episode_0051

The color of the full moon hanging in the sky gradually faded.

The stars, which had shone brightly and served as the focal point for Hell’s magic circle, were now preparing to sleep.

The sun was only just peeking its head out.

Scattered trees, each splinter flying and embedded in the ground.

Elf homes that once formed a massive settlement, now reduced to ash by a single breath from the Chimeras.

Was it due to the gods’ power struggle, or perhaps the sword art I first used? The animals simply lay motionless on the cold earth.

Was it the authority of the World Tree?

Among the fragmented trees, fresh green sprouts had already emerged, connecting the shards.

Trees bent themselves around the remaining skeletal frames of homes, temporarily forming their shapes.

Countless flowers bloomed from the earth, already embracing those who lay motionless on the ground.

At the center of this movement.

Two beings sat at the entrance of the World Tree, simply gazing at this sight.

I turned my head to the side.

Of course, there was no need to turn my head.

No matter which way I turned my head, I couldn’t see her face anyway.

But one could at least make the gesture, couldn’t they?

Her hair, once as green as the new sprouts emerging from those fragments, was now covered in ash, draped over her shoulders.

The intense eyes that had gazed at me when we first met now seemed soft, eased by exhaustion.

An occasional smile.

Was the voice of nature expressing a small joy? The elf’s long ears twitched.

But perhaps she felt me looking at her from beside her.

Ellicia’s head was already lowered.

“I’m sorry…. I couldn’t even trust you to the end, and I couldn’t do anything…”

A voice drained of strength.

But the sincerity hadn’t left her voice.

“No. If Ellicia hadn’t been here, this wouldn’t have succeeded.”

At my words, did she think that I, Ray, was just trying to comfort her?

She shook her head.

“All I could do was take care of a few people… The wolf in your arms did everything…”

Now, it seemed she no longer found the brownie, peacefully sleeping in my arms and gathering magic, to be cute.

Isn’t that natural?

Anyone who saw the brownie’s true form wouldn’t treat it the same as before.

Every word she spoke was tinged with self-reproach.

Was it because, even though the demonic cultists appeared, she only dealt with a few and couldn’t handle the Chimeras themselves?

Or was it because she reproached me with her own prejudice, even though I was healing Mother in the correct way?

Or was it because she fainted when Demeter appeared at the end?

All those emotions were present in her voice, one by one.

“That’s not true. Do you remember when we first met? I couldn’t even grasp this [Garden] and wandered aimlessly.”

Hearing that, Ellicia let out a small laugh and replied.

“You touched the trees and asked if their skin was rough.”

“That’s right. At that time, I could have used force like I did with the Chimeras, but I myself was just one helpless person in the [Garden].”

I continued speaking to Ellicia, who remained silent.

“There is an elf who brought such a helpless person up to be the one who healed the World Tree. I will never forget that kindness.”

What if the first elf I met had shot an arrow at me the moment they saw me?

In the worst case, I could have lost my life.

Elves who only believed rumors among themselves could certainly have acted that way.

If the first elf I met had acted like that, I might have had to wander the entire [Garden] map searching for clues about the World Tree.

I might not have met the goddess Hell, or I might have lost my life to Demeter.

Forging a connection with this elf, Ellicia, and walking this path was by no means an easy one.

I had to gain her favor by deceiving her into believing the brownie was a [Garden] animal, and I killed Chimeras to gain Ellicia’s trust, even knowing it would provoke the demonic cult.

It was a roundabout way.

However, because it was a roundabout way, I gained even more.

Fragments of the tree that supports the world, Hell’s advice, the gods’ descent, the World Tree’s wish-granting power.

And finally, a connection with the elf named Ellicia.

I wouldn’t have gained these things if I had taken the easy path.

Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why you shouldn’t just force quests with strength alone.

“……”

Was it because I said something quite embarrassing?

Ellicia buried her face in her knees.

Her face, her white face deeply pressed into her knees, was tinged with red.

It must be embarrassment.

Thinking that, I stood up and looked at the sun, which had now fully emerged.

[Child, this is the finest mandragora among what I possess.]

The noble voice of the World Tree came from behind me.

I turned my head and saw that she was already holding a mandragora emitting a dazzling light in her hand.

“…………….”

I was speechless for a moment.

Mandragora wasn’t a common ingredient, but something of this caliber…

‘I’d believe it if someone said this was material for making a divine artifact…’

I can’t just give this directly to the Princess, can I?

I should just break off a small piece and give it to her.

Since it’s large, it probably won’t matter.

“Thank you. To procure such a fine item…”

[It’s just that what I can give you right now is only the mandragora that grew from my roots. There are even better things than this.]

If it’s better than this, well, there’s nothing left but what the gods eat as elixirs.

These words welled up in my throat, but I had no choice but to swallow them at the World Tree’s next words.

[By the way, is that person crawling over there your companion?]

***

I couldn’t remember well.

How much had I been possessed by [Experimental Spirit] to run wild like that?

Faust’s crawling fingertips began to tremble.

“This… when I go back… what… explanation…”

Her voice, trembling so much that she couldn’t speak properly, was pathetic.

Her once flowing red hair was now covered in tree fragments and ash, looking shabby.

What was her last memory?

All she could remember was someone with immense magical power, with wheat stuck in their ear, suddenly sitting on the throne and emitting magic.

Had she been too swayed by her own personality?

Faust clutched her head, feeling dizzy.

She shouldn’t have acted so impulsively.

But this [Garden] was filled with things that excited her [Experimental Spirit].

“I… I didn’t know it would… act this strongly… I shouldn’t… drink any more… *cough*…”

Pain, pain surging from her abdomen, stopped her body.

But did she know that if she were caught here by the World Tree or that blind man, it would mean death?

In her desperate crawl, a stick came into her sight.

A thin stick, like one a blind person would use.

“Hngh… Save… Save me…”

Was it her instinct?

She curled her body into a ball.

“Ah, is that personality active now?”

A voice that was chillingly calm and also polite.

But to Faust, his tone now sounded only like the voice of a grim reaper come to collect her life.

“I… I apologize if I acted impolitely…! My personality is so timid… I was trying to treat it with medication… and then… it just ended up like this…”

“That’s not what I’m curious about, Faust.”

“Hngh… He knows my name too…”

He extended a hand to Faust, who was trembling nonstop.

Did he know that the World Tree and the elf next to him weren’t around?

That he was doing something like this.

“I am offering you a chance to atone to me.”

His hand remained firmly held out before her.

As if urging her to quickly take his hand.

“……….”

Now, did a girl trembling in terror on this ground have any choice?

She sniffled and took his hand.

“Good. If there’s any special movement from the demonic cult, you’ll inform me, understood?”

She nodded repeatedly.

Her tear-filled face simply nodded.

“If the information is wrong, or if you lie to me.”

He put his mouth to her ear.

“I will take responsibility and pursue you to the ends of the earth, and I will surely slaughter you.”

“………”

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t lie, we’re just ‘friends’ who are a little special.”

To her face, which was nodding vigorously, the sinister blind man patted her shoulder and continued speaking.

“There will be a demonic cult member named Astoria at the Academy. Tell her to deliver simple news, and if it’s important, we’ll meet directly to discuss it. Then, try not to get caught by [Chunma].”

He knows [Chunma].

What did that mean?

Faust looked at the blind man, who was now moving away, with trembling eyes.

“Scary….”

Faust’s voice was merely trembling.