episode_0075

“The World Tree? Are you saying that giant blue-haired woman, the World Tree, forcefully granted you the ability of super-long life?”

“Yes… Yes… W-what’s… what’s going on…?”

“I can’t take it anymore… I’ll embrace you all…!!”

Suddenly, countless vines burst from the World Tree’s back, and I was greatly flustered. Even so, seeing the World Tree-nim, who cherished all life, completely rampage and attempt to swallow all living beings in the world, left me dumbfounded.

“Why…? Isn’t it enough to make just me suffer…? Why are you trying to plunge everyone into agony!!!”

“Hmm… According to HSA rules, we shouldn’t interfere with the societies of other dimensions… but there’s someone here trying to cause a catastrophe, so… I don’t know whether to say it’s fortunate this happened just as I was about to leave, or to express regret that such a thing occurred.”

“Huh…? Revo-ssi?”

I was bewildered seeing Revo-ssi suddenly start loosening up beside me and offering his opinion on the situation. And looking at his face, I knew he had decided something. Realizing what it was, I immediately grabbed his arm.

“Wait a moment. What are you thinking? Surely not…”

“If we just leave that Alraune, the world might be destroyed.”

“Alraune…?”

“A race with a human upper body and a plant lower body is called an Alraune. Anyway, if we leave that one alone, the world will be destroyed. And listen closely. You’ll hear it too.”

When Revo-ssi told me to listen closely, I immediately closed my eyes and began to listen to the surrounding sounds. Then, as various screams reached me on the wind, I realized these screams were none other than those of my own race, the fairies, who lived near the World Tree.

“…!! Th-this sound…”

“Leave that woman to me, and Akada-ssi, please help evacuate the fairies.”

“What?! B-but…”

“Whether you still think of yourself as a monster or not, if you help them, they will gladly accept you.”

“That’s not the problem!! Revo-ssi could die!! The World Tree is a powerful being!! I can’t lose the benefactor who saved me like this…”

I screamed with all my might, not wanting to lose him. I couldn’t let him die a dog’s death, not after he pulled me into the light during years of solitude. Then he placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m experiencing this a hundred times… I’m used to it now. And just as you worry about me, I also worry about this world and you. So instead of worrying about me, worry about your own race.”

“But I won’t die. I’m immortal!”

“…About that… they say there is super-long life in this world, but no true immortality. You could die, and I could die. So… you must live. You are also a valuable being, just as you have done something for your race. Now then!”

“Huh…?! N-no!!!”

Revo-ssi took my hand, then suddenly let go and flew towards the World Tree. As he did, his body began to grow larger, returning to his human form. I reached out a hand towards him, but it was meaningless.

“… Revo-ssi… Fine… I get it!!”

Seeing him fly powerfully towards the World Tree, I ran to the place where the fairies lived, a place I hadn’t visited in years, to save the bewildered fairies. But the scene there was different from my expectations. The chaotic screams from just a moment ago were gone; now, everyone was fearful but moving in an orderly manner.

“Alright! Everyone! Please maintain order!! Don’t fall into confusion just because you’re at the back; everyone can be safe! Quickly!!”

“…?! Th-this voice…”

I was shocked. Seeing a fairy leading the others in the air to safely evacuate, I was so surprised I couldn’t hide my astonishment. Then, regaining my composure, I spread my wings, which I hadn’t unfurled in years, and flew towards that fairy. The moment I drew close, that fairy also saw my face and was greatly astonished.

“… My goodness… Akada…? Why… why are you still alive…?”

“Kelly…? Why are you…?”

That fairy was Kelly, my friend who used to visit me every day while I was researching at home. Kelly, too, had become super-long-lived like me. Neither of us knew the other had become super-long-lived, and we were so flustered we couldn’t easily speak.

“Ah… Akada, surely you too, from the World Tree…”

“You… you too? Why…? Ah… no… I clearly saw you dying from afar…”

“I was dying from an illness, but suddenly the World Tree forcefully granted me immortality… I… I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you anymore since you suddenly left the village… What about you?”

“The World Tree noticed my research and suddenly forcefully granted me super-long life… Ah… th-this isn’t the time for such talk!! We’ll talk later, you keep evacuating the frightened fairies to a safe place! I’ll use my abilities to protect them!!”

“Huh…?! Uh… oh! But Akada!! That red-haired human is…”

“… My benefactor. That person will buy us time!! So hurry…!!”

“… No… Akada, look at that…”

“Huh…?”

When Kelly reacted with great astonishment to something she saw, I looked where Kelly was pointing. And I too was speechless. The reason for this was, if we rewind time a little, back to when Revo-ssi had flown to the front of the World Tree.

“Well now… that’s quite a troublesome one.”

“…? A human child of mine is here…”

As Revo-ssi, having arrived before the World Tree, sighed deeply and muttered, the World Tree looked at him, a human, and was puzzled that a human was here. Then the World Tree smiled and spoke.

