Chapter 496
With Apels’ outrageous actions, the World Tree burned away and was resurrected, heralding the divine return of gods that had been severed for centuries.
Right now, the whole continent was flipping upside down, and the Dawn Sect even convened a council over this spectacular miracle. However, surprisingly, the reactions of the guests witnessing this miracle were quite calm.
It wasn’t that they were indifferent, saying ‘Oh, I guess that’s how it is.’ The elves, regardless of age or gender, fervently prayed in front of the World Tree, and even older elves shed tears. Other races that understood the elves’ circumstances did not stop their applause of awe and congratulations.
They simply felt deeply moved but didn’t lose their minds or panic over it.
‘They’ve warned us several times already.’
The resurrection of the World Tree was not an abrupt surprise. Since last year’s field trip, signs of the World Tree’s revival had appeared sporadically, and the notion that ‘it will resurrect soon’ had already spread among the elves and other races. And that ‘soon’ turned out to be today.
If there was anyone showing signs of agitation among the guests, it would be a handful of humans. But those present were already in the know. Not to mention my lovers, even the Wisest Duke, the lord of our territory, and the Bishop of the mixed-race congregation were aware of the imminent resurrection of the World Tree.
“Oh my…”
“Wow.”
That said, the ones most surprised were my parents. They had no previous knowledge or interest in the World Tree.
Of course, I had explained about the tree evolving into the World Tree before arriving in the protected area, but what importance did that carry during my wedding? Because of this, my mother was lost in thought looking at the World Tree and the spirits meandering nearby.
“I guess we’ll be staying in the council for a while.”
Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad seeing my father, completely in public servant mode, giving his critiques.
I could understand his feelings, which made me pity him. Once the Emperor hears about this, the administration and the empire council will surely be in chaos. To my father, attending his son’s wedding led to witnessing a miracle that would multiply his workload tenfold.
‘Guess I’ll have to delay the honeymoon a bit.’
I too felt a bittersweet smile forming, having an inkling of what was to come. Now that I’m married to Trixy, I could wield the shield of a honeymoon, but dodging the fallout from the World Tree’s resurrection event would really gnaw at my conscience.
What could I do? Once we returned to the system, I might as well put in a strong week of work. Thankfully, I’d already had cozy times with Trixy during the field trip, so I didn’t have to rush.
– Aaaack! Don’t choke me!
“What? Neck? What neck?”
“Where’s the neck? Where’s the neck?”
Hearing the earth spirit king’s desperate screams, I made that decision.
…Hmm.
“Isn’t that something that doesn’t need to be dried out?”
– Unless it’s a low-tier spirit, but for a spirit king it won’t work. I was merely toying with it.
“Oh, I see.”
As I realized they were just playing and not in real trouble, I felt strangely moved. A being referred to as a king, playing with tiny fairies? What a compassionate and gentle nature!
“Wait?”
“It’s gone! It’s gone!”
Just like that, the ear-piercing screams stopped, and the Earth Spirit King vanished with a faint light.
Oh, is it hide-and-seek time—
– …Reverse Summoning?
‘Oh.’
At the Fire Spirit King’s words, I quickly grew silent. While I might not understand the ecology of spirits, I knew well enough what reverse summoning meant.
It’s the term used when a summoned creature gets sent back to its original world due to excessive shock—it’s a cliche, after all.
“Didn’t you just say physical power doesn’t work?”
– Well, it’s been so long since I’ve been out of the spirit realm, I might have crossed over a bit weakened.
I nodded silently at the Fire Spirit King’s mumbling words.
So, the Earth Spirit King who just got reverse summoned was still in a state no different from a low-tier spirit despite the title. That’s why it got choked and bounced away by fairies.
– Aaaack! Don’t choke me!
Remembering the Earth Spirit King’s desperate farewell, I silently borrowed the excuse.
I thought it was just some realistic acting, but it turned out he was genuinely asking for help. We had no clue…
The Earth Spirit King returned shortly after.
– I was worried due to the lack of the World Tree, but it seems these fairies are indeed strong…
And he appeared back even larger than the first time.
He was definitely about the size of a human arm before, but now the Earth Spirit King boasted a length approaching 2 meters. His determination to not get choked and reverse summoned again was apparent.
– So strong but getting toyed with by a fairy, huh?
– It took me a while to get back; did you end up crying while you were gone?
The Water Spirit King, resembling a turtle, and the Wind Spirit King, resembling a tiger, seemed to enjoy teasing the Earth Spirit King, who trembled in anger.
But he didn’t outright deny the question about crying. Did he seriously cry?
…To be honest, I probably would have too. Being sent back to the human world after hundreds of years only to get choked by a fairy? No one could have imagined such humiliation for a spirit king.
– Don’t tease too much. Who would have guessed our physical powers wouldn’t work?
– Hmm.
