Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Guardians of the World Tree (10)
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A blood-soaked slaughterhouse littered with headless corpses.
Only one guardian had survived. Borduel of the Blue Fang, who had hastily ducked to dodge the slash.
"Heh, heh heh, heh heh..."
The first-tier guardians weren't weak by any means. Inside this World Tree, each one was strong enough to crush even an upper demon with ease. It was just that their most powerful weapon—disguise—had been stripped away by the authority of a high demon, and they'd been instantly struck at their reverse scale, leading to this pathetic massacre.
"Heh, heh heh... I, I got careless... I underestimated that monstrous bitch's companion... I should have expected her to pull some twisted trick or two..."
"... ."
"Could it be... that you were the one who snapped the World Tree's branch in the south?"
The eyes roaming amid the pile of corpses trembled mournfully. Kadim sheathed the Iron Blood Ghost at his waist, which hummed with a satisfying ring, and quietly opened his mouth.
"Think whatever you want. Just answer a few questions, pointy-ears."
"... ."
"From what you said earlier, it seems Melissa stole the elves' lifespans and even usurped Hesilia's power... How the hell did that happen? Explain the details."
"... ."
"And tell me why Hesilia descended to this land—and why she descended in that inverted form."
Borduel let out a deflating chuckle.
"Heh, heh heh... So damn curious... If I tell you all that, will you really convince that bitch not to do it again...?"
"Of course."
"Heh heh heh, heh heh... But... how can I... believe you?"
"I swear on Atala's name. Unlike some, you don't have to worry about me breaking a vow sworn on a god. I've got my reasons for needing to see that bastard's face."
"... ."
The World Tree guardian's face twisted as if stabbed in a sore spot.
Those words couldn't possibly be true. If they were, then he had just used petty tricks to get his innocent kin slaughtered. The foolish look vanished from his face, replaced by venomous malice.
"No, no, no... I don't believe the words of short-ears. Your tongues are barbed with honeyed thorns, and your heads swarm with greedy maggots that know no contentment... I almost fell for your scheme again like an idiot..."
With a chirr-chirr-ruk, his skin was covered in sleek scales. The Blue Fang transformed into a cobalt serpent with two arms and slithered swiftly into a corner. He then pulled a pulsing wooden key from his bosom.
Shirr-ruk... Do you know what this is, foolish short-ear?"
"... ."
This is the key to the World Tree Keeper's abode, the 'Hall of Eternal Dreams.' Without it, the path there won't open. I already took the spare from the 'White Turtle' and destroyed it, so this is the only one left in the world...
"... ."
I'm feeling a bit peckish right now... I might just swallow it...Shirr-ruk...
Borduel drew up concentrated venom and spat a glob onto the floor with a thud. Bubbles boiled up furiously, melting away a layer of the World Tree's bark.
Pssshhh...
But my body is full of this venom, so I bet the key would melt right away. Oh no, the only key to the Hall of Eternal Dreams is gone... Whoever wants to meet the World Tree Keeper must be devastated...Shk, shik, shk...
The blue serpent's mouth split wide in a grin. It wasn't a last-ditch struggle—he convinced himself he had seized control. He flicked his tongue, pondering how to cook his foe, when...
The barbarian showed none of the reaction he wanted.
Instead of panicking, Kadim just crossed his arms indifferently, watched intently, stroked his chin, let out a scoffing chuckle, and replied leisurely.
"Go ahead and swallow it."
...What?
"Swallow it. I'm curious too. How fast that key melts."
Shk, shik, you stupid short-ear...! Do you think I'm lying again? Unfortunately, this time it's the plain truth, not a single scale's worth of deceit...
"No, I don't think it's a lie. But do you know something?"
...?
"You can't swallow a key that's not in your hand."
What nonsense—gah.
His slit pupils bulged wide.
The key that had been in his hand moments ago had vanished completely.
It felt like he'd been bewitched by a ghost. He frantically flicked his tongue and scanned around, when suddenly a chilling sensation draped over his neck. Then a pathetic shout pierced his ear.
"D-Die, you fucker!"
