Note : I made a slight changes
| Protector tree nymph — Guardian Tree nymph |
| Chapter 1 title and a small details/ nothing much change so no need to worry |
Honorable Mentions
| Zaftero247 |
| Gzgdead |
| LPX-2154 |
| Voldis |
Thank you for your continuous reading of my Story, Hope you enjoy it
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Leya's POV //
“Leya, how’s your training?” Eli asked.
“I am managing well, elder sister,” I responded respectfully.
Eli is the leader of our group, responsible for guarding the eastern border of our sanctuary. She has served as a guardian longer than most tree nymphs assigned to this area, so we hold her in high regard and address her with honor.
“Is that so? Then I have nothing to worry about,” she said reassuringly.
“By the way, elder sister, does the elder guardian ever leave the sacred tree?” I inquired.
“No, she mostly remains within, protecting the Tree of Life. However, that doesn’t mean she’s incapable of leaving. If she wishes to go out, she can do so by creating a clone of herself,” Eli expined.
“I see,” I replied thoughtfully.
Since receiving the title of guardian, I have gained new insights—about our role, the true identity of our guardian, my origins, and the world beyond our sanctuary. Unlike the residents, who are content tending trees and cultivating pnts, unaware of anything beyond their daily lives, we guardians have a different purpose.
Our duty is to protect the sanctuary from the beasts that inhabit this forest. If a monster approaches the border, we deploy a group to eliminate it. Fighting alone is against the rules unless absolutely necessary. In such cases, our priority is to hold off the threat until reinforcements arrive.
It had been four days since I returned home, but my duties had kept me so occupied that I hardly had time to rest. At the moment, I was perched on a wide branch of a tall tree, deep in thought, contempting the news I had recently learned—the dragon that had attacked our sanctuary was still alive.
“So, it survived after all…” I murmured to myself.
The green dragon that once threatened our sanctuary had taken refuge on a nearby mountain, not far from our borders. The elder guardian had fought valiantly, managing to drive it away, though not without sustaining injuries. My thoughts were so absorbed in this revetion that I didn’t even notice someone calling out to me.
“Leya!!” Eli’s voice rang out.
“!! Ah—yes, I’m here,” I responded quickly, snapping back to reality.
“Are you alright?” she asked with concern.
“Y-yes, I was just lost in thought,” I admitted.
“You were thinking about the green dragon, weren’t you?” Eli observed keenly.
“T-that… Yes,” I lowered my voice. “I didn’t expect it to have survived after facing the elder guardian. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong,” Eli reassured me.
Taking a deep breath, I shifted the focus. “Why were you looking for me, elder sister?”
“The elder guardian has summoned you to her chamber,” Eli announced.
“The elder guardian?” I gasped in surprise.
“Yes, so follow me,” she instructed.
“Understood,” I replied, immediately obeying her command.
We arrived at our destination without dey and stepped inside the sacred tree. Even as we entered, I couldn't help but marvel at the pce, my eyes wandering like those of an awestruck child. As I took in the surroundings, I noticed more guardian nymphs gathered inside the elder guardian’s chamber.
“Elder Guardian, I have brought Leya as you requested,” Eli reported.
“Hmm? Oh, you’ve arrived. Thank you for your service, Eli,” the elder guardian said with a warm smile.
“It’s my pleasure,” Eli replied, clearly pleased by the praise.
Turning to me, the elder guardian spoke in a soothing voice. “Leya, step forward. There are some things I wish to ask you.”
“Yes, Elder Guardian. Please ask whatever you wish,” I responded, waiting for her questions.
“Are you absolutely certain that it was a fire dragon who saved you?” she inquired.
“Yes, it introduced itself as such,” I answered confidently.
“I see… how peculiar,” she murmured, lost in thought as if struggling to make sense of something.
Curious, I hesitated before asking, “May I ask what you find strange, Elder Guardian?”
At my words, the other guardian nymphs in the room turned to me in shock and disbelief. Their devotion to the elder guardian was nearly god-like, and they rarely spoke, let alone questioned her. And yet, here I was—a newly promoted tree nymph—daring to ask what was on her mind.
Realizing my audacity, I quickly lowered my head. “Please forgive my rudeness,” I apologized at once.
The elder guardian let out a gentle chuckle. “Fufu~ No need to apologize. In fact, I’m pleased that you asked.”
She then addressed the room. “You see, fire dragons are known to be fiercely temperamental, prone to destruction, and easily provoked. Even the slightest offense can earn their wrath. Their presence often brings chaos and ruin. And yet, a fire dragon resides in this very forest.”
“Does that mean there are two dragons nearby, Elder Guardian?” one of the guardian nymp asked.
“Yes~, but for now, our concern should be the fire dragon,” she confirmed.
“As for the green dragon that attacked our sanctuary, I believe it is still recovering from its injuries. There’s no need to worry about that lesser dragon at the moment,” she added.
“What should we do about the fire dragon, then?” I asked, eager to know her thoughts.
She pondered for a moment before responding, “Hmm~ I am considering whether I should visit it myself to understand its true intentions.”
“That’s too dangerous!” I protested. “That dragon is incredibly powerful—it reduced my magic to ashes with ease! I have no doubt it’s as evil as the green dragon that attacked us.”
“Oh my~, do you truly despise dragons that much, Leya?” the elder guardian asked, a knowing smile pying on her lips.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.
“Even though it saved your life?” she pressed, amusement clear in her tone.
I fell silent, unable to respond.
“Leya~,” she continued gently, “I understand why you see all dragons as the same after what happened. But you must not judge them all alike. Dragons detest being compared—even among their own kind. If you continue to think this way, it may cost you dearly one day.”
“…I will keep that in mind,” I replied, though her words were difficult to accept.
“Fufufu~, you’re still just a child, aren’t you, Leya? How adorable~,” the elder guardian chuckled.
Once again, I was left speechless, unsure how to react to the elder guardian’s pyful demeanor.
“Elder Guardian, are you truly pnning to visit the fire dragon?” Eli asked, concern evident in her voice.
“Yes~, I must determine its true intentions. If it is the dragon I suspect, I will understand once we meet,” she replied calmly.
“Then at least take someone with you,” a guardian nymph suggested.
“Fufu~ I’ve already considered that,” the elder guardian said with a mischievous smile. “That’s precisely why I gathered all of you here—to accompany me.”
She then turned to me. “Leya~, you will guide us to the fire dragon’s dwelling. Do you still remember the way?”
“Y-yes,” I stammered, caught off guard.
“Then~, everyone, prepare yourselves. We depart soon~,” she announced in her usual pyful tone.
Once the guardian nymphs had departed, only the elder guardian remained.
"I sincerely hope my judgment of you does not end in disappointment," she murmured in a serious tone, her words directed toward the one she was about to visit.
