Chapter 121 – Heresy (5)

[…Seriously, what a load of—]

Serr blinked at Cartia’s crude interruption, then pouted dramatically.

“‘Load of crap’? That’s harsh. Even a genius like me can be hurt by such words.”

[Why does this always happen?]

Serr sniffled theatrically, then abruptly straightened, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Remember when Noah was unconscious for a week?”

[Yeah.]

“And when I approached her, Carpeng’s ferocity bit me?”

[Oh…right.]

“Wait…really?”

“Yes. Tore a chunk out of my arm.” Serr rubbed her right arm, her pout returning. “I cried. Actual tears.”

“Oh no…are you alright?”

“It still stings. But if Noah would be so kind as to apply some ointment with those soft, delicate hands—”

“She’s lying, Noah. She didn’t cry. She just laughed, like a creep.” Rubia scowled.

“A creep? But I was bitten. Rubia healed me, she can attest to the severity. Shredded nerves, mangled muscles…it was horrific.”

“Well…that part’s true.”

“Hmm. We’ll save the ointment for later, then. When we’re alone.” Serr’s suggestive tone made Rubia’s eye twitch. Undeterred, Serr summoned a tiny spirit, letting it dance in her palm. “As I’ve mentioned, I’m a Spirit Summoner.”

“Which means…I can sense their energy. Their emotions.”

Fwoosh! The spirit vanished. Serr looked at me, her gaze intense.

“And I sensed…something…in Carpeng’s ferocity, when it bit me.”

[…What?]

“Longing. Directed towards you, Cartia. And…something else. Something I couldn’t quite…decipher. There aren’t many emotions that elude me, but…love…is one of them.”

[Get to the point.]

“Longing, and love. Rather fitting, wouldn’t you say?”

[Just spit it out.]

“That’s why I’m curious about your relationship with Carpeng.”

[I don’t care.]

“Unfortunately, I do. So? What is your relationship? It seems to date back to the Age of Chaos. I’m intrigued.”

[Haa…the Age of Chaos…]

Cartia’s annoyance flickered, replaced by a mix of…longing…anger…confusion.

[I don’t remember much. But…Carpeng was female. A humanoid beastwoman.]

“…Wow.” Serr stared, genuinely surprised.

“So…with her tail?”

[Just get on with it! Is Carpeng a spirit or not?]

“Not exactly. Spirits…well…” Serr tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Ah.”

“This is…difficult to explain. But spirit energy…it’s different from human magic. Closer to the source…more primal. And its origin…”

An energy emanated from Serr, thin tendrils weaving together, thickening, forming branches…

“…is the World Tree. Yggdrasil.”

A small, glowing tree took shape above her hand.

[…Is that…?]

“Yes. By now, you must sense it, Cartia. The resonance. Carpeng’s ferocity…and your own energy…it’s similar to Yggdrasil’s.”

Serr plucked a leaf from the glowing tree and offered it to Cartia.

“Isn’t that right?”

The leaf drifted towards Cartia, swirling around her before…

[…It does feel…similar.]

…being absorbed into her form.

I’d been listening quietly, but now I couldn’t contain my curiosity.

“Rubia…so…Cartia’s not a ghost…but a spirit…?”

“Not exactly. She’s…similar…but…” Rubia trailed off, tapping her lips thoughtfully, then looked at Serr, her eyes wide. “Wait…Serr…are you saying…?”

“Hee hee. You remembered. Good student.” Serr dispelled the image of Yggdrasil, smiling at Rubia. “I believe…she will eventually fulfill a similar role.”

“Huh…? Rubia, what does that mean?”

“Well…it’s…complicated…” Rubia fumbled for words, then looked helplessly at Serr.

Cartia and I followed her gaze.

[Just spit it out already! What does that tree do?*]

Serr’s expression twisted in a rare display of discomfort.

“…I don’t want to.”

[What?]

“I don’t…want to talk about it.”

[Are you two messing with me?]

“No.”

[Then just tell me! What is it?!]

“It…it hurts…too much…to talk about.”

[You like pain.]

“I do not! What do you think I am?!”

[A lunatic.]

“Sniff… Serr is hurt…”

[…Fine.]

“Apologize. My heart is breaking.” Serr’s shoulders trembled theatrically.

[…I’m sorry.]

“Much better. Thank you. Anyway, I can’t tell you. Rubia, back me up here. Two against one isn’t fair.” Serr’s usual cheerful demeanor returned as she looked expectantly at Rubia.

“How…should I explain this…?”

“Just tell her what you saw.”

“Well…” Rubia glanced at me, then hesitantly began, “Blood…pouring from every orifice…skin…inverted…muscles and veins…twisted and mangled…”

“Ugh…”

“Bones…broken and reshaped…organs…liquefied…it was…barely human…”

“Is…is that true?”

“…Yes.”

[Then how are you still alive…?]

“Because I’m a genius. Anyway, I can’t risk that happening again, not before such an important fight. The aftereffects still linger, even now. Please understand.”

[…This is annoying.] Cartia sighed, standing up. [So, you sensed…emotions…from Carpeng’s ferocity?]

“Yes. I’m certain of it.”

[Fine. That’s enough.]

She looked at me, her expression a mix of…something I couldn’t quite decipher…then vanished.

“…Oh.”

“It seems…she has much to consider,” Rubia murmured.

“Hmm…”

It was strange seeing Cartia so…subdued. She was usually so boisterous, so easy to read.

“Come here, Noah.”

“Okay…”

Rubia smiled sadly, pulling me onto her lap.

“Noah, do you feel anything…unusual…from Tylant’s Fragment?”

“No… I haven’t…used it yet…”

I touched the necklace where the Fragment was embedded. A faint chill emanated from it.

“Hmm. Well, if you feel anything…strange…let me know. And…perhaps you could apply some ointment while you’re at it.”

“I’ll gladly apply it for you, Serr. With plenty of…divine energy.”

“Excellent. I shall look forward to it.” Serr stood, heading for the door. “I’ll leave you two to it. Enjoy your…private time.”

Click.

The door closed. Rubia sighed, her hand gently stroking my thigh.

“So many…shocking revelations lately…”

“My head…is spinning…”

“Hee hee… I’ll explain everything later. For now…just…rest.”

Her breath tickled my neck.

“Okay…”

I leaned against her, letting her warmth envelop me. My mind drifted…

To the Priestess’s sacrifice. A scene I’d witnessed countless times in the game.

Beneath the Black Sun.

Eight wings spread wide, blackened hair swirling around her.

And behind her, stretching towards the sky, just like in Serr’s vision…

Yggdrasil. The World Tree.

Cartia and Carpeng, both resonating with Yggdrasil’s energy.

And me…connected to them both.

Perhaps…when the final moment arrived…I would…

Drip.

Something warm trickled down my nose.

“Noah? You’re bleeding…”

“Huh…? Oh…”

As if confirming my suspicions, or perhaps warning me not to delve any deeper, the nosebleed continued, a steady trickle.

“What were you thinking about to make you smile…while bleeding?”

“Hee hee…just…you, Rubia…”

“…Let’s go to the room.”

“Huh…?”

“We have…unfinished business. It’s…urgent.”

“Eek…”

Time passed.

Two days before the subjugation.

Cartia remained absent. Sirin hadn’t returned.

Putting those worries aside, we left the cave and headed towards Cartia.

And there, we found her.

“Wow! It’s been a while!”

Badly injured.

“Miss Noah. Lady Rubia.”

Hermilla smiled, blood dripping from her wounds.