Tszzzt—!
Shreek—!
A slash raking across his nape. The timing and spot were perfect for an ambush, but unfortunately, the power fell short. The invisible blade merely left a long scratch on the blue scales.
But that was enough. Kadim had already stolen the key before the ambush. He mercilessly hurled a throwing axe at the snake now bereft of his bargaining chip.
Whirrr—thud—crack!!
Shreek—!!
His chest caved in, body flung backward. He crashed violently into the wall, his disguise shattering.
Thud—!
Only then did the merchant cast off his cloak and reveal himself. The battered guardian finally grasped the situation. Spitting blood, he glared at the key Duncan had stolen with bloodshot eyes.
"Cough, short-ears... filthy, sneaky short-ear bastards... Sneaking up like rats and pickpocketing... You're worse than wood-boring worms—should burn you all piled up for firewood, you damned short-ear shits..."
"... ."
Kadim approached Borduel.
When he swore to keep his promise, others had wagered their heads. But this one had clearly wagered something else. He grabbed the long ears tightly, and the guardian's smug face instantly paled.
Indeed, these ears must be a vital spot for pointy-ears.
With that thought, Kadim yanked both arms wide.
Riiip—craaack—!
"Gaaahhhh!!"
The cartilage tore raggedly; the ears ripped clean off. Staring at the bald sides of his head with no trace left, Kadim grinned viciously.
"There... Who's got short ears now?"
"Aaaahhh! Kyaaahhh!! My ears! My ears!! Give them back!! Give them baaack!! Hurry up and g..."
He gave them back as requested. Just not to their original spot—right on the bridge of his nose.
Thud—crack!
A pointed ear nub protruded from the center of his caved-in face. Borduel's screams cut off as if by magic, and he collapsed in a heap. Fluids poured from his lolling head, forming a sticky puddle.
The brutal end of a deceitful schemer.
Even Duncan, who had tried to assassinate him earlier, froze in horror. Kadim spoke calmly to the merchant.
"Duncan, now try ambushing me."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll stand still for exactly five seconds. After that, I won't let my guard down again, so it won't be easy."
"H-Huh? Uh, y-yes?"
"5, 4, 3..."
Slash—
The hasty slash grazed his forearm. Kadim wiped the trickling blood and took the wooden key from Duncan's hand.
"Well done. You recovered the key astutely, checked that woman's bag, and even ambushed me successfully... You've proven your worth for a while now. As promised, when the night without moons rises again, I'll sharpen a name into your weapon."
"... ."
Duncan was speechless.
Of course he was happy... but damn, he was happy... but was it okay to show it now...? He glanced uneasily at the corpses strewn about. Despite the blood on his hands many times over, he could never get used to such a gruesome slaughter.
Meanwhile, Kadim stepped over the bodies like mere stepping stones and headed for the exit after finishing his words.
All obstacles were cleared. The meddlers pulling tricks were dead, and he had the key to the abode. There were no more complex forks ahead. No reason to delay any longer.
Time to meet Melissa.
*
A golden field stirred by a pleasant breeze.
The giant, hands clasped and crouched, gruffly asked the girl.
"...How long do I have to keep up this pointless charade?"
"Ah, just a bit longer?"
"...You know you've said that dozens of times already? Sigh, if you keep lying that I can't sense mana..."
"N-No, no! This time it's real! Give me your hand for a sec!"
Melissa stepped up and placed her hand over his. A small light bloomed in the giant's palm, soon forming a bright, translucent blue orb.
"Ta-da! Look, 'Mana Sphere' complete! Clap clap clap, congrats, Kadim! Wow, your first magic success! You're a proper mage now!"
"... ."
The giant's face remained sour.
No fool would believe she hadn't made it for him. He flung the mana sphere at his shambling magic teacher. It burst with a pop, tousling her red hair. Offended by her pupil's insolence, the teacher retaliated with dozens of spheres, sparking a childish commotion between them.
But then, the same anomaly occurred again.
Thrum...
Ripples spreading calmly through the air.
