Ch.114World Tree (4)

“Mmm.”

For the past three days, the World Tree had been closely monitoring the demons. They were dangerous beings who had killed tens of thousands of humans. Though their power had weakened due to the counterattack from the heavens, they still posed a threat to the vulnerable Eastern Continent.

“Something is bound to happen. My intuition tells me so.”

The evil hearts that demons kept carefully hidden would surely reveal themselves someday. Born to enjoy battle, they couldn’t possibly remain idle. Just as angels lived stubbornly according to their instincts, these creatures were highly likely to eventually go mad with bloodlust.

The problem was that looking at him standing there like an abandoned statue in the forest, one would never suspect such a thing. Tantalos? That was the demon’s name. He hadn’t revealed his true intentions.

No, to be more precise, he hadn’t shown any particular behavior at all. His subordinates were the same, simply resting quietly, blending into the peaceful forest.

At first, many were wary of these beings in black armor, but as time passed, people gradually stopped paying attention to them. Some brave little ones even approached the demons. The elves who were born and raised in the forest were particularly troublesome.

“Wow. Cool sword. Can I touch it just once?”

“……”

“Oh, okay. I’ll just pass by.”

They were still so pure, untainted by the world. They knew nothing of the pain of war. The elves, children of the Creator God, had created life forms directly like humans using remnant power, and being close to peace, they showed goodwill to everyone. The fact that most were born not long ago and were still children played a significant role.

“Come on, children. Don’t bother the men in black and go back home.”

“Eh! Can’t we stay a little longer?”

“Don’t be a nuisance. Wait, they’re demons, so maybe it’s okay? Anyway! Stop snooping around and try not to come this way if possible.”

The World Tree shooed away the young elves. She didn’t want to create unnecessary trouble when the refugee groups staying in the forest were already feeling anxious. As promised to the demons earlier, combat was absolutely off-limits.

“Nothing will happen. We will leave as soon as we finish recovering.”

Tantalos answered as if reading her mind. The World Tree looked at the demon in surprise. He was polishing his sword with a cloth and had turned his gaze toward her.

“No harm will come to your children.”

“How can I believe that?”

“Then why did you let demons full of distrust into your forest?”

The demon asked while sheathing his sword.

“That’s…”

The World Tree couldn’t answer immediately. There was clearly hostility. The other party was a being that disrupted the world. But they also hadn’t harmed her directly.

Above all, she was extremely curious about the holy relic they possessed. As one who lived beyond time, she couldn’t help but feel a strange attraction when encountering a fragment of a higher being. She instinctively felt it was a wrong encounter, but she had sensed an even greater magical power.

“What does it matter? I’m the merciful daughter of the Creator God. I’ve bestowed grace upon you too.”

“I’ll take it as such. I express my gratitude.”

“…How boring.”

Tantalos was an extremely dry individual. Apart from battle, he seemed to show no desires whatsoever. It was the complete opposite of the World Tree, who was absorbing all sorts of information flowing in during the war.

“Don’t you hate the world? If it were me, I’d be so angry I’d want to destroy everything.”

So the World Tree probed a bit deeper. She tried to satisfy her curiosity even at the risk of angering him.

“How would you know our anger?”

“I’ve heard enough to know why you’ve been pushed to this remote continent.”

“Pushed, you say.”

“It’s not wrong, is it? You lost to the angels.”

At that moment, she realized her mistake. The World Tree quickly shut her mouth. What was meant to be a light prod seemed to have struck a nerve too deeply. She glanced around nervously.

“Um… was that too harsh?”

“No. It’s the truth. We were defeated, so we couldn’t stay in the heavens and were cast out to a wasteland full of souls.”

“……”

“Moreover, young ones who should have been drawing different futures pushed the human realm into the pit of war. For the survival of others, we willingly dipped our hands in death.”

Tantalos answered calmly. He revealed enough to make the World Tree feel sorry. She could see the blood flowing from his painful heart.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t ask the question expecting such a thorough answer.”

“It doesn’t matter. We are not weak enough to avoid the trials given to us. Having prepared for death, would we get angry over something like this?”

At that moment, the World Tree felt ashamed. Though there was clearly a difference in status between the Creator God’s direct daughter and his creations, the conversation they were having now didn’t reflect that at all. The pure innocence of the elves who approached the demons with curiosity seemed more admirable in comparison.

“So don’t worry and look after your surroundings.”

“That might not be so easy.”

“As long as we are here, threats will come again.”

The World Tree raised her head abruptly. The demon, gripping his scabbard firmly, was looking toward the far side of the forest.

“Angels are pursuing us. They will stop at nothing to eliminate the remnants.”

“I’m here, aren’t I? Don’t worry. What would they dare do in a land protected by the Creator God’s daughter?”

“The arrogance of those who rule the heavens makes them forget fear.”

Tantalos’s eyes were burning more intensely than ever before. It wasn’t hostility. It was the fierce fighting spirit of a warrior facing battle.

