Chapter 416 - Recognition (2)
Fear, fright, terror.
A primal emotion he had never once felt when he was despised by others for his talent, only learning of it after becoming an unofficial test subject.
Balrog Bessias, Crodon Olentia, Rayshen Tailroad... the Bohemirn magic tower was a living nightmare to Verden.
Yet, that was but a remnant of the past.
At the moment he vowed vengeance, he discarded all that made him weak, and he willingly chewed and swallowed suffering to turn it into nourishment.
In the end, after enduring years of patience, he reconstructed his body and overcame even helplessness.
Verden was no longer the weak.
He had long since forgotten the fear a prey should rightfully bear.
Not even death frightened him anymore.
To prove it, he had faced overwhelming beings without fleeing, enforcing his will and wrath through challenges.
Reason and emotion in accord.
His vocal cords quivered reflexively. Verden glared at the World Tree and answered instantly.
"There is nothing I fear."
"It is because of belief that you are who you are now. Yet conviction can also blind one's eyes."
The World Tree's gaze shone faintly.
A circle woven of chains, strange markings rose above her pupils.
"The fear you must confront is not the same as what you are denying."
"Not the same...?"
"Yes, distinctly different. Like past and present, for example."
The World Tree joined her hands below.
"Do not think too hard. The key rests with you alone. 'Confront the fear you have chosen'. That is the one and only fixed answer to your question."
Ambiguous.
"Then what is that fear, and why is this choice you keep mentioning so important."
The World Tree had suddenly appeared, guiding Verden into the Great Forest, and through Serendia had led him to the dwelling of the Demon King.
Where was the choice in that.
Verden had merely taken the bait he could not refuse.
"...My apologies."
The question slipped out reflexively.
Because of the unique nature of the Primal Land, as soon as a strong emotion surged, thoughts leapt out of his mouth.
Clenching his fist, Verden forcefully suppressed his inner turmoil.
The World Tree nodded.
"I understand how you feel. Yet, aside from advising you to visit the Great Forest, I did not interfere in anything else. That Serendia guided you to Oldarc's dwelling was only one of the derivatives that arose because you chose to come to the Great Forest."
She turned her gaze toward the great tree atop the hill.
"Verden, do you know why the Elves recall me when they see your magic power?"
"Yes?"
"Because at the core we are the same. To be more precise, you embody a higher-dimensional concept than I."
The same as the World Tree?
A sudden remark, its meaning impossible to fully grasp.
Yet, when he thought of the cause, it was not without suspicion.
"...This is related to what happened two years ago, at the Magic Festival, isn't it."
The Magic Festival.
The day he achieved Defying the Heavens.
The World Tree did not deny it.
"That day you made a choice that should not exist, that should never have existed. Thus, no one could foresee it. Because of it, fate was rejected, and the flow of the world, which was only just beginning to merge into one, became chaotically entangled."
"But I..."
"Whether intended or not, all of this stems from the choice you made."
The World Tree stepped forward.
"And my duty, my promise as an observing existence, is to watch the flow of the world. No matter how the world changes, the halted current must be made to flow once more. Just as I must push forward your stagnant back."
***
The magic tower's core, Defying the Heavens, gray hair, blue eyes, heart, dark crimson magic power...
Verden knew he was special, no, that he had become special. Even so, he could not easily believe the World Tree's words.
It was only natural.
For he had reconstructed his body not for some grandiose, absurd reason, but solely for personal vengeance.
Throb.
His head tangled. His forehead throbbed.
So many thoughts and words intertwined, he could hardly speak.
Silence ensued.
Through it came a whisper.
"I told you earlier, Verden, that there is one definitive thing that can truly help you."
The World Tree extended her left hand.
On her palm, where there had been nothing, now lay a single green leaf.
"That is..."
"A leaf from my true body, rooted in the Primal Land. By merely holding it and desiring, you will be able to face your own inner self. With this, you will perceive and acknowledge the fear you harbor. Without any torment."
She added.
"Then, at last, you may enter the realm of Transcendence. If... that is truly the path and choice you desire."
Unlike when they faced each other outside Gargant, Verden could faintly sense the presence of the World Tree now.
He felt pure sincerity.
As the leaf of the World Tree reflected in his blue eyes, the sticky delusions vanished. Instead, the long-yearned sensation of desperate vengeance nearing stirred his skin.
Verden reached out.
It was an impulse, but even when he realized it belatedly, he did not withdraw his hand. And just as his fingertips neared the leaf——
Still.
Verden froze, raising his chin and lifting his gaze.
"What happens, World Tree, if I refuse your aid."
"Whether you accept or refuse matters not. My involvement is merely a possibility to hasten the timing."
The World Tree declared.
"You will inevitably choose, and no matter when, the meaning of that choice shall never fade. To break free of the branching point you yourself created. That alone is what matters."
Choice, choice, choice...
Verden had not accepted his given fate. Instead of being used and dying powerless, he chose to struggle.
Life had always been a series of choices. Thus it had been his life.
And now was no different.
Memories echoed.
Indeed... indeed what was it that his truest heart wished to do. Was it right to achieve awakening through the World Tree's power as a medium. Was that truly the choice he should make.
It was a fleeting instant.
As he retraced his own footsteps, Verden suddenly looked ahead.
A pitch-black darkness filled his sight.
