The elves living in the Great Forest had been betrayed in their previous world, leading to the destruction of the World Tree and a deep distrust of humans.
Their mother, the World Tree, had burned, and even Olgania, the child of the former World Tree, went missing. The trauma imprinted in the souls of the elves was truly horrific. Even after coming to Earth, they continued to serve a false World Tree. Despite the need for change in a world that had transformed, they stubbornly refused to interact with humans, living in isolation.
An unknown plague spread, and a monster called the Chaos Ant dared to threaten the Great Forest. Ultimately, a horrific incident occurred where a mimicry of the elves was discovered among the elders leading them.
Without the Requiem Saint Isia, without the hero Yujin… the elves might not have been able to welcome a new morning.
And today, the Great Forest welcomed a true new morning.
“I, Olganiya Eirarnierveld.”
“I, Olganiya Parchelotishipia.”
For the first time since returning to Earth, the elves of the Great Forest were filled with joy.
“I declare that the child of the World Tree has returned to you.”
“O children of twilight. O children of the morning dew. O children of the lotus lake.”
“I bless you in place of our mother, the World Tree.”
Not one, but two children of the World Tree had returned. Moreover, the lost child was back.
The evidence supporting the spirits and blessings of the elves had returned; the living witness was back.
Thus, to commemorate this joyous day, all the elves brightly lit the Great Hall.
The spirits, who hadn’t danced since the World Tree burned, sang and danced on the wind, making it a day where no one could hide their joy.
[In the name of the Requiem Saint Isia, I assure you, you are rightful children of the World Tree.]
And in the Great Hall, many elves knelt, and at the center stood Shia, holding the hands of the two Olganiya.
The atmosphere, brimming with joy and praise, felt like a grand church or cathedral where divine grace was being showered down.
[O recipients of the great gifts of the heavens, O those who have found true bonds, let us all sing songs of joy together.]
[Yes, even if only one remains on this land, if they have a soul to share their heart with, let us all cheer.]
[But if that is too much, then let us quietly depart in tears.]
[Yet, O children of our World Tree, even those who shed tears must be embraced.]
[O descendants of our World Tree, let every child drink in the joy within nature’s womb.]
Shia was declaring to all the elves, through the messages and proclamations filled with divine power, that the child they had lost from the World Tree had truly returned.
To those who had come to the Great Hall, to the watchtower guards and knights who had gone on patrol, and even to all those who chose to live as elves, despite being a mimicry of the Chaos Ant.
[To all good and evil.]
[Walk through the rose path gifted by the Great Forest. Nature will offer kisses and vines, and bonds that even death cannot steal away.]
[As the sun moves across countless stars, soaring joyously through the vast sky, brothers and sisters, walk together.]
[Embrace each other, for this is a kiss for the whole world.]
By the way, the prayer Shia recited was merely a suitable part borrowed from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, 4th Movement [Choral] — the Ode to Joy.
Because Shia was not particularly adept in that area; she had struggled to create prayers filled with good words or elegant phrases, and even in the previous world, she had made mistakes during Thanksgiving speeches.
Since then, Shia preferred to either borrow suitable nice words or the words of past sages for her prayers rather than conjuring up strange phrases.
People’s responses were generally better this way.
After all, elves probably wouldn’t know Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
In essence, what is prayer?
It is the act of sincerely wishing for someone’s blessing. That is what prayer is. The meaning lies in sincerity rather than beautifully crafted rhetoric.
[Today, under the name of the Requiem Saint, this paradise will be filled with joy.]
And just like a parent holding hands with a bride and groom, Shia was holding the hands of the two Olganiya, who both looked at her with bright smiles.
“As a child of the World Tree, I assure you. You are a benefactor of the Great Forest and elves…”
“You are the most faithful and human-like saint.”
“Wow!”
“Olganiya!”
“The child of the World Tree has truly returned!”
“Everything will be okay now!”
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for being alive!”
Countless elves cried tears of joy while laughing, cheering, and singing.
Of course, Shia was also happy.
But the reason the Requiem Saint Shia could genuinely smile at this moment was nothing out of the ordinary.
The fact that she could finally eat meat…!
After living off World Tree leaf pancakes in this green vegan hell, just knowing that she could escape was enough for Shia to rejoice and relish the moment.
○○○○
Once it was declared that the child of the World Tree had returned to the Great Forest, the feast began.
In truth, elf feasts were not so different from human festivals.
Delicious food was continuously served, dance and song flourished, and the dazzling displays of elemental spirits lit up the night of the Great Forest.
The joy seemed to extend even to those unrelated, and the grand dances mesmerized everyone’s gaze.
The dense Great Forest sang along.
Unfading dew wet the earth. Joyful soil and flowers proclaimed the return of the child of the World Tree to the whole world.
How joyful.
How happy.
