Oboni jolted up and stepped back.
His expression was filled with horror.
Did he finally recognize who it was?
Oboni had lost his memories.
I witnessed him in that memory-lost state; he couldn’t remember me and trembled uncontrollably.
The reason for all this was simple.
‘Demons.’
The World Tree was burned and vanished by the demons.
The World Tree is both a will and a conceptual race, even possessing the might to overwhelm most ancient beasts.
But in the end, this world is run by demons and celestial beings.
Even that magnificent World Tree could not endure the consequences of war and perished.
So why did the demons burn the World Tree?
It’s a very obvious and simple reason.
‘It was too big.’
Literally, it was too large, making it easier to be swept away by the aftermath.
These crazy two races are the type to push away a mountain if it gets in their way while walking down the road.
Whether it’s a mountain, a kingdom, or a village of another race, there’s no exception.
The only reason the World Tree could endure for so long was that it couldn’t be touched by low-level celestial or demon races.
At least a mid-level or higher had to come to even make a dent.
But even those mid-level beings weren’t “naturally” capable of just pushing it aside.
The World Tree had been like a phenomenon rooted in this land for a long time.
“What the heck is this?”
And that phenomenon turned to ash with a mere gesture from a high-class demon.
Low and mid-level ancient beasts could reach a certain power threshold only after living for thousands of years and honing their abilities.
Examples include beings like Pharaoh, Dragon Lord, or Kraken.
But not for high class.
Starting from high-class, they completely leap over the hierarchies of races.
Monsters that can overturn the entire continent.
Moreover, if they possess unique powers and even ‘titles’…
‘They’re insane.’
From that point on, even in my prime state, it’s not easy.
I would have to bet everything to fight, and even if I won, survival of my ‘body’ would be hard to expect.
“U-uhhh… No way…”
Anyway, back to the point.
Oboni was deeply shocked mentally when the World Tree burned.
For elves, the World Tree is literally their ‘world’.
From the moment they are born, elves see the World Tree.
Everything they wear, eat, wash, and sleep is deeply intertwined with the World Tree.
The World Tree even delivers blessings to the living beings in its domain.
To elves, the World Tree is like a mother and essentially a ‘god’.
And that World Tree burned.
“What is happening?”
What thoughts could young Oboni have had upon witnessing that?
“…Huh.”
Heh heh heh.
[?]
[?]
[Ing]
[Why the sudden convulsion?]
[???]
[Doesn’t seem to want eggplant.]
[Is it because you’re being forced to eat something you don’t want?]
[Are you seriously not eating what Lily gives you???]
[Let’s get to beheading.]
[Hahahahahahaha!]
At Oboni’s sudden action, the three people at the table widen their eyes in surprise.
In this situation, I’m the only one staying calm.
After a moment of looking at me, Oboni finally plopped down in his seat.
“It was… nothing serious. Please continue your meal.”
“Ah, yes!”
“Got it!”
“…”
At the words of the great elder, the three of them resume moving their utensils.
He also glanced at me again, still holding his utensils.
‘I see you’re alive.’
A thought only I could hear.
I nodded slightly and moved my utensils.
‘Did you remember?’
‘Not completely. My memories before that day are a blur; I only vaguely remember a person called ‘teacher.’
Clatter.
‘Until just a moment ago, that is.’
‘Hmm…’
Clatter. Clatter.
“It’s delicious.”
“Is it? That’s a relief.”
Oboni smiled once more with kindness.
But he looked a bit uneasy.
I sent him a thought again.
‘Don’t worry too much. I have no plans to do anything here.’
‘You can do whatever you want.’
‘I’ve already paid for that long ago.’
The price for teaching Oboni was paid long ago by his parents.
At the time, it was quite helpful, and even if there were more things to receive, I have no intentions of asking for them.
Just as Oboni now is different from the past Oboni.
I too, am quite different from who I was back then.
Oboni seemed to nod, as if he expected this.
“By the way, are you really not going to eat the eggplant?”
“…I’ll eat it eventually.”
‘I’m pretty sure you’re not going to.’
‘…Please don’t say that.’
■
After the meal, we continued our conversation in earnest.
Interestingly, Yul and Myul are part of the Race of the World Tree.
“Herka-son?”
“That’s right, elder. We are the guardians of the Herka-son tribe.”
Yul bowed his head to Oboni, and soon Myul, held by Yul, also bowed.
He appeared to understand my relationship with the two guardians, forming an interesting smile.
“The Herka-son tribe… I feel like I’ve heard of that before.”
“Oh! Do you know about us?”
“Indeed. Hmm… I’ll soon send people to the Herka-son for exchange. I’ve been looking for a tribe suitable for interaction.”
