Ch 232
World Tree Spirit.
When the existence was first mentioned by Prophet Salea, the Elves did not readily accept it.
-The World Tree Spirit…?
-There have been no reports of such an existence until now! Aren’t we mistaken!?
The Elves’ long history alongside the World Tree.
Even throughout their entire history, there had been no precedent of encountering an existence called the World Tree Spirit.
-In this situation, for such an unidentified existence to suddenly appear, isn’t it suspicious?
-Rather, because of this situation, isn’t it that the existence appeared before us?
-Prophet, what does that mean?
It was Prophet Salea, and no one else, who actively persuaded those Elves.
-The World Tree is falling ill for an unknown reason, and because of that, we can no longer hear the World Tree’s will. A moment when the direct guidance of the great World Tree is more crucial than ever.
-…So, it’s not that the World Tree is ill and can no longer convey its will, but that we can no longer feel the will of the great World Tree?
-That’s right. And, the World Tree sent its messenger to guide those who have lost their way to its side. The convention—the unwritten rule—of maintaining a minimum distance, has been broken first by the World Tree. For us Elves.
The Elves revered the World Tree as their root and foundation.
Therefore, their spiritual distance could undoubtedly be said to be closer than anything else.
Nevertheless, the Elves were in a position to minimize direct contact with the World Tree.
The great and gracious tree generously bestowed its energy upon all beings around it.
For example.
Elves have minimized contact to avoid rashly touching the World Tree and arbitrarily taking its sublime energy.
No matter how great the World Tree is, its power was not infinite.
-The World Tree approached us first…
However.
If the World Tree approaches them first, how should they receive it then?
Moreover, the situation where they are unable to achieve any results despite repeatedly violating taboos to treat the ailing World Tree.
-Then, Prophet, as you say, all of this might be the guidance of the great World Tree…
Eventually.
The rigid Elves came to recognize the only being that a single person could see and feel as the World Tree Incarnation.
A single human exploited the gap created by the Elves’ desperation and traditions, monopolizing their immense faith in the World Tree.
Night of Deception.
She was quite satisfied with her completed work.
The ailing tree that could no longer speak.
As long as the Elves continue to worship it, her deception will never collapse.
✦✦✦
『Title: Ugh, sh t, I accidentally saw a World Tree Destiny Quest spoiler』
Content: So right now,
this crisis and hope-filled situation without a single ounce of frustration,
is actually a situation where we’re being completely drained by the Night of Deception who’s causing chaos on the side.
-: What we see: Noble High Elves willingly sacrificing themselves for the World Tree
Actual situation: Elves having their livers and gallbladders scraped clean and offered to the human villain
-: But that
surprisingly, suffering from frustration and pain after seeing the spoiler is relatively better.
-: Seriously lol
If you don’t wear a spoiler helmet, your head might actually get caved in.
-: Ugh…
This game can’t be like this?
There’s no way there’s no frustration and crisis?
There must be something…
While raising their guard, the last-minute sharp turn and unexpected attack really breaks through the guard and caves in the back of their heads.
-: Going really well, then suddenly, without any reason, 『”And so the World Tree died, and the High Elves were unhappily and thoroughly dead for a long, long time~”』 this sh t happens, so it’s really unbelievable.
-『Author』: But hey, this is
there’s no way to identify the Night of Deception?
They say that attacking in that state will immediately reveal you,
but conversely, if you don’t attack, you’ll never be discovered.
Is that even possible in the Elf base camp?
Some Elder-level individuals have comparable levels, isn’t it a Balance Breaker?
-: The Night’s stats and resources are invested only in mental interference, so it’s a natural disaster level, yeah yeah.
-: The term “Night” is originally a name given to monsters that can destroy an entire nation.
-: And this one even used the Archdemon’s artifact to try and take over the World Tree and High Elves, right?
-: Yeah, it’s in a state of mimicking the fluctuating World Tree energy,
even the World Tree’s mother wouldn’t recognize it.
-: But if you max out your Mental Magic Resistance through multiple playthroughs, you can still be aware of it.
-『Author』: Really?
What happens if the Night of Deception is identified?
-: A new ending unlocks.
-『Author』: Crazy, there’s a Happy Ending to that.
-: I never said there was a Happy Ending.
-『Author』: ?
What is it then?
What happens when the Night of Deception is identified?
-: Player: You guys, the World Tree Spirit is actually a human, yeah yeah. You guys are being tricked by a human.
Elf: Wow, really? Amazing lol （while beating up the Player）
-: The human denies the World Tree while asking them to believe their words,
but the Elves would believe that, lol.
✦✦✦
‘That fellow-‘
Kroyen, the Night of Deception.