It’s going to be okay now.
This was the thought shared by everyone here.
Of course, Shia did not eat anything during this festival and feast.
She was tired of the dreadful green elf vegan cuisine, and the malicious entity she had absorbed from Oganiya had been dense enough to last for months.
She had eaten until her belly was bursting, so the elf vegan food didn’t even cross her mind.
“I’ll thank you one more time, Shia. For saving me and healing my compatriots and the sick Great Forest.”
As Olganiya bowed her head to Shia, her enormous elemental pouch swayed.
“And for freeing the suffering World Tree… there is nothing but gratitude I can express.”
“It was the natural responsibility of a saint. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I thought it wouldn’t be strange if I died… but it’s all thanks to you, Shia.”
Fortunately, thanks to Shia sucking out all the malice within Olganiya, she had manifested a miraculous healing and had regained her prime physical condition enough to act right away.
Of course, there were some aftereffects.
Half of the large Olganiya’s body had long been eroded by the malice and fragments of the demon lord, so dark scars resembling malice were left, and one side of her head bore a horn made of the rotting branches of the World Tree.
Shia’s great healing wasn’t merely a simple miraculous healing; it brought the body to what it deemed its optimal state. Therefore, the form that Olganiya currently held reflected what her body judged to be the best form.
“But how do we differentiate between the two? It seems a bit annoying to call each by their full names every time.”
Originally, elf names were hard for humans to pronounce.
When forcibly trying to adapt them to human language, long names without spaces inevitably emerged.
“Can’t we just call it casually? Shia calls me Olganiya, so I can just be called ‘Olga’ or ‘Small Olga.’ It seems like calling my sister ‘Olganiya’ would work.”
At Small Olga’s suggestion, Shia tilted her head.
Well, thinking about it, it wouldn’t be weird to say the two Olganiya were sisters, right?
“Is that really okay?”
“Of course, Shia. Feel free to do as you wish.”
“Well, we’ve decided to call each other sister and little sister anyway.”
“Looking at the appearance alone, you might resemble a mother and daughter…”
“Oh my, Shia. I’m still unmarried, you know?”
By the way, the relationship between Olganiya, the child of the former World Tree, and Olga, the child of the last World Tree, became a complicated one.
Originally, a child of the World Tree was a singular and unique existence, and the reason a new child of the World Tree is born is solely when the child of the former World Tree perishes.
Therefore, despite being children of the same World Tree, they had never met, making it awkward to even use familial terms.
However, this time, two children of the World Tree had not only survived but were coexisting within the same timeline and era, marking a very special and exceptional case.
“Still, if we had to argue it out, to me, she is still my sister. Since there’s no blood relation, I don’t feel that attached, but after all, both of us are proud children of the World Tree, so calling her sister is merely…”
“Yet, weren’t you sobbing in the arms of the big Olganiya for over an hour yesterday?”
“…..Th, that’s…”
“Well, well, were you missing your sister’s embrace?”
Small Olga had nothing to retort, her face turning red as she puffed out her cheeks.
On the surface, it seemed she wanted to act mature, but from Shia’s standpoint, watching Small Olga sob in the arms of Big Olganiya for nearly an hour made it impossible to suppress her smile.
“Olganiya.”
At that moment, a voice echoed from somewhere, causing Small Olga’s body to stiffen slightly.
It was Elder Gallard and the other elders.
The two Olganiya shared some memories, so they knew how Elder Gallard and the other elders treated the young Olga like a princess pushed out of the hierarchy due to her youth.
Naturally, Big Olganiya’s expression slightly stiffened, and she stepped in front to protect Small Olga.
“…..On this joyous day, we understand this may be uncomfortable for you, but we felt we had to speak now or never.”
The elders and Gallard bowed their heads to Olganiya and Shia simultaneously.
“On behalf of the elders, we sincerely apologize. Olganiya.”
“What for?”
“For everything. We regarded you, Olganiya, as a child and did not acknowledge you as a child of the World Tree.”
Big Olganiya’s brows crinkled slightly at that.
She had heard from Yujin that Olganiya’s personality in her youth was quite problematic, yet she seemed surprisingly tolerant.
“And so, I aimed to protect you without fail until you grew up. I sought to exclude you from any threats… but this ultimately weakened your political standing in the Great Forest, leading to the elders’ power merely growing, and while I believed I could pass it on to you someday, I let it slide. In the end, we, the elders, were toyed with by an external mimic known as Antamia.”
That was not a lie.
The other elders behind Elder Gallard were looking fearful, apologetic as they kept glancing at Big Olganiya.
Shia noticed that Elder Gallard’s words held no traces of deceit and raised her brows in surprise.
Indeed, whether human or elf, no matter how noble their initial intentions might be, one would inevitably fall into the sweetness of power and rights within a group.
