I decided to help Oboni find the whereabouts of the Child of the World Tree.
The reason? Well, partly because I received a quest, but also because there’s a personal connection.
There was no reason not to help.
“Also, it’s on my way.”
If there were no hints about the Child of the World Tree, it might have been worth considering, but anyway, my goal is to find the user who is ‘trapped’ in the center of the World Tree.
A user who has been sealed due to a curse cast by Talikal’s masterpiece, the Multicolored Successor.
I don’t know what kind of curse they suffered, but I can always ask while I’m at it.
As for the rest, I inquired about the situation ‘after the war’ through a previously recorded message.
He wasn’t someone who woke up after thousands of years like Sugarado or the Spirit King.
He is an existence that has ‘lived’ through the world after the war for thousands of years.
Since he is basically a living history, I asked him how it happened, but…
“…Unfortunately, I can’t tell you their whereabouts. I regained consciousness over a hundred years later on that day.”
“They all vanished from this world. The ruined land has started to regain some vitality bit by bit. I was the same, and so was the World Tree.”
Oboni frowned as he spoke.
In the end, he could not find the existence that took everything from him.
From renowned beings at the pinnacle to the newly sprouting lower demons and elves. Everything vanished, leaving behind only the ‘byproducts’ they left.
Most of those byproducts have also faded with time.
“…As time passed, the World Tree began to grow again. It took a very long time to regain its original appearance, but eventually, the World Tree reclaimed its past glory.”
And to protect that glory, they created something called the ‘Child of the World Tree.’
So that it would never turn to ashes with just a flick of someone’s hand again.
“I beg you. Please, at least find out where that child is…”
“First, before we go, let’s check it out.”
Stepping outside the garden, I checked the information about the Child of the World Tree that Oboni handed over.
It was a little bundle of paper sealed with the Mana of Life.
I gently unwrapped it and read the first sentence.
The name is Asuka Elposis.
The second daughter of the elf queen, who bears the blood of the Elposis, one of the high elves’ branches.
At a young age, she displayed exceptional talent, easily overwhelming her peers, adults, and high elves, and by the age of twenty, she had subdued all elves and was appointed as the Child of the World Tree.
“Her sister, mother, and even Oboni.”
I felt a little puzzled here.
No matter how outstanding they might be, they probably can’t surpass Oboni’s incredible potential…
I had doubts, but seeing Oboni’s seemingly worried reaction, it didn’t seem like a conclusion drawn from that.
When I think about it, challenging an elder with an age rivaling the World Tree is also a strange picture.
Perhaps it means their talent is that exceptional.
“Appointed as the Child of the World Tree 300 years ago, and served in that role for three years. Then one day, they vanished, leaving only their sword behind.”
If the Child of the World Tree dies or can’t function, their power and sword are supposed to be recovered. However, the sword has remained intact for 300 years.
The next Child of the World Tree hasn’t been appointed either.
“…Hmm.”
I turned to the next page.
It concerned the bloodline of Elposis.
Queen Elena Elposis had two children; the first was Merini Elposis, and the second was Asuka Elposis, the Child of the World Tree.
They were sisters with a small age difference, both showing exceptional talent, and at one point…
“…There’s something here.”
A symbol concealed by the power of life.
It seemed Oboni had hidden it, fearing others might see, but almost everything I looked at was also visible to the viewers.
Moreover, the content… Honestly, I didn’t think there would be a big problem revealing it.
I unveiled the concealed symbol.
[?]
[?]
[…?]
[Something’s coming up?]
A straightforward phrase that seemed to hint at the situation.
Merini Elposis was scheduled to be appointed as the Child of the World Tree..
■
Asuka Elposis became the Child of the World Tree.
The race of the World Tree blessed this event, and they began to live accordingly.
Mother was delighted, and the old elder was pleased too. Even their friend the nymph was overjoyed.
Humans would probably be happy as well.
Dwarves… might feel a bit uneasy, but they would live on without major issues.
It’s certainly better than being a nasty kobold or a cranky beastman.
“Dammit, dammit!”
Clang!
An expensive glass shattered in the pristine white hand.
