Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The World Tree That Gives Without Stinting
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The sanctuary of the World Tree, which I had re-entered, looked a little different from before.
"Hoo..."
It felt like the divinity and grandeur befitting a sanctuary were imbued right into nature itself.
Yet it was so comfortable and serene that I wanted to stay here forever.
Before, it had been a bit desolate, overflowing with an unnecessary sense of intimidation—apparently due to the corruption.
"Condition looks good."
—Indeed. The Goddess's arrangement. All thanks to you.
"Don't call me that."
—Hm, that was rude. Alzen, then?
"Yeah."
I nodded and lit a cigar.
"Phew... So? What's the reward you're giving me?"
—Precisely, a reward and a message to convey.
"Get to the point, would you?"
At my words, the World Tree lowered one long tendril.
The tendril slithered toward me like a snake, then poked my lower abdomen with its slightly pointed tip.
For an instant, an indescribable feeling washed over me.
Not unpleasant, but not exactly good either—an ambiguous sensation.
"...What was that?"
—I have granted you control over one source of the stress you find irrational and unreasonable.
"What? Make it simple."
—From now on, you can decide whether those you have intercourse with will become pregnant.
"...Huh, what?"
I couldn't believe a third-rate porn game setting had emerged from that solemn, grave voice, so I reflexively asked again.
—If you do not wish it, your seed will not germinate.
"Plant metaphors like that? No, that's not the point... Why this all of a sudden?"
Too absurd—I couldn't even finish the sentence.
The World Tree's tendril curled into a question mark.
This thing was surprisingly cheeky?
—Is it not needed?
"...Needed. Fuck, extremely needed. Thanks, buddy."
I meant it.
Not being able to deepen my bonds with the precious women around me had been more agonizing than I'd imagined.
I expressed gratitude that hadn't even shown when it gave me the fruit, and the World Tree wagged its tendril in disbelief.
This guy's actually hilarious?
"But really sudden. Is this the reward?"
—Not a reward, but something that ought to be done. In truth, you never needed to agonize over that issue.
"...What do you mean by that?"
Feeling like some hidden lore was about to drop, I stared up at it intently.
Of course, with its immense size—like a pillar holding up the world—only the massive brown trunk was visible.
—I cannot say more. It would disrupt causality.
"Hah, that causality crap... Fine. Wasn't expecting much anyway... But if that's not the reward, there's a real one separate?"
—Yes. This.
Swoosh—a different tendril lowered, handing me something.
"...This?"
My first thought upon seeing it was a coconut.
Its thick, dark brown surface looked incredibly sturdy, covered in dense, thin fibers, and it had a hefty weight.
—That is my seed, the seed of the World Tree.
"...Huh?"
"W-what did you say!?"
Nemes and Latipi, who had been quietly watching our conversation, gasped and gaped.
"The World Tree's... seed."
A typical item that comes to mind with World Trees, but no such thing existed in Origin World.
Makes sense, in a way.
According to canon, the World Tree meets its end before it can even produce a seed.
"...Why give this? For planting somewhere else?"
—It is your freedom. You may plant it and nurture it, or consume it yourself.
"Hold on, eat it? By that logic, isn't this your kid?"
—I have no biological continuity. This body was born alone, the sole existence in the world, and this uniqueness is neither inherited nor transferred.
"...Latipi called me a World Tree, though?"
—Not incorrect. But similar, not identical.
"......"
I sighed and looked down at the World Tree's seed.
"Anyway, this isn't your child, right?"
—Correct. If we must distinguish... fragment or avatar would be more accurate.
"...So, what happens if I eat it?"
—Enhancement of physical abilities, manifestation of enlightenment, and awakening.
"Hoo? Eating it raises my realm a step?"
—It depends on the realm.
"Got an insane item here. Oh, by the way—how do I eat it? Whole thing?"
—Slice open the shell and eat the soft seed inside.
"Got it... What if I plant it?"
—A tree will grow.
"What kind?"
—A tree that inherits a portion of my power.
"...Isn't that a World Tree?"
—No. Divinity cannot be plural, and it is...
"A~ah~. I get it."
