79 – World Tree – 10

The bow in Nerwen’s hand trembled.

The only role she was allowed to play was to give birth to his child. Entering the warriors’ party to save the world or representing the will of the tree mother as a champion of the World Tree were secondary matters. she just didn’t know

It was not an illusion that her feelings for him were unnatural. But even so, she couldn’t admit herself.

It meant that his hatred for him was entirely his own, not anyone else’s.

I had felt that unnatural smell and unfamiliar sensation from the beginning. But it wasn’t unbearable.

If he had been a magician rather than a hero, he would have thought it was an unusual magic smell and passed it on.

He could make excuses that the journey was difficult, that there were too many enemies to shoot down, that time was running out.

Nevertheless, it was she who chose the easy path.

It was Nerwen who didn’t even think to ask him about the smell, and insulted him countless times, forcing him to wash away the smell that would not wash away.

I had no intention of understanding. I had no intention of caring. I just thought of it as a burden that hindered me from accomplishing the feat of defeating the Demon King.

she made him

“No. I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can.”

And in the end, the result is like this.

She drowned him in cold water countless times, and the words she said with contempt and disgust at the end of her words choked her like this.

‘What should I do… don’t…’

Now she could do anything.

I was insane at the time, but now, if he ordered the emperor to shoot arrows, I could shoot them.

I will gladly respond to the word to dedicate my body. Even if he asked to die, he would just nod weakly.

However, the situation was now out of her hands.

His eyes were already seeing Nerwen not as a woman, but as something hateful and hideous.

It is pointless to serve Enerel. Even if he devoted the rest of his life to it, it would be a burden to him.

If only he had been a little more harsh, if only he could have treated her a little more coolly.

He could have given her the semen he extracted from another woman as if to throw it away, and left her alone in the World Tree as if nothing had happened, and set off on his own journey.

But now you know. He sympathizes with her even in this situation. A thread of sympathy is woven between the disgust and disgust-filled gaze.

Whatever choice he makes, it will not be a choice that will make him happy.

Nerwen is already a burden to him. It’s a curse.

Even if you kill her or banish her, Enerel will carry on her back a guilt she doesn’t need to bear, and if she lives to assist him, she’ll be consumed with rage every time she sees her face.

It was already over.

Ever since the return ritual failed, or maybe even when Nerwen pounced on him.

Or it may have been when the extermination of the Demon Lord was over, or even earlier.

Nerwen became unnecessary to both the elves and him.

“Think again.”

“In the first place, does it have to be her?”

“The unborn elves you saw on your way here live in the fruit for decades. Even if you create new elves right now, they won’t be born until your life is over.”

No matter how arrogant and proud the elf was, there was no need to treat him that way.

She herself was a failed elf. Just like the elf who shot an arrow at him when he entered the world tree.

It just made the failure a little longer and irreversibly bigger.

Slowly, Nerwen’s legs relaxed.

I realized. No matter what she does, she can’t be needed by the person she loves.

/////

If they live like that, I’m right to respect them. As an outsider, I may not have had the right to talk about their lives from the start.

No matter how much I hate Nerwen, I want to go home more. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have accepted her.

But just, I couldn’t accept this situation itself. Not with the head, but with the heart.

“What I did to Nerwen… was just a mistake.”

“It was an unfortunate accident. Regarding that, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Elves.”

I didn’t know that Nerwen’s words contained sincerity. I didn’t know that he showed interest in me according to the magic that was set ‘from birth’, not the emotion by choice in disorder.

It must have been her choice that it manifested as hatred.

Still, I think indifference would have been enough.

“It makes no sense…”

Laughter leaked out.

A person born to love someone is as absurd as a person born to hate someone.

“Because I needed that…”

“We elves have been working hard to prevent the destruction of the world. To prevent such great destruction and destruction that the demon king seems trivial.”

Erin’s expression was quite serious.

“The prophets of the World Tree foresaw future threats and destruction. This was necessary to protect the world and the World Tree from a great event that will happen in the next thousand years.”

“It’s far.”

“It’s not too far.”

Is it the elves’ notion of time again?

I can’t say that their lifespan and concept of time are the same, but it will feel much smaller than I thought.

“Either we’re alive now, or even maintaining this world tree, is not free. It’s because the elves from a thousand years ago sacrificed themselves for us, and the elves from ten thousand years ago prepared for us.”

After hearing her words, the world seemed thin and fragile like a sheet of glass.

I could understand a little why Eirin was so desperately seeking my help.

“If you understand enough, please make a decision now. There is no need to rush, but I hope you will at least make a promise.”

“At least ask your doctor.”

It wasn’t because Nerwen was pretty. However, despite the specificity of what Nerwen did to me, I couldn’t admit it.

I couldn’t admit a person who was born to love someone.

I couldn’t believe the person who was accused of not doing it.

“Do you still like him?”

I shook my head. In the first place, if it wasn’t for Nerwen who suffered this, he wouldn’t have to worry about it now.

However, it was decided. Even if the opponent is Nerwen, I can’t bear to see a person being treated like this.

I still remember her loathing. Even thinking about it now makes me shudder in anger, but I don’t think Nerwen would want me.

“It’s not…”

“It won’t change, right? Just a little mistake, Nerwen is a loyal and honorable elf. There’s no running away from duty.”

“If you say it that way…”

I didn’t want to say anything warm to her. However, Eirin’s words were putting pressure on Nerwen. I didn’t want an answer that came out of that state.

“If you don’t like it, say no. I don’t mean to forgive you, but I don’t have to pay for it this way.”

Looking back for a second, Nerwen was already staggering in confusion.

/////

At the sound of Enerel’s voice calling her, Nerwen stopped her spirit from disappearing somewhere.

too friendly soft like a fool

When he decides, she will follow. There is no reason to ask Nerwen’s doctor here.

Nevertheless, he was looking into Nerwen’s eyes.

“I…”

What she wanted was simple. Naturally, I wanted to return everything.

Even if this feeling is false, I love him.

Being born to give birth to someone else’s child was unpleasant, but being born to be with someone you love is romantic enough.

Of course I want to hug him.

I don’t want to give up on my responsibility as an elf.

As a champion of the World Tree, I do not want to miss the present life lived in honor.

If there is something I can sacrifice for the community, I will do it without hesitation.

However, he

Nerwen looked up and focused with difficulty, looking into Enerel’s eyes.

Even if you don’t want to admit it, you know. he doesn’t want that

Nerwen is still, perhaps forever, an object of loathing to him. He will never find happiness through Nerwen.

He was a devoted man. A man who would do anything if it was necessary. If the human Enerel was delighted with the work, there was no reason to wait so long.

“Enerel…”

He must know what she wants. Obeying the elder’s orders as an elf, getting closer to the one Nerwen is obsessed with.

So, I intend to sacrifice myself this time as well. He said he had no choice but to give up his happiness for the world a thousand years from now.

But Nerwen didn’t want that.

In the journey to defeat the Demon King, the party of warriors had already forced him to sacrifice endlessly. He forced him to endure it, saying it was to save even one more life.

I didn’t want to let him yield any longer.

“hate.”

Nerwen rejected the offer.