I'm an Extra, so What?
Chapter 100 - 100: World Tree

"Woah, there are so many cute animals!" Serene's eyes sparkled with delight as she peered through the iron bars of the enclosures.

Elk with shimmering fur and antlers wandered about, their movements graceful despite the limited space.

Their hooves pressed softly into the moss-covered ground, and faint wisps of mana drifted off their coats like gentle mist.

Some grazed quietly, their heads lowered to nibble at enchanted grass that shimmered with tiny flecks of light, while others rested beneath the shade of enchanted lanterns that hung from the branches above.

Luka stood beside his personal maid, arms crossed, gaze wandering with far less enthusiasm. 'This is pretty boring…'

"…" Serene's gaze drifted to an elk lying against the far end of its enclosure.

Its massive antlers sprawled out like branches, but its eyes—dull and lifeless—betrayed its spirit.

Its breathing came slow and shallow, sides heaving gently with each exhale.

A frown creased Serene's brow, her hands gripping the iron bars.

"Um, Young Master…" she began, her voice softening.

"Don't these enclosures seem…a bit small? And not very natural?"

Luka raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging.

"Well, duh," he replied nonchalantly, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

"These places weren't meant for animals. This is where human slaves used to be put."

He dropped that information with the same ease one would mention the weather, completely casual, as if it were just another mundane fact.

Serene's body stiffened, and she fully turned to face him, disbelief painting her features.

"Wh-What…?" she stammered, her mouth slightly agape, eyes wide with shock.

Luka met her gaze with mild curiosity, one of his eyebrows arching higher.

"What? Why are you acting so surprised?"

He tilted his head, genuinely perplexed by her reaction.

Serene took a step back from the bars, her hands falling to her sides as if the iron itself had become something foul.

Her gaze flickered back to the elk, then to the boundaries of the enclosure, and finally back to her Young Master.

"It just seems…strange to stand in a place where your own kind was once caged," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Luka shrugged, utterly unbothered by the implications.

"Meh, nothing that serious," he replied, brushing off her concern with a wave of his hand.

His eyes shifted to the rest of the zoo, lingering on a display of peculiar, floating jellyfish-like creatures shimmering with pale blue light.

"Anyway, let's move on. I've seen enough animals. There are a lot more places I want to check out," he added, already turning his back to the cages.

His footsteps crunched against the planks as he walked away, utterly indifferent.

"…" Serene hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on the elk once more.

It met her gaze, its eyes glassy and tired, before it turned away and resumed its slow breathing.

She swallowed hard, then hurried after her Young Master, her footsteps light and quick.

"The zoo was kind of...boring, huh?" Luka remarked casually as his personal maid caught up, his hands now stuffed in his pockets.

Serene offered him a half-hearted nod, still processing what she had just learned.

"Y-Yeah…boring…"

They walked in silence for a few moments; the planks stretching out before them.

Luka didn't look back, his mind already focused on whatever was next on his mental list.

But Serene couldn't help but glance over her shoulder one last time, the image of the elk resting against the iron bars burned into her memory, a lingering reminder of the past that even nature couldn't fully conceal.

"Where to next?" Luka asked, breaking the silence. "We could visit the World Tree?"

"Anywhere…as long as it's not another zoo," Serene replied softly.

"Hmm… Then the World Tree it is." Luka declared, his eyes glimmering with excitement.

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Unfortunately, securing a carriage proved to be impossible.

Every attempt to flag one down was met with sneers or outright refusal.

Some elven coachmen didn't even bother with words—just a raised middle finger before they trotted off, their disdain palpable.

Luka shrugged it off with a casual laugh.

"Guess we're walking."

After what felt like an hour of trudging along winding bridges, the scenery began to change.

Towering trees that stretched far into the clouds framed the path, their trunks engraved with runes that pulsed with faint light.

And then, they saw it.

The World Tree.

It loomed above everything else in the Elven kingdom, a behemoth that seemed to touch the very sky.

Its bark shimmered with iridescent hues, shifting with the light as though alive.

Massive roots twisted and snaked around the base, some larger than full-grown houses, spreading out into the land like grasping hands.

Smaller trees, impressive by any normal standard, paled in comparison, encircling it protectively.

In the distance, Luka could just make out the castle of the Elven Royal Family, its spires peeking above the treetops, gilded with sunlight and wreathed in magical barriers that shimmered like mist.

"This is… It's massive," Serene breathed, her eyes wide with awe.

'Guess the game didn't do it justice,' Luka thought to himself.

Their appreciation was short-lived, however.

The area around the World Tree was heavily fortified.

Elven guards in armor patrolled the perimeter, their expressions as hard as stone.

Luka and Serene were immediately intercepted, spears crossed before them.

"Halt. Identification," one of the guards demanded, his voice clipped and authoritative.

His helm obscured his face.

"Just here to sightsee. We're guests of the Kingdom, y'know?" Luka raised his hands casually.

The guards exchanged glances before stepping forward.

"We'll need to check you," the elf replied, gesturing for the human to spread his arms.

A male elf began to pat him down, methodically checking every pocket and seam—

While a female elf approached the other.

Serene flinched slightly but complied, raising her arms as the elven woman gently but firmly patted her down, brushing over her waist and sleeves before nodding in approval.

Luka's search was similarly thorough, but he had left his dagger back at the room—

No sense in causing a problem for no reason.

"All clear," both elves announced, stepping back with a nod.

The spears were lowered.

Luka dusted off his sleeves, flashing a cheeky grin. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Serene gave him a small smile, her shoulders relaxing a bit.

Together, they stepped forward, entering the sacred grounds of the World Tree.

Mana thrummed through the air like a living heartbeat.

The grass was lush and impossibly green, dotted with tiny blue flowers that glowed faintly with each breeze.

Sunlight streamed down through gaps in the canopy, filtering in golden rays that danced across the crowd of elves gathered there.

There were hundreds—perhaps thousands—of elves, all facing the World Tree with expressions of reverence.

Some knelt with their heads bowed, whispering prayerd, their words flowing like water.

Others stood with arms raised, palms outstretched, as if attempting to catch the shimmering particles of light that floated from the World Tree's branches.

"…" Luka watched as thin streams of light danced down from the branches, coiling around the elves like gentle ribbons before dissipating into the air.

"They're… praying?" Serene whispered, her voice hushed with disbelief.

"More like worshipping," Luka corrected.

He eyed the scene with a mild fascination.

"To them, the World Tree is basically a god. Supplies mana to everything, gives them long life, enhances their bodies, ect."

Serene took a step closer, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"It's… beautiful," she murmured, reaching out instinctively as if she could touch the mana itself.

"Yeah, it is… but don't get too starry-eyed. Pretty things usually have sharp thorns," Luka said.

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