blinding flash of emerald light and the soft rustle of leaves snapped me back to reality.
I was standing in the Elf_Queen’s personal domain.
Directly in front of me stood a colossal tree, larger than anything I had ever witnessed on Earth. The trunk’s circumference easily spanned over two hundred meters, its massive bark stretching up so high into the sky that its canopy was lost in the clouds.
Is this... the World Tree? I wondered, staring in awe.
I had read endless fantasy webnovels featuring it back on Earth, but standing before the living artifact was infinitely more majestic than I could have imagined.
Before I could decide which direction to head, a sudden wind nudged my back, guiding me forward. It was a clear signal to approach the roots of the World Tree.
As I walked, I noticed a complete absence of wildlife or other living beings. There was only raw, pristine nature. I couldn’t sense anyone watching me either, though I knew with absolute certainty that the Elf_Queen was monitoring my every step.
After a few minutes, an archway magically materialized within the trunk’s bark, granting me entry into the World Tree itself.
Inside, a grand hallway stretched before me, lined with a deep crimson carpet that led toward a small throne crafted entirely from living wood.
Seated upon the humble wooden throne was the Elf_Queen, an ethereal sovereign whose pearly blue eyes held the cold, calculating intelligence of an ancient titan. Cascading silver-white hair framed her luminous porcelain skin, while a delicate crown of golden vines rested above her long, tapered ears.
Despite her terrifying level of power, her gaze radiated an eerie, gentle warmth as it settled on me.
To think I’d be meeting face-to-face with the Elf Queen before even stepping onto Floor 1...
I had to admit, her beauty was practically suffocating.
"You must be wondering why I requested a private audience," she spoke, her voice echoing softly through the hall. "And don’t worry, this channel is completely isolated. No outside entity can eavesdrop on our discussion."
"I see," I replied, clearing my throat. "It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Caliste."
For one of the very few times in my life, I actually felt a slight trace of tension. I couldn’t act like my usual self, slinging insults and pushing my luck. She was far too powerful; even at the peak of my past life, I couldn’t have held a candle to her strength.
She let out a soft, melodic giggle. "A pleasure to meet you, Caliste. I am Azalea, though most know me as the Elf Queen."
She leaned back slightly, tilting her head. "I am curious, though. Why did you agree to meet with me specifically? I can assure you that dozens of entities issued similar audience requests. What made you choose mine?"
I paused before responding. Trying to play mind games or lie to a being of her stature would backfire instantly; she would read right through me.
Taking a deep breath, I met her gaze directly. "Because I assumed you were the most powerful among everyone who messaged me."
Instead of a polite giggle, Azalea burst into genuine, ringing laughter, startling me slightly.
"I do appreciate honesty," she said, a warm smile gracing her lips. "And you’re not wrong; very few in the upper spheres can match my standing." She paused, her blue eyes narrowing with playful intrigue. "Still, do you have any idea why I summoned you here?"
"To give me a reward, maybe?" I asked, playing slightly naive.
In truth, I genuinely had no concrete idea why she had singled me out this early.
"You must be aware that the combat proficiency you displayed on Floor 0 is unprecedented," she said, her tone shifting to something slightly more serious. "For a human to dismantle a Noble Demon Knight without an official class or prior Tower experience... it is unheard of. Frankly, I expected you to die within five seconds. But..."
She left the sentence hanging, her expressive gaze filling in the blanks.
"However... I didn’t summon you here merely to hand out a reward. Well, at least not in the traditional sense. That depends entirely on your perspective."