Ch.20768. I Really Can’t Face Them.(2)

“Independence from the World Tree. That is the proposal I wish to make to you all.”

Those words didn’t simply convey a single demand.

They were a cruel sentence… asking them to abandon their faith and even their homeland.

“That is impossible, Kariel. You know that well.”

“Nothing is impossible.”

Kariel shook his head and spoke again to the Queen.

“There are only those who wish to believe something is impossible.”

Clear in words, but the opposite in reality.

“Then I’d like you to elaborate on what exactly you mean by the specific points of this independence.”

“First, abandoning that weak mindset that depends on and blindly follows the World Tree.”

Faith, for instance.

“Self-comfort. Anyone can have beliefs for self-satisfaction… but anything beyond that is problematic. Beyond that truly has no meaning.”

“I see…”

In a situation where the World Tree itself seeks and desires destruction, what meaning could there be in being its dependents or siblings?

Even though they originated from the World Tree, that doesn’t mean they must share its final fate in death.

…The Queen herself was there, wanting to believe this.

“It seems we have the most optimal conditions. If you… bear that burden of sin, then we…”

“There’s no need to feel indebted or guilty. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

A statement that seemed almost too kind from one perspective.

But bringing up transactions or cost-benefit analyses here would be completely foolish.

Originally, winning someone’s heart means giving up profit and wasting time and sincerity.

Even that might not guarantee a certain return.

That’s normal.

It was like treasure hunting, Kariel thought.

Gaining someone’s trust and confidence through such means would mean acquiring the discovered treasure.

Until you safely return home with the treasure you’ve discovered and acquired, you haven’t truly gained anything.

“But Kariel. Those who can understand and accept such circumstances are extremely few.”

“What are you saying? In this age where the few rule the many, what matters is the acceptance of those few.”

“But our foundation and basis are our siblings. We cannot just announce this to them without consideration…”

“Persuading and convincing them is the responsibility of those in power. If you’re only going to look after yourself while watching those below you, what difference is there between you and corrupt human rulers whose only purpose is power itself?”

“……”

“Human politics places meaning in acquiring and maintaining power. They build prestige and cater to public sentiment for that purpose. Is that what elves were about?”

“…No, it’s not.”

“You don’t bat an eye at criticism from outside, but you fear condemnation from within. The awareness that such condemnation might not end as mere criticism. Doesn’t that mean the ruler is admitting and acknowledging that their chosen path was wrong?”

“……”

Between the two of them in the reception room, there was an unspoken tension.

“Don’t fear being criticized, cursed, or pointed at. In the end, everyone lives alone in this world. If you believe you’re right, move forward. If you’re held back by those above and below, with a leash around your neck… you won’t be able to accomplish anything.”

“…Hehe. You treat it as such a trivial matter.”

“If you’re willing to give up your life, honor, future, dreams, and hope, there’s nothing to fear in this world.”

Kariel’s lips curved into a smile.

“Do you know what the World Tree demanded of me? It threatened me terribly, saying if I didn’t follow its words, I would suffer for eternity even after death.”

“……”

“If I had succumbed to that fear, I would now be holding a military council meeting with you all about continental subversion strategies, explaining one by one what I had previously provided.”

“Were you truly not afraid of that?”

“Of course I was scared.”

But you know what?

“He told me that when the time comes not to back down, never compromise.”

“…He said that?”

“My father is quite stubborn, after all.”

“I… see.”

Kariel rose from the sofa and said:

“And I’m the type who doesn’t believe in or rely on anyone.”

“…?”

“If you don’t have the courage to walk out, I’ll create a situation where you have no choice but to do so.”

I’ll push you forward.

“Let’s do our best.”

====

Remira followed Kariel to his home.

Having been empty for a long time, the interior had a somewhat desolate atmosphere.

…It wasn’t like this before, but it’s become this way after being vacant for just a few days?

Or perhaps.

Could it be that the owner’s temperament, his energy, had changed?

“Kariel.”

“Hmm? What?”

“What are you plotting?”

“A lot of things?”

“Tell me just one. Is what you’re plotting something good or an evil conspiracy?”

“Even poison can be medicine depending on how it’s used.”

Kariel examined the interior and poured water from a stagnant jar into a wooden bowl.

“Both poison and medicine were created by the Creator who made this world, right? Their usefulness is determined by how they’re used. The same goes for good and bad, justice and injustice.”

“Those who possess injustice and commit evil acts usually aim their bows at predetermined targets.”

As Remira calmly murmured, Kariel turned his head toward her and asked:

“Which side do you think I’m on?”

“…I don’t know.”

Kariel moistened his throat with the bowl.

Wiping the moisture from his lips, he said:

“Then keep pondering and pondering endlessly. Those who give up thinking will only wander in others’ imaginations and designs.”

Which side are you on?

“You can entrust your life to others. Dreams, ideals, specific goals too. But wandering in someone else’s imagination and design isn’t your own will, is it?”

“Kariel, your words somehow make sense, but when I think about them more, they just confuse me.”

“I simplified it for you to understand easily.”

Kariel approached her and beckoned with his hand.

Following him, Remira moved closer to Kariel.

She ended up bending her waist as he grabbed her collar.

“This is what I mean.”

Then Kariel quickly bit Remira’s long ear with an “Ang!” sound.

“—?!?!?!”