– Well, that’s true.
Thanks to the Fire Spirit King’s mediation, the Water and Wind Spirit Kings appeared to back off in understanding.
Thankfully, their camaraderie seemed intact. They simply had a compelling excuse to legally mess with their friend.
– Speaking of which—
Once the playful bantering was over, the Water Spirit King turned his head towards my grandmother.
– Raphaela, it’s been a while. You’ve grown a lot older.
“The last time we met was over 300 years ago.”
– Even so, it’s evident that you’ve gone through hardships.
The Water Spirit King looked at my grandmother, who wore a faint smile, then spat something out with a bit of a stutter.
A blue orb appeared.
– Keep this in your water jar. If you drink it regularly, you won’t face any minor ailments.
Although it looked quite bizarre, since it was given by a spirit king, the effectiveness was assured. This was no ordinary elixir for maintaining health!
“Thank you, my king.”
– We should be thanking you. We thought we’d never be tied to this world again, but now we’re back because of you.
The Water Spirit King shook his head lightly and waddled towards me.
Using “waddle” to describe a king may be an unusual reference, but it still seemed small compared to the massively grown Earth Spirit King.
– Technically, it’s thanks to you all.
“If it weren’t for my grandmother, we would never have started this.”
– You’re quite humble as well. Should I grant you one too?
Then, the Water Spirit King began fluttering its mouth again, spitting out more orbs.
Wow, does he have an unlimited supply? He’s tossing out health potions like they’re candy!
– What a fascinating turn of events. I return to find Raphaela has a granddaughter, and that granddaughter’s husband is our benefactor.
– Isn’t that the allure of this world?
– Exactly. We were drawn in by such wonders when we first came here.
As the spirits reminisced, my grandmother and I exchanged glances.
We should officially wrap up the wedding first and then talk with family at my grandmother’s house.
*
The wedding had concluded. The distinguished guests left well wishes as they dispersed back to their respective preferred territories, and the bishop busy running errands had to hurry back. The resurrection of the World Tree was an event not to be taken lightly by other races and the Dawn Sect, thus making sense.
As a result, the only ones left in the venue were the members of our kin, dancing along with fairies and spirits to celebrate the World Tree’s revival.
“We’ll have the reception later.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
Amidst that lively scene, I decided to stay at my grandparents’ home with my human guests. Given the current atmosphere, throwing a reception wouldn’t serve as my wedding celebration. It was more like a congratulatory banquet for the revival of the World Tree.
I didn’t feel displeased with the situation. As Carl pointed out, today’s miracle would forever be etched in history as a beautiful tale highlighting our wedding. Besides, I knew my kin would genuinely congratulate me once the excitement settled.
The only thing weighing on my mind was how my in-laws suddenly became secondary at their own son’s wedding, but—
“Where would you get this kind of experience while living? The resurrection of the World Tree is a blessing for all races and the continent, and delaying this reception doesn’t take away from that. If anything, it’s a glorious occasion that my wedding takes place on such a joyful day.”
My father humbly bowed to my grandmother, expressing those words.
“Plus, we enjoyed a reception just five days ago. Complaining about a second reception being delayed would indeed be a bit brazen, don’t you think?”
“Ha-ha, is that so? Thank you for your generous understanding.”
My father’s joke made my grandmother smile.
I too let out a sigh of relief. I was worrying whether my in-laws might feel slighted, but my father was comforting my grandmother instead.
– They say it’s hard to see a tiger these days? With such charming kids, it’s a feat to maintain their presence.
“The last emperor of Apels liked tigers, so the species is nearly extinct throughout the continent. They say the remaining individuals in the zoos barely keep the bloodline alive.”
– And those problems are theirs. When strange things happen, it’s always Apels’ fault.
Even my mother, having to avoid the fairies’ touch, managed to strike up conversations with the spirit kings.
What a marvelous situation! My mother, who had never seen a spirit before, was casually talking with a noble entity—the spirit king, no less! Did she have a relative who was a spirit master?
It was a completely bizarre thought, but it was worth exploring. There’s no result without a cause in this world, and my mother’s family, the House of Count Aras, had boasted a not-so-modest prosperity even before the empire was established. So perhaps there were connections with spirits before the World Tree was burned.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
While I was seriously considering new research topics, Carl wrapped his arm around my waist and spoke.
“Oh.”
And I couldn’t help but let out a short sound of amazement upon seeing my mother talking with the spirit king.
“I didn’t know my mother would be close with spirits. Did we have a World Tree in our house too?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Who knew he would joke like that after witnessing such a scene?
“If our child inherits Grandma’s blood, they’ll become an amazing spirit master.”
Then he naturally started to rub my belly.
Such a natural gesture sent tingles up my spine.
“Carl, it’s still too early for that—”
“Eventually, it will happen, right?”
With his soft but resolute words, I found myself speechless.
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