An unknown expanse, endless, terrifyingly vast, spread out before him.
An uncertain future.
Someone was there.
A man, carving the magic circle of Defying the Heavens into his own flesh with crude blades, his body torn, his being steeped in hatred.
Verden.
And then he realized.
What the World Tree had meant by fear.
"Ha."
A faint laugh escaped Verden's lips without him knowing.
He had long considered that half-formed enlightenment he so yearned for as some grand awakening... yet contrary to expectation, it was far too simple, far too clear.
'The fear I chose, huh.'
He could not deny it.
Indeed, it was exactly as she said.
Verden picked up the leaf of the World Tree.
Then, without hesitation, he flicked it aside, returning it to its true owner, the World Tree.
The wind stilled.
The World Tree's eyes widened slightly.
"There is still a chance to take it back."
"I no longer need it."
Verden was resolute.
"Is that so... I see. Somewhat unexpected, I admit, surprising. Very well. Since it is the choice you made, I shall respect it."
The World Tree withdrew her hand.
"With this, I have given you the answer regarding the Transcendence you desired. If you wish to ask anything else, you may."
A time for questions and answers.
And with none other than the World Tree, who had existed for so long its span could not even be imagined... yet of course Verden had not the slightest expectation.
"I do have many things I am curious about, but, is there truly anything I can obtain?"
"Do you wish me to speak honestly?"
"Yes."
"Most likely not. The questions you carry are either what you must unravel yourself, or what you must forget. Beyond observation, interference is not my duty, it is my promise to the world."
An absolute duty.
What could it be, that it bound even an existence such as the World Tree.
Would he, one day, come to know.
'Still, I cannot end this meeting with the World Tree like this.'
For there was something he wished to confirm personally, something that seemed not to transgress her duty.
"Then, allow me one question."
"Speak."
"Did the First Demon King, Oldarc Ruin Arkenad, truly seek to save the world?"
The administrator of the facility had said so.
That the Demon King had sought salvation, that he bore within his heart a noble mission.
But was it truly so.
To this, the World Tree answered.
"At the very least, he himself believed so."
***
The mist clouding his consciousness was swept away.
Carefully opening his eyes, the Primal Land and the World Tree had vanished, and in their place the dark forest path and Serendia, welcoming Verden back.
'Judging by how nothing has changed... only a few minutes, no, at most a few dozen seconds must have passed.'
Time flowed differently.
Verden engraved into memory the visions he had seen within the Primal Land.
Serendia spoke.
"You have returned, Asher. Did you meet the Great Mother and obtain what you sought?"
"Yes."
"That is well. Then allow me to guide you now, to the Sprout of Lysandro."
The shadows deepened.
When the light entering his pupils had nearly vanished, a gentle glow spread all around.
Mushrooms budding on the trees shone a cyan-green radiance, tiny spirits swam through the air, and unknown flowers brightened the view.
Nature, pure and wondrous, unmarred by even the faintest trace of an Elf's touch.
In the midst of it lay a clearing, and at its center a small tree, no more than a meter high, had firmly taken root.
The Sprout of Lysandro.
Without sunlight, it bore strange fruits nourished only by magic power, its leaves generating magic power to spread through nature.
For this reason, some Elves called it the Tree of Prosperity.
"So that is the fruit."
A green-glimmering, knotted fruit hanging from the Sprout of Lysandro.
Serendia introduced it.
"Though we cannot know exactly what kind it is, as each time different fruits are borne, in general, green fruits carry powerful restorative properties. The flesh knits torn flesh anew, and the juice purifies blood while generating fresh blood."
"It certainly looks like something dangerous to consume, with that color and form."
"Mm, while Lysandro's fruits are not pleasing in appearance, cases of toxic reactions or lethal side effects upon consumption are extremely rare."
Rare.
Which meant, not nonexistent.
"Then it will need to be studied before use."
"Elves also use it in such a manner. Still, in whatever way, it will prove very useful. For every fruit until now has always been so."
Serendia gently grasped the fruit.
With no effort, without even needing to sever the stem, pluck, it dropped.
"In the name of Serendia, guardian of the World Tree, I offer this to you as recompense."
Handing the fruit to Verden, Serendia smiled.
"Thank you, for avenging the Elves, and for saving my younger sibling."
She was an Elf who loved her kin and her family.
***
The business in the Great Forest was done.
Gathered in the Elven residence, Verden's party prepared to depart.
Isabella and Alpha inspected the fruit of Lysandro from every angle.
"I've never seen such a fruit before."
[Scan complete. Analysis impossible.]
Neither Isabella's alchemy, nor Alpha's knowledge, could determine its nature.
"But, am I really allowed to study this?"
"Of us all, you have the greatest mastery of alchemy. It will be far better for you to research it and find its use. It is not something we need immediately."
"Mm, rational enough."
It was also trust.
Brushing back her dark-green hair, Isabella pursed her lips.
"..."
Verden looked out the window.
Unlike when he had been confined in the residence, mired in thought, the atmosphere was different.
It was obvious even without asking.
He had surely obtained some clue of Transcendence from the World Tree.
And yet the two of them waited, feigning ignorance.
For they believed, without needing to ask, that he would speak when the time came.
And that time came sooner than expected.
"Adrian, Isabella."
"You called."
"Speak."
Verden met their eyes.
"After you achieve your vengeance, what will you do then?"
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