The World Tree
The World Tree
Even by gate, the distance to the north was such that we had to transfer several times, so we had to keep walking even after entering the forest.
And while watching the scenery gradually turn white, I was able to hear in great detail from Cellevian what meaning the earring held.
To summarize, it was originally a protection charm wishing for a loved one's safety, true, but... it was closer to a cliché like 'If I survive this battle, I'll confess to her.'
More like "definitely marrying" rather than "definitely dying." Roughly, it was used to mean "I will confess my love when next we meet." Thanks to that, I had to put a ton of effort into managing the corners of my mouth and my expression the whole time I listened. How could I dislike someone trying so hard to treasure me?
But regardless, because the elves were watching my reaction, I had to pretend to be nonchalant, like it was nothing.
Why?
"Well, we hope we haven't said something unnecessary..."
When you're under the gaze of elves gripped by the fear that they might have ruined someone's marriage with a slip of the tongue, that's how it was. They belatedly recalled I was still a young human, and seemed terribly worried I might feel burdened or repulsed by Asilie's sudden sprint into love.
Fortunately, everyone, the person inside this body had the mind of a guy pushing thirty.
"Not at all. Now I have one more reason to treasure this earring."
"Haha! Right! Exactly! Hahaha!"
Especially Cellevian, who had been flustered in a way I'd rarely seen, only burst into relieved laughter after hearing my answer. I internally thought about teasing Asilie even more as I joined in the laughter, and as a result we could proceed toward the World Tree in a very warm and friendly mood.
That mood lasted exactly until the moment we arrived before the World Tree.
"This is the holy land of all elves, the territory of the World Tree."
Not because another elf picked a fight, nor because they suddenly changed the mood, but simply because I was so overwhelmed by the giant divine tree called the World Tree that I couldn't speak.
Around the time I felt a subtle soft pink beginning to mix into the once pure white surroundings, the scenery racing by at incredible speed stopped normally, and Cellevian spread his arms proudly and introduced it. The faintly glowing pure white giant tree visible behind him soared up into the sky.
The dense branches of the white tree, which I could only doubt was truly a tree, stretched in all directions, bearing buds and leaves so vivid it was hard to believe this was the north. Even more astonishing was that the leaves and buds kept blooming and falling in an endless cycle. Because of the petals and leaves falling from the World Tree, it looked like it was snowing inside its domain even though it wasn't snowing.
It was an incredibly beautiful sight. So much so that if made a tourist spot, visitors would surely flock without end.
"...Dear God."
It was so beautiful I barely held back a curse that nearly slipped out.
There were other elves and their dwellings around, but they didn't catch my eye in the slightest. The only thoughts in my head were silly impressions like, 'The divine tree they worship is so beautiful, I guess the elf race is unfairly beautiful too,' and awe toward true divinity, which I might be directly encountering for the first time in my life.
That thing was proof itself that gods exist in this world.
"I personally thought I had lived a devout life, offering prayers at the Pantheon in my own way, but I think that was a blasphemous thought."
"Hm? Why do you think so?"
"Because the Pantheon had no World Tree."
In my past life, I was an atheist.
Even if I went back now, it wouldn't be different. I couldn't feel the existence of any god, and while I had no intention of ignoring or belittling believers, to me they were as good as nonexistent.
That's why, even in the moment I drew my last breath, what I spat out were curses at the fucking robber who put such a shitty end to my life and at my fucking life, not resentment toward any god. How can you curse someone who doesn't exist?
But now, my very existence is proof of the gods' existence. Siegfried was the same, and so was the World Tree before my eyes. This meant that even if not perfect, this world continued under the protection of the gods, and for me, offering thanks and prayers to such beings had become the most natural thing.
That was why I cautiously asked Cellevian.
"If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me how to offer a prayer?"
◈
Upon hearing Eldmia's words, Cellevian beamed. It wasn't just him either; the elves who'd shared the journey and those nearby who had noticed their arrival were the same.
To elves, the World Tree was not mere faith but the origin of everything and their pride.
When even some long-lived species treated it as nothing more than a slightly big tree, a member of the Human Race actually wanted to worship the World Tree of his own accord? Over all those long years, a fair number of outsiders had set foot on this land, yet this was a first. What's more, judging by his careful posture and attitude, he didn't seem to have any ulterior motive.
But that didn't mean he could just casually tell him. Cellevian tried to calm his smile and explain to Eldmia.
"I am very pleased that you possess a proper attitude of reverence toward the divine, and I understand your heart is by no means light, but..."
How could presenting oneself and worshiping before a god be easy? To elves, the act of 'prayer' was on a completely different track from short-lived species sitting around a table and offering a grace. The most common prayer was conducted with the same level of strict rigor as when high-ranking clergy of an order offered prayers.
Even they, who lived always bearing gratitude for the World Tree in their hearts, didn't pray often. It was a sacred rite that solemn, that strict, which could not be taken lightly nor should ever be.
He intended to explain this to Eldmia in detail, but the reply that came back was even more astonishing.