She finally stopped her muttering.
Because she began to feel caution towards the man named Lisir.
The conversation he had with the Prophet.
That somewhat unnatural conversation felt like it was recognizing and probing her. She thought it was just a feeling, but her current actions led her to the assumption that it might not be a misconception.
‘The World Tree Spirit spoke to him? No way. A World Tree Spirit shouldn’t exist.’
If such a thing existed, would she be in this position now?
Would she be openly impersonating the World Tree Spirit while deceiving the Prophet, who, even among the Elves, had exceptional Nature Sensitivity and was the only one capable of empathizing with the World Tree?
Those of the same kind recognize each other.
Kroyen was convinced that Lisir was lying.
Then.
Why was the man telling such a lie?
It was revealed immediately.
“Lisir!? Another World Tree Spirit spoke to you?”
“That’s right.”
“Wh-what did it say!? What did the World Tree Incarnation say to you━”
Lisir answered the Elf Princess’s question.
“Someone… is impersonating them and misinterpreting the World Tree’s will.”
What a pathetic guy.
Kroyen muttered resentfully.
As expected, he was aware of her existence and trying to check her.
‘How did he see through my Perception-Impairing Magic?’
Kroyen realized that her power had been broken and felt extreme confusion, but it didn’t take long to regain her composure.
‘No. Calm down, Kroyen. Just because one guy is free from the influence of my power doesn’t change anything.’
Kroyen was already making her characteristic mocking smile.
Because she realized how pathetic his plan was.
Kroyen observed the Elf Princess Rapita’s reaction.
For a human, she seemed to have the Elf Princess’s trust, but that thin trust relationship ended there.
‘A pathetic guy, he doesn’t even know what he’s doing. Denying the Prophet in front of the Elves, and denying the World Tree Incarnation that the Prophet believed in. Does he really think the Elves will believe him?’
Thus, Kroyen calmly waited for the Elf Princess to interrogate the man’s foolishness on her behalf.
“…Is that true? That we have been deceived by a false being all this time?”
However.
The Elf Princess’s following reaction was unbelievable.
The High Elf completely trusted the human’s words.
She expressed doubt towards the Prophet and the World Tree Incarnation she believed in.
“Rapita!?”
“You, you believe that!?”
“…Yes, I believe it. And, Lasnian. Yulin. You should believe his words too.”
She even persuaded other Princes and Princesses.
“Lady Rapita… what on━”
“…Salea.”
Finally, Rapita looked at the Prophet.
“He is absolutely not a person who would say nonsense. I can vouch for him.”
Whatever happened.
The Elf Princess’s eyes showed absolute trust.
‘Foolish woman-‘
Kroyen chuckled at the Elf Princess.
‘There’s a limit to being spoiled. Does she think this is something that can be solved just because the Princess vouches for it?’
Quickly.
Prophet.
Do what you have to do.
Kroyen silently interrogated Salea.
The pitiful and foolish Prophet playing in the palm of her hand.
“…It’s confusing. The will of the World Tree that I, its messenger, cannot feel. However, as the Princess said—it must certainly exist.”
However, Salea also betrayed her expectations.
Kroyen, the Night of Deception.
She, a human, did not know.
“The Sylph also says so…”
The Sylph, the great Wind Spirit.
What meaning that existence held among the Elves.
“Actually, I have a confession! It wasn’t actually me who was chosen by the World Tree. Actually, I didn’t lend Lisir the Spirit Core, and Lisir wasn’t chosen by the World Tree because of the Spirit Core.”
Whoosh!
The overwhelming and pure flow of air swirling in the room seemed to lend strength to the Elf Princess’s statement.
-It’s true. He possesses a mysterious energy that cannot be described in words. Just as I was drawn to that energy, the World Tree must have also been drawn to it.
That it was actually a human who was chosen by the World Tree.
It was an incredibly shocking statement, but it wasn’t a big deal in the current situation.
In the minds of the confused Elves, scattered fragments were moving busily, fitting into each other’s places.
One conclusion they reached.
“Then, it really means the Prophet was deceived by a false being?”
Prince Lasnian looked around at the Prophet and the ‘World Tree Spirit’.
“…”
Kroyen briefly wondered if she should show the ‘World Tree Spirit’ that Salea was seeing to the High Elves as well.
‘No…’
But she immediately shook her head.
It would undoubtedly be a bad move.
Was it entirely thanks to her transcendental mental interference power that she was able to achieve this deception?
No.
The faith that formed the thoughts and consciousness of the Elves.
It was because she discovered and thoroughly exploited that weakness.
The moment the World Tree Spirit, which only the Prophet could see and feel, becomes visible to others, this exquisite deception will crack.
