“It’s over.”
Yujin’s words made Shia raise her head.
“If it’s over, then send me back. I don’t want to stay here for long.”
Yujin is a false hero. A twisted hero with the ability to turn lies into reality.
Just like how I summoned Yujin to the Elf Great Forest, she would eventually need my help to return. It wouldn’t be by taking a plane or walking back home.
“Y, Yujin…! Are you leaving already?!”
“……….”
However, noticing Yujin’s impatience to leave, Olga urgently called out to her.
Well, she must be tired. Can’t she at least relax a little or sleep for a night?
“Why are you trying to leave so quickly?”
“I don’t have to go into details about my circumstances, do I?”
“W-Well… I suppose…”
Yujin turned her back on Olga, seemingly with no lingering attachments.
However, I could see Yujin’s shoulder, concealed by illusions, trembling slightly.
“..Yujin…”
“I’m sorry, Olga. But I… don’t deserve it. I don’t have the right to talk with you, nor the right to apologize.”
“No! That’s not how I see it!”
“However, I can’t endure it. Olga… I’m sorry. Let’s talk again someday.”
“……..…”
A lot had happened today, but I still had to apologize to Olga.
Even if my intentions were good, in the end, I used Olgania and played with her feelings, didn’t I?
The wounds Olga received during that process were not trivial.
Furthermore, considering Yujin, who seems to have a deep bond and history, was rejecting Olga and preparing to leave, it was only natural for tears to well up in her eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Olga. You must have been very scared, right?”
Before sending Yujin off, I knelt down in front of Olga.
“…Yes.”
“Though I intended to give Antamia a chance… I realize now that not saying anything to you during that process and using you was insufficient for an apology.”
I took Olga’s hands.
“I swear as a Seongnyeo.”
A faint white divine power seemed to connect between me and Olga.
“Mangja Seongnyeo Shia will always stand by your side, as long as you don’t walk the path of malice, and will fulfill your wishes to the best of my ability.”
“……!”
At those words, Olga’s expression brightened a little compared to earlier.
The vow as a Seongnyeo is absolute, and if I have any humanity left and the will to keep my humanity, I must uphold it unconditionally.
Olga, coming from a previous world, would likely understand how absolute the vow of a Seongnyeo is.
“Thank you. I’m sorry. Lovely Mangjidan.”
“If it wasn’t for that term ‘Mangjidan,’ I would have been a bit happier.”
However, seeing her smile like a child was a relief.
“Really, you will grant my wish, right?”
“Yeah, to the best of my ability, I’ll try.”
“……Then I’ll say it right away.”
“Right away?”
“First, please don’t send Yujin away.”
“What?! Olga!?”
Yujin’s expression hardened, surprised that Olga would say such a thing.
Unexpectedly sharp, Olga seemed to realize that Yujin’s descent into this world was thanks to me, and conversely, if Yujin wanted to ascent back to her home on Earth, she would similarly need my prayers and the miracle of reverse summoning.
What if I don’t pray?
Well, it means Yujin would have to stay here indefinitely.
“Olga! Don’t be stubborn. I…!”
“It’s Yujin being stubborn! I’ve told you countless times, but you’re just running away! Aren’t you tired of it?!”
“…….That’s…”
“Today, we’re going to settle things! Yujin’s secrets and my secrets, I’ll lay it all bare in front of Shia!”
“……….”
Surprisingly bold, isn’t she, Olga?
In that sense, I was able to successfully uphold the vow I made in the Elf Great Hall.
No one, including elves, Olga, the elders, and Antamia, was dead, so the vow was thoroughly maintained.
Of course, everyone learned about the unfortunate events that happened there, but what’s important is that no life was lost.
By the way, Antamia was alive and well.
Yeah, she’s alive.
I won’t detail what happened to Antamia at the Elf Great Hall.
Well… some elves might have realized that the “diseases” spread by Antamia were nothing more than a façade and that those who seemed like family, lovers, or friends were actually mere illusions she had created. There might even be those appearance-shifters who want to live as elves rather than ants… Antamia probably had a rather ‘slightly’ painful experience.
Later, it turned out she was not in life-threatening condition.