"Asilie told me the meaning of prayer differs from that of us short-lived species. I still ask because I feel it would be disrespectful not to worship after witnessing the existence of a god firsthand. I know it's troublesome, but I will never learn it lightly..."
"Let's go at once!"
This was unbearable. With firm resolve to teach him himself if the clergy refused, Cellevian moved his feet alongside Eldmia.
The elves who'd accompanied them began nodding their heads and endlessly praising Asilie for having chosen her person well, and the other elves nearby who had been eavesdropping approached, fiercely praising Eldmia—who was nothing more than a stranger who'd suddenly appeared—as if he were a familiar neighborhood kid they'd known for ages.
No matter how much one acknowledged and served various gods, doing so for the god of another race wasn't easy. Even among the long-lived species, some considered the god their race worshiped as superior, as if picking sides, to say nothing of short-lived species.
When there were extreme World Tree zealots even among elves who lived long lives, a child of the Human Race who'd barely shed his baby fuzz, who'd be lucky to live 150 years, was saying such admirable things about how one should rightly worship because they were gods!
"What's going on that everyone's suddenly moving in a crowd?"
"Well, apparently the human who appeared suddenly wants to offer a prayer to the World Tree!"
"...How did a human even get here?"
"Is that what matters right now!"
"Ah, no, that's not it. But... genuinely, of his own will?"
"So they say."
They probably got here somehow. They could come because there was no hostility and no issue. With that basic premise in place, the elves' interest solely focused on, 'Is this human truly sincere in wanting to offer a prayer to the World Tree?'
"I hear he's Asilie's companion?"
"The Asilie who took down those three elf hunter brothers? She was alive?"
"Sounds like they ended up living together because he saved her when she was nearly enslaved!"
"A good person, huh?"
"They say he killed the Ear Hunter too!"
"Incredibly strong and a good person, huh?"
Originally, the World Tree was not a place where elves resided. It was a giant passage connecting all tribes and a temple at the same time, and those gathered from every tribe only set up temporary dwellings to perform their duties in managing and maintaining it.
Therefore, it was rare for crowds to gather unless the tribe representatives assembled under the clergy's summons, and those fulfilling their duties here were among the most devout of the elves, so they generally considered maintaining solemnity a virtue.
But now, everyone without exception had heard the rumors and gathered to see this rare sight. Unaware of that, Eldmia asked Cellevian with a very awkward attitude.
"Uh, this is incredibly overwhelming. Is it normally like this?"
"How could it be? Everyone's interest seems drawn because you said something so admirable. It's well-deserved!"
Though Eldmia muttered very quietly, 'I'm not the sole beloved youngest child of a rustic village, what the...' no one there heard it.
Though the gazes of the numerous elves were burdensome, they held no hostility, so Eldmia decided to just gloss over it with an awkward smile. Curiosity and goodwill were a million times better than hostility. Setting aside the question of whether praying to a god really warranted such goodwill, of course.
Just like that, when Eldmia and Cellevian's party arrived right in front of the World Tree along with the crowd of elves, an elf in priestly robes came out from a small temple that wasn't large but glowed white like the World Tree, and greeted them.
"Cellevian of the Blue Vine tribe. I never thought the day would come in my lifetime when I would assist with a prayer offered by a member of the Human Race."
Eldmia worried he might say something like, 'How dare a short-ear stand before the noble World Tree!' but fortunately, the ear-ling he feared wasn't found here. The unnamed priest instead looked quite welcoming toward Eldmia.
"Though you may not become a child of the World Tree as we are, how could I not welcome you when the first thing you wish to do upon arriving here is to worship the divine? Come this way. Have you ever learned how to pray to another god?"
"Uh... yes. I have, sort of."
"Which god? The ancient gods share surprisingly many common points in prayer. I may be able to help you understand more easily."
The crowd that hadn't dispersed even upon reaching the temple and Cellevian's party mingled and awaited Eldmia's answer.
Which god? They said he was from Itisel, the human kingdom? Isn't that one of the few nations that worships the Pantheon? I thought I heard the most dominant religion was the one serving Rubisca of the Scales. Being close to the Empire, he might worship Ete. That's the country at war with the Demonfolk, right? Must've been tough, etc.
But for some reason, Eldmia began sweating profusely. No, seriously, a genuine cold sweat started forming, enough to make even the priest who'd greeted him with a smile tilt his head.
What's this? Even if he'd never served an ancient evil god, why that reaction? Just then, after a lot of frantic eye-rolling, Eldmia very slowly opened his mouth.
"The Demon God Epaga."
For a moment, silence fell. The flustered priest was quick enough to manage his expression, but others couldn't. But contrary to Eldmia's worried confession, the reaction wasn't horror but pure admiration.
Wow, he lives in a country in a bloodbath war against Demonfolk, yet prays to a Demon God? This is kind of incredible?
While most burst out laughing and did not hold back praise, calling him a member of the Human Race who knew how to worship the gods, one elf who'd come to watch during the rare commotion let out a hollow laugh and muttered.
"To be so devout. He's practically a Great Warrior of the gods."
It was such a quiet mutter that his words were quickly buried.