Chapter: 756
Ever since the resurrection of the World Tree, my grandmother’s house has transformed from her private sanctuary into a communal space for everyone.
Spirits unable to leave the vicinity of the World Tree, fairies multiplying by several times since the World Tree became home, elves making their way here to pray as a symbol of their race’s revival. How could it be just her space anymore?
Thus, my grandmother’s place, already teeming with life, has become even more vibrant—especially around the World Tree.
“Wow! Wow!”
“Sparkles! So many!”
“So many~”
“So many kids too!”
“Yup! Lots!”
“Fascinating!”
My triplets, coming here with me and Trixie, lit up the moment they laid eyes on the World Tree playground, darting around with infectious energy.
It’s odd. It’s not their first time here, so why do they always act like it’s their first visit? It makes me look like an incredibly neglectful jerk for not letting them meet their grandma and not bringing them here more often.
‘Should I bring them more often…’
— Conveniently, the World Tree, which is also where Konstantina resides, is in the elf residential area. I’ve prepared a little gift for the elves, so I might as well take it with me while I’m at it. It’s a chance for me, the grandson-in-law, to make a good impression on my wife’s grandmother.
“I’m already making a good impression, you know.”
— Then try even harder to impress her.
Suddenly, the emperor’s words popped into my head. I’d been trying my best to be the best grandson-in-law for my grandmother, who has had a tough past. But how dare the emperor talk about getting a good impression?
But the emperor was right. I did need to make more of an effort.
‘Even a broken clock is right twice a day.’
Who would have known it would strike accurate at such a time? This isn’t even a broken clock; it’s downright chaotic.
“Oh my! Where did you get this rare item!”
“It’s a gift prepared by His Majesty for the elf friends of the Empire. It’s not just a token of our hearts but also a gesture of the Empire, so please accept it.”
“Well, of course I should. It’s a precious gift from a friend.”
During this, my grandmother, with a beaming expression, exchanged glances with Trixie while receiving the gift prepared by the emperor.
At first, I thought it was some sort of health tonic, but what the emperor’s royal attendant delivered turned out to be a bracelet made from leaves. It looked so green and charming, I wondered if it was crafted by the Crown Princess herself.
“Who would have imagined remnants of the World Tree still existed in the Empire?”
But who would have thought it was a bracelet made from the leaves of the World Tree? Not just any leaves, but remnants of the first World Tree that Apels burned away, making it a treasure now forever lost.
It wasn’t something the royal family had kept hidden from the beginning; apparently, a club at the academy found it while digging. Since the academy is located where the Apels Empire’s capital used to be, it’s hardly surprising.
What’s surprising is that a mere club found it, especially when no one had for the past 300 years since the founding of Kefellofen. I have no idea who’s in that club, but once they graduate, I’ll grab them for the Ministry of Culture!
“Carl.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
With a mix of joy and nostalgia on her face as she handled the bracelet, she turned towards me.
“Looking at you reminds me that you’re the messenger sent by Konstantina for the elves. Since you arrived, I’ve met my granddaughter again and reclaimed our lost mother and symbols. I’ve been able to reunite with my friends.”
Her warm voice brought a lump to my throat, making it difficult to respond. It’s not an incorrect statement, but I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of saying, ‘Yeah, I’m kind of awesome,’ because none of this was by intention—it was all a series of fortunate coincidences.
“Plus, I got this treasure and all those other treasures too.”
At the mention of ‘those treasures,’ my eyes, along with my grandmother’s and Trixie’s, suddenly darted to one spot.
“Hello, Mr. Fire! How have you been?”
— Hm. I guess you kids arriving makes it better for me.
“How about the Earth Lady? Is she still around today?”
— She was busy playing with fairies yesterday, so please understand.
“Earth Lady~ You always sleep!”
Before we knew it, the triplets had scampered over to chatter with the Fire Spirit King.
This time, rather than feeling embarrassed, a swell of pride surged within me. Those kids aren’t just mere happenstance; they are a masterpiece born from Trixie’s and my deepest wishes.
“They will become even more beautiful treasures as time goes on.”
“Yeah. That sounds about right.”
My grandmother’s gaze softened further at my words as she looked at the kids.
Our triplets, just three years old. Even if they’re only a quarter elf, considering they have elvish blood, they’ll likely live for around 200 years. From my grandmother’s perspective, she’ll be able to watch these treasures grow over that time.
That will be the best gift and happiness I can offer her. Everything I have for my grandmother, who lost her daughter almost a century ago and hasn’t seen her granddaughter grow.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Yes?”
