Ch 233
Teal Heart.
The World Tree’s Abode, located in the deepest part of the Elf Lands.
Recently, the World Tree had fallen ill, and only silence had lingered there, but now, vitality bloomed once more.
It is not because countless crowds gathered, causing a commotion.
At this very moment.
The Elves could clearly feel it.
The World Tree’s energy, which had gradually weakened, now unable to even support itself.
It had regained its former abundant vitality, scattering overflowing life force.
“Ah, ah…”
Some High Elves, forgetting the situation before them, became engrossed in it.
“It’s, it’s clear—this is…!”
“The great World Tree has regained its vitality!!!”
Feeling the wondrous life force they thought they would never experience again, the High Elves were overcome with ecstasy.
Some even had tears of emotion welling up in their eyes.
“How—how did this happen!? This is definitely the World Tree’s energy…!”
And others were confused, gazing at the enormous tree.
The thick trunk of the World Tree, which had become dry and cracked over time.
Only now could the Elves finally acknowledge and accept it.
That the great World Tree had withered, its life ending.
And that it had finally met its end.
The enormous tree before their eyes no longer symbolized infinite life.
Nor did it signify something profoundly significant.
The meaning of its dried trunk was simple and clear.
Death.
The great being that the Elves had served for countless years had lost its meaning, becoming merely a large tree.
But why.
Is the energy of that great being still felt.
Even now, that energy was pulsating, as if extending its roots at this very moment.
The great being, which had been falling helplessly towards death, seemed to be heading towards the path of infinite life once more.
And—
That energy was emanating not from the enormous tree, but from elsewhere.
“It’s not the World Tree…”
The High Elves murmured blankly, gazing at the enormous tree—that had been the World Tree.
Their heads and gazes moved to find a new destination.
There was no hesitation.
The energy was as full as the World Tree, standing tall as if supporting the heavens.
“That is…”
The Elves’ gazes focused on the human.
Specifically, on the seed held in his hand—
The abundant energy filling the place originated from that seed.
“What exactly… is that…?”
An Elder murmured, as if hypnotized.
“Ah…!”
Lisir, who had been stunned by Mother’s attack, finally regained his senses.
He quickly set about organizing the situation—
And felt a sharp headache.
An unbelievable possibility flickered before his eyes.
‘Could it be… no?’
He looked back and forth between the seed and the enormous tree.
No matter how much he thought about it, only one possibility came to mind.
The World Tree’s revival.
Or blossoming.
-Mother!
At that moment, the green girl spirit’s voice was heard again from below.
Lisir felt a sharp headache.
It wasn’t because of the confusing title, now spoken with certainty and without question marks.
As if she were his Mother, the spirit’s actions caused a new sentence to form in his mind.
The World Tree.
Reborn by a human.
‘This is insane.’
Normally, it would have been a situation where he would only feel pure dizziness—
But a cheerful chuckle appeared on Lisir’s lips.
“What will you do now?”
“…!?”
Lisir suddenly murmured, gazing into the void.
Everyone in the place was confused by his sudden action.
The Elves, of course—
“…!”
Even the spirit of the fake World Tree.
Kroyen, the Night of Deception.
Huge ripples appeared in her purple eyes.
“You—how…!”
Kroyen had already noticed.
Lisir.
The fact that the human was aware of her existence.
Otherwise, his repeated impulsive actions would not have led to the current situation.
However.
She hadn’t expected it to be this bad.
To think he was not only aware, but openly acknowledging it!?
“Human! What is it! What is there!?”
The High Elf Elders were under the influence of perception-impairing magic, so the shock was even greater.
Lisir did not miss the opportunity.
Taking advantage of the Night of Deception’s confusion, he continued to press his advantage.
“What is there is the being you have believed to be the ‘World Tree Spirit’ until now!”
“The World Tree Spirit… the being you have believed to be…?”
Salea, the Prophet, asked again in a trembling voice.
“That’s right! What is there is a human! A human deceiving everyone with perception-impairing magic!”
“Th-that’s impossible! What I see is—”
“Salea!”
“!!!”