I cut off what promised to be a long explanation and scratched my head.
"...Can't give more of these?"
—Impossible. Even for me, producing it is no easy task. I could make another in a hundred years.
"A hundred years... Tsk."
I clicked my tongue in regret but accepted it.
Well, if it could mass-produce these endlessly, why bother clashing with the demon realm? Just churn out Sword Masters and Demi Gods and invade.
"Anyway, thanks. I'll put it to good use."
I tucked the seed under my arm and looked up at the World Tree.
"So now just the message left?"
—If there is anything else you desire, speak. If it is within my power, I shall grant it.
"For real? Then why drag it out like this? Hmm... Oh, yeah—give me some communication tool. Something to talk to specific targets from anywhere."
—That is no difficult matter.
With those words, a tendril extended and tapped my ear and mouth.
"Oh?"
Unlike before, a cool, refreshing sensation spread this time.
—From now on, you can converse with any target you designate, even from afar, merely by thought.
"...Just designate them?"
—Yes. When you exert your will, the power I have implanted will manifest.
"Oh..."
—Anything else you desire?
"...Then, something to let me teleport anywhere on the continent."
—That is beyond my domain. Impossible for me.
"Yeah? Hmm..."
I pondered for a moment, then tilted my head.
Nothing else came to mind.
"Uh... How about some gear? Weapons or armor."
—That too is beyond my domain, but I can provide a substitute.
Plop plop!
Thinly woven twigs coiled into round shapes dropped in front of me.
"These?"
—Artifacts that can become weapons or armor in emergencies upon donning. No benefit to stacking, so one per person.
"Hoo, artifacts made directly by the World Tree..."
I picked one up and slipped it onto my wrist; it tightened softly like a snug bracelet.
I grinned and beckoned Nemes.
"Nemes. Go fetch Murel."
"Understood."
As I watched Nemes hurry off, I looked up at the World Tree.
—Anything else you desire?
"Hmm, nah, nothing for now. I'll come back if I need something later. That cool?"
—No issue. Then, I shall convey the Goddess's words.
"...The 'message to convey' was literal, huh."
I nodded with a slightly stiff expression.
—The Goddess bade me say: 'My deepest condolences for your labors. I have expended power to prepare a point of rebirth—please rejoice.'
"...What does that mean?"
—In terms familiar to you: you can now designate a save point. Right here, at your current moment.
"...!!"
My eyes widened and my mouth fell open.
"That's... possible?"
—Yes. Shall I designate the save point now? It can only be done once, so decide carefully.
"Uh..."
I blanked out for a second, then snapped to and racked my brain furiously.
I'd never dreamed there'd be a way to advance my death regression timeline... Wait, hold on—if they're only giving it now, does that mean until this point, dying would've reset me all the way back to the possession start?
Wow, that would've been horrific.
Just imagining it gave me chills.
...Ah, not the point right now.
"World Tree. Just to check... Any chance later to update the save point?"
—I cannot say for certain.
"...Hmm. Does the save point location have to be right here?"
—Yes. The place is here, the time is your present.
"...I can come back later to set it?"
—Yes. Then your regression will be fixed to that moment.
"......"
I agonized.
Hard to recall ever deliberating this intensely since arriving in this world... and after fierce contemplation, I made my choice.
"Yeah. Set it. Right this instant."
I might regret this choice someday.
If I die far in the future, I'd have to start over from right now.
But if I held off out of worry and lost someone irreplaceable... no taking it back.
Restarting is something I can handle, but losing someone? No fixing that.
As the saying goes, hoarding can turn gold to shit.
Stuff like this, you do it the moment you can, or the anxiety never stops.
—So be it.
A slightly thicker tendril descended and pressed down heavily on my head.
Flash!
In that split second, something inside me shook violently.
"Khup...!?"
But the sensation faded in an instant.
"...Done?"
—Yes. The save point has been safely designated.
"Whew... Way more than I expected."
I couldn't suppress the proud grin spreading across my face and ended up beaming.
"...Lord Alzen?"
Murel, who had arrived in the sanctuary at Nemes's call, saw my face and made a weird expression.
What, can't I smile?