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Volume 11 Chapter 325

The World Tree and The Strong One

「W-What in the world……was that?」

「It would seem that the demon was masquerading as the World Tree」

The demon likely aimed for the interval when Sylph was being reborn, possessing the Tree’s will.

With that being said, it wasn’t that easy to take over a tree that has been here since the beginning of creation, not even for a demon.

That’s why I think this demon made ・a forest connected with wickedness・in order to seep into the earth and weaken the World Tree’s power.

Once I burned down the forest, the World Tree’s power returned, and the World Tree actually chased out the demon of its own volition.

「Sure, that was surprising too, but……what was up with those flames! They burned up that entire forest in an instant. What kind of flames can do that!? A-Also, with such an enormous amount of mana that no human can possibly possess in addition to being able to slice an ingot of orichalcum──Elnor, are you truly an elf?」

「Yeah, well…I have a bit of a secret in that regard, actually. I’ll give you this, so I ask that you don’t demand any explanations」

I said before forcing several World Tree Fruits into Dairon’s hands.

It was a lie that I came to get the World Tree Fruit.

Fruit was never needed from the beginning.

So that’s why I’m going to give all of it to Dairon.

Sairos should be saved with this.

And I managed to safely eliminate the demon.

The Evil God’s presence was apparent throughout the forest, and I was somewhat irritated by this, so I felt very refreshed when I was able to burn it all down.

Incidentally, Dairon was frozen in place, still clutching the World Tree Fruit that he had received.

Well, I do understand why he might be in such a state. After all, he had just gotten his hands on fruit that shouldn’t even be accessible except once every milennium.

I approached the World Tree.

「Hey, thanks for the fruit」

｟Y-Yes……you are very welcome｠

This time, a kindhearted voice greeted me; a stark contrast to the previously demon-inhabited World Tree.

I get the feeling I’ve heard this voice before.

Also, it sounded a bit intimidated by me.

「Sorry for threatening you. I wasn’t actually serious about burning you down. Forgive me」

｟I felt as if you were serious about burning me｠

「No, the one I wanted to burn was that demon」

｟Are you sure that you are not a demon as well? I saw it more as two demons having a falling-out……｠

「Eh!? N-No, that’s wrong!」

Ah, is this because my body was made with the curse of the Evil God?

Well, I did in fact get the feeling of myself being enveloped in that Evil God aura.

So I guess the World Tree isn’t saying anything too far off.

｟Well, if you insist on saying that is wrong, then it isn’t as if I can do much about it. After all, I am just a gigantic bundle of firewood for those flames to eat up if you so choose｠

Nah, c’mon, you’re not that powerless.

The giant tree talking to me right now is the World Tree, something that has lived on together with this world.

With the evil-ravaged forest gone and the demon gone, I think the World Tree would have regained some form of self-defense, right?

But let me just check first.

「Don’t you have a way to protect yourself?」

｟There is, yes, but……it’s still an underdeveloped elemental, and cannot grow without periodic rebirth｠

That’s probably Sylph.

She’s still young for an elemental king.

They say Sylph is the manifestation of the World Tree, but in actuality she’s more akin to a child of the World Tree, I’d say.

There was one time when she stayed for a while at my estate, which led to one portion of the World Tree withering.

So that would mean that Sylph being gone for too long led to the World Tree・pouting・.

Hmmm.

You know, it would suck if the World Tree were to be taken over again by a demon whenever Sylph goes to sleep.

That’s when I thought up a certain plan.

「How about you just use my body?」

｟……What？｠

「I’m saying that World Tree’s will can just use my body to guard itself. A demon wanted this body, so that should give you an idea of how strong it is. I think it’ll be plenty helpful for you」

In this world, once『flesh』and『soul』and『will』gathered, humans can begin to exist.

Which means that once my will disappears from this body that the Evil God made, the remaining flesh and soul will also vanish.

But if in exchange for my will, the World Tree’s will enters this flesh, then this body will be reusable.

Plus I don’t even need this.

I’d rather they make use of it in some way.

｟A-Are you sure of this?｠

「Yup!」

「O-Oi! Elnor, have you lost your mind!? Giving your body to the World Tree means that you die in the process, you fool!?」

Dairon threw the World Tree Fruit to the ground and grabbed at me.

「Of course, I am aware」

I want to die, you see.

Because it’s the last time.

I can finally get back to where everyone is.

「Y-You promised to serve me, though! No, I won’t let you die on your own accord like this!!」

Ohhh……

Forgot about that part.

「Hey, World Tree. Could you be of service to Dairon once you enter my body?」

「──Wha-!?」

「Also, the elves will be taking care of the World Tree, so could ya do them a little favor and protect them? In exchange, my body will protect you」

｟……Very well. In exchange for your body, I swear to protect the elves forevermore｠

「Also, it seems that there’s this sickness called Vimlis Disease that’s spreading around──」

｟I shall also do what I can to cure that. If every elf eats my fruit, they should attain a resistance to that sickness. This is, after all, within the range of protecting the elves as promised to you｠

「Oh, right. Thanks」

「Elnor, you……」

「Dairon. It was but a short while, but I enjoyed fighting alongside you」

I took out Hakoku, handing it to Dairon.

He was able to hold it with ease.

Which likely meant──that Dairon was also acknowledged by Hakoku.

「T-This is──」

「That right there is a reeeal powerful sword. Use it when you fight genies or demons. Also, if a renowned hero comes to your place in the midst of their travels to defeat the Demon King, make sure to lend it to them」

「……All right. I shall treat it with the importance of a national treasure. If a hero does come, I will look into lending it to them, but only once I have acknowledged them, alright?」

「Yeah. That’s perfect」

Now, I have just one more thing to do.

「Do me a favor and store this securely in the World Tree. One day I will most certainly come back to retrieve it」

I asked the World Tree as I showed it a gem with a red glow──Eye of the Dragon King.

Apparently Eye of the Dragon King originally came in a set of two, but one of those went to the Elder Dragon, and the other one went to the Goddess of Memory.

I already obtained this Eye of the Dragon King from when I cleared the World Tree Dungeon with my fellow classmates.

I need to entrust this to the World Tree so that several thousand years later, I can obtain and give it to Tina as a present.

｟Very well. Until you return here, I will guard this item｠

「Yeah. I’ll leave it to you」

Alright.

Now everything will go as planned.

In a sense, maybe getting to visit the past like this via the Evil God’s curse was a good thing.

Well, I’m still hitting him though.

｟Then I shall go ahead and take your body now｠

「……Mhm」

Tentacles extended from the World Tree, beginning to envelop my body.

｟Lastly──｠

「What is it?」

｟Elnor. Would it be all right if I received your name?｠

「Preferably not!」

I just felt like it shouldn’t be that way.

That’s because rather than Elnor, I thought there was a more fitting name for that body of mine.

｟I-Is that so……then emulating your very strong body and heart──｠

｟I shall henceforth refer to myself as Sarion, The Strong One｠