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Episode 416 Cognition (2)
Fear, terror, horror.
A primal emotion that I never felt when I was looked down on by others because of my talent, and that I only realized after becoming an unofficial test subject.
Baloch Besias, Croden Olentia, Leishen Taillord… … Bohemirn’s Tower was a living nightmare for Verden.
But it is a remnant of the past.
When I vowed revenge, I abandoned the things that made me weak, and I willingly chewed and swallowed the pain, using it as nourishment.
Eventually, after enduring a long period of suffering, he reconstructed his body and even overcame his helplessness.
Verden is no longer the underdog.
The fear that prey should have has long been forgotten.
I am not even afraid of death.
As if to prove this, he has been able to push through his will and anger by not running away and instead challenging the overwhelming beings in front of him.
The harmony of reason and emotion.
His vocal cords vibrated reflexively. Verden looked at the World Tree and answered immediately.
“I have no fear.”
“You are where you are today because you have faith. But faith also blinds the eyes.”
The eyes of the World Tree shone faintly.
A circle formed by intertwined chains. A strange pattern appeared above her eyes.
“The fear you have to deal with is different from the one you are denying.”
"different……?"
“Yes, it is definitely different. Like the past and the present.”
The world tree folded both hands down.
“Don’t overthink it. The key is in your hands. ‘Face your chosen fear.’ This is the one and only answer to your question.”
It's ambiguous.
“So what is this fear, and what is so important about my choice that you keep mentioning?”
The World Tree suddenly appeared and led Verden to the Great Forest, and then led him to the Dark Lord's residence through Serendia.
Where is the choice here?
Verden simply took the bait he couldn't refuse.
“……Excuse me.”
A question that arises reflexively.
Due to the nature of the space called the primordial land, as soon as even the slightest intense emotion began to arise, thoughts came out of my mouth.
Berden clenched his fist and suppressed his inner feelings.
The world tree nodded.
“I understand how you feel. However, I did not interfere with anything other than inviting you to visit the Great Forest. Serendia’s guidance to Oldark’s abode was simply one of the consequences of your choosing to come to the Great Forest.”
She stared at the giant tree on the hill.
“Verden, do you know why the elves think of me when they see your magic?”
"yes?"
“Because we are essentially the same. To be more specific, you are a higher-dimensional concept than I am.”
Is it the same essence as the world tree?
It was a sudden, incomprehensible statement.
However, when we only looked into the cause, it was by no means impossible to guess.
“……Is it related to what happened at the Magic Festival two years ago?”
Magic Festival.
The day the reversal was achieved.
The world tree did not deny it.
“That day, you made a choice that did not exist, that should not have existed. That is why no one could have predicted it. Because of that, destiny was denied, and the flow of the world that was just beginning to come together became chaotic.”
“But I…….”
“Whether intentional or not, all of this is a result of the choices you have made.”
The world tree took a step forward.
“And my duty and promise as an observer is to watch the flow of the world. No matter how the world changes, there is a need to move the stopped flow again. Likewise, by turning your back on the stopped one.”
* * *
The power source of the magic tower, reverse current, gray hair, blue eyes, heart, crimson magic power… … .
Verden was aware that he was special, or rather, that he had become special. Nevertheless, it was difficult to believe the World Tree's words at face value.
That was only natural.
Because the reason I reconstructed my body was not for such grandiose and absurd things, but for a very personal revenge.
Hurt.
My head is complicated. My forehead is throbbing.
So many thoughts and words were tangled up that I couldn't even speak properly.
The silence continued.
A whisper was heard between them.
“I told you earlier, Verden, there is one thing that can really help you.”
The world tree held out its left hand.
There was a green leaf resting on the palm of his hand, where there had clearly been nothing.
"that……."
“It is a leaf of my true nature that has taken root in the land of the beginning. It is an object that allows you to face your inner self just by holding it in your hand and wishing for it. If you use it, you will recognize and acknowledge the fears you harbor. Without any agony.”
She added.
“Only then can you enter the realm of transcendence. If that is…… the path and choice you truly desire.”
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Unlike when we had encountered it outside of Gargant, the World Tree's presence was now faintly felt.
I can feel the sincerity that is boundless.
As the leaves of the World Tree reflected on the wall, the sticky thoughts disappeared. Instead, the sensation of the fierce revenge he had longed for approaching stimulated his skin.
Verden stretched out his arms.
It was an unconscious act, and even though I realized it belatedly, I didn't take my hand away. Soon, the tip of my finger reached the leaf's edge.
Towering.
Berden, who had stopped moving, lifted his chin and raised his gaze.
“What will happen if I refuse your help, World Tree?”
“It doesn’t matter whether you accept it or reject it. My intervention is merely a possibility to bring the timing forward.”
The world tree declared.
“You must make a choice, and the meaning of that choice will never fade, no matter when. It is only important to voluntarily step out of the crossroads you have created.”
Choose, choose, choose… … .
Verden could not accept his fate. He chose to struggle rather than be used and die helplessly.
Life has always been a series of choices. That's why it was my life.
It's the same now.
Memories echo.
Indeed… … Indeed, what is it that he truly wants to do? Is it possible to achieve awakening through the power of the World Tree? Is that truly the choice he must make?
It was a fleeting moment.
Verden looked back at the footsteps he had left behind, then suddenly looked ahead.