“We, the elders including Gallard, now wish to return to our original roles. As the hands and feet assisting the children of the World Tree… we will relinquish every power and right. If punishment must be dealt, we will accept it.”
“……It’s not a matter of bowing to me, is it?”
At those words, Gallard raised his head and bowed again, this time to Small Olga.
“Olganiya Parchelotishipia, I will follow your judgment.”
“…..Huh.”
At Shia’s side, Olga jumped down and stood before Elder Gallard.
The timid demeanor she wore earlier, being somewhat intimidated by the elders, had vanished completely.
“Do you know how many grievances I’ve harbored?”
“…I see, Olganiya.”
“You always disregarded me in meetings, claiming I was too young to understand. I’m already grown up, yet you treated outings with time restrictions! You also continuously opposed calling Shia!”
“Indeed, Olganiya… all of this is due to the mistakes of this old man’s judgment. Even if I shed my elder status, I will accept it. Should you order me to grow cabbages on the northern hill, I will do so.”
“Hmph, that won’t work.”
Gallard bowed in apology, but Olga stood tall, her shoulders lifted defiantly.
“I’ll impose a life sentence of service upon Elder Gallard and the council!”
“…?”
“The purpose of an elder is to assist and aid the child of the World Tree. I want that role to be done properly from now on!”
“However, Olganiya… that isn’t a punishment…”
“It’s a life sentence! It’s a LIFE sentence! Don’t even think about dying wherever! You must keep working and helping. How many elves have been around longer than Elder Gallard? So that means he can assist brilliantly as my hands and feet.”
“……..”
Though it was called a life sentence, Olga was essentially giving the elders nothing while also refusing to bestow any punishment upon them.
“I understand. Your wishes are clear, Olganiya.”
In return, however, Olga gained the loyalty of the elders.
A loyalty that would not be easily swayed.
Though it wouldn’t be an overly comfortable loyalty.
To prove that loyalty, they would need to work hard to assist her.
“Honestly, it would have been fine without me, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Big Olganiya and Shia shrugged.
●●●●
“…..”
Yujin gazed at the illuminated Great Forest from the shadows.
It had been a long time since he had seen the spirits dance.
The fact that the spirits danced indicated that there was no worry, sorrow, trauma, or depression in the hearts and subconscious of the elf children of this Great Forest.
For this moment, they had genuinely forgotten all their pasts and were engulfed in joy.
However…
‘There is no place for me.’
No matter how much he had saved Olganiya, he was the one who had left a trauma in the souls of the elves.
He was the one who had burned the World Tree, absorbing its power yet still failing to overcome the demon lord.
Perhaps he had not even kept Olganiya’s last wish.
As much as he had wanted to meet her again, even if just once more, Yujin believed he did not deserve to step into that bright place.
But, at the very least, meeting Olganiya one last time…
“Ha, I want too much for my position.”
With that thought, Yujin leaned back against a tree.
Indeed, everything turned out well.
He had saved both Olganiya, his ally, and the last child of the World Tree, all thanks to the Requiem Saint Isia.
Now, the elves would no longer suffer from the trauma of losing the World Tree.
As Olganiya said, the World Tree had already bestowed the elves with the ability to conquer spirits and its blessings, even before it fell to corruption by the demon lord and was burned down with Yujin’s hand. The two Olganiya would fill the void left by their mother, the World Tree, and the elves who had come to Earth would now be able to adapt and live in this new world, having shed the ties of the past.
Crack!
“Ugh?!”
At that moment, with a sudden, terrible grip from behind, Yujin clenched his teeth.
To be honest, he had felt someone approaching for a while, but if he tried to react and evade, it only meant someone much stronger would tighten their grip afterward.
No, perhaps even realizing it would have made his reaction difficult.
Having just fought a long battle due to his inherent mana issue, he was still recovering his strength, and besides, how could he escape the hands that sprang from the tree?
“Long time no see, Yujin.”
“…C-cough…”
The owner of the hands that had sprung from the tree was Olganiya.
The former child of the World Tree and Yujin’s ally, the big Olganiya.
Being a child of the World Tree, it was easy for her to blur into the forest or trees.
While choking Yujin’s neck with one hand, Olganiya lovingly rubbed Yujin’s cheek against her own face.
“….Cough, ugh… could you… let go…”
“Haha, I don’t know how long it’s been.”
Yes, the face of joy, even grinning with emotion, was all good but…
“Since I was conscious, I sometimes felt like sporadically sleeping, but I was so glad that your face remained in my memory.”
This perfect headlock stance was something she could ease off a bit.
“Yujin, did you miss me? I really missed you.”
“This, this is a little hard to breathe… oh Awra…”
“I refuse.”
Let me say it again.
Big Olganiya is a Spirit Fighter.
Potentially able to face off directly against the demon lord if circumstances aligned just right, her strength had once sent the Requiem Saint Isia flying.
