The World Tree's Ultimate Sacrifice
A faint sunlight poured down behind the sturdy-framed man. Watching his shadowed silhouette against the backlight, I felt once again the awe I'd experienced when gazing upon the World Tree. The man exuded a quiet yet profound presence, much like a tree itself. A descendant of the ancient elves who had communed with the World Tree through endless ages. He looked no older than his fifties at a glance, but I couldn't even guess his true age.
"It's an honor to meet the Grande Maestro of Cappelino di Driade."
Cappelino di Driade—the company name meaning "Fairy's Hat." The title of Maestro was reserved for the master artisans there who oversaw every piece of furniture from raw log to finished product. It was a term of deep respect for those who breathed souls into wood, elevating it to the realm of art.
"Slick Ellama, branch manager of the Dimensional Credit Vault Kikiwai Multidimensional Outpost."
"Kim Jian."
We exchanged greetings with utmost respect and offered our business cards. The elf accepted them and gestured to the sofa, introducing himself.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Gambian Turea, the representative here."
Unlike the slender accountant, Turea had a robust, muscular build. His neatly trimmed beard and hair, wrinkled face, and bulging forearms radiated experience and raw power. He was like a craftsman and lumberjack fused into one. Yet despite his imposing frame, he carried no unnecessary intimidation. His deep, gentle features suggested not just physical strength but a cultivated spirit as well. Wisdom befitting his years burned in his eyes.
"Thank you for making the trip here—it must not have been easy."
"Not at all. It's been a delightful day for the eyes."
"I'm flattered you say that. As a resident of Rhinomil, I take great pride in it."
"What impressed me most was the World Tree."
"The highest praise possible."
Ellama, in his elf wig, responded good-naturedly, and Turea laughed, stomping his foot twice.
Gogogogo—
The next moment, the wooden floor rippled like waves, carrying a stray log side table over to us. Just like the elevator that moved without electricity, this was probably another application of spirit magic.
"Impressive."
But what surprised me more than the spirit magic was the table's craftsmanship and detail. The sofa we sat on had a unique design, but the carvings on the newly arrived table were breathtaking beyond imagination. Intricate reliefs of tiny elves and trees summarized their race's history, sublimated into art that seemed ready to spring to life. The wood used was pale and looked exorbitantly expensive—I couldn't identify the type. I'd heard furniture from here sold for at least hundreds of millions of gulden and dismissed it as rich people's folly. But seeing the finished product up close, I could somewhat understand.
"Is this table made with the spirits too?"
"We only use spirit magic for special pieces. This one I made as an apprentice for practice. I keep it close to never forget my roots."
"Ah...."
"The sofa you're sitting on is one from our market line. I made it myself—comfortable, right?"
"Yeah. Totally."
Furniture properly crafted with spirit magic was extraordinary. No leather or cushions, yet it felt plush and soft—likely due to some special wood properties. But more striking was his affection, calling his creations "children." It gave me a glimpse into how deeply attached and loving Turea was toward his work. No wonder Job Authority deemed him capable of repaying a 1,300 billion gulden loan. Goddess Judgment's scales indicated my intervention was needed, but a craftsman with such pride and passion was undoubtedly destined for greatness.
"Today, I'd like to hear the details we couldn't cover last time due to branch circumstances."
While I admired the furniture's quality, Ellama cut straight to the chase.
"We haven't even offered drinks yet—is it alright to dive in?"
"Yes. Anytime."
As Ellama said, we didn't even know what they needed the money for. All I knew was the ancient elves sought 1,300 billion gulden, using the World Tree as collateral. The unexpected massive sum meant we hadn't heard about the purpose or repayment plan. Unbeknownst to me then, Cappelino di Driade was a well-known brand among the elite. Ellama, aware of that, must have sent them away assuming they wouldn't borrow frivolously. Checking with HQ first if they could handle 1,300 billion ensured no rejection after deep talks. With confirmation that the collateral's value made approval possible, we could now get specifics.
"To be direct: we want to buy land."
"Land... you mean using real estate as collateral to borrow for purchasing more real estate?"
"Exactly."
"For investment? Or facility expansion?"
Turea shook his head at my question.
"Borrowing 1,300 billion from a bank just to get rich would rightly be called speculation."
If it were all-in real estate gambling, I'd have soured on the spirits and ancient elves alike. Fortunately, Turea was a man of sound judgment.
"You may already know, but this World Tree is the last one left on this star."
"Why use such a precious tree as collateral to buy land?"
"A fully grown World Tree can sustain about 20,000 elves with its life force. And our population is on the verge of exceeding that."
"...What exactly does that mean?"
"Our kind depends so heavily on the tree's power that sleeping outside it for extended periods shortens our lifespans."
His tone was casual, like discussing yesterday's weather. But hearing it, I couldn't help imagining the consequences if the population exceeded capacity.
"Volunteers have built temporary homes in the leaves to house the excess. They rotate periodically, but their health is steadily declining."
Only then did I notice the dark bruises on Turea's thick neck. He spoke as if it were others' plight, but he was surely among the volunteers.
