Chapter 118: When the world tree blossoms (3)
djKThe morning sunlight barely peeks through the dense trees.Vbmdtb
fuTThere were people wandering through the dark forest, relying on the sunlight.buNDABq
31m8rlElegant appearance, long and pointed ears.wZcaDOy
yfzAEThey were guards patrolling the outskirts of Ausurin.Yiv
s7ihm“Halt.”0X5r
UlYf7Following the instructions of the leader at the front, the members of the search group stopped and held their breath.CFJgQI
obcUy0Because the clenched fists of the captain told them what lay ahead.QwTE
QmHYGed‘The smell of blood…’TR2Q
QSju1ddAlthough not as keen as hearing, the sense of smell is superior to that of humans.rPQV
cOMXqThe leader of the search frowned upon smelling the fishy odor coming from within the black forest.lZcGr
vM3‘Disperse!BplPZeD
O4dPde0Eye gestures and hand signals.R26bksE
rpvWThe elves quickly dispersed around, following each designated signal, and soon assimilated into their surroundings, becoming vigilant in all directions.wzr7h
c5ER4“‘ll go alone.”bCb
4PnKA search leader advances slowly alone with hand signals.2fgsOL
dEVYNumSome group members following him carefully drew arrows and began to feed them into the protesters.u55PNA
F8mHKBranches swaying in the wind.JtZ3
UGLIn the dark forest where not even the sound of birds could be heard, the only thing echoing was the faint rustle of tree branches.ojUeZ2
IJY3FG“…This.”NsNjs
42O9xsdHowever, the silence that had been maintained until now was broken by someone’s sigh.XaQYmm
3ac0uAbove the bushes, entwined like a spider web.6XZNd
mQ5mYThere was an elf there with arms outstretched and head tilted.wS7r
7NOkiD“Penetrating wound confirmed in the abdomen.”4UaiSpi
Hv1XPFy“The wound is frozen.”F0O
vfCs“It seems at least a day has passed since their death.”PYoU
XNfkYWThe search leader approached the body with a puzzled expression as he listened to the report.TCJvT5n
tQOs1Pieces of internal organs hung from the large puncture holes.MBb
UJCt“It’s too late.”Axh4
GqjNzThe search leader knelt on one knee and looked at the body’s wounds.PrJJ1Z7
j1WXA hole so large that no ordinary human being could have created it.EG4cd2
tqTJlpThe eyes that were still wide open showed how much pain they must have endured.xpwuae
Hgxw“…Nidhogg.”3ME
WlUKO26The search leader looked toward the forest through the large hole in the elf’s body.pp9N64
xh6EA view of the forest seen through a dark red passage.pam
KvrThe place where light couldn’t reach was completely filled with darkness.2q7kZaY
8A8BA faint, hunger-ridden cry echoed from deep within the forest.X9E
BCrVA voice that sounded as if it were starving.OOSeKp
TkxA02A dragon hidden in the darkness watched the young World Tree about to bloom.EPwHu
0pS***v4wnzEe
jFpJ“…”xFyV2K2
rSjVlad thought it was as if he were walking through a garden.Q4SSeAs
bJ5Even though the place he was in was a cave where not a single ray of light entered.nQfzpt
bZ8N8‘What kind of cave is this?’zuDxfN
raTmIt was quite understandable to be so mistaken.j3xJd
4SvThe floor, which should have been wet, was as soft as freshly laid straw, and the interior, which should have been dark, was brightly lit due to the moss clinging to the walls.1rDda
tDQvd0‘Fireflies?’GIRdmo
PVvmY0iMoreover, fireflies were floating everywhere.9mG
YUXhVlad’s mind was confused as he looked at the luminous objects floating around as if welcoming the group.kZmShDg
IbNaThe atmosphere that didn’t fit with the season and place challenged Vlad’s common sense.Dmd
aLX5“You’re going to love it when you see that amber. I’ve been very anxious these days.”Umzi
F3Hcp7iThe group heads to the source of the World Tree through a cave that opens up to the roots.26XKll
81IThis place was bright despite being a cave and warm despite it being winter. The further they went, the more different it was from the real world.AhK
Uyc“I was embarrassed too because it was the first time I did it.”Jlj
OdASpring is coming.lDg
zyDUAnd the flowers bloom.UrDON
HgLK3bIt was said that this was the first time the young World Tree was blossoming, spreading in time for the next spring.c3Q
sQzHowever, the World Tree was worried if the blossoming it was doing was going well.0wSMs
8tOi9C9“That’s why I was so depressed, and you came here.”F7bZ5
nsuSometimes, even though you keep going, you feel anxious.ihgZ
9uRWIs the direction you’re going in correct? Will you be able to continue like this?SpX
dXPFiW0Or maybe it will never be possible to turn back?AShq16n
ee8xThe reason you can’t take a step forward even though you have to is probably because you lack confidence.Ll5fQ7