Though she had indeed lost this time to the Shia and Yujin combo, her power still could not be underestimated.
In essence, it was nearly impossible for Yujin to extricate himself from Olganiya’s hold without significant effort.
“I don’t want to let go anymore.”
Feeling a strangely obsessive vibe, Yujin inadvertently stopped moving and met Olganiya’s gaze.
Yes, Olganiya…
Originally had a rather prickly and rough demeanor, but inside, she had held considerable affection for Yujin since the days of their adventures.
And that affection seemed to have rekindled now, remaining intact even as time had passed.
Crack…
“Ugh…!”
Of course, as that heavy affection suffocated him, Yujin found himself unable to resist.
Part of him thought he still had many wrongs to atone for…
Yet…
‘It’s suffocating… No, I feel like my neck might snap… Aaaah…!’
The sheer strength gripping him was incredible — Olganiya’s arms, honed through being a Spirit Fighter, were nearly unmanageable for him to withstand.
At that moment, indeed, he truly felt he might slip into unconsciousness…
“Ah, I’m sorry. I might have gotten too excited.”
“Whew, huh…”
After a while, when Yujin’s face had turned a ghastly shade from lack of air, Olganiya finally eased her grip.
“Ha…ha… but how did you recognize me, even covered by an illusion?”
“How could I not recognize you?”
“That’s true.”
Even though she wore a male guise, Olganiya had spent the longest time with Yujin in the previous world, allowing her to pick up on the slightest sense of incongruity.
The two lingered for a moment, feeling each other’s warmth against the tree.
“This reminds me of old times.”
“……Is that so?”
Yujin thought, ‘Indeed, me too,’ yet he couldn’t voice the sentiment.
He hadn’t been able to keep Olganiya’s last wishes, nor had he managed to protect the world; what face did he have to show?
“Yujin, do you remember the last thing I said?”
“…..No.”
He remembered everything.
He remembered everything about you.
Not a moment had escaped me.
Even though he had never forgotten, he’d been paralyzed by fear, arriving here now at last.
Unaware that you were in pain, not even knowing you were alive.
“It’s all right. Because I remember.”
[I am… the child of our mother World Tree… Yujin, if I die… bury me there… and…]
“I know at this moment, a good friend was lost…”
[Burn the already corrupted World Tree.]
[It had been sullied by the demon lord, but if you hold the power of the World Tree… then you…]
That memory, which felt like it had just happened yesterday, was still vivid.
“Wow, the last chat we had at the world’s end was that… somewhat embarrassing. Still, thank you…”
“…I am not a hero, Olganiya…”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Olganiya turned her body, staring directly at Yujin.
“…I couldn’t even defend the world against the demon lord. I couldn’t protect your final wish. I’m nothing but a liar, unworthy of being called a hero.”
“…..”
“Yeah, Olganiya. Just as you said…. It would have been better if I had never become a hero and just lived quietly in the countryside…”
Clutch!
“Ugh, grr!?”
“This! This! You truly fell into a negative mindset just because I was away, huh?!”
“Th-this… Olganiya… can you let go…!”
“I won’t!”
Let me be clear.
As Olganiya squeezed Yujin with her arm while clutching him tightly in her elemental pouch, she spoke in a pouting tone.
“Did you really think the last thing I wanted to leave you with was to kill the demon lord?”
“Then, what…”
[If it had been corrupted by the demon lord, then if you were to inherit the power of the World Tree… you would…]
“You can live. You must live.”
“……”
“Don’t be sad. Live. Don’t die. I hope you can live happily, if possible, even for my sake.”
That was what I wanted to say, but my eyes were already closing.
While saying something along that line, Olganiya loosened her grip for a moment, locking eyes with Yujin.
But even then, Yujin could only blankly stare at Olganiya, unable to find any words.
“My last will might sound grand, but it was really nothing significant. I just… wished for you to survive, Yujin.”
“………”
It wasn’t to slay the demon lord. It wasn’t even a request to guard the world.
As she said that, Olganiya gently caressed Yujin’s face.
“I don’t expect you to clear away the weight of guilt on your shoulders with such a remark…”
“………”
Yet, Olganiya brushed away the tears that had formed in Yujin’s eyes.
From those tears, he could taste a strange, salty flavor.
“You can let go of at least the guilt I have placed on your shoulders.”
“………”
“I’m so glad to see you. And I truly missed you.”
“…….I didn’t… want to miss you…”
I wanted to see you so badly.
“Yeah, me too.”
“………….”
I felt unworthy of tears.
This was how I lived.
This was how I acted.
Yet in this moment, just this moment…
Hugged in your embrace, I’m shamelessly crying…
Please forgive me.
“Goodbye, Yujin.”
“Goodbye, Olganiya.”
