Close Enough to Hypnosis?
It went without saying, but anything related to the World Tree was exceedingly rare and almost impossible to obtain.
Before the World Tree died, the sanctuary's location and the elves' airtight security kept outsiders away. After it died, simply no materials remained.
Among those relics, the hardest to get was none other than the fruit of the World Tree.
Gleaming in five radiant colors, the fruit was a miraculous panacea that cured ailments, removed abnormal statuses, and served as an elixir whose blessings could take effect only once in a lifetime. Consuming it drastically inflated various stats and resistances, expanded mana capacity and magic power, and vastly increased nature affinity.
"...May we truly eat this? All of us?" Rebecca asked, staring down at the World Tree's Fruit resting in her palm as she swallowed hard. Her eyes were practically brimming with greed, yet seeing her look so awestruck and undeserving was endlessly amusing.
"Strictly speaking, it's not that different from the Permanent Flesh. What's making you hesitate so much?"
"That and this are slightly different, aren't they? This feels... sacred, somehow..."
"Hey, World Tree. Your sheer presence is making them second-guess themselves. Can't you turn down that aura or whatever?"
—...This presence is inherent to my being. There is little I can do to suppress it.
"Always needlessly massive, aren't you?"
—......
Crunch!
Seeing no other choice, I took a bite of my fruit first to ease their hesitation.
"...Oh. This is good."
The fruit of the World Tree was crisper and more refreshing than any fruit I had ever tasted, boasting an extraordinary flavor and texture. It felt as though pure phytoncides were circulating directly through my veins, blending a subtle woody fragrance with a rich, earthy scent, balanced by just the right amount of sweetness and savory umami.
It didn't take long to devour the fist-sized fruit whole.
"Smack... Man, I want more. Eating another one won't stack the effects, right?"
—Indeed. The blessing inherent to the fruit can be received only once.
"Guess I'll have to hold back... Come on, how long are you all going to stand around in a daze? Hurry up and eat."
At my repeated urging, the girls exchanged cautious glances before tentatively opening their mouths.
"...!"
"Ohh...!?"
"It's so...!"
The moment they tasted the flavor and texture, their eyes went round, and they threw themselves into eating with single-minded focus.
"Wahhh...! *Sniff*, it's delicious. So delicious...!"
Lampon Pashtra was bawling again. Her tear ducts really were on a hair-trigger.
"Alright, then... Hey, World Tree. While they're finishing their fruit, mind if we wrap up the rest of our negotiations? I gave it some thought, and there's actually a lot I want from you."
—Very well. Whatever you desire, I shall grant you my full support.
"Oho, now that's music to my ears."
—I am glad to hear it. However, before that... may I heal that child?
"Hm? Ah, I almost forgot about her. Go ahead, do whatever you want."
When I gave a nod toward Latipi, who was sprawled unconscious on the ground, a single bough of the World Tree reached down and gave her a gentle tap.
Crack-crunch!
"Ooh..."
Her severed limbs regenerated in the blink of an eye. Not even a trace of a scar remained where they had been sheared away. A World Tree was a World Tree, after all.
—Now, speak what you desire.
"Well, first off... Can you put up a barrier?"
—A barrier, you say?
"Yeah. A barrier strong enough to block outside interference and keep Sukra, a high demon, locked down so he can't slip away."
—...My strength has been severely depleted, so I cannot guarantee it. However, I shall do my utmost.
"Tsk, you're supposed to give me a definitive yes there so I can relax... What about Sukra's location, then? Can you pinpoint it?"
—Regrettably, I cannot.
"Figures..."
Truthfully, I had expected as much. By the game's lore, the stealth granted by his abilities combined with the Authority of Life was on a ridiculous level. Even in the game, the boss fight didn't begin by finding him; it only started once he decided to reveal himself.
...Though I had a feeling I could bypass that whole headache using the Absolute Ring Set. Seriously, wasn't that set absurdly overpowered?
"Fine, whatever. Next up... I'd appreciate it if you made the elves listen to me a bit better."
"What...!?" Benoite's eyes snapped wide, glaring daggers at me. Now that was a priceless expression.
—Very well. I shall transfer a portion of my divine stature to you. While it carries no distinct power or authority, it will dissolve feelings of aversion, contempt, and hatred within them. By its nature, my children will revere you and look upon you with awe.