This was why Kroyen felt even more resentment in the current situation.
‘Just because a Spirit vouches for it, they consider a human to be the World Tree’s messenger!?’
While Kroyen was agonizing like that.
The Prophet finally opened her mouth.
Very painfully.
“Sylph. And, descendants of the World Tree. Let me clearly state that I have no intention of doubting you. However, the role and position given to me by the World Tree… I believe you will also understand that.”
The Prophet’s expression was filled with deep worry.
“I, too, have not always been without doubt about this being. However━”
She took off her blindfold and looked at them.
Her weak eyes, like withered grass, swayed unsteadily.
“Now that the World Tree can no longer convey its will, who can judge that?”
“…”
It was as the Prophet said.
Now that the World Tree can no longer convey its will, it is pointless to consider where its true will lies.
And.
In such a situation, the opinion of the Prophet, who was the only one who could hear the World Tree’s will, naturally carries weight.
“At least I… believe this being is the great World Tree Spirit.”
The Prophet looked at Kroyen.
What she saw in her eyes was not a woman with purple bobbed hair smiling viciously, but a spirit imbued with the fresh green of the forest, as if born from the heart of the forest.
Kroyen seized the opportunity to add more stimulation to the world the Prophet was seeing.
“Ah…”
The Prophet sighed.
The sorrow revealed by the ‘World Tree Spirit’ was transmitted to her in real time.
Kroyen had already regained her composure.
She knew which side would eventually win if this stalemate continued.
Let’s say the young High Elves were persuaded by the human for now.
But.
What about the incredibly stubborn Elders of the Temple?
According to the providence of nature that dead branches must be cut off for healthy branches to grow, they relinquished their power and called themselves ‘World Tree Guardians’, but—
Their influence did not completely disappear just because they gave up their actual power.
This is especially true when it comes to matters related to the World Tree, which can be considered the foundation of the Elves.
It can be seen from the fact that there was a great commotion when the Prophet, whom they completely trusted, mentioned the ‘World Tree Spirit’.
Even Salea, who possessed the glorious name ‘Verdant Star’ as the purest Elf, had suffered greatly in the process of persuading the Elders—
An outsider?
And a human?
Kroyen was certain.
The Elders wouldn’t even listen to this story.
“Lady Rapita. If Lady Rapita wishes, I would like to report this matter to the Guardians. In that process, could I ask for advice on how to convey it to the Guardians?”
The Prophet spoke with a pure intention to respect Rapita’s opinion.
Even so, Rapita’s expression contorted as if she had heard a stinging sarcasm.
The moment she thought about persuading the Guardians about this, she felt overwhelmed.
-Then, wouldn’t it be solved if we deal with that human?
For those stubborn Elders, it wouldn’t be at all strange to accept the guarantee of the great Wind Spirit.
Rapita pondered.
‘Lisir is clearly… trying to help us, the World Tree.’
How can she convey Lisir’s true intentions to them?
At that moment.
Everyone’s attention was once again focused on the human.
“Huh? What?”
Lisir began talking to something while looking down at his feet.
It was probably the World Tree Spirit he mentioned.
“To come to where the World Tree is?”
“Li-Lisir!? What are you talking about!?”
When the Elves asked in surprise, Lisir replied.
“Instead of doing this among ourselves, wouldn’t everything be decided if we go to the World Tree and directly hear its will?”
“The World Tree is currently…!”
The Prophet exclaimed in surprise.
“It’s in such a weakened state that it’s difficult to clearly convey its will!”
“Perhaps━”
“Yes?”
Lisir looked at his hands once before continuing.
“If we go there, its condition might improve?”
With that, he revealed his final plan.
‘That illness the World Tree has… with this power, I don’t know what will happen.’
✦✦✦
“Caroer!!! What do you mean!!! To give the human the blood of nature!!!”
“Do you intend to insult our pride, Nature Magic!? Forest Night!!! Was it not enough that your name was tarnished!?”
At the same time.
Caroer was being intensely attacked by the same Elders in the meeting room of the Verdant Green Temple.
The meeting, which had been called a few days ago to plant the Seeds of Nature in Lisir, had finally been convened.
“…”
Even though the long-awaited meeting had begun, Caroer’s expression was dark.
Was it because, as expected, the Elders were about to attack her?
No.
‘Human… what are you doing…! Ratsil, was it a mistake to entrust the task to the child who is relatively less averse to humans!?’
It was after she heard the news that the human she had brought to the city was causing a commotion.
‘If the fact that a human was chosen by the World Tree reaches their ears… how on earth am I supposed to explain that…!’
The worst-case scenario of the enraged Elf Elders criticizing the human was appearing in Caroer’s mind.