It was a voice that awakened her, who was struggling in shock.
Lisir looked straight at her and shouted with force.
“I’m not saying you’re wrong!!! You were simply deceived by an irresistible, powerful force!!! Look here! Look at this child!”
Lisir pointed to the green girl spirit at his feet.
“Can that being be called the World Tree Spirit, even with this child here!? Can it dare to call itself the World Tree Spirit!?”
The Prophet opened and closed her mouth.
It was as he said.
The moment the Prophet saw the teal girl spirit—
In her eyes, the teal girl became the one and only World Tree Spirit.
No words or explanations were needed.
The pure and abundant energy emanating from the teal girl was clearly something only the World Tree could produce.
“…”
Salea, who had been looking at the teal girl for a while.
She looked again in the direction where Kroyen was standing.
A mature green woman.
The being that Kroyen had believed to be the World Tree Spirit until now was undoubtedly there.
She still exuded a mysterious atmosphere.
An atmosphere so mysterious and profound that it evoked a vast forest when confronted.
However.
“Ah…”
She did not feel the same abundant energy as the teal girl.
In the absence of the original, it is very easy to impersonate it.
Conversely, it is very difficult to distinguish it.
However.
With the appearance of the original, everything was reversed.
Salea now knew for sure which was the true World Tree Spirit.
“You’re right… the true World Tree Spirit is…”
The Prophet looked at the teal girl with awestruck eyes.
And that expression, filled with admiration, gradually distorts.
“…Then, what exactly—”
The Prophet looked at the green woman.
What exactly.
What is that thing that dared to impersonate the World Tree Spirit?
“That’s not important right now!”
“…!”
Lisir’s shout awakened them once more.
His gaze fixed on Kroyen, guiding everyone.
“That person is a dangerous individual! It’s not just because she impersonated the World Tree!!! Her perception-impairing magic is blinding your eyes and ears! It’s an incredible power that defies reason! Before that power affects us in another way, we must subdue her immediately!”
Grit.
Kroyen gnashed her teeth.
She had no intention of standing idly by.
Because she knew how she had come this far.
And because she knew this was an opportunity that would never come again if she missed it!
The World Tree and the High Elves.
If she took their energy, countless possibilities would open up before her.
Kroyen tried to somehow regain what was slipping from her grasp.
But—
‘This damned guy…!’
Lisir’s relentless offensive was depriving Kroyen of any chance of counterattack.
Before the Elves!
Boldly!
Accusing the World Tree spirit they believed in of being a fraud!
What insane human would dare to say such things to the Elves—
Especially to the High Elf Elders!
“Is… is that true…!?”
The Elves seemed to feel the same.
Even beings as powerful as the High Elf Elders were unable to regain their composure at the human’s words.
‘Fools! What are you doing!!!’
The Night of Deception felt her insides boil with frustration.
Wasn’t it their way to use the Elves’ nobility to completely crush their opponents when dealing with humans!?
To be swayed by such lowly humans they had so despised!
And—
In a matter related to the World Tree, no less!
At that moment.
Kroyen’s gaze turned to one place.
-…~~~
The teal girl, moving excitedly in response to Lisir’s shouts.
‘Because of that-… wait.’
Kroyen’s purple eyes, which had been helplessly expressing resentment, immediately took on a sharp, venomous look like a blade.
The Night of Deception realized.
That this was not the time to leisurely blame the root of the problem.
‘Calm down, Kroyen. It’s simple, isn’t it?’
The root of the problem appeared before her eyes.
Then, all she had to do was eliminate it.
“…!”
At that moment.
Caroer widened her eyes and looked at where Kroyen was standing.
The Night of Deception.
Even her perception-impairing magic, close to power, could not completely hide her surging power.
Caroer could finally perceive Kroyen’s presence there.
Somewhat vaguely.
“Lisir! What you said—”
“My goodness, even Lady Caroer can see it! That’s right! She’s trying to do something!”
Even in this situation, the perception-impairing magic was not completely broken.
How did he perfectly see through it from the very beginning!?
Caroer had to suppress that intense question.
Because this was not the time to leisurely solve her curiosity.
