Ch.111The World Tree (1)

The moment they entered the deep forest beyond Armin Kerukishi, the magical energy density changed.

The silence remained, but the oppressive pressure was considerable. Even Durin, the Regent of the Demon Realm, could feel the change. When he gripped his gauntlet tightly and released red fighting spirit, it failed to emerge properly and dispersed weakly.

“It’s the power of the Mother World Tree. This land has a singularity in life force, just like the divine power of the celestial realm or the magical energy of the demon realm.”

Eliya added an explanation. Her soft voice echoed through the forest.

“That’s also why the celestial realm, which rules the human world, hasn’t been able to incorporate elves into divine power for a thousand years.”

“If the World Tree has abilities comparable to an Archangel or Demon Lord, victory cannot be guaranteed.”

“If even the Regent feels that way, it makes me appreciate the greatness of the Mother Tree anew.”

She was calm and stable. The World Tree’s magic had colored the elf. Her desperate and urgent expression had faded, replaced by peace.

“A land that the celestial realm couldn’t invade all this time.”

Eliya repeated once more. Her eyes gazed beyond the forest. At the end of the path provided by the trees that grew densely to block the sky, light sparkled.

“Please, this time too.”

Durin, who had been contemplating how to settle matters with the World Tree, turned his gaze to the elf. Though she still appeared composed, he could detect a slight trembling. Her breathing was rough. It wasn’t excitement but fear. It was the look of a mortal facing an uncertain future.

“Do you feel that destruction is approaching?”

Durin didn’t leave her alone. He immediately probed the painful spot.

“What do you mean by that?”

“The flames of war have reached this peaceful land. I heard everything through the scout beasts. They say elves who should be organizing ancient books in the deep forest are killing each other.”

“…It’s a sad thing.”

“When faced with a fate that cannot be resisted, everyone tends to act extremely. I too carry such a past.”

The chaotic demon realm after the Demon Lord’s disappearance flashed before his red eyes. When all the demons in the castle called out to him and spoke of what was next, he gripped his sword. He killed anyone who might cause even the slightest confusion to eliminate future troubles.

The process of cutting out rotten flesh and spilling black blood. It could be called a painful but necessary transition period.

“Ashara did it too. The elf leader is a resolute one. She protected her forces stably, even if it meant carving wounds into her own body.”

“What’s the use of that? Now the crusader army will come and tear apart our forest.”

“The legion will protect it.”

“Now it will be called the demon’s black tree instead of the World Tree. War will ruin everything. Everything.”

Eliya’s expression crumbled. A darkness that even the intense life force couldn’t overcome had fallen upon her. It covered her face like a shadow.

“I wanted my race to survive, but we’ll survive in the worst possible form.”

“Follow the Goddess of Night. Then you will live in a new form.”

“You tell the leader to kill her own kind, and the guardian to kill the Mother’s faith.”

Her eyes grew fierce. Desperation, earnestness, and above them, blooming despair. In place of these three, resentment swirled. It was the sorrow of a creature drifting on fate due to accompanying the hero.

Pure despair, not hostility.

“I understand what you meant by a fate that cannot be resisted.”

Eliya slumped. She completely surrendered herself to the advancing words. She was tossed about just as when the hero had lost his way and felt emptiness before. She was completely consumed by emotion.

“I cannot resist. Unlike you.”

She was in no state for conversation. Durin did not mingle words with those without will.

“Then just watch. That is your fate.”

The Regent of the Demon Realm moved ahead first. Eliya fell behind on the path they had been walking side by side. At the same time, the dwarf warrior who had joined her on the journey stayed with her. He began to take care of the elf as he always had.

“It’s because you’re feeling it for the first time. You’ll find your way again someday.”

The hero accompanied Durin. Having found his path as an apostle of death, he showed a slight smile.

“By the way, I wonder what will happen when we meet the World Tree. I can’t get a sense of it.”

“Since the attempt to identify the sacred relic through elf ancient books has become difficult, we must thoroughly investigate the ruins said to be in the deep forest.”

“What will you do if the priests aren’t friendly? I don’t think they’ll easily accept demons when even the celestial realm couldn’t encroach upon them.”

The hero glanced back. He checked on the elf who had fallen into despair. Though he didn’t say it out loud, he could roughly infer the outcome.

“You already know.”

Durin answered indifferently.

“It won’t end well.”

He confirmed that the hero’s thoughts were correct.

#

[Crusader army begins advancing eastward. Engaged in battle with the beast legion.]

The scout beasts relayed the increasingly serious battle situation in real-time. Just as the intervals were becoming longer due to the World Tree’s magic, the front line had expanded. Having led things in the intended direction, what remained depended on the speed of the sacred relic search.

“Ludmila in the south, Yoannina in the east. Even if the crusader army launches a full-scale offensive, they won’t break through unless an Archangel descends.”

“If the High Sorcerer deliberately takes a defensive stance, we can buy time even against an Archangel.”

“That’s just holding out, not winning. In the end, the key is with you, Regent.”

The presence or absence of the sacred relic. In a way, it was a dangerous gamble to trust in the achievements of some cunning priest depicted in the San Moriano Cathedral. But the demon realm had no other choice. If they couldn’t overturn a thousand years of history, they would be crushed to death.

They couldn’t just seek stability at this moment given by fate.

Whinnny!

“Looks like we’ve arrived.”

