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‘World Tree, Eriantina.’

An entity that has the power to meddle with my status window at will. The fact that my status window urged me to prepare for a meeting with such a being made me even more cautious.

The World Tree, capable of miracles and the one sustaining the continent, carried an overwhelming presence that could not be ignored. It wasn’t merely a tree’s form but could manifest as a spirit or even another body. The very idea of having a conversation with it was an enormous burden.

‘But still, the World Tree has been quite favorable towards me.’

Not only did Shione and I assist in preventing its roots from rotting and being eaten away by demons, but it also entrusted me with the timing to create miracles by consuming its divine power. It was only natural that such trust wouldn’t be given lightly.

‘If I hadn’t been to its liking, it wouldn’t have welcomed me so warmly.’

As soon as I got closer to the World Tree, it immediately expressed its joy.

‘If the atmosphere is nice… I want to ask a few curious questions.’

I wanted to know how it interfered with my status window and how, after protecting the Count’s House, I had accumulated enough karma to gain magical resistance. What exactly was this karma, and why was it not mentioned even after defeating such a beast?

While mulling over my questions, I accepted Edelin’s hospitality.

“Over this way… today, I’d like to talk in a somewhat special place.”

“A special place, you say?”

“Yes. If it’s you, Princess Shione, this place would certainly delight you more than any other garden. You’re in for a treat—there will be flowers that you’ve never seen before.”

“…I’m really looking forward to it.”

Once again, I struggled to keep my smile in check whenever the topic of flowers came up.

Following Edelin’s small footsteps, which were almost silent, I trailed behind while taking in the beautiful scenery.

As we walked and admired the surroundings, we soon found ourselves at a slope.

“Right down here.”

“This path… leads underground?”

“Underneath the roots of the World Tree, it leads to a space like a small cave.”

A small area existing beneath the thick wooden column of the World Tree.

We made our way down the slope towards that space, quietly navigating the descent.

‘Wow, this slope is quite steep.’

Not only was the downhill gradient significant, but I also worried about climbing back up later.

As I carefully walked, trying not to trip and make a fool of myself, I noticed a gentle light emanating from below.

“We only have a little further to go. Get ready, the scenery there is something you won’t easily find anywhere else on the continent.”

Indeed, as she said, when we reached the end of the slope, a vast space unfolded before us.

The cave was much larger than I anticipated. I thought it would be a tiny space, enough to fit five people, but instead, it was as spacious as a school playground.

In the center of the cave, there was what appeared to be an altar, surrounded by all sorts of peculiar flowers, creating a scene of pure beauty.

“Wow—”

As Edelin had said, this stunning view was more than enough to elicit an exclamation from Shione.

The walls were lined with thick roots of the World Tree, alongside magnificent white columns that had been constructed to preserve the above ground temple.

‘Who would have thought moss could glow?’

It seemed the moss growing in the spring was glowing, perhaps imbued with mana. Its bluish light illuminated the cave beautifully, imparting a wondrous and sacred vibe.

“What do you think? How does it feel to see the land infused with the essence of the World Tree?”

Edelin’s question drew a mesmerized response from Shione.

“…It’s truly amazing. And those flowers must be species not even listed in any books—”

“Indeed, your discernment is commendable. Most of those flowers are extinct on the surface. They can only thrive where the essence of the World Tree has seeped into the land.”

Shione gulped, nodding enthusiastically.

Seeing her reaction, Edelin’s smile widened as she began to speak freely.

“Because they are flowers that perish upon absorbing the scent of humans… after the war ended thousands of years ago. I’ve solely cared for this place since then. You are the first guests to come here.”

“Without a single elf ever having seen this place, it has become legendary among the great forests.”

“Now, I shall ask the heroes present.”

Edelin stood with her back to the central altar, a playful smile on her face but a serious glint in her eyes.

“Though just a conversation would suffice in any garden on the surface, do you understand why I’ve brought you to a place even the elders of the Great Forest couldn’t tread?”

At her question, Shione cautiously shook her head.

Edelin seemed satisfied with that response, wandering around the altar as she murmured.

“I too have many things to discuss with the heroes, but it seems you are more eager to converse with one another.”

“Hero Ray. And Hero Shione.”

“The World Tree calls for you.”

Standing before the altar, Edelin pointed toward it.

“If you are ready to meet the World Tree, please step onto this altar. I have not been granted permission to meet directly with the World Tree… so I will remain outside, feeling its presence.”

Edelin soon vanished out of the cave.

Left alone in the immense chamber, Shione hesitantly asked.

“…What should we do?”

“We need to step onto the altar. But first, it seems you’re a bit too tense, Princess Shione. You should relax a little.”

“That may be true… But Ray, are you not nervous?”

“…Of course, how could I not be?”

After all, we were about to meet the World Tree directly, so it would be strange if I wasn’t anxious.

“However, if you think about it, we’re the ones saving this entity, aren’t we? Anyone with a sense of decency wouldn’t oppress those who save them. If it’s the World Tree revered like a god in the Great Forest, it would surely show us some consideration.”

“Perhaps, but….”

“I’m just fine.”

“That being said, you’re subtly trembling too.”

“…….”

“Putting on a strong front, yet deep down you’re thinking, ‘What the hell, I’m about to meet the World Tree…’”

Hearing Shione speak perfect Korean caught me slightly off guard.

“…Huh? What does that mean—”

“Anyway—”

Shione seemed to find my reaction amusing, laughing softly before abruptly dashing ahead.

Turning toward the altar, she glanced back at me.

“Then I’ll go first!”

Having shared a laugh, Shione quickly raised her voice, as if trying to hide her own fear, and stepped onto the altar.

I couldn’t let her beat me; I followed closely behind and stepped onto the altar as well.

And as soon as we both stood atop the altar together,

“……!”

I felt an indescribable presence fill the space.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Shione was doing, checking the spot where she had stood earlier.

“Shione?”

She had completely vanished, leaving not a trace of her at all.

All that could be heard instead of Shione’s voice was the gentle sound of water and the occasional breeze brushing past my ears.

In the midst of the stillness, something extraordinary began to unfold.

Whoooosh… whoooosh…

The wind began to whip around the empty chamber from all directions.

Swoosh—

The wind intensified, suddenly spiraling fiercely around the altar, causing all the grass and petals to swirl chaotically.

As the scene became increasingly frantic, I turned around to survey the entrance, which appeared to have vanished without a trace.

Simultaneously, a powerful pressure pressed down heavily upon my shoulders.

‘…It has come.’

I could feel the World Tree Eriantina manifesting in this space at last.

‘I’ve heard the roots have rotted and grown weak.’

Yet, it seemed that the World Tree still retained its status as the World Tree.

The weight it imparted was just as strong as that of the demons I had pierced through.

Moments later,

Click-clack— click-clack—

With the sound of the World Tree approaching, I could hear her voice.

“I have longed to meet you ever since you fell into this world. Finally, we meet in person. I’m so glad.”

“Moreover, my dear friend, who had governed the fate of the continent; the frail and tiny god. I have read the fate of destruction that he could not resist, crafted with his life’s essence.”

“That same essence belongs to you, the soul chosen as the bearer of that essence. You are the child caught up in our fates.”

Turning slowly, I took in the sight of the World Tree.

She appeared as an elderly woman with gentle wrinkles, but at times also donned the visage of a youthful and vibrant elf. After a moment of distraction, she looked like a tree in human form, and at another moment, she could be merely a collection of light.

“I have many tales to share with you, but above all, we should address this matter first.”

A World Tree, ever-changing. Yet I could feel she was genuinely smiling as she softly whispered.

“Child, how much do you know about the power you possess?”

 

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