"We needed a solution. The World Tree has already reached its full growth and won't expand further."
"And buying land is...?"
"This star has special lands called spirit veins. We've located two and are negotiating with their owners."
Turea smiled faintly as he continued.
"Spirit veins dramatically boost a World Tree's abilities and growth. Planting two saplings would yield trees large enough for all 20,000 to relocate within 30 years at most."
"Not an investment loan, then."
"If it saves our kin's lives, isn't that the greatest investment?"
I nodded instinctively. Yes, exactly as Turea said. The most vital investment was always saving lives. Using the World Tree as collateral was a desperate bid for survival. Mortgaging the present to buy the future—speculative in a way. But the goal was pure preservation and endurance. I couldn't ignore the resolve of this man willing to risk his own life for his people.
"...I understand why you're seeking the loan. It does seem urgent."
Ellama nodded gravely. Even he, who seemed money-obsessed, still had a heart. Or maybe it was just acting. Either way, his positive stance was a relief. The tree's rarity and size rivaled a skyscraper in value, despite the poor location. With HQ's collateral report, we could proceed. Job Authority confirmed Cappelino di Driade's stellar potential—no issues there. Above all, lives hung in the balance. Humanely, this had to pass review.
"But 1,300 billion is impossible."
My optimism shattered with Ellama's follow-up.
"Why?"
"Why?"
Turea and I spoke in unison.
"Kim Jian, what branch are you even from...?"
Ellama shot me a disbelieving glare but sighed, fixed his gaze on Turea, and explained slowly.
"I understand the World Tree's rarity. But as real estate? That's questionable."
"I don't follow."
"A massive building in an inconvenient, remote spot. Sure, the interior's fancy, but it's so old 'built' feels generous."
Ellama pressed on relentlessly.
"Holds 20,000, but oversized and undesirable—like a silver town no one wants. I see no other use."
"Undervaluing the World Tree excessively..."
"No advantages beyond eco-friendly architecture."
"......"
"Would non-elves living here gain lifespan from the tree? Anyone not your kin."
"No."
"To you, it's sacred, a source of life. To me, just rare timber. Apply for a timber collateral loan instead."
Ellama's points were brutally pragmatic. A giant tree useless to all but elves. He dismissed their ancient bloodline and sanctuary through a modern lens. Outdated, unwanted—that was his message.
"Time to go, Kim Jian."
Turea bowed his head silently. Ellama rose first, straightening his clothes.
"......"
Was that it? Not mere hardship from lack of funds—these people faced death, right before my eyes, and I couldn't help. I knew: I'm a banker. Can't lend unrecoverable money. They chose collateral loan; if it lacks value, no deal. Just as 1,300 billion was their lifeline, bank funds were other clients' precious savings. As a banker, I must weigh both sides on the scales. But prioritizing lenders over borrowers was wrong. Right now, my powerlessness gnawed at me—these savable lives, and my hands tied.
"Then we'll take our leave. If you'd like to discuss a timber collateral loan, visit the outpost anytime. We may not lend the full amount, though."
Ellama finished coldly, bowed politely, and turned to go.
No matter how Job Authority proved their potential, without immediate collateral value, I couldn't sway HQ's corporate goddess division. Resigned, I stood to follow—
"Apologies, but the Dimensional Credit Vault seems to undervalue the World Tree excessively."
Tak—
Ellama halted mid-stride toward the exit.
"I don't understand. Care to explain specifically?"
"I'm saying we can reliably repay the 1,300 billion principal plus 10% interest."
"...Intriguing."
Turea rose, his eyes flashing with grim determination and confidence. The defiant light of one on the cliff's edge. The craftsmen's leader glanced between me—praying for success—and Ellama amid suffocating silence, then spoke calmly.
"This tree is everything we have."
"So it seems."
"We live on its life force, and in death, we return to the earth as nutrients. To us, it's the world itself—our god."
"Subjective, but I understand."
The elf extolling why it's called the World Tree; the human denying it from cold capitalism. No compromise between clashing values. Could Turea overcome this? What words would sway us?
"I've heard your vintage line fetches high auction prices. But repaying 1,300 billion? Unlikely."
Ellama remained firm in refusal. Without a solid repayment plan, the bank wouldn't unlock its vaults.
"You know well. Even investigated auction results—I didn't expect that."
"How else would a furniture company repay debt but by selling furniture?"
"Precisely."
"Then tell me: what extraordinary furniture will you sell to cover 1,300 billion?"
"Regarding repayment... you suggested a timber collateral loan earlier."
"Yes. But why bring that up now...?"
A smile crept onto Turea's lips.
"As you said, the World Tree is merely timber."
The World Tree is merely timber.
I intuited what he meant. What a furniture craftsman does with timber is singular from the start.
"So, I—no—
The tree was their world, prison, protective shell for fragile lives. To escape the cramped, ancient enclosure. For those hatching from the egg.
"Cappelino di Driade will craft furniture from the World Tree."
The man intended to destroy even his god and world.