“You said you would entrust the protection of the holy relic in case of emergency.”

“I… did say that?”

“I hope you will keep it safe.”

With those words, Tantalos departed. He made his way deep into the forest. The World Tree stared at his retreating figure before suddenly coming to her senses.

“Hey! That’s like telling me to fight against heaven! I was nice to you, and now you’re going too far!”

Despite her outburst, there was no response. The World Tree glared in the direction he had disappeared with a sullen expression.

#

Just because demons showed no movement didn’t mean the world was peaceful.

Angels appeared in places where fire had swept through. They thoroughly searched the ruins, constantly tracking traces of demons. Humans rejoiced that saviors had come, but sadly, a harsh fate awaited them.

“We will eliminate the demons. In return, provide us with corresponding supplies.”

“Offer donations that will please God. That is the sincerity you can show to warriors who will see blood.”

“If you refuse, you will be considered heretics. What will you do?”

While the angels, blinded by demon hunting, paid no attention to the refugees, the problem was the human holy knights who followed. Unlike the transcendent beings who didn’t particularly need supplies, they endlessly requisitioned necessary materials from the wasteland.

There was no mercy even in the collapsed ruins. Some refugee leaders couldn’t bear the tyranny and tried to reason with them.

“It is God’s will. Endure it.”

Unfortunately, there was no response. The angels ignored the suffering of the minority for the sake of results. Since the production of faith through holy war was smooth in the central regions anyway, they decided not to provide help.

“Why, why would God do this to us!”

“Rather than this, I’d rather pledge allegiance to demons. You damned bastards!”

Horrified refugees gathered more and more in the World Tree’s forest. It was where those who had driven them to war resided, but the angels’ cruelty erased even those memories.

“That’s what they’re saying. What are you going to do?”

The World Tree observed the series of events. A rare phenomenon was occurring where people were gathering around Tantalos.

This could lead to the worst possible outcome for the demons.

“The more humans gather, the more heaven will pinpoint our location.”

“The refugees will hope for new salvation. They won’t even think of you as defeated soldiers.”

“Endless battles will unfold near the forest.”

“Honestly, I don’t care. A direct child of the Creator God doesn’t fear mere creations.”

The World Tree showed confidence. The strong magical power flowing through the forest took on a bellicose quality. Even the peace and stability that had blossomed from the deep green began to encounter the madness of war.

“If you want, I could drive them away for you.”

“Do you have a request?”

“The holy relic.”

The World Tree pointed at Tantalos’s heart.

“Let me see it properly just once. I don’t really want to own it, but I’d like to take a look.”

It was a casual suggestion. She expected him to show his determination to never give up what he had carefully brought all the way here. That’s why the World Tree spoke lightly.

“If necessary, by all means.”

But Tantalos nodded and accepted, as if he had been waiting for this. The World Tree was taken aback by the unexpected positive response. The situation moved so quickly that she had no time to react.

“Why would I refuse when you offer to drive away the angels?”

“Isn’t it precious to you? You’re giving it up so easily?”

“Survival is more important, World Tree.”

As Tantalos spread his hands, a red fighting spirit flickered. A white object floated above it. A slender ankle dripping with blood. The severed flesh of a god revealed itself to the world.

“Satisfying curiosity is nothing. If it means we can survive.”

His true intentions weren’t visible. There was clearly some scheme. But the World Tree’s gaze was fixed precisely on the holy relic. The magical power emanating from a god’s strength was too tempting for the Creator God’s child.

“What do you think? This is an excellent deal.”

She couldn’t grasp the intention hidden behind the holy relic at all. Yet she couldn’t take her eyes off it. The World Tree unconsciously nodded and replied.

“It seems so.”

A deal made as if entranced.

That was the prelude to the burning forest.

#

In a dark space. The World Tree opened her eyes in a world where all memories could be sifted through.

“Finally, that place.”

Countless scenes emerged. All the worlds she had arbitrarily manipulated were rushing toward one place. Though she had created a virtual space using divine power, its foundation was death. She had made it so one could face the inevitable result.

“This time, properly…”

The World Tree wanted to dream a happy dream. What she desired was elsewhere, but she reached out endlessly.

“I want to secure the right future.”

Crack!

As her delicate hand clenched into a fist, the worlds merged. In the still dark space, other wandering souls. The World Tree moved toward the demon she gazed at with particular affection.

“I’ve been repeating this to myself all this time, but now I’m with you.”

She caressed the helmet of the demon lost in dreams. Red horns revealed above the rugged helmet. Countless wounds could be felt under her fingertips.

“I’m sorry.”

The World Tree revealed her emotions. Her trembling body was like a raging current.

“Though it may not reach you, I’ve always wanted to apologize.”

The various emotions their first meeting had brought. Just as the worlds had merged, the World Tree’s heart also came to focus on one place.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”

What blossomed in her sobbing voice was neither affection nor aching longing, but guilt.

A darkness deeper than the dark world.

That was the only way to express it.