OjKVuyIn moments like this, it would have been nice to have someone by your side to assure you that you were doing fine, but unfortunately, there was no one for the young World Tree.6zJT
uwCR“…That’s right.”dxH
Yz0liKZVlad nodded silently as he listened to the girl.DEIM
PXAjBefore he knew it, Vlad deeply understood the concerns of the World Tree through the existence of a girl.Pf60N
7t0OrAlthough the tree and the knight are in a world where they cannot communicate, they can understand each other.6sSY
uh8BP2“They’re all here.”NoW
l4ZeWith the girl’s words, the end of the long hallway began to come into view.oyG
96ZThqsBright lights ahead.HhT
84unkThe light was not the light produced by the green moss, but the light illuminated by today’s sun.4Ga
fxTBl“Vlad of Soara. You’re probably the first human to come here.”sKxR
BN9VWith those words, the faces of the elves escorting the girl began to frown.kpdbT0l
qjF37R1Does the person ahead know?RvEyYlS
RChThe place where he was now was a secret space that only a few elves could enter.UaR9Xcv
QSxqMHowever, the priestess of the World Tree did not hesitate to bring the blue-eyed knight to this place.c0avT
yTQY3YwBecause he was convinced that the Blue-eyed Knight had to come here.6b2
evj“…”muqL
WiTaVVlad slowly raised his head as he listened to the girl.bTPpam0
D5WjmAn enormous void.iiIa
r1h5The roots of the World Tree located here and there were intertwined, creating a large space.xDTz
x9dYEZo“Will you come here?”3bEexa
kRmgicQ“Yes, go ahead, whatever you want.”hK3s63
nwIFjA girl who opens her arms as if inviting her into her home.kYsET6
JBP6OoeVlad cautiously took a step into the cavity, greeted by the girl’s welcome.Zlmg
PsQr2The grass on the ground lay alone, following Vlad’s steps.FhOtn
L6AwThe expressions of the elves escorting, as they watched the firm invitation and welcome of the World Tree, were changing in a strange way.nNcxp
mLChY1W‘…This is the World Tree.’7iB8
ici4VIt felt as if he could hear a faint heartbeat coming from the toes he was stepping on.fD2tnuz
4BBZsfWith that rhythm, Vlad’s world seemed to slowly expand.XlKYIg
M9IjThe worlds that had been in contact were now facing each other.trXE
f64yc“I guess I’m glad you came.”LbgR
CJBFmnRVlad turned his head when he heard the girl’s words behind him.KbzbpA
UDvjbThe elves who followed them to escort them stood still at the entrance of the common field.Y4QgG2
NZycThe only people here now were Vlad, the girl, and the young World Tree looking at each other.Jii
HE0“Can you show it to me? Please, I hope you do.”RixlK
TkC1nThe maiden of the World Tree could not offer any help to the young tree.Iyz
pU6ZyL1She had her hands clasped as if praying and asked the knight to bring her son the memory of his mother, the World Tree.ogc
lNbk5giPlease show your son what a mother is like.EfYlu5j
nRbFCHGFor the young World Tree who must head to a world that has never existed before.ScpZ
fhdj“It’s okay.”IbP
bGuZwAt the girl’s request, Vlad drew his sword.0cu0Ee
57dpk4“…I guess this is better, right?”AP1
kb9The blade may be sharp, but the handle with which you pick it up will be soft.VMmyN
sSOuJNOTherefore, the knight decided to grasp the sharp edge.xrDsjC
NZfBecause it was not suitable for a young tree longing for the embrace of its mother.FLgbw
7mp——.BWgS3JM
8vi7DLThe heart beats faster.tRxQv
xsmj71The heartbeat of the World Tree, which previously only felt in the tips of the toes, could now be heard in the air.9wuG
tpusTAlicia’s amber gleamed with the light coming down from the ceiling.2APbGE
sjcQfACThe young World Tree looked at the autumn landscape shining through the light. Wide field.aja
nZOOverflowing wheat fields.9J77SaX
EqUAnd a large maple swaying in the wind.9SSYu
R7ZXKrEThe maple in my memory was looking at the young World Tree.79K694
Ipu3U“Butterfly?”MG2Cuvr
e9vz“It’s a butterfly.”nijU
g5y3JVlad saw butterflies flying around.klMKK
nTB1FUThese were the butterflies I saw in the girl’s fantasy.qkV8cm
atVRBfButterflies like flowers flew towards Vlad and the girl.LtTBsk
wpgnMemories and reality confronted each other through Vlad’s feet touching the roots and the sword held upside down.Osm
fR2iSVlad could feel it at that moment.YKL
FN4MwRThat he had become the passage and the world that connects the two.108
z6ZI“The flowers are blooming…”Jrb
Li5fVlad slowly closed his eyes as the light enveloped him.mWpPp44
Za3RThe World Tree in my memory began to bloom slowly.0Ji6UVA
tjfAs if telling his son to do this.Bt32w
WKLOSeeing his mother, whom he had never felt before, the young World Tree unconsciously stretched out its branches and tried to embrace her.VyArt