A vine drifted down and lightly prodded the crown of my head. Though I couldn't put it into words, an unfamiliar sensation washed over me, something flowing directly into my body.
"Oh... You're actually doing it? Aren't you worried I might abuse it?"
—I can reclaim it at any moment, so it poses no issue. Furthermore, it is only natural to fully support you, who are the Goddess's chosen arrangement.
"'The Goddess's arrangement,' huh... That title has been bothering me for a while now. Did the two of you discuss something behind my back?"
—We did.
"And you can tell me what that is?"
—I cannot. My apologies.
"Tsk... Yeah, yeah. I had a feeling. If I find out, the laws of causality will unravel or whatever, right? Didn't expect much anyway."
Noticing the girls licking their lips after finishing off their fruit, I lit up a cigarette.
"Pheeew... Then next on the list..." Exhaling a plume of smoke, I glanced sideways at Nemeth. She had both fists clenched tight, staring in my direction with a tense expression. "I need you to fix the dark elf problem. The curse."
—...Even had you not asked, that is a transgression of mine that must be righted.
A thick branch lowered and softly tapped the crown of Nemeth's head.
"Ah, ahhhn...!"
On the surface, nothing seemed to change, but she must have felt something profound. She shivered violently, letting out a groan brimming with pure ecstasy.
—Forgive me, my child. Because of my shortcomings, you have suffered immense agony and despair. No number of apologies could ever suffice.
"No, Lady World Tree... You are not at fault. The blame lies solely with those insidious demons and the Demon King." Overwhelmed by the sorrow she had carried for so long, Nemeth trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"You've worked so hard, Nemeth."
"I'm so glad for you, Sister Nemeth!"
"Congratulations, Nemeth."
As Arpe, Vivian, and Cecilia gently stroked her back, Nemeth threw her arms around the girls, weeping silently against them.
"Does this lift the curse for all the dark elves?"
—Regrettably, for now, I have only dispelled Nemeth's curse. To purge the curse from every dark elf, they must be brought directly into the sanctuary.
"Must've been an exceptionally nasty curse, huh?"
—...Indeed.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but the World Tree's voice sounded laced with a trace of bitter indignation.
"Right. Then we'll deal with the rest after killing Sukra... Next up: can you grant trials? Ideally right here and now, in a way that doesn't take much time."
—I can. However, I cannot bestow them upon Masters. Furthermore, I can only provide an abbreviated trial, not an official one.
"Abbreviated?"
—Meaning I cannot grant a full-scale trial like the Goddess.
"...You mean the Golden Gate?"
—Precisely.
"That's a bit of a shame. Well, nothing in life comes that easy... Let's just go with what we can get. Everyone, gather round."
The party members, excluding Muriel, Rebecca, and Nazareth Nemeth, clustered together around me.
"Grant them their trials. Oh, and I'd appreciate it if you paid a little extra attention to this one here."
"H-huh? Me?"
When I shoved Cacciola forward, she looked back at me in bewilderment.
"Her head's a bit broken. While you're at it, can you patch that up too?"
"...If you phrase it like that, you make me sound like a total psycho."
I ignored Cacciola's half-lidded glare. I mean, strictly speaking, she was a psycho. Getting addicted to the trial itself instead of trying to clear it, endlessly craving the taste of bliss and despair—how was that normal?
—Hmm... The domain of the mind is not an area I can directly tamper with. Providing an appropriate trial is the extent of what I can accomplish.
"What? Why?"
When I looked up, caught off guard, the World Tree continued.
—It is because she has already been touched by the Goddess's hand. That is an obstacle she must overcome on her own.
"Is that so?"
Come to think of it, that made sense. Cacciola was an official 'Trial-Taker' ordained in the Goddess's name, so outside interference was likely blocked. Though considering that, she seemed to receive regular buffs just fine... Special treatment, maybe? Well, her situation was completely different from Hegellina Krenkel's. I thought a goddess would be rigid and obstinate, but she was surprisingly flexible.
"Nothing to be done, then. Just give them the trials."
—As you wish. However... do you not desire a trial for yourself?
"Me? What would I even do with something like that? Don't need it."
—...I see. If that is your choice.
Shortly after, several of the World Tree's vines descended, lightly tapping the crowns of everyone below the Master rank.
"......"
"......"
"......"
