“My feelings are not emotions created by someone else; they are undoubtedly genuine feelings.”
With a sharp voice, Rubia, as if brushing away Laila’s gaze, tightly grabbed my hand and glared at Laila.
But Rubia’s hand was trembling.
The sweat that had unknowingly formed and the cold warmth conveyed her emotions.
Having lost my mind over the unexpectedly colossal tale, I hurriedly seized Rubia’s hand tightly-
[It sounds as if your feelings are more important than your very existence, doesn’t it?]
“That’s right. Whatever I am… right now, it’s a completely useless story. However, to say that all my feelings are false feelings is quite a disturbing remark.”
As if asking me to believe in her, the strength in her grasp increased, filled with anxiety and anticipation.
I gently loosened my fingers and intertwined them between hers.
Even if I wanted to let go, I couldn’t; I hooked my thumbs together and held on tightly.
I do not doubt Rubia.
Even if Rubia’s feelings stem from Lilith’s emotions, as long as they are directed at me.
If she is the same as me.
I don’t care.
Having walked a path filled with so much happiness, love crazily, I could never hate her for doubting and resenting her.
I squeezed her hand tightly, answering her heart.
[Ha ha… Ah ha ha ha!! Foolishly beautiful, pure in its ignorance. Yes, indeed. That was truly a response fitting of you. Huhahaha!]
For a while, Laila laughed refreshingly, looking at us with a noticeably lighter expression.
[Shaman, have you known what kind of being you are all along?]
“It’s my first time hearing about Lilith, but… I had some idea about my existence.”
[So you shared the speculations from your descendants?]
“Correct.”
[Then, descendant, how much did you anticipate about Lilith?]
“I was roughly guessing the memories you just forced upon me, and I am not your descendant.”
[Hehe, clever one.]
As Laila, alternating her gaze between Rubia and Ser, her eyes locked onto me.
[So, who are you?]
“…Huh?”
[Isn’t this the first time you’re learning all of this?]
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
[Yet, you immediately affirmed the feelings of the other?]
Nodding-
Laila’s expression shifted from curiosity to interest.
[Why?]
“Because it’s Rubia…”
Her interest turned into delight.
[Even if you say you are a created being?]
“Even if that were true… Rubia wouldn’t dislike me, right…?”
Delight transformed into astonishment.
[You are truly naive and terribly foolish.]
“…I’m not, really?”
“Hmm.”
“Uh…”
“E-excuse me… Why are you both looking at me like that?”
I just said something incredibly moving, didn’t I?
Laila and Ser might do that, but Rubia… Rubia shouldn’t be looking at me like that!
She should be moved!!!
[Hehehe, yes. That’s right.]
While I was flustered, Laila nodded with a satisfying smile, leaning gently against the roots of Yggdrasil.
[There are still questions left to ask, but since some have been cleared, now it’s your turn. What will you ask first?]
As soon as Laila finished speaking, Rubia’s lips awkwardly opened and closed repeatedly.
[I will answer within what I know, so feel free to ask.]
As Ser waited for Rubia’s inquiry, he suddenly burst out with questions as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Then I’ll ask first. Laila, what is your purpose? Why are you not attacking us? Why is Yggdrasil, which should be in the spirit realm, here as well? What connection do you have with the spirits?”
[Khuhuhuhu… Calm down. I’ll answer everything, even if you take your time. Let’s see… First, I must answer the first question. My purpose… ]
Rubbing the roots of the tree gently, Laila looked at Ser with a strange smile.
[Just as a tree blooms in spring, provides cool shade in summer, flaunts a brilliant golden hue in autumn, and offers its body to those in need after fulfilling its role in winter, my goal is to live beautifully and die meaningfully.]
“Oh, if you die for us now, it would indeed be the most meaningful death. Will you die for us? Please, die.”
“Geh…”
“Se-Ser!”
[Hahaha! While I appreciate it, I can’t do that just yet. I have not yet flaunted my golden hue.]
Despite Ser’s rough remark, Laila shook her head and laughed heartily.
“He’s an old man, what’s with the golden hue. Tch.”
[Khahhaha! Seeing your bravery in front of such a strong one makes me think you are truly my descendant. Hehehee, it’s so much fun.]
“That descendant, descendant. Please hold your breath. A good 300 minutes would be sufficient.”
[Oh? If you can hold your breath for 300 minutes, will I treat you kindly? Then I might hold my breath for 300 hours, or perhaps 300 years.]
