Arwen’s short but intense life in Alvenheim continued as she desired.
One day, she decided to rest, both to recover her shaky legs and to read so of the Zenon Chronicles.
She claid that the outside of the bed was dangerous, so I stayed with her, either rolling around in bed or looking around the room.
We spent ti together that wasn’t boring, and I occasionally had conversations with Arwen.
“Then, does that an you couldn’t decide on a na for this world?”
“It’s not this world, but the world in the Zenon Chronicles.”
Especially after reading all the drafts I had given her,
Arwen started asking various questions. The first one was about the na of the world that Zenon would shout out.
Originally, I had thought of naming it after Hirt’s real na, but it was rejected.
So, a different na had to be chosen.
“Do you think others will think the sa, even if it’s not your idea? I don’t think so at all.”
“Then we have no choice. Do you have any suggestions? It’d be great if it were related to the earth.”
“There are books related to ancient languages in the sanctuary. You should read them later; they’ll be helpful.”
“That would be fine. Ancient texts are extrely rare and hard to find. Over ti, many of them have been lost.”
“Besides, I’m more interested in history, specifically event-based history, rather than language.”
“By the way, Lucifer spread his wings… even though he borrowed the power of a demon, could it really be…?”
Arwen looked at with eyes full of expectation and curiosity. It seed she was thinking about Cecily’s demonization incident.
I shook my head with a wry smile. Cecily’s demonization and the elf’s angelization were different matters altogether.
“No, that’s not the case. Even the gods concluded that it couldn’t happen. A transcendent being like an angel can be lowered to a mortal, but the reverse is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because of their origins.”
To beco a transcendent being, one must be born as a transcendent. It’s impossible for a mortal to beco a transcendent.
Though I felt a bit disappointed after hearing this, my perspective changed after experiencing reincarnation.
So, dying as a mortal and being reborn as a transcendent—couldn’t that be acceptable?
A god’s body, not a human one, that is.
There is a record of Hercules from Greek mythology doing sothing similar.
‘It’s the story of Jin dying and being resurrected as an angel… Hmm…’
It would be possible, but the thought of a demon becoming an angel feels off.
It’s not like the elf, a descendant of angels, but a demon ascending to the heavens.
I thought this might need to be a last resort, as there could be backlash from Alvenheim.
Moreover, Jin beca one with Diabolos, a complete entity. The soul was the sa.
Could the gods purify a soul tainted by evil and separate out Jin’s personality?
It might be possible to bring a version of myself from another dinsion and reincarnate, but this was a delicate matter.
‘I should ask about it.’
I left Arwen alone for a mont and stepped out of the room.
As I had ntioned before, Elodia also serves as a sanctuary.
Normally, elves worship Luminous, and dark elves worship Mora. However, since the dark elves were exiled, the elves now worship both.
According to Arwen, their relationship with the dark elves has also notably improved.
Perhaps, in the near future, the much-anticipated fusion with the dark elves would happen, and Arwen thanked for making it possible.
Anyway, I headed toward Elodia’s worship room to ask the gods a few questions…
[A mortal’s soul can be revived in the vessel of a transcendent… It’s not impossible. We’ll just have to create a new vessel, which will take a lot of effort.]
‘So, you’re saying it’s possible?’
[It’s not impossible.]
I asked Mora, not Luminous. Since I hadn’t talked to her recently, I was a bit disappointed, so I went to find her.
Mora’s worship room in Elodia was dark, like the temple of Helium, with only candles lighting the room.
Even though Alvenheim had exiled the dark elves, they hadn’t completely rejected them due to their respect for tradition.
If they had, Mora might have truly been angry. I thought this as I asked her the question.
‘What about souls that are tainted? Is it impossible to purify them?’
[It’s possible, but it’s incredibly difficult, like trying to separate ink mixed with water.]
‘So it’s not impossible?’
[Yep.]
That was reassuring. However, I was still concerned about the elves’ discontent, or more precisely, their dissatisfaction.
Though they might not openly rebel, I worried that the idea of a demon ascending to beco an angel might cause dissatisfaction.
Moreover, the heroes from both the elf and dark elf sides sacrificed their lives to destroy the World Tree. If they hadn’t, Diabolos would have been resurrected much sooner.
There have been countless heroes who sacrificed their lives to save the world, but reviving Jin as a transcendent through resurrection seed unfair.
[Hehe.]
Just as I was deep in thought, Mora chuckled playfully.
Her laughter snapped out of my contemplation.
‘Why are you laughing?’
[I saw an interesting future.]
‘Is it a good future or a bad one?’
[Just an interesting future.]
She clearly didn’t want to share. I chuckled at Mora’s playful attitude.
Seeing an interesting future ant I’d probably find myself in a difficult situation.
If I had known this, I would have gone to Luminous instead.
Unlike Mora, Luminous would have been kind enough to tell everything.
[What? So, are you saying I’m not kind?]
‘It’s not that, it’s just that you’re very playful.’
[Hmph. Do as you please. It’s already complicated because of my mom, and now you’re being an. I won’t give you any divine power from now on.]
That’s a bit troubleso. I gave Mora a wry smile as she pouted like a child whose toy was taken away.
Not receiving divine power would be a major risk. I had to calm her down sohow.
‘Why can’t you give blessings like Hirt did?’
[It’s not about giving or not giving. The problem is that you’ve been stamped.]
‘Stamped?’
[Yes. When my mom gave it to you, she said, “I’ll give you the Blessing of Pure Nature.” It’s not a regular blessing; it’s a pure one.]
