Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Accepting Marianne’s suggestion, I went out with her into the streets of Alfheim.
I thought it would look the same as yesterday, but it didn’t.
Broken houses and stairs, snapped trees, and scattered debris filled the streets.
It looked as if a storm had swept through.
“Bern, you don’t have to worry. This is all my fault.”
Marianne smiled bitterly.
From what I could guess, the clash between us last night must have affected the entire village.
They said even the distant banquet hall felt the shockwave.
The collision between my sword energy and her kick had created a massive impact.
I had seen the temple collapse with my own eyes, so it would be strange if the streets were unaffected.
“Were there any casualties?”
“Fortunately, most people were gathered at the banquet, so there weren’t many. Those in the temple… had already been killed by the mages.”
“That’s… hard to call fortunate.”
“But thanks to you, there was no further damage. All the elves are grateful to you, so you can walk proudly!”
“Unfortunately, I can’t.”
Even after a full night’s rest, my body didn’t move properly.
Every movement felt like a rusted machine.
Trying to straighten my shoulders sent sharp pain through my back.
Now I truly understood what it meant for one’s whole body to ache.
“You must be in a lot of pain. I’m sorry… it’s because I released my power…”
“It’s fine. Rather, I’m glad I gained great power. And making it my own is my responsibility, so please don’t worry.”
Even if it was hard to handle now, it would be useful later.
Having felt the Earth Mother’s power firsthand, I was certain.
If I could control it properly, I could easily handle even late-stage bosses.
For the next two years, I’d practically be cruising.
I couldn’t help but smile.
But then I recalled the original story.
‘Now I see why Marianne never appeared.’
Like Rene, Marianne was never mentioned.
The only detail was that she became nourishment beneath the World Tree.
She must have sacrificed herself because she couldn’t control her power.
It made sense.
Her power was comparable to a calamity.
For world peace, she gave up her life.
At the peak of her youth.
“Um… if you stare like that, even I get embarrassed.”
“Ah! Sorry, I was thinking.”
“I see. But maybe you should relax and enjoy the moment?”
“You’re right.”
It wouldn’t be good to ruin the mood.
I nodded.
“Then, since it’s almost lunchtime, shall we eat?”
“Sounds good. Do you have any favorite foods?”
“I eat whatever I’m given.”
“I see. Then is there a popular restaurant?”
“Oh! It’s right behind you!”
I turned.
A restaurant carved into a massive baobab tree.
Decorated with flowers and leaves.
It looked nice, but—
“Hahaha! With this protein, I can lift heavier today!”
“You fool! You skipped your post-meal protein!”
“Delicious! So good!”
Crunch crunch.
Muscular elf women were eating… larvae.
Let’s not think about it.
“Looks busy. How about that place?”
“Rejected.”
That place was the abyss.
Thankfully, the second most popular restaurant was normal.
If the first catered to women, the second catered to men.
Salads, fruit desserts, protein drinks.
Not ideal, but compared to the first, it was heaven.
“Hehe! So Bern, you are a man after all.”
“…Yeah.”
This place wasn’t just a gender-reversed world.
It was a world of strong women and feminine men.
Rene liked it here.
I wanted to escape.
“Where should we go next?”
“I’m not sure.”
I wanted to go back, but couldn’t say it.
Seeing her smile, I decided to spend the day with her.
“I have some recommendations.”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
“Leave it to me!”
She clapped happily.
Aside from the first restaurant, her choices were great.
Walking in sunlight, feeding animals, making flower crowns.
It felt like a perfect elf date.
“Now for the last place.”
“Alright.”
I thought we were going to a gym.
But—
“How is it?”
“…Beautiful.”
We climbed a hill outside the village.
It was steep, but we made it.
At the top, there were no trees.
An open view of the night sky.
Countless stars shining.
It was breathtaking.
“I thought you’d like it.”
“…Thank you.”
We sat and looked up.
Then shooting stars began falling.
I was speechless.
After a long silence, I realized—
“A…”
Marianne was also staring at the sky.
Then she noticed me and smiled.
Her ears were red.
“Sorry. This is my first time here too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I couldn’t leave the village before.”
“…”
She drew a small circle on the ground.
“If this land is the world, mine was only this small.”
“Marianne…”
“But thanks to you, my world expanded. Thank you… and I’m sorry.”
She lowered her head.
Like a guilty child.
“I burdened you.”
“…Ah.”
If I hadn’t been Bern, I would’ve died.
She knew that.
Tears fell.
“I’m sorry…!”
“Saintess.”
I stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m fine. Please don’t blame yourself.”
“But—”
“I’m not a good person either. I only act for reward, and I have bad thoughts all the time.”
“But you saved me!”
“I just hated those mages.”
“Ah…”
“Everyone has done wrong. What you did was nothing.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. So don’t worry. But if you still feel bad…”
I smiled gently.
“Let me touch you a little.”
“Ah…!”
Her face turned red.
She nodded.
I smiled and spoke inwardly.
‘Prah.’
[What is it?]
‘Unlock absorption. I’ll take more of her power.’
[Are you serious?]
‘Have I ever joked?’
After absorbing the World Tree fruit, my body could handle more.
About 10% more.
If I take more, she won’t feel guilty.
A win-win.
[…You monster.]