Their eyes clouded over in an instant. It looked fairly similar to an awakening state.
"How long will it take for them to clear it?"
—That depends on their individual capabilities. However, time flows swiftly within the trial, so it will not consume much of yours.
"Good to know."
—Is there anything else you desire?
"Hrm..."
Knowing it was genuinely willing to hand over everything made me almost feel grateful. I racked my brain, but nothing immediately came to mind.
"...Oh, actually, there is one thing I'm curious about."
—What is it?
"Are those two acting like that because of that divine stature or whatever you transferred to me earlier?"
Where my finger pointed, Benoite and the newly awakened Latipi were fidgeting nervously, entirely at a loss for what to do with themselves.
"Gasp...!"
"Eek...!"
The moment our eyes met, they cast their gazes downward as if overwhelmed with reverence, their faces flushing shyly.
"......"
I had never seen them like this in the game, and it was honestly baffling.
—Indeed. Having transferred my stature to you, they now perceive you as an extraordinary existence.
"...From the way you explained it, I thought they'd just treat me the same way they treat you. This feels a bit different, doesn't it?"
—Naturally. Two World Trees cannot coexist without causing an internal contradiction in their minds. Thus, I altered the manner of its manifestation slightly.
"Feels like... I just used a hypnosis app or something. It's weird. Hey. Come here."
When I beckoned toward Benoite and Latipi, they flinched, their eyes widening in shock.
"Y-You mean us!?"
"M-May we truly...!?"
Fidgeting like bashful maidens face-to-face with their first love, their demeanor stirred an indescribable sensation in my chest.
"......"
Is this really okay? I kind of feel like I just committed an utterly irreversible crime.
"Haaah... Lord Alzen. Were we truly not enough for you?" Muriel sighed.
"Ahaha. Now you can claim every single female elf to your heart's content, can't you?" Rebecca chimed in.
"...Ahem."
Unlike those two tossing out their snide remarks, Nemeth had turned her head away, clearing her throat.
"What's with you... Nemeth? Don't tell me you're affected too?"
"N-No! It's nothing like... Well, no, that's not entirely untrue, but! Khh...! W-Wait a moment. Please don't stare at me so intently...!"
Watching her stammer, blush, and fidget in the exact same manner as Benoite and Latipi left me completely dumbfounded. But frankly speaking, it wasn't an unpleasant sight. Seeing a woman who was always calm, composed, and unruffled suddenly flustered and embarrassed was quite the gourmet feast for the eyes.
"Hm, yeah. Well... this isn't so bad either."
"Hyaahk!?"
When I threw an arm around her shoulders with a sly grin, Nemeth let out a squeak, clamped a hand over her mouth, and froze stiff as a board. ...She was cute, like a startled kitten. I never dreamed I would ever see this side of Nemeth.
"Nemeth. How exactly are you feeling right now?"
"It is... difficult to put into words. Every time I look at you, Sir Alzen, affection and goodwill surge uncontrollably. My body grows hot, my heart swells so fiercely in my chest... I cannot contain it."
"Same goes for you two?"
When I looked over at Latipi and Benoite, both of them flushed crimson and nodded meekly.
"...They've definitely become obedient. At this rate, I can make plenty of use of them in the battles to come."
Nodding in satisfaction, I ran a hand gently over Nemeth's shoulder.
"Ah, ahhhnn...!"
Just from that touch alone, a sweet, breathy moan slipped past Nemeth's lips. A fresh, crisp body fragrance began to drift off her feverish skin. Did elves emit a scent like this when they were aroused? Fascinating.
"You like it that much, Nemeth?"
"Khh, i-it's not like th—hyaaaahn...!"
"That's actually kind of hot."
"H-Hot...!? Ahhn! P-Please, stop...!"
"If you really hated it, you could easily break away with your strength, couldn't you?"
"Nnnngh...!"
Watching her twist her body and flinch at every touch was so amusing that my hand kept moving on its own.
"This is fun... Guess I'll play around a bit until their trials wrap up. Benoite, Latipi. Sit."
"Pardon? Ah, y-yes..."
"Understood..."
Seeing the two elves obediently drop into a squat, a potent surge of forbidden guilt welled up from the bottom of my heart. Seriously, is this really fine? At this rate, it looked like they'd strip if I told them to strip, and spread their legs if I told them to spread.