Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Tree of Life
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"You want to know about Lady Ceres?"
A short break after the academy's notoriously dull history class—one of the few classes anyone bothered to count on one hand.
The class's sole elf, Eprin, tilted her head at her friends' sudden question.
They were asking about Ceres—the being known as the First World Tree.
"Yeah. The history lesson barely covered her."
"Right, right. Even when it does, it's all about the Second World Tree."
"Second World Tree? Add the honorific and show some respect."
How dare they speak so casually in front of her, a child of the World Tree.
If it had been anyone else, an arrow between the eyes would have been in order, but since it was her friends, she let it slide this time.
Of course, she wouldn't forget to give them a warning.
"Anyway, the First World Tree..."
"Lady."
"...Lady. Tell us about her."
Still, how admirable that they wanted to learn about her creator.
Eprin nodded benevolently at her earnest friends.
There was just enough break time left before the next class to explain.
'That's unexpected.'
Of all people, she was asking her this.
Eprin looked at one of her two friends standing before her with curious eyes.
Stare...
"W-Why are you staring like that?"
"Just... it's surprising. You, of all people, asking me about this."
Eprin knew it well.
No one in the academy could match her knowledge—not even the professors.
Yet here was that very friend asking her about the First World Tree.
A strange sense of superiority welled up, making Eprin's lips twitch imperceptibly, while the other friend who had come along nodded in understanding.
"Ah, I get what you mean. Sometimes she seems like some all-knowing sage. It's annoying."
"W-What?!"
"And she acts all old-mannish in this weird way."
"I don't want to hear that from you!"
Who was this—the oldest one here—to say that?
In elven society, her age wasn't much different from her friends', but she had lived longer; that was undeniable.
Still, having heard such jabs countless times before, Eprin brushed it off lightly.
"As you all know, our village's guardian deity, the World Tree, is officially the Second World Tree Lady, who inherited the role from the First."
"We know that!"
"That's common knowledge."
"Hmm. Do you know this, then?"
In the distant past, unlike now.
In the primordial era, before the Second World Tree even appeared.
The First World Tree—called the Primordial Mother—who created the village where elves now lived, birthed the elves, and protected them. What was she called before being named the World Tree?
"We haven't studied that. How would we know?"
"Tell us quick!"
"The Tree of Life."
Both heads tilted at the words.
"The Tree of Life?"
"Sounds kinda grandiose."
Of course they wouldn't know.
The term "Tree of Life" wasn't even in records; no other elf knew it until hearing it directly from the Second World Tree.
"The Tree of Life. That was Lady Ceres's epithet before the title 'World Tree' was set."
"Tree of Life, huh. So when did 'World Tree' start being used?"
"It was decided later at a council of the Spirit Kings."
Especially due to one being's words at that gathering.
And it would be better for her friend to explain that being, not her.
After all, her friend had a very deep connection to that entity.
-Dad.
[Yeah.]
Ceres could finally hold proper conversations with me.
Her baby-like cute voice calling me "Dad" stirred paternal instincts I didn't know I had.
My voice softened unconsciously, and my demeanor toward her grew gentler.
-Did you go fight again, Dad?
[Fight? Nah, just cleaned up the neighborhood a bit.]
Maybe because of her voice, even her innocent question about fighting made me break into a cold sweat.
I'd acted boldly before, but now that we could talk and I heard it in her voice, I hesitated in my response.
Gulp.
[Anyway, Ceres. Are you feeling okay? No aches or pains?]
-I'm great. Power's overflowing.
Good—no side effects from her rapid growth.
I'd worried her overflowing life force might cause discomfort somewhere.
'And this much life force...'
Seeing her exceed expectations in growth and vitality reminded me of the guy I'd just beaten and sent packing.
With this, Ceres could protect this place safely.
[Ceres, I have a request for you.]
Maybe that's why the words I'd planned to say later slipped out now.
Of course, if it burdened her too much, I'd retract it immediately.
I had no intention of overworking a child who had just gained speech.
I'd planned to try again once she gained enough power without strain, but...
[It's okay?]
-Perfect timing—power's overflowing. Let's start right now.
Ceres said it was fine to try immediately.
I wondered if she was just saying that to reassure me, but oddly, her words rang utterly sincere.
Vmmm...
Ceres's life force spread widely, filling the space.
A pure dominion of life force, distinct from mana.
Like sealing off the surroundings, her life force enveloped the area, instinctively conveying one message to all living beings within.
Crackle.
At this moment...
The owner of this space had been decided.
To preserve this space, do not disturb Ceres's peace—and protect her from external threats.
'External threats, huh.'
I could guess.
That's partly why I'd hesitated on this action, considering her burden.
Suddenly claiming territory in a peaceful zone as its ruler—how infuriating for those watching from afar.
'Others will come soon.'
No guarantee none would be monsters like the Dragon King or that man I'd seen before.
To protect this place from them and ensure Ceres's safety, I needed to grow stronger.
-Huh?
As I resolved to grow stronger to protect Ceres, she suddenly voiced confusion, sensing something odd.
What? Had a problem arisen?
-Uh... Dad, you should head home soon.
But her words were completely different from what I'd expected.
Head home suddenly?
[...Something happen with Cheong or Silpi?]
-It's a problem, yeah?
Then why the panic?
I wanted to ask what happened, but my body was already leaving Ceres, heading home.
[Be right back.]
-Tomorrow's fine. Make sure you're prepared.
With Ceres's understanding words behind me, I arrived home.
The cave interior was eerily quiet.
Her mention of a problem fueled my anxiety as I hurried inside.
Rustle.
There stood Silpi's familiar yet somehow unfamiliar back.
More mature than when I'd left—closer to the Spirit King's Silpi I remembered.
-That feeling just now. Ceres's doing, right?
Turning around, Silpi's face was indeed more grown-up.
Such a sudden change in appearance.
For a spirit like her, this meant...
[...You leveled up to mid-tier?]
-Yeah. I'm a mid-tier spirit now?
A promotion from lower to mid-tier spirit.
I didn't know what happened while I was gone, but it was worth celebrating, so I congratulated her sincerely.
[Congratulations.]
-Thanks. But Cheong deserves the real cheers.
Come to think of it, where was Cheong? I hadn't seen her since arriving.
And if it was worth celebrating, did something change with Cheong too?
Thud thud thud.
Then, from deep in the cave, something rushed toward me.
The presence and feel—definitely Cheong.
But why did her footsteps echoing in the cave sound like two legs, not four?
Whoosh.
'Fast.'
She'd been distant, her figure blurry, but in an instant, she closed the gap and flew right up to me.
"El!"
A mysterious girl hugged my body with a voice I'd never heard.
Familiar tiger ears atop snow-white hair.
And the scent I'd smelled daily while living together.
It couldn't be, yet looking at this girl, I couldn't help thinking of my absent friend.
[...Cheong?]
"Hehe. Yeah!"
At my words, Cheong nodded vigorously in delight, clinging tightly to me.
What the hell happened while I was gone?