Chapter 334: Cyclic Life (3)
Chapter 334: Cyclic Life (3)
Light green hair cascaded all the way to the floor. Her transparent eyes shimmered with an emerald glow, and her long ears and ethereal beauty were reminiscent of an elf.
However, her true identity was the Mother of Elves and the Master of the World Tree.
In terms of the Church's influence, she ranked just below Righteous Light, and when it came to the domain of recovery, she bestowed an Authority that no one could rival.
Because those who received her blessing enjoyed a lifespan that transcended the limits of their race, she was a venerable Good God, often revered as the deity who presided over life itself.
Cyclic Life lowered her head, her face flushed a deep crimson.
I stared at her, wondering what on earth was wrong, but she seemed to take my gaze as a sign of impatience. She opened her mouth, her voice trembling.
"Th-This is troubling."
"…?"
"I never imagined you would grow up to be such an… aggressive child."
"…."
Did I say something lewd?
My mind went blank at the unexpected remark. She finally lifted her head, only to immediately avert her eyes while fanning her face with her hand.
"Ah… Though it has been long since he passed, I have only ever had my husband… To think, my friend’s partner, my friend’s son, and a child not of my blood…."
"What exactly are you talking about?"
I finally couldn't hold back and asked, but Cyclic Life, already lost in her own world, didn't seem to hear me.
"How can I refuse him without causing him pain? Looking at those around him, he’s clearly never been rejected by a woman before, so the shock will be immense…."
"Excuse me? Lady Cyclic Life?"
"No, no. I can’t be certain his feelings for me are of a romantic nature. Come to think of it, by the time he gained self-awareness, Fafnir had already left this world. That means from the moment he was born in a test tube, he grew into an adult without ever being held in anyone’s arms… Oh, how pitiful!"
It was no use. She wasn't listening to a word I said.
I turned to the other women to seek help, but for some reason, they were in a state of chaos themselves.
First, Carla and Fay were tilting their heads in confusion, just as lost as I was.
Elisha and Iris were clutching their foreheads, letting out deep sighs.
Meanwhile, Iona and Solari were covering their mouths, laughing hysterically.
From my perspective, this situation was profoundly unfair. What was the problem with asking for a few pieces of the World Tree series?
In the context of H&A, parts of the World Tree were items you could obtain by following the Apostle route for Cyclic Life or by making a significant contribution to Alfheim.
Of course, I knew they were precious items to demand out of the blue. It wasn't just a piece of wood; it was a gift infused with the concentrated Authority of Cyclic Life.
Since she hadn't fully recovered her strength yet, it might be a burden.
But what was with this reaction? It was as if I had just made some incredibly bold confession.
With a naturally grumpy expression, I poked Elisha in the side.
"Gah!"
Oops, did I poke her too hard?
Still, the intent seemed to get through. Elisha sighed again, rubbing her side as she spoke.
"You. Judging by your reaction, you really didn't know what you were saying, did you? To think you know all sorts of obscure things but are ignorant of something so basic…."
"Wait, am I the only one who doesn't know? Carla and Fay look confused too."
"It’s understandable that Miss Fay wouldn't know. She grew up among Dwarves who have a poor relationship with Elves, and her upbringing wasn't exactly smooth. After entering the Academy, she had no friends and focused solely on her research."
"Eh? Me? I… well… ugh…."
Fay looked flustered at the sudden jab. But Elisha continued, paying Fay no mind.
"But Carla? Why are you pretending not to know? You’re someone who knows exactly what’s going on."
"Hm? Well, if Master was the only one who didn't know, he’d be very embarrassed, wouldn't he? So I was planning to step in on his behalf, acting like I didn't know either so I could ask for an explanation."
"…Doesn't saying that out loud make the whole gesture meaningless?"
"Since Miss Fay doesn't know either, Master won't have to be embarrassed alone anymore. So, I might as well use this chance to show off what a considerate slave I am and score some points!"
"Are you really going that far, Carla…?"
Elisha stared at her, jaw dropped, seemingly lost for words.
True. It was absurd, but it did make me feel good. I gave Carla a bright smile as a sign of praise. Conversely, I turned to Elisha and asked in a deliberately gruff voice.
"So? What is it that I don't know?"
"Sigh. Fine. I’ll tell you, so pull that pouting lip back in."
"It wasn't even sticking out…."
I relaxed my face, and only then did Elisha speak.
"It’s a culture that has mostly faded now, but in the past, when a baby was born, a tree was planted for that child. Just as Cyclic Life watches over the entire Great Forest through the World Tree, which is a part of herself, people hoped the tree would brighten the child’s future. It’s a kind of superstition."
"Oh…."
What a fascinating custom.
