Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Past (1)
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Even though it was dead, the World Tree of Time was incomparably massive compared to any other trees I'd seen so far.
The surface of the tree was covered in dark brown bark that evoked the image of ancient, rusted armor, while its asymmetrical, rounded leaves adorned that armor in splendid fashion.
The flat petioles were large enough to easily envelop a single person.
-Thud.
The wind stirred by a falling leaf reached me from far away.
-Rustle rustle.
The breeze swept up fallen leaves that brushed against my feet.
The ground beneath my feet was also blanketed in the World Tree's leaves, dyed a bright yellow.
[...What is your name?]
"Lee Si-heon."
[Thank you. I hope my question is not rude.]
When I didn't reply, the World Tree of Time silently created a chair made of leaves behind my back.
[The story will be long... Please, have a seat.]
-Rustle.
It was crude, but it had a backrest and fit my body quite comfortably.
As I sat down on the chair, a pleasantly mild breeze blew around me.
[First, I assure you that I have no intention of harming you.]
"......"
Hah. Even a newborn babe could tell that was an untrustworthy statement.
What the hell is this?
I couldn't fathom why this tree had been catering to my moods from the start.
Recalling what I'd heard in the dream, it didn't seem like it was doing this out of fear for its own life. Clearly, it wanted something from me.
[I know well the discrimination you have endured. It pains me that I cannot fully comprehend the depth of that suffering.]
"...You talk a good game."
[If it bothers you, I apologize. I have endured until now solely to ask for your help, as a descendant of the Wood Spirit King.]
"I heard that last time too. You said you had a favor to ask?"
If there's a take, there must be a give.
The World Tree fell silent for a moment before cautiously inquiring.
[Of course, I will tell you everything I know......about your existence?]
"That's right."
The value I held to it. Who I was.
This wasn't some trivial philosophical musing—it referred to the worth that the powers here assigned to me.
Until now, I'd been dragged along by events without knowing a thing.
The organization called Flower had referred to me as some kind of prophecy, and the World Trees had regarded me with extreme wariness.
As if I were a button that, if pressed wrongly, could trigger irreversible catastrophe.
There had even been multiple attempts to eliminate my very existence.
An absurd number of them are after me.
This held true even excluding the World Tree of Grudges—the one that brought me here and desired my death more than anyone.
Even my master hadn't given a clear answer about the reason.
[You possess...]
The World Tree of Time continued in its characteristically gentle voice.
[...a power akin to the Wood Spirit King's. No, even excluding the power itself, you share a similar aura. So much so that I mistook you for the King at first glance.]
[As for the reason, I'm sorry. I don't know. You could be a direct descendant... or perhaps you simply inherited the power. There are those in this world who carry fragments of the Wood Spirit King, but I've never seen anyone with such complete power as yours.]
"What is that power for?"
[......A vessel.]
It wasn't some abstract concept that was hard to grasp.
Having actually acquired the World Tree of Healing's authority, it made sense that my body had become a vessel capable of containing the power of trees.
[The potential of the power you hold is infinite, and thus, just as it was with the Wood Spirit King back then, many will covet you. You can probably guess why my descendant World Trees are targeting you now.]
"Hold on, descendants? What do you mean by that?"
[......The countless World Trees growing in this world are, in a broad sense, no different from my progeny.]
Even the four great World Trees revered as absolute gods?
I asked just in case, but the World Tree of Time denied it.
[They are among the few World Trees like me who survived the war.]
"So, same generation."
The World Tree of Time had endured the same era as the four great World Trees.
There was no other way to explain its millennia-old size otherwise.
It's not much different from what I already figured out... but getting confirmation alone makes it worthwhile.
My hypotheses had been validated by the World Tree itself—a decent harvest for something that fell into my lap.
On a whim, I asked the World Tree a few more questions.
"What are those Flower guys?"
[I'm sorry. I don't know much about what happened after my death.]
The World Tree apologized honestly.
With a considerable gap between its death and awakening, it was plausible.
I clicked my tongue lightly and moved on.
"Will this meeting with you get reported to the other World Trees?"
[No. Even having this conversation exhausts me, so I can't even contact the distant World Trees.]
"The masked girl before I came here."
[She is the shrine maiden who has guarded me all this time. She can communicate one-way thanks to her innate divine power, but unless I reveal it, this conversation won't leak out.]
It didn't seem like it was lying.
The power I sensed from the World Tree was indeed extremely faint.
Since it had answered so sincerely thus far, I could at least hear it out.
"......Alright, what's the point?"
[Thank you.]
The World Tree shook its leaves high above as if pleased.
Then it spoke.
[What I want to tell you is about the power you possess.]
Having clashed with the Wood Spirit King once and died, it knew better than me the potential of that power.
Well... I hadn't really wielded it properly more than a few times.