Pitch-black darkness filled my field of vision.
A space where the unknown, never seen before, spread out endlessly and terrifyingly was revealed.
An uncertain future.
There is someone there.
There was a man full of hatred who was carving a magic circle of reversal into his body while tearing at his flesh with a crude knife.
Verden.
And then I realized.
What is the fear that the World Tree spoke of?
"under."
Verden found himself laughing without realizing it.
I had been thinking that the long-awaited half-enlightenment would be a great awakening… … but it was so simple and clear, contrary to my expectations.
'It's the fear I chose.'
There is no denying it.
Sure, that's true.
Verden picked up a leaf from the world tree.
Then, without hesitation, he blew it aside and returned it to its original owner, the World Tree.
The wind has died down.
The World Tree's eyes grew slightly larger.
“There is still a chance to change your mind.”
“It is no longer needed.”
Verden was resolute.
“Is that so… I see. It’s a bit unexpected and surprising. I understand. Since it’s your choice, I will respect it.”
The world tree put its arms out.
“This concludes my answer to your question about transcendence. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.”
It's time for questions and answers.
Even targeting the World Tree, which had existed for an indeterminate amount of time… … Of course, Verden had no expectations whatsoever.
“I have a lot of questions, but is there anything I can gain from them?”
“Do you want to be honest?”
"yes."
“Probably not. The questions you have are ones you must either solve or forget. It is my duty and my promise to the world not to interfere with anything other than observation.”
Absolute obligation.
What on earth could it be that restricts something like the World Tree?
Will I ever find out about this again?
'Still, I can't end my encounter with the World Tree like this.'
Because there was something I wanted to personally get a definitive answer to that would not conflict with my duties.
“Then let me ask you one thing.”
“Speak.”
“Did the first Dark Lord, Oldark Ruin Arcanad, really try to save the world?”
The facility manager said.
The Demon King wanted to save the world. He had a noble sense of mission in his heart.
Is this really true?
To this the World Tree answered.
“At least that’s what I thought.”
* * *
The fog over my consciousness suddenly clears.
When I carefully opened my eyes, the primordial land and the world tree had disappeared, and the dark forest path and Serendia welcomed Verden's return.
'Seeing as nothing has changed… … it must have only been a few minutes, or at most a few dozen seconds.'
The flow of time is different.
Verden engraved in his memory the landscapes he had seen in the primordial land.
Serendia said.
“Welcome back, Asher. Did you get what you wanted from meeting the Great Mother?”
"okay."
“Good. Then let’s take you to Lisandro’s Sprout.”
A deeper shade.
As the light entering the pupils almost disappeared, a soft light spread from all directions.
Mushrooms sprouting from trees glow blue-green, tiny spirits swim through the air, and unidentifiable flowers brighten the view.
A pure and wondrous nature, without even a trace of the elf's touch.
In the middle of it was an empty space, and in the middle of it was a small tree about 1m tall, with its roots firmly planted.
Lisandro's Sprout.
A tree that produces strange fruits using only magic power as nutrients without sunlight, and that generates magic power from its leaves and spreads it throughout nature.
For that reason, some elves call it the tree of prosperity.
“Is that the fruit?”
A green, bumpy fruit that grows on Lisandro's buds.
Introduced by Serendia.
“I can’t tell you exactly what it is because it’s a different fruit every time, but basically, the green fruit has a powerful healing effect. The flesh replenishes torn flesh, and the juice purifies the blood and creates new blood.”
“It has a color and shape that makes it seem extremely dangerous to eat.”
“Well, Lisandro’s fruit is usually unpleasant to look at, but it is extremely rare for it to cause poisoning or have fatal side effects when consumed.”
It's rare.
It doesn't mean there isn't anything at all.
“I guess I’ll have to research it before using it.”
“Elfs use it that way too. But it will be very useful in some way. All the fruits up to now have been like that.”
Serendia gently grabbed the fruit.
The fruit just fell off without any effort to cut the connecting part.
“This is my gratitude to you in the name of Serendia, the custodian of the World Tree.”
Serendia smiled as she handed the fruit to Verden.
“Thank you for avenging the elf and saving my brother.”
She was an elf who loved her kind and her family.
* * *
My business in the forest is over.
Verden's party gathered at the elf's mansion and prepared to leave.
Isabella and Alpha looked around at Lisandro's fruit.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such fruit.”
[Scan completed. Analysis not possible.]
It seems that even Isabella's alchemy and Alpha's knowledge cannot figure out its identity.
“But can I really study this?”
“It would be much better for you, who is the most knowledgeable in alchemy, to research it and find a way to utilize it. It’s not like there’s any immediate use for it.”
“Ahem, that makes sense.”
It is also trust.
Isabella pursed her lips and ran her fingers through her dark green hair.
“…….”
Verden looked out the window.
It was a different atmosphere from when I was locked up in the mansion, lost in my thoughts, just a little while ago.
It was obvious even without looking.
I'm sure I got some clues about transcendence from the World Tree.
Still, the two people waited, pretending not to know.
Because I believed that you would tell me when the time came, even if I didn't ask.
And that time came sooner than expected.
“Adrian, Isabella.”
“Did you call?”
"say."
Verden met the eyes of the two men.
“What are you going to do after you get your revenge?”