“Child… You wanted to come into my embrace too…!!”

“… Excuse me. I’m an otherworldly being, so I’m not your child at all, actually. I’m someone from an organization called HSA. I’m also someone who captures criminals who cause destruction, just like you.”

“…? An otherworldly being? What do you mean by that, child…? Ah… you’re lacking love, aren’t you…”

“Love? What kind of love is that, what you’re doing right now, trying to swallow everyone with your vines?”

“Yes… It’s so you can live safely forever inside me. My love is always yours, after all.”

As the World Tree wrapped her arms around herself and spoke contentedly, Revo sighed deeply again, shook his head, and said to the World Tree.

“Is what you’re doing truly love? Even I, who just met you, can immediately tell the extent of your ‘love.’ You absolutely shouldn’t do that. I hope you realize your mistake.”

“… What are you saying now, my child…? A mother’s love…”

“No, I told you I’m an otherworldly being, didn’t I? To a human who came from another world, you’re talking about ‘child’ and whatnot… Anyway, I’m not your child or anyone related to this world.”

“… So you’re a threat to my children… Then for the sake of my children, I must eliminate you…?!”

“Oh dear… Wielding something so dangerous. Isn’t that a bit much for our first meeting?”

The World Tree was surprised, and Kelly and I were surprised too. When the World Tree swung its massive vine at Revo-ssi, Revo-ssi caught the vine with one hand. Then Revo-ssi examined the vine carefully and nodded.

“Hmm… There are so many of these vines, it seems you could attack others while dealing with me? In that case… it can’t be helped. Don’t resent me, as this is the path you chose.”

“What…?! Screeeeeeam!!!!”

Revo-ssi applied more force to the hand holding the vine… and tore it from the World Tree’s back. Then Revo-ssi tossed the vine into the air and snapped his fingers. A star-shaped energy mass shot from his finger and obliterated the vine without a trace. At that, the World Tree began to rage.

“What are you doing…!!! Otherworldly being!!!”

“Are you finally admitting it? That I’m an otherworldly being?”

“I’ll eliminate you, otherworldly being… horribly!!”

“… Wasn’t that the path you chose? Perfect Defense.”

When the World Tree swung ten vines again, Revo-ssi spread his hand wide. An strange barrier unfolded before Revo-ssi, and the vines struck the barrier and bounced off. And at that moment, Revo-ssi clenched his fist tightly…

“Perfect Counter.”

“…?! Screeeeam!!”

He swung his fist into the air. The deflected vines, as if struck, instantly bounced back towards the World Tree’s back, tearing away from it as they did so. Then Revo-ssi snapped his fingers again, launching star-shaped energy masses to detonate the torn vines. And seeing that sight, we were mesmerized, and the evacuating fairies were also flustered.

“Wh-what is that…? Akada… What is that human’s true identity…?”

“… I didn’t know he was that strong… I knew he was strong, but that… that level, it’s like he could even… even kill a god…”

“Y-yeah, really…”

Having clearly seen Revo-ssi’s strength, I hadn’t realized he was so powerful. Then, regaining my senses, I shook Kelly and shouted.

“Kelly! This isn’t the time!! Let’s evacuate quickly!! We could get caught in Revo-ssi and the World Tree’s fight!!”

“Uh… uh-huh!!”

At my cry, Kelly began evacuating the fairies again, and I unfolded a barrier to protect them for safety. And Revo-ssi, perhaps having seen me, smiled at me and then immediately headed for the World Tree’s back.

“Hmm… It seems the world will only be safe once I’ve completely removed all these vines.”

“Wha… what did you say… S-stop… Screeeam!!!”

“Starlight Feast.”

Revo-ssi climbed onto the World Tree’s back, tearing off vines and detonating them all with energy masses. The World Tree tried to shake its body to prevent Revo-ssi from tearing off any more of its vines, but when Revo-ssi punched the World Tree’s bare skin, the World Tree could only scream.

“Screeeeeeam!! Ah… It hurts!! Stop!! Stop it!!”

“Someone who was about to tell others to endure suffering for a moment, showing this reaction because they’re afraid of pain. Isn’t that too brazen and childish? Oh, it’s all done… Well then…”

“Huh…? Uhhhh…? Cough…”

Having torn off all the vines that had grown on the World Tree’s back, Revo-ssi immediately punched the World Tree’s head. The World Tree’s upper body toppled forward, and in that state, Revo-ssi began punching the World Tree like a madman. And seeing that sight, I realized. That Revo-ssi truly had no mercy for evildoers. No matter how much the World Tree screamed or begged for its life, Revo-ssi did not stop his attack.

“S-stop! Please!! Please!! Save me!! If I’m gone, my children will… Cough…”

“Don’t you think it’s too late for regret? There must have been lives lost just now when you grew enormous… If you call that love, then it’s truly an unpleasant and filthy love. What a pathetic piece of trash.”