The warhorse neighed. The beast born and raised in the demon realm instinctively resisted the World Tree’s magic. Durin immediately dismounted. The end of the path was covered with thorny vines. He instinctively felt it was a device to protect someone.

“Is there something that needs to be unlocked separately?”

“There’s no need for that.”

Eliya, who had been waiting behind, stepped forward. Her trembling hands still held fear. But with no way back, she eventually touched the thorny vines.

Rustle…

The thorns scattered beneath the elf’s touch. It was as if a wildfire had swept through. Light seeped through beyond the obstacle whose sharpness had disappeared.

“From now on, we’ll be entering the World Tree’s domain. The pressure you felt before will become even stronger, so prepare yourselves.”

Eliya left a warning. Durin and the hero, showing interest, and the inconspicuous dwarf warrior carefully followed behind the elf.

Whoosh…

A warm breeze blew. The world brightened with the sound of rustling leaves. Though the sky was still covered by foliage, making the sun invisible, a swarm of fireflies brighter than the sun greeted them.

“My goodness.”

The dwarf warrior marveled. It was a pulse he had never felt before. It was different from divine power or magical energy that affected the Creator’s creatures.

It was the primordial power itself. One could feel the Creator’s touch. Even after a thousand years, it created the illusion of someone gently caressing one’s cheek.

In the center stood a single tree. Though it looked ordinary despite being called a giant tree, its power inspired awe.

“Ah… my Mother. Your sinful daughter has returned.”

Eliya knelt down. Her flowing tears contained all the hardships she had endured. Durin silently watched her back before moving past.

Emotions were a separate issue. The Demon Realm Regent’s focus was on one target: the figure emerging from the hut built around the World Tree.

Step, step.

The sound of stepping on leaves was light. Yet simultaneously heavy.

The contradictory atmosphere made it feel strange. Beings that feel alien to the world’s laws usually hold uncommon positions.

“Welcome, Adversary.”

An old elf wearing a brown robe stood before the demon. As he had sensed, fate was palpable. Before the traitor who had turned her back on the celestial realm, she smiled leisurely.

“Mother is waiting for you.”

It seemed they had been preparing since the party entered the great forest. Durin was willing to prepare to face the giant tree. The pull of fate had brought about this meeting, so it was time to state his desires.

“A thousand years. The moment we’ve endured through that time has come.”

However, he could instinctively sense that fate had hidden something else.

“I will guide you. Please follow me.”

#

Durin’s party followed the priest into the hut. The fireflies visible through the window did not follow them inside.

“Adversary who goes against the world’s fate. May I ask your name?”

The demon and the priest sat facing each other across a table. The conversation that took place in the interior, which resembled an ordinary home, was extremely ordinary.

“Durin. No surname.”

“The black angels traditionally allowed only leaders to have surnames. I see you still maintain that tradition.”

“You know about the past?”

“I also know what you desire.”

The elf smiled gently. She offered Durin tea as she continued speaking.

“You’re pursuing the Goddess of Death, aren’t you?”

“We must reclaim our forgotten mother to be able to resist.”

“Is your target the celestial realm?”

“No. It’s fate.”

Durin didn’t accept the tea. His stern red eyes glared at the elf.

“So there’s no time for small talk. Guide us to the giant tree at once.”

“You’re impatient, Durin.”

“Leisure is the privilege of those who possess it. Even in this moment of comfort, my legion is sacrificing their lives for me.”

As always, he faced the priest as a regent.

“Let’s not prolong the introduction and be open with each other. Is this hostility, or friendship?”

“Has duty made you this way?”

“Answer my question first.”

Durin’s voice grew increasingly stern. Even the others enjoying tea noticeably tensed. The regent was ready to fight even in the World Tree’s domain.

Just as the hero grabbed his sword in preparation for any situation…

“It’s friendship.”

Fortunately, the atmosphere eased. The World Tree had yielded first.

“You’re the same now as you were then.”

Her voice became slightly emotional. The hero, who had been relieved that things were going smoothly, widened his eyes again. A strange current began to flow.

“Do you recognize me?”

“Judging by the way you speak, you must be the World Tree. Have you come out to enjoy some amusement?”

“You’ve grasped the exterior, but you haven’t delved inside the shell, Regent of the Demon Realm.”

The elf priest—no, the World Tree disguised as her—stood up. The giant tree stood before Durin. Being quite tall, she slightly looked down at Durin who was sitting in the chair.

“I said… I’ve been waiting, didn’t I?”

The World Tree hesitated. She seemed to be wavering for a moment. Her lips moved as if trying to say something, considering.

“…But since time is pressing, I’ll talk about the sacred relic first. For that duty you’re devoted to.”

She left curiosity hanging. She clearly had something she wanted to say, but in the end, it seemed she buried it after struggling. The World Tree turned and went outside the hut.

“I’m glad the conversation is moving quickly.”

Durin, however, paid no attention to it at all. He showed a strange demeanor that anyone could see, but he dismissed it entirely.

“This is an unexpected situation.”

The hero left in the hut wore a troubled expression. He wanted to ask Eliya if she knew anything, but she was in no condition to answer. She was still crying and couldn’t respond.

“Hmm.”

He gazed at the fireflies and fell into contemplation.

Durin, Regent of the Demon Realm.

A notorious arch-demon and adversary of the celestial realm.

A warrior who defies fate and is chosen by the forgotten goddess.

Now with the added question mark of being an unknown entity that the World Tree longed for.

What kind of being had he been?

He couldn’t deduce the answer at all.