“I was just looking for a race to interact with.”
“…!”
At Oboni’s words, the expressions of the two Guardians lit up with excitement.
They say that users belonging to such a group gain special abilities and advantages the larger the group becomes.
The most renowned race among the World Tree’s races is undoubtedly the ‘Elves.’
Becoming allies with the Elves greatly increases the chances of advancing to the ‘Central.’
[Oh]
[Lily’s bus ride lol]
[Professor’s buff must be sweet]
[This is the jackpot]
[Hurry up and give us the rewards!]
“By the way… I think we need to have a little chat…”
Oboni said this while glancing at the two Guardians.
Yul seemed to catch the meaning in that gaze and immediately snatched the dumbfounded Myul, then headed out to the garden.
“Elisha. You should also go outside.”
“…Yes.”
Creak.
Elisha carefully stood up, bowed slightly to me and Oboni, and left the room.
Now, only me and the old Elf Elder remain in the garden.
[Is the main event about to start?]
[A quest is probably coming lol]
[I wonder what it will be]
Oboni took a sip of the tea that was served for dessert before placing the cup back on the table.
“Lady Lily…”
‘There are people listening. Please speak as if you are with everyone.’
‘…? Who are you talking about? I don’t sense anyone…’
‘Such things exist.’
I said this while sipping my tea.
Tasty.
“……You have drawn the Holy Sword.”
“That’s right.”
“The Holy Sword can only be wielded by the Child of the World Tree throughout generations. Although you drew the sword thanks to Lady Lily’s special ability… unfortunately, we need that.”
“Why is that?”
“……”
He raised the teacup again, looking a bit troubled.
Seemed like there was quite a headache in his thoughts.
He sighed and began to speak.
“Do you know about the Child of the World Tree?”
“I’ve heard of it vaguely.”
Back in my day, there wasn’t anything called the ‘Child of the World Tree.’
If you just had a constitution that received the blessings of the World Tree well, that was the Child of the World Tree.
While similar positions may exist, there was no one appointed and blessed by all.
“The World Tree designates a new Child of the World Tree at regular intervals. The child who inherits the will of the World Tree protects it, and when that child dies or is deemed unable to maintain that position, it passes to the next generation.”
In simpler terms, you can consider it as a ‘Saintess’ created by the World Tree.
Of course, the Child of the World Tree isn’t exclusively female, but the meaning is similar.
“Lady Lily selected the Holy Sword, which is meant for the Child of the World Tree. The sword and the Child of the World Tree are one and the same. It is impossible to separate them.”
“…?”
“Moreover, if the Child of the World Tree dies, the sword naturally returns to the World Tree…”
“Then why is it here? Didn’t you just say they can’t be separated?”
[So]
[???]
[Huh?]
[Is this just a lie?]
[But they’ve been pretty polite since a while ago?]
Thud.
As the Sword Saint’s wooden Holy Sword was placed on the table, Oboni let out a deeper sigh.
“That’s the problem. The very reason for that sword’s existence.”
“?”
“The current Child of the World Tree is in a state of being missing.”
Ding!
“The Child of the World Tree who disappeared 300 years ago has not shown any signs of life until now. Leaving the sword behind.”
No one knows their whereabouts.
[World – Missing Child of the World Tree]
Purpose – Find the missing Child of the World Tree.
Reward – 10,000 gold, 3 leaves of the World Tree, the trust of Elposis.
(The value of the reward significantly increases depending on the progress.)
■
The sword of the World Tree belongs to the Child of the World Tree.
The two are as one, and the Child always carries the sword.
Yet, that Child of the World Tree… is not here right now.
Only the sword is left behind.
“The fact that the sword remains here means that the Child of the World Tree is still alive. Moreover, they must be in very good condition.”
The World Tree recovers its power if it deems the Child of the World Tree unable to use their strength.
But since the sword is still here, it means they’re not in a state of immobility or in a coma.
…Now that I think about it, Leo was once the Savior of the World Tree.
That was a year or two ago.
At that time, Leo, after transforming into a Nymph, erected a defense against threats coming from the World Tree and gained such titles and rewards.
If the Child of the World Tree had been around, the situation would have been resolved before Leo even stepped in.
The Child of the World Tree is the guardian who protects the World Tree.
“…Where could they be?”
[No clue?]
[How about Lady Lily be the Child of the World Tree as well?]
[Lololololol]
[How on earth do you find someone who vanished?]
[How do you even search for someone from 300 years ago? Lol]
[Maybe if we overturn the World Tree, it’ll let us know? It’s the one who appointed them anyway.]
“…That’s a good idea, actually?”
[?]
Alright. Let’s ask the World Tree.
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