“You—”
Kroyen’s purple eyes, swirling like a whirlpool, stared at Lisir.
“If I could, I’d turn your brain into mush—but it seems my mental interference doesn’t work on you.”
She gritted her teeth the whole time she was speaking.
Her white teeth were so tightly clenched that they were stained with blood.
What bothered her most was not that her plan had gone awry, but that her perception-impairment had been completely seen through.
And by a youngster whose name and face she didn’t even know!
“Whatever trick you used, tell me everything with that mouth of yours.”
Trickle.
Her purple eyes turned red, and she spat out blood.
“…!”
Lisir felt the hairs on his body stand on end.
The deep and viscous energy of the night surged like a wave, brutally crushing the room.
It was a hegemonic presence that could easily dispel the immature World Tree’s energy.
“To dare impersonate the World Tree…”
“Unforgivable…”
The Elves’ voices followed.
“This…”
A trembling voice, like a sigh, escaped Lisir’s lips as he confirmed their appearance.
The Princess and the Prince.
The Prophet.
And the Elders.
They, like Kroyen, were all bleeding from their eyes, pouring out words of resentment.
The object of their resentment was the wicked being impersonating the World Tree.
-Mother?
It was the teal girl.
The night’s mental interference was controlling them.
“Ugh…!”
A few Elders were concentrating, resisting the mental interference, but that was all.
Those who had collapsed to the ground seemed to struggle even to maintain their composure.
“…”
Only Caroer was enduring it with bloodshot eyes.
It was what happened when the one who bore the name of night took some of the World Tree’s energy and obtained an artifact imbued with the Archdemon’s power.
“How could she have such power…—”
“Lady Caroer!!! Calm down!!! She’s overdoing it! This state won’t last long!!!”
“…Understood! Lisir, give me instructions!”
“…!”
Lisir was momentarily surprised by the High Elf’s unexpected proposal.
“Evade!”
-Mother~
Lisir lifted the teal girl.
“Lady Rapita!”
“Impersonating the World Tree… how dare she…”
Rapita fired a Wind Arrow at the teal girl.
That was just the beginning.
“Lisir! Get down!”
Caroer rushed to Lisir and deployed a magical barrier.
Attacks poured in from all directions, fiercely pounding the magical barrier.
“This is unbelievable…! Did she really control all their minds…!”
Caroer shuddered as she sensed the power and malice in the attacks.
To completely control the minds of High Elves, who possessed pure mana and energy, not ordinary people.
It was an ability that defied reason, incomprehensible even with her vast insight.
“…”
Lisir felt the same way, feeling despair.
The Elves, expressing their hostility towards the teal girl as if she were their enemy.
He couldn’t think of a way to subdue them without causing any injuries.
In fact, worrying about their safety was a luxury in the current situation.
“Kugh…!”
“Lady Caroer, are you alright!?”
Even if they were two individuals recognized by the Forest Night—
They couldn’t guarantee victory against so many High Elves.
Moreover, one of them was already pushed to their limit, resisting mental interference.
‘Damn it, what to do…! No, calm down, Lisir!!! Lady Caroer is buying time!!! Right now, I’m the only one who can think calmly! I have to devise a countermeasure in place of Lady Caroer—’
Lisir calmed himself with difficulty.
“Lady Rapita! Don’t!!!”
“Enemy of the World Tree… kill…”
“…!”
At that moment.
Shock appeared on Lisir’s face.
Was it because the Princess was suffering and ignoring Gondola’s pleas to stop attacking?
No.
‘Why is she leaving Gondola alone?’
Kroyen was using the power of mental interference with difficulty.
This momentum wouldn’t last long, and the moment it ended, Gondola and those who weren’t controlled by mental interference would immediately attack Kroyen.
‘It would be easier to eliminate those who can’t resist than those who resist.’
Lisir looked around.
Their concentrated power was effective in gradually weakening them—
‘If I just disperse their power a little, I can eliminate the danger more easily…!’
Lisir read the flaw in Kroyen’s strategy—
And didn’t attribute it to simple lack of ability.