Knock knock.
At that moment.
A knock came from the door of the reception room.
The Elders sitting around the round table all looked at the door.
To interrupt the Guardians’ meeting?
What could it be?
“Wh-what is it!!!”
Caroer, who had a hunch, shouted urgently.
But the sound coming from outside the door far exceeded Caroer’s expectations.
“The Prophet… has requested an audience with the World Tree? Along with the human chosen by the World Tree…?”
Bang!
The Guardians jumped up from their seats, their anger flaring.
“Wh-what do you mean!!! A human was chosen by the World Tree?!?”
“…”
Caroer closed her eyes tightly and looked up at the sky.
✦✦✦
The sight of that enormous tree could not be contained even when she tilted her head far upward.
The Verdant Green Temple located in the deepest part of Illathein.
And, the Verdant Heart located in its deepest part.
Lisir, who had arrived there, was facing that wondrous being.
It was the World Tree.
However.
Lisir did not have the leisure to enjoy that wondrous sight.
“…”
Lisir felt that if he relaxed his tension for a moment, his body would be crushed.
The Elf Elders of Illathein.
The World Tree Guardians surrounded him, watching him.
They had come to this place believing the Prophet’s words that a human might be of help to the World Tree.
If that turned out to be false.
If it was confirmed that the human had meaninglessly contacted the sacred World Tree.
With the intention of showing the Elders’ overwhelming stubbornness.
“Lisir.”
Caroer, the only Elder who gave off a different atmosphere, approached Lisir and spoke.
Her usually bright expression was stained with the color of deep fatigue.
An expression that she had many questions.
Lisir also had many things he wanted to say, but he confidently nodded his head first.
‘Please.’
Having come this far.
There was no other way.
He absolutely had to heal the World Tree and end its ‘deception’ with its complete will.
Lisir took a deep breath and approached the World Tree.
And, just as he was about to touch its thick body, like a pillar supporting the sky—
“…!”
Lisir sensed something unusual.
The World Tree.
He felt no energy from it.
As if it were already dead.
✦✦✦
『Title: Ah, I got it』
Content: If I just heal this World Tree <,
I can take down the Night of Deception, right?
If it becomes healthy enough to convey its will properly again.
-: How will you heal it?
-『Author』: Isn’t it just a matter of filling the Seeds this guy threw with energy and properly conveying it?
-: Even if you grind all the High Elves, you’ll only slightly increase the World Tree’s lifespan.
Because of the Night of Deception’s mischief, it can’t even be conveyed, yeah yeah.
-『Author』: No sh t, what the hell is it that the World Tree can’t even handle?
-: Old age.
-『Author』: What?
-: It’s just old and worn out, its energy is depleted and it’s dying.
✦✦✦
“This…”
Lisir muttered unconsciously.
The moment he got close to the World Tree, he immediately realized it.
The factor that was making the World Tree sick.
The fact that it was something he couldn’t do anything about with his power.
“Wa-wait—the World Tree’s condition…!”
At that moment, the Prophet shouted urgently.
The confusion instantly spread to all the Guardians present.
“The World Tree’s energy… I can’t feel it…? Not at all…?”
“Wh-what happened!? Even this morning—”
“Th-this isn’t just a worsening of the illness!!! This is like—”
A dead tree.
The Elf Elder swallowed the words, but all the Elves present already felt the same possibility.
“…”
Their gazes were already directed at the human.
After the Hero.
The first human to contact the World Tree, the gaze that considered him the cause of all this.
Just as all their resentment was about to be directed at the human.
“Huh…?”
Lisir looked at his feet.
“Wa-wait—everyone, look over there!”
Caroer shouted.
“That’s…”
The Prophet muttered blankly.
Even though Lisir hadn’t said the lie he had made up as a temporary measure, they were looking in the same direction as Lisir.
At the tiny Spirit of Grass standing there.
“…”
Suddenly.
Lisir felt a strange feeling and took something out of his bosom.
The seeds the World Tree had given him.
“This…”
One of the seeds sprouted.
It was the moment when the old life shed its dying body and bloomed anew.
At that time.
The Grass Spirit looked up at the human.
Its small mouth opened and moved cautiously.
The true World Tree Spirit.
It was the first word spoken by that wondrous being.
That word contained a profound mystery that Lisir could not fathom.
-Mother?
“Mo-…!”
Lisir’s eyes widened.
That was a relatively calm reaction.
“!!!!!!!!!!!!”
The reaction of the Elf Elders.
And—
“…”
Compared to the reaction of a certain ‘World Tree Spirit’.
The verdant body created by the deception was unusually dull.
✦✦✦
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