Startled, Remira jerked back with a convulsion.

“W-w-what are you doing—?!”

“Whether you entrust your life to others or use it as you see fit, it’s all your will. Don’t forget. If you act stupidly like that, the whole world will use you and leave only bones in the end. Don’t regret it then.”

====

Over the bright sunlight illuminating the cave entrance, a heavy shadow falls.

With a light presence, an inconsiderate question flies in.

“Can you read?”

As Keilan entered the cave and removed his hood, Bargo, who had been staying still as if dead, opened his eyes wide.

“What are you trying to say?”

Keilan threw a bundle of papers at him.

“The operation is in four days. I’ve written down how you should move.”

“Variables?”

“Preventing those is our job. Rather, how about you?”

“Preparations are sufficient.”

Though Bargo was alone here, the number of his kind who had infiltrated this lowly forest was by no means small.

Some through their assistance.

Some secretly, considering the possibility of traps disguised as cooperation, for contingency plans.

…It might not be enough force to threaten the elves, but it would be sufficient to chill their hearts.

From the beginning, their purpose was far from destroying the elves and their treasures or facilities.

They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

This was thanks to understanding and utilizing that principle well.

“The absolute compliance contract is indeed absolute, but I’ll ask anyway. Do you truly believe this will benefit your race?”

“A race that has forgotten its pride has no future. We do not wish to live as long-lived beasts.”

“I see.”

Worthless.

Truly pathetic words.

But from this side’s perspective, there’s nothing bad about such… ignorance.

“Rather, it is you who will become the target of the Empire and its hero. Can you handle that anger?”

“You don’t understand.”

A heavy laugh flowed through the black cloth.

“The noble and great becoming degraded is precisely the most ideal ending we desire.”

For him to celebrate a successful life as a hero is absolutely unacceptable.

“To engrave clearly in their history how foolish it is to choose the life of a hero. I am here for such a future, not the present.”

In their world.

Their standard and exemplar, the righteous, the good, justice must not breathe.

“We kill the good and inflate the evil to purify the world in our way. What is poison to them will be nourishment and nutrients for us.”

“I can’t tell if you’re stupid or a pathetic idealist.”

“I only wish for my design to be clearly cast upon this world.”

I strive for that. I struggle for it.

That’s all.

Everything else, all the secondary things, didn’t need attention.

Keilan snorted and said:

“Fine. Do as you please.”

“You can look forward to it.”

Bargo unrolled the bundle of papers and began to examine it seriously.

Meanwhile, Keilan, having put down his basket, extended his body outside the cave where the sun was shining.

“My design, huh.”

It seems I heard similar words before, and now I’m hearing them again here.

“So there are similarities in the thinking of those who are not in their right mind.”

He leaped and traversed the vast forest.

Because it was a familiar place he could navigate even with his eyes closed.

Keilan could advance swiftly while being lost in thought for a long time.

====

“Kariel. Have you truly gone mad? You’re going to proclaim such content before the people? And to those who have lived under the shadow of the World Tree?”

In response to Geornia’s serious tone, Kariel twisted his body left and right, acting nonchalant.

“But what can I do? Even telling them that the World Tree’s lifespan is ending is already a compromise.”

“Who would fully believe that?”

“I’m not telling them to believe it. I’m just spreading it. Whether they accept it or not is not my concern. Do people question belief when attending a funeral?”

“Kariel. Do you think that’s even a kind lie?”

“It’s just to prevent riots or disturbances, a compromise to soften the expression…”

“That’s saying the same thing differently.”

“It’s all in the interpretation.”

Originally.

For citizens and subjects, matters of state, political structures, configurations, big or small affairs.

All of these are something that has no relevance to individuals.

If forcibly connecting and integrating state affairs, making it seem glorious, honorable, and enviable to be involved in state matters is part of the management and participation method of other countries…

…The elven nation was, in a way, prominently individualistic.

Probably because they had fewer desires, cravings, and deficiencies than humans.

Instead, they have a pure aspect.

…In a different way from dwarves.

They are pacifists who love nature and enjoy living with it as a companion.

Quite different from short-lived races who seek intense pleasures, excessive entertainment, or stimulation.

So.

…Unless it’s an enormous event that would greatly impact their lives.

There’s no need to tell them every reality and fact, making a big deal out of it.

…Isn’t that why they crowned the higher-ups with thrones and crowns in the first place?

In that sense, they are, at least in terms of such structural functions, rational to a degree that’s hard to compare with any other human nations.

…The fact that even the council members and Her Majesty the Queen entrusted the full authority over the elven race to Kariel himself is evidence of this.

“They must have known. That you wouldn’t go astray.”

“Even if they were certain, it’s hard to be certain in this world. Handing over the hilt of a sword to someone else requires tremendous courage.”

Even if that being has the qualifications of an agent or apostle of the divine tree.

This is absolutely not an easy thing.

“Do you think I don’t know that? What I’m trying to say is…”

“It’s alright.”

Kariel waved his hand dismissively.

Then, as if just remembering, he pulled out a letter from his pocket and urged her to recall his request.

“Geornia, you just need to remember what I asked. After everything is done, there will be quite a commotion.”

Don’t forget.

“This is something only you can do, Geornia.”

“…Cheeky fellow.”

Geornia snatched the letter and let out a long, deep sigh.