The All-Giving World Tree
Stepping back into the Sanctuary of the World Tree, I noticed the scenery had changed slightly from before.
"Oho..."
Nature itself seemed imbued with the sacred majesty befitting a sanctuary. At the same time, it felt so tranquil and comforting that I caught myself wanting to linger here forever.
Before, it had been somewhat desolate, radiating a needless, oppressive menace—likely a symptom of the corruption that had plagued it.
"Looks like you're in pretty good shape."
"Indeed, arrangement of the Goddess. It is all thanks to you."
"Don't call me that."
"Hmm, that was impolite of me. Shall I call you Alzen, then?"
"Yeah."
I nodded, striking a match to light my cigarette.
"Pheeew... So? What's this reward you're giving me?"
"Strictly speaking, I have both a reward and a message to deliver."
"Got it, so let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point."
At my words, the World Tree lowered a long vine-like tendril. It slithered forward like a serpent, gently poking its somewhat pointed tip against my lower abdomen.
In that instant, an indescribable sensation washed over me. It wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't exactly pleasant either—just an enigmatic, subtle prickle.
"...What did you just do?"
"I have granted you dominion over one source of stress—one you deemed absurd and unreasonable."
"The hell is that supposed to mean? Speak plainly."
"From this moment forth, you hold the power to decide whether those you lie with become with child."
"...Uh, what?"
Hearing a mechanic straight out of a third-rate eroge delivered in such a majestic, solemn tone, I couldn't help but ask again.
"Unless you wish it so, your seed shall not sprout."
"Did you really have to use a plant metaphor just because you're a tree? Wait, that's not the point... Why give me something like this out of nowhere?"
Rendered utterly speechless by the sheer absurdity, my question trailed off. The World Tree's tendril curled into a graceful loop, forming the shape of a question mark.
Was this bastard always this playful?
"Is it not required?"
"...No, I need it. Fuck, I need it so damn much. Thanks, pal."
I genuinely meant it. Being unable to share true physical intimacy with the precious women around me had been far more agonizing than I let on.
When I offered genuine gratitude—something I hadn't even shown when it gave me the Fruit of the World Tree—the World Tree waved its tendril back and forth as if baffled by my priorities.
Man, this tree is a real character.
"Still, this came way out of left field. Is this the reward?"
"It is not a reward, but merely what ought to be done. In truth, you never had reason to agonize or suffer over such a matter in the first place."
"...What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
I stared up at it, sensing some hidden lore about to spill out. Of course, all I could see was the colossal brown trunk—massive enough to be called the pillar of the world.
"I cannot speak further on this. To do so would disrupt causality."
"Ha, causality again... Fine, whatever. Wasn't expecting much anyway. But if that wasn't the reward, does that mean the real one is separate?"
"Indeed. It is this."
With a soft rustle, another bough drifted down, proffering something to me.
"...What's this?"
The first thing that crossed my mind was a coconut. Its dark brown surface, looking exceedingly hardy, was covered in a dense layer of thin fibers, and it possessed a hefty weight in my hands.
"That is my seed—the Seed of the World Tree."
"...Huh?"
"W-What did you say?!"
Nemeth and Latipi, who had been quietly watching our exchange, gasped in shock, their jaws dropping.
"The Seed... of the World Tree."
Normally, a seed is one of the first items that comes to mind when thinking of a World Tree, but in Origin World, no item by that name ever existed.
Which made sense, in a way. According to the canon storyline, the World Tree met its demise long before it could ever bear a seed.
"...Why are you giving this to me? To plant it somewhere else?"
"That is for you to decide. You may plant and cultivate it somewhere, or you may consume it."
"Wait, eat it? If you think about it, isn't this basically your kid?"
"The continuity of living organisms does not apply to me. I was born alone, a singular existence in this world, and such uniqueness can neither be passed down nor transferred."
"...Latipi calls me the World Tree, though?"
"She is not mistaken. Yet you are similar, not the same."
"......"
I let out a sigh and looked down at the Seed of the World Tree.
"Anyway, you're saying this isn't your offspring, right?"
"Indeed. If forced to classify it... calling it a fragment, or an avatar, would be far more accurate."
"...So, what does it do if I eat it?"
"Enhancement of physical prowess, manifestation of enlightenment, and awakening."
"Oho? Meaning if someone eats this, their realm advances by a stage?"
"That depends on one's realm."
"You've given me something incredible. Ah, by the way, how do I eat it? Don't tell me I have to swallow the whole thing?"
"Crack open the shell and consume the soft core inside."
"I see... And what happens if I plant it?"
"A tree shall grow."
"What kind of tree?"
"A tree that inherits a portion of my power."
"...Isn't that just a World Tree?"
"It is different. Divinity can never exist in multiples, and that which is—"
"Ah, yeah, yeah. Got it."
Cutting off what promised to be an overly lengthy philosophical lecture, I scratched my head.