‘A monster like that wouldn’t make such a small mistake—’
Thus, Lisir’s focused thoughts noticed another incongruity.
“Lisir… why are you helping her…”
“Caroer… why are you…”
The murmurings of those controlled by mental interference.
‘…Could it be!?’
Lisir’s thoughts reached a point.
‘If she’s not controlling their entire minds, but manipulating parts of their thoughts!?’
Concentration.
It was the most common way to maximize the efficiency of magic.
If the same method applied to mental interference—
‘I can explain this unreasonable power!!!’
Lisir immediately shared his thoughts with Caroer.
Yet, his gaze remained fixed on Kroyen—
“…”
Thus.
He sensed a disturbance in Kroyen’s expression.
But that disturbance was immediately erased by a relaxed smile.
So.
What difference does it make if you find out?
That’s what her expression seemed to say.
Caroer showed a similar reaction.
“Lisir!!! Hiding the World Tree Spirit in this situation! Impossible!”
The World Tree Spirit would be sent to the Spirit World for isolation.
That way, those who have lost their purpose might be freed from the influence of mental interference.
That was the countermeasure Lisir proposed to Caroer.
“Contracts with spirits are not that simple!!!”
“How is it not possible to do it simply!?”
KukuKukukuKukuku.
The Elves began to laugh at Lisir.
“How could you, a clueless nobody, resist my power…”
Kroyen’s will reacted to the mental interference.
Even though she felt an extreme burden from using her power, her expression showed composure.
If this continued, it would be them, not her, who would reach their limit first.
The moment the Elves killed the World Tree Spirit with their own hands.
The manipulated memories implanted in their minds would become reality within them.
The Night of Deception’s mental magic.
It was the power of the ‘mental parasite’, the pinnacle of her skill.
“Damn it… I’ve reached my limit! Lisir! I’ll buy you time, go back to Labella! Use the item you received from Labella!”
The barrier gradually fading.
Caroer urgently shouted to Lisir.
-Master!!! The moment the barrier breaks, I will burn that woman’s eyes!
At that moment.
A grayish-white fireball appeared inside the barrier and spoke to Lisir.
“…!”
Lisir’s eyes widened.
‘Wait. Another way to isolate the spirit…!’
He looked at the teal girl in his hand.
-Mother?
“No, I’m not your mother—ah, damn it! I don’t know! Child! Will you listen to your father for a moment! Wait, will you go inside your father for a moment!?”
Hahahahahahaha!!!
Kroyen burst into laughter with the Elves.
“Such a fool—”
The High Elf just explained it so kindly, what did he hear—
-Okay! Mother!
The teal girl disappeared.
“…”
The Elves stopped moving.
The purposeless offensive stopped.
The barrier, having reached its limit, finally collapsed—
Whoosh!
Black flames obscured Kroyen’s vision.
Slash!
The sound of cloth tearing was heard somewhere.
“Cough…!”
Kroyen clutched her neck.
She had a face like she was possessed by an evil spirit.
Because of the surprise attack with the assassin’s blade from the wizard?
No.
‘Wh-what happened…!’
Because of the teal girl’s sudden disappearance.
Whiiing-
“…!”
At that moment.
Kroyen’s eyes snapped open.
Lisir’s sword.
She sensed the energy of nature within it.
Kroyen looked directly into Lisir’s eyes.
Was it her imagination?
She felt like the teal girl was looking at her from within those eyes.
‘Could it be…’
The only way to explain the unbelievable situation is with an unbelievable assumption.
The Night of Deception reached one assumption.
The teal girl.
The powerful spirit formed by the World Tree’s will was contained within the inner world of a mere human.
Like storing gold coins in a pocket.
“Insane… bastard…”
The wound from the assassin’s blade.
Then, the mental shock played a decisive role.
Kroyen lost consciousness.
The Night of Deception met its end.
Momentary joy. Relief.
Lisir tried to share his current emotions with her.
“Sir Caroer!!!”
“Lisir! Well done! How—how did you do it with the World Tree Spirit!”
“Ah! I put her inside my inner world for a moment!”
“…”
It wasn’t shared.
✦✦✦
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