The beating continued for several minutes, and the World Tree’s body began to shrink. And finally, when the World Tree reverted to the form of a small tree, Revo-ssi mercilessly stomped on it, killing the World Tree. Having killed the World Tree, Revo-ssi made his body smaller and returned to Kelly and me, who were evacuating the fairies.

“Whew… I haven’t fought lately, so I ended up using even insignificant power. Is everyone safe?”

“… But was it necessary to kill it?”

“That one was a being who abused super-long life. Moreover, it decided to swallow the world, so… Huh? But who is that blue-haired fairy next to Akada-ssi, wearing blue clothes?”

I was about to introduce Kelly to Revo-ssi right away, but everyone was frozen due to the overwhelming power Revo-ssi had just displayed. Realizing the awkward silence around him, Revo-ssi let out a dry laugh and spoke.

“Oh? Ahahaha… This… I did it again… This habit of giving back what I get when someone gives me trouble, when will it be fixed… Hahaha…”

Revo-ssi let out a dry laugh and hastily left the spot. And since our original dwelling place had been devastated, we fairies moved our residence to where we currently were. Two days passed like that. Kelly and I had been leading the fairies during the move, and we were resting for a moment under a tree.

“Whew… I didn’t realize moving our residence would be this difficult…”

“Indeed… You were alone in a remote place, so you wouldn’t have known.”

“… You became super-long-lived, so why did you stay in the village? I ran away out of fear that everyone would think of me as a monster…”

“Hmm… Since I became like this… I suppose I decided it’s better to do whatever there is to do… I resolved not to be disheartened… Still, I know what kind of suffering you went through.”

“… I see… Really… Thinking of Revo-ssi and you, I feel so foolish, I start to dislike myself…”

“… It’s natural to be afraid of something. I was like that at first too. Even if it took a long time for you to come to your senses, it’s okay. You can do well from now on. Right?”

“… You’re right… Now that I’ve come to my senses… an altruistic nature… Ah… so that’s how it felt… Revo-ssi too, that’s why…”

“Oh ho! Your friend speaks very well!”

“Huh?”

Suddenly hearing Revo-ssi’s voice, Kelly and I hastily looked up. And what do you know, Revo-ssi was hanging from the tree, listening to our conversation! So both of us were greatly surprised to see Revo-ssi’s face.

“Screeeam!”

“Ugh… Ugh?! Re-Revo-ssi?! You didn’t leave yet?!”

“Oh… I still had to see if Akada-ssi was alright in the end. Hmm… Still, it’s reassuring now that your friend is by Akada-ssi’s side.”

Revo-ssi looked at Kelly, smiled, and seemed relieved. Then, as he descended from the tree, Kelly asked Revo-ssi in a trembling voice.

“… Wh-what… what is your true identity?!”

“… Kelly, I’ll tell you that later… And Revo-ssi… this time, are you really… leaving?”

“Yes. I don’t know if I’ll be able to visit this place again. This dimension’s structure is so peculiar. I hesitated to say it, thinking this might be our last meeting, but…”

“… Revo-ssi. Before meeting Kelly, I wished you wouldn’t leave. But after sorting out my thoughts… I realize your comrades are waiting for you… and above all, I acknowledge that Revo-ssi is incredibly busy saving many lives… so now my heart feels light.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, come on… So, go quickly and save more lives, not just mine!”

Revo-ssi seemed so bewildered that I had said such a thing, he was dumbfounded. Then I took Revo-ssi’s hand and spoke.

“If there’s no immortality, only super-long life, then that means we might meet again in the afterlife someday, doesn’t it? Let’s share many stories then. So, this isn’t our final goodbye! Therefore, I promise you, Revo-ssi, that I won’t feel lonely!”

“… Akada-ssi… I’m glad your heart feels better… So, what will you do here, Akada-ssi?”

“Of course, I want to do things for the fairies. Well… I wonder if I’m qualified for that…”

“Two days ago, you showed your desire to protect your kin from the World Tree, so why are you questioning whether you’re qualified or not? Of course you are!”

As Revo-ssi gave a thumbs up and spoke, I let go of Revo-ssi’s hand and smiled at him as I spoke.

“For the past year… I was happy you were with me… And thank you!”

“… Thank you for opening your heart for the past year, Akada-ssi. Then… stay well.”

“Yes. You too, Revo-ssi, don’t overdo it!”

“… I’ll keep that in mind.”

With his promise to remember, Revo-ssi’s body began to gradually turn transparent. As Revo-ssi completely vanished, Kelly spoke to me in a dazed voice.

“Th-that… th-that human just now, what on earth was his true identity?!”

“A precious human who helped me return to my bright self. Ah! I’ll tell you what happened with that person for the past year! The time in my life when things were incredibly warm and harmonious… Hohoho…”