The playfulness vanished from Melissa's face, replaced by a ferocious killing intent like a wrathful demon. Kadim flinched, eyes widening.
"What is it? What's wrong, Melissa?"
"...Kadim, sorry. I think I need to step out again for a bit."
"What happened? Some problem? Tell me. I'll help..."
"No, don't worry too much... This won't happen again. Whoever's interfering this time... I'll burn them to ash, not a single speck left..."
"...!"
Before he could stop her, Melissa stormed off in a fury. She jabbed the ripple roughly and exited the World Tree's dream.
Whoooosh...
Waking from the dream always stung bitterly.
Because you had to realize all those desperately desired things were mere illusions. Because you had to acknowledge yourself as a delusional sleepwalker lost in an unattainable dream. Because you had to stare blankly at the golden field peeling away like flayed skin.
Beyond it emerged a vast, gloomy hall.
The stench of rancid grass and musty air assaulted her. Air that reminded her this was the true reality, inescapable. Air that bored a hole in her chest and gifted profound emptiness.
But this time, she didn't sink into despair as usual. Her rage at the dream-waker overshadowed it many times over.
Melissa fiercely gathered mana, igniting flames hotter than hellfire.
Rooaaar—!!
But she had to snuff them out immediately.
Roar...
Because in the hall's center stood the giant who belonged only in her dreams.
Her heart ached sharply for an instant. A bitter smile touched her lips. Knowing it had to be an illusion, yet unable to treat it as one.
"...Worried enough to follow me out of the dream, Kadim?"
"... ."
"It's fine. I'll be right back? Just deal with the pest quickly..."
But no matter where she looked, no one else was there.
Only the giant's figure in the hall. Even rubbing her eyes, no interloper appeared.
Melissa narrowed her brows slightly. Illusions couldn't wake dreams. Maybe the guardians had roused her then fled in fear of repercussions.
A plausible guess. Word of the White Turtle's suffering must have spread. But such a shallow ploy. She prepared a detection spell to find the culprit hiding nearby when...
A voice spoke.
"...It's been a while, Melissa."
A voice she couldn't forget even in dreams.
Time froze for a moment.
Melissa halted stock-still.
"... ."
Her body stiffened; she couldn't move. Not even a fingertip. Only after unconsciously warping space could she finally stand before the giant.
Her face felt leaden. Head bowed, she barely caught her breath. Gulped raggedly. A familiar scent wafted in—blood, ever-present from battling foes. Her heart pounded like it would burst. Forcing her rigid neck muscles, she lifted her trembling gaze.
And there, captured in her eyes—a warrior's face she had envisioned thousands, millions, billions of times.
"Ah, aa, ah, aaaa..."
She couldn't believe it. Couldn't accept it. Dazed, she reached out. Traced his soot-streaked face desperately. Rough jawline, firm nose, scarred, rugged skin. Like seeing a person for the first time, like caressing a lover she'd never meet again, she touched endlessly, etching every sensation into her fingertips forever. Only then did conviction dawn.
No mistake.
Not an illusion. This time, not an illusion.
"Ah, hua, aaa, huaa, ah, huaaa..."
Her eyes reddened. Pupils brimmed and quivered with distant tears. Suppressed words, sobs, screams, sorrows boiled beyond her throat. Emotions stacked like strata over endless years erupted at once, flooding like a colossal tsunami.
Melissa finally crumpled to the floor. Clutching his pant leg lest he vanish, she wailed bitterly.
"Hweeeeng... Why, why nowwww... Hic, kuhic, hng, hweeeeng... Why, why now, nowwww... Kk, hng, why now... Why so late, why only now, why, why so late, whyyy... Kuhic, hweeeeeeng..."
"... ."
"Hic, kuhic, why'd you leave, you idiottt... You promised to stay by my side... Hweeeeeeng... Why, why... Promised to stay forever... And left without a word... Hweeeeeeng..."
"...I'm sorry. I won't leave again. I'm here now."
As Kadim promised not to go and patted her back like soothing a crying child.
The woman, burned to ashes, reverted to the young girl mage who first met the barbarian—and wept endlessly.