"...Can't you spare me another one?"
"Impossible. Producing that was no simple task even for me; it will take another century before I can form another."
"A hundred years, huh... Tch."
I smacked my lips in disappointment, but I accepted it. Honestly, if it could pump these things out without limit, why would anyone bother brawling with the Demon Realm? You could just mass-produce Sword Masters and Demi-Gods and march right in to wrap things up.
"Anyway, thanks. I'll put it to good use."
Tucking the seed under my arm, I looked back up at the World Tree.
"So all that's left is the message, right?"
"If there is anything else you desire, speak. If it is within my power, I shall grant it."
"Really? Just what kind of message are you hyping up that you're stalling like this? Hmm... Well, in that case, I'd like a means of communication. A way to talk to specific people no matter where I am."
"That is no difficult matter."
With those words, the World Tree extended a vine and gently tapped my ear and lips.
"Oh?"
Unlike before, a brisk, refreshing sensation swept over me.
"From now on, you may converse with individuals of your choosing from afar, using only your thoughts."
"...All I have to do is designate them?"
"Indeed. When you project your will, the power I have planted within you shall manifest."
"Ooh..."
"Do you desire anything more?"
"...In that case, could you give me a way to teleport anywhere on the continent?"
"That does not fall under my domain. It is beyond my capability."
"Really? Hmm..."
I pondered for a moment, tilting my head. Nothing else immediately came to mind.
"Uh... then can you give me some gear? Like weapons or armor."
"That too lies beyond my domain, but I can provide something that may serve as a substitute."
Rustle, clatter!
A shower of objects rained down before me—thin twigs tightly woven into circular bands.
"What are these?"
"They are artifacts of a sort. When worn, they can transform into weapons or armor in times of need. Wearing multiple offers no benefit, so equip only one per individual."
"Oho, artifacts crafted directly by the World Tree..."
I picked one up and slipped it over my wrist; it gently tightened around me like a snug bracelet.
Grinning, I gestured toward Nemeth.
"Nemeth. Go bring Muriel here."
"Understood."
Watching Nemeth depart swiftly, I looked back up at the World Tree.
"Is there anything else you desire?"
"Mmm, no, nothing for now. If I need something later, I'll come ask. That cool with you?"
"It matters not. Now then, I shall deliver the words of the Goddess."
"...So when you said you had a message to deliver, you literally meant you were passing along a message."
My expression stiffened slightly as I nodded.
"The Goddess said, and I quote: 'I offer my deepest sympathies for your travails. I have exerted my power to prepare a point of genesis for you, so I pray it brings you joy.'"
"...What is that supposed to mean?"
"To put it in terms familiar to you, you have been granted the ability to designate a Save Point. Right here, at your current point in time."
"...?!"
My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open.
"That's... possible?"
"It is. Will you designate the Save Point now? This can only be done once, so choose carefully."
"Uh..."
After a moment of dazed silence, my wits snapped back and my gears began turning at full speed.
I never imagined I'd get a way to advance the timeline of my Return through Death... Wait, hold on. If she was only giving me this now, does that mean if I'd died up until this point, I would've been booted all the way back to the start? Back to the very day I possessed this body?
God, that would've been an absolute nightmare.
Just imagining it sent chills crawling down my spine.
...No, that wasn't what mattered right now.
"World Tree. Just in case... will I ever get another chance to update the Save Point later?"
"I cannot give you a definitive answer on that."
"...Hmm. Does the Save Point's location strictly have to be here?"
"Yes. The place is here, and the moment is your present."
"...Meaning I could come back later and set it then?"
"Indeed. In that case, your regression will be anchored to whatever moment you choose."
"......"
I pondered. I agonized over it.
I weighed the options so furiously I wondered if I'd ever deliberated this intensely since coming to this world... and in the end, I made my decision.
"Alright. Set it. Right here, right now."
Maybe I'd end up regretting this choice. If I died far into the future, it meant I'd have to start all the way back from this exact moment.
However, if I hoarded the Save Point out of fear and wound up losing someone... there would be no turning back. Starting over was something I could endure, but losing someone close to me was something I could never undo.
As the old saying goes, hoard it too long and it turns to shit. Things like this were meant to be locked in the moment you had the chance, if only for peace of mind.
"So it shall be."
A bough slightly thicker than before descended and pressed firmly against the crown of my head with considerable weight.
Fwhoooosh!
In that split second, a sensation surged through me as if something deep within my soul was being violently shaken.
"Guh...!?"
Yet just as quickly, the feeling subsided into nothingness.
"...Is it done?"
"It is. The Save Point has been successfully established."
"Phew... I got way more out of this than I bargained for."
Unable to suppress the proud grin spreading across my face, a beaming smile broke out.
"...Lord Alzen?"
Having arrived at the sanctuary after being summoned by Nemeth, Muriel stared at my face with a bizarre, perplexed expression.
What? Why? Am I not allowed to smile?