“If this isn’t a gift from you but rather from the Empire, then it must be for the Empire’s wishes, right?”
With her strong factual statement flying towards me, I just rolled my eyes.
She’s not wrong, but I couldn’t bring myself to agree. If I did, I’d look like some ungrateful child who only visits their grandmother when they’ve got something to gain.
Rather, I’d be a terrible ungrateful brat. Even though I planned to visit soon regardless of the emperor’s orders, that was just a flimsy excuse.
“Speak freely. You could have come alone, so even if you came on behalf of the Empire, you did it for me.”
But my grandmother gently reassured me, sensing my hesitation.
I nearly cried. How could someone so kind-hearted become a human hater? Truly, what in the world are those Apels doing…
“Uh, well, actually I wanted to ask Konstantina something. So, that’s why I took the liberty of visiting.”
“Something to ask?”
At my words, my grandmother chuckled lightly.
“I doubt anyone else would so casually say they want to talk to a god.”
Once again, I couldn’t refute her, so I just shyly smiled.
There’s no denying it. What human could just waltz up and say they wanted to chat with a deity as if it were an everyday occurrence? Even the Pope of the Dawn Sect may not have heard the voice of Enen more than a few times.
‘Thank goodness I was born a noble.’
Even being born a noble is nice, but what if I had been born in a priestly family and decided to walk the path of a priest? The thought alone is enough to make me tremble.
I approached the World Tree and prayed.
During my prayer, there was a bit of a mishap as fairies clung to my robes, but the Spirit Kings quickly distracted them, and they fell off soon enough.
But why is that? In the old days, if a bunch of little kids stuck to me, I’d find it annoying, but these days, when the fairies drop off on their own, I feel oddly disappointed.
‘Is it because I’ve become a dad?’
With my little size and childlike demeanor, the fairies, who are innocent regardless of age, seem frightened and shy towards me when they back away. It feels as if I’ve become the scary uncle that kids avoid.
It’s a strange thing indeed. Becoming a dad really does change half of your life and values.
— Long time no see, benefactor.
While lost in thought, I heard Konstantina’s voice.
‘Yes, it’s been a while! How have you been?’
— Quite well. With lovely kids and good friends by my side, how could I have any discomfort?
‘That’s a relief—’
— It makes me even happier to see the one who used to depend on me has finally gained their own place.
Her voice carried a strange sense of relief that momentarily made me pause.
Living in the shadow of the World Tree and finally moving up north, from Konstantina’s perspective, it must feel like a trespasser has finally left.
— More importantly, it’s rare for you to come find me. Is there something on your mind?
‘Yes. I’m sorry, but I have a question to ask.’
— I suspected as much. It seems the Behemoth has told all.
She chuckled as if she knew everything already.
— The Behemoth was a dear friend of mine during its days as a god. I gave it a little gift for its awakening, but as expected, it declined.
‘Declined, you say…?’
— In fact, the changes around the Behemoth regarding the pastures were not my doing, but rather its abilities. That way, the Empire would value the Behemoth even more.
If there’s a matter to enlarge the pastures, I could use my power in secret.
From the way Konstantina explained it, I had a general understanding of the situation. So, she was trying to steer public favor towards the Behemoth, but it ended up confessing.
With its simple appearance and actions, it embodies the essence of a cow. The eagle somewhere needs to learn from it.
‘So, if the Behemoth has turned down your gift, does that mean the pastures won’t expand further?’
— Ah, that’s…
Konstantina hesitantly continued, seemingly uncertain.
— It’s not that I built the pasture to give a gift to the Behemoth; rather, I planned to gift it once I had created the pastures.
The cause and effect were reversed, so I shuddered.
— Ever since the World Tree revived, and the children of Enen acknowledged me—my faith has surged rapidly.
‘That’s truly wonderful to hear.’
— But the excessive faith pouring in so suddenly has reached a level I can hardly handle. So, in urgent need, I wasted some energy to cover the earth with greenery.
Hearing that, I immediately grasped what was to come next.
It’s as if the faith that had been stacked up for centuries just spilled out at once; Konstantina, having received immense faith, deliberately consumed it to maintain a balance. But if it’s just a one-time consumption, she wouldn’t be so bothered.
— Benefactor.
‘Yes, please, go ahead.’
— Do you think if I created another World Tree or something similar, the Emperor would be inclined to accept it?
‘What?’
Konstantina’s remarkable suggestion left me dumbfounded.
Creating a World Tree… is it something that can be easily done?
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.