"Usually, when they reached adulthood, they would use the wood from that tree to make a bow or a simple accessory. Naturally, they cherished those objects as much as their own bodies."
"As much as their own bodies… Wait. I think I know what’s coming next."
Cherishing a tree planted at birth as much as oneself. This was modeled after the World Tree. And I had just asked Cyclic Life—the source of that very custom—for a piece of the World Tree.
Various pieces of information in my head began to click together, leading toward a single conclusion.
Elisha’s next words confirmed my suspicion.
"To desire another person’s tree means to desire the person themselves. Even by Elven standards, it’s an old-fashioned method, but it’s considered a very fervent marriage proposal."
"Ah."
"And just now, Yandel, you asked Lady Cyclic Life for the World Tree piece by piece. You even added exactly what you were going to use them for."
"A-Ah…."
"Do you understand now? To put what you said into simple terms…."
Elisha paused for a moment, then lowered her voice into a dramatic, theatrical tone.
"I want to keep you by my side forever. If possible, I want you to be inside me. Let your breath be joined with the breath I draw, and allow your blood to flow through my heart. …And if I should one day leave behind descendants, I wish for them to be your children."
"…."
"That is what it means. Now do you realize what you’ve said, Yandel?"
"W-Wait! Sometimes Cyclic Life herself bestows a part of the World Tree as a reward! What about that?!"
"Pardon? Cutting off one’s own flesh to give to another is a noble sacrifice. It’s quite different from someone else demanding it, don't you think?"
"How is that fair!"
"Think about it. Is treating someone you’re grateful for to a meal the same as someone demanding you cook a meal for them?"
"…."
That… makes sense!
"For your information, this is a metaphor that appears even in children’s fairy tales. Unless you’re a special case like Miss Fay, it’s practically common knowledge."
I didn't know.
Actually, it would be weirder if I did. The information I had about this world was ultimately based on H&A.
In other words, I knew nothing about stories that didn't appear in the game.
And who on earth would put fairy tales into a game!
Well, maybe they were tucked away somewhere, but they certainly weren't in H&A! Do you know how many hours I’ve played? If it were there, I would have known!
But I couldn't exactly say that.
I could admit that this body was created by Fafnir’s magic, but I couldn't say my soul came from another world.
At least, definitely not right now.
My senses, sharpened by reaching the level of a High Magician, kicked in. As I focused my mind, it felt as if time were slowing down.
It was a moment permitted only to those who had transcended individual limits. In that space, I thought and thought again.
…How could I gloss over this situation?!
But no matter how much I thought, there was only one answer: a direct breakthrough. It couldn't be helped. If there was no other choice, I had to push forward like this…!
I thickened my skin and shouted.
"I-I didn't know!"
"Yes, I’m sure you didn't. However, the words have already been spoken, and since Cyclic Life is well-versed in the old etiquette, she likely took them to heart…."
"It’s because I didn't have anyone to read me fairy tales!"
"…Eh?"
"When I came to my senses, I was in a cold, empty laboratory! No one explained my situation to me! I was… I was just thrown into this world!"
"Uh, th-that… Yandel?"
"All I had in my head were fragments of an incomprehensible future and a sense of duty to prepare for it! No one ever gave me any answers!"
"Maybe you should calm down for a moment…."
"I knew what parents were! But I didn't have any! I… I didn't have anyone!"
I’m sorry, Mom and Dad back on Earth, I muttered inwardly while gauging the reactions around me.
Seeing how quiet it had suddenly become, it seemed the effect was certain. It might have been a bit of a leap, but this should negate the fact that I had just proposed out of the blue.
If things went well, I might even get the World Tree series. Didn't she say it was different if Cyclic Life gave them of her own accord?
Cyclic Life still held her partner in her heart, so even if it was a mistake, there was no way she would accept my "proposal."
So this was the right move. It was the right move, but….
Now that I’d done it, a wave of post-act clarity hit me.
Is this… really okay?
No matter how much I wanted those incredible elixirs and end-game crafting materials… was this really the right way to go about it???
I lowered my head in a hollow daze.
It was in that moment, as I let out nothing but ragged breaths.
Soft.
A warm presence felt from behind.
Cyclic Life, who had pulled me into a back hug, patted my shoulder and whispered.
"It’s alright. It will be alright. What do you mean, you have no one? I am here. Though we are not related by blood, the fact that I had a profound influence on your birth remains unchanged."
"Ah…."
"It must have been so hard for you all this time. The burden must have been so heavy. You poor, pitiful child… Don't worry. I will help you now. Branches of the World Tree? Leaves? Fruit? I will give you whatever you need. Because that is my responsibility for bringing you into this world."
"…."
Hmm.
Thinking about it again, maybe this was the right move after all?