But subjugating Ent and seizing a World Tree's authority spoke volumes about its possibilities.
[The vessel you possess could topple the world I built, enough to sway the fate of the world.]
The World Tree seemed well aware of that.
Which was why so many had tried to kill me.
I waited for its next words.
And then, what came from the World Tree of Time next shattered my expectations.
[Therefore, if the time ever comes, I ask that you show mercy with your great magnanimity.]
"......That's it?"
A groveling plea from such a low posture. Unbelievable.
Chewing it over, I spotted several contradictions in its request.
This doesn't add up.
Catering to me and spilling all it knew made sense if it was to ask a favor.
But the favor itself was too vague and ambiguous.
What was I supposed to show mercy to, and when would that time come?
Without knowing the exact timing and target, I couldn't fulfill its request even if the sky fell.
If it went through all this just to say that, it'd be a total fool.
Especially since I might not even agree. Was it grasping at straws?
But what came from the World Tree next was somewhat shocking.
[......It is the law of the world that I cannot speak of the future, and I cannot defy it. Only one who transcends boundaries could. I cannot tell you the future I sensed.]
It knew the future.
This implied my fate was already set, so I couldn't help doubting my ears.
"So, you've seen my entire future?"
No way.
If it had truly seen the future, it wouldn't have been clueless about my identity at first sight.
When it beheld me in the dream, the World Tree had acted like it was seeing me for the first time.
However.
As if anticipating my question, the World Tree began earnestly explaining its situation.
[To be precise, it's more like a vague sensation. Perhaps someone from the future caused this dissonance in the current me.]
"Weren't you supposed to die soon? Explain."
[My authority allows interference with the past. But only faintly......leaving mere traces. Just as I thought to beg for your mercy without basis.]
The surroundings began to change gradually.
The yellow garden turned into parched, cracked earth.
The sturdy roots rising from the ground withered and became skeletal.
Now a dying ancient tree, the World Tree of Time murmured in a distorted voice.
[I die, but perhaps in the future, a World Tree that inherited my authority appeared.]
I rested my chin on my hand and began sorting through what it had said.
So...
The World Tree of Time's authority interfered with the past.
Later, a tree that inherited that authority grew, and it sent a message from the future to the World Tree of Time.
Was that the gist?
I couldn't make sense of it any other way.
"...Is that all? Just by telling me?"
[No.]
The World Tree stated firmly.
[The future I sensed has even you mired in misfortune.]
"......"
[You need to grow stronger, and you need to visit the past.]
"Visit the past?"
[Through me.]
The conversation was veering into absurd territory.
"You expect me to believe that too?"
The World Tree closed its mouth, then pleaded earnestly in a cracking voice.
[I know it's sudden......but it's the only way to avert the disaster. I act for the world I created, but I am also on your side.]
The last words of a tree on the verge of death didn't feel like lies.
It was a decision that demanded deep deliberation.
I let out several stifled breaths and racked my brain.
What I could do now.
"Hah."
After agonizing, a hollow laugh escaped me.
Why was I even hesitating? Had I ever known what I was getting into before?
This bizarre trip to the past—back then, I wouldn't be targeted, so I'd have ample time to investigate and plenty to gain.
The biggest risk was the possibility that the World Tree was lying and would trap me somewhere...
But no matter how I look at it, it's not a lie.
My gut said so. I trusted it.
If I backed down here, I wouldn't deserve to be my master's disciple.
"......Fine. How long will it take?"
[Crossing time and returning to this era... at most, no more than four hours.]
I nodded silently.
The World Tree rustled its leaves in thanks, then enveloped my body with its magic power.
-Hum!
Tiny particles like spirits swirled from my head to my toes.
In less than three seconds, my vision shifted dramatically.
A dizzying sensation washed over my body, like jolting awake from a frantic dream.
I flailed my arms and landed hard on my butt.
-Thud!
The rapid environmental changes left me disoriented.
I pressed my throbbing forehead and stood, scanning my surroundings.
......Just an ordinary garden you might find anywhere, with pink petals drifting beautifully on the wind.
But where was this?
I didn't know the time period, and since the World Tree had sent me, I had no given objective or information.
Guess I'm supposed to figure out what to do on my own.
Familiar territory. Might as well look around the area first.
The moment I turned sharply—
"......?"
I locked eyes with a girl in black mourning clothes standing behind me.
Crimson hair and a familiar magic power. The power of someone I knew.
-Tilt.
The girl blinked in greeting, then bowed politely with proper etiquette.
"This is private property of Peach Garden. If it's not rude, may I ask what brings you here?"
Her baby fat still lingered, making her pronunciation adorably precise.
The familiarity emanating from her left me stunned.
......No way.
Too shocked, I murmured unconsciously to the girl.
"Master?"
The young Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Path, who had taught me justice and how to live, stood right before my eyes.