Chapter 148: The Gods' Trial (3)

The elves' picky eating...?

I looked at Yggdrasil, who was speaking calmly.

No, it's true that the elves hardly eat any ingredients that come from plants... But to set that as a test?

Sylphid's test question about a race with him was a bit unscrupulous, but Yggdrasil's case is just... pushing her own duties onto Baal under the name of a test.

Is this right?

"Picky eating...?"

"Yes, picky eating. Do you know about the elves?"

"Yes. They are a long-lived race with long ears. I've heard they can communicate with grass and trees."

At Baal's words, Yggdrasil smiled slightly and continued the story.

"Then the story will be quick. The elves don't even put plant-based foods in their mouths. Other races have no problem eating those ingredients, but those children refuse to even touch them."

Well, since they can communicate with plants, it might feel like eating their neighbors, wouldn't it?

In fact, it's the elves who eat plant-based foods that might be the problem.

"At least they are getting enough nutrition from carnivory or photosynthesis, but since they don't use any ingredients from plants... Compared to other races, they are starting to fall behind. They are still making up for it with their innate abilities and the experience of their long lifespan, but... As time goes on, more and more new things will appear..."

Worried Yggdrasil. It's like a parent worrying about their child's severe picky eating.

"Therefore, I want to fix their picky eating... but whenever I see those children, my heart softens and I can't be strict with them. So I was hoping you could do that job instead."

After thinking for a moment, Baal tilted his head.

"But how am I supposed to do that?"

"Well, I don't know either. Since I set it as a test, you have to figure out how to do it, don't you?"

Yggdrasil... That's a very irresponsible thing to say....

Anyway, to fix the elves' carnivorous diet...

Hmm... How can I fix that?

First, the biggest cause is probably the problem that arises from the elves' ability to communicate with plants.

Since they can communicate with each other, they can't see the ingredients as food.

Well, if other humans could also communicate directly with plants or animals... They might be a little reluctant to eat them too.

Hmm, no? In the case of beastmen, they can communicate with animals to some extent, but they still eat them well... Hmm...

Let's move on from beastmen. Bringing that up here would make the story go off track.

In the case of elves, it's probably due to the existence of Yggdrasil, who can be considered the god of the elves, as well as their ability to communicate with plants.

Eating the form of Yggdrasil. What a sacrilege!

They might be thinking that way.

And not just any gods, but a mother-like world tree who created and nurtured their race.

To forcefully put plant-based ingredients into the mouths of elves who revere Yggdrasil so much... Hmm...

I could do it, but... Can Baal do it?

I don't know. Sylphid and Yggdrasil too. Why did they set such a difficult test?

Could it be that the whole thing with Gaia has been exposed, and they're venting their anger by setting a difficult test?

"Of course, it will be a difficult problem, so I'll give you plenty of time. 1 month. During that time, somehow make the elves eat vegetables too."

"Ugh..."

At Yggdrasil's words, Baal's worries deepened even further.

Changing the dietary habits of an entire race within 1 month... Hmm...

This time... I don't think I have an answer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The test Yggdrasil set was simply to fix the elves' picky eating. Getting them to eat fruit might be enough to pass the test.

It's a bit of a stretch, but this seems to be the most feasible option.

"Hmm... I'm not sure, but if Gaia says so, it must be right!"

Baal nodded without a hint of doubt, simply believing what I said. Seeing his innocent nature, I started to feel a bit worried.

If someone were to deceive this naive child, it could be disastrous. Un.

Education. Education is the answer. I must thoroughly educate this ill-mannered young kid to turn him into a respectable king!

"So I just need to bring a bunch of fruit and feed it to the elves?"

"Don't just do it directly, the elves might get suspicious. Approach it slowly."

"Slowly?"

I nodded at Baal.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One day.

In the city of Alfheim, built around the World Tree Yggdrasil, a story began to spread.

It started with a question from a young human boy who had come from outside Alfheim.

"I heard that elves don't touch anything that comes from plants at all. Is that true?"

"Of course. To us elves, all the grasses and trees are like family."

"Then you don't eat fruit either, right?"

"That's right, we don't eat fruit either."

The young boy opened his mouth after a moment of thought at the elf's words.

"I learned that fruit is made to be eaten along with the seeds... Wouldn't the plants dislike it if we didn't eat the fruit?"

"Ah, is that so...?"

And so began a small question.

[Is fruit made to be eaten?]

For the elves who do not eat anything that comes from plants, this was a story that sparked much debate.

"Since plants are like our family, we must not put anything that comes from them in our mouths!"

The staunch carnivores argued that nothing should be put in the mouth.

"But isn't fruit made to be eaten? Then shouldn't we respect the will of the plants and eat the fruit?"

The newly emerged moderate faction of omnivores argued that there was nothing wrong with eating fruit.

"Then shouldn't we just do what the plants want, since our ability to communicate with them exists for that purpose?"

There were also those who left the choice up to the plants.

"According to ancient records, the World Tree took pity on our starving ancestors and gave them fruits, which they gratefully ate! This means the World Tree has also said that it's okay to eat the fruit!"

Those who sought answers in the records of history also existed.

"Then how about extracting just the fruit pulp to make wine? I'm sick of those dwarves drinking beer, so let's make fruit wine for a change!"

What are these guys doing?

"The elves have already gained the impression of diligently caring for plants, so won't eating the fruit of the plants ruin that image?"

"Then we can just show a thorough carnivorous image to other races, can't we?"

"It's to preserve the image of elves who cherish plants. I don't like it, but..."

"But isn't it necessary?"

And so, countless debates turned Alfheim into a battlefield.

The young human boy who caused this situation, Baal, simply smiled as he looked down at the elves.