With a swift motion, Laila raised her arm as if rolling up her sleeves. Flowers began to bloom in response to her gentle gesture.
The bashfully blooming flowers spread their faces toward Ser.
Thud- Ser crumpled his face and snapped the flower’s neck.
“Before that, I feel like I’m going to perish, so I’ll graciously decline. Now, please answer the second question. Why are you not attacking us? Why is the Monster of the End, who should be feared, chatting with us so happily?”
Looking sorrowfully at the broken flower, Laila composed her expression and turned to Ser.
[How naughty of you… Yes, I should answer the second question. As I said before, I am not the one testing you, which is why I do not attack. Moreover, being the Monster of the End does not mean I cannot smile. I simply laugh and chat because I am having fun. I find such joy that just looking at your lovely faces brings out laughter.]
“Is that so? Then, who among us is the prettiest?”
[What…?]
… Here we go again.
Ser’s nonsensical remarks now feel entirely normal.
But wait… why did Laila become so serious?
And Rubia… why is she so serious too?
“I’m terribly curious.”
… Even Ser looks dead serious!
[It’s terribly… difficult.]
A deep despair surfaced on Laila’s face.
I don’t quite get why she should look so despaired over something so trivial… what’s going on?
[Each has their charm. They differ so much, and each is among the best in their own field. To choose the best among them is simply too harsh! But if I must, if I must, if I must choose—]
Laila slowly sat up, plucking a flower sprouted from the ground gently.
[To my ‘eyes’, you are the most beautiful.]
“…Huh.”
She handed it to me.
“Uh-huh, you have a good eye.”
[Of course! I’ve lived through eons, so I must have a good eye. Hahaha!]
Receiving the flower that swayed gently in her hand, I inhaled its soft fragrance.
It was exactly the same scent that emanated from Rubia every night before bed.
[Oh… So you like this scent.]
As Laila pointed at the flower, other identical flowers began to bloom profusely from her hand.
“Ew…?”
“Huh? This scent feels familiar.”
“I’m… smelling this for the first time.”
Each time it blossomed, Rubia’s scent…
A precious fragrance I alone knew began to pour out abundantly.
[This is a flower that emits the fragrance you cherish the most. Do you like it?]
“N-no… Aah… P-please stop!”
With the intention of filling the world with flowers, I tightly grabbed Laila’s wrist, who was continuously blossoming the flowers.
“Stop!”
It’s embarrassing!! This is violence!!! Stop!!!
It’s nice that Rubia smells good… of course, it smells good.
It smells amazing… but still, it feels completely perverted!
[Now that I feel it so abundantly, I understand what the scent is. Huhahaha!]
With expressions of boredom from Ser and warm smiles from Laila, they looked at Rubia.
“…Is this my scent?”
[Hehe, usually, one cannot recognize the scent of their own body.]
“Huh… So Noa liked my scent.”
“Ugh…”
Picking up a fallen flower and savoring its scent, Rubia shot me a heated glare.
“Alright, enough with the chit-chat. Think of those waiting outside. Shouldn’t we finish up quickly?”
[Ah, you needn’t worry about that either. Time flows here differently than outside. It’s barely been 10 seconds out there.]
“Damn it, why are you so capable?”
Shrugging, Laila wore a familiar, annoyingly smug smile.
[Because I am a genius.]
“Hah, that was quite an unfortunate statement.”
“Wha?”
“Uhm…?”
“What’s up? Why are you looking at me like that again?”
At Ser’s question, Rubia tilted her head, looking incredulous.
“Ser, are you really asking that?”
“…What do you mean?”
“You say it all the time. ‘Rubia, I am a genius.’ Just like that.”
“Oh… g-great, really it was just like you, Rubia.”
“Hehe, indeed.”
“What’s the same and what do you mean by that? I would never say something as annoying as that…”
Oh, shoot.
Ser trailed off, covering his face with both hands and shrinking back.
Laila, who had maintained a consistent expression while staring at Ser, wore the same smile.
In the same calm tone, she stated.
[That just might resolve all your lingering questions.]
Stating something so obvious.
[Descendant, you wondered why Yggdrasil is here, what connection I have with the spirits, and what my identity is, didn’t you?]
She spoke.
[I am Yggdrasil. I created the spirits. Just as Lilith created the shamans, I created your existence.]