MLJcpdBBetween the tangled branches, the autumn landscape of the past and the landscape of today slowly overlapped.w1csgay
oMnX***0hx
5z3BJX“…Oh oh.”KVrPNTn
Vv1DOld Geronimo closed the book he held with trembling hands.GMuMW
F3jpA7oAlthough his body had become heavier due to the weight of time, he quickly grabbed the cane beside him and ran to the window.W9j2Y
8Hs8nHDA smell he hadn’t sensed in a long time was making his eyes blurry.9WXXAf6
fUe“Hmm?”zkboor
IOkmVaradis, who had been shuffling documents in his office for a while, perked up his ears.GN0Lu
4LXZto6Because the passing wind was telling him to quickly turn his head.617yu
zZzTSoon there will come a moment that only now can be seen.E7Z7zVP
dDeIciiThe elves plowing the fields and the elves guarding the forest.nMaMyc
6K7wSNoir and Goethe were in the stable, and August was investigating the tea plantation.uPmbD
e8lXBoth humans and elves turned their heads to look in the same direction.ij3W
Ccx0Elf Forest. Ausurin.lcRfGV9
wSa7YY9In the midst of their newly colonized land, there was a tree shining brightly.aKI
fDb7r“The flowers are blooming.”QLq
hkJi5CuYes.8VJLIs
UtII know it now.cGtvk2j
GgpHow to make flowers bloom.02s
GDn2kzRAnd my mother, who is now just a memory, used to say the same.4eA
WcG3sS9It was fine.vZmu
wMBdD4—–!NyA8m1X
zit5xjWithin the white, flickering World Tree, several possibilities began to emerge.wEcn
2tEOn the branches near the clouds, the flowers followed the sky.SL08JW
Vro9On the farther branches, the flowers followed the wind.rs2I
1uOiwypOn the lower branches, the flowers pointed towards the ground.iSn5HH
lTGrCZM“Wow… Oh oh.”R3K
kJZ“Spirits are born!”vX3YE1
3KFcA bird smaller than a flower, a horse, a snake, and a mole.0NGj
rmWr4Meanwhile, the possibilities harbored by the World Tree were sticking their heads out into the world.X3m
Z5fBMThe young ones who had been forgotten under one name lifted their heads towards the world.amT
33Xf“…”l9uBs3A
p1PcIf a young world is being born, someone must protect it.jltxCN
7rgThat’s why the blue-eyed knight kept holding onto the sharp blade of his sword.6CKvg
xy4GMA stream of blood flowing from a sword that shook incessantly.6Lx
nhSsAxThe red color dripping onto the ground was the knight’s gift to the newborn child.pqZTgy
pmYISpring has arrived in Ausurin today.n1y
GNpBUnder the guidance of a mother who is no longer there and the patience of a knight.HEdv2o
fBHk1s5***QlX0a
79Q0“…”c4Yw
MAUBmEThe World Tree, shining as if about to burst, came to a stop.Ozth8o
6RZyFThe fantasy butterflies that were flying a moment ago have now disappeared without a trace.uvIwVB
EDpUDrip.fBCoy
D0WZNNow that everyone has stopped, the only thing moving is the blood flowing from Vlad’s hand.cCTnGJt
1jjbxIThe red color dripping onto the green grass was pitiful.ulz
wQisB“Are you okay? I’m sorry.”6mtpaQ
uWClThe nameless girl covered her mouth with both hands and had tears in her eyes.0y6
Pb9sThe nameless girl sympathized more with Vlad’s pain in front of her than with the joy of the blooming flowers.kbBA
WlCBecause the knight in front of me didn’t hesitate to support the memories of the young World Tree.FYzD7iz
4dZ“Has it bloomed?”CipJf
kJB0fV8Vlad raised his head and looked at the open ceiling.82Eo
hMzBefore he knew it, a red maple leaf was slowly falling towards Vlad.V5cp
sk5PexL“Thank you… Thank you.”27AFPd
x7oRScxVlad silently looked at his sword as he listened to the girl.EYp7gM1
x746iRed blood flowing between the sword.yBvW
DDehTsAnd Alicia’s amber stone is not where it should be.LVJPS
KikEp6The Hainal family relic has fulfilled its purpose today.xpM
NwHeJeP“Ha…”gX0
E8noUFWith an overwhelming emotion he didn’t know what it was, Vlad finally withdrew his hand from the sword.AZNX
rMDA deep cut.Y2Hh
iUfoHowever, Vlad didn’t let go of his trembling sword even at the moment the World Tree was blooming.NsGAJ0
hw7oJBecause in the image we see through the world in front of us, a mother was comforting a crying child.Zfxz
zKKaVlad really didn’t want to interrupt that moment.kIc
CIJi“Hmm?”e6Lfg
g6ytPerhaps because of the exhausted World Tree, the roots have become a little dark.j1wUP
5LCuThat’s why today’s sun shone even brighter, casting a ray of light through the roof.HcJ73g
k9dFAnd where the light shone, there was a rock that hadn’t been seen before.yc035
85Pd“What is that?”laJZskU
1wKgA large rock that now seemed to reveal itself.h6Q
BwxBUpon the rock shone an unknown sword full of sunlight.pLH2BaD
IniIt was a sword with a silver shine.oQP
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!