What’s the difference? Since I’m not a priest, I didn’t quite understand what she ant.
Perhaps sensing my confusion, Mora grumbled a bit but explained patiently.
[The Blessing of Purity is like giving you part of the divine power.]
‘Divine power?’
[Yes. A priest can pray to grant strength to others, or to cause harm to an enemy.
Or, they can completely rge with darkness, making it nearly impossible to detect by magic.
Both of these are blessings, and if you have enough faith, they’re possible. But divine power is different. It’s like being able to perform a “miracle.”]
‘…’
Just hearing the word “miracle” left speechless.
Since the existence of gods is clearly established, this world also contains miracles that are scientifically impossible.
But why do we call them miracles?
Clearly, it’s sothing that seems impossible, yet for so reason, it becos possible.
That’s what we commonly refer to as a “miracle.”
[If Luminous oppa performs a miracle, he could save soone on the brink of death or restore a severed body part. Otherwise, he might even help recover lost senses.]
“Can’t Kate do that too?”
[She can only ‘stitch’ the severed parts back together. But oppa’s miracle is more like a new body growing, like a sprout. The sa goes for the senses.]
It’s truly a miracle, I thought as I listened to her explanation, then imdiately asked another question.
“Then what about Mora?”
[Unlike oppa, I’m not focused on the external, but more on the internal. My miracles mostly deal with the mind. For instance, I can restore people who have beco vegetables or senile.]
At first glance, it might not seem like much, but that is definitely worthy of being called a miracle.
Especially in the previous life, dentia was a disease that should never be contracted, a disease called the devil’s illness.
A tragic ntal illness that makes people unable to recognize even their own family.
Both gods perform miracles according to their symbols, so I wondered what kind of miracle the goddess of nature would show.
[As you know, mom represents nature. So, wherever you go, you’ll be loved by animals. Plus, you can talk to them.]
“Talk to them? But I couldn’t speak with the bird yesterday?”
[That’s because you didn’t properly connect with it. Even if you’re given power, how you use it matters. Oh, and do you know about ‘spirits’?]
“Of course, I do.”
In this fantasy world, spirits exist. However, they are so rare that they are hardly ever found.
Spirits aren’t limited to animals, but plants can also be spirits.
A pri example is the centuries-old ginseng.
Once discovered, their rarity makes it sothing a country would personally seek out, and their effects are that remarkable.
[If the divine power is sufficient, even ordinary plants and animals can evolve into spirits.]
“…Is that really possible?”
[That’s the pure blessing given by the goddess of nature. Also, when you’re in danger, nature will help you.
No matter how strong a demon worshiper may be, if nature stands in the way, it would be impossible for them to chase you.
So, do you understand how great the blessing you received is?]
I did.
It was far beyond the level of simply elevating a regular human to a druid.
I understood very well how mighty nature is.
No matter how strong humanity grows, it could never defeat nature.
The thought of nature helping didn’t quite sink in, though.
…You’re really showing a lot of affection.
[How could I not? Look at everything you’ve done for .]
“Haha.”
Her sincere praise made embarrassed.
It wasn’t sothing I was used to, being praised by a god.
To shake off this awkwardness, I quickly moved on to another question.
“Then, what about the World Tree’s seed? Should I just plant it in the territory?”
[······]
I asked about the World Tree’s seed, but there was no response. Only heavy silence.
Feeling sothing was off, I asked again.
“Mora?”
[Hm? What is it?]
“How about the World Tree’s seed…”
[Do whatever you want.]
“Do whatever I want?” That vague answer left puzzled.
Did she an I could smash the seed with a hamr? Or was she actually telling to plant it in the territory?
As I was pondering her cryptic words, Mora’s voice beca slightly urgent.
[Is there anything else?]
“Well… no, not really.”
[Okay, then. See you later. Goodbye!]
It seed like she had sothing urgent to attend to, and she quickly ended the connection.
As the connection was cut, I slowly opened my eyes.
Before , Mora’s statue remained, devoid of any divine presence. It seed she had left hastily.
“What’s going on?”
Why wouldn’t she talk about the World Tree’s seed? What kind of future awaits that even she won’t tell about?
Still perplexed by her reaction, I stood up and thought to myself that Luminous would probably have a similar reaction. The seed of the World Tree definitely holds so significance.
“I can’t just smash it with a hamr.”
For now, I decided to leave it be until I returned.
Sorting out my confused thoughts, I walked back to the room where Arwen was waiting.
She was sitting on the bed, holding a seed the size of her face.
It wasn’t so much surprising as it was adorable, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Arwen grinned at my question and gave a really cute reply.
“Well… it seed lonely sitting there all by itself, so I thought it would get cold…”
“…”
“It was a gift from Hirt, right? So I thought I should take care of it a bit more…”
It was such a sweet and endearing thing for soone over a hundred years old to say.
Hearing that, I chuckled and cautiously climbed onto the bed, sitting next to her.
Then, I gently patted the golden seed she was holding and quietly said, “Shall we hold it together?”
“To- together?”
“Why, you’re embarrassed to hold it with ?”
Arwen blushed, embarrassed by my suggestion, and I smiled gently, pulling up the blanket.
It wasn’t yet ti for sleep, but it would be enough to make a lasting mory.
I pulled the blanket up to my chest, placing the seed between us, and slowly embraced Arwen.
“My dear.”
“Shh.”
Just as we were about to drift into a peaceful nap, a strange sound reached our ears.
Crack!
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