“Imprisonment isn’t a severe punishment. To kill someone is merely to open a path for the sinner to escape from their sins. To run away into death before genuinely atoning is truly cowardly, and atonement isn’t something that happens that easily.”
In that sense, I, too, hadn’t properly atoned yet…
In any case, Antamia, seized by the elves with her limbs sealed, wouldn’t be executed.
I believed death was merciful and, after all, wasn’t I someone banished from death?
Comfortable and without pain. To be permitted to return to the soil of this land, that is death.
It’s natural for the living to feel fear toward that endless darkness, but compared to the pain and suffering of living, death seems much more merciful.
Anyway, Antamia was now imprisoned in the deepest dungeon of the elves, bound by seals cast by my hand.
Unless I allowed it, those seals would likely not be lifted for her lifetime.
I had intricately engraved seals imbued with my genuine divine power. Above all, since the fragments of the Demon King might reactivate, this miracle was a well-crafted spell.
With seals placed on the entirety of Antamia’s body, she would possess no strength beyond basic metabolism and movement; she could no longer express malice or intent to kill toward anyone.
Soon, after the elves clean up the mountain of Chaos Ant corpses and the disturbances caused by Yujin and me beating up Antamia, appropriate measures regarding the princess ant who absorbed the fragments of the Demon King would be decided.
“Rather than being imprisoned or executed by the elves, she’ll likely be sentenced to labor to atone for her crimes.”
Yujin said.
With no other elves around, Yujin no longer wore the guise.
Still, Yujin’s true appearance was quite something to behold.
With black hair, a small stature, and muscles here and there, she possessed a youthful female appearance that would nearly pass for a high school girl if one didn’t disclose her age.
Even though she appeared to be a high school girl, her frail figure could easily lead one to regard her as a mere child.
“Hehe, Yujin, it’s been so long since I’ve seen that look… or, actually, it’s my first time seeing it.”
“….Is that so?”
“But what about Antamia now?”
“Antamia will be under 24-hour surveillance, and since she has lost the ability to control other appearance-shifters or ants, she’ll truly be just an ant now.”
By the way, right after Yujin and I attacked her, the fragments of the Demon King that Antamia held disappeared as if they were never there.
It seems the Demon King’s fragments abandoned Antamia first.
Despite being a fragment, it was still the Demon King; it wouldn’t be a stretch for them to regard fighting against a hero and a Seongnyeo as impossible and just leave.
“Since the appearance-shifters said they wish to live as elves rather than ants, they will likely take on the role of surveillance for Antamia, unless something unusual happens.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy to simply reintegrate the appearance-shifters as elven members, but all the elves and appearance-shifters knew of the incidents that occurred at the Great Hall, and everyone decided to forget it.
Just like nothing happened, the elves would continue to treat their companions, family, and friends as they always had.
“Living a life monitored by those you once dominated is quite ironic.”
“If it were original elves, they would have likely just killed Antamia and called it a day.”
Thinking back, that would indeed be the case.
Elves detest and despise intruders to the Great Forest more than anything else.
Even Shia felt a hint of the elves’ territoriality and hostility on the first day she arrived here.
For those elves, this response is rather lenient.
“The fact that the elves didn’t kill Antamia and the appearance-shifters is likely due to you.”
“Me? You were there too, weren’t you?”
“I didn’t do much. Probably, even if you had been alone, you’d have succeeded in stopping Antamia. And didn’t I say earlier? I tire out more easily than you’d think.”
Yujin waved her hand as if to affirm that statement.
Like a bizarre monster’s arm, illusions clung to Yujin’s arm and then shattered again.
This phenomenon arose from the lack of mana, which is the base for using their abilities.
“Since the appearance-shifters expressed their desire to live as elves rather than ants, Antamia’s plans started to fall apart. The soldier ants, who are supposed to unconditionally obey their queen, are already in a situation where they’re defying Antamia’s orders based on their judgement. I merely presented them with other options apart from the path back to being ants.”
“Turns out you’re quite the humble false hero.”
“Don’t call me a false hero. Please, it sounds just horrible. I’m sincerely asking, are you truly a Seongnyeo?”
“Don’t tell me what to do when you’re not even my hero.”
shhhhsshhh
Well, her display of effort this time around is worthy of a compliment for a hero…
“By the way, you seem to know a lot about the elves? It seems you know more than Olga.”