Frustrated, she threw the glass as she messed up her platinum hair and bit her lip.
‘It was supposed to be my place!’
A position long decided.
She showed exceptional talent at a young age and quickly grew, being appointed as the Child of the World Tree at the young age of 100.
To be precise, she was ‘scheduled’ to be appointed, but it was nearly a done deal.
The Child of the World Tree is chosen from among the many races living beneath the World Tree based on exceptional talent.
Since a relatively ‘young’ genius is selected, there was no other talent among her peers that could match Merini.
Above all, her mother had no intention of having any more children.
The weight of the queen’s position was anything but light, and especially among long-lived species like High Elves, they tended to prefer ‘slow births.’
At the very least, if a child were to be born, it would be hundreds or even thousands of years later, and by then, the Child of the World Tree would already be Merini.
Moreover, since High Elves are long-lived, even at 100 years old, they possess the body and mind of someone around 17 or 18 years old from other races.
Everything was practically perfect, but…
“W-wait, my mother… had a baby?”
With the birth of another child just 100 years later, Merini’s life turned 180 degrees upside down.
At first, she denied it.
But upon seeing her mother cradling the baby with a happy expression, she realized it was true.
Then, she had expectations.
No matter whose child it was, even if it was her younger sibling, they surely couldn’t have talent as exceptional as hers.
That talent, surpassing all High Elves who live for hundreds to thousands of years, was something only she possessed.
“W-wait! Sister! I’m sorry!!”
Such expectations were utterly shattered when she lost to a mere 15-year-old Asuka.
Asuka was a monster.
How could such a monster have come from her mother?
No, could it have come from her father?
Despite sharing the same bloodline, environment, and support, Asuka grew dozens of times more than Merini.
By the age of 17, she had defeated most High Elves.
As she neared adulthood, she even secured victory against one of the elders.
Of course, she didn’t challenge the elders who had lived for thousands of years, but Merini felt a chill yet relief.
“What if she had thrown herself into battle without regard for hierarchy?”
If she had charged in and won, how on earth would Merini have accepted that?
“Hehehe…”
Next, she begged.
She approached Asuka and asked for her support.
Kind-hearted Asuka was receptive and gladly accepted.
That sight was even more annoying.
Asuka is young, but her mind works quickly.
She must know it too.
The Child of the World Tree is decided solely by the World Tree, and the one who fits those conditions the best is Asuka ‘herself.’
But even knowing this, she decided to go along with it.
Thus, the Child of the World Tree became Asuka.
Without denying or rejecting her place.
“Asuka…”
If only she had coldly brushed me off.
If she had at least looked down on me, saying I was lucky to be in this position while I had no talent.
Then I could have hated her with a clear conscience.
But.
“Older sister. I’ve become the Child of the World Tree… You know it. The Child of the World Tree is determined only by the World Tree. I can’t change that.”
“Deception…? That can’t be! I’m definitely on your side, sister!”
“Why did you say you would support me back then?”
Bang!
“Because… you were sad.”
Bang!!!
“I thought I had to say that, I’m sorry.”
Bang!!!!!!!
“Hah… Hah…”
Blood drips steadily from my smashed fist.
In this moment, Asuka is probably laughing and chatting with the greetings of her kind.
She will likely take my mother’s place too.
Mother was also the previous Child of the World Tree, and over time passed on her position to become the king of the elves.
It wouldn’t be strange at all if Asuka followed in her footsteps.
Asuka thinks she is hiding it, but she is ultimately just a young child.
Her greed for the position is no less than Merini’s.
“……”
A cold wind slips through the open window.
Merini looked into the distance, healing her wounded hand with the Mana of Life.
“If you die or are unable to act… or if the ‘judgment’ comes that you must pass to the next generation after some time…”
The time of the Long-lived Species is long.
I don’t know how long Asuka will last, but at least it will maintain for hundreds of years.
Even Elena didn’t transition to the next generation until she reached a thousand years.
If Asuka surpasses her mother, she might even go beyond that.
“…I’m sorry, but I can’t concede this.”
I won’t give everything away.
So…
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