“…….”
At those words, both Olga and Yujin fell silent, staring down at the ground.
Oh? Did I say something strange?
“Uh… um! So what kind of punishments do the elves impose for crimes?”
I had to change the topic…
“The elves are fundamentally a long-lived race. Unless torture is inflicted, imprisonment doesn’t hold much meaning… so a labor sentence is the best course, don’t you think?”
“Then, for example, would they be sentenced to cultivate a soybean field for 900 years? Or perhaps to draw water from the Lotus Lake?”
“I don’t know if they actually do those kinds of things… but it’s probably similar.”
sssizzsss…
Incidentally, that sizzling sound of something frying is the sound of World Tree leaves transforming into pancakes.
While the elves were tidying up the chaos that enveloped the Great Forest, Yujin, Olga, and I were squatting in front of the fake World Tree, secretly picking off leaves to fry.
This time, we came prepared with a proper frying pan, drenching it in thick, savory oil pressed from beans cultivated by elves. Drizzling just the right amount of batter onto World Tree leaves, they sizzled tantalizingly, filling the air with a fragrant aroma that made my brain tingle.
Of course, since Olga was present, I made sure not to add wyvern egg yolks.
It’s worth noting that these pancakes become more delicious the longer they’re cooked, with the savory smell and flavor enhancing the fries, so the more you fry, the tastier they get.
“……Regardless of the pancakes, it’s quite astonishing that the idea to eat this even came up. If other elves saw this, I can easily picture them wailing and losing their minds.”
“Hey, are you dismissing World Tree leaf pancakes?!”
“You crazy woman.”
How can a hero not trust a Seongnyeo?!
Truly, she is an unholy individual!
“Okay, Olga, it’s ready.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing Yujin munching on the World Tree’s leaves… even if they’re fake, it was a strange sight that seemed to bring a smile to her face.
“Wanna eat?”
“I don’t need… gobble!?”
At moments like this, you should eat together to be accomplices!
Forcing World Tree leaf pancakes into Yujin’s mouth, she glared at me with a look that clearly said she was ready to start a fight.
Of course, it only stopped at glaring.
Yujin was currently out of mana. She couldn’t return home without me, so at this point, I held the advantage over her.
Watching Yujin chomp away at the pancake, it seemed her tastes matched surprisingly well.
Well, they were leaves from the World Tree, after all.
Considering it’s the Great Forest of elves where even weeds can be edible, it would be strange if World Tree’s leaves weren’t delicious.
“…Olga, I think this is enough for now, don’t you?”
“No, not at all! We’ve only eaten a few leaf pancakes together!”
“…I have quite a strained relationship with the elves. No matter how strange this incident may be, I shouldn’t set foot in this Great Forest.”
“Yujin, are you still holding onto that incident?”
“…….How can I forget?”
Now that I think about it, it looks like Yujin and Olga are quite familiar with each other…?
“What’s going on? Can you tell me too?”
I’ve had an inkling ever since Olga’s request letter was in Yujin’s hands, but it looks like there was something that happened between the elves and Yujin in the previous world.
Feeling Yujin’s gaze directed at me as I flipped the pancake, she let out a small sigh.
“…It’s nothing much. I’m the one who burned the World Tree.”
“…….What?”
I almost dropped the frying pan at the sudden bombshell.
“What did you burn?”
“…The World Tree.”
No, I’m just making pancakes with the leaves from the fake World Tree right now…
Of course, even that alone could be perceived as an incredibly sacrilegious act from the elves’ perspective, but what Yujin said about burning the World Tree was an entirely graver matter.
“…….”
gulp.
slurp, slurp…
Oh no, this is a big deal.
The atmosphere is heavy.
Yujin, with an emotionless face, calmly stuffed the pancake I handed to her into her mouth, while Olga beside her looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
“…can you explain what happened?”
“…….well, where should I start? There’s just too many wrongs to talk about…”
“It’s not Yujin’s fault!”
Yujin was about to open her mouth after letting out a short sigh, but Olga suddenly jumped up and shouted.
“…The offspring of the World Tree is more of an incarnation of the World Tree than a biological elf.”
“I know that. It’s why the elves venerate the offspring of the World Tree.”
“Exactly. But having the offspring of the World Tree inherit the memories or experiences of the former World Tree’s offspring, did you know that?”
“…That’s the first I’m hearing.”
“This is my first time meeting the current Olgania Parchetis Piyah. But I was acquainted with the previous Olgania Eiranyerbel.”
Wait, why do the elves have such hard-to-remember names? Please, at least space them correctly!
And isn’t it confusing that both bear the name ‘Olgania’?
“Not just acquainted, the previous Olgania was my companion.”
The term ‘companion’ in the context of heroes is not a simple word. Just like how my relationship with Menelapie and Teresa was, it’s something complex and close, encapsulating family, lovers, friends, and a relationship that goes beyond even love; it’s something closer to sharing souls.
“My previous world was quite harsh on me. Since I’m a hero from another world, various powers and kingdoms kept their distance or tried to mess with me. Because of that, I had to fight the Demon King without proper support from the start.”
“…Oh dear.”
I, at least, had the Emperor Menelapie from the empire extend his hand, but Yujin’s experiences seemed a lot different.
“Despite barely managing to make any companions, the atmosphere wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.”
“……”
While I thought I had my share of hardships… Yujin was in a dire state, practically desolate.
But there was no need to belittle each other’s suffering.
My struggles are my struggles. Yujin’s struggles are Yujin’s struggles.
That’s all it could be.
“Olgania… in other words, the previous offspring of the World Tree was annoyed with me being an outsider from another world from the beginning.”
“…..I vaguely remember that too.”
“Is that so… Well, naturally, I was irritated and stressed out because other kingdoms and companions didn’t support me; they put pressure on me instead.”
Yujin pulled her knees to her chest as she munched on the leaves.
She must have found it tasty after all.
“However, Olgania knew that I came from another world and purposely pretended to be mean to prevent me from suffering as a child; she was trying to make me give up being a hero.”
“…So she was a total tsundere, huh? Is that true, Olga?”
“Yeees, to add to that… the previous Olgania was also thinking of Yujin and grandchildren.”
“Eh….?”
Wait, Yujin’s a girl… Ah, if they could do something with abilities, then it’s not impossible.
After all, the former Olgania is also an extraordinary elf, as the offspring of the World Tree.
“But the outcome was what it was. The Demon Army swiftly began to conquer the world, and my place was quickly disappearing.”
Yujin chuckled bitterly, a painful smile reflecting her past regrets and horrifying memories.
“And as a last resort, I attempted to burn the World Tree and absorb its power to face the Demon King.”
“…and?”
“Well, the fact remains that I burned the World Tree, yet I just ended up defeated and pathetically chased away to Earth. Just a worthless false hero who unqualifiedly abandoned my comrades… that’s it.”
As Yujin continued, I felt the air grow heavier in real-time.
Indeed, a normal hero wouldn’t turn into ‘a false hero.’
I may accept having become a Mangja Seongnyeo due to being a corpse of the Seongnyeo, but Yujin’s situation is complicated far beyond mine.
I finally realized why Yujin felt estranged in this place. Why she had been keeping her head down like a sinner ever since she arrived.
“It’s not true! It’s not your fault, Yujin! You’re no liar!”
Olga looked at Yujin, her eyes brimming with tears.
“…Olga.”
“The World Tree of the previous world was already in a corrupted and decayed state due to the Demon King! Asking you to burn the World Tree was the request of the previous offspring of the World Tree… perhaps even that is comparable to what I am, the previous Olgania!”
“……….”
“Yujin, I’m begging you. You don’t have to carry the weight of guilt anymore. That was an unavoidable accident and disaster. It’s not because of you that things turned out this way…!”
“The fact that I burned the World Tree doesn’t change. And I painfully succumbed to the Demon King after burning it; that’s me too.”
“…..”
Yujin’s words were resolute.
She had already branded herself as a sinner, a liar, a false hero.
I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if someone like Menelapie or Teresa died or encountered a severe ordeal because of me.
“Please, I’m begging you, Yujin. Don’t try to bear everything alone.”
“…..”
“And it’s not over yet. Shia?”
“Yeah?”
“Since Yujin has shown her weakness… it’s now my turn to reveal mine.”
This situation shouldn’t involve this, but… the